The Myth of the “Dak Blueprint”

[817Gill]

Last season we saw Vic Fangio use a deep safety Cover 2 look to stymie the offense. This forces the offense to march up the field with long multi-play drives emphasizing short passing and running the ball. It zaps the QB of all aggressiveness and forces them to be surgical.

This quickly gained popularity and was also used to slow down Mahomes last year during his 6 or so game slump. Mahomes was forced to stop trying to take aggressive throws downfield and basically do the exact opposite of what he likes to do.

This scheme became so popular that it’s been a staple of defenses this season. Scoring, yards, and offensive proficiency as a whole has been down this season and this deep safety scheme has a lot to do with it. Here’s an excerpt of a very interesting and information-filled article by Yahoo on why offenses have been down as a whole this year;

“Good luck passing as defenses drop deeper
While rushing attacks have largely chugged on, passing efficiency has plunged. Lopez broke down net points by added play type, discovering that through Week 7 of last season, passing plays were worth about plus-325 net points. In comparison, this year, they have netted about minus-50. The 375-point swing, divided by 108 games, represents a loss of 3.47 points per game (close to the 3.8-point overall scoring dip). Passing completion percentage across the league is at a five-year low (62.6%) as is completion of deep throws (25+ yards), generating only a 27.7% success rate.

An increase in zone coverage and deep safety usage has emerged.”

https://sports.yahoo.com/nfl-scoring-is-down-in-2022-what-are-the-causes-013232184.html

In reality, this was not a Dak-beater scheme that only he’s had trouble with. It’s the general scheme that has been giving almost all of the leagues QB’s fits. Defense gets paid too and this season they have earned their keep throughout the league. Fangio is a beast as well lol.

Here are more articles about this scheme shift:

https://www.pff.com/news/nfl-galina-why-two-high-defenses-are-set-to-take-over-the-nfl

https://www.theringer.com/nfl/2022/...nsive-decline-superstar-quarterbacks-run-game

https://www.footballoutsiders.com/stat-analysis/2022/nfls-scoring-drought-worrisome-or-passing-issue

 

[CWR]

Yup, not the stacking the box non-sense some on this board parrot. It started last year and gave Mahomes fits as well. We struggled in large because we couldn't run and got behind the chains with stupid penalties.

 

[817Gill]

Yup, not the stacking the box non-sense some on this board parrot. It started last year and gave Mahomes fits as well. We struggled in large because we couldn't run and got behind the chains with stupid penalties.

Exactly. Teams didn’t fear our run game last year and schemed to stop the pass. Throw in the penalties and lack of an answer from the offensive staff and you got that late season slump.

With Reid’s ingenuity and Mahomes natural all-time skills they were able to push through quicker than we were. With the run game this year and 13 personnel stuff we are doing we may have an answer.

Moore has trouble with scheming WR’s open in the intermediate pass game which is crucial versus these deep safety looks. I think he’s been able to do so with these TE’s which would be clutch.

 

[Oz-of-Cowboy-Country]

Both Pollard and Zeke were hurt down the stretch last year, so we couldn't run teams out of the two deep if you wanted too. This year should be different with a healthy offensive line and two healthy running backs.

 

[DandyDon52]

Yup, not the stacking the box non-sense some on this board parrot. It started last year and gave Mahomes fits as well. We struggled in large because we couldn't run and got behind the chains with stupid penalties.

that and our OC never adjusted for this new defensive scheme.

Long drives are harder as there is more of a chance off will make mistakes along the way.

 

[baltcowboy]

Last season we saw Vic Fangio use a deep safety Cover 2 look to stymie the offense. This forces the offense to march up the field with long multi-play drives emphasizing short passing and running the ball. It zaps the QB of all aggressiveness and forces them to be surgical.

This quickly gained popularity and was also used to slow down Mahomes last year during his 6 or so game slump. Mahomes was forced to stop trying to take aggressive throws downfield and basically do the exact opposite of what he likes to do.

This scheme became so popular that it’s been a staple of defenses this season. Scoring, yards, and offensive proficiency as a whole has been down this season and this deep safety scheme has a lot to do with it. Here’s an excerpt of a very interesting and information-filled article by Yahoo on why offenses have been down as a whole this year;

“Good luck passing as defenses drop deeper
While rushing attacks have largely chugged on, passing efficiency has plunged. Lopez broke down net points by added play type, discovering that through Week 7 of last season, passing plays were worth about plus-325 net points. In comparison, this year, they have netted about minus-50. The 375-point swing, divided by 108 games, represents a loss of 3.47 points per game (close to the 3.8-point overall scoring dip). Passing completion percentage across the league is at a five-year low (62.6%) as is completion of deep throws (25+ yards), generating only a 27.7% success rate.

An increase in zone coverage and deep safety usage has emerged.”

https://sports.yahoo.com/nfl-scoring-is-down-in-2022-what-are-the-causes-013232184.html

In reality, this was not a Dak-beater scheme that only he’s had trouble with. It’s the general scheme that has been giving almost all of the leagues QB’s fits. Defense gets paid too and this season they have earned their keep throughout the league. Fangio is a beast as well lol.

Here are more articles about this scheme shift:

https://www.pff.com/news/nfl-galina-why-two-high-defenses-are-set-to-take-over-the-nfl

https://www.theringer.com/nfl/2022/...nsive-decline-superstar-quarterbacks-run-game

https://www.footballoutsiders.com/stat-analysis/2022/nfls-scoring-drought-worrisome-or-passing-issue

Nobody wants to admit it. The Dak haters ignored it but the big problem with Cowboys passing game was the injuries to Zeke/Pollard and Tyron. What also killed our offense was the in and out of the line up with Collins. Kellen’s offense needs balance.

 

[Kingofholland]

All offenses will eventually be thrown something they haven't seen that will challenge them. Adjustments can be tough at first as other defenses copy that strategy, but eventually that stuff doesn't work as well against good offenses.

 

[big dog cowboy]

All I know is it seems there is less scoring this year league wide.

Questionable play calls and QB play is on full display every Sunday.

 

[FanofJerry]

Dak-Haters.. What a proud, reasonable bunch.

 

[Praxit]

..good homework, mate. All in all, Dak has enough weapons to seal the deal. He doesn't have to play deep to win.

With OL playing well, that opens numerous situations underneath.

 

[817Gill]

..good homework, mate. All in all, Dak has enough weapons to seal the deal. He doesn't have to play deep to win.

With OL playing well, that opens numerous situations underneath.

Thanks, and yup totally agree just has to take them and not get greedy

 

[RonWashington]

I’m thrilled the FO was smart enough to get rid of both C Williams and L Collins off this O Line after last yrs playoff debacle . Love the starting five /. concerned about depth .

Farniok hurt Waletzco hurt leaves Ball who has the look of a player they don’t trust , which equals Peters and PS players as reinforcements . Have to be able to run the ball against the Eagles and Giants to move the chains make defenses more vulnerable to your downfield attack . Do not like our chances as Wildcards .

 

[RonWashington]

Dallas has to win out right now and hope who on that softer then Charmin schedule do the Eagles lose to so Dallas can win the East . The only pot holes in the Philly schedule seem to be the Giants and Saints to make the Cowboy Eagle game mean the East .

 

[Flamma]

In reality, this was not a Dak-beater scheme that only he’s had trouble with. It’s the general scheme that has been giving almost all of the leagues QB’s fits.

But Denver didn't use cover 2 against Dallas. They used cover 1 Rat and Cover 1 Hole for just about the entire game. Cover 1 Hole looks like cover 2 until the ball is snapped. I don't know if they sprinkled in cover 2 on a rare occasion, but those two cover 1 defenses were the primary defenses they used all game until the 4th quarter.

After Dak threw that pick, then Denver switched to all zone for the rest of the game.

 

[Hawkeye0202]

All I know is it seems there is less scoring this year league wide.

Questionable play calls and QB play is on full display every Sunday.

Just me, but it appears even with all the league has done to increase scoring and/or help offenses, defenses are leveling the playing field ......again. In other words, after X number of years, the defense may have finally caught up with offenses.

 

[doomsday9084]

I'm what people would call a "Dakstabber" but the person who should get the most blame for the issue with that layered zone defense is Moore, not Dak.

Teams went to that defense and instead of adjusting, KM kept having the team run the same plays right into the teeth of the defense. He didn't learn anything all offseason as he came out in game 1 and did the same stuff. Its kind of funny but Dallas may have been lucky that Dak got hurt and Cooper came in. It caused KM to change the offense to something more run oriented and simpler and . . . . it worked. Now it seems that the team has impressed that on Dak and the results so far have been better.

 

[Flamma]

For anyone interested, this is a great breakdown of what Denver used against Dallas.

(28808) The one coverage that somehow wrecked the Cowboys - YouTube

 

[Dre11]

Yep, this point was made last year, there isn't a blueprint. If teams can run vs favorable boxes it's not an issue.

 

[CowboyRoy]

Last season we saw Vic Fangio use a deep safety Cover 2 look to stymie the offense. This forces the offense to march up the field with long multi-play drives emphasizing short passing and running the ball. It zaps the QB of all aggressiveness and forces them to be surgical.

This quickly gained popularity and was also used to slow down Mahomes last year during his 6 or so game slump. Mahomes was forced to stop trying to take aggressive throws downfield and basically do the exact opposite of what he likes to do.

This scheme became so popular that it’s been a staple of defenses this season. Scoring, yards, and offensive proficiency as a whole has been down this season and this deep safety scheme has a lot to do with it. Here’s an excerpt of a very interesting and information-filled article by Yahoo on why offenses have been down as a whole this year;

“Good luck passing as defenses drop deeper
While rushing attacks have largely chugged on, passing efficiency has plunged. Lopez broke down net points by added play type, discovering that through Week 7 of last season, passing plays were worth about plus-325 net points. In comparison, this year, they have netted about minus-50. The 375-point swing, divided by 108 games, represents a loss of 3.47 points per game (close to the 3.8-point overall scoring dip). Passing completion percentage across the league is at a five-year low (62.6%) as is completion of deep throws (25+ yards), generating only a 27.7% success rate.

An increase in zone coverage and deep safety usage has emerged.”

https://sports.yahoo.com/nfl-scoring-is-down-in-2022-what-are-the-causes-013232184.html

In reality, this was not a Dak-beater scheme that only he’s had trouble with. It’s the general scheme that has been giving almost all of the leagues QB’s fits. Defense gets paid too and this season they have earned their keep throughout the league. Fangio is a beast as well lol.

Here are more articles about this scheme shift:

https://www.pff.com/news/nfl-galina-why-two-high-defenses-are-set-to-take-over-the-nfl

https://www.theringer.com/nfl/2022/...nsive-decline-superstar-quarterbacks-run-game

https://www.footballoutsiders.com/stat-analysis/2022/nfls-scoring-drought-worrisome-or-passing-issue

That defense has been used for a long time. Tampa two was the name for it when Tampa was winning a SB with Sapp.

This offense only works if a team has little to no run game. This will no longer work on the Cowboys as Pollard would make them pay.

 

[Flamma]

There is something else to consider as well. Dak has had to deal with this, just like Romo did. When our defense can't make stops, it causes the quarterback to take more chances. This year, hopefully Dak can be more relaxed.