Watched game for second time - analysis

[CATCH17]

Spears and Olshanksys job is to play outside contain in case someone gets outside of our blitzing linebackers.

Thats why they look like they are getting "stood up".

They don't rush hardly ever in this defense.

 

[RS12]

RW had some great blocks!

He isn't here for his blocking. Do you buy a sandwich for the bread? Michael Irvin was a great blocker too, but I seem to remember him making a few plays. Jury still out on RW to me in a big way.

 

[Dallas71]

Spears and Olshansky aren't expected to pressure the quarterback in this defense. When they do, it's a bonus. They're more like anchors in a way.

Ratliff is playing out of position, a fact that really started to emerge last year. Not saying he's completely incapable but he's not a true nose guard. MUST have more size in the middle. I've seen way, way too many big runs against this defense to draw any other conclusion.

Brooking and James will continue to look pedestrian given that linemen and fullbacks routinely reach the second level when they mosey right passed Ratliff. I said last year when we signed Thomas, "don't worry, he'll only play in the nickel". Well ... size does matter after all.

With Ellis gone, so went the pass rush. We just had no idea where exactly Spencer was at as far as his development. Spencer may pan out but is a ways off. Should have kept Ellis ... certainly the biggest mistake of the offseason. Jones does love to gamble.

Ware is great and I pray Dallas finds something to take the double teams away. He'll be doubled the rest of his life until this changes.