CFZ Ways to help the run defense improve

[Bobhaze]

Don’t need to tell Cowboys fans this - we’ve had trouble stopping the run for multiple years. This year, the Cowboys defense is 8th in total defense, 3rd against the pass, and wait for it… 25th against the run. Until proven otherwise, the game plan to beat the Cowboys will be simple- run the ball- especially outside the tackles.

So we have 3 regular season games left before the playoffs. What can this team do to improve our ability to stop the run and improve our defense going into the playoffs?

• Faster starts on offense. The last several weeks, the Cowboys offense sputters out of the gate. The Cowboys are 8-2 when scoring first; 2-2 when opponent scores first. Last 5 games, the offense has been too slow to awaken. It’s been too rare to see a game start with a 7-0 Cowboys lead.

• Getting the lead at Half- Cowboys are 8-1 when leading at half; 2-3 when behind or tied at half. When behind, it often forces opponents to abandon the run game, especially down two scores or more late in games.

• Take Parsons off the LOS more often- hate to say it but Micah Parsons is beat up. Putting his 240 lb body snap after snap against 320 lb lineman is hard on the body. Let him roam more to make plays in the run game. If the opponent is behind and forced to pass, move Parsons up to rush the passer.

• Football 101- set the freakin’ EDGE of the field!-We all learned in Pee Wee football- defensive ends and outside LBs must set the edge of the field. Don’t let a runner get outside- use the sideline and force them to cut to the middle! How many times are we going to watch Cowboys edge players let plays get outside of their contain? Quinn needs to be working on this over and over in practice. It’s fundamental football.

• Tackling must improve- lots of weak arm tackle attempts lately. Another football fundamental- the art of tackling. Use shoulder to hit while simultaneously wrapping up. Football is still a game of fundamentals!

Sadly, there is no hidden talent coming to rescue this run defense. We have to get better with what we have. If this offense can stop the slow starts, the defense set the edge and tackle better, that alone can improve what has become the chief weakness our opponents will continue to exploit unless we improve.

 

[Praxit]

. good post, bullet. I agree.

Let me add, and some good luck.

 

[Jake]

Good breakdown, as usual, but the faster start on offense didn't help at Jacksonville. Dallas led 14-0 in the 2nd, 21-7 at halftime, 27-10 in the 3rd, and still allowed 192 yards rushing and 7 yards per attempt.

It's hard to hide poor run defense unless you jump out 28-0 or something. That's not realistic in most NFL games. Linemen need to stay in their lanes and keep blockers from getting to the linebackers. Otherwise, it's going to be hard to hold teams under 5 yards a pop.

 

[Doomsday77]

The faster start should result in a lead at half time. Making the other team one dimensional will create better pass rush opportunities but I agree, Parsons should fill back in at MLB for a bit. Setting the edge would probably change up the pass rush to come more from the middle. If he plays #11 more in the middle we get the best of both worlds...maybe. Last item for tackling- how do you teach a Professional football player to tackle better? Isn't this a pre-requisite?

 

[Forneymike]

Don’t need to tell Cowboys fans this - we’ve had trouble stopping the run for multiple years. This year, the Cowboys defense is 8th in total defense, 3rd against the pass, and wait for it… 25th against the run. Until proven otherwise, the game plan to beat the Cowboys will be simple- run the ball- especially outside the tackles.

So we have 3 regular season games left before the playoffs. What can this team do to improve our ability to stop the run and improve our defense going into the playoffs?

• Faster starts on offense. The last several weeks, the Cowboys offense sputters out of the gate. The Cowboys are 8-2 when scoring first; 2-2 when opponent scores first. Last 5 games, the offense has been too slow to awaken. It’s been too rare to see a game start with a 7-0 Cowboys lead.

• Getting the lead at Half- Cowboys are 8-1 when leading at half; 2-3 when behind or tied at half. When behind, it often forces opponents to abandon the run game, especially down two scores or more late in games.

• Take Parsons off the LOS more often- hate to say it but Micah Parsons is beat up. Putting his 240 lb body snap after snap against 320 lb lineman is hard on the body. Let him roam more to make plays in the run game. If the opponent is behind and forced to pass, move Parsons up to rush the passer.

• Football 101- set the freakin’ EDGE of the field!-We all learned in Pee Wee football- defensive ends and outside LBs must set the edge of the field. Don’t let a runner get outside- use the sideline and force them to cut to the middle! How many times are we going to watch Cowboys edge players let plays get outside of their contain? Quinn needs to be working on this over and over in practice. It’s fundamental football.

• Tackling must improve- lots of weak arm tackle attempts lately. Another football fundamental- the art of tackling. Use shoulder to hit while simultaneously wrapping up. Football is still a game of fundamentals!

Sadly, there is no hidden talent coming to rescue this run defense. We have to get better with what we have. If this offense can stop the slow starts, the defense set the edge and tackle better, that alone can improve what has become the chief weakness our opponents will continue to exploit unless we improve.

Is 27-10 in the third quarter not starting well enough and leading at half? No one on this board wants to acknowledge that this game was a defensive meltdown against a really good QB. There is a fixation on the QB. If the offense has to score 40 points every week then we will lose most games and it won't be the offense's fault

 

[JayFord]

as my mom used to tell me

"Boy if you hit the rb before hes 20 yards down the field yall would have a great run defense"

 

[Ranching]

. good post, bullet. I agree.

Let me add, and some good luck.

Was it really? To long for me to read, but I'll agree if you do.

 

[Creeper]

We need to get bigger and stronger on the edges. I watched the Jags DEs throw out TEs aside on running plays. Our DEs get pushed inside too often on those outside runs. Lawrence can't seem to help himself on the fake hand offs the the running backs. He falls for the misdirection way too often. Discipline is a virtue, and trust that other players will make the play.

Jacksonsville did a great job running around the edges. Obviously they saw something on tape. Maybe Dallas was overcommitting to the inside because they were slow getting to the perimeter.

 

[TheHerd]

Even if we get a lead the opposition isn't force to pass. With the way we get carved up, 7 yards a lay yields a pretty quick score.

 

[Bagman]

The best way to improve the run defense is to get bigger, more physical players with adequate speed. Dan Quinn runs a penetrating 1 gap scheme using stunts and twists. It puts guys out of position and opens up some massive holes. Maybe if our DT were 335-350lbs and the DEs were 270+ we could just anchor at the point of attack and not be blown off the line of scrimmage. You never saw Vince Wilfork or Vita Vea stunt or twist. But you couldn't ever move them out of position.

 

[Bobhaze]

Is 27-10 in the third quarter not starting well enough and leading at half? No one on this board wants to acknowledge that this game was a defensive meltdown against a really good QB. There is a fixation on the QB. If the offense has to score 40 points every week then we will lose most games and it won't be the offense's fault

That’s a fair point for sure. Blaming the QB is the lowest hanging fruit on this board. This is a team problem.

 

[blueblood70]

Don’t need to tell Cowboys fans this - we’ve had trouble stopping the run for multiple years. This year, the Cowboys defense is 8th in total defense, 3rd against the pass, and wait for it… 25th against the run. Until proven otherwise, the game plan to beat the Cowboys will be simple- run the ball- especially outside the tackles.

So we have 3 regular season games left before the playoffs. What can this team do to improve our ability to stop the run and improve our defense going into the playoffs?

• Faster starts on offense. The last several weeks, the Cowboys offense sputters out of the gate. The Cowboys are 8-2 when scoring first; 2-2 when opponent scores first. Last 5 games, the offense has been too slow to awaken. It’s been too rare to see a game start with a 7-0 Cowboys lead.

• Getting the lead at Half- Cowboys are 8-1 when leading at half; 2-3 when behind or tied at half. When behind, it often forces opponents to abandon the run game, especially down two scores or more late in games.

• Take Parsons off the LOS more often- hate to say it but Micah Parsons is beat up. Putting his 240 lb body snap after snap against 320 lb lineman is hard on the body. Let him roam more to make plays in the run game. If the opponent is behind and forced to pass, move Parsons up to rush the passer.

• Football 101- set the freakin’ EDGE of the field!-We all learned in Pee Wee football- defensive ends and outside LBs must set the edge of the field. Don’t let a runner get outside- use the sideline and force them to cut to the middle! How many times are we going to watch Cowboys edge players let plays get outside of their contain? Quinn needs to be working on this over and over in practice. It’s fundamental football.

• Tackling must improve- lots of weak arm tackle attempts lately. Another football fundamental- the art of tackling. Use shoulder to hit while simultaneously wrapping up. Football is still a game of fundamentals!

Sadly, there is no hidden talent coming to rescue this run defense. We have to get better with what we have. If this offense can stop the slow starts, the defense set the edge and tackle better, that alone can improve what has become the chief weakness our opponents will continue to exploit unless we improve.

the last 2 games we stated 7-0 and got up last game what 21-7? we lost. 7-0 tens game and had the punt fubled .. so offense has many times stated at least with a lead. we had big lead in the bears game they ran all game no matter what..got up 14 late against GB but still they ran a lot even when down..

so while ill agree with that typical, teams decided to go outside the norm and run all game no matter the score because we dont stop it consistently. Now we get big leads like in GB not only can they run at will they are now like last game picking on Joseph and bland. so they recorded one sack in 2 games and 700 yards of offense given up and along big pays in the air.. so not sure i can agree against us you are expecting teams to react like they normally would most game..

ridiculous expectations to ask our offense to what? get up 17 every game to give our d a shot. Hey Marinelli and Nolan are you back i mean score 40 or lose??

thats insane. the d fell apart and needs to find itself..

 

[blueblood70]

Is 27-10 in the third quarter not starting well enough and leading at half? No one on this board wants to acknowledge that this game was a defensive meltdown against a really good QB. There is a fixation on the QB. If the offense has to score 40 points every week then we will lose most games and it won't be the offense's fault

 

[Captain43Crash]

Is 27-10 in the third quarter not starting well enough and leading at half? No one on this board wants to acknowledge that this game was a defensive meltdown against a really good QB. There is a fixation on the QB. If the offense has to score 40 points every week then we will lose most games and it won't be the offense's fault

Truth!!!

 

[Bobhaze]

the last 2 games we stated 7-0 and got up last game what 21-7? we lost. 7-0 tens game and had the punt fubled .. so offense has many times stated at least with a lead. we had big lead in the bears game they ran all game no matter what..got up 14 late against GB but still they ran a lot even when down..

so while ill agree with that typical, teams decided to go outside the norm and run all game no matter the score because we dont stop it consistently. Now we get big leads like in GB not only can they run at will they are now like last game picking on Joseph and bland. so they recorded one sack in 2 games and 700 yards of offense given up and along big pays in the air.. so not sure i can agree against us you are expecting teams to react like they normally would most game..

ridiculous expectations to ask our offense to what? get up 17 every game to give our d a shot. Hey Marinelli and Nolan are you back i mean score 40 or lose??

thats insane. the d fell apart and needs to find itself..

What are you basing your comments on from the OP? Where is the criticism you seem to be reacting to?

 

[blueblood70]

What are you basing your comments on from the OP? Where is the criticism you seem to be reacting to?

General feel for this thread but others....

 

[TheFinisher]

They’re undersized and rely on twists and stunts. Its a recipe for getting gouged.

The front office favors flash over physicality and toughness in the trenches. That’s why Dallas gets punk’d when teams commit to running the ball against us. Has been happening for years.

 

[Bobhaze]

The defense carried this team for weeks. It has been crippled by injuries the last few weeks. This team must remain committed to play as a team, with all sides of the ball providing support for each other.

The offense has certainly improved the last two months as the defense has declined. If the offense can provide an early lead and the defense can do a better job of setting the edge against the run, we have a chance to improve. This team is going to need to become road warriors if this season is going to be as successful as we hope.

 

[Coogiguy03]

We don't know how to keep the foot on the gas pedal! I think it's scripted that we must keep games close to drive up revenue to keep fans from leaving the games or to stop watching! It has to be something, we just can't get right

 

[cowboyec]

i'd love to see dan quinn try out josh ball or aviante collins at dt...just to see if they could handle it.