Which has been better: CB or S?

[FuzzyLumpkins]

Which unit has been better in your view?

On the one hand you have the S with primarily Jones Church and Wilcox,

on the other you have Claiborne, Carr, Brown?

I have an opinion but I am going keep it to myself for now other than to say I think both units are playing at a high level.

I'll give my opinions on how I think they are doing in Fuzzy Thoughts which I should have out by tomorrow.

 

[ScipioCowboy]

I'm gonna say safety. There's been 21 points in the past two weeks alone Byron Jones has singlehandedly prevented.

 

[bigdnlaca]

I think the hire of Greg Jackson was vital. So with that being said, Safeties

 

[theebs]

Both have been great.

We have played a bunch of dime with 3 safeties. Byron Jones two pass breakups in the last two games were huge

 

[Trouty]

I think, as a whole, the CB's have done better, but only slightly, as both units have done very well:

Mo has been a blanket more often than not and has forced QBs/receivers to attack the slot (Brown) TE (Jones) or other side (Carr). When he is targeted he is getting his PBU's or playing extremely aggressively and making the tackle at the point of attack. He is also closing in on defenders on flat routes and screens better than I've ever seen him do it before.

Carr has been Carr. At times blanketing his guy, other times getting beat. He's had far less PBU's than Mo and plays less physical, but is a very solid number two. He is awesome in Zone, imo, where Mo shines in man.

Brown, let me tell you. He is the real deal. I watched two separate plays where he closed in on the receiver on short pass routes to the flat, where he was playing slot and covering mid field. I mentioned this in the GDT. He has been beat, but he's a rook. He plays fierce and is a sure tackler. But he closes in on the ball with elite vision and speed.

For the S unit, Jones is a pro bowler. He doesn't get int's but Wilcox just got one, so if anything, what does that tell you? He blankets TE assignments and can remove WRs from the game. He had two key PBU's last game and never quits on a play. His range covers up the deficiencies of Wilcox, allowing Wilcox to stay within his own game, smaller area of assignment (zone), and not have to overreach, or overplay/overthink which often times in the past got him beat.

Church is our most underrated defender and has been absolutely awesome this year. Also a sure tackler, and is finally making reads with somewhat consistency. His angles to the ball holder have been much better and he is putting himself in position to make plays in the open field.

Overall, Fuzzy, this unit (DBs) is an above average unit. If we had any sort of exterior pass rush (or even consistent interior) we would be a top 5-7 defense, with the DB's we already have.

We must attack DE in next year's draft and free agency, along with SS and CB2/3 (Mo should be re-signed, and Carr, too, for the right [small] price).

So ecstatic with our DBs

Also, music to my ears @FuzzyLumpkins, that we're getting another one of your gems this week (Fuzzy's Thoughts)

Hellz to the yeah!!! Can't wait

 

[treykin32]

I can't see what all they have going on in the defensive backfield, but I know it feels good having the majority of 3rd and longs turn into 4th down. They are doing something right. Rogers had all day to throw, but couldn't find anyone open. That says alot about this secondary and the coaching. Keep up the good job guys.

 

[Direwolf63]

I think the CB's have been better because they have the tougher job. That being said, Byron Jones has given the team the best safety play they've had in a long, long time. All that's missing are the turnovers. Wilcox nor Church wouls have been able to knock down that 4th down pass. That's a TD if not for Jones being back there.

 

[Doomsday101]

as some others have said both have been very good, safeties with Church has a forced fumble and an Int and Jones with some nice breakups and even Wilcox with a forced fumble.

As a unit the entire secondary is working great when in zone coverages something I thought I would never see from these guys yet they have played these zone very well

 

[xwalker]

Which unit has been better in your view?

On the one hand you have the S with primarily Jones Church and Wilcox,

on the other you have Claiborne, Carr, Brown?

I have an opinion but I am going keep it to myself for now other than to say I think both units are playing at a high level.

I'll give my opinions on how I think they are doing in Fuzzy Thoughts which I should have out by tomorrow.

Credit on order:
Coaching
Byron Jones
Switching Carr to the other side.
Claiborne
Brown
Church
Wilcox
Heath

 

[ElGatoGrande]

That's a tough one since they work as a group and they're all making a difference, even Wilcox has picked up his game.

 

[Rogerthat12]

Those secondary coaching changes appear to have been fruitful, both the corner and S play have been much improved.

 

[ScipioCowboy]

Both have been great.

We have played a bunch of dime with 3 safeties. Byron Jones two pass breakups in the last two games were huge

I've noticed this as well.

I know multiple receiver sets are all the rage nowadays, but I wonder if opponents will ever figure out they'd be better off running a traditional two back set against the Cowboys.

The Cowboys have no depth and little talent at linebacker. They would run nickel and dime defenses all day if they could. If I'm an opposing offense, I'm using my running backs to get mismatches against the Cowboys linebackers.

 

[Hoov]

Which unit has been better in your view?

On the one hand you have the S with primarily Jones Church and Wilcox,

on the other you have Claiborne, Carr, Brown?

I have an opinion but I am going keep it to myself for now other than to say I think both units are playing at a high level.

I'll give my opinions on how I think they are doing in Fuzzy Thoughts which I should have out by tomorrow.

Its hard for me to say. I think I'll go with safety. I think B Jones play is allowing church and Wilcox to play much better and in turn this makes things easier for the corners as well - so I am going to say B Jones is the Key Ingredient that makes everyone in the secondary better by allowing everyone else to play a little looser and not have to press or reach beyond their roles or individual assignments.

 

[WillieBeamen]

Corners. Both units have played well but Byron has given up a few Tds already.

 

[RS12]

On the one hand you have the S with primarily Jones Church and Wilcox,

I have to safety safety. For the better part of a decade the middle of the field Cowboy pass defense has been a liability. It seems like Jones is developing some lock down ability there, be it on WRs or TEs. That play on Sunday where he got his hand up just in the nick of time on that 30 yard out was a thing of beauty. I didnt see him look back so I dont know how he timed it so perfect. Church has made plays and tackled well. Wilcox has looked serviceable which is a 180 from last year. The tackling in the secondary in general has improved 10 fold over last year, so kudos the coaching staff.

 

[Trouty]

I've noticed this as well.

I know multiple receiver sets are all the rage nowadays, but I wonder if opponents will ever figure out they'd be better off running a traditional two back set against the Cowboys.

The Cowboys have no depth and little talent at linebacker. They would run nickel and dime defenses all day if they could. If I'm an opposing offense, I'm using my running backs to get mismatches against the Cowboys linebackers.

Our DB's have even covered for the linebackers (sans Lee) getting to the HB on outside runs. We have some physical defensive backs, Scipio.

 

[treykin32]

Have we given up a play over 30 yards yet? If so, it doesn't seem like it. For years it seemed we got toasted at least 3 times a game.

 

[DenCWBY]

Scale of 1-10 for each player, 10 being excellent.
Safeties: Jones 9.5, Church 8, Wilcox 5 = 22.5 total
Corners: Claiborne 8.5, Brown 8, Carr 5.5 = 22 total
They are real close but love what our safeties are doing with cover and tackling responsibilities. I give safeties the edge.

 

[Trouty]

Have we given up a play over 30 yards yet? If so, it doesn't seem like it. For years it seemed we got toasted at least 3 times a game.

Yes, against WSH, Carr misread his assignment and Jones had to cover for him and run the receiver down (saving a TD and leading to a fg). Jones' motor never stops. I heart Byron

 

[Direwolf63]

I've noticed this as well.

I know multiple receiver sets are all the rage nowadays, but I wonder if opponents will ever figure out they'd be better off running a traditional two back set against the Cowboys.

The Cowboys have no depth and little talent at linebacker. They would run nickel and dime defenses all day if they could. If I'm an opposing offense, I'm using my running backs to get mismatches against the Cowboys linebackers.

I think we will see the Eagles doing this with Matthews and Sproles when we play them. They have shown weakness defending the run up the middle this year.