Why are the Cowboys playing defensive schemes they clearly cannot execute?

[AMERICAS_FAN]

If you have not realized it yet, Dallas' defense is trying to play defensive schemes they clearly cannot execute.

Against Tampa Bay, Dallas' defense got gashed by the Bucs' running game. After the game, we learned that this happened because Dallas was trying fancy stunts and run-blitzes that they barely practiced in the offseason. But in the second half, Dallas adjust back to a base defense - what they were well versed in practicing - and were able to settle down the Bucs' rushing.

Against the Giants, Dallas' secondary was playing a man-to-man scheme to couple with their extravagant blitz packages. Problem is that they did not practice this much either in the offseason because they did not want to give away what those blitzes might look like. And so here we were again, watching a defense that could not get any sacks from blitz plays that they hardly practiced, and the secondary - which mainly played a zone scheme in past years - got ultra-torched playing man-to-man coverage.

So this really does beg the question: Why are the Cowboys playing defensive schemes they clearly cannot execute?

 

[Bob Sacamano]

because it's way early in the season

they'll back to what works, and what they know, soon

hopefully

 

[ScipioCowboy]

Is there a defensive scheme the Cowboys can execute?

4-3 and 3-4. Two gap and one gap. Zone coverage and man coverage. Pressure, and read and react.

The Cowboys have tried them all, and they remain a mediocre bunch.

 

[Iago33]

The Cowboys D looks confused most of the time. The shifts and movement don't seem purposeful and clear (like Pittsburgh's). They're running around trying to get people in position and figure out who covers whom. Confused much?

 

[Rampage]

The Cowboys D looks confused most of the time. The shifts and movement don't seem purposeful and clear (like Pittsburgh's). They're running around trying to get people in position and figure out who covers whom. Confused much?

bad practice habits. I mean after all Wade said he didn't practice blitzing full speed cause he didn't want to get anyone hurt. Wade is coaching scared regarding this defense like when Parcells was here except for in 2003. he continues to be stubborn and play his zone crap on 3rd and long knowing we suck at it. he continues to play prevent defense at the end of games whether we're winning or losing and need a stop. the last time this defense was anything was in 2003 when we brought the heat with far less talent than we have now. bad coaching cause these guys are never prepared compared to Garrett and his offense it's like night and day.

 

[texbumthelife]

Until this team can execute a good, confusing zone-blitz, we will never get the most out of this 3-4. Zone blitzing is where Pittsburgh makes it's big plays, and what Dick LeBeau is famous for. Perhaps it is time for Wade to steal a page or two from LeBeau.

 

[Mr Cowboy]

How can they not know the scheme? They've been doing it for 3 years now. It's bad coaching combined with stupid, lazy players.

 

[Dallas4ever]

So this really does beg the question: Why are the Cowboys playing defensive schemes they clearly cannot execute?

Probaly because the "defensive guru" is in the lab putting new concoctions together and just experimenting with them on game day. Wade's a pretty good defensive coordinator, that's all.

He's a long way from being considered a great one.

 

[AMERICAS_FAN]

The Cowboys D looks confused most of the time. The shifts and movement don't seem purposeful and clear (like Pittsburgh's). They're running around trying to get people in position and figure out who covers whom. Confused much?

That's the point of my initial post. They are confused because they are lining up in formations they never practiced. I mean, what's Wade thinking? It's one thing to hide what you do in the offseason so that other teams don't have a tip on it; it's another thing to hide it from your own players that when you run it they don't know what they're doing. Wade had accomplished the latter. Again, what is he thinking?

 

[ThreeSportStar80]

I'm still a fan of the 4-3 defense... The 3-4 never really excited me honestly.

 

[Disturbed]

How can they not know the scheme? They've been doing it for 3 years now. It's bad coaching combined with stupid, lazy players.

An honest, short, and to the point explanation. Brilliant.