Why have Cowboy Scrubs Been So Effective?

[T-RO]

Why have Cowboy Scrubs Been So Effective? Think about it...it's really almost impossible. How can this defense even operate with six guys off the street...let alone be effective?

I've given this some thought this week and I might have something of an answer. Maybe part of the answer. I welcome your feedback.

Let me start with this question:
How would you compare a scrub linebacker to Demarcus Ware? The scrub off the street might be half the player Ware is, right?

Let's reframe the question: how good is a scrub linebacker compared to Demarcus Ware when Ware is battling 2 or 3 considerable injuries...and maybe some minor stuff as well?

Maybe the two players suddenly aren't so far apart?

Now ask yourself: how many starters across the league who have played 14 games are anywhere close to 100% late in the season?

In the final third of the season it's quite possible that the difference between a scrub and a star in many cases becomes negligible...simply because the star player often has a significantly tweaked knee or is playing with a bum shoulder.

I don't want to take anything away from the job the Cowboy coaches are doing in keeping this army on the march. But I suspect the realities of health start to play a big factor in the NFL...in often leveling things out.

So very many guys are hurt...that being fresh and injury free can compensate for the difference in ability.

 

[D29Murray]

@SullyBaldHead: No other defense in the NFL has had 24 players on the field for at least 100 snaps this season. The league average is 20.2. A dozen teams haven’t even reached 20 players yet, and San Francisco is currently at 14. Yes, 14, as in 10 fewer than Dallas.

The 49ers have had 10 players take at least 840 defensive snaps. The Cowboys have had one, Brandon Carr. That is staggering.

 

[ElGatoGrande]

well, it did force Ryan to simplify the defense...

 

[T-RO]

@SullyBaldHead: No other defense in the NFL has had 24 players on the field for at least 100 snaps this season. The league average is 20.2. A dozen teams haven’t even reached 20 players yet, and San Francisco is currently at 14. Yes, 14, as in 10 fewer than Dallas.

The 49ers have had 10 players take at least 840 defensive snaps. The Cowboys have had one, Brandon Carr. That is staggering.

That only underscores my point. We've had a ton more guys out...but yet have had remarkable success nevertheless.

The guys that *are* dressing and playing for opposing teams aren't dominating our street scrubs. And that's where my hypothesis comes in.

My theory is that later in the year...guys off the street aren't nearly as mismatched as early in the season. In many instances the scrub can outplay the guy across the line-of-scrimmage, who may be extremely hobbled.

We have Ware and Bryant playing hurt...and their playing level is considerably less than at their best. I suggest that to various degrees...that's the norm for NFL players this late in the season. Guys that are suiting up are often WALKING DEAD.

After 10, 12, 14 games, a player's body is breaking down. He can no longer differentiate himself from a guy off a practice squad. In some cases....though courageously playing through pain and disability...the player is in fact becomes a liability.

 

[Staxxxx]

We're always so quick to point the finger of blame at the front office and coaching staff when things are going wrong.

I think in this instance they deserve a giant kudos. The front office for finding and bringing in the right players and the coaching staff for coaching them up and coming up with schemes that don't expose them too badly.

 

[RastaRocket]

Because this team plays with heart.

 

[T-RO]

We're always so quick to point the finger of blame at the front office and coaching staff when things are going wrong.

I think in this instance they deserve a giant kudos. The front office for finding and bringing in the right players and the coaching staff for coaching them up and coming up with schemes that don't expose them too badly.

I'll sure give Ryan his due. Absolutely. To prepare guys to play that have only had maybe a few weeks to learn the playbook. Absolutely.

 

[iceberg]

Could it be coaching? Scouting?

Nah. We need to blow this up.

I read it here.

 

[T-RO]

Because this team plays with heart.

I agree. But that's not enough. When you move beyond the hollywood narratives...it's talent that wins in this league.

Can you beat the man across from you? Can you win enough collective battles?

Red deserves credit for keeping the ship afloat and headed to harbor, and Romo merits massive kudos.

But still...I'd suggest that were these scrubs playing against starters and stars earlier in the season...they'd have been exposed and torched.

But later in the year the equation changes. A healthy body that can go all out becomes a premium commodity.

 

[RastaRocket]

I agree. But that's not enough. When you move beyond the hollywood narratives...it's talent that wins in this league.

Can you beat the man across from you? Can you win enough collective battles?

Red deserves credit for keeping the ship afloat and headed to harbor, and Romo merits massive kudos.

But still...I'd suggest that were these scrubs playing against starters and stars earlier in the season...they'd have been exposed and torched.

But later in the year the equation changes. A healthy body that can go all out becomes a premium commodity.

I definitely agree with what your saying.

I think this season is great for our young team though. Having guys come in off the streets and succeed really boosts the confidence of the entire locker room. A lot of these guys are getting the opportunity of a lifetime to start out there, and it's incredibly nerve racking I would assume. Once they start noticing these guys step in with success, they believe they can do it as well because examples are happening right before their eyes. It's like a cancer of confidence spreading through the locker room. It only bodes well for this teams future. Hell, maybe all of these injuries are a blessing in disguise.

 

[Lazyking]

its coaching combined with key plays being made at the right time. Brandon Carr has really stepped up and the team doesn't miss tackles. The Bengals game we probably should have lost if the Bengals didn't drop so many balls but against Pitt, Cowboys D came up with plays when they needed it.

Oh the Demarcus ware comment doesn't really work when he's not a cover linebacker and we lost two of those.

 

[T-RO]

It's like a cancer of confidence spreading through the locker room...

Not maybe language I would choose...but...sure. Yes!

 

[T-RO]

...the Demarcus ware comment doesn't really work when he's not a cover linebacker and we lost two of those.

I don't understand your point here.

 

[Lazyking]

I don't understand your point here.

You were commenting about Demarcus Ware and how you wouldn't expect scrubs to play up to his level.. Well they haven't replaced Ware. Then again, maybe I misinterpreted your point lol.

 

[T-RO]

Ware has had a total of 10 tackles over the past 6 games....less than 2 per game. 2.5 sacks in that span. That's just not very good at all.

Injuries can bring the best players right down to earth.

 

[Nav22]

I don't really agree with this premise that our D has played great ball. Truthfully, they've been pretty mediocre but have made some key plays late in games that helped us win.

Nick Foles embarrassed us in Cowboys Stadium. So did Brandon Weeden. Andy Dalton was killed by drops. Big Ben played well aside from the pick in OT.

An average D is about all we can hope for out of this group, in my opinion. The pressure will be on the offense to keep outscoring teams.

 

[ElGatoGrande]

I don't really agree with this premise that our D has played great ball. Truthfully, they've been pretty mediocre but have made some key plays late in games that helped us win.

Nick Foles embarrassed us in Cowboys Stadium. So did Brandon Weeden. Andy Dalton was killed by drops. Big Ben played well aside from the pick in OT.

An average D is about all we can hope for out of this group, in my opinion. The pressure will be on the offense to keep outscoring teams.

yup... the only team they've played recently with a halfway functioning offense was the Commanders and they put up 38pts. Given that Brees loves throwing to his RBs and TEs this thing could get incredibly ugly with our scrub LBs and safeties. Ryan might want to play a nickel or dime package for the majority of the snaps.

 

[KoRnyBrad]

I wear my Cowboy's scrubs to work after a victory! Oh wait, we are talking different scrubs aren't we?:laugh2:

 

[RoyTheHammer]

Why have Cowboy Scrubs Been So Effective? Think about it...it's really almost impossible. How can this defense even operate with six guys off the street...let alone be effective?

I've given this some thought this week and I might have something of an answer. Maybe part of the answer. I welcome your feedback.

Let me start with this question:
How would you compare a scrub linebacker to Demarcus Ware? The scrub off the street might be half the player Ware is, right?

Let's reframe the question: how good is a scrub linebacker compared to Demarcus Ware when Ware is battling 2 or 3 considerable injuries...and maybe some minor stuff as well?

Maybe the two players suddenly aren't so far apart?

Now ask yourself: how many starters across the league who have played 14 games are anywhere close to 100% late in the season?

In the final third of the season it's quite possible that the difference between a scrub and a star in many cases becomes negligible...simply because the star player often has a significantly tweaked knee or is playing with a bum shoulder.

I don't want to take anything away from the job the Cowboy coaches are doing in keeping this army on the march. But I suspect the realities of health start to play a big factor in the NFL...in often leveling things out.

So very many guys are hurt...that being fresh and injury free can compensate for the difference in ability.

Ummm... maybe because the word "scrub" isn't thrown around nearly as much by actual football people as it is by the casual fan.

 

[LatinMind]

The bad thing about this is Ryan could be very well scooped up from Dallas for a HC job