Williams, Dallas Cowboys defensive coaches clear the air

[theogt]

norm must have been recapping talking about it as a 3rd down situation and that is what I remember.

I mean it is fairly obvious 3rd down is what is being talked about, I dont think they plan use 6 dbs on first down.

There were times when we'd use either form of the dime defense on every down for a quarter or more. Or on 1st down when teams would go 3+ receivers, which is increasingly popular on 1st and 2nd down.

I dont know that roy will play that inside spot this year.

I'd bet good money he does.

And as far as roy being better in coverage than thomas, umm he should be, he should be light years better. Zach is pretty intelligent and I dont know that he will get beat mentally, he will get beat if he is alone with a back or a wr but that is no different than most players.

And that's why it doesn't make sense to me to think Thomas would take his spot on the dime corner defense. I think Thomas is just insurance against Carpenter on 1st and 2nd downs. If Carpenter comes on, he'll play that spot on 1st and 2nd down and Burnett will rotate in like last year.

I've watched a few games of Thomas last year and he wasn't that good at all. People might be expecting too much from him.

I am expecting alot of mixing and matching in august with that cowboy set and the rest of the odd sets, especially if pacman shows up and is in game shape and ready to go. Who knows how much substitution and mixing we could see.

Oh....I can't wait.

 

[AdamJT13]

What did he say yes to then? I am curious how you take that any other way.

I have yet to find any audio of the interview, so I'm basng it on theogt's recap.

First of all, he never mentions either taking Roy off the field "more" or anything about "third downs," so anything along those lines is speculation.

Here's what theogt says Stewart was asked --

"Roy has struggled in coverage, with addition of these corners does that give you ability to take Roy off field?"​

And Stewart's reply --

"What it does for us -- the answer is yes. It gives you solid 3rd and 4th corners on the field. You don't want to put that corner out there if he's not good. When there's 3 and 4 receivers out there we can now put more corners on the field."​

He says yes, having good extra corners gives us the ability to take Roy off the field against three and four receivers, which we sometimes did last year, too (about four times per game, on average). Stewart didn't say we would do it more or on third downs. Last year, it was almost never on third downs. It almost always was in situations when we stayed with a 3-4 front on first or second down but substituted a cornerback in place of a safety (giving us three DL, four true LBs, three CBs and one safety). On third downs, or in obvious passing situations, we almost always were in our nickel/dime defenses with Roy moving up and replacing one of the linebackers on the field.

If we hadn't added Adam Jones or Mike Jenkins, we'd be much less likely to replace a safety with a cornerback on those early downs with a 3-4 front. As Stewart said, "you don't want to put that corner out there if he's not good." But having Jones and/or Jenkins gives us that ability to do what we did last year (when our third cornerback was most often Newman or Henry).

And this part of the Q&A is related to our nickel/dime defenses --

"If you have a surplus of corners, do you change your nickel package?
You deploy against what the team you play against deploys. ON the 3rd down, NFC East teams like to do the run-pass thing. Thats why we had Roy down in the box."​

Stewart doesn't say anything about changing the nickel package. We'll still "deploy" against what the offense deploys. If the opponent deploys more four-wide sets on third downs, maybe Roy WILL be off the field more on third downs, but it will be because of the opponents' personnel, not because Stewart has some plan to take Roy off the field more. If opponents use fewer three- and four-wide packages, he could be on the field even more this season.

 

[theebs]

I have yet to find any audio of the interview, so I'm basng it on theogt's recap.

First of all, he never mentions either taking Roy off the field "more" or anything about "third downs," so anything along those lines is speculation.

Here's what theogt says Stewart was asked --

"Roy has struggled in coverage, with addition of these corners does that give you ability to take Roy off field?"​

And Stewart's reply --

"What it does for us -- the answer is yes. It gives you solid 3rd and 4th corners on the field. You don't want to put that corner out there if he's not good. When there's 3 and 4 receivers out there we can now put more corners on the field."​

He says yes, having good extra corners gives us the ability to take Roy off the field against three and four receivers, which we sometimes did last year, too (about four times per game, on average). Stewart didn't say we would do it more or on third downs. Last year, it was almost never on third downs. It almost always was in situations when we stayed with a 3-4 front on first or second down but substituted a cornerback in place of a safety (giving us three DL, four true LBs, three CBs and one safety). On third downs, or in obvious passing situations, we almost always were in our nickel/dime defenses with Roy moving up and replacing one of the linebackers on the field.

If we hadn't added Adam Jones or Mike Jenkins, we'd be much less likely to replace a safety with a cornerback on those early downs with a 3-4 front. As Stewart said, "you don't want to put that corner out there if he's not good." But having Jones and/or Jenkins gives us that ability to do what we did last year (when our third cornerback was most often Newman or Henry).

And this part of the Q&A is related to our nickel/dime defenses --

"If you have a surplus of corners, do you change your nickel package?​

You deploy against what the team you play against deploys. ON the 3rd down, NFC East teams like to do the run-pass thing. Thats why we had Roy down in the box."​

Stewart doesn't say anything about changing the nickel package. We'll still "deploy" against what the offense deploys. If the opponent deploys more four-wide sets on third downs, maybe Roy WILL be off the field more on third downs, but it will be because of the opponents' personnel, not because Stewart has some plan to take Roy off the field more. If opponents use fewer three- and four-wide packages, he could be on the field even more this season.

Yes I know I remember listening to it. When IR recapped it he said,

Last year we used a S as a dime LB in our sub packages, but now we might use a CB in that spot because we have bigger CB’s now. We might put Roy off the field in nickel and dime packages now. We have much more guys with speed and cover ability to match up when teams go to their 3rd and 4 WR sets.

to me that says that when teams spread us out roy is coming off the field, he is being polite and careful not to just say roy is not going to be on in obvious passing situations.

and IR recapped this..

Giants, Washing and Philly like to run the ball on 3rd down, so we can’t get too small in nickel, but now with bigger CB’s we have guys we can use as nickel packages.

That is why I think they may try mixing in a guy like thomas.

Either way I think roy will have a tough time being on the field in alot of the odd sets if jenkins, jones and scandrick can play.

I didnt bring it up to create a big stir, but when the guy co-running the defense said we are going to put better matchups out there if we have them it should stand for something.

 

[big dog cowboy]

Roy should be on the bench on first and second down too. im sorry folks but this guy cant play anymore.

Right.

 

[theogt]

I didnt bring it up to create a big stir, but when the guy co-running the defense said we are going to put better matchups out there if we have them it should stand for something.

Absolutely. But it's not a knock on Roy. If you have a situation that requires a cornerback, you put a cornerback out there. Not a strong safety. Last year we had situations that required a cornerback but we weren't able to put one out there because even our strong safety was better in coverage than our 4th corner. Now that's not true. And that's a good thing.

And by the way, IR sometimes just summarizes. I try to get as close to word for word without putting my interpretation on things. So, what I had is the closest thing to what was said. And no, I'm not bragging...just saying.

 

[theebs]

Absolutely. But it's not a knock on Roy. If you have a situation that requires a cornerback, you put a cornerback out there. Not a strong safety. Last year we had situations that required a cornerback but we weren't able to put one out there because even our strong safety was better in coverage than our 4th corner. Now that's not true. And that's a good thing.

And by the way, IR sometimes just summarizes. I try to get as close to word for word without putting my interpretation on things. So, what I had is the closest thing to what was said. And no, I'm not bragging...just saying.

I absolutely agree. Like I said, I didnt say it for it to be a big thing or like a see he sucks thing. I like roy and I hope he plays great, that will mean in the most likely scenario the defense is excelling.

And again the preseason should be really enjoyable to watch, more than usual. between the defensive possibilities and the young offensive players august will be a blast.

I think I am tired of the roy williams topic now. I will chime in on one again in 6 months or so, this is 2 in a month that I have participated in and I dont think I can take another one!!!

 

[theogt]

I absolutely agree. Like I said, I didnt say it for it to be a big thing or like a see he sucks thing. I like roy and I hope he plays great, that will mean in the most likely scenario the defense is excelling.

And again the preseason should be really enjoyable to watch, more than usual. between the defensive possibilities and the young offensive players august will be a blast.

I think I am tired of the roy williams topic now. I will chime in on one again in 6 months or so, this is 2 in a month that I have participated in and I dont think I can take another one!!!

Ditto.

 

[David276]

so true. i want to say about 75 percent of the fans on this board are really fair weather he shouldnt care and i dont think anyone can contest that. he makes more money than most of us ever will anyway. just do your job roy seriously man .

 

[jobberone]

So from what I've read some of you think that just because we will play 3-4 CBs in the dime package on third downs we won't take RW or another S out.

The first and most blatant question to arise is when do you actually think we are going to play dime packages. Sure we will likely play some dime packages other that 3rd and long. Esp if teams are passing an awful lot and esp with 3-4 WR sets. But I'd bet really big money that most of the time in at least most of the first half we will play dime packages on third and long.

The next pertinent question is who are they going to pull to insert two extra CBs. If you say one safety and one LB I'll agree with you. If you say RW would possibly move to an ILB role I'd mostly agree with you. If you say they could pull RW in that situation I'd mostly agree with you.

And don't say a myth is factual and discount someone else's opinion. Unless you really think you know it all that is.

Good Grief.

 

[DaBoys4Life]

So from what I've read some of you think that just because we will play 3-4 CBs in the dime package on third downs we won't take RW or another S out.

The first and most blatant question to arise is when do you actually think we are going to play dime packages. Sure we will likely play some dime packages other that 3rd and long. Esp if teams are passing an awful lot and esp with 3-4 WR sets. But I'd bet really big money that most of the time in at least most of the first half we will play dime packages on third and long.

The next pertinent question is who are they going to pull to insert two extra CBs. If you say one safety and one LB I'll agree with you. If you say RW would possibly move to an ILB role I'd mostly agree with you. If you say they could pull RW in that situation I'd mostly agree with you.

And don't say a myth is factual and discount someone else's opinion. Unless you really think you know it all that is.

Good Grief.

it doesn't matter aslong as we can get a silver spoon back there instead of RW we would be better off

:sarcasm:

 

[Sarge]

It is right now. That is after a pretty ordinary season. He is a hot button topic I believe because fans loved him so much. He was the one glimmer of hope in 02 on a worthless team of nobodies. He stuck out, he was the star. People wont let him have a down moment because of that.

Right now most of the support he gets on this board is in reaction to the over the top hatred. I agree on that. I dont see that in the stadium though, there are still plenty of 31's walking around and he always gets a huge rise out of the crowd when he is introduced and when he is around the ball.

The other stuff is just offseason fodder for a board as large and popular as this one. The easiest thing to do is be negative and pick out an individual or particular area and attack it. That is what happens to roy.

I truly believe that if he wasnt part of those two TD's on monday night football against the skins most of this wouldnt be happening. Its like people still wont forgive him or stop blaming him for that last 5 minutes.

I like the guy, I am hoping he bounces back this year. He was pretty ordinary last year, maybe he was distrought over coming off the field or felt out of place. I dont know, I also think sometimes he looks like he is protecting his right shoulder, I dont know if that is true or not it just looks like it sometimes.

For me personally, I like him but I expect him to be a positive player not a liability for various reasons. Little things like the seattle playoff game where newman makes a play and tips it roy who intercepts it. He then pulls his jersey to pull his pro bowl patch down and gloat. I dont understand that. And what happens next, he gets a TD thrown right at him and then in the most crtical moment of the season he hits the wrong gap and gets eaten up by a lineman and alexander goes for 20 yards and a first down. You cant have it both ways. You cant be on the cover of the media guide and on the program and be a star and flash your pro bowl emblem and then make two terrible plays that cost your team.

I think the fans go overboard attacking him and I also think he is guilty of bad judgement. Fans want to love him again but he makes statements like fans are only there when things are good, sure tell that to all of us who shell out season ticket prices, parking prices, program prices, sunday ticket prices....its simply not true and he doesnt have to attack the whole fan base because of a few poor fans.

Every good player in this era of every sport gets dogged because of the criteria of the media, the sensationalized right now media. Its all about opinion and reaction and he along with most known names is an easy target. It has to be tough to be a pro athlete from that perspective in this era. Nobody can ever do enough to shelter themselves from the negative attack on the horizon by some fanbase or media outlet. IN this culture, 49ers fans would find a reason to attack montana in the 80s. Its the beast that drives talk radio and boards like this, you take the good with the bad.

again, I am pulling for the guy. I would love to see him bounce back and have a terrific season and help this team into february. I just wish he would stop throwing gas on the fire when he makes comments about the fans and the media. The reaction to that type of thing is obvious. Even mickey spagnola was killing him this past week.

Nice post........