for display only
Big Blue Interactive The Corner Forum  
Back to the Corner

Archived Thread

Cowboy Front Seven

wonderback : 9/5/2017 12:49 pm
Everyone talks about the offensive line of the Cowboys and what a strength it is. Occasionally you'll here about the problems they have in their back four. I don't hear too much regarding their defensive front seven. How good are they? Are there any holes to exploit? Can we run successfully on them? Interested hearing from people who have a decent understanding of that part of Dallas's 'D'.
They have holes all over the place on that side.  
GiantFilthy : 9/5/2017 12:53 pm : link
Half of them are suspended.
They struggled to generate a pass rush last year  
Ceez2.0 : 9/5/2017 12:54 pm : link
and they have lost some guys to injury and suspensions. They are prob depending too much on Taco to emerge sooner than he should.
The last I heard about their front seven is they have had some  
SterlingArcher : 9/5/2017 12:55 pm : link
injuries and in keeping with the cowturd culture several players suspended. Overall their defense is not a defense to fear.
their front seven isn't terrible  
djm : 9/5/2017 12:57 pm : link
it wasn't terrible last year. The LBs are key as Smith and Lee can cover a lot of ground and tackle. As they go so goes their front 7. If they stay healthy they still will get pushed around up front. Well coached. Secondary is completely unknown but how often does a secondary play well with a bunch of kids? Not often.

ON a good day their D will play downhill and get enough stops to make things easy on the whole team. But on every day they will have a really hard time stopping good opposing offenses in the second half of games.

They better lead the league in rushing again and limit the turnovers again. If they don't they will struggle.
RE: The last I heard about their front seven is they have had some  
Ceez2.0 : 9/5/2017 12:59 pm : link
In comment 13584581 SterlingArcher said:
Quote:
injuries and in keeping with the cowturd culture several players suspended. Overall their defense is not a defense to fear.


Unfortunately if our O-line continues to struggle, even a pedestrian D will give us fits.
Dearth of regulars or not,  
Big Blue '56 : 9/5/2017 1:01 pm : link
it's one game, it's opening night, it's a division game and they're at home. They are perfectly capable of beating us..
The so called experts over value  
larryflower37 : 9/5/2017 1:01 pm : link
or over look how poor this defense is.
I think Dallas takes a big step back.
Philly and the Giants will fight it out for the Divison.
Taco Charlton has looked pretty good  
giants#1 : 9/5/2017 1:05 pm : link
in preseason. They're going to need a good pass rush from him with all the suspended guys though.

And the injury to Hitchens hurts (no pun intended) and likely means Jaylon Smith will play a bigger role than expected early on.
Last preseason  
RinR : 9/5/2017 1:19 pm : link
similar reports of doom for the Dallas D was being made here on BBI and yet they finished in top 5 in fewest points allowed per game. So while I am not doubting the accuracy of the above changes to their D, I want to see how they actually play the first few games.
I know their offense  
wonderback : 9/5/2017 1:39 pm : link
Can hide a lot of the sins of their defense. They control the ball. They control the clock. Their defense probably doesn't get nearly as many plays run against them as we do for example. It hides a lot of their flaws. It's why I'm asking you guys. I can't really tell how good or how bad they are because of their offense.

If we can run against them successfully it should mitigate their ability to generate a pass rush and put significant pressure on Eli. It will keep their offense off the field. I'm hoping with our new found blocking tight ends and fullback, along with Perkins having the gear that Jennings lost, we'll be able to control the game.
RinR  
djm : 9/5/2017 1:41 pm : link
the dallas D had about as much to do with that top 5 stat as I did. They did and do played above their pay grade so to speak, that I agree with, but when push comes to shove they aren't any good. They will keep things afloat if the offense plays excellent ball but once a big stop or two is needed they will fold.

That's not to say I am writing them off. I think Dallas be a problem once again. But the D is their weakness.
Best run D last season  
Tuckrule : 9/5/2017 1:54 pm : link
They're a pretty good group. Obv there missing hitchens but I actually expect jaylon smith to start in his place. Sean lee always seems to get about 13 tackles vs us. He's fragile as glass but a playmaker when on the field
Their DL is no more  
TMS : 9/5/2017 1:56 pm : link
questionable than our OL based on last year. We will see.
There was an article in the Ft Worth Star-Telegram  
ChicagoMarty : 9/5/2017 2:00 pm : link
over the weekend talking about the faceless Defense that Def Coordinator Rod Marinelli has put together.

Marinelli stresses team speed, hustle and swarming to the ball.

They don't have a big pass rush. Paea as NT may be an improvement as they let Thornton go after paying him a lot of $.

Obviously the Cows lost some dbacks during the offseason and without a big pass rush there may be some opportunities for some big pass plays by the Jints.
I think Philly's D  
Simms11 : 9/5/2017 2:00 pm : link
is the one in the Division that looks comparable to ours. If we can get our running game going and hit some plays to our TEs, we'll be able to keep Dallas on their heels. Of course anything can happen on Sunday night, the first game of the season though and even Dallas D could look pretty formidable. If OBJ doesn't play, our passing game will take a big hit IMO.
Jonathan Cooper  
Samiam : 9/5/2017 2:03 pm : link
To change the subject a little bit, is he playing well ? I was hoping with the 2 changes in the OL that it would suffer which would put their D on the field more.
RE: Their DL is no more  
djm : 9/5/2017 2:09 pm : link
In comment 13584672 TMS said:
Quote:
questionable than our OL based on last year. We will see.


I think Dallas DL is an even bigger problem than our OL. At least we have some cohesion on our side.
RE: RE: Their DL is no more  
djm : 9/5/2017 2:09 pm : link
In comment 13584687 djm said:
Quote:
In comment 13584672 TMS said:


Quote:


questionable than our OL based on last year. We will see.



I think Dallas DL is an even bigger problem than our OL. At least we have some cohesion on our side.


Plus, we have talent all around the offense to at least mitigate some of the OL issues. Dallas D outside of LB is limited.
I hate to say it, I mean I REALLY hate  
CT Charlie : 9/5/2017 2:10 pm : link
to say it, but I think the key will be Taking Care of The Duke. I predict it will be a close, low-scoring game, maybe something like 17-16.
RE: I hate to say it, I mean I REALLY hate  
micky : 9/5/2017 2:13 pm : link
In comment 13584689 CT Charlie said:
Quote:
to say it, but I think the key will be Taking Care of The Duke. I predict it will be a close, low-scoring game, maybe something like 17-16.


they are usually between these two. Giants win the TO battle and good chance of getting a w..aside from other things happening
I agree with CT Charlie 100%!!!  
GiantBlue : 9/5/2017 2:18 pm : link
While their D may be underwhelming and the defensive backs inexperienced, protecting the football is key; fumble & interception. It always seems like Sean Lee grabs one of those underthrown crossing pattern passes by Eli when we are about to get into the red zone only to have to chase him down the field...which reverses momentum and field position.

Also, any type of fumble either in our territory or in theirs is a killer. Protect the Duke....win the game!
.  
arcarsenal : 9/5/2017 2:24 pm : link
Never, ever take a divisional game lightly..

BUT.....

We match up extraordinarily well against this team.
They are more than capable  
Carl in CT : 9/5/2017 2:25 pm : link
They are the favorites in the game. See Vegas!
RE: Best run D last season  
fredgbrown : 9/5/2017 2:35 pm : link
In comment 13584671 Tuckrule said:
Quote:
They're a pretty good group. Obv there missing hitchens but I actually expect jaylon smith to start in his place. Sean lee always seems to get about 13 tackles vs us. He's fragile as glass but a playmaker when on the field


They were a little overrated in their run defense because teams could move the ball through the air against them. They were no. 1 with least amount of carries by opposing teams and 30th with teams passing against them.
RE: I agree with CT Charlie 100%!!!  
larryflower37 : 9/5/2017 2:36 pm : link
In comment 13584701 GiantBlue said:
Quote:
While their D may be underwhelming and the defensive backs inexperienced, protecting the football is key; fumble & interception. It always seems like Sean Lee grabs one of those underthrown crossing pattern passes by Eli when we are about to get into the red zone only to have to chase him down the field...which reverses momentum and field position.

Also, any type of fumble either in our territory or in theirs is a killer. Protect the Duke....win the game!

Their starting CB are over 30. B. Jones is the only young one.
The Defense has taken a big step back and Marinelli's system will cover up some of that but I think they will be exposed this year.
Starting week 1
It's hard to figure what the pundits are looking at with the Dallas D  
BillT : 9/5/2017 2:44 pm : link
So, this is a D that was on the field less and had the fewer running plays run against it than any D in the league. Given that they put up respectable stats: 5th in ppg, 14th in ypg, 13th in yards per play, 8th in yards per run and 11th in yards per pass. (FO ranked them 19th overall which may be a bit low.)

From that D they lost their #1 and #3 tacklers from their DL, two safeties and both starting CBs among who were the #1, #2 and #3 tacklers from that secondary. Their FA replacements were journeymen or vet min types.

If this had happened to any other team in the league they'd be getting killed for gross incompetence. Instead, this seems almost ignored. This defense wasn't better than average. Now? But that shouldn't stop them from being considered an elite team.
I feel like I have been burned many times  
gmen9892 : 9/5/2017 2:48 pm : link
In past years by predicting the Dallas defense to lead to their demise. Marinelli has done an awesome job with whoever they give him over there.

No clue how Jaylon Smith will play post injury, but I havent heard bad things, so I assume hes been good for them. Sean Lee is still a beast and will be a problem. Charlton will be better than anyone they had last year.

So while they will probably be the worst of the NFC East teams in terms of front 4/7, I think they still have enough to not be a total liability.
Well it would be nice if anyone ever decides to block Sean Lee  
Jimmy Googs : 9/5/2017 4:18 pm : link
when we play Dallas. We make the guy look like he is Dick Butkus out there.

I think he had about 30 tackles against us in the combined two games. Mostly dissecting our feeble attempts to run the ball by beating our lineman to the hole or by running around them b/c they are so slow.

Put up about 115 yards running the ball against Dallas with a good balanced passing attack and Marinelli's schemes are worthless...

Marinelli  
Paulie Walnuts : 9/5/2017 4:49 pm : link
will have them ready

he's a good coach

we need to blow up their zone and Engram is the key with Perkins
RE: Well it would be nice if anyone ever decides to block Sean Lee  
wonderback : 9/5/2017 5:15 pm : link
In comment 13584813 Jimmy Googs said:
Quote:
when we play Dallas. We make the guy look like he is Dick Butkus out there.

I think he had about 30 tackles against us in the combined two games. Mostly dissecting our feeble attempts to run the ball by beating our lineman to the hole or by running around them b/c they are so slow.

Put up about 115 yards running the ball against Dallas with a good balanced passing attack and Marinelli's schemes are worthless...


So I guess all eyes will be on Richburg Sunday night.
Their front seven isn't good  
adamg : 9/5/2017 5:20 pm : link
as far as I can tell. Their line was a hole according to the Cowboys beat writer who went on the Big Blue Kickoff Live Podcast earlier this offseason. They have two plus LBs in Lee and Smith. Taco Charlton wasn't impressing before the pre-season games, I don't know if he picked it up at all. But, the comps between their D line and our O line are unfair to our O line. We at least have a couple of proven starters.
They will be fine  
Reale01 : 9/5/2017 6:06 pm : link
If we are predictable. They have enough to stuff the line on first down if they know we are running.
Sam  
ChicagoMarty : 9/5/2017 7:56 pm : link
Jonathan Cooper did not distinguish himself during preseason

Cows OLG may be an issue

ORT could also be an issue

We will see
Thanks Marty  
Samiam : 9/6/2017 12:00 pm : link
Good news. Wondered if the Giants had any interest in Cooper
Re: Cooper  
j_rud : 9/6/2017 12:05 pm : link
Cooper may not even start, apparently a decision hasn't been made between him and Chaz Green. According to the blogger for the Dallas News, the Cowboys "privately prefer Green".
If they are not that good  
TMS : 9/13/2017 9:18 am : link
then how bad is our OL ? ELI looked skittish and rushed in this past game every time he tried to pass.
Cowboys defense sucks  
Jimmy Googs : 9/14/2017 2:48 pm : link
they even allowed the Giants to score 3 points...
Smith was all  
Metnut : 9/14/2017 2:55 pm : link
over the field. Looks like their patience paid off and they might have a steal.
RE: Smith was all  
Section331 : 9/14/2017 2:59 pm : link
In comment 13598753 Metnut said:
Quote:
over the field. Looks like their patience paid off and they might have a steal.


I agree, he looked good. As to the pass rush, I believe the Cowboys were missing their top 2 pass rushers, and they still disrupted our passing game all night long. Ziggy Ansah has to be riding an enormous boner all week long.
Back to the Corner