12/19 Gosselin Chat

[Midswat]

Where are our corners rated in the NFL? I place a lot of the blame on them this year.

Don't put it all on the secondary. Granted, the Cowboys could use upgrades both at cornerback and at safety. But pass coverage is only as good as the pass rush. If a quarterback has two seconds to throw, the coverage players are going to look a whole lot more impressive than if the quarterback has five seconds to throw. The pass rush has been deficient this season. If Ware doesn't get there, the Cowboys generally don't get there. They've had one sack or less in five games this season -- all at home. Twice they failed to get a sack and the Cowboys lost both games (Lions, Giants). Turning up the heat up front would reduce the heat on the back end of the defense. So spread the blame around the front four and the back four.

If the Giants lose next week, should the Cowboys rest players for the final game of the season?

If the Eagles win the next two and the Cowboys lose the next two, both teams finish 8-8...and guess which team has the tie-breaker? So the Cowboys better approach Saturday like it's a playoff game, because essentially it is. An Eagles victory would give them a two-game sweep of the season series and the tie-breaker if they tie with the Cowboys.

What do the Cowboys need to do differently on Saturday that they did not do the last time they faced the Eagles?

Show some defensive resistance early on. The Eagles marched 79, 90 and 67 yards with their first three possessions to open up a 21-0 lead. The Cowboys were out of it before they were ever in it. Forcing a punt in the first quarter would be a huge step in that direction. The Eagles also didn't turn the ball over in the first game. Forcing a turnover or two would certainly be advisable.

How confident are you in Dallas beating the Eagles this weekend?

Not very. Right now Philadelphia is playing better and, after the first meeting, this will be a confident bunch of Eagles coming to town. The Cowboys haven't beaten a team with a winning record since the 49ers in Week 2.

What are the chances that Tony Sparano will join this staff?

Old Cowboys coaches have a way of drifting back here. I wouldn't be surprised to see Tony Sparano come back. Todd Haley, Mike Zimmer and maybe even Norv Turner or a Dave Wannstedt might be names to keep an eye on as well.

Are the Cowboys planning on dumping the 3-4 Defense it doesn't seem to be working since they converted.

As long as Rob Ryan is the coach, the Cowboys will be playing a 3-4. It's also an easier defense to stock. Getting six quality lineman for a 4-3 is a stiffer challenge than getting six linebackers for a 3-4. There are a lot more little players out there than big ones.

Why is our defensive so horrible? Is it talent or the DC?

I think the Cowboys need to add two ends, two linebackers, two corners and a safety in the next year. With that checklist, I'd say it's more a lack of talent than a lack of coaching. If Ryan is getting to the quarterback with his blitzing, like he was in September, you can win with this scheme. When Ryan can't get to the quarterback, the defense -- and team -- will struggle. I think the Cowboys will give Ryan a couple of years to implement his scheme. Remember, there was no offseason so he couldn't introduce it to the players until August. I'm not sure anyone is comfortable in it yet. With time comes comfort.

 

[Theebs]

the bills were 5-3 when we beat them and seattle is 7-7 to be accurate.

its not our fault who we play on the schedule.

 

[carphalen5150]

I don't agree that stocking a 4-3 is more difficult than stocking a 3-4. 3-4 is hard IMO.

 

[VA Cowboy]

I think the Cowboys need to add two ends, two linebackers, two corners and a safety in the next year. With that checklist, I'd say it's more a lack of talent than a lack of coaching.

Good luck with that. That's nearly 2/3's of the defense. And it's amazing how we keep drafting LB after LB yet still need two more. Says alot about our personnel dept.


And I agree with Carp that a 4-3 shouldn't be any tougher to fill than a 3-4. You don't need a true NT in the 4-3, just a couple of DT's. LB's don't have to be All-Pro's, just steady with a solid MLB. The toughest is finding the pass rushing DE's, but not any tougher than finding two stud pass rushing OLB's.

If you have the personnel and coaching then the 3-4 is fine, just look at the Steelers for example. But I'd just as soon run the 4-3 where you dont have to have your top pass rushers dropping off into coverage like we end up having to do periodically with Ware and Spencer.

 

[carphalen5150]

We could easily go to a 4-3 right now with the current personnel...not that I would want tom but we could. Ware/Spencer/Hatcher at DE, Ratliff, Spears, Brent, Lissemore at DT, Lee at MLB, Carter at WLB, James at SLB.

 

[VA Cowboy]

We could easily go to a 4-3 right now with the current personnel...not that I would want tom but we could. Ware/Spencer/Hatcher at DE, Ratliff, Spears, Brent, Lissemore at DT, Lee at MLB, Carter at WLB, James at SLB.

I agree. Of course if we opted to change it would be during the offseason and we would be able to make personnel moves in the draft and FA to make it more feasible. This is why us targeting Wade as HC simply because Jerry wanted a 3-4 man in charge was retarded. We didn't have to remain a 3-4 just because BP left and we didn't have to hire a HC based on needing a 3-4 coach to be HC/DC.

Not sure if I've mentioned this before, but Jerry is a DUMB@$$!

 

[Theebs]

the whole reason we went to the 34 was because parcells convinced jerry in this era of high salaries it was easier to find players to fit into a 34 and scheme a rush or find an olb who could rush than two top level rushers at end, which are extremely expensive in free agency.

so after that miserable 04 season jerry hopped on board. I think we could go to the 43 but it makes no sense to do that. If we find a good end in college and improve the secondary our linebackers are a good fit for the 34.

the truth is if you have enough talented guys you can play either and most teams play some variety of both with 43 over and under looks and 3-3-5 nickel looks along with the odd looks ryan and others use with 1 and 2 lineman.

I like the 34 personally, I just think we need better corners and more speed at linebacker to be more disruptive.

I really hope we go big in free agency for players who can make an impact right away and then find some type of cornerstone defensive player in one of the first three rounds.

 

[Midswat]

I don't agree that stocking a 4-3 is more difficult than stocking a 3-4. 3-4 is hard IMO.

It used to be easier to stock a 3/4, before so many teams started running that alignment.

Pittsburgh had the luxury for many years of being able to take undersized DE's later in the draft and convert them to OLB's with no worries. Now that more teams run a 3/4, you see those undersized college DE's going much sooner now.

 

[VA Cowboy]

That may be the reason BP used, but Parcells' teams always ran the 3-4. I'm sure he felt it was easier to find those players since that's what he was used to looking for and selling it to Jerry on financial terms was wise in order for him to get his way whether it was true or not.

 

[carphalen5150]

It used to be easier to stock a 3/4, before so many teams started running that alignment.

Pittsburgh had the luxury for many years of being able to take undersized DE's later in the draft and convert them to OLB's with no worries. Now that more teams run a 3/4, you see those undersized college DE's going much sooner now.

The NT/DE positions are difficult as well. Part of it is our drafting and scouting, but we have not done well finding a 3/4 DE and we have been playing an undersized NT for years. I would love a Jamal Williams type NT, but they are hard to find.

 

[Theebs]

That may be the reason BP used, but Parcells' teams always ran the 3-4. I'm sure he felt it was easier to find those players since that's what he was used to looking for and selling it to Jerry on financial terms was wise in order for him to get his way whether it was true or not.

Bill played a 4-3 in new england.

It was just a matter of creating a pass rush. 43 defensive ends who can stand up a tight end and play the run on the strong side and then also generate a good pass rush are hard to come by and if you have to go to free agency they were and are extremely expensive.

Parcells was also a believer in something I think rob ryan believes in, the ability to drop 8 from the assorted 34 looks. parcells was a big proponent of that.

I am sure parcells history of coaching the 34 was the key, he was mixing it in during the 04 season especially in the preseason when kalen thornton was healthy, but I think it was a matter at that time of finding players more readily available that fit the 34. in 04 only a handful of teams were playing it.

that 05 offseason was the perfect fit to change. We got henry and glenn for the secondary, then jason ferguson fell into our lap....a true 2 gapping nose tackle. The draft was absolutely perfect, the kind of draft we need next year, ware, spears, canty, ratliff.

I see no reason to change now, especially with our lack of speed.

 

[carphalen5150]

You need to worry about speed at the LB position...which we have in Lee and Carter...then you can address the LB position through the draft and FA.

 

[Theebs]

You need to worry about speed at the LB position...which we have in Lee and Carter...then you can address the LB position through the draft and FA.

Lee runs pretty well, I dont know how any of us could know anything about carter honestly. He is playing well on special teams but there have been no signs of this crazy athleticsm and speed he was sold to have. Long way to go for him.

I think we need more speed/quickness at the end position as well. Coleman and spears essentially have cement shoes and hatcher is just up and down but does posess the ability to run and be a quick player.

and then there is spencer. Who looks to have all the elements but just doesnt get there with the pass rush. I wouldnt sign him or offer him anything other than a journeyman contract. If he can get a big deal in free agency good for him, if he cant and wants to stay here like hatcher and spears that is fine, but I wouldnt guarantee him a starting spot and I would definitely look to upgrade that position with a quicker faster player.

Some more speed at safety wouldnt hurt either.

I dont think we are a slow team but we are definitely a team lacking in speed overall. Adding muscle to the nt spot and drafting an end while ratliff starts at the other one with carter turning into a starter would be a huge positive step forward.

who knows maybe mike nolan ends up here and paul solai comes with him.

 

[carphalen5150]

If we switch to a 4-3 then you potentially have Ware and Spencer at DE...who would be considered fast.

 

[Theebs]

If we switch to a 4-3 then you potentially have Ware and Spencer at DE...who would be considered fast.

I honestly do not see us ever switching to a 34 with demarcus ware on this roster. To me there is no reason to make him put his hand on the ground and make him play a different way at this point.

wade phillips repeatedly said there is no reason to do this.

and again spencer is a free agent. his numbers are extremely underwhelming and when we need him most he is always a step late. no reason to pay a guy who is always a step late top dollar. As a run player he is very good but again, you cant pay a guy top dollar to be good at half his job.

Putting spencers hand on the ground probably wouldnt affect him one way or the other honestly his lower body is so big he probably would be fine, fighting with tight ends all the time currently anyway at solb so not much different.

Honestly dont think we will see a change although with so much roster overhaul coming on defense anything is possible.

 

[GloryDaysRBack]

This team needs a lot of help on defense

More pressure from front 3...so a DE
A new OLB
At least 1 new CB
At least 1 new safety
And hopefully carter is a player or we will need another ILB

 

[jiggyfly]

I honestly do not see us ever switching to a 34 with demarcus ware on this roster. To me there is no reason to make him put his hand on the ground and make him play a different way at this point.

wade phillips repeatedly said there is no reason to do this.

and again spencer is a free agent. his numbers are extremely underwhelming and when we need him most he is always a step late. no reason to pay a guy who is always a step late top dollar. As a run player he is very good but again, you cant pay a guy top dollar to be good at half his job.

Putting spencers hand on the ground probably wouldnt affect him one way or the other honestly his lower body is so big he probably would be fine, fighting with tight ends all the time currently anyway at solb so not much different.

Honestly dont think we will see a change although with so much roster overhaul coming on defense anything is possible.

This is my issue as well, why would you change your best players position at this point in his career, not only are you asking him to learn totally different techniques, your asking a older player to increase the amount of punishment he will have to take on a every down basis.

To go to a 4-3 defense is trading one undersized player for another at crucial positions and taking years away from Ware in the long run.

 

[carphalen5150]

I don't think you take any years away from Ware at all. He is still double teamed or chipped with a TE in the 3-4. Saying it would take away "years" from him is a massive exaggeration.

 

[jiggyfly]

I don't think you take any years away from Ware at all. He is still double teamed or chipped with a TE in the 3-4. Saying it would take away "years" from him is a massive exaggeration.

Ware is not doubled teamed and chipped on running downs as a 3/4 OLB that will change in a 4/3 where he will have to take on a OT 80% of the time.

The amount of contact a 4-3 De gets is much higher than 3/4 OLB and once you factor in that teams will be running at him because he is undersized and saying it will take years away is not a massive exaggeration, your asking him to take more wear and tear on his body as a older player.

You act like the only change will be him putting his hand on the ground and that is very far from the truth, this not all about him rushing the passer.

 

[superpunk]

Yeah the whole "taking years away from him" thing is probably just a meme from when Parcells was trying to convince Ellis that he would be adding years onto his career as a stand up player. The fact is the weakside end and the weakside OLB get similar matchups in their careers. They are always going to be singled up on the tackle or hit/chipped by the back/TE. It's not like this suddenly happens more if you put your hand on the ground. The only difference is that you're not dropping in coverage, which Ware rarely does anyway, but has done more this year than I can ever remember.

It would be a huge change to the 4-3 because we have no OLBs. Everything else would be pretty easy to fill, but outside of Lee we've got noone to play LB in a 4-3 (don't say Carter).