Coach Marlier's NFC East Corner: Part #2 Dallas Cowboys Recent December Run/Pass Defense Identity Challenges

Should Dallas sign a veteran LB/s before the playoffs that specializes in Run D? What is wrong with the current Dallas Cowboys Rushing Defense? Situationally?

Buffalo destroyed the Dallas Run Defense in week 15. Dallas allowed 5.42 yards a carry off 266 yards with 3 TD's.

Dallas did improve in only allowing 3.5 yards a carry off 91 yards against Miami in week 16 with the most damaging yardage coming situationally against Dallas in the Defense not being able to get off the field with Miami in stopping the run to win the game when Dallas was ahead 20-19 before getting beat 22-20 on a game winning FG by Miami.

The Dallas Run Defense has not really been a major focus until now as their NFL opponents have been having to push the ball by passing the football in playing from behind to attempt to get back into games. Dallas has been thin at LB all year due to major year-end injuries to NFL Drafted Rookie Overshown (IR) in preseason and All-Pro LB Vander Esch (IR). Play inside with vertical presences has been challenging in being exploited.

Dallas may have a potential major weakness against the run that has not been really exposed until week 15 against the AFC Bills in a weather game. Dallas did improve against Miami in setting the edge, but in situational football struggled on the interior DL in being beaten on the final drive for a Miami game winning walk off FG to win 22-20. Light box scheming and experience at LB concern me as Dallas must have a vertical presence in the flat and be able to plug the A-B gaps consistently to win the day.

A. Level 1: With veteran Hankins still being injured and rookie Smiths periodic inside struggles, expect teams to challenge the Dallas interior DL moving forward. DT Gallimore and Odighizuwa is the veteran presence now. The Bills were extremely successful using combo blocking to control the C-D gaps on the Strong and Weakside with Bills RB Cooks eating off tackle/guard. The Dallas DE's rarely surf, with a predominant hard crash, so setting the edge must come from the S/LB core. Do you use hybrid Parsons more at MLB or RDE or LDE with pass rush scheming in mind? Do you increase run blitzing? What fronts? 42, 43 & 52 depending on a situational down and distance?

The Dallas Defensive Line inside stunting scheme and overloads is very exotic in its aggressiveness. Buffalo and Miami used the Dallas DE hard crash and light box play by their LBs to their respective advantages in down and distance and situationally to exploit the Dallas Level 2 Defense.

B. Level 2: Dallas has second year starter LB Clark with first year starter S/LB Bell which is a hybrid. Veteran S Jayron Kearse and S Wilson has filled in at LB. Dallas against Buffalo and Miami listed three safeties in both games with Clark and Parsons as starting LB's. In reality, Parsons mainly plays DE, so Clark is your only true LB 100% of the time.

ALIGNMENT Problems are seen during the game and potential inexperience off the read step in playing LB are my present concern in Dallas LB play in the light box being played by Dallas. Do you use hybrid Parsons more at LB to set the edge by design by playing off the LOS? Do you increase run blitzing? What fronts? 42, 43 & 52 depending on a situational down and distance? Three Safeties with two strong in the box as seen?

C. Level 3: Final Thought on Season Pass Defense: It is my opinion that Dallas plays press man better than pure zone against most NFL opponents. Miami had open releases off the LOS all game in Dallas playing allot of zone. Dallas did execute "the bend but not break mentality" most of the Miami game to their credit.

Sourcing

Dallas Cowboys 2023 Games and Schedule | Pro-Football-Reference.com

Coach Marlier's NFC East's Corner is written and covered by pro football professional Michael A. Marlier in coving the Dallas Cowboy's Organization in supporting the state of organization.