Straight Up — Cowboys Go Retro with 3-4 D
Posted: May 23, 2006 @ 5:33 pm
“The 3-4 defense is what the Giants used to play. There was a nose tackle, two defense ends lined up on the tackles, two outside linebackes and then two [inside linebackers], both covering the guards. One of those linebackers is a fourth rusher. That is the 3-4 — the only 3-4 defense.”
– Notre Dame HC Charlie Weis, a former Bill Parcells assistant
“It’s about as overblown as the West Coast Offense was. A 3-4 defense means they have three defensive linemen — that’s it. Most teams use the ‘under’ or ‘over’ defenses and it’s not a true 3-4.”
– 49ers defensive coordinator Billy Davis
In the ’80s, Bill Parcells and Giants GM George Young pushed the planet theory on the NFL. To their way of thinking there are only so many big, athletic people on the planet, and if you have more of them than your opponent, you’ve got the edge.
The ’80s Giants built one of the league’s biggest defenses. 285 lb. DE Leonard Marshall outweighted nearly all the leagues offensive tackles. At a time when centers and guards weighed between 255 and 265 lbs., the Giants fielded three linebackers, Lawrence Taylor, Harry Carson and Carl Banks, who all topped 240 lbs. They were fast enough to cover tight ends and backs and strong enough to man up with linemen.
These planets let Parcells keep New York’s schemes simple. Parcells wasn’t and isn’t big on exoticism. His guys played you straight up for sixty minutes. They believed they were the more physical team and could wear you down by game’s end.
Parcells has applied the planet theory in Dallas. Over the past two years he’s turned over a squad of short, smallish linebackers for a new group of bigger ones. Out went 235 lb. Dexter Coakley, replaced by 261 lb. Demarcus Ware. 236 lb. veteran Al Singleton remains on the roster, but he’ll need a great camp to keep 255 lb. rookie Bobby Carpenter on the sideline. 240 lb. Dat Nguyen was the biggest Cowboys LB two years ago. This year, 243 lb. Bradie James is the smallest.
Parcells has gone back to basics. Watch some tape of the ‘05 Cowboys and you’ll see that 3-4 Charlie Weis mentioned in the opening quote. Dallas plays its linemen head up on every down, with true two-gap responsibility. The nose tackle plays the A gaps to either side of the center. The ends play head up on the tackles and take responsbility for the B gaps between the guards and tackles, and the C gaps outside the OTs.
Dallas doesn’t slant it’s nose tackles, as many 3-4 teams do, and rarely plays over or undershifted fronts. (Weis told Pro Football Weekly’s NFL Preview 2005 that the other NFL 3-4 teams play a “true” 3-4 front only about 10% of the time.) On the other hand, those teams zone blitz extensively from their 3-4s, something Dallas rarely does under Parcells.
The simplified scheme allows Parcells to work in younger players faster, something Jimmy Johnson did with great success in his wide-end 4-3. But playing the “true” 3-4 front has its pitfalls in the early 2000s. A coach I questioned was skeptical it could be done, cautioning,
“The problem with a true two-gap defense in the NFL is the absolutely mammoth tackles in the league. Take out your rosters from the late ’80s — the difference is phenomenal. If Bill Parcells wants to run a pure 3-4 again, he’s got to make sure he has two guys who can hold down two gaps while stalemating a 350 lb. lineman. I am not sure it can be done.”
The coach has a point. The average size of NFL offensive tackles 20 years ago was 270 to 280 lbs. Washington’s Joe Jacoby and San Francisco’ Bubba Paris were considered giants at 300 lbs. You would have a hard time finding centers that small today. Look at the NFC East. The Eagles left tackle Tra Thomas and Dallas’ Flozell Adams both top 340 lbs. Washington’s Chris Samuels is the division’s runty LT at a robust 310 lbs.
Parcells may not be certain it can be done either — by only two men. This probably explains why he’s following Jimmy Johnson’s blueprints for building a defensive line. Johnson, like Parcells, relied on simplicity, speed and depth. Dallas probably ran the simplest scheme of its time. DCs Dave Wannstedt and Butch Davis blitzed less in ‘92 and ‘93 than any team around.
The key was what is now called a ‘wave’ system. Johnson drafted and traded for every young, athletic lineman he could get, until he built a eight man rotation featuring three ends — Charles Haley, Tony Tolbert and Jim Jeffcoat — and five tackles: Tony Casillas, Russell Maryland, Jimmie Jones, Leon Lett and Chad Hennings. Dallas turned pass protection into an endurance drill. The Cowboys linemen were small, but they were fast. They took turns running opposing linemen into the ground. Hefty 300 lb. plus linemen could stay with the Cowboys linemen for a half or so but would run out of gas late in games.
Parcells remains committed to the planet theory, but is merging it with this wave philosophy. He knows that 60 to 70 snaps a week for sixteen weeks favors offensive tackles against his young ends Chris Canty and Marcus Spears. But if he has two or three Cantys and Spears to rotate in, the advantage swings the defense’s way.
Where Johnson ran down opposing linemen, Parcells wants to beat them down by rotating Greg Ellis and rookie Jason Hatcher with Canty. On the left side, Kenyon Coleman and Jay Ratliff will get their turns at Spears’ spot. Inside, 6th-round draftee Montavious Stanley and second year vet Thomas Johnson will help greybeard nose tackle Jason Ferguson beat on opposing centers.
Parcells gambit relies heavily on youngsters, but allows them to rely on their athleticism. They will neither be overwhelmed by the Cowboys’ scheme nor overworked by their opponents. Going young increases uncertainty, but Parcells knows what Jimmy did — the shortest path to defensive domination is often the simplest one.
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The D Line will be much better than last year. I like the way we are building! The key will be the secondary! If wel can get the rookie J.B. in at free safety! If Roy can play the pass! WE ARE SET!!!!!
This defense will be GREAT for a while!!
Just wanted to add! This site is GREAT! Fan since June 2005. RESPECT!
FROM NY
kgbigd:
The thought that my brain pops the most about this Defense is that Dallas could be more than OK with a couple of Strong Safeties in Williams and Davis if the front 7 fulfills it’s potential with Ware and Carpenter going after the QB from the edges, with Ayodele, James and Williams blitzing from time to time and the dirty work made on the front by the 6-8 man rotation on the front.
QBs won’t have a lot of time to throw…. and that was Davis’ biggest problem last season…. well, that, and being so green….
Just saw that Ted Washington, Cleveland’s NT, is listed at 6′5″ and 365 lbs right now. Wow.
I wouldn’t mind picking up Grady Jackson for cheap to rotate in behind Ferguson at NT.
RParr,
I recall that Grady Jackson failed a physical or two during free agency. He’s in that 365 on a good day/400 lbs. on a bad day state of existence.
Well scratch that then. We all know how important weight and conditioning are to Parcells.
Can we pay for a guy to get liposuction? We pay for everything else………
That was meant to be a joke at first, but now I’m kinda curious
I have seen Ayodele play a lot, since I recently moved from FL. Jags games are always on, but this guy can FLAT OUT PLAY!!!!
He will help ease the loss of Dat.
He was a leader on that defense and can put hard lick on ball carriers.
We really will have something in this guy, possibly the biggest free agent signing by the end of the year.
Parcells should consider Big daddy Wilkinson for a 1yr. deal.
He is around 335-350 and could help ease in the younger interior lineman.
Kinda what Belichik did when he drafted Wilfork and brought in Ted Washington for a year. We need to shore this position up, if we are going to become dominate defense.
To give credit where credit is due, there are two prominent names missing. Dick Lebeau who is widely accredited with introducing the zone blitz scheme to the NFL and Bill Bellicheck Parcells D Coordinator from his days with the Giants. Before we give BP too much credit for defensive schemes lets remember that he was an Offensive lineman as a player.
You don’t pay Ferguson $9 mil just to replace him. And if you do bring in Big Fatty, then how is MountTavious, Lil Pepper, or Ratliff supposed to progress.
We have shored the position. His name is Jason Ferguson. Look for one of the young guys to really make progress. Two with a year of experience and time in the program, one who has real potential.
Cash-Are you implying that O-lineman can’t understand the nuances of defensive schemes? You’re liable to get on the wrong side of a lot of folks if you are.
The 3-4 defense that the Cowboys used last year was simplified, because it had to be. We had so little experience in that system, both with the players and the coaching staff, that it could be little else. There was not nearly enough time to install and properly operate a more complex system. I still recall that in one of his press conferences last year, Parcells claimed that he had not installed all the complexities into his defense. I suspect that this year’s version will not be so simplistic.
Sean,
I’m saying that when BP came to Dallas he let his defensive coordinator do what he did. It wasn’t until year three that he made the switch. BP is an offensive coach. If anyone wants to argue otherwise, I’ll just tell them to go count the rings on Bellichecks hands. BP knows what a good defense looks like, and might know what it’s supposed to do, but he hasn’t revolutionized that side of the ball.
Cash,
Please! You need to give credit. It belongs with Parcells.
Parcells has been a defensive coach his whole career.
And while Mr. Bill is correct that we had to protect the inexperience, the base 3-4 that BP prefers does not involve a lot of blitzing…in fact he hates it.
Now line stunts and a couple of pressure variations will add some complexity, but the basic theory is simple…My guys beat your guys.
Cash,
And who’s saying Parcells has invented or reinvented the 3-4? He has his own version of what he wants to do. Bum Phillips was running the same defense in the ’70s. The point is that Parcells was the last to run it this way.
Parcells was a linebacker. All his college and pro jobs before he became a head coach were as either DC or as a LB coach.
Belichick does have more rings, in great part because Parcells has a lot of Larry Brown in him and cuts and runs. His ego has probably cost him as many chances to win a title as it has earned them.
But hey, don’t let facts get in your way. You’ve got some strawmen to mow down and nobody is going to stop you.
So BP has been a defensive coach his whole career? Why were we in a 4-3 for the first two seasons and not a 3-4? I doubt BP thought it mattered very much as long as you had the talent on the field. After watching his pupil (Bellicheck) who mastered the 3-4, helping Parcells to most if not all of his success, BP wised up and told Jerry enough was enough.
Hey fighter,
You remember W.Blade, D.Stewart?
They were young DL we were counting to contribute.
We should not assume these guys will be players, were talking about a rookie and second year player who played in one game…
F-15-Does that mean BP hates Roy’s strength(blitzing)?
Raf,
You know, you are right. I digress. I’m not sure why I thought he was an O Lineman. Many apologies.
What’s stupid, is I knew that he was the DC for the Giants and I let someone tell me he was drafted as an OLineman. I’m going to write “BP was a LB” 1000 times, because I’m a dedicated fan.
Tunahelper,
Yup…remember them well. But your point is? We have our starter, making starter money. We have to have young, developmental players to backup/rotate.
Or would you rather have 2-deep, 30-somethings at every position?
And yes, Sean, BP would prefer to bring straight pressure than have to risk a blitz. If you run the tapes, you’ll see many of the long plays that we gave up came when we were blitzing.
Now this isn’t unique to BP. JJ hated it as well. Most DC’s do (with the notable exception of LeBeau).
BP doesn’t mind blitzing as long as it works, that’s pretty much his philosphy with anything.
FIGHTER-I’ll help Tuna out, he took my point-a lot of you are taking some POTENTIAL from the young players on this team(esp. defense) and asuming quite a bit about our defense next year. I think we’ll have a good solid defense, but I’ll get excited and start thinking we’re great when it happens! It seems everyone here wants to parallel what’s going on now to our awesome young team of 90-93. Well, some of these guys may turn out to be a Leon Lett or Tony Tolbert(love to always put him out there-so underrated!) But really, these guys haven’t proven anything yet.
Also, we brought in Haley as a leader and teacher for those young guys-who fills that role for this young DLine? Ellis?????
Cash:
It’s simple, when Parcells came to Dallas his coaching staff only knew the by heart the 4-3 schemes and all of his defensive players were 4-3 material, the starters were Ebenezer Ekuban (260 pounds - doesn’t fits even as a standup LB), Glover (fitted, but was a waste), Willie Blade (might have fitted, but apparently his head wasn’t put straight), Ellis (fits but he’s a waste in the 3-4), Singleton (fits but not really good), Nguyen (fitted but broke down to pieces) and Coakley (didn’t fitted).
So, Parcells could have started rebuilding his team to his liking, but did you knew by then that the team was worthless and that Parcells wouldn’t win with those guys? I didn’t.
The fact that there was little 4-3 talented depth behind the starters was the main factor that messed that team up by Parcells second year.
BP was a waterboy, that’s why he lets the top pick bring him water every camp! LOL
BP had LT blitzing alot, didn’t he?
That’s what the OLB’s do in the 3-4. It’s not blitzing. 4 men will rush.
Raf,
Thanks for the nice article.
Cash,
Bill Parcells did not put in a 3-4 defense in 2002 or 2003 because statistics lie and the Cowboys, (Bill Parcell included) believed their own press clippings.
The 5-11 team before Parcells had a top ranked defense. In his first season, Parcells focused on fixing what was broken which was the offense and for the most part he left the defense intact. He brought in a new offensive scheme and staff. He did draft Newman and add Bradie James.
The next year they went 11-5 and again the defense was near tops in the league so they did not want to completely overhaul a ‘good’ thing. Again most of the focus was towards getting the offense on track.
The next season the covers came off the defense and they missed the playoffs. My point is that defense was never as good as it was ranked. Even the year they had the top ranked defense in the NFC they did not rank well in important categories such as forced turnovers and sacks. Dallas offense was so weak and mistake prone that teams played very conservative against them. A major reason behind the top rankings was they saw less aggressive offenses because teams did not need to take the risks involved in generating 350+ yards of offense in order to beat the Cowboys. In games that the defense needed to stop a good offense for one key drive in order to win the game they lost a lot more then they won.
By the end of the 2004 season it was clear to everyone that the Cowboy defense needed to retool. Bill took this as the opportunity to switch schemes despite the lack of suitable personal at key positions and the lack of experience on his coaching staff. After one year this move is making Bill Parcells look like the football genius that he is.
My second point is while Bill Parcells did not revolutionize NFL defense or add as many creative nuisances to the 3-4 scheme as Billicheck; he is a masterful defensive coach. He has proven in all four coaching stops that he knows how to build and implement a top notched 3-4 defense. His eye for talent allows him to select the right personnel while his football knowledge and communication skills allow him to put those players in a position where they can succeed in the system.
Dallas is a favorite to win the NFC this year. Even if this proves to be a year too early it speaks volumes about the expectations of this defense. Dallas’s offense will be productive, but with the issues they have on the offensive line and with a statue for a QB it is their defense that gives them a shot at a title.
Trey,
Well, that pretty much says it all. You beat me to everything I was going to say and more.
New thread Raf.
Fighter15-
I believe we need help at NT from a vet!
What have you seen from “Pepper” that makes you think he is capable?
What have you seen from our 6th RD. draft choice that makes you think he is capable?
Sure he might be good, but how many 6th RD. choices are good from the get go?
We heard alot of praise from BP last training camp about Pepper and he didnt play until week 16!
Everyone should be concerned about this position, all the good 3-4 defenses have two soild NT’s in rotation.
Finally, ask yourself did Fergie impress you last year,even if he was paid 9 million up front?
I saw him getting stalemated quite a bit, and rarely occuping two OL…
Cash,
He is adaptive to what he has, especially on offensve.
On defense, he has his prototypes. He wants size in his front seven. Look at the people he drafted for the Jets — Abraham, Farrior, Ellis, picking up Bryan Cox. Big LBs and DEs.
But you’re right in that he’s not necessarily scheme driven. He took N.E. to a Super Bowl with a 4-3, but the people in it were perfect fits for a 3-4 — Ted Johnson, Chris Slade . These were big LBs. He just never got enough of them to go 3-4 so he stayed 4-3.
He’s got his people in Dallas. That’s pretty clear.
thats what good coaches do, adapt to what you have till you can rebuild. the first 2 years, he made “chicken salad out of chicken shit” espicially the first year ‘03
Rafael,
I have to agree with Mr. Bill here. Parcells said that the scheme was simple so the players get the basics, and hinted that more complex assignments would come as the players picked up on the defense itself.
Also, its all about perception. I would argue that the 3-4 itself is complex. A former Parcells player discribed it as an “interchangable” defense. He said that the WOLB would move up to the line of scrimmage and now they looked like the 4-3. More often than not, he stated that the Giants would walk up 2 or more LBs. Thus New York would have a 5-2 look or even a 6 man line. … And I will absolutely agree that Dallas played the “simple” version of the 3-4. Yet still they tinkered with exotic looks. If you recall Newman lined up on the defensive line, Zimmer used a number of safety blitzes, and during the preseason Ellis and Ware lined up side by side.
I believe Parcells will rely heavily on his base defense, which is a basic 3-4. But to keep teams on their toes he with throw a few knuckle balls into the equation.
good coaches can adapt to what they have. making chicken salad out of chicken crap, per say
Bad analogy…or else I never want to try your chicken salad.
The theme of this thread seems to be a bunch of apologists for BP defending his 3-4 and optimistically looking at his talent vs. some pessimistic malcontents that want steak on every plate and proven results.
Maybe we can never convince them, but BP has acquired a tremendously talented group, with a nice mix of veterans and youth, implemented a proven defensive scheme, and a track record second to none.
He’s done it 3 times, with two of them historically bad franchises, and is on the verge of proving it a fourth time.
The only chicken crap I’ve heard is from the naysayers. I’ll pass on the recipe.
Thats Tuna salad I believe. :0)
Great Stuff. I really don’t think Kenyon Coleman will make the cut but then again you can never have enough D-Linemen in the 3-4. I think another issue to look at is what are nickel package might have. We all know Ellis will be there, Hatcher will probably be there as well. Now the tackles is kinda tough to determine, Ferguson most likely will not be in there, I think this is a spot for Thomas Johnson to fit in as well as moving Ratliff inside for his great pass rush. James will be one of the linebackers but the other one might have to be a battle spot. Both Ware and Ayodele are more run-defense type linebackers so I doubt it if they are there. Carpenter is still a rookie but remember last year when Parcells had Burnett playing with the Nickel package so…now this could also go to Al Singleton or maybe Burnett again.
Raf:
Good read !
The reason BP waited to switch to the 3-4 is when he came to Dallas he inherited the #1 Defense in the league. Only an Idiot wuold tear down something that was working so well. When injuries & overacheiving sent them down the list he pulled the trigger.
Last year we implemented a new scheme, started many rookies, had several key injuries & had no depth.
This year we have better understandin of the scheme, players with experience, Key FA aquisitions, A draft that will feature at least one player who will pay immed dividends ( Carpenter) , & depth in the rotation. This defense will IMO be a top 5 in the league this year. If the Offense can get on track & put up more than 17pts a game , we will make a legitimate run for the whole thing.
Cash,
From 1979-1982 the Giants played a 4-3 defense. Belichick served as a LBs coach during that time. In 83′, Parcells came and implimented the 3-4. This was a Parcells’ intovation. After Marty Shotenheimer left to head coach, Parcells promoted Belichick to DC. So when people claim that Belichick is the “master mind” of the Giants 3-4 defense, they are sorely mistaken. This is/was Parcells idea. .. Then when Belichick went to Cleveland and attempted to build his own team, he fell flat on his face. The Brown/Belichick drafts were aweful! Belichick went back to New England where more than a handful of “Parcells guys” remained. McGinest, Law, Viniatari, Bruschi, Milloy, etc. - all players Parcells aquired during his days in New England. Belichick won with a foundation of players that Parcells aquired.
These are the facts (and I state them only because I am tired of fans questioning Parcells credentials):
- Parcells has successively (re)built 3 (4 counting the Cowboys) franchises up from the ground up.
- Belichick failed miserably in his only attempt to mirror Parcells’ success.
*** Now I am not trying to tarnish Belichick’s accomplishments. My point is when it comes to a coach having an idea and making it come to fruition- no one has been more inovative than Parcells!
Can I get an Amen from the congregation?
Amen, and maybe, just maybe our new waterboy can play like the ‘Waterboy’.
Sorry, I couldn’t resist.
Eric,
Very good points. Lets not forget he has ridden the coattails of some guy named brady too.
I predict that in the next couple of years the illusion of the belicick genius will come crashing down and more sober minded sports analysts will make the points you’ve just made and elaborate on them more.
Tunahelper:
A NT’s job is to stalemate and clog the middle or to maintain gap control to allow the linebackers to make a tackle. Only great NT’s actually require a double team from the center and guard, thus occupying the two OL that you so desire. Parcells desires large linebackers cause sometimes they are left one on one with a guard and it is necessary for them to shed their blocks. This size in linebackers compensates for the lack of an all-pro NT. If having a stellar NT was a pressing neeed, Bill would have traded up for Bunkley or Ngata. A constant “wave” of fresh DL and OLB’s will just be as effective as having a pro bowl NT. Maybe even more so.
Amen! BP > Belichick!
I don’t think it’d be a bad idea to pick up Wilkinson for a year or two if he’s cheap. The guy’s like 350 pounds.
Hopefully Mount Tavious will render this discussion moot.
Was Belichick the one that picked Courtney Brown with the #1 overall pick?
b lee,
If he would have drafted Brown, that would have been one of his better selections. LOL! Here is a link, just scroll down to 1991-1995:
http://www.nfl.com/draft/history/teams/CLV
With some 40+ selections, Antonio Langham and Tommy Vardell were amonst his best. … IMO, each and every one of Parcells ONE YEAR drafts were better than Belichick’s combined 5 years of work in Cleveland.
thejoker_16,
Ware? Did you mean James? It would be rather strange to take out our best pass rusher in nickel situations.
I think Stanley is a great pick. A hard working guy that takes pride in others making it to the ball carrier. Not to mention he’s big, big man man. Having him learning from Ferguson, next to studs like Ellis, Ware , and Spears. With an Allstar cast at LB. He’s exactly what Dallas needs at NT. I expect him to have a better year than Ngata,who has been described to have size, but is a sloppy player.
cowboyfan31,
those are bold statements about stanley’s ability and future. lets see what he can do first.
What’s your take on beriault this season? Spag, says he’s got some weight on him this year. Does that help him make a spot for himself this season? Or will he just be a ST guy?
beriault is nothing more than a special teamer and back uo to Roy to me, in all honesty i think we have three pretty good FS’skeith davis (never thought he was much of a problem in the first place)marcus coleman, (a seasoned vet who provides experience, leadership and playmaking ability from day one)and patrick watkins, who was told me to the steal of the draft if he happened to slip out of day one. which speaks volumes for me. realistically Beriault has a spot on this team, but its to provide depth and and be a special teamer.
on another note, realfootball365 rated henson a “C” for his time in europe, as i have been saying for some time, thats not the kind of rating i want from my future starting QB PLAYING IN ERUOPE against sub par players. in my opinoin he should be riping it up in Germany. but he has done nothing of the sort, the only thing i can give him props on is his int to td ratio~ 10-3. which means his decision making is getting better. but still.. not encouraging
This is from a reader of SI.com, I never even thought of this:
Every team in the NFC East can rush the passer at a high level and will do so considering Drew Bledsoe has as much mobility as my television set. Also, forget not that Owens has never played an extended period with an immobile quarterback. Donovan McNabb, Jeff Garcia and Steve Young could all buy an extra second or two in the pocket, which gives a receiver of T.O.’s caliber a huge advantage. He doesn’t have that anymore. Given the overall competitiveness of this division, couldn’t we see Dallas finish closer to last than first?”
By the way- this was passed to me by an idiot Redskins fan. I personally don’t think that TO all of a sudden loses his talent because he is a non West coast offense where he has a pocket passer. did this guy see what that “TV set” was doing to defenses when he had the time to pick them apart thanks to adequate blocking.
I am a deadskin hater and wanted to share the pain of being surrounded here.
True!…knowing that Drew(#11) will probably be out of here in about 2 years, we needed to see if #7 could step up in Europe. Now the games that I saw(which were few) He showed some progress…note that I said some. Not a significant step but one in the right direction. His injury may have hurt his progress, maybe not. We will see in the next few months. If #7 Does not dominate in the Pre-season his days in Dallas may fewer than I expected when we brought him in.
How much can you guage from NFLE performances? does anyone have the stats for Jake Delhomme or Kurt Warner from NFLE? I dont think they tore it up there either.
Henson sufferred from alot of dropped balls and a porous offensive line. several of his receivers went down to injury throughout that season. he did show an ability to escape the rush and some consistency. I dont think he hurt his case at all in NFLE.
as has been stated in this blog, what he does in training camp and the pre-season will determine his fate. hopefully, his NFLE experience is something he can build on.
swirvin, no.. not at all.bledsoe was immobile last season with a horrible line. hes the same this seasonw ith a much upgraded line, and with our three headed monsterin the back feild this season people have to respect that and also play the pass. remember with the two te to wr sets they acnt put 8-9 guys in the box at all times, if they do, that leaves someone open. if they double t.o. terry, witten, or even fasano, that leaves one open, if they play straight up man, then you have to watch the edges cuz we have three backs who can burst through and make a huge play. if anyhting we have everything working in our advantage (minus bledsoe can hardly move. but im not really worried about bledsoe becuase half way through the season last year he was comeback player of the year, going to the pro bowl, second highest passer rating the in league, and leading a 5-3 team to what at the tiem looked like a playoff run. but then we all know what happened, flo went down as did our season.we have a re-amped line right now looking to knock socks off of opposing defenses, guys likes fabini out to prove they still got it, and guys like kosier out to prove that he has always had it, flo is back and so is rivera from injuries that would have guys like STILL in a hospital bed. and we all know what kind of gladiator al johnson is. despite everything working against him he always finds a way to get it done. and dont forget our depth either, pettiti (16 game starter) marco columbo( former first round pick, finalyl healthy) and petermen (we all know the expectations that were brought upon him, maybe this year he will be able to show us what he has) the only thing i think we have workign agaisnt us is drews ability to avoid the rush and to be honest im not too concerned
cowboyfan31,
I have thought that Beriault can move in at SS on our nickel. My thinking is Williams will get some time at LB in this set, and this will get Beriault some playing time. That of course if he doesn’t win the starting FS job. IMO, if he is healthy and can stay healthy Beriault has as good a shot as the other 3. If he has another training camp like last year’s its going to be hard not to find a starting spot for him.
Tunahelper:
Remember that Pepper Johnson was behind both fergi and Glover. He had a few cracks at it last year but not nearly enough reps. I think he will have the reps to develop a bit more this year. Dont hate on him yet.
swirvin,
let the skins approach game planning on the assumption that they will easily be able to get to the QB and will thus greatly diminish TO or our other offensive weapons.
the more NFCE teams make those assumptions the better for us.
amen
Don’t know that berrialt has a good shot at FS. He is built and play like a SS. He will back up #31 until further notice. I really loved seeing him hit like he did, the added weight and seasoning will help. He may get a look, but FS is not where he would be comfortable.
underestimating your oponent is the absolute worst thing anyone can do
I like the underestimating part, but realistically have you ever seen the east underestimate each other. If nothing else, our division has proven that the best team doesn’t always win.
We have been on both sides of that scenario.
indeed, but underestimating in the league has always existed, the eagles tore us up for years and then the first meeting last year it was a 33-10 blow out. thats a little crazy, even for underestimating the eagles. then who would have knew the skins would have come from nowhere. honestly last season game two on monday night i have to admit i underestimated them.. especially when we were up 13-0 in the fourth. they comebackto beat us 14-13, and im thinking alright next time we will def beat um, they only beat us due to some crazy ass luck, and then next time comes around and they blow us out of the water. so yeah your right you never know what will happen but im sure parcells and bunch never thought the skins would come back to bite us in the ass that game
As far as us against the blitz, Bledsoe did a good job last year when he was blitzed at finding the open man and getting it to him. It was only after he started getting crushing pressure from both ends when teams WEREN’T blitzing that he had troubles. That’s a hard prospect: Getting the pressure you would usually only see with a blitz, while at the same time facing a full complement of DB’s. As for holdong the ball too long, well, he does have a propensity to do that, but quite a few times last year he held the ball because there were only three receivers going out against seven DB’s (since we had to keep in two potential receivers to help our tackles).
One final point: Anyone who blitzes us will be leaving one-on one coverage with TO, and that is one slipped tackle away from a TD. I just don’t think we’ll see many teams just dying to take that chance.
Parcells has been trying to get to that point for years. His own words were similar to that.
Please blitz us, come on, please.
Wow, I finally got to see the Mate1 model that some have mentioned. I can see why she caused such a stir.
I am sure that they actually have women like that on their client list. No really, I’m sure they do.
For the Quincy Carter fans out there, all of which you could count on one hand, has beeen released by the Montreal Allouettes of the CFL,
http://www.tsn.ca/cfl/news_story/?ID=166804&hubname=
I’d have to say, watch out for Beriault, if his knee is alright, he could win the free safety spot, if not, could be a great backup to Roy and could play special teams and come in on nickel situations, That kid showed alot last year playing with a bum knee in preseason. He has worked hard in the offseason and has put on alot of bulk muscle, he looks the part of a football player even though he looks only twelve years old.
SWIRVIN that comment was made by an idiot eagles fan ..i remember reading it. even King had to point out that the writer is from Bensalem P.A ..just outside of Philly.. i’am moreso worried about our guard play than our tackles ..but the true test will come the first game of the season! against the Jags with stroud and co. i think teams will try to test T.O with one on one coverage early on just to see how we do..but on the flip side our run D is going to be tested early on as well so the first game against Jax is going to say a lot about our teams ability
mikeridge:
That Eagles fan might should think about his own house. IMO the Eagles will face a whole lot of blitzes this year. First, it remains to be seen whether they can effectively run the ball. Westbrook is good, but he’s hardly a back that can carry 25-30 times a game and not break down, and blitzes are pretty good against the run, anyway. When teams blitz the pass, it will be incumbent upon their receivers to get quick seperation, and make the defense pay when they catch it. Those receivers don’t inspire a lot of fear. McNabb is mobile, and does a good job with the blitz, but if blitzing teams have good coverage on his pedestrian receivers, there’s not a lot he can do if there is a free-running “robber” in there after him.
Doomsi couldnt agree w/u more..i cant wait to see our D put Mcnabb on his back
Ricky:
I played DT in college and we used some 3 & 4 man fronts. Your job as a nose tackle is to play a 2 gap. This requires you to create a stalement; with the guard and center. Without this your run defense will suffer.
ANY CHANCE WE CAN GET RID OF THE PAPARAZZI ADD? ANOYING AS HELL
Tunahelper:
You’d know better than I would, I played OG in high school so my memory is a little rusty. But the way I remeber a true nose tackle in, standard formation, lined up either directly on the center (0 no gap) or to the right or left shoulder of the center which are the 1 gaps. Anybody that lined up in the 2 gap (inside shoulder of the guard) was just a regular DT or two-technique.
I hate any other team that is not Dallas in the nfc east, as much as the next cowboy fan. However, i’m not sure what to expect next year? I know we will be in position to take the east, so will NY and Washington. The eagles have a monkey on their back, and that can make any professional team a threat. no TO , they have beat us without him and made it to the Superbowl(playoff victories)without him. They have a lot of talent on D. And a healthy Mcnabb can be trickey to get in the backfield. I know I have made some bold statments, but don’t count the eagles out because of the blitz or a free runner. Every team in the nfc east has something to prove this year, and that makes anything possible.
cowboy,
True! True! & True!! … This is going to be an extremely tough dividion. The Eagles are stacked on D, and with their O-line big offence is possible. … Everyone keeps saying the NFC East is back, but this time its worse. We don’t have the Cardinals to beat up on for 2 games per year.