Dallas Cowboys have the fifth best defense in the league
Posted 11/9/2005 2:39 AM
Inside Slant
TIDBIT—Maybe an old dog can learn new tricks. After being a 4-3 team since the days of Tom Landry, the Cowboys shifted their primary base defense to the 3-4 front in 2005. It's a scheme coach Bill Parcells has had the most success with in his career and it's one he prefers. The move is already paying huge dividends, despite still being new to so many players and coaches. After not being able to get off the field on third down last year or keep teams out of the end zone, the Cowboys have the fifth best defense in the league. They are sixth in sacks per play, sixth in third down efficiency and sixth in scoring. They have 24 sacks and 16 turnovers in eight games after recording 33 and 22 in 16 last season. Owner Jerry Jones didn't think they would be this good this fast on defense.
"I was concerned that we were going against people learning a new defense," Jones said. "Our success has a lot to do with the way (nose tackle) Jason Ferguson has played in the middle. And I can't say enough about (defensive end) Greg Ellis and (nose tackle) La'Roi Glover. For guys that were supposed to be limited because of the 3-4, they are playing outstanding."
Inside Slant
TIDBIT—Maybe an old dog can learn new tricks. After being a 4-3 team since the days of Tom Landry, the Cowboys shifted their primary base defense to the 3-4 front in 2005. It's a scheme coach Bill Parcells has had the most success with in his career and it's one he prefers. The move is already paying huge dividends, despite still being new to so many players and coaches. After not being able to get off the field on third down last year or keep teams out of the end zone, the Cowboys have the fifth best defense in the league. They are sixth in sacks per play, sixth in third down efficiency and sixth in scoring. They have 24 sacks and 16 turnovers in eight games after recording 33 and 22 in 16 last season. Owner Jerry Jones didn't think they would be this good this fast on defense.
"I was concerned that we were going against people learning a new defense," Jones said. "Our success has a lot to do with the way (nose tackle) Jason Ferguson has played in the middle. And I can't say enough about (defensive end) Greg Ellis and (nose tackle) La'Roi Glover. For guys that were supposed to be limited because of the 3-4, they are playing outstanding."
posted by The Gryphon at 2:49 PM
<< Home