Defenders administer double dose
Jean-Jacques Taylor: Defenders administer double dose
Man-to-man matchups with Newman, Henry could poison opponents
OXNARD, Calif. – Cornerbacks Anthony Henry and Terence Newman give defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer a freedom he hasn't had since future Hall of Fame cornerback Deion Sanders played for the Cowboys in the mid-90s.
Zimmer can do whatever he wants defensively because Henry and Newman can consistently cover receivers one-on-one.
"With them on the field, you're not scared to blitz or play man-to-man," Zimmer said. "You're not worried about protecting one guy or the other, so you're not handicapped in any way. You can call the best defense for a situation no matter what it is."
Newman and Henry affect every aspect of a defense that finished 10th in the NFL last season, but expects to be better this season.
They affect the run defense because Newman attacks running plays despite being 5-11 and a slender 195 pounds. Henry, 6-1 and 208 pounds, is physical at the point of attack and is difficult for receivers to block because of his size.
And because they can play one-on-one defense, it allows safety Roy Williams to frequently line up near the line of scrimmage and be a force against the run.
Their coverage ability should help DeMarcus Ware and Greg Ellis, the Cowboys' two best pass-rushers, get consistent pressure on opposing quarterbacks because receivers will need more time to get open.
Henry plays a more physical style, while Newman relies more on speed, which gives Zimmer the ability to match up, if he wants. For example, when the Cowboys play Indianapolis in November, Zimmer might opt to have Newman follow speedy Marvin Harrison while Henry shadows the bigger Reggie Wayne.
Teams often put their best receivers in the slot, making it easier for them to get into their routes because they're not on the line of scrimmage and more difficult to bump. When teams do that, the Cowboys move Newman into the slot and put veteran Aaron Glenn at left cornerback.
That move also makes teams reconsider running the ball from their three-receiver formations because Newman is such a good run defender – even from the slot.
"We give teams a different dimension because we have the best of both worlds," Henry said. "We have a big cornerback in myself, a faster cornerback in Terence and a veteran like AG [Glenn] who can also cover."
Henry and Newman give much of the credit for their development to secondary coach Todd Bowles.
They say he breaks down opposing offenses and receivers so thoroughly that the game becomes easier because they know what receivers are usually going to do based on formation, down and distance.
Bowles also demands Henry and Newman be as good in zone coverage as they are in man-to-man, so Zimmer has every option in his arsenal.
"They're both good, but they're different types of players," Zimmer said of Henry and Newman. "Anthony doesn't always look the greatest, but he's a great competitor, he has good hands, he runs good and he gets his hands on a lot of passes.
"Newman is a great athlete. He can break, plant and sprint better than just about everyone. But the most impressive thing about him is that he's such a tough kid."
Man-to-man matchups with Newman, Henry could poison opponents
OXNARD, Calif. – Cornerbacks Anthony Henry and Terence Newman give defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer a freedom he hasn't had since future Hall of Fame cornerback Deion Sanders played for the Cowboys in the mid-90s.
Zimmer can do whatever he wants defensively because Henry and Newman can consistently cover receivers one-on-one.
"With them on the field, you're not scared to blitz or play man-to-man," Zimmer said. "You're not worried about protecting one guy or the other, so you're not handicapped in any way. You can call the best defense for a situation no matter what it is."
Newman and Henry affect every aspect of a defense that finished 10th in the NFL last season, but expects to be better this season.
They affect the run defense because Newman attacks running plays despite being 5-11 and a slender 195 pounds. Henry, 6-1 and 208 pounds, is physical at the point of attack and is difficult for receivers to block because of his size.
And because they can play one-on-one defense, it allows safety Roy Williams to frequently line up near the line of scrimmage and be a force against the run.
Their coverage ability should help DeMarcus Ware and Greg Ellis, the Cowboys' two best pass-rushers, get consistent pressure on opposing quarterbacks because receivers will need more time to get open.
Henry plays a more physical style, while Newman relies more on speed, which gives Zimmer the ability to match up, if he wants. For example, when the Cowboys play Indianapolis in November, Zimmer might opt to have Newman follow speedy Marvin Harrison while Henry shadows the bigger Reggie Wayne.
Teams often put their best receivers in the slot, making it easier for them to get into their routes because they're not on the line of scrimmage and more difficult to bump. When teams do that, the Cowboys move Newman into the slot and put veteran Aaron Glenn at left cornerback.
That move also makes teams reconsider running the ball from their three-receiver formations because Newman is such a good run defender – even from the slot.
"We give teams a different dimension because we have the best of both worlds," Henry said. "We have a big cornerback in myself, a faster cornerback in Terence and a veteran like AG [Glenn] who can also cover."
Henry and Newman give much of the credit for their development to secondary coach Todd Bowles.
They say he breaks down opposing offenses and receivers so thoroughly that the game becomes easier because they know what receivers are usually going to do based on formation, down and distance.
Bowles also demands Henry and Newman be as good in zone coverage as they are in man-to-man, so Zimmer has every option in his arsenal.
"They're both good, but they're different types of players," Zimmer said of Henry and Newman. "Anthony doesn't always look the greatest, but he's a great competitor, he has good hands, he runs good and he gets his hands on a lot of passes.
"Newman is a great athlete. He can break, plant and sprint better than just about everyone. But the most impressive thing about him is that he's such a tough kid."
posted by The Gryphon at 6:58 PM
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