Giants poke hole in Dallas' run D
by Chuck Knox Jr
ESPN
The New York Giants have the Dallas Cowboys' number when it comes to running the ball against Dallas' 3-4 defense, having gained a combined 281 yards on 68 attempts (a 4.1-yard average) in two games this season. The Cowboys have allowed more than a hundred yards rushing in only four games this season, but the Giants did it twice. It is also interesting to note that since the Giants became the first team to gain more than a hundred yards against Dallas on Oct. 23, the Cowboys have allowed three more hundred-yard rushing games. This is a copy-cat league, and once someone finds your weakness, others will try to exploit it.
SeubertSo, what is it, exactly, that allowed the Giants to have such success against the Cowboys' fourth-ranked run defense? First, it helps that New York has two good running backs in Tiki Barber and Brandon Jacobs, along with athletic offensive linemen who can pull and block in space. The addition of back-up guard Rich Seubert as a tight end in rushing situations gives the Giants six solid run blockers, one more than they would normally get in their regular two tight end personnel group.
Against Dallas' 3-4 defense, the Giants often will align in a three-receiver, or trips, formation that has Seubert lined up as a tight end and Jeremy Shockey flexed out as a wide receiver, forcing the Cowboys to cover him either with a linebacker or a safety, depending on the coverage. When the Cowboys play base Cover 2, outside linebacker Al Singleton has to walk out to cover Shockey, which weakens the run defense.
ESPN
The New York Giants have the Dallas Cowboys' number when it comes to running the ball against Dallas' 3-4 defense, having gained a combined 281 yards on 68 attempts (a 4.1-yard average) in two games this season. The Cowboys have allowed more than a hundred yards rushing in only four games this season, but the Giants did it twice. It is also interesting to note that since the Giants became the first team to gain more than a hundred yards against Dallas on Oct. 23, the Cowboys have allowed three more hundred-yard rushing games. This is a copy-cat league, and once someone finds your weakness, others will try to exploit it.
SeubertSo, what is it, exactly, that allowed the Giants to have such success against the Cowboys' fourth-ranked run defense? First, it helps that New York has two good running backs in Tiki Barber and Brandon Jacobs, along with athletic offensive linemen who can pull and block in space. The addition of back-up guard Rich Seubert as a tight end in rushing situations gives the Giants six solid run blockers, one more than they would normally get in their regular two tight end personnel group.
Against Dallas' 3-4 defense, the Giants often will align in a three-receiver, or trips, formation that has Seubert lined up as a tight end and Jeremy Shockey flexed out as a wide receiver, forcing the Cowboys to cover him either with a linebacker or a safety, depending on the coverage. When the Cowboys play base Cover 2, outside linebacker Al Singleton has to walk out to cover Shockey, which weakens the run defense.
posted by The Gryphon at 6:44 PM
<< Home