Cowboys Will Run Different Version of 3-4 Defense in 2007

by Ryan Wilson
FanHouse Sports Blog
Filed under: Cowboys, NFC East

Yes, the Cowboys will feature the 3-4 defense this season, and yes, that's the same defense they ran in 2006. But the similarities end there. New head coach Wade Phillips will expect the defensive ends to pressure the quarterback, something that was secondary in Bill Parcells' scheme (this should make Marcus Spears happy).

Also different is the role of the secondary in re-routing receivers, particularly the cornerbacks. From DallasCowboys.com's Nick Eatman:
Instead of taking an inside position, where the corners try to flush the receivers to the outside to take away the crossing and slant routes, the Cowboys are turning their cornerbacks to the other side of the receivers. Now, instead of cutting off the middle, the corners will do more shading on the outside, trying to funnel the receivers towards the inside of the field.

The biggest difference, other than eliminating the receivers from an easy path for a deep route, is that the cornerbacks will not have their backs turned from the quarterback, allowing them to keep their eyes more on the ball.
Yeah, the Cowboys coulda used this scheme two years ago against the Redskins.