Cowboys Team Report
Jean-Jacques Taylor
For Sporting News
PERSONNEL ANALYSIS
The Cowboys signed suspended DT Tank Johnson to a two-year contract after losing starter Jason Ferguson for the season with a torn biceps. Jay Ratliff will remain the starter for the foreseeable future, in part because Johnson isn't eligible to return until Nov. 11 -- unless NFL commissioner Roger Goodell reduces Johnson's suspension. Ratliff is a high-energy player who makes up for his lack of size (298 pounds) with athleticism and tremendous effort. He's tall, so he has to play with good pad level to ensure he maintains good leverage. Ratliff is a good pass rusher because he has an explosive first step that allows him to beat centers at the snap. He lacks experience, so he can be moved if he doesn't play with good technique. . . .
The team is confident its in-house players program can help Johnson make changes in his life. Former Cowboys running back Calvin Hill leads the program, which has helped keep down the number of off-the-field incidents involving players the past decade. The Cowboys also try to draft high-character players and sign free agents of the same ilk; they really focused on doing that during the four years Bill Parcells was the coach. But Parcells also took chances on players of questionable character such as DTs Jermaine Brooks and Leo Carson.
SCOUTING REPORT
Andre Gurode is one of the top centers in the NFC. After making the Pro Bowl last season, he worked hard in the offseason to improve his strength and power so he could make a return trip to Hawaii. He ha a thick lower body that allows him to play with power and anchor himself against nose tackles and defensive tackles. He has improved at making line calls and adjustments; the more he does that, the better his overall production will be.
SEE A DIFFERENT GAME
The Cowboys' one-gap version of the 3-4 defense was supposed to allow the defensive players to take advantage of their speed and quickness by shooting gaps and attacking the offense. But in the Cowboys' first two games, they had only six plays for negative yardage, including three sacks. They weren't getting consistent pressure despite blitzing and stunting on nearly every play. It's early in the season, but coach Wade Phillips expected to see results by now. Part of the problem is that he installed so much of the defense that the players too often are thinking rather than reacting.
For Sporting News
PERSONNEL ANALYSIS
The Cowboys signed suspended DT Tank Johnson to a two-year contract after losing starter Jason Ferguson for the season with a torn biceps. Jay Ratliff will remain the starter for the foreseeable future, in part because Johnson isn't eligible to return until Nov. 11 -- unless NFL commissioner Roger Goodell reduces Johnson's suspension. Ratliff is a high-energy player who makes up for his lack of size (298 pounds) with athleticism and tremendous effort. He's tall, so he has to play with good pad level to ensure he maintains good leverage. Ratliff is a good pass rusher because he has an explosive first step that allows him to beat centers at the snap. He lacks experience, so he can be moved if he doesn't play with good technique. . . .
The team is confident its in-house players program can help Johnson make changes in his life. Former Cowboys running back Calvin Hill leads the program, which has helped keep down the number of off-the-field incidents involving players the past decade. The Cowboys also try to draft high-character players and sign free agents of the same ilk; they really focused on doing that during the four years Bill Parcells was the coach. But Parcells also took chances on players of questionable character such as DTs Jermaine Brooks and Leo Carson.
SCOUTING REPORT
Andre Gurode is one of the top centers in the NFC. After making the Pro Bowl last season, he worked hard in the offseason to improve his strength and power so he could make a return trip to Hawaii. He ha a thick lower body that allows him to play with power and anchor himself against nose tackles and defensive tackles. He has improved at making line calls and adjustments; the more he does that, the better his overall production will be.
SEE A DIFFERENT GAME
The Cowboys' one-gap version of the 3-4 defense was supposed to allow the defensive players to take advantage of their speed and quickness by shooting gaps and attacking the offense. But in the Cowboys' first two games, they had only six plays for negative yardage, including three sacks. They weren't getting consistent pressure despite blitzing and stunting on nearly every play. It's early in the season, but coach Wade Phillips expected to see results by now. Part of the problem is that he installed so much of the defense that the players too often are thinking rather than reacting.
posted by The Gryphon at 7:30 PM
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