Can up-and-down unit play just well enough?
A liberal dose
December 03, 2007
THREE REASONS THE SECONDARY WILL BE OK
1. Free safety Ken Hamlin
Hamlin is having the best year of his career (career-high five interceptions) and has become a true free-agency find. He is the center-field coverage safety the Cowboys have been seeking since Darren Woodson retired. Hamlin is one of the defensive leaders and is always communicating to keep the secondary on the same page. His ability also allows the Cowboys to lighten the coverage load on strong safety Roy Williams, who is being replaced in two passing-situation schemes.
2. The Cowboys' offense
When you have an offense as potent as the Cowboys' (No. 2 in the league entering Sunday), it can hide some weaknesses. The Cowboys have been able to outscore teams and haven't had to rely on their secondary playing well every week. In the five games in which the Cowboys' defense has allowed 250 or more passing yards, the offense has averaged 33.6 points.
3. Pressure
The Cowboys couldn't get consistent pressure last season, leaving the secondary vulnerable to big plays. That has changed this year with DeMarcus Ware and Greg Ellis wearing out quarterbacks. They have combined for 20 1/2 sacks and lead a unit that's totaled 33 sacks (one shy of last season's total). The pressure they are producing is keeping the heat off cornerbacks Jacques Reeves and Terence Newman.
THREE REASONS THE SECONDARY IS A CONCERN
1. Health
Cornerback Terence Newman appeared close to full strength, until last week. He had a game-changing interception for the third consecutive week against the Packers, but was hobbled. Newman is fighting a plantar fascia tear in his right heel and says he won't be 100 percent this season. Cornerback Anthony Henry, who suffered a high ankle sprain Sept. 30 against the Rams, hasn't been right since. It is hard for him to start, stop and change direction quickly. Coach Wade Phillips has not given him a larger role because he hasn't made enough progress.
2. Upcoming opponents
It's Detroit and Washington in two of the final four games of the regular season. Then, possibly, matchups with Seattle, Green Bay and New England in the postseason. Each team possesses potentially dangerous passing attacks, even the Lions and Redskins. Dallas couldn't contain Detroit receivers Roy Williams and Mike Furrey last season, and Washington receiver Santana Moss and tight end Chris Cooley always seem to find holes in the secondary.
3. Breakdowns and spread formations
The Cowboys prepared well for the Packers' numerous three-, four- and five-receiver sets. They took advantage of Green Bay's empty-backfield formations and lack of protection by calling blitzes and establishing a rush. But at times this season, the Cowboys' secondary has struggled when it gets spread out in multiple-receiver sets, resulting in confusion, the wrong coverages being run and incorrect personnel on the field.
December 03, 2007
THREE REASONS THE SECONDARY WILL BE OK
1. Free safety Ken Hamlin
Hamlin is having the best year of his career (career-high five interceptions) and has become a true free-agency find. He is the center-field coverage safety the Cowboys have been seeking since Darren Woodson retired. Hamlin is one of the defensive leaders and is always communicating to keep the secondary on the same page. His ability also allows the Cowboys to lighten the coverage load on strong safety Roy Williams, who is being replaced in two passing-situation schemes.
2. The Cowboys' offense
When you have an offense as potent as the Cowboys' (No. 2 in the league entering Sunday), it can hide some weaknesses. The Cowboys have been able to outscore teams and haven't had to rely on their secondary playing well every week. In the five games in which the Cowboys' defense has allowed 250 or more passing yards, the offense has averaged 33.6 points.
3. Pressure
The Cowboys couldn't get consistent pressure last season, leaving the secondary vulnerable to big plays. That has changed this year with DeMarcus Ware and Greg Ellis wearing out quarterbacks. They have combined for 20 1/2 sacks and lead a unit that's totaled 33 sacks (one shy of last season's total). The pressure they are producing is keeping the heat off cornerbacks Jacques Reeves and Terence Newman.
THREE REASONS THE SECONDARY IS A CONCERN
1. Health
Cornerback Terence Newman appeared close to full strength, until last week. He had a game-changing interception for the third consecutive week against the Packers, but was hobbled. Newman is fighting a plantar fascia tear in his right heel and says he won't be 100 percent this season. Cornerback Anthony Henry, who suffered a high ankle sprain Sept. 30 against the Rams, hasn't been right since. It is hard for him to start, stop and change direction quickly. Coach Wade Phillips has not given him a larger role because he hasn't made enough progress.
2. Upcoming opponents
It's Detroit and Washington in two of the final four games of the regular season. Then, possibly, matchups with Seattle, Green Bay and New England in the postseason. Each team possesses potentially dangerous passing attacks, even the Lions and Redskins. Dallas couldn't contain Detroit receivers Roy Williams and Mike Furrey last season, and Washington receiver Santana Moss and tight end Chris Cooley always seem to find holes in the secondary.
3. Breakdowns and spread formations
The Cowboys prepared well for the Packers' numerous three-, four- and five-receiver sets. They took advantage of Green Bay's empty-backfield formations and lack of protection by calling blitzes and establishing a rush. But at times this season, the Cowboys' secondary has struggled when it gets spread out in multiple-receiver sets, resulting in confusion, the wrong coverages being run and incorrect personnel on the field.
posted by The Gryphon at 7:37 AM
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