Cowboys' run defense hitting back
by JEAN-JACQUES TAYLOR
THE DALLAS MORNING NEWS
IRVING - Your Cowboys will play several of the NFL's most physical teams in December.
Ordinarily, that would be cause for great concern.
We all know the Cowboys' defense is typically more finesse than physical. They won't agree, but physical defenses don't let the New York Giants rush for more than 200 yards, which is what happened a few weeks ago.
That said, these Cowboys appear to be in the midst of a metamorphosis.
For the last three weeks, they've been gang-tackling. And making plays in the backfield. And delivering hits worthy of SportsCenter. All of that leads to strong, physical run defense.
Let me tell you, that's the only way they're going to get to the playoffs.
Seriously.
The way the NFC is shaping up, 10 wins might not guarantee Dallas a playoff spot. Eleven will.
That means the Cowboys need to win three of their four games in December against teams that are a combined 31-13-1 to guarantee a postseason spot.
The only way to do that is by continuing to play strong run defense like they've done in the midst of the three-game winning streak that has brought them back from the brink of playoff elimination.
Yes, the pass rush is important. So is the resurgent offense, led by Tony Romo. The NFL, however, has always been about running the ball and stopping the run - and it's never going to change.
That's why the next four opponents represent such a challenge for the Cowboys. Pittsburgh's Willie Parker, New York's Brandon Jacobs, Baltimore's Willis McGahee and Philadelphia's Brian Westbrook are all quality runners who have the ability to dominate a game.
It's OK for you to feel optimistic because Dallas is playing its best run defense of the season.
Two weeks ago, the Cowboys limited Clinton Portis, the league's leading rusher, to 68 yards on 15 carries. Frank Gore gained a paltry 26 yards on 14 carries last week. And Seattle's duo of Julius Jones and Maurice Morris managed only 47 yards on 17 carries.
Remember, it hasn't always been like that.
Portis gashed the Cowboys for 121 yards in September. Steven Jackson of the raggedy St . Louis Rams rushed for 160 yards, and Jacobs gained 117 yards on 17 carries against Dallas .
The Cowboys lost all three games.
"As a group, we just said we're going to tackle the man with the ball," said linebacker Bradie James, who had 13 tackles, two sacks, two tackles for loss and a forced fumble against Seattle on Thursday.
"We were thinking too much earlier about technique, so we weren't really playing. Now we're executing the defense, and guys are making plays."
The run defense always starts with nose tackle Jay Ratliff and his ability to command a double-team. If he can be blocked one-on-one by the center, the run defense has no chance.
Then it's up to defensive ends Marcus Spears and Chris Canty to give themselves up so the linebackers - James and Zach Thomas - can make tackles. That requires discipline because sometimes the defense is not designed for Spears and Canty to make the tackle. They must trust that if they do their job, the linebackers will do theirs.
DeMarcus Ware is strong against perimeter runs, and Greg Ellis has done a good job the last few weeks fighting through tackles and tight ends to play the run. The Cowboys miss Roy Williams, who's out for the rest of the season with a broken forearm, but Keith Davis has been solid on first and second down.
Seattle had one run of more than 10 yards in 23 carries. San Francisco's longest run was 7 yards.
"We're just executing our defense," safety Ken Hamlin said. "Whatever we're supposed to do, we're doing it. We're all carrying out our assignments and making plays. It's nothing fancy."
But it is effective.
And it must stay that way for the Cowboys to make the playoffs.
THE DALLAS MORNING NEWS
IRVING - Your Cowboys will play several of the NFL's most physical teams in December.
Ordinarily, that would be cause for great concern.
We all know the Cowboys' defense is typically more finesse than physical. They won't agree, but physical defenses don't let the New York Giants rush for more than 200 yards, which is what happened a few weeks ago.
That said, these Cowboys appear to be in the midst of a metamorphosis.
For the last three weeks, they've been gang-tackling. And making plays in the backfield. And delivering hits worthy of SportsCenter. All of that leads to strong, physical run defense.
Let me tell you, that's the only way they're going to get to the playoffs.
Seriously.
The way the NFC is shaping up, 10 wins might not guarantee Dallas a playoff spot. Eleven will.
That means the Cowboys need to win three of their four games in December against teams that are a combined 31-13-1 to guarantee a postseason spot.
The only way to do that is by continuing to play strong run defense like they've done in the midst of the three-game winning streak that has brought them back from the brink of playoff elimination.
Yes, the pass rush is important. So is the resurgent offense, led by Tony Romo. The NFL, however, has always been about running the ball and stopping the run - and it's never going to change.
That's why the next four opponents represent such a challenge for the Cowboys. Pittsburgh's Willie Parker, New York's Brandon Jacobs, Baltimore's Willis McGahee and Philadelphia's Brian Westbrook are all quality runners who have the ability to dominate a game.
It's OK for you to feel optimistic because Dallas is playing its best run defense of the season.
Two weeks ago, the Cowboys limited Clinton Portis, the league's leading rusher, to 68 yards on 15 carries. Frank Gore gained a paltry 26 yards on 14 carries last week. And Seattle's duo of Julius Jones and Maurice Morris managed only 47 yards on 17 carries.
Remember, it hasn't always been like that.
Portis gashed the Cowboys for 121 yards in September. Steven Jackson of the raggedy St . Louis Rams rushed for 160 yards, and Jacobs gained 117 yards on 17 carries against Dallas .
The Cowboys lost all three games.
"As a group, we just said we're going to tackle the man with the ball," said linebacker Bradie James, who had 13 tackles, two sacks, two tackles for loss and a forced fumble against Seattle on Thursday.
"We were thinking too much earlier about technique, so we weren't really playing. Now we're executing the defense, and guys are making plays."
The run defense always starts with nose tackle Jay Ratliff and his ability to command a double-team. If he can be blocked one-on-one by the center, the run defense has no chance.
Then it's up to defensive ends Marcus Spears and Chris Canty to give themselves up so the linebackers - James and Zach Thomas - can make tackles. That requires discipline because sometimes the defense is not designed for Spears and Canty to make the tackle. They must trust that if they do their job, the linebackers will do theirs.
DeMarcus Ware is strong against perimeter runs, and Greg Ellis has done a good job the last few weeks fighting through tackles and tight ends to play the run. The Cowboys miss Roy Williams, who's out for the rest of the season with a broken forearm, but Keith Davis has been solid on first and second down.
Seattle had one run of more than 10 yards in 23 carries. San Francisco's longest run was 7 yards.
"We're just executing our defense," safety Ken Hamlin said. "Whatever we're supposed to do, we're doing it. We're all carrying out our assignments and making plays. It's nothing fancy."
But it is effective.
And it must stay that way for the Cowboys to make the playoffs.
posted by The Gryphon at 9:19 AM
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