VERNON BRYANT / DMN
In this week's Tale of the Tape, Albert "Einstein" Breer mentioned the passing-situation package that puts DeMarcus Ware, Greg Ellis and Anthony Spencer all on the field together.
This is something the Cowboys have toyed with since Ellis' return, but it was a major part of the game plan for the first time against the Giants.
The Cowboys' three best pass rushers are joined up front by NT Jay Ratliff and DE Jason Hatcher. LB Kevin Burnett and the Cowboys' regular nickel secondary (three CBs and two starting safeties) are the rest of the guys on the field.
The goal is to get as many mismatches up front as possible. The Cowboys were able to confuse the Giants on several occasions by moving the primo pass rushers around, occasionally shifting just before the snap. Ratliff's ability to drop back in coverage -- he played safety and linebacker in high school -- aids the Cowboys' ability to be creative with their rushes out of this personnel package.
Follow the jump for a breakdown of the dozen times the Cowboys' three edge rushers were on the field together.
For each play, I'll list the situation, where the three pass rushers lined up, who blocked them and what happened on the play.
Situation: Third-and-6 from the Cowboys 44, Giants' first possession
Ware: Lined up on RG's outside shoulder.
Ellis: Lined up at LOLB.
Spencer: Lined up over center, standing up.
What happened: Giants called timeout.
Situation: Third-and-6 from the Cowboys 44, Giants' first possession
Ware: Lined up at ROLB, popping up from 3-point stance as play clock ticked down.
Ellis: Lined up at LDE.
Spencer: Lined up at LOLB, shifting from inside.
What happened: Spencer jumped offsides.
Situation: Third-and-8 at 50, Giants' last possession of first quarter.
Ware: Lined up at LOLB, blocked by RT.
Ellis: Lined up at LDE, blocked by RG.
Spencer: Lined up at ROLB, doubled by LT and RB.
What happened: Ken Hamlin intercepted the pass after Ellis bull-rushed the RG and hit Eli Manning's wrist as he threw. Cowboys came with four-man rush, with Ratliff dropping to cover short middle zone.
Situation: Third-and-20 at Giants 32, right before first half two-minute warning.
Ware: Lined up at ROLB, blocked by LT with chip from RB.
Ellis: Lined up at LDE over RG, doubled by RG and RT with RG trying to peel back to help on Spencer.
Spencer: Lined up at LOLB, shifting late after standing behind Ellis, blocked by TE.
What happened: Spencer whipped Jeremy Shockey and got to Manning before the RG could help. Sack for loss of 12 yards. Cowboys came with four-man rush, with Ratliff floating out in the flat.
Situation: Third-and-8 at Giants 49, Giants' first possession of third quarter.
Ware: Lined up at ROLB, blocked by RB.
Ellis: Lined up at LDE, splitting out wide, blocked by RT.
Spencer: Lined up at RDE, standing up over TE, blocked by C after stunting inside.
What happened: Ware whipped Brandon Jacobs to force Manning to get rid of the ball before he wanted. Shockey gained 6 yards on reception, forcing a punt. Ellis got good bullrush on RT. Cowboys came with five-man rush.
Situation: Third-and-5 from Cowboys 46, last drive of third quarter.
Ware: Lined up at LOLB.
Ellis: Lined up at LDE.
Spencer: Lined up at RILB.
What happened: Delay of game.
Situation: Third-and-10 from Giants 49, last drive of third quarter.
Ware: Lined up at LOLB, blocked by LT.
Ellis: Lined up at LDE, blocked by RG with help from C.
Spencer: Lined up at ROLB, blocked by TE with late help from LT.
What happened: Ware almost got to Manning, but Manning hit Amani Toomer on a slant for a 23-yard gain. Cowboys came with four-man rush, with Ratliff floating out into flat.
Situation: Third-and-8 from Giants 25, midway through fourth quarter.
Ware: Lined up at LOLB, blocked by RT.
Ellis: Lined up at LDE, blocked by RG with C help.
Spencer: Lined up at ROLB, blocked by LT.
What happened: Four-man rush (Ratliff dropping to cover short middle) didn't get pressure on Manning, who completed a 10-yard pass to Shockey.
Situation: First-and-10 from Giants 35, next play
Ware: Lined up at LOLB, blocked by RT.
Ellis: Lined up at LDE, blocked by RG with C help.
Spencer: Lined up at ROLB, blocked by LT with chip from RB.
What happened: Giants went no-huddle, and Cowboys came with same rush. Manning hit TE Kevin Boss on a corner route for an 18-yard gain.
Situation: First-and-10 from Giants 35, next play
Ware: Lined up at LOLB, blocked by RT.
Ellis: Lined up at LDE, blocked by RG.
Spencer: Lined up at ROLB, blocked by LT.
What happened: No-huddle again, and Manning hit Jacobs over middle for 10-yard gain.
Situation: First-and-10 from Cowboys 37, next play.
Ware: Lined up at LOLB, blocked by RT.
Ellis: Lined up at LDE, blocked by RG with C help.
Spencer: Lined up at ROLB, blocked by LT.
What happened: Draw to Jacobs for 6 yards.
Situation: Second-and-4 from Cowboys 31, next play.
Ware: Lined up at LOLB, blocked by RT.
Ellis: Lined up at LDE, blocked by RG.
Spencer: Lined up at RILB, dropped into coverage.
What happened: Burnett came free on blitz between C and RG, hitting Manning and forcing an incomplete pass.
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Comments
Posted by Abledog @ 3:05 PM Wed, Nov 14, 2007
It seems the surprise factor rattled Eli (no surprise there; I still don't understand how his brother is so good at reading those things and making the correct adjustment and Eli has no clue what to do). After he saw it (and his coaches saw it) they were much more effective in beating it especially by going no huddle with quick slants. By the way the midgets vaunted all defensive end line was a joke.
Posted by BobW @ 3:22 PM Wed, Nov 14, 2007
How about some X's and O's to go with this for us left versus right people! You know pictures, please!
Posted by Vaquero @ 3:32 PM Wed, Nov 14, 2007
Tim, you guys are doing a great job with that "Tale of the tape" and "breakdown" analysis. Keep it up, I love it. This package will eventually turn into one of the deadliest D combinations in the NFL! And once Anthony Henry is as recovered as possible and with Tank in football shape, we will be able to apply pressure with different combinations outside of this package. We are solid against the run now, but in 3 weeks we should be able to demolish Green Bay's budding running game. We should have them going on all cylinders by the time we meet Green Bay, and we are going to need all the pressure we can get on Favre. Imagine if we beat the Pack, what that will mean not only to the team and all us fans, but particularly to Tony Romo? Not only to have a bye and home field advantage throughout the playoffs, but how often does a person get a chance in life to beat his boyhood hero? How much things have changed since that bobbled fg snap in Seattle. I'm enjoying every minute of this ride! I just love how after all the team has acomplished so far, some people in the media are still not taking us seriously!The more satisfying when we kick their *****
Let's go out this Sunday and finish off our last rival in the NFC East!
Cowboys 37 Skins 14
Posted by craigw @ 3:33 PM Wed, Nov 14, 2007
It still boggles my mind that our NT drops into pass coverage and it appears to work.
Posted by Michael Cashe @ 3:50 PM Wed, Nov 14, 2007
What this tells me is that if the Boys can stop the run, and get a decent lead, then the QB is in for a world of trouble.
Posted by Calon @ 3:56 PM Wed, Nov 14, 2007
Yes, I agree with the Vaquero's and craigw's posts. This defense looks as though it may actually gel to peak effectiveness at precisely the right time of the season! I can't wait to see Henry healthy and on the field full time with Newman. Throw in an up-to-speed Tank, an improved and tested Spencer, and a stronger Ellis to complement Ware and this line should be a terror. Ratliff's flexibility is just icing on the cake. And with all this ability up front as well as deep, I'm hopeful that Roy's play will be more improved with an increased option to freelance.
Dallas at Green Bay should be something! Now, if I can just get over my anger and pissed-off attitude at Comcast for making the NFL Network a paid option here . . .
Posted by Dan @ 4:40 PM Wed, Nov 14, 2007
Tim, this is exceptional coverage and reportage.
There don't have anything like this in Philadelphia.
Where do you guys watch the game tape?
Do you guys watch it together at the Ranch, or is a copy of the game tape made available to the DMN sports bureau?
Posted by S L @ 5:43 PM Wed, Nov 14, 2007
Dan, they have mentioned before that this analysis is courtesy of T-Mac's TiVo and viewing palace.
That's why they can't always say exactly what happened in the secondary - just like everyone else, they are victim to TV's annoying decision circa 1965 to stay close on the QB and the football so they won't lose any viewers because of confusion. I think it's safe to say at this point that the TV audience gets it now - could we please see both squads??
Posted by Tim MacMahon @ 5:50 PM Wed, Nov 14, 2007
What S L said, except Albert "Einstein" Breer usually does his Tale of the Tape from the office. He came over once when the office TiVo didn't record the game, but I only let Massachusetts natives come to MacMahonor in emergency cases.
Posted by 05mustang @ 6:08 PM Wed, Nov 14, 2007
Yes Albert very nice breakdown. I'm wondering how this would work against Brady and the Pats. I know he's smart, but if we can mix things up enough to make him hold on to the ball a bit and play "umbrella" coverage in the secondary we could really throw them for a loop.
Here's hoping we get a rematch to find out!
Posted by D.B. from N.M. @ 11:52 PM Wed, Nov 14, 2007
I love those defensive schemes. Brilliant packages!!! I love our defense!!!!
Posted by Ken In SA @ 9:17 AM Thu, Nov 15, 2007
Ditto on the kudos, guys! Outstanding work.
How about Wade Phillips? We are now starting to see some of the defensive creativity he is renowned for. What a difference from last year.
Finally, Ratliff a safety! I bet he was intimidating to receivers coming across the middle.
Posted by gerry @ 1:16 PM Thu, Nov 15, 2007
As a packers fan...I hope the 'boys try this against the pack. It'll be quick slants and YAC tds all day.