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February 2008
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Movers and Shakers Pre-season Texas Stadium dallasnews.com
Sports Blogs |
Even with all the evolution going on as his defense entrenches itself in the minds of the players, Wade Phillips had an admission to make the other day: He needs to get rookie Anthony Spencer on the field more. In some situations, that would mean taking Greg Ellis off the field. And with the way the Dean of Dallas defenders is playing, that's just not happening. But in other spots, there is the option of getting both Ellis and Spencer on the field at the same time, while keeping DeMarcus Ware in the mix. One way to do it is through the team's "Cowboy" defense, a nickel package designed to disguise where the rush and the coverage is coming from out of a 3-3 front. Really, though, it's not all that original. In fact, Coach Wade is really cribbing off his own work. In San Diego, Phillips had a similar surplus of outside linebackers, with Shawne Merriman, Shaun Phillips and Steve Foley. In 2005, Merriman's rookie year, the three combined for 21.5 sacks at a fairly even distribution (Merriman 10, Phillips 7, Foley 4.5), and part of that production came from the "Charger" package, similar to the "Cowboy" look. The plan was to keep going with it in 2006. But Foley was shot days before the '06 opener, missed the entire season, and Wade had to settle for 16.5 sacks from Merriman and 11.5 from Shaun Phillips. These numbers make it pretty easy to see that the Cowboys coach has a penchant for producing QB killers, and it's happening against with Ware (10 sacks, 21 pressures), Ellis (10.5 sacks, 9 pressures) and Spencer (2 sacks, 6 pressures.) But most of Spencer's production came earlier in the year. Phillips has said that getting his playmakers in a position to make plays in his priority, and that means getting Spencer more snaps, which probably means you'll see be seeing more of that "Cowboy" look, especially against a pass-happy team like the Lions group Dallas faces this week. And if it's working right, that means bad things for offenses. "It's looked like a highlight reel this year," Phillips said, recalling the times he has gotten that look on the field. "In San Diego, it was similar. When he had some guys who could rush, it really put some heat on the quarterback." |
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Comments
Posted by kameleon_o @ 1:23 AM Fri, Dec 07, 2007
One thing about the new site in case anyone else has had this problem. I've got the AdBlock Plus extension installed on Firefox and it's blocking all the dang ads DMN is trying to put out. If you've got ABP installed, go up to the icon on the top right corner and right click on it. Then click on "enable cowboys.beloblog.com". It'll work for the whole blog. The ironic thing is that I installed ABP just for DMN's site because of all the da** banner ads. Now their forcing us to look at their ads to read their content. Oh well...
Posted by Jeff in Columbia, SC @ 1:25 AM Fri, Dec 07, 2007
God I hope Spencer don't get shot.
Posted by Jeff in Columbia, SC @ 1:26 AM Fri, Dec 07, 2007
God I hope Spencer don't get shot.
Posted by Jrs2300 @ 2:05 AM Fri, Dec 07, 2007
I want to see a hit on kitna like what 49ers Shontae Spencer put on him.. Someone get Nate Jones on the phone....
Posted by Kid Charlemagne @ 2:37 AM Fri, Dec 07, 2007
Aikman in his press conference also touched on the subject of the lack of credit Wade Phillips has gotten for the Cowboys succes, relative to everyone else (Romo, Garrett, T.O) which reminds me of an old saying that goes, "When you're doing things right, people won't know you're doing anything at all".
Posted by Dave in Dubai @ 4:07 AM Fri, Dec 07, 2007
Love Wade's style, but what does this say about our D-Line - specifically our ends?
Seems like Parcells just drafted big 'ol guys like Spears and Canty to play end, and then nobody is surprised when they get so few sacks.
Wade's scheme works because he lets players do what they do best: He has the big 'ol ends stay and block down on the tackles so the faster OLBs can get by for the sack.
Bill just wanted the ends to bull-rush for themselves while the LBs sat back in coverage or took on blocks themselves. Doesn't work when you got the lack of speed of a Spears or Canty or Ratliff.
ONE QUESTION: My God, whatever happened to Carpenter? Was that the bust pick of Parcell's tenure here? LEt's see:
Newman, Witten, Ware, Spears, Carpenter, and Spencer..... Seems like Spears is the next worst 1st rounder he took, but at least he makes SOME plays!
Cut Carpenter or trade him away, I say.
Posted by Bill in DC @ 5:53 AM Fri, Dec 07, 2007
Dubai,
those ends are there to stop the run, and, since Dallas is 4th overall in stopping the run, they seem to be doing a good job.
Posted by Quincy @ 6:01 AM Fri, Dec 07, 2007
Great teams are often characterized by great playmakers and great leaders in the locker room. At least that was how it used to be during the 90s. But in the modern era, teams win and lose not because of their quarterbacks, but due to their fan support. This is a proof why the Patriots are the best team this year and will win the Super Bowl.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lKrhOQgetDE
Posted by Brandon in Connecticut @ 6:02 AM Fri, Dec 07, 2007
Defensive Ends in the 3-4 scheme, whether its the Parcells 34 or the Phillips 34, are NOT supposed to be racking up the sack numbers. And uhh...yeh he drafted "big 'ol guys" to play end because thats what you need as a DE in the 34 system.
Let me break it down for you, since obviously you haven't payed attention at all this season:
in the "3-4" scheme there are 3 down lineman and 4 linebackers lining up. Typically the 3 lineman rush along with one or both of the two outside linebackers. In this scheme the OLB basically take the place of the DE of a normal "4-3", with the advantage being the offense does not know which OLB is going to be rushing. So in a 3-4 scheme, the DE are taking a gap, either between the center and guard or between the guard and tackle, opening lanes for the ILB and the OLB on the outside. Now in Phillips' 34, the DE are allowed to shoot the gaps and apply pressure, but it is much much tougher to get the sack numbers as a DE in the 3-4.
Lesson over.
Posted by TC @ 6:03 AM Fri, Dec 07, 2007
Parcells defensive drafting was just short of great. Newman, the old Roy Williams, Canty, Spencer and Ware. Canty, Newman, Spencer and Ware are animals and will be the cornerstone of a top 5 NFL "D" in Dallas for many, many years to come. I still think Spears can be a very solid DE. Maybe not great, but solid. Can't kill Bill for Carpenter, eventhough he looks like a bust. While building the 3-4, couldn't have too many palymaking linebackers. I didn't see it in Carpenter, but many in the league did. Maybe they can trade him away and get something in return...can't see just cutting him. Not so sure its all about Carpenter as much as it is that we have amazing talent and depth at the linebacker position. For a few Carpenters and Spears, there is a Hatcher or Reeves.
Posted by mattyinnj @ 7:47 AM Fri, Dec 07, 2007
Sure Carpenter hasn't been on the field much this year but what happens if someone goes down??? He's a good ST'er and really hasnt been given a true position - remember he played a 4-3 next to Schlegel and Hawk at OSU and now he's bounced from OLB/ILB in TWO different 3-4's since being drafted. You think it is easy to take PT away from DWare, Bradie "Big $$" James or Greg Ellis?? Give him a chance; it seems like the few times he IS on the field he makes things happen.
Posted by mike @ 8:05 AM Fri, Dec 07, 2007
Let's not forget that Carpenter is playig with an injured Quad as well- he has not taken a game off to rehab it all season and I am sure this limits him in pass coverage and in getting the initial burst needed for blitzing.
Posted by Victor Bee, LA @ 8:08 AM Fri, Dec 07, 2007
Can someone please tell me the difference between the regular Tackle and the Nose Tackle either in a 3-4 of 4-3. Thanks
Posted by Old Hap @ 8:14 AM Fri, Dec 07, 2007
Let's hope we see "that look" this weekend. That'll shut Kitty Kat up.
Dubai Dave, BP had an eye for talent period. There were what 5 or 6 guys that were here before he came. My Q with re to Bobby is , Is he not playing because of all the other talent OR is not that good. Remember, his dad played for BP in NY . Maybe Tuna was thinkin it runs in the family because BC was considered a slight injury risk outta OSU.
Quincy, where'd you get that comment from ? Stay on the subject matter or just GO AWAY, to the Pats blog-permanently.
Posted by Truefan @ 8:57 AM Fri, Dec 07, 2007
Carpenter was drafted to replace Ellis. You don't spend a first rounder on an "insurance policy". Parcell's believed Ellis would be a good Outside Backer, but due to his age would be replaced in a year with Carpenter. Well, Ellis has turned into an outstanding linebacker in the 3-4. Carpenter is still the player he was going to be. He is a good linebacker, there is just no place for him on the field right now. He is not a bust. He was an incorrect pick for our team. Coaches and personnel men just guessed wrong on Ellis.
Posted by Chris/Denton @ 9:34 AM Fri, Dec 07, 2007
I have to agree, I don't think enough has been said about Wade Phillips and his ability to keep this team focused, find players strengths and put them in positions to be successful. I really think that his scheme that pulls Roy Williams out on some passing downs is almost a relief to our SS peace of mind. It's NOT like he likes giving up plays in coverage and I think that takes some pressure off of him and we'll see Roy become more and more the playmaker he used to be and make him a happier, more productive player.
Posted by Don S. @ 9:35 AM Fri, Dec 07, 2007
Your BLOG doesn't show up in Firefox. YOu have to use IE to see it. You may want to research that so that everyone can read the good info here.
Posted by WG @ 9:47 AM Fri, Dec 07, 2007
TC before You give Parcells all that credit for drafting defensive players I want to correct a couple
Roy Williams was here when The Tuna arrived and Phillips Drafted Spencer.So that leaves Canty,Newman,and Ware I will give him credit for Canty.If he didn't take Newman they were going to take Trufant couldnt go wrong there and with Ware the same thing if they dont take Ware then its Merriman so he pretty much couldnt screw those two picks up!
Although I think Ware is a little better the Merriman!
Posted by PMS @ 9:59 AM Fri, Dec 07, 2007
The blog works fine for me in Firefox... in both XP and OSX.
I don't use Incontinent Explorer.
Posted by captchaSUX @ 10:38 AM Fri, Dec 07, 2007
PMS are you implying that the blog actually "works" for anyone? The DMN staff entries show up (most of the time), but posting on the blog is a disaster. The new look is slick and all that, but I'll take functionality any day.
Security code just sucks. That reminds me to find out what company owns "CAPTCHA (tm) Code" and short their stock. What a goofy name, too.
Oh, and go Cowboys! And
Posted by hh929 @ 2:45 PM Fri, Dec 07, 2007
I use Firefox with Ad Block Plus and the Filterset.G updater. I had to disable Ad Block on this page to see the text. Thankfully I also have Flashblock to block that annoyance.
Posted by hastekilled @ 3:36 AM Sat, Dec 08, 2007
Blog works fine for me in Firefox. I hate IE. Cowboys are going all the way this year and Wade Phillips has a lot to do with that.