To
say the Cowboys had a tough game last week against the Broncos is an understatement.
They got punched in the mouth and the Broncos walked away smiling. Listening to
the chatter from both the media and the fan base, it feels like you all think
the sky is falling. It isn’t! The Cowboys ran into a good defense in a hostile
environment and their coaches weren’t able to counter what the Broncos did on
defense. The Cowboys weren’t going 16-0 this season. It would have been hard
for them to go 13-3 this season seeing that their schedule is tougher this year.
Let’s all just calm down, the Cowboys will be fine. They’re still tied for 1st
in the division and they already have one division win over the Giants. The
Sheagles look tough, but I don’t trust their offense. The Redskins have
improved slightly on defense but they’re also struggling on offense. The
Cowboys have the best offense in the division and that defense will get better
as the season progresses. Here are my five Keys to beating the Cardinals.
Move Dez Bryant Around Please!
It’s becoming a weekly debate now, “Is Dez Bryant still
an elite wide receiver?” Him being elite shouldn’t matter. When the Cowboys
drafted Zeke with the number 4 pick it was clear that the Cowboys where switching
to a run first offensive scheme. Dez was no longer going to be the featured player
in this offense. That doesn’t mean that he still can’t be a factor. Dez is
still 6’2, 225lbs, and is still one of the most physical wide receivers in the
NFL. It’s time to use his physicality.
Let’s stop forcing the Dez the Ball down the field and
get him involved in the short passing game. Dez is still a playmaker, put the
ball in his hands and let him do the rest. He can be used on bubble and smoke
screens. They can motion him across the formation, thus decreasing the chance
of the cornerbacks getting their hands on him. Dez has excellent body control
and he can still catch the 50/50 balls, use the back shoulder throws try and
get penalties on defenders that want to play Dez aggressively. I don’t know if
Dez is washed up or not, but I’ve seen plenty of wide receivers get the job done
even if their skills have diminished.
Get Zeke involved in the short passing game
I understand that Zeke is a good running back. He can run
effective inside and outside. Zeke is also a very good running back, catching
passes out of the backfield. Zeke is a mismatch against most linebackers in the
league. If the Cowboys insist on coming out in all these power formations, with
three tight ends, and two tight ends and a full back, they have to make Zeke a
threat out the back field.
Last week was the perfect opportunity to get Zeke
involved in the passing game because he wasn’t effective in the run game. When
your best player isn’t having an impact on the game then your job as coach is
to get creative with the play calling. With an athletic quarterback like Dak,
the screen game is a dangerous weapon. Using the screen game puts the ball in
the hands of your best playmaker. It will also allow those offensive linemen to
get out in space and take out some of those smaller defenders. The most
important thing the screen game does is slow down the pass rush. Pass rushers
can’t pin their ears back when they have to account for the screen pass.
Take the Shackles off Dak Prescott
This key can be looked at in two way. The first way is to
turn the passing game loose. Dak has proven to be a smart quarterback that will
protect the ball. Call the plays and let him decide where to go with the ball. He
has the arm strength to make all the throws. He has struggled with ball
placement this season but we’re going to chalk that up to early season jitters.
The other way to do view this key is to allow Dak to use
his athleticism more. I know Dak isn’t Cam Newton but he can do some of the
same things. In short, yardage situations Daks number can be called, on
designed quarterback draws. Every defense will want to try and force Dak to
beat them, as they should. Forcing them to account for Dak in the run game will
change how they can defend the pass.
Dak isn’t Tony Romo, Scott Linanhan and Jason Garett have
to use him in a different manner. Let’s continue to get Dak outside the pocket,
allow him to use his legs, and make the defense stop Dak, not just the passing
game. Using Dak in the run game will also help to make things easier for Zeke.
Get aggressive on Defense
This may be the most important key. The offense has too
much talent to struggle all season. The defense on the other hand has some
talent but they’re young. When you have a young defense like the Cowboys do,
you have to let them play. They’re going to make mistakes because they don’t
have the experience. While they’re making mistakes let them fly around the
field, sack the quarterback, or get tackles in the backfield. The pass rush has
been a lot better this season. Blitzing some of these young secondary players
will allow them to make plays on the ball and build their confidence. These
young players aren’t going anywhere. Unless the Cowboys get the perfect trade opportunity,
this secondary will not improve over night. They will struggle in coverage but
getting more aggressive and playing man coverage will allow them to gain
confidence. Blitzing them will allow them to feel a part of the game. The
Cowboys can’t continue to leave these young players on the field and let these
NFL wide receivers take their confidence. I want to see more bump and run,
corner blitzes from Lewis and Awuzie when they’re in that slot role.
Force Carson Palmer to beat you
This is probably the simplest of all the keys. David
Johnson is hurt. The Cowboys have been the best team against the run the past
two season. Carson Palmer is struggling. Bruce Ariens loves to throw the ball
down the field. This is the perfect game for this defense to get a few turnovers;
if the defensive backs are in good positions Palmer will try to fit passes.
That is when these young backs can capitalize on turnovers. Getting aggressive
with Palmer will force the ball out his hands hot and that will led to
interceptions. The Cardinals offensive line isn’t good, get pressure on Palmer
early and often, that will speed up his internal clock and force him to make
mistakes. The Cowboys can’t afford Palmer to get right against this secondary
with the weapons he has in the passing game. Take away the run game, apply
pressure to Palmer, and wait for him to make mistakes. We thought that Tervor
Simieon was going to be the struggling quarterback for the secondary to get
right on, but he was sharp. The Cowboys have to make things tough for Palmer,
even if he is moving the ball through the air.
I completely expect the Cowboys to bounce back in week
three. The Cardinals have a good defense and good skill position players on
offense. Carson Palmer has been struggling to start the season and the Cowboys
have to capitalize on that. The Cowboys defense has to make steps toward the
right direction. The pass rush is getting home, Demarcus Lawrence has four
sacks in two games. This secondary has to hold up enough to allow the pass rush
to get to Palmer.
The Cardinals defense is great test for this Cowboys
offense. They are great against the pass, but has loss some pieces used to defend
the run. The Cowboys should be able to run the ball effectively against the
Cardinals. Justin Bethal is a liability in coverage and everyone in the NFL
knows this. The Cowboys have to exploit this match up instead of trying force the
ball to Dez with Patrick Peterson covering him. Dez is going to have a long
game because Peterson is one of the best corner backs in the NFL. If the Cowboys
ever get Dez against Justin Bethal they better take advantage of that.
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