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By Bob Sturm, Special contributor
That start on Sunday from the defense was absolutely the opposite of what the Cowboys had in mind against a rather toothless 49ers attack. The only way the 49ers get to 21 would have to be by some gift from the visitors and perhaps that was given in the form of the Cowboys looking rather asleep early.
Maybe it was the tempo getting on them quick. But, for whatever reason, the Chip Kelly-designed offense looked like Thanksgiving 2014 again as they marched up and down the field twice for touchdowns in the 1st Quarter (and part of the early 2nd).
16 minutes into the game, the 49ers were up 14-0 and the Cowboys looked shellshocked against an opponent that had no real notable weapons. This was really bad.
And then, they make their adjustments - which as we will see below looks like just getting everyone on the same page. Defense really improves when you all run the same coverage together and the Cowboys busted early a few times with players just not knowing who they were supposed to deal with - which is one of the real benefits of running an up-tempo offense. Again, in the early days in Philadelphia, they did seem to benefit from the opponent just not getting lined up correctly. For whatever reason, the Cowboys spent plenty of time with that issue early on Sunday.
As you can see above, once they got through the 1st Quarter, the Cowboys went from allowing 6.8 yards per snap to 4.6 the rest of the game. Luckily, they played an opponent that relied on blown coverages to move the ball and when you stop blowing them, they stop moving it.
You won't be that fortunate most weeks.
Let's take a look at a few of these early plays and speculate on what went wrong.
This is the Kerley TD to make it 7-0. Frankly, this is a rather uncharacteristic blitz from the Cowboys bringing 6 rushers on a 3rd and 7. Not saying that the bust is there, but from following this team, it seems rather rare for a big blitz to appear with 6 rushing and just 5 on defense against 4 targets from SF in route. Rare might be the plan, though. The problem is in the coverage.
Also, we should point out that one of the players dropping is DE Benson Mayowa. So, the idea that it would be man coverage suggests that he is supposed to match-up with the TE and run with him (which he clearly is not considering given his zone drop) which is all highly doubtful.
So, as I look at the above play, I see 4 players playing a zone (Cover 3 behind 2 dropping LBs) and I see one guy playing man (Brandon Carr who chases Celek across the field). 9 times out of 10 when you see everyone playing one coverage and one guy not, it is going to be his bust. I think you can safely say that Carr wasn't supposed to chase and instead play his Cover 3. If he does, Kerley isn't open and the throw is likely never made.
So there it is 7-0. Now, on the next drive, another bust allows another big play:
This one is even more ridiculous. We have a corner blitz from Anthony Brown coming, and any QB knows to look where the blitz came from to see his hot route. Why? Because his man can't get there in time, usually. Byron Jones is trying to get from his Cover 2 shell to the slot guy where Gabbert could have gone, but instead, he sees that this blitz means the Cowboys are in Cover 1 behind it and nobody has the TE! Again, we are going to suggest the most likely culprit here is the LB 56-Durant who not only is in the vicinity, but also has that guilty body language. 25 free yards and now the 49ers are right back down deep in your territory again.
So, 2 massive busts on 2 drives and they both come on your only two blitz attempts of the 1st half.
Gentlemen, this might be why they don't blitz much these days.
Anyone with the slightest enjoyment for football loves the blitz. It is one of the finest adrenaline rushes the sport can offer and we are generally taken back to our youth when those crazy coaches in the 1970s and 1980s would blitz every last guy in the secondary (it seemed) with reckless abandon to try to knock the QB senseless in the name of getting off the field.
But, in 2016, the Dallas Cowboys do not bring blitzes hardly ever. And, when I say that, Marinelli laughs and says he still does it too much. You can see from this graphic that this defense went from never to less-than-never over the last three years. Early in the year, especially, they aren't risking it on defense. And then they decide to mix it up and they give up the two biggest throws of the afternoon.
Let me show you one more bust:
Here is the 1st play in the 2nd half. Simple read option. Sean Lee is clearly on Gabbert here and my other LB 59-Hitchens is untouched by any block and seems to have the middle of the field - unless he overplays the outside zone and then Carlos Hyde just accepts his generosity and starts running to the end zone. You can certainly see the value in the QB fake here as he is able to pull Sean Lee away (which might be why Anthony Hitchens is so eager to get outside), but I need Hitchens to not guess. I need him to mirror the RB through the traffic. Byron Jones might have taken a better angle, too. It is not easy, but what they did gave Hyde 32 of his 74 yards on another assignment bust. If they whip you, fine. But, don't give gifts.
WEEKLY DATA
The magic number is 300 yards. If the Cowboys keep their opponent under 300 yards AND the offense does not have an absurd turnover-filled day, the Cowboys will win.
Since 2012, they are 13-3 when holding the opponent under 300 yards. The 3 losses? Romo throws 4 picks against the Giants in 2012, Matt Cassel throws 3 picks against the Giants (and they allow a KO return TD to Dwayne Harris), and Romo throws 3 picks to the Panthers last Thanksgiving. Those were three games in which the defense didn't even matter.
But, in normal games, you hold an opponent under 300 and you win.
BLAINE GABBERT THROW CHART
When Andy Dalton and Aaron Rodgers are attacking this secondary, let's remember this day where Gabbert did not. This week of not playing an offense without any sort of threat is a rare treat. Enjoy it.
SPLASH PLAYS - WEEK 4
Based on our keep of splash plays for moments of merit, we see that the guys who brought in the multiple splashes include Sean Lee, rookie Anthony Brown, and look who closed the deal with 3 massive plays late in the game - our young friend Morris Claiborne again.
It is now officially a story. Morris Claiborne may have turned the corner in his 5th trip around the league. I will again attempt to temper the enthusiasm a bit given that last year after 4 games, Claiborne was still have a great 2015. But, this start is really, really impressive.
I want to look at those last splash plays of the day that sealed the victory:
1st and 10, Cover 1 - Rat in the hole (Sean Lee), and with multiple routes to the offensive left, Byron Jones is pulled that way (which is the 49ers intent - draw the safety, throw it up top). The guys on tv said that if this is a better throw it is a touchdown. I wasn't sure from the TV copy, but this is pretty clear and verifies Aikman's assessment. Very poor throw and it brings Claiborne back in the mix.
Torrey Smith never really even saw the ball, it appears. But, Gabbert looks like he is worried about Jones getting there. From the first view, it is clear he has no chance. Claiborne's recovery here is nice and he made a fantastic play when a turnover was available. But, it takes two teams to tango, and this one has 2 perspectives.
Then, this final play which is bizarre from the SF perspective. It is 4th down and 6.
Gabbers gets flushed out to his right but they have a route to the sticks - Torrey Smith again. He has to get to the 29 and runs his route there (which is the design, I am sure). As his QB is headed to him, he is fading back to the QB. But, now, instead of the 29 he is at the 32. Claiborne properly closes on him and ends the play, but I see many blaming the QB here. I think Gabbert can only assume his guy is at the sticks. He is under duress trying to deliver the ball. So, if this is a Cowboys blog we congratulate Claiborne. If it is a 49ers blog we wonder why Gabbert and Smith are on different pages in the 4th Quarter on 2 critical plays.
That's football.
SUMMARY AND CONCLUSIONS
Lots of good. Plays in the 4th Quarter including a critical takeaway, adjustments during the game, and holding the 49ers production down to nothing.
Also, some bad. Blown assignments, in particular are devastating because not all plays are created equal. If you allow 5 big plays, you can lose. Those other 60 plays aren't important, if you do everything right and then hand your opponent a free touchdown.
That part has to get cleaned up. And I am sure that is the objective as we speak.
But, this week, this guy returns:
Let's hope he can take down some left tackles now that he is switching to the other side and won't have Greg Hardy to attract attention. I think DeMarcus Lawrence will be great this year (I said 8 sacks in 12 games), but he must prove it and must start on Sunday.
That start on Sunday from the defense was absolutely the opposite of what the Cowboys had in mind against a rather toothless 49ers attack. The only way the 49ers get to 21 would have to be by some gift from the visitors and perhaps that was given in the form of the Cowboys looking rather asleep early.
Maybe it was the tempo getting on them quick. But, for whatever reason, the Chip Kelly-designed offense looked like Thanksgiving 2014 again as they marched up and down the field twice for touchdowns in the 1st Quarter (and part of the early 2nd).
16 minutes into the game, the 49ers were up 14-0 and the Cowboys looked shellshocked against an opponent that had no real notable weapons. This was really bad.
And then, they make their adjustments - which as we will see below looks like just getting everyone on the same page. Defense really improves when you all run the same coverage together and the Cowboys busted early a few times with players just not knowing who they were supposed to deal with - which is one of the real benefits of running an up-tempo offense. Again, in the early days in Philadelphia, they did seem to benefit from the opponent just not getting lined up correctly. For whatever reason, the Cowboys spent plenty of time with that issue early on Sunday.
As you can see above, once they got through the 1st Quarter, the Cowboys went from allowing 6.8 yards per snap to 4.6 the rest of the game. Luckily, they played an opponent that relied on blown coverages to move the ball and when you stop blowing them, they stop moving it.
You won't be that fortunate most weeks.
Let's take a look at a few of these early plays and speculate on what went wrong.
This is the Kerley TD to make it 7-0. Frankly, this is a rather uncharacteristic blitz from the Cowboys bringing 6 rushers on a 3rd and 7. Not saying that the bust is there, but from following this team, it seems rather rare for a big blitz to appear with 6 rushing and just 5 on defense against 4 targets from SF in route. Rare might be the plan, though. The problem is in the coverage.
Also, we should point out that one of the players dropping is DE Benson Mayowa. So, the idea that it would be man coverage suggests that he is supposed to match-up with the TE and run with him (which he clearly is not considering given his zone drop) which is all highly doubtful.
So, as I look at the above play, I see 4 players playing a zone (Cover 3 behind 2 dropping LBs) and I see one guy playing man (Brandon Carr who chases Celek across the field). 9 times out of 10 when you see everyone playing one coverage and one guy not, it is going to be his bust. I think you can safely say that Carr wasn't supposed to chase and instead play his Cover 3. If he does, Kerley isn't open and the throw is likely never made.
So there it is 7-0. Now, on the next drive, another bust allows another big play:
This one is even more ridiculous. We have a corner blitz from Anthony Brown coming, and any QB knows to look where the blitz came from to see his hot route. Why? Because his man can't get there in time, usually. Byron Jones is trying to get from his Cover 2 shell to the slot guy where Gabbert could have gone, but instead, he sees that this blitz means the Cowboys are in Cover 1 behind it and nobody has the TE! Again, we are going to suggest the most likely culprit here is the LB 56-Durant who not only is in the vicinity, but also has that guilty body language. 25 free yards and now the 49ers are right back down deep in your territory again.
So, 2 massive busts on 2 drives and they both come on your only two blitz attempts of the 1st half.
Gentlemen, this might be why they don't blitz much these days.
Anyone with the slightest enjoyment for football loves the blitz. It is one of the finest adrenaline rushes the sport can offer and we are generally taken back to our youth when those crazy coaches in the 1970s and 1980s would blitz every last guy in the secondary (it seemed) with reckless abandon to try to knock the QB senseless in the name of getting off the field.
But, in 2016, the Dallas Cowboys do not bring blitzes hardly ever. And, when I say that, Marinelli laughs and says he still does it too much. You can see from this graphic that this defense went from never to less-than-never over the last three years. Early in the year, especially, they aren't risking it on defense. And then they decide to mix it up and they give up the two biggest throws of the afternoon.
Let me show you one more bust:
Here is the 1st play in the 2nd half. Simple read option. Sean Lee is clearly on Gabbert here and my other LB 59-Hitchens is untouched by any block and seems to have the middle of the field - unless he overplays the outside zone and then Carlos Hyde just accepts his generosity and starts running to the end zone. You can certainly see the value in the QB fake here as he is able to pull Sean Lee away (which might be why Anthony Hitchens is so eager to get outside), but I need Hitchens to not guess. I need him to mirror the RB through the traffic. Byron Jones might have taken a better angle, too. It is not easy, but what they did gave Hyde 32 of his 74 yards on another assignment bust. If they whip you, fine. But, don't give gifts.
WEEKLY DATA
The magic number is 300 yards. If the Cowboys keep their opponent under 300 yards AND the offense does not have an absurd turnover-filled day, the Cowboys will win.
Since 2012, they are 13-3 when holding the opponent under 300 yards. The 3 losses? Romo throws 4 picks against the Giants in 2012, Matt Cassel throws 3 picks against the Giants (and they allow a KO return TD to Dwayne Harris), and Romo throws 3 picks to the Panthers last Thanksgiving. Those were three games in which the defense didn't even matter.
But, in normal games, you hold an opponent under 300 and you win.
BLAINE GABBERT THROW CHART
When Andy Dalton and Aaron Rodgers are attacking this secondary, let's remember this day where Gabbert did not. This week of not playing an offense without any sort of threat is a rare treat. Enjoy it.
SPLASH PLAYS - WEEK 4
Based on our keep of splash plays for moments of merit, we see that the guys who brought in the multiple splashes include Sean Lee, rookie Anthony Brown, and look who closed the deal with 3 massive plays late in the game - our young friend Morris Claiborne again.
It is now officially a story. Morris Claiborne may have turned the corner in his 5th trip around the league. I will again attempt to temper the enthusiasm a bit given that last year after 4 games, Claiborne was still have a great 2015. But, this start is really, really impressive.
I want to look at those last splash plays of the day that sealed the victory:
1st and 10, Cover 1 - Rat in the hole (Sean Lee), and with multiple routes to the offensive left, Byron Jones is pulled that way (which is the 49ers intent - draw the safety, throw it up top). The guys on tv said that if this is a better throw it is a touchdown. I wasn't sure from the TV copy, but this is pretty clear and verifies Aikman's assessment. Very poor throw and it brings Claiborne back in the mix.
Torrey Smith never really even saw the ball, it appears. But, Gabbert looks like he is worried about Jones getting there. From the first view, it is clear he has no chance. Claiborne's recovery here is nice and he made a fantastic play when a turnover was available. But, it takes two teams to tango, and this one has 2 perspectives.
Then, this final play which is bizarre from the SF perspective. It is 4th down and 6.
Gabbers gets flushed out to his right but they have a route to the sticks - Torrey Smith again. He has to get to the 29 and runs his route there (which is the design, I am sure). As his QB is headed to him, he is fading back to the QB. But, now, instead of the 29 he is at the 32. Claiborne properly closes on him and ends the play, but I see many blaming the QB here. I think Gabbert can only assume his guy is at the sticks. He is under duress trying to deliver the ball. So, if this is a Cowboys blog we congratulate Claiborne. If it is a 49ers blog we wonder why Gabbert and Smith are on different pages in the 4th Quarter on 2 critical plays.
That's football.
SUMMARY AND CONCLUSIONS
Lots of good. Plays in the 4th Quarter including a critical takeaway, adjustments during the game, and holding the 49ers production down to nothing.
Also, some bad. Blown assignments, in particular are devastating because not all plays are created equal. If you allow 5 big plays, you can lose. Those other 60 plays aren't important, if you do everything right and then hand your opponent a free touchdown.
That part has to get cleaned up. And I am sure that is the objective as we speak.
But, this week, this guy returns:
Let's hope he can take down some left tackles now that he is switching to the other side and won't have Greg Hardy to attract attention. I think DeMarcus Lawrence will be great this year (I said 8 sacks in 12 games), but he must prove it and must start on Sunday.
