ESPN: Secondary issues hindering Cowboys

[bubba9497]

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Secondary issues hindering Cowboys

By KC Joyner
ESPN Insider
Archive

There is no denying that the Dallas Cowboys have one of the most talented rosters in the NFL. They boast some of the best skill position players on offense and have a very strong front seven on defense.


With a core group that is this talented, the Cowboys should be one of favorites to make it to the Super Bowl. Like the beauty queen with a blemish on her face, however, Dallas has some huge weaknesses that more than offset their strengths. The woes of Drew Bledsoe and the deficient pass blocking of the offensive line have been well documented, but the Cowboys' coverage weaknesses are just as much to blame for their poor record.



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anyone got access to the entire article?

[DCsportsfan53]

Cowboys cornerbacks
Player Att. Comp. Yds TD Int Penalties Pen. Yds YPA
Anthony Henry 52 27 298 2 2 3 55 6.8
Terence Newman 39 16 213 0 1 1 36 6.4

The problem is that these two have not been able to cover up for the deficiencies of the Dallas safeties. Roy Williams, the Cowboys strong safety, has Pro Bowl caliber run-stuffing abilities but his coverage abilities always have been suspect. This year has been no different:

Roy Williams
Player Att. Comp. Yds TD Int Penalties Pen. Yds YPA
Roy Williams 24 12 237 4 3 1 48 11.9

To put Williams' 11.9 yards per attempt into perspective, consider that it would have ranked him 33rd in the league in that metric in 2005. It is also two yards worse than Williams' 2005 season-ending total in that metric.

The free safety position has been a revolving door ever since Darren Woodson left. Dallas thought that they might have solved this problem when they drafted Pat Watkins from Florida State in the fifth round in last year's draft. Watkins was off to a promising start early on, as he was beaten only on one deep pass in his first three starts.

But things went downhill very quickly in Watkins' next two starts. He was beaten for two long touchdown passes against Philadelphia in Week 5. Watkins was out of position on both of the passes, once because he bit on a play-action fake and once because he bit on the first move of a double-move deep pass route. He compounded one of those mistakes with a missed tackle that allowed Hank Baskett to get an additional 25 yards and a TD. That game put Watkins on the hot seat, so when he was beaten for a 50-yard TD in the Cowboys' loss to the Giants in Week 7, it came as no surprise to see him benched in Weeks 8 and 9.

The problem for the Cowboys is that they don't have anyone to replace Watkins with. Keith Davis proved he wasn't the answer last year when he gave up 15.6 yards per attempt in his tryout year at that position. Marcus Coleman is the other alternative, but Coleman has allowed over 12 yards per attempt in each of the past two seasons. Coleman was so bad last year that the Texans, who could have used a player with his experience to help mentor a young secondary, benched him for a rookie and then let him go after the season.

It's a shame when a team has this much talent but it cannot find a free safety who would even qualify as being mediocre, much less good. Tony Romo might have helped fix the offensive issues that were slowing Dallas down. If the Cowboys can't find a way to solve their safety issues, however, they will be hard-pressed to make the playoffs.

[DCsportsfan53]

It says what everyone already knows. The have had **** at free safety since Woodson left and Roy is better in the box.

[RiggoReincarnated]

Watch them come after Sean Taylor with everything in their pocketbook as soon as he becomes a free agent.


As much as I hate to admit it, the Cowboys are close to being a very tough team, and their front 7 will be strong for a long time.

[tr1]

I hate to pile on the pukes, but their secondary has been a problem for a long time...and it doesn't look to improve anytime soon.

[ABQCOWBOY]

Watch them come after Sean Taylor with everything in their pocketbook as soon as he becomes a free agent.


As much as I hate to admit it, the Cowboys are close to being a very tough team, and their front 7 will be strong for a long time.

I don't see us ever going after Taylor. I suppose stranger things have happened but it doesn't really ring true to the kinds of signings we have historically done.

[DeMarco Murray 29]

Watch them come after Sean Taylor with everything in their pocketbook as soon as he becomes a free agent.


As much as I hate to admit it, the Cowboys are close to being a very tough team, and their front 7 will be strong for a long time.

That's what us Cowboys fan's have some hope for. A future. Right now, we know there is about a Slim to None chance of a Super Bowl bid. A playoff bid, maybe. But more than likely end up going to New York or Seattle and losing if we get in.

Bill has built this team and we are pretty young at most positions.

Qb-Romo
Rb-Jones, Barber, Thompson(KR)
Wr-Crayton, Hurd
Te-Witten, Fasano
Lg-Kosier
C-Gurode
Rt- Colomo

De-Canty, Spears
Dt-Ratliff
Olb- Ware, Carpenter, Burnett(Look out for him)
Mlb- Ayodele, James
Cb-Newman, Henry
S- Williams, Watkins, Davis

P-McBriat

If Im not mistaken, that is all players under 30 years of age. Those aren't just names, those are players who have actually played and made some sort of contribution other than Carp. Our 1st round pick. So we do have a very bright future.

The problem is, we have the same Lingering Problems every year. I think our o-line has improved drastically with Romo in there. So it's still a problem but not our # 1 Problem. In need of some youth at WR, AND FOR THE LOVE OF GOD, A GOOD SAFETY! IS that to much to ask!

[bubba9497]

I hate to pile on the pukes, .



no you don't :laugh:



neither do I :)

[WeownU]

It certainly has been our weakspot defensively, I can't deny that, but I think it is something than can be fixed fairly quickly.

If you watch the games, you'll notice that the majority of the passes given up, especially in the safety postion are because they bite too hard on the play action or the stop and go routes. Which really doesn't make much sense since our D line is so good against the run. You would think the safeties wouldn't bite as hard as they do, thereby causing them to get burned.

If there is one thing certain, that is the simplest thing to fix for safeties. They simply must discipline themselves.

Even so, we have a top 5 defense, and a top 5 offense. We've had a few bad breaks along the way to our 4-4 start, but certainly nothing to make you really feel the season is lost.

[WeownU]

I hate to pile on the pukes, but their secondary has been a problem for a long time...and it doesn't look to improve anytime soon.

I'd love to hear your analysis of your defense tr1, specifically the secondary. What are they ranked again?

30th I think?

Oh heck, I wouldn't worry too much about that. You should be able to fix that pretty soon don't you think?

[WeownU]

Oops. It just hit me tr1. Sorry man.

This is a thread about the Pukes. Got it. My bad.

Sorry for asking.

[bubba9497]

I'd love to hear your analysis of your defense tr1, specifically the secondary. What are they ranked again?

30th I think?

Oh heck, I wouldn't worry too much about that. You should be able to fix that pretty soon don't you think?


well basically we stink, and it was a huge surprise after 2 straight years of top 10 rankings in all catagories.....

[WeownU]

well basically we stink, and it was a huge surprise after 2 straight years of top 10 rankings in all catagories.....

Honesty. Now I can respect that.

I'm sure I don't have as much thought in it as you do bubba, but for what its worth, I can't figure out why you guys have dropped off from last year either.

I just don't believe it was one guys doing (springs). I'm sure he was part of it, but no way could be be all of it. If so, make him MVP every year.

[THEHEREAFTER]

Nothing infuriates me more than poor technique and holding and grabbing out of desperation as opposed to getting soundly beat. On several occasions, our DB's had an opportunity to make a play on a ball or simply allow for an overthrown pass to just sail by. Henry's PI set the skins up early. Although you didn't cash in, you controlled the first quarter and set up the "safety." RW's PI set up the tie.

[Chachie]

I'm just glad the "cowboy" part of our season is over. First split in a long time. Williams is a bad-ass and now somebody else can worry about him. Safeties get burned and no safety is immune to it. I like ours and Dallas can have theirs.

(Oof. I just remembered Brian Dawkins is coming up. Twice.) :doh:

[tr1]

no you don't :laugh:



neither do I :)

Got me.... ;)

[tr1]

I'd love to hear your analysis of your defense tr1, specifically the secondary. What are they ranked again?

30th I think?

Oh heck, I wouldn't worry too much about that. You should be able to fix that pretty soon don't you think?

Well, our secondary was good enough to beat you guys...you do remember Sunday, don't you? :laugh:

Yes, our pass defense sucks.

However, I saw some correcting take place last week...and with some of our injured players coming back, I'm seeing signs of a revival.

We do need to bury AA, though.

[ArmchairRedskin]

Nothing infuriates me more than poor technique and holding and grabbing out of desperation as opposed to getting soundly beat. On several occasions, our DB's had an opportunity to make a play on a ball or simply allow for an overthrown pass to just sail by. Henry's PI set the skins up early. Although you didn't cash in, you controlled the first quarter and set up the "safety." RW's PI set up the tie.




Man, you must really be peaved at Newman then, huh?

[ArmchairRedskin]

I'd love to hear your analysis of your defense tr1, specifically the secondary. What are they ranked again?

30th I think?

Oh heck, I wouldn't worry too much about that. You should be able to fix that pretty soon don't you think?



And the great Romo and TO couldn't overcome that? I mean with TO getting all the attention, Crayton and Glenn should have lit us up. Especially with Archuleta out there. What about Pro Bowler Witten or future pro Bowler Fasano? Man, I can't believe Romo didn't pass for 400+ yards with 4 TD's.

Btw, how about those great hands of TO? Man, what a surprise that he didn't catch it huh? :laugh:

[DeMarco Murray 29]

Man, you must really be peaved at Newman then, huh?

Now Now Now, as a Cowboy fan it's Commandment # 14.

Thou Shall never talk bad about Newman.
:laugh:

Im kidding. But heck man, Im not being a homer or whatever. But It did look like Randle El was grabbing Newman as well. I didn't see the whole play. Nor do I remember it like it was yesterday. Im not trying to start a "YOU HOMER, YOU SUCK, IDIOT, EAT ****" Like I've been told here before :laugh:. But that's what I saw.

[DeMarco Murray 29]

And the great Romo and TO couldn't overcome that? I mean with TO getting all the attention, Crayton and Glenn should have lit us up. Especially with Archuleta out there. What about Pro Bowler Witten or future pro Bowler Fasano? Man, I can't believe Romo didn't pass for 400+ yards with 4 TD's.

Btw, how about those great hands of TO? Man, what a surprise that he didn't catch it huh? :laugh:

It's official man. Owens doesn't have hands. He only has Thumbs. :doh:

[kevin11]

Thumps...lol
Also, Pierson was supposed to be our third down safety and Arch was supposed to stop the run. Who would say that both Roy and Arch are about the same in skill level?

[bryanjr2003]

Dallas fans can forget that there is no way deep pockets Dan Snyder lets Sean Taylor sign elsewhere espically within the divisoion he will be named the franchise player when his contract is up and hopefully they are looking at extending his contract now we need to secure some of our core players long term and it could help us with spreading out bonus money over a long term deal :2cents:

[Parlett316]

Thumps...lol
Also, Pierson was supposed to be our third down safety and Arch was supposed to stop the run. Who would say that both Roy and Arch are about the same in skill level?

No way. No way in hell. Roy Williams is WAYYYY better than Adam.

[DWinzit]

Honesty. Now I can respect that.

I'm sure I don't have as much thought in it as you do bubba, but for what its worth, I can't figure out why you guys have dropped off from last year either.

I just don't believe it was one guys doing (springs). I'm sure he was part of it, but no way could be be all of it. If so, make him MVP every year.
Losing your number one corner is arguably losing your most important defensive player. We were also without our #1 and #2 CB's for a game. Please remember we were also without Griffin and Salavea up the middle. When they were in, they were often playing hurt. They were replaced with rookie 5th and 6th round picks. Being the first game our 11 preseason projected starters started was huge.

[anotherdallasfanindc]

well basically we stink, and it was a huge surprise after 2 straight years of top 10 rankings in all catagories.....

Not sure what the last two years of top ten will do for the Skins this season, but the one thing you did nail, is that the Skins Def. STINKS!

[anotherdallasfanindc]

Well, our secondary was good enough to beat you guys...you do remember Sunday, don't you? :laugh:

Yes, our pass defense sucks.

However, I saw some correcting take place last week...and with some of our injured players coming back, I'm seeing signs of a revival.

We do need to bury AA, though.

I dont rememeber at all...Same way that Week 2 has been forgotten so will week 9.

What in God's name did you see as a Redskin fan that makes you think the pass D was "corrected"??? just wondering, because they were torched all day long for 284 yards, and mr. overrated TO, could have made it well over 300.

LOL........:laugh::laugh::laugh:

[IrishOrange15]

I emailed Joyner about this since I couldn't figure out where he was getting 4 TD's on Roy from. He gave him a TD from Troupe (agreed) and Shockey (agreed). But then he credited Roy for giving up a TD on the Reggie Brown TD on the flee flicker. He also gave Roy for giving up a TD to Plaxico Burress on the 50 yard bomb where the ref tackled Roy. And he's got Roy for giving up the 60 yard pass to LJ Smith.

I like Joyner's work but he's way off here. Those last three passes were all Watkins' responsibility and that's why he's on the bench.


YAKUZA

[DeMarco Murray 29]

I emailed Joyner about this since I couldn't figure out where he was getting 4 TD's on Roy from. He gave him a TD from Troupe (agreed) and Shockey (agreed). But then he credited Roy for giving up a TD on the Reggie Brown TD on the flee flicker. He also gave Roy for giving up a TD to Plaxico Burress on the 50 yard bomb where the ref tackled Roy. And he's got Roy for giving up the 60 yard pass to LJ Smith.

I like Joyner's work but he's way off here. Those last three passes were all Watkins' responsibility and that's why he's on the bench.


YAKUZA

Yeah that is correct.

Troupe, Yes. Shockey, Yes. LJ Smith 60 yard, Yes.

Plax, Watkins. Brown, Watkins. Baskett, Watkins.

Not being a homer, but Taylor has given up 5 TDs this year if Im not mistaken. (Don't shoot me for saying, I've seen it quote on other boards.) If im wrong, then Im wrong. But just saying.

[Skins4481]

Yeah that is correct.

Troupe, Yes. Shockey, Yes. LJ Smith 60 yard, Yes.

Plax, Watkins. Brown, Watkins. Baskett, Watkins.

Not being a homer, but Taylor has given up 5 TDs this year if Im not mistaken. (Don't shoot me for saying, I've seen it quote on other boards.) If im wrong, then Im wrong. But just saying.


Taylor has given up 5? Would you care to point them out? Because you're boy Yakuza Rich likes to b.s. all of us and say LJ was Watkins' responsiblity when Watkins was all the way on the other side of the field. He also says that Roy got tripped up by the ref when in reality if you go back and look at the play you can see the reason Roy tripped over the ref is because he over ran the play. I can guarantee you that 1 of the supposed 5 TDs that Taylor has given up is the one where Glenn had this past game. What Yakuza Rich or any other Cowboys fan wont tell you is that he was picked by a referee.

See the hypocrisy here? Roy trips over a ref and it's not his fault. Taylor gets picked by a ref and no mention of this.

[softballer]

Dallas fans can forget that there is no way deep pockets Dan Snyder lets Sean Taylor sign elsewhere espically within the divisoion he will be named the franchise player when his contract is up and hopefully they are looking at extending his contract now we need to secure some of our core players long term and it could help us with spreading out bonus money over a long term deal
:dallasuck





The Skin's will throw a lot of money his way. If he does not want it. We will tag him with the franchise label for as long as we can.

[DeMarco Murray 29]

Well like I said. I just posted what I read.

[IrishOrange15]

Taylor has given up 5? Would you care to point them out? Because you're boy Yakuza Rich likes to b.s. all of us and say LJ was Watkins' responsiblity when Watkins was all the way on the other side of the field.

That's no B.S.

1) Watkins was in the middle of the field, playing the deep middle.

2) Roy was playing a 4 across zone coverage. His responsibility is to play the short middle zone area. This is to take away slant and defend the screens...two bread and butter plays of the Philly offense. The CB's play man-to-man and Watkins has deep zone responsibility on the slot receiver (in this case LJ Smith). If Smith goes short, Watkins then goes deep to help out the CB. Watkins probably thought Smith was going to go short and then took a couple of steps towards Henry to help him out. Once he saw Smith go deep, he immediately tried to get back to his zone responsibility. Unfortunately, he was too late.

3) Parcells stated that was Watkins' responsibility the very next day in the PC.

4) That play was a big reason why Watkins was benched.


Perhaps it was just some exotic 4 across zone coverage that well, nobody plays in the NFL and Parcells doesn't even know what the defense of his own team is running and he's so immersed with supporting Roy that he'd bench Watkins to prove a point.

But I somehow doubt that.


Taylor's TD's:

1. Crayton
2. Terry Glenn
3. Mark Bruener
4. Plaxico Burress
5. Terry Glenn



YAKUZA

[WeownU]

:dallasuck





The Skin's will throw a lot of money his way. If he does not want it. We will tag him with the franchise label for as long as we can.

I have to wonder after ST seeing Archs contract, and knowing he isn't worth 10% of it, if ST will demand a new contract at the end of this year.

What do you think? Rosenhaus is his agent right? That could be trouble. But I agree, it could be averted when he comes up for free agency with the franchise tag.