Good Article on Cowboys' Defense

[Dooby]

Aggressive play now paying off

By Clarence E. Hill Jr.
Star-Telegram Staff Writer


STAR-TELEGRAM/ALISON WOODWORTH
Eagles receiver Todd Pinkston prepares to feel the impact of Mario Edwards, left, Roy Williams and the Cowboys' second-ranked defense.


IRVING - Four-year veteran cornerback Mario Edwards said he doesn't ever remember seeing a sequence of aggressive defensive play calls like those made by Cowboys coordinator Mike Zimmer in Sunday's victory against the Eagles.

Leading 23-21 with 1 minute, 11 seconds remaining, the Cowboys had to hold off an Eagles team that had the ball at Dallas' 48-yard line, nearly close enough to attempt a game-winning field goal.

After consulting with coach Bill Parcells, Zimmer, the architect of the bend-but-don't-break schemes that usually left the Cowboys heartbroken in the past, went on the attack.

Blitzers came after Eagles quarterback Donovan McNabb on three successive plays, including incompletions on first and second down. The coup de grace came on third down when safety Roy Williams and linebacker Dexter Coakley harassed McNabb, forcing the game-ending fumble.

"Did you see that?" Edwards queried. "You would have never seen that around here before. In the past, we would be waiting for them to bring it to us, rather than us bringing it to them. We would be reacting instead of forcing the issue. We are being more aggressive, and it's paying off."

It has not gotten as much attention as quarterback Quincy Carter's improved play, but this new aggressive philosophy on defense has been just as crucial to the Cowboys' surprising 4-1 start that has them perched atop the NFC East heading into Sunday's game with the Lions (1-4).

The statistics certainly agree. The Cowboys have the league's second-best defense and are ahead of last season's pace in sacks with 10 through five games. But the most important change is the final result.

A year ago fourth-quarter leads were a recipe for disaster, namely the loss of seven games after being tied or leading in the fourth quarter.

Though the Cowboys gave up a third-quarter lead in the season-opening loss to Atlanta (27-13) and cratered late before recovering in an overtime victory against the Giants (35-32), their attacking defensive ways have paid off. The Cowboys are riding a four-game winning streak that includes a late stand against the Jets (17-6) and a complete second-half shutdown of the Cardinals (24-7).

"In the fourth quarter, we gave up plays that hurt us in the past," safety Darren Woodson said. "We are playing better in the fourth quarter, except for Game One. From that point on, we got more aggressive, and we have played better. That was a gutsy call by Zimmer against the Eagles. He was the same way against the Jets. Parcells has something to do with the change. But Zimmer is making the calls."

While defense is Parcells' forte, this remains Zimmer's defense. He was retained after the coaching change because the defense has been the strength of the team the past couple of years. And the personnel dictates that the Cowboys continue to use his 4-3 scheme, which is different from the odd fronts that Parcells is more comfortable with.

Parcells, however, said he has emphasized from the beginning that he'd like the defense to be more aggressive in 2003.

"Philosophically, we have discussed it," Parcells said. "We discuss it every week. He knows I want to have some pressure defenses ready in the game."

As he's gotten to know his players better, Parcells said he is sensing that they like to be aggressive too.

"Roy Williams likes to be aggressive," Parcells said. "[Defensive tackle] Willie Blade likes to be aggressive. [Defensive tackle] La'Roi Glover likes to be aggressive."

If truth be told, Zimmer likes to be aggressive as well. That is his style and was what he promised when he took over as Cowboys defensive coordinator in 2000.

However, the horrors of the league's worst run defense his first year and suspect cornerback play thereafter softened him and the defense.

That was before the Cowboys made cornerback Terence Newman the fifth overall pick in the 2003 draft and inserted him on the left side of the defense. Newman's lockdown abilities combined with Edwards, who is having the best year of his career, have allowed Zimmer to call more man coverage on the outside. It has also freed up the safeties for blitz duty, which feeds into the playmaking skills of Williams.

"We are doing more man than zone because they trust us more," Edwards said. "Last year, we got a lot of help from the safety. But they have confidence in us. We have been told to be more aggressive. Blitzing works better when you play man behind it. It allows people like Roy to do what he does best. It's how I like to play. We like it."

Defensive end Greg Ellis said the philosophy change has affected the linemen as well. They are still playing the run hard with the league's third-best run defense, but they are also emphasizing aggressive up-the-field moves.

"It is more attacking than sitting back now," Ellis said. "Because we were hurt on the run so much in the past, it was sit back, catch the tight end, and stay in your gap. Now it's be aggressive. The whole thought process going into the game is attack, attack, attack. Let's not be the prey, let's be the hunter.

"Is it Bill? Is it Zimmer? Is it because we got more confidence in our secondary? I don't care why. I like the style, and I like the results."

Getting defensive

The Cowboys' defense is comprised of nine players who were drafted by the Cowboys and two free-agent acquisitions (La'Roi Glover and Al Singleton). Here are a few highlights in 2003:

• Two safeties on sacks in the victory against Arizona. It was only the second time in club history that the team has recorded two safeties in one game.

• Allowed three rushing touchdowns. Only Carolina, Indianapolis, Miami, Denver and Baltimore, each with two, have allowed less.

• Limited Arizona to 32 rushing yards and 1.8 yards per attempt. The 32 rushing yards were the fewest by a Dallas opponent since Arizona had 32 on Nov. 15, 1998.

• Did not allow the Jets a touchdown, marking the first time the Cowboys' defense has held an opponent without a touchdown since the 9-7 loss to Detroit on Nov. 3, a string of 13 games.

• Allowed teams to penetrate the red zone (inside the 20-yard line) 10 times this season. Carolina (6) is the only NFC team that has allowed fewer opposition trips inside the 20.

• Averaging 1.8 takeaways per game with five interceptions and four fumble recoveries.

• Scored three times: two safeties and Al Singleton's 41-yard interception return for a touchdown against the New York Giants.

• Allowing an average of only 15 first downs per game. Only Cleveland (14.5) has allowed fewer first downs per game.

The rankings

Category NFL rank YPG
Total defense T2nd 259.0
Rushing defense 3rd 74.2
Passing defense 9th 184.8

[MavsFanatik33]

Great article dooby, I enjoyed it a lot.

[dallas_esq]

Defensive side of the ball last few years was the only bright spot of this team. They have picked up a few players and made it even better. But the main reason they are so much better is that the offense is keeping them off the field. Defense and clock control= CHAMPIONSHIP. I think they've got it in them.