A lot has happened since the first thread. The biggest thing being losing Hankins. The point isn't to debate that more. Either you buy the explanation or you don't. It's done and we can't change it.
I am very curious about this new defense. Originally I thought Eberflus would bring some mix of Rob Ryan and Rod Marinelli. But based on roster moves and comments from the team, it sounds like we're in for a lot more Marinelli than we are Ryan.
But what does that mean? Marinelli comes from the Dungy tree, but that doesn't mean we're going back to the Tampa 2 from the Manning era... does it?
I've been researching the Dallas defense under Marinelli.
This article talks about the Dallas front 7 in 2016, when they were the #1 run defense in the NFL. If you're surprised, join the club.
The big thing I took from it were that the type of defense described here seems consistent with Ballard's speed comments. While I think Hankins could've done well with it, it sounds like the traditional 1 tech NT role doesn't have as much of a place as it did on Dungy's DL.
The next big thing is that this defense absolutely requires a great MLB to function. And we don't have one. I'm not convinced Hitchens would've been the answer. Wouldn't be surprised if we target one of the top LBs earlier than any of us are expecting. It's probably what Eberflus wants more than anything for his defense.
Now this article.
It's a preview for the 2017 Dallas defense. The "new" defense.
The first thing I notice is the size.
- David Irving - 6'7, 290
- Maliek Collins - 6'2, 284
- Taco Charleton - 6'6, 273
- Cedric Thornton - 6'4, 290
- Tyrone Crawford - 6'4, 290
- Stephen Paea - 6'2, 295
- Demarcus Lawrence - 6'3, 264
- Benson Mayowa - 6'3, 265
Zero players over 300 lbs. The archetypes are athletic rush DE (Lawrence), shorter gap 3 tech penetrator (Collins), tall long-armed DT (Irving), and similarly-sized (interchangeable?) tall and long-armed DE (Crawford). I don't know all the gaps/techniques they played yet. This only reinforces the idea (however misguided it might or might not be) that Hankins doesn't fit. You still wonder what Al Woods and Grover Stewart are doing on the roster if that's the case.
I also wonder about David Irving. Dallas put a 2nd round tender on him. The Colts have a lot of 2nd rounders this year. Could they steal him from Dallas? He has played well and knows the Marinelli defense, though he's also had some issues with concussions and a PED suspension. He is 24.
Second thing I notice is that their starting LBs are far and away much, much more talented than ours. Sean Lee, Jaylon Smith, Anthony Hitchens. Of the three, Hitchens is the weakest of the group and he just got paid $9M/year. All three are smart, athletic, can cover and can attack the LOS. They're just way better. No hiding cheap, bad players at LB like in the Polian days. Again, a high draft pick or two on a LB will not surprise me at all this year.
At corner and safety I'm less sure still what to expect. That seems to have the least talent distributed to it. But I don't see strictly zone corners on the roster the last couple of years either.
Here's another Cowboys article, I'm sick of reading these now. You're welcome.
Based on the tape breakdown it appears Marinelli runs both man and zone. So concerns we will play strict zone with big cushions may be unfounded.
You also see it outlined how big of a difference Sean Lee makes for this defense. Which again makes me not care that much that we "missed out" on Hitchens. Apparently the guy didn't fill in that well at MLB.
Ok that's enough. After complaining about newbies writing too much I did the same thing. Sue me. Or just put down your thoughts on our new defense.