Are Cowboys Better Suited For A 4-3?

By: Bobby Shores

Cowboys Defense during OTA's

The other day when I was writing about the impact that the Cowboys free agent signings will have on our season, particularly Dan Connor, I started thinking that this defense really is a 4-3 that does a good job playing a 3-4. In fact before I realized it I had basically written an entire article under the Connor part and decided that I would take what I had and cut it for a new piece, so bear with me if it doesn't seem to "flow" as well.

While the Cowboys claim their base defense is a 3-4, in 2011 they played 58% of their defensive snaps in formations with 5 or more defensive backs, which also shows why the Cowboys will keep Mike Jenkins.. The nickel is most effective at stopping 3 receiver sets, which is probably what most teams play the majority of the time on offense.

Look at the Cowboys defense, it really is a bunch of 4-3 players that are versatile enough to play a 3-4. I think that most of the players would probably be more efficient in a 4-3. So what are the main differences between a 3-4 and a 4-3? Well for starters it is harder for opposing signal callers to know where the rush is coming from in a 3-4, typically you know that the three linemen are going to be coming (or at least holding the lineman so the linebackers can make a play) and after that you don't know what combination of linebackers are rushing, making it harder for everybody to get the protection calls. The majority of the time in a 4-3 you know that all 4 down linemen are rushing and then maybe a linebacker, so it makes it easier to get protection calls.

With all the versatility of all the defensive players, it really fits perfect for Rob Ryan who likes to throw lots of exotic looks at teams, and just like his father and brother he likes to mix up formations! Looking at the Pro Football Focus breakdown of defensive snaps, Cowboys defensive coordinator Rob Ryan played with 1 down lineman on 8% of the Cowboys defensive snaps, and that number was surpassed by none other than the Jets with Rob's twin brother Rex controlling that defense.

Let's start with the big guys up front, Ratliff is and has always been an undersized nose guard that would be better suited as a 3-technique. Ratliff would be able to use his quickness much more effectively as a 3-tech and get to the quarterback more often, I mean we all know that he is a pass rusher more than a run stopper. Marcus spears could easily slide inside as the other 3-technique and command double teams while clogging the interior run lanes forcing teams to go 1-on-1 with the other linemen. Josh Brent is good against the run and decent against the pass who would probably remain as a sub even in a 4-3.


I really believe that Ratliff and Spears/Brent would create a formidable team of interior D-Linemen that would be similar to the "William's Wall" that dominated the NFL for the Vikings for so many years. This move would also help extend Ratliff's career as he would not get beaten up so much, and they need to extend him quickly as he seems to be breaking down at a rapid rate.

Cowboys Defensive Coordinator Rob Ryan

Their current rush linebackers all made names for themselves as pass rush defensive ends in college, and the Giants have proven that you can never have to many pass rushers. Think about a rotation of Ware, Spencer, Victor Butler, Jason Hatcher, and rookie Tyrone Crawford. My breakout star of year, Sean Lissemore, is a high motor guy that can literally play any position on the line in any style of defense.

Currently Ware rushes the passer probably 96% of the time and would never leave the field, Spencer excels making plays on the ball carrier in the backfield and in hurrying the quarterback (sack numbers are low because he rushes from the QB's front side where he can see him coming) and Butler is a situational pass rusher who is a liability against the run but is great putting his hand on the ground and getting after it. All these guys would be able to drop back into coverage and really throw a QB off rhythm as they are not used to seeing linemen drop and would never see them. Hatcher has improved the most the last few years and he would probably start opposite Ware, but rotate constantly, again look at the Giants, there are enough snaps to go around.

The next level of the defense is the linebackers where I believe that Connor would play middle linebacker, Lee would be the right outside linebacker and Carter would be the left outside linebacker. While all 3 guys have a lot of range, Connor is the slowest while also being the surest tackler out the group and would be best suited to play the middle where he made a name for himself in Carolina. The ROLB position in this 4-3 needs to be the most versatile, and without a doubt that makes it Lee's position. Lee is a very instinctual player who has that "feel" when rushing the passer but is great at making plays on the running back or dropping back in coverage, he had 105 tackles and 4 interceptions last year while injured. Carter is not as instinctual but which is why he would be better off playing the run and dropping into coverage on the left side of the defense.

Defensive backs typically are not "scheme specific" like the front seven, but the Cowboys have a few unique safety's that Ryan has used in multiple ways, and I have made it clear that you do not need safety's in the traditional role anymore. In this new look 4-3 I would have Gerald Sensabaugh as the primary 1-deep safety as he is the most versatile safety that they have, he is good against the run and pass both. I would probably keep Brodney Pool as his primary backup until rookie Matt Johnson is ready to take that spot.

Obviously we would keep Brandon Carr, Morris Claiborne and Mike Jenkins as the 3 "starters", with Orlando Scandrick coming in against 4 receiver sets or playing more of a free safety role. The "wild cards" in this scheme are Barry Church and Danny McCray, both of these guys are "tweeners" to me, and would be best suited a hybrid safety/linebacker role, we have already seen Church lining up in that spot and wreaking havoc in the backfield.

This would work, wouldn't it? I really think the defense is built more for a 4-3 style than a 3-4 and that the Cowboys may do what the Patriots did last year which was claim that they are a 3-4 defense, but play 4-3 majority of the time. Both teams have similar personnel and can do anything they want. Let me know what you think of this theory in the comments, am I wrong, do you have any other creative ways of using these players?

Wanna get the jump on fantasy football? Check out Fantasy Corner guaranteed to win or your money back!

Use the money you win using our fantasy football advice and buy SleeperTees!

Follow ReclinerQB on Twitter:  @ReclinerQB

Don't Forget to Follow ReclinerQB.com's other contributors on Twitter: @amazingmattyp, @SonnyPrier, @CoreyDoiron, @mwyche2, @TCM_Revolver, @ChurchOfYoda

2012 NFL Draft "All Bust" List Part 3

By:  Bobby Shores

If you have read the 2011 "All Bust" List plus the first two parts (here and here) of the 2012 list (and if you haven't then do it now....please) then you already know what I am doing here, but just in case... The list focuses on picks that generated a lot of pre-draft and post draft buzz that I do not believe will live up to expectations. Particularly early to mid round picks, the first few parts of this list focused more on mid and late round picks, now it's time to get down to the first rounders.

About to get blown up...again

Riley Reiff-OT-Lions - It's not that I think Reiff will be a bad NFL Player, I just don't think he will be a good Left Tackle, I see him as a Right Tackle at best, and a Guard at worst. I did not even see him as a first round pick as he lacks the strength needed (especially with the punch) and has a narrow base and sloppy footwork which really shows when he's in pass protection.

His lack of strength and sloppy pass protection technique was highlighted in the Insight Bowl this past year when he was repeatedly blown up in pass protection by multiple Oklahoma rushers. He has all the intagibles and was a championship wrestler which is why I think he will find a position and be an average player, much like Robert Gallery. As a left tackle in a passing league, on a team that passes as much as the Lions, no chance (sorry @Hail2MI).

Michael Brockers-DL-Rams - Another player that scared me when listening to the rumors that the Cowboys were locked in on him at #14. Brockers is another defensive lineman that reminds me of Marcus Spears (not because of the LSU connection) as just a space eating defensive end in a 3-4 defense.

Brockers couldn't get to the QB

What he does bring to the table is a high motor, even if he is being double teamed he fought until the whistle. Much like Barron above, what keeps him from being worth a high first round pick is his lack of pass rush ability in a pass first league. In college he was routinely replaced on passing downs, while LSU has a lot of linemen that will be in the NFL, if he couldn't stay on the field in college for passing downs, what makes you think that he will be effective on 3rd down at the NFL level?

What does intrigue me about Brockers though is his age and physical talents, and that high motor which is common of guys that have a strong work ethic which he is rumored to have. At only 22 and still getting used to his big athletic body (he arrived at LSU as a linebacker), I think his ceiling is much higher than most draft prospects. His inexperience and seemingly high ceiling would be a MAJOR positive on most teams, but it kind of scares me since he was drafted by the Rams.

Regardless of the coach and general manager combination, the Rams have failed at developing defensive lineman (and offensive lineman but that's another article). Don't forget that much like the Chiefs they have wasted many picks (though not as many high picks) on defensive lineman the last few years; like Chris Long (as the #2 overall pick has been a disappointment but not a bust), Hall Davis, Eugene Sims, George Selvie, Darell Scott, Adam Carriker, Claude Wroten, Anthony Hargrove, Jimmy Kennedy....you get the picture....

Wanna get the jump on fantasy football? Check out Fantasy Corner guaranteed to win or your money back!

Follow ReclinerQB on Twitter:  @ReclinerQB

Don't Forget to Follow ReclinerQB.com's other contributors on Twitter: @amazingmattyp, @SonnyPrier, @CoreyDoiron, @mwyche2, @TCM_Revolver, @ChurchOfYoda

Marcell Dareus VS Nick Fairley

A lot of NFL Draft debate has swirled over which D-Line prospect should be taken first in the draft coming up in April.  Since before the National Championship game and until the last couple of weeks the near consensus was Auburn's Nick Fairley.  After a good combine workout and and people being "scared" by Fairley's lack of production before this year, Marcell Dareus of Alabama has moved into the #1 spot.  I am here to let everyone know that Fairley is the guy, and will be the guy at the NFL level (and not just because my fiance takes credit for finding him while watching college football with me).

Lately I have been comparing soon to be draft picks with current NFL players, I will continue that here.  Marcell Dareus reminds me of the Cowboys Marcus Spears.  A decent yet unspectacular player, look at Spears just about 5 or 6 years after drafting him the Cowboys are letting him walk in free agency. Why?  Because he is not worth the money it will take to lock up a former 1st round draft pick to his second contract.  Just think how much it will cost you to lock up Dareus after his first contract if he is drafted in the top 10.  Spears and Dareus have more in common than size, they both had college experience playing a position of great need in the NFL but that little value is placed, 3-4 DE.  In the NFL the 3-4 DE is expected to take on blockers to free up the linebackers, they do not get a lot of stats, it is not a glory position, so even if Dareus is better than I expect, the numbers will never bear that out.  Could Dareus become an impact player at the next level?  Yes, if he is drafted to play NT or 3-technique in an upfield, disruptive, penetrating type defense where his speed and quickness for a big guy could give him an advantage.  The only problem with that is he is not used to playing that way, and would have to learn new skills and techniques with a move inside.  Without proper coaching he will just be a guy that takes on double teams in the middle of the line and doesn't make many plays.

On the other hand Nick Fairley reminds me of pre-Washington Redskins Albert Haynesworth.  An explosive, disruptive DT with a mean fiery attitude that will keep his teammates motivated.  While he showed up at the combine a little bit lighter than expected, that does not phase me, look at the Cowboys Jay Ratliff, he is a very undersized DT that with a quick first step is able to get in the backfield before O-linemen are even out of their stance.  I am sure I will hear some arguments about Fairley being a "1 year wonder" which I normally shy away from, but there is an explanation for him.  He played at Junior College, the played 2 years at Auburn.  I believe his first year at Auburn was him just getting used to the competition of playing against SEC teams week in and week out, and that he has steadily improved each year.  Do I think he is ready to step in and have an Ndamukong Suh type impact? No.  The reason is because he needs to learn to use his hands better, he won't be able to just overpower NFL offensive linemen like he did in college, but with his motor and his fiery demeanor I believe he will be difference maker that sets the tone for his team, sooner rather than later.