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?

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Is Anthony Spencer really that bad?

Is Anthony Spencer as bad of a OLB as fans make him out to be? The answer is no. Many fans are down on Anthony Spencer, and the truth is their anger in his production is unfounded.

I find that the majority of fans who get angry at Spencer for not putting up “DeMarcus Ware-like Numbers” are fans who don't seriously grasp the entirety of the sport.

The truth is, you just don’t get that type of dominating performance from the majority of starting LOLBs.

Blogging the Boys posted The Anthony Spencer Challenge which prompted me to do a little research and compile a chart of my own.

Check out the statistical compilation... The PDF file is available HERE, and shows Anthony Spencer vs other LOLBs (in the 3-4 Defenses) around the NFL.

KEY NOTE: Only four players had more than forced fumbles than Anthony Spencer (who had 4): Terrell Suggs, Cliff Avril, Quintin Mikell and Jabaal Sheard.

KEY STATS (COMPARABLE TO OTHER LOLBs IN THE NFL):

• 1st in Total Tackles
• 1st (T) in Forced Fumbles
• 1st (T) in Tackles for Loss
• 2nd in Quarterback Hurries
• 5th (T) in Sacks

The truth is that Anthony Spencer is better than fans give him credit for, and LOLB is not a position that needs to be immediately addressed.

Lets save the draft picks and FA transactions for some DBs, a few OGs, a viable C, a DE and possibly a NT. Fans are generally creating a hole at a position where there really isn’t one.

Off-Season Priorities - Bengals Defense

I am going to continue with my off-season priorities today since there is nothing going on besides a bunch of people walking in and out of a building talking about the CBA, boring!  Today we are going to focus on the Bengals defense, what is has, and what it needs.  The one thing they have, is a great D-Coordinator, Mike Zimmer, the long time Cowboys defensive coach is well respected around the league and has always been successful.  If he can get the right mix of players, and keep them healthy (I am talking to you Odom) then the defense should be back to its 2009 form.


Defensive Line - Many so called "NFL Experts" have defensive end as a major position of need, but I do not see it that way.  They have a budding star in Carlos Dunlap.  Dunlap and fellow young DE Michael Johnson have similar resumes, both are athletic freaks who fell in the draft due to a reputation for taking plays off and not working that hard, if the Bengals can get these 2 guys to reach their potential then they should be able to not only generate solid QB pressure but also provide the Bengals with depth at the position.  The other ends (Robert Geathers and Victor Adeyanju) are just average and do nothing but provide added depth, and I think that Geathers will be released.  They also have Frostee Rucker who should provide some valuable depth and need to make a move to get John Fanene (sack leader previous season) back under contract.  With this being such a deep draft at the defensive line position do not be surprised if the Bengals draft someone in case Dunlap and Johnson do not live up to their potential.  I could see them targeting someone like Texas's Sam Acho, a guy who is a born leader and example setter who runs with a high motor that could help motivate the underachievers.

The other position along the defensive line is defensive tackle.  Peko and Sims, the 2 starting defensive tackles are both good players at the point of attack.  Peko is one of those high motor guys that never stops hustling, and with his size can take on double teams with ease.  Sims is learning and has become more of a disruptor at the interior position, he gets off the ball well but needs to work on his mechanics.  I do not see defensive tackle as a need that they will address in the draft, they have some depth at the position with a few other young players.


Linebacker - This is another position of strength the Bengals have.  They have spent a few early draft picks lately on some USC linebackers that head the LB position in Keith Rivers and Rey Maulaga.  Rivers is on his way to becoming an elite LB and can play at any LB position the Bengals ask.  Maulaga had a bad 2010 season and was recently ripped by Zimmer for not paying attention to detail.  They drafted Rey with the intention of him taking over the MLB spot from Dhani Jones this year, his all out style is better suited for playing the sideline-to-sideline MLB in the 4-3.  Rey just needs to learn to play within the system and control his all out, over aggressive style to find a comfortable middle ground.  If they move him to the middle he will have to be the leader of the defense, hopefully he picked up the traits and habits of Jones who is a very well respected veteran in Cincinnati.

For the LB corp the main problem was giving up to much in the run game, where it ranked 19th.  Veteran Dhani Jones is going to be a free agent and will most likely not be asked to return.  I believe they need to find a LB in the draft that is good at playing the run, possibly a team captain in college in case moving Rey to the middle does not work out.  Some prospects to keep your eye on for them are:
-Mark Herzlich - Boston College LB who overcame a rare form of bone cancer in 2009 and has regained much of his top form.  Prior to his cancer he was considered a potential 1st round pick, but after some disappointing combine numbers his stock could fall to the 3rd or 4th round where the Bengals would be wise to snatch him up, of course I would not be surprised if he is grabbed in the 2nd round...  Herzlich is a technically sound player, especially when tackling.  He plays with an extremely high motor never giving up on plays and is one of those guys who genuinely love to play football.  Some scouts seem to have him listed as a 3-4 OLB but I think he would fit well in the Bengals scheme, either as the SAM backer or the MLB.
-Mario Harvey - Marshall LB who recorded 419 tackles, 20 sacks, & 5 force fumbles in his collegiate career.  His ability to get off blocks with his free shoulder makes him an ideal fit for a 4-3 OLB and his prowess for stopping the run make him a good fit for the Bengals. 


Secondary - In my opinion the Bengals have the best young starting CB tandem in the NFL with Leon hall and Johnathan Joseph.  The only problem is that Joseph is a free agent, the Bengals MUST make re-signing him a priority the moment a new CBA is signed.  For the nickel corner position I believe that Adam Jones (who seems to have settled down off-field) is still a solid CB, he was having a great year last year before being injured and placed on IR.  While Jones wants to be a starter (possible if Joseph is not re-signed) I think he will be a great value CB for the 3rd corner/nickel role.  They may also have the chance to draft Patrick Peterson at #4 (if they don't go for a WR or QB) and let Joseph walk.  My opinion is to re-sign Joseph and have him and Hall continue making plays on the outside, then let Adam Jones/Jonathan Wade/Morgan Trent battle for the remaining nickel and dime role.  They should have plenty of depth at the CB position if they can stay healthy this year, drafting a project CB in the late rounds such as:  Buster Skrine - Tennessee Chattanooga (fastest man at the combine, good in run support, needs work on technical aspects), Marcus Gilchrist - Clemson (versatile player who could line up at corner or safety), and Kendrick Burney - North Carolina (displayed poor 40 times, but grades out well on film and played solid at the Senior Bowl, remember I value college production over running a straight line in your underwear any day).

Safety remains a primary concern for the Bengals with starting strong safety Roy Williams (liability in coverage) and his backup Chinedum Ndukwe both free agents.  While Williams is a liability in coverage, the Bengals should be able to get him on the cheap and get a project strong safety to start developing.  Ndukwe is a good special teams player, but may think he can be a bigger contributor for another team and they may be unable to retain him.  At the free safety spot Reggie Nelson appeared to play well in the final month of the season, and the team will have to decide if  he can continue that into next year.  I think he can and he will finally live up to his 1st round draft potential.  While this safety class is weak this year, they may want to look in the later rounds at drafting a project like Will Hill Safety from Florida, he is a guy that I think will be a good safety with some film study to help him recognize plays and can contribute immediately on special teams.

Overall I think the Bengals defense should have a rebound year and surprise everyone in 2011 (if there is football in 2011), they do not have to many holes that need to be filled immediately and their main key is retaining Johnathan Joseph. 

Up next:  I will start my off-season review of the Indianapolis Colts, and again I will try to keep it shorter than this one.....

Packers Cut A.J. Hawk, What Does His Future Hold?

If you look at the Packers linebacking corps, it is a definite strength of their defense.  They have superstar Clay Matthews as their LOLB, former Cowboys 6th round draft pick Eric Walden as their ROLB (Frank Zombo was the starter but he got injured and Walden was surprisingly good in the playoffs but they still might try to upgrade).  At the inside spots they have Desmond Bishop penciled in at one spot and the other spot will either go to A.J. Hawk or Nick Barnett. 

While you are probably thinking "How is A.J. Hawk gonna compete for a starting job when they just cut him?"  Well the reason they cut Hawk was because he was due over $10 million this year in the last year of his rookie contract, and there are not many ILB's in the league worth that much money, especially not A.J. Hawk.  So the decision to release him was strictly based on the economics of it. 

Now the Packers still have Nick Barnett under contract for 2011 at a total cost of about $6 million.  He only played in 4 games last year before breaking his wrist and being placed on injured reserve.  The wrist injury is not going to be a concern going forward, but his contract dollars will be. 

With Desmond Bishop already guaranteed a starting position at one ILB spot, Hawk and Barnett will be battling it out for the other, but they will probably not be battling it out in the way most people would expect, on the football field.  They will most likely be battling it out in the negotiation room.  Both players were drafted in the 1st round (Hawk #6 overall & Barnett #29 overall), about the only noticeable difference between the two is that Hawk is a 27 and Barnett is 29 years old.  I believe that Hawk is a better linebacker, while he has never been the "difference maker"/"high impact" player most teams hope for when they draft a player #6 overall, he has been a steady tackler and I feel he has improved in the last couple of years to be one of the more reliable ILB's around (I know that most people won't agree with me on that but in the games I have seen he plays steady). 

Currently the team is negotiating on a new contract with Hawk and if they can sign him to a decent deal then I believe that Barnett will be shown the door, and since Hawk does not seem to be a player driven by money it would be surprising to see him not come to terms with the Packers before tomorrow at midnight eastern time when the league will shut down.  The Packers are notorious for not overpaying their players, and really even underpaying them, and since they already have Barnett under contract they may really lowball Hawk and then hope Barnett will restructure his deal, basically I do not see them paying much more than their initial offer to Hawk and may try to get him in an incentive laden deal expecting him to only be a backup and then having a way above average LB on the cheap as a backup.

Since I am a diehard Cowboys fan, I believe that A.J. Hawk would be a perfect complement to team with Sean Lee as our ILB's for the future.  Hawk is a smart, instinctive, and somewhat conservative LB (from what I have seen) and would partner up well with the hard charging but over agressive Lee.  And we all know that Bradie James (while a fan favorite and solid tackler) has never been a good fit in the 3-4 scheme and last year I believe we saw the beginning of the end for the productive Cowboys linebacker and we all know that Keith Brooking is all but done unless he is willing to accept a pure backup role.  Also the ILB's were one of the many weaknesses of our defense last year and an area that Roby Ryan is sure to try and upgrade.  Unfortunately the near certain labor stoppage is sure to make a transition harder for any player and team which means that most players will probably stay put on the same teams.  But there is nothing keeping people like me from dreaming.......