Cowboys’ Defense Wilts In Fourth
November 14th, 2015
Rod Marinelli’s defense bends and breaks
Lovie Smith’s Rod Marinelli’s defense has been scary in the fourth quarter this season.
A couple of stunning numbers were kicked around on SiriusXM NFL Radio this week.
First, the Cowboys have zero fourth-quarter sacks.
Second, the Cowboys haven’t forced a turnover in the fourth quarter.
Also, the Cowboys lost two overtime games this season but never touched the ball in those OTs.
Joe can’t look anyone in the face and say the Cowboys are a good football team. They’re not, and they have a sorry starting quarterback in Matt Cassel. And unlike Nate Newton, Joe is isn’t shouting that Cassel is better than America’s Quarterback, Jameis Winston.
The Bucs must beat Dallas on Sunday.
If you’re in the crowd that looks at the schedule and circles wins, then this is one of those games. The next two games, in Philly and Indy, will be far more difficult.
November 14th, 2015 at 10:40 am
At least Rod Marenelli doesn’t leave his CBs 10 yards of the line of scrimmage for the entire 4th quarter. It’s what I call a zone coverage island. He leaves our CBs with way more “zone” responsibility than they can feasibly cover, creating very simple pre-snap reads for opposing QBs, hence great numbers. Get up there, be physical. If you get beat, you get beat. Don’t set up our secondary for the tackle before the ball is even snapped.
BTW he really only does this in the 4 th quarter (or second half with the lead). It’s why we don’t keep the lead. Kirk Cousins knew it, Bortles Service knew it, heck even Ryan Mallet figured it out to beat us in the 4th. Why is he still employed?
November 14th, 2015 at 10:56 am
Oh the horror, the thought of losing to Dallas again just blows my mind. Like some cruel and unusual punishment. Can we get a clue over here. I hate Dallas!
November 14th, 2015 at 11:25 am
I absolutely despise the Cowboys…..always have….I guess it is because they are called “America’s Team”…..and especially since Jerry Jones…nothing other than a SB victory would please me more than us beating the Cowboys……If I had my choice, I’d prefer to beat them in Dallas.
Go Bucs!!!
November 14th, 2015 at 11:34 am
All this pointing out of the ‘Boys horrible stats is starting the frighten me.
Yes on one hand it shows that the ‘Boys are not that great. On the other hand it shows the law of averages is seriously tilted in the ‘Boys’ favor.
November 14th, 2015 at 12:19 pm
The Cowboys are a mess… I believe we can take them… The Bucs need to pounce on these mofos like a hungry lion on a wounded gazelle… Go Bucs!!!
November 14th, 2015 at 12:27 pm
Lol yea we have a chance. Lmao hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahah
November 14th, 2015 at 12:45 pm
Well it sure seems like a huge opportunity for a statement game!!! Would be a nice way to start the second half!!!
November 14th, 2015 at 12:47 pm
Can’t wait…. Gonna go to bed early so the game will get here faster 😉
November 14th, 2015 at 1:11 pm
Bucs do quite well playing from ahead, but not so much when playing from behind. Dirk figured that out real fast after the Titans game it looks like. Looking at game stats though, there don’t seem to be any really obvious common denominators in there. For instance:
o The team that scored first won 5 of our 8 games.
o The team that scored last won 5 of our 8 games.
o The team that won the time-of-possession battle won 4 of our 8 games.
o The team with the least penalty yardage won 7 of our 8 games.
o The team with the least or same amount of turnovers won 8 of our 8 games.
Oh wait, winning the turnover battle does seem to be a common denominator. So does not shooting yourself in the foot via penalties. Lose both battles and you’re pretty much assured of losing the game. I could’ve sworn that some coach named Lovie-something has been preaching that for quite awhile. But obviously his players aren’t listening so fire him.
November 14th, 2015 at 1:51 pm
@ defense
A coach is a teacher… A teacher of football… Each coach teaches their players how to play the game within the rules and within the coaches schemes…
Based on the large number of penalties and the large number of mental breakdowns (especially in pass coverage on defense) I would say with great confidence that Lovie is doing a poor job at both teaching the fundamentals and his scheme to his players (students)..…
November 14th, 2015 at 2:48 pm
Sorry Mac but it’s the freaking NFL with grown men and experienced players.
If a guy in the NFL still has trouble mastering fundamentals he’s got more problems than the coach’s failure to “teach” him.
That’s not to say there is no teaching going on..especially in #3’s case and the rest of the rookies. But how much is left to teach GMC and LVD? How to line up onsides? How to tackle?
November 14th, 2015 at 3:41 pm
Mac and St Pete … The penalties more than anything are killing us. Bucs are second in the league to the Bills (they’re in a league of their own) in terms of penalties.
We’re getting flagged an average of 12 times a game, of which 10 per game are being accepted. We’ve lost 655 yds total in 8 games as a result of penalties (as in … 82 yds/game average). That’s almost 2/3 of our rushing yardage. That’s absurd. Take a look: http://www.nflpenalties.com .
Obviously Lovie’s approach to the problem hasn’t been working and he’s decided to take the ‘get tough’ approach (Spence?). Maybe that’s what needed, but I wonder. I think a lot of it has to do with how you practice and what you focus on. I wonder if Lovie is using refs at practice like Chucky used to.
November 14th, 2015 at 4:42 pm
For any of y’all that are going to the game tomorrow, be sure to have some words to say to Cowboys fans if we win tomorrow. It’ll be fun to let em have it. GO BUCS!
November 14th, 2015 at 5:10 pm
@ defense
I agree and was wondering the same thing… Does Lovie have refs at practice? Are players being reprimanded for game day and practice penalties? Are they practicing as sloppy as they play on Sunday?
Undisciplined lazy play, lack of focus and playing with poor technique… Both players and coaches are the blame… But a fish rots from the head down…
November 14th, 2015 at 5:13 pm
So…does Maranelli come “home” if the boys clean house? Would love to see him back.
November 14th, 2015 at 8:36 pm
Defense Rules
Agree completely about the penalities. And I have visited that site in the past it’s great because it breaks down the penalities by game, player, type, and position.
I recommend your link to all here.