Cowboys 3-4 Watch out

[gambit187]

http://www.cowboysplus.com/buzzbar/stor ... e97d4.html




Parcells has plan to beef up defense
Addition of bigger LBs would allow Cowboys to use 3-4 scheme
09:39 PM CDT on Friday, August 6, 2004



OXNARD, Calif. – In his heart, coach Bill Parcells prefers the 3-4 defense.

It's the scheme he knows best. And it's the scheme that earned him two Super Bowl rings.

When owner Jerry Jones hired him 18 months ago, the Cowboys didn't have the personnel to play it, so he didn't ask defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer to use it.

That's about to change.

Now, the Cowboys aren't about to scrap the 4-3 base defense that they used to lead the league in defense last season.

But Parcells does want to use the 3-4 as a change-of-pace defense much like New England does.



Parcells wants to force opponents to devote valuable practice time preparing for it whether the Cowboys use it or not. After all, only a few teams use the 3-4 exclusively.

The scheme can also be used to slow a team's momentum by giving them a different look.

"This is a good time of year to try some things," Parcells said. "I've got to see a little bit of it under fire."

In the last year, the Cowboys have added players more capable of playing in the 3-4.

The scheme requires bigger, more physical linebackers than Dallas has traditionally used, players such as Bradie James and Scott Shanle.

Dat Nguyen and Dexter Coakley rely more on speed than size, and the Cowboys' current defensive scheme requires the defensive linemen to protect them, allowing them to flow freely to the ball and make tackles.

In the 3-4, the linebackers aren't protected, so they must be bigger to take on 300-pound offensive linemen, shed them and make tackles.

"I think we're a little better off at that position than I thought we would be," Parcells said. "I think we can be OK at linebacker without a lot of depth there. We may not be 100 percent suited to it, but we have enough linemen to play."

The Cowboys have practiced it some in training camp with defensive end Eric Ogbogu lining up at linebacker.

Ogbogu, an excellent situational pass-rusher, would have a chance to rush the passer from a standup position.

More important, Parcells said Zimmer is so confident in his ability to coach the Cowboys' base defense that he doesn't feel threatened adding another element like the 3-4.

"Mike is very flexible. Now that we know each other and had a couple of years together, our communication is so much better," Parcells said. "He understands how I think a little more, and he's not reluctant to try things.

"We'll see how it goes. If we're not set up to do it, we won't do it."

[TexasCowboy]

I knew Parcells was tinkering with the idea of using a 3-4 defense I didn't think we had the personal to use it but I like the idea

[Justice Hog]

Who gives a rats A$$ what defense the Cowboys are going to use this year? Their offense is going to have so many "3 and outs" that the defense will be too tired to play ANY defense!

[TexasCowboy]

Who gives a rats A$$ what defense the Cowboys are going to use this year? Their offense is going to have so many "3 and outs" that the defense will be too tired to play ANY defense!

I think the offense will do just fine Parcells has a run game in place with George and Jones, and Vinny won't be pressured to make as many throws as Carter was last year
cuttin down the chances for turnovers to occur

[1niksder]

Who gives a rats A$$ what defense the Cowboys are going to use this year? Their offense is going to have so many "3 and outs" that the defense will be too tired to play ANY defense!

I think the offense will do just fine Parcells has a run game in place with George and Jones, and Vinny won't be pressured to make as many throws as Carter was last year
cuttin down the chances for turnovers to occur

Neither George nor Jones were there last year so how can a game in place they'll still be trying to pick it up One is a rookie and the other joined the team late in the offseason. Vinny has a better understanding of the offense than either back so BP will probably look to him more than you think

[gambit187]

Who gives a rats A$$ what defense the Cowboys are going to use this year? Their offense is going to have so many "3 and outs" that the defense will be too tired to play ANY defense!

I'm sorry the article was about the Cowboys not the over paid Deadskins

[General Failure]

Assuming protection is adequate a posession receiver like Keyshawn should should be a big help with keeping drives alive. He's not a threat to take it for a touchdown every time he touches the ball, but he's a big target. Old man Testaverde has averaged a little over 61% for his completions over the past six years, so you know he'll be able to get him the ball. Again, assuming there'a adequate protection.

Personally, I'm interested in what the Eagles do against Dallas' 3-4. Rookie Thomas Tapeh is supposed to play both halfback and fullback, so maybe we'll see some runs from him at fullback.

[hailskins666]

good luck pukes.

i's don'ts has no's cocaines' problems's.

only option left is to fool opposing teams o's to study a 3-4 for the week to distract their d on how bad the puke qb really is. did you resign hutch yet?

[redskingush]

That's the problem with Parcells, never happy with what works. He had one of the best defences in the NFL last year why Change? He's nuts. For that matter they go 10-6 make the playoffs shock the football world, why not cut you Starting QB for a fake cocaine problem to go with 7 year past his prime Testeverde and a awful 3rd baseman for the columbus Yankees because he was good in college 5 years ago. Things are looking up in Irving texas.