• March 19, 2024

Can Eagles Play Eight Man Front Versus The Cowboys?

curryI must say that I’m concerned about the Cowboys Ezekiel Elliott and their running game. The Birds defense is going to be required to stop that running game with a seven-man front or they can make it an eight man front by bringing a safety up into the box.   In doing that, they will run the risk of one of the Dallas wide receivers getting behind cornerbacks Leodis McKelvin, Nolan Carroll or Jalen Mills.

Regardless of the counter move by the Cowboys, the Eagles must stop or contain the Dallas ground game. They can’t let Elliott and that offensive line take over the game and pound their defense into oblivion. They must counter it with an eight-man front

I don’t know if you have noticed, but McKelvin, Carroll and Mills have all shown a vulnerability to the deep ball. If you move one of the Eagles talented safeties, either Malcolm Jenkins or Rodney McLeod up on the line of scrimmage to create an eight man front, it leaves the defense vulnerable to a big play deep.

I’ll be interested in seeing what Jim Schwartz does if the Cowboys running game starts having some success. He could attempt to run blitz them or send a safety or cornerback off the corner.

Will Dallas’ young quarterback Dak Prescott recognize the blitz, then audible to a play that will take a shot downfield against the man-to-man coverage outside?  I don’t like the potential matchup of Terrance Williams on McKelvin, Carroll or Mills in a foot race for a deep ball.  I do believe all of them can matchup well against Dez Bryant because he’s not a speed guy.  I think Williams can outrun any of our cornerbacks because neither of them has great speed.  I think Carroll is the fastest with McKelvin and Mills being slower.  I think this is a tough matchup for the Birds secondary.

In the slot, I don’t like the matchup for Malcolm Jenkins versus Cole Beasley.  Jenkins matches up well versus big receivers, but small quick receivers give him problems.  Beasley is small and quick.

So far in the first six games of the season, Prescott has done a great job of taking what defenses have given him. Will he continue with that attitude or will he take more shots down the field?  It’s simple, the Eagles defense line has two assignments and they’re not easy ones, stop Elliott on the ground and get pressure on Prescott to throw him off his game.

I’m eagerly looking forward to seeing what adjustments are made during this battle for first place in the NFC East.  The Cowboys offense is a tough matchup for the Eagles defense, but Eagles defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz  may have some schemes and adjustment to make the difference.

GCOBB

Read Previous

Carson Wentz Needs To Use His Tight Ends More Often

Read Next

Thoughts From Eagles-Cowboys

0 0 votes
Article Rating
112 Comments
Oldest
Newest Most Voted
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
paulman
paulman
October 30, 2016 10:01 am

Terrance Williams & Brice Butler are the Deep threats for the Cowboys..
Terrance Williams has big ability can have huge games as well as being inconsistent , keep an eye on him early on as the Cowboys will take some deep shots early.. Butler is a big quick Receiver with a 15 Year Average per Catch which is pretty strong in a limited role..

deserteagle
deserteagle
October 30, 2016 12:01 pm

It’s important to be physically engaged with the outside receivers,the deep safety help ,must be there ..Stopping the run ,will fall on the front 7.It’s a ,choose your poison ,philosophy,but quick ,big plays in the vertical game vs gap swareness on the grpund..I personally think,the deep ball threat is something id prefer,hoping we put hits on Dak and or disguise coverages

gloomysmitty
gloomysmitty
October 30, 2016 7:22 pm

eagles need to trade for joe haden forget the wrs get haden he would take this defense to the next level..

Eaglehaslanded
Eaglehaslanded
October 30, 2016 7:53 pm
Reply to  gloomysmitty

Browns fans can’t stand Joe Haden. They don’t think that he’s good and commits lots of penalties plus he’s oft injured. The Browns fans are ready to trade Haden..that speaks volumes. Don’t get caught up on names from the past.
No to Haden. The Eagles should just ride the season out and get their guys in the draft and free agency. Work in CJ Smith and Grimes from the practice squad. See what you have on your roster first.

gloomysmitty
gloomysmitty
October 30, 2016 7:58 pm

joe haden is better than mclevin,caroll and mills who i think is better suited for the cover 2 and isn’t a man to man guy hell i think cj smith was better than mills in the preseason…joe haden here would cover up the only weakness this defense has..

Eaglehaslanded
Eaglehaslanded
October 30, 2016 8:05 pm
Reply to  gloomysmitty

What would you give up for Haden?

gloomysmitty
gloomysmitty
October 31, 2016 4:45 pm
Reply to  Eaglehaslanded

combo deal haden and josh gordon for agholor and 4th rd pick

paulman
paulman
November 1, 2016 10:09 am
Reply to  gloomysmitty

Gloomy, Are you still using my Draft Day Trade Chart from 2015?
Toss it away Son, it’s no longer any good… Things have Changed…

Eaglehaslanded
Eaglehaslanded
October 30, 2016 8:39 pm

Woah…what’s gotten into MSII…sack and a tackle for little gain on next play.

vinnietheevictor
vinnietheevictor
October 30, 2016 8:42 pm

That was a great great block by Agholor. I get more and more impressed by him every game.

vinnietheevictor
vinnietheevictor
October 30, 2016 8:47 pm

Followed by a wonderful, wonderful drop on an easy slant.

I love this guy.

Eaglehaslanded
Eaglehaslanded
October 30, 2016 8:47 pm

Agholor can’t play. Enough of him….how do you miss that pass…easy catch…and dropped it.

daggolden
daggolden
October 30, 2016 8:48 pm

Get Agolhor off the fucking field

daggolden
daggolden
October 30, 2016 8:51 pm

Pedersons fault for running the fucking play to him. Pederson when is anough enough. Run that damn play to Matthews or DGB. That’s Pedersons fault.

vinnietheevictor
vinnietheevictor
October 30, 2016 8:59 pm

1. Agholor sucked on the 2nd and one “whiff” block
2. Agholor sucked on the easy slant which would have made 1st and goal.
3. Pederson chickened out a bit deciding not to go for it on 4th and 1 and taking the FG instead, I understand he did the “traditional” thing, but I would have gone for it.

That’s it so far.

Agholor has got to go. Not only is he useless, but he’s taken 2 free first downs off the field. He is hurting the team.

vinnietheevictor
vinnietheevictor
October 30, 2016 9:00 pm

Is Sproles the starting RB?

vinnietheevictor
vinnietheevictor
October 30, 2016 9:05 pm

Oh, Agholor stopping his hook 1 yard short of the 1st down marker. Thanks Nelson. You are really endearing yourself to Eagle fans.

On 3rd and 12 I would have run a deep, deep fly to DGB and launched it. An int not that big a deal…same as a punt.

Result 1. Catch and big gain.
Result 2: PA call (remembering that this ref crew has thrown more PA flags than any other crew)
Result 3: INT – same as a punt
Result 4: Inc. Then punt.

Dallas just took a “bombs away” shot to Dez because they were bottled up. 3rd and 12…..why didn;t the Eagles do the same….what do you have to lose??? Miss out on Agholor running an 11 yrd route?

vinnietheevictor
vinnietheevictor
October 30, 2016 9:07 pm

Fuck this Dallas Oline can just open holes in the run game. Its crazy.

Eagles next draft.

1 OL
2 OL
3 OL
4 WR

paulman
paulman
October 30, 2016 9:14 pm

Do note that the Cowboys have Invested 3 1st Round Draft Picks in LT Tyron Smith, Center Frederick and RG Martin over the last 5 Years and its paying off for them now for they “hit” on all 3 Players..

daggolden
daggolden
October 30, 2016 9:11 pm

Eagles offense has to stay on the damn field. 5 yard passes and bubble screens have run there course. Throw the damn ball down the field once in awhile.

deserteagle
deserteagle
October 30, 2016 9:15 pm
Reply to  daggolden

I.want to see cox start beating his man..why is sproles starting? Matthews fumble in the doghouse? Get huff involved ..create mismatches with a linebacker

Mac Dolo
Mac Dolo
October 30, 2016 9:11 pm

When will Schwartz understand teams are using your defenses aggression against you hello!!!

daggolden
daggolden
October 30, 2016 9:14 pm
Reply to  Mac Dolo

Defense is playing well. What do you expect from them Dallas offense is damn good they are going to make plays. The Eagles offense is a 4 yard passing offense. Got to go down field.

Eaglehaslanded
Eaglehaslanded
October 30, 2016 9:13 pm

Eagles offense has to get going. Put the ball out there.

daggolden
daggolden
October 30, 2016 9:17 pm

What is Pederson doing? Dallas has no pass rush why are we treating them like they do?

paulman
paulman
October 30, 2016 9:17 pm

Cowboys 52 Yards Rushing in the 1st Quarter

Offensively, the Eagles are not going to have success attacking the Cowboys edges, they are too fast collectively on the outside.. Eagles have to attack in-between the numbers and into the teeth of the Cowboys Defense, and not the edges

daggolden
daggolden
October 30, 2016 9:19 pm

5 yard pass and a cloud of dust. lol

paulman
paulman
October 30, 2016 9:19 pm

These 2-3 Yard sideline passes will not work versus this Cowboy Defense

daggolden
daggolden
October 30, 2016 9:21 pm

Pederson is calling a AWFUL game plan

daggolden
daggolden
October 30, 2016 9:21 pm

Throw the fucking ball downfield

vinnietheevictor
vinnietheevictor
October 30, 2016 9:22 pm

There we go. Slant to DGB (I am behind as am watching/pausing on PVR). DGB getting more and more involved as year progresses. Have to throw him a bomb at one pt.

Love Wentz on the Dallas offsides. Hard count and dallas guy jumped. Peters jumped out of his stance getting the free 5 yards. Wentz went over and “low fived” Peters for doing the right thing.

Wentz “gets it”

deserteagle
deserteagle
October 30, 2016 9:23 pm

O is pathetic..let one rip just to make the defense respond

paulman
paulman
October 30, 2016 9:24 pm

Cowboys CB’s are their Strength on D, but their Safeties can be exploited.. eagles need to utilize their TE’s in the seams and down the middle..
Eagles WR’s are getting man-handles by Carr, Scandrick, Claiborne
Claiborne will be a Free-Agent after this Seadon and has disappointed until this Year.. he has risen his stock & $$$$ with the Season he’s having so far..

paulman
paulman
October 30, 2016 9:25 pm

Need a Stop for

Eaglehaslanded
Eaglehaslanded
October 30, 2016 9:27 pm

Offense needs to get the ball down field…just chuck it once…50/50 let the receiver make a play on the ball (not Agholor though).

daggolden
daggolden
October 30, 2016 9:29 pm

This isn’t a receiver thing right now this is a play calling thing.

paulman
paulman
October 30, 2016 9:32 pm

J Matthews need to catch that Ball.. that was a nice Pass and Play Call..

Eaglehaslanded
Eaglehaslanded
October 30, 2016 9:32 pm

Matthews drops the ball…smh…it’s contagious.

paulman
paulman
October 30, 2016 9:33 pm

Spread them out and pick on their inside Cover Guys!!

deserteagle
deserteagle
October 30, 2016 9:38 pm
Reply to  paulman

Dee got a blow…lets go

Eaglehaslanded
Eaglehaslanded
October 30, 2016 9:36 pm

Even Aghlors catches are not catches….lol

vinnietheevictor
vinnietheevictor
October 30, 2016 9:49 pm
Reply to  Eaglehaslanded

🙂

Eaglehaslanded
Eaglehaslanded
October 30, 2016 9:37 pm

TD baby!!!

daggolden
daggolden
October 30, 2016 9:45 pm

How much money does Vinny Curry make? Has he made a play all year?

Eaglehaslanded
Eaglehaslanded
October 30, 2016 9:51 pm

Thanks Dak…appreciate the pick

deserteagle
deserteagle
October 30, 2016 9:58 pm
Reply to  Eaglehaslanded

Stood toe to toe and …still here..cut me mick

Eaglehaslanded
Eaglehaslanded
October 30, 2016 10:14 pm

You have to be able to convert 2nd and 1

vinnietheevictor
vinnietheevictor
October 30, 2016 10:15 pm

LOL standards….

Prescott is 5 of 13 with a pick. 80% of his yards on one bomb down the sideline to a pro-bowl WR.

“What a great throw!!” say the announcers.

Wentz is 17 of 21 with 2 egregious drops. Should be 19 of 21. AND led a 1 min drive for a fg with only one time out.

And the NBC announcers??

‘Analysis’ (with graphics) of Wentz’s arm motion….”he drops his elbow here…”

His “release” times 0.33 and 0.32 seconds…..”The elite QBs get the ball out at 0.30″ says Collinsworth.

He has to improve…..room to improve……

LOL

What a joke….hey Collinsworth…its his 8th fucking game.

BTW are we giving Dak the same analysis?? Why not??

daggolden
daggolden
October 30, 2016 10:21 pm

Stop the run and make Prescott go down field its that simple.

Mac Dolo
Mac Dolo
October 30, 2016 10:22 pm

3 point lead gotta score on this play put more pressure on Dallas.

Mac Dolo
Mac Dolo
October 30, 2016 10:24 pm

God Damn that was a beautiful catch by Mathews!!!!!!!!!!

deserteagle
deserteagle
October 30, 2016 10:29 pm
Reply to  Mac Dolo

Guys making plays now…roll em. That injury t.o. Was puss move

Mac Dolo
Mac Dolo
October 30, 2016 10:34 pm

Schwartz should have an easy time calling plays now that Eagles are on top.

paulman
paulman
October 30, 2016 10:37 pm

Dink & Dunk is working with the hurry up pace which has the Cowboys discombobulated in the Secondary… big Drive by Sproles & J Matthews
Now let’s see how Prescott responds being down for he has looked shaky all game long.. outside 1 Big Pass to Bryant early on, they haven’t done much in the passing game.. Prescott has been off all game and I’m surprised they got away from running the ball..

Eaglehaslanded
Eaglehaslanded
October 30, 2016 10:37 pm

Brandon Graham is playing pro bowl caliber football.

Mac Dolo
Mac Dolo
October 30, 2016 10:41 pm

cut back runs are killing the Eagles

paulman
paulman
October 30, 2016 10:47 pm

Quietly RT Vaitai is playing his 2nd Solid Game after his struggles in his first start .. I hope I don’t jinx the Kid but he’s getting better which is what you like to see

daggolden
daggolden
October 30, 2016 10:50 pm
Reply to  paulman

Plus we have our 3rd round pick who isn’t ready yet but hopefully will be next year. That’s why oline may not be a priority.

paulman
paulman
October 30, 2016 10:56 pm
Reply to  daggolden

I hear you Dag, I kinda of like those 2 Senior OL from Pitt
OT Bisnowalty & Guard Dorian Johnson , both should be available come the 2nd/3rd Rounds

Mac Dolo
Mac Dolo
October 30, 2016 11:18 pm
Reply to  daggolden

We needed that chance to go up by 2 scores that shit is gonna come back to hurt us.

Eaglehaslanded
Eaglehaslanded
October 30, 2016 10:55 pm
Reply to  paulman

pman you’re right. Vaiti is having a good game. I completely forgot about him. Haven’t heard his name or number mentioned at all. Very encouraging sign.

paulman
paulman
October 30, 2016 10:54 pm

DBG has to Catch that Ball.. A beautiful, safe Pass by Wentz…how many Drops tonight!!!!.. 4-5 at least by the Eagles Receivers

daggolden
daggolden
October 30, 2016 10:54 pm

DGB gotta catch that. lol. Your a NFL receiver dude.

Eaglehaslanded
Eaglehaslanded
October 30, 2016 11:00 pm

Cowbums pulling out all the stops from the trick play bag.

paulman
paulman
October 30, 2016 11:03 pm

Nice Stop by Defense.. up by 10 with 11 minutes left.. Good field position, A TD Drive puts this Game away, even a FG here would have to make the Cowboys have to get 2 TD’s..
Just Protect the Ball!!! Damn.. I spoke too damn soon..

Eaglehaslanded
Eaglehaslanded
October 30, 2016 11:05 pm

These RB’s and the 4th QTR turnovers are killing us. Luckily the defense is stepping up here.