ESPN.com - NFL - Take 2: Lions vs. Cowboys Friday, October 29, 2004
Scouts Inc.
Tuesday, our scouts filed their advance advance scouting report on this
week's matchup between the Lions and Cowboys. Now they're back with a
second look.
The Lions have developed some toughness in their inside run defense with
DTs Shaun Rogers, Dan Wilkinson and MLB Earl Holmes. They are big,
physical and they force power run game to run wide, which allows their
quick outside linebackers to pursue and make plays on the move.
The lack of a run game by the Cowboys is well documented, but when it
hurts them the most is late in games. They can't "finish" games in the
fourth quarter, they can't protect a lead, and as a result, their defense
is on the field too much late, leading to big plays by opposing offenses.
Home field may not be much of a factor in this game as the Cowboys have
lost their last two home games and the Lions are 3-0 on the road. The
Lions are playing with renewed confidence at home and on the road.
Detroit rookie RB Kevin Jones likely will get more carries because of
his big-play potential, which means less work for Artose Pinner and Shawn
Bryson. The biggest concern with Jones is the same with every rookie
running back -- his ability to pick up the blitz. You may see a little
more of Bryson in third-down passing situations.
The Cowboys' secondary is struggling because it cannot play its "zero"
coverage scheme, which puts the corners in man-to-man situations on the
edge without safety help. With young CB Jacques Reeves or Tyrone Williams
on one side, the Cowboys have had to use combo coverage with a safety
designed to help them. The other safeties are involved in run support and
that leaves CB Terence Newman alone with the job of shutting down the
opponent's best receiver. Newman has been struggling when on an island
without help and the Cowboys have been forced to play less aggressively
with both safeties helping in coverage.
With WR Terry Glenn out with a foot injury and Quincy Morgan at less than
100 percent (hamstring), the Cowboys' use of three-receiver sets is
compromised. They will likely use more formations and motion to get TE
Jason Witten and RB Richie Anderson involved in the passing game,
especially in red-zone situations.
Detroit defensive coordinator Dick Jauron is taking a page from Bill
Belichick's defense, by taking away the one thing the opposing offense
does best. This is not a defense that blitzes or gambles very often, but
instead designs plays that attack the opposing offense's favorite plays,
which subtly disrupt the timing of the quarterback.
The Cowboys are facing more nickel and dime defensive packages, even on
first and second down, because teams have little regard for their run
game. With an excellent defensive front four, the Lions could use five and
six defensive backs on early downs.
The problems for the Lions' offensive line starts in the middle. OC
Dominic Raiola is struggling versus physical defensive tackles and nose
tackles. He is not creating a push inside and is allowing the pocket to
collapse. One solution may be to move OG Damien Woody back to his original
position at center, but the Lions are not ready to shake things up quite
yet.
The Cowboys have been forced to blitz less and play more conservative on
defense due to the problems in their secondary. That means the pass rush
pressure must be generated by the front four and only DT La'Roi Glover and
LDE Greg Ellis have performed at an acceptable level. Joey Harrington
could have a lot of time to throw, but he will have seven defenders in
coverage to deal with.
AndersonThe Cowboys like to use the screen pass, and they could have some
success this week versus an aggressive Lions defensive line. Anderson
Anderson is the primary target with the screen pass, which is advantageous
considering all the injuries and lack of depth at wide receiver.
The matchup between Roy Williams and Roy Williams could come to fruition
in the red zone. One is a big, physical receiver who likes to run over the
middle on slants where he splits the corner and safety. The other will sit
back, apply big hits and try to intimidate his namesake when he comes over
the middle.
Dallas seems to be adopting the philosophy of "we will just outscore our
opponents, because our defense can't get it done." This makes them a
one-dimensional pass offense that can't control the clock. In 2003 the
Cowboys won the time of possession battle 13 times. In 2004 they have won
it once.
Special Teams
Detroit PK Jason Hanson is getting limited opportunities so far this
season. He is averaging just one field goal attempt per game. PT Nick
Harris is doing a excellent job on his directional kicking, as evidenced
by dropping three of his four punts inside the 20-yard line last week.
The Cowboys' coverage units have been excellent this season except for a
poor performance last week versus Green Bay. Short kickoffs and poor
tackling were the culprits. Look for this unit to rebound this week and
regain its form.
Prediction: Lions 24, Cowboys 16
Scouts Inc.
Tuesday, our scouts filed their advance advance scouting report on this
week's matchup between the Lions and Cowboys. Now they're back with a
second look.
The Lions have developed some toughness in their inside run defense with
DTs Shaun Rogers, Dan Wilkinson and MLB Earl Holmes. They are big,
physical and they force power run game to run wide, which allows their
quick outside linebackers to pursue and make plays on the move.
The lack of a run game by the Cowboys is well documented, but when it
hurts them the most is late in games. They can't "finish" games in the
fourth quarter, they can't protect a lead, and as a result, their defense
is on the field too much late, leading to big plays by opposing offenses.
Home field may not be much of a factor in this game as the Cowboys have
lost their last two home games and the Lions are 3-0 on the road. The
Lions are playing with renewed confidence at home and on the road.
Detroit rookie RB Kevin Jones likely will get more carries because of
his big-play potential, which means less work for Artose Pinner and Shawn
Bryson. The biggest concern with Jones is the same with every rookie
running back -- his ability to pick up the blitz. You may see a little
more of Bryson in third-down passing situations.
The Cowboys' secondary is struggling because it cannot play its "zero"
coverage scheme, which puts the corners in man-to-man situations on the
edge without safety help. With young CB Jacques Reeves or Tyrone Williams
on one side, the Cowboys have had to use combo coverage with a safety
designed to help them. The other safeties are involved in run support and
that leaves CB Terence Newman alone with the job of shutting down the
opponent's best receiver. Newman has been struggling when on an island
without help and the Cowboys have been forced to play less aggressively
with both safeties helping in coverage.
With WR Terry Glenn out with a foot injury and Quincy Morgan at less than
100 percent (hamstring), the Cowboys' use of three-receiver sets is
compromised. They will likely use more formations and motion to get TE
Jason Witten and RB Richie Anderson involved in the passing game,
especially in red-zone situations.
Detroit defensive coordinator Dick Jauron is taking a page from Bill
Belichick's defense, by taking away the one thing the opposing offense
does best. This is not a defense that blitzes or gambles very often, but
instead designs plays that attack the opposing offense's favorite plays,
which subtly disrupt the timing of the quarterback.
The Cowboys are facing more nickel and dime defensive packages, even on
first and second down, because teams have little regard for their run
game. With an excellent defensive front four, the Lions could use five and
six defensive backs on early downs.
The problems for the Lions' offensive line starts in the middle. OC
Dominic Raiola is struggling versus physical defensive tackles and nose
tackles. He is not creating a push inside and is allowing the pocket to
collapse. One solution may be to move OG Damien Woody back to his original
position at center, but the Lions are not ready to shake things up quite
yet.
The Cowboys have been forced to blitz less and play more conservative on
defense due to the problems in their secondary. That means the pass rush
pressure must be generated by the front four and only DT La'Roi Glover and
LDE Greg Ellis have performed at an acceptable level. Joey Harrington
could have a lot of time to throw, but he will have seven defenders in
coverage to deal with.
AndersonThe Cowboys like to use the screen pass, and they could have some
success this week versus an aggressive Lions defensive line. Anderson
Anderson is the primary target with the screen pass, which is advantageous
considering all the injuries and lack of depth at wide receiver.
The matchup between Roy Williams and Roy Williams could come to fruition
in the red zone. One is a big, physical receiver who likes to run over the
middle on slants where he splits the corner and safety. The other will sit
back, apply big hits and try to intimidate his namesake when he comes over
the middle.
Dallas seems to be adopting the philosophy of "we will just outscore our
opponents, because our defense can't get it done." This makes them a
one-dimensional pass offense that can't control the clock. In 2003 the
Cowboys won the time of possession battle 13 times. In 2004 they have won
it once.
Special Teams
Detroit PK Jason Hanson is getting limited opportunities so far this
season. He is averaging just one field goal attempt per game. PT Nick
Harris is doing a excellent job on his directional kicking, as evidenced
by dropping three of his four punts inside the 20-yard line last week.
The Cowboys' coverage units have been excellent this season except for a
poor performance last week versus Green Bay. Short kickoffs and poor
tackling were the culprits. Look for this unit to rebound this week and
regain its form.
Prediction: Lions 24, Cowboys 16
