Brian Schottenheimer criticizes Cowboys defense for the same reason fans have been frustrated about every week
It’s a problem the Dallas Cowboys defense needs to fix quickly.
Dallas Cowboys players, coaches, and executives all agree: Changes need to happen on defense.
The Cowboys are currently the worst defense in the NFL and it’s cost Dallas a lot. In their three losses and one tie, the team has averaged 25.2 points per game. That average would rank in the league’s Top 10 six weeks into the season. Overall, the Cowboys are scoring 29.7 points per game (third-best in the NFL) and are 2-3-1. They’re the only team in the Top 10 of such stat without a winning record.
As for the changes that will take place, earlier in the week, defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus told reporters they will be subtle. Don’t expect the Cowboys’ man coverage rate and blitz rate to skyrocket out of nowhere. But Eberflus hopes little tweaks—most of which might not even noticed by the casual nor diehard fan—go a long way. For now, however, Cowboys head coach Brian Schottenheimer knows one thing he wants to see change. And it’s the exact thing just about every fan has noticed.
Schottenheimer wants to see less soft coverage
“I think as a secondary unit we need to all get better at our sticks awareness,” Schottenheimer told reporters Friday. “Like third and six, you can’t be 10 yards off. We’re looking for that offensively [. . .] We have rules built in. Starting point for us in off-coverage is somewhere from six to seven yards off, that’s the rule. But it does get adjusted based on [down and distance].”
Schottenheimer specifically mentioned Kaiir Elam is guilty of getting “a little bit deep” in his coverage but we’ve seen it from most Cowboys cornerbacks this year.
What stands out from the coach’s comments is he seemed to put it on the players more than on Eberflus. He even started talking about stick awareness unprompted when asked about Elam and he mentioned there are times in both zone and man where he plays soft coverage. Many had assumed it was a coaching point, so there is some question about who is responsible for what.
At the end of the Cowboys’ Week 6 loss, for example, the Panthers faced fourth and four. Cornerback DaRon Bland was giving up seven yards of cushion to Panthers’ slot WR Hunter Renfrow. The alignment appeared to be an unsuccessful attempt at baiting Bryce Young to make the throw with the intention of LB Kenneth Murray picking it off. It wasn’t close to working out.
Whether it’s on coaching or players, the Cowboys need stick awareness to show up on Sunday. They’ll face the Jayden Daniels-led Washington Commanders without starting cornerback Trevon Diggs and it’s already looking like a long day on defense lies ahead.
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Fireworks ahead.
