The Dallas Cowboys traveled to the LA Coliseum to face the Los Angeles Rams this past weekend in their preseason opener. As expected, the home team won the game in front of an estimated 91,000 frenzied fans and media affiliates. The final score 28-24 gave no indication that the Cowboys’ defense actually showed signs of improvement. The team jumped out to a 24-7 lead over the first three-quarters’ with both teams using few starters.
Dallas Cowboys Defense: Preseason Game Analysis
The Cowboys unveiled an aggressive, speedy group on defense and were quite impressive for most of the game. Depth may have been an issue in the closing moments as fatigue began to overtake some of the Cowboys’ defensive reserves. Still, many of the team’s young defenders were given ample time to show what they were made of. Youth served itself well. Here is an analysis of the Cowboys’ defensive performance.
Defensive Line Grade – C-
Starters
#95 David Irving, #58 Jack Crawford, #92 Cedric Thornton and #99 Ryan Russell
The defensive line showed great speed and quickness as the game got underway. Defensive End Ryan Russell dropped Rams quarterback Case Keenum short of a first down on the opening series forcing a three and out. The Cowboys utilized twist stunts with their defensive linemen and blitzes from their linebackers to disrupt the Rams’ offense. There seemed to be excellent communication by Defensive Coordinator Rod Marinelli’s unit throughout the entire first half.
The Cowboys’ young defensive linemen did display their lack of experience at times. They allowed the Rams to fool them with several delayed draw plays and a screen passes that resulted in a huge gain, setting the Rams up deep in Cowboys’ territory. On first down from the Cowboys’ fourteen-yard line defensive tackle Cedric Thornton blew by Rams’ center Tim Barnes. Barnes managed to cut Thornton off as Keenum handed the ball to running back Benny Cunningham who exploded threw a poor tackling attempt by Russell.
Battle at the Edges
Defensive end David Irving got kicked out by offensive tackle Rodger Saffold creating a lane for the runner. Defensive tackle Jack Crawford got reach blocked and shoved back by offensive tackle Ben Robinson, cutting off the linebackers’ pursuit angles and freeing Cunningham for the Rams’ first touchdown. On the Rams’ next possession Irving applied pressure off the edge on third and six, forcing Keenum to deliver the ball to Tavon Austin a little bit earlier than he would have liked.
The receiver dropped the ball resulting in another three and out. The next drive started at the Cowboys’ thirty-two yard line. As heralded rookie quarterback Jared Goff took over, Irving made his presence felt again. The 6’7” 273 pound lineman set the edge with commitment and dropped running back Malcom Brown for no gain on first down. Defensive tackle Darryl Baldwin recorded the team’s first sack late in the first half.
Linebackers Grade – B+
Starters
#59 Anthony Hitchens, #53 Mark Nzeocha and #51 Kyle Wilber
The defensive line was able to collapse the pocket around Goff, creating several opportunities for their cohorts at the second level of the defense. On third and long Goff was hurried into his first career interception. Excellent pass-lane maintenance provided the dagger as blitzing linebacker Derek Akunne popped the rookie just as he released the ball. High-energy, linebacker Mark Nzeocha plucked the errant pass out of the air and rambled down the field before fumbling. Middle Linebacker Anthony Hitchens was “Johnny on the spot”, recovering the fumble at his team’s thirty-eight yard line.
Penalties forced the Cowboys to settle for a field goal on the ensuing drive, making the score 24-7. Fatigue set-in on the Cowboys’ defenders midway through the third quarter. Nzeocha, who had played the majority of the ballgame was beaten for a touchdown on a running back option route. Backup linebacker James Morris looked like he was running in mud, too. Morris missed several chances to stop ball carriers on critical running plays late in the game. The young linebackers were clearly gassed.
Secondary Grade – D+
Starters
#39 Brandon Carr, #24 Morris Claiborne, #42 Barry Church and #31 Byron Jones
The Rams managed a few more first downs in the first half but had to overcome excellent coverage to do so. Cornerback Deji Olatoye and Jason Thomas had a couple pass breakups. Tight end Tyler Higbee helped the Rams move the chains with several nice receptions. On third and three Higbee beat struggling safety J.J. Wilcox for a thirteen yard gain. Just after the two minute warning, Higbee abused Wilcox again. This time the tight end caught a short curl route then shrugged off a flailing Wilcox before being forced out of bounds.
Wilcox did earn some redemption later in the drive with a big hit that separated the ball from a Rams’ receiver. A struggling and injured Goff was replaced by third-string quarterback Sean Mannion to start the second half. Mannion went to work quickly. He connected with Higbee on first down for a seven yard gain. Thomas and Morris combined to make the stop for the Cowboys. Missed tackles and poor pursuit angles enabled Rams’ running back Malcolm Brown to run for a long gain. Rookie defensive back Jeremiah McKinnon tracked him down but the tone had been set.
Brown’s next carry resulted in another big gain. Rookie safety Kavon Frazier whiffed on an open-field, tackle attempt, springing Brown for a forty yard jaunt. The Rams found themselves with a first down inside the Cowboys’ twenty yard line. A few plays later, Mannion found veteran backup running back and special team’s ace Chase Reynolds on an option route to make the score 24-14.
After another Cowboys’ offensive series stalled, Mannion looked to strike with his arm again. The Cowboys’ McKinnon disguised his blitz, magnificently as he barreled into Mannion from the right of the offense. The quarterback fired a pass in the direction of rookie wide-receiver Paul McRoberts. Cornerback Olatoye batted the ball into the air then nestled into his hands as he fell to the ground to give the Cowboys their second forced turnover of the game. Without much presence from veteran leadership in the closing minutes, the secondary failed to deliver.
Special Teams Grade – B
Kicker Dan Bailey’s first and only kickoff was returned forty yards before veteran safety Barry Church stopped rookie return man Pharoah Cooper. Kicker Matt Wile took over for Bailey the rest of the way. His first effort produced a touch back as the ball dribbled out of the back of the end zone. Despite allowing a long return early in the game, the kickoff coverage unit led by backup fullback Keith Smith, Morris and backup defensive back Dax Swanson pinned the Rams deep in their own territory a couple of times.
The punt team didn’t get much work at all in the first half. On punter Chris Jones’ first attempt Cooper fielded the ball and darted around the left side of the coverage team on a twenty-four yard return. Cooper took the ball back to the Cowboys’ thirty-two yard line before being hauled down by backup defensive end Shaniel Jenkins and Jones.
Overall Defensive Grade – C+
Ultimately, the Cowboys defensive backups failed to hold up their end of the bargain. They got tired late, giving up two consecutive touchdowns to allow the Rams to claim the victory. A number of missed tackles, blown assignments in coverage and an inept offensive group led by quarterback Jameill Showers contributed to the slip up. The Cowboys’ overall performance was strong. Head Coach Jason Garrett and his staff should have plenty of great things to point out during this week’s film sessions.
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