Easy Yards Vs Eagles Will Be Tough Without Dez
By Cory Mageors | @inthemageors
Watching the Eagles-Falcons game I see a few things the Falcons did very well. A couple of things before we get to where the Falcons attacked for easy yards.
I'm not sure the Cowboys and Falcons have similar philosophies on how their running game compliments the pass game. I don't think their offensive line matches up with the Cowboys as well either, which could be a favorable thing when the Boys face the Eagles.
However, there are similarities in what the Cowboys like to accomplish and can with the types of coverage the Eagles will have. Problem is, Dez won't be available. So with the screen shots I'll throw down here, imagine what Dez would be doing instead of Julio Jones, and ask yourself if any Cowboys wide receiver is capable of doing what Julio did. That might be the reason they brought in the big bodied Brice Butler, maybe because they don't trust Devin Street yet, and would prefer not to change up Terrance Williams game too much. But mostly because they need a big body who can get into tough spaces for easy yards.
Real simple, safety playing the middle of the field, bring Jones across and up field and just lay it out there letting him use his body to cut off the cornerback's angle. Size and speed and hands. For a quick 17 yard pickup.
Almost the exact same play. Still, indefensible, and could develop into huge gains. This time only 13 yards, but an easy 13 yards, Ryan doesn't get hit, and Falcons get a first down.
More often in a goal line situation, the Cowboys let Dez get into the end zone and let him use his body. On this screen Jones rumbles in for the TD, and you'll likely see Cole Beasley get an opportunity like this one before Dez does. So that's a good sign. Because if the Eagles gave up a goal line TD to Jones here, then I feel like Beasley can slip in too, but without Dez, will the coverage be tighter on Beasley?
We saw this three times in one game from Dez last year. Dip your shoulder to the outside, and get down field to beat the safety playing in the middle. This is another TD for the Falcons from Ryan to Jones and Dez could do this in his sleep now. With his big body, ability to leap, and spectacular hands, Dez makes this play a TD as many times as the Eagles call this type of defense.
These are just 4 first half examples of how the Cowboys can abuse the Eagles secondary and protect Romo at the same time. However, without Dez in the game, do the Cowboys have a receiver capable of running these routes, getting open and securing the ball for these to be completions. If they can't catch them, it's going to be a lot of three-and-outs for the offense and they will have to find a different alternative for production. That I believe Scott Linehan and Jason Garrett are perfectly capable of accomplishing. However, if Dez was in this game, the team would be able to turn easy yards into a comfort in playcalling.
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