Dallas/Houston scouting report (1 Viewer)

[John Norton]

There are a lot of people trying to figure out what to expect from the Dallas players this year and Zach Thomas in particular. Maybe this will help although it may not be what you want to hear.

Thomas may be part of the nickel package but the Cowboys don't seem to be using a nickel. In passing situations against Houston, they used Bobby Carpenter as the lone true linebacker with Ken Hamlin creeping up into a deep LB alignment. Thomas, Bradie James and Roy Williams were all on the sideline. They used this package several times in the first half when the starters were playing and I never saw a true nickel package with 2 backers and an extra DB.

On second and 6 and again on second and 7 in the next series, they put a package on the field that included 5 linebackers with Carpenter replacing one of the corners. The DBs were Hamlin, Williams and Anthony Henry. I saw this package at least 4 times in the first half.

With all the defensive talent on this club, I feared it might play out something like this. When it comes to IDP production the Cowboys are looking like New England South.

There were not many surprises on the Houston side.

Rookie Zach Diles looked very good at SLB. He seems to have locked down a starting job but don't expect it to translate to the box scores.

Rosevelt Colvin appears to have ousted ND Kalu from the nickel pass rush role at DE. Colvin came in for Anthony Weaver in the nickel package.

C.C. Brown looked pretty good banging heads with Marion the Barbarian on several plays, although he lost a fair share of those battles.

DeMeco Ryans looked to be his usual productive self.

 

[Weiner Dog]

Is Carpenter getting his fair share of playing time, or only entering the field on obvious passing downs?

 

[Jayrod]

And what about the Dolphins?

 

[Rozelle]

And what about the Dolphins?

You think John had Zach Thomas on his mind?

 

[John Norton]

Is Carpenter getting his fair share of playing time, or only entering the field on obvious passing downs?

He didn't see any action with the base defense in the first half.

 

[John Norton]

And what about the Dolphins?

DOH! I guess I should have called it the Thomas/Houston scouting report

 

[coolnerd]

I had endzone sets at the game last night. I am texans fan, so I was pauying specifc attention to them on both sides of the ball. On the Texans;

CC Brown- is lining up in the box as a traditional SS a ton.

Ryans- all over the field 3 down guy.

Williams- is still a presence, but if the Texans don't get him some real help his sack numbers are going to be down. None of the guys opposite him at pass rushing DE are getting significant pressure, nor is there a good push from inside. williams still makes plays in the run game and against team that don't have a decent OL he is going to dominate, but the consistency is not going to come w/o pressure from another spot.

on OLBs- it is tough to describe, it seems like Diles plays furtherest from the ball all the time, which is sometimes on the TE side, but not always. Another thing i will lool at closely and try to get a better description.

If the texans pass rush, does not get better there is going to be a lot of work for the Texans corners for those in league which separate out the CB from S. Bennett is legitmate NFLer who can make plays, Reeves can score points because he going to have a lot of "opportunity"

 

[Weiner Dog]

Is Carpenter getting his fair share of playing time, or only entering the field on obvious passing downs?

He didn't see any action with the base defense in the first half.

Thanks.

 

[Rozelle]

I seen bits and pieces of the game, it seemed like Diles had a good game, was surprised to see he had only one assist Guess he was around the ball alot, just didn't make plays.