I wish the Cowboys tackled like the Eagles.

by Baked Potato Soup on Sep 18, 2008 1:13 AM CDT

One thing that I noticed during that great game was how well the Eagles wrapped up when they were tackling. That was part of the reason that I think that they were able to do well on Barber. Obviously it helps to stack the box, but most teams did that the last couple of years when he was running late in the game, and he would break tackles for big gains. The Eagles were very good at keeping hold of his legs and ankles, as well as on the other Cowboys. If nothing else it gives time for someone else to come in and help.

Another thing I noticed was that most of the Cowboys seemed to tackle high. I think that's why they had so many facemask penalties, and probably should have had more. I think this is an unfortunate side effect of not having full contact practices in the offseason. Maybe part of it is trying to avoid horse collaring?

Is there a way for an NFL team to improve it's tackling during the season? I know that you definitely don't want to have full contact practices now, but I think the Cowboys need to work on tackling guys lower, especially from behind or the side. I remember practicing breaking down and wrapping up on the dummy in high school, but that was from straight ahead. It's hard to simulate tackling while chasing. 15 yards and an automatic first down is just a killer every single time.

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Is It Possible

that they are tackling high in order to get a strip? I would rather they just get the guy on the ground and be done with it. But in McNabbs case, could the rules about where you can touch a quaterback also be coming into play?

The older I get, the better I was.

by Far Rider on Sep 18, 2008 10:27 AM CDT reply actions

I wondered the same

Are they just trying to lay the wood the separate the ball from the player? If so, it isnt working very well, so let’s just tackle them instead. That said, we are NOT very good so far at forcing turnovers. Two games, not a single FF or Int. I guess the argument could be made that we “kinda” forced the McNabb/Westbrook fumble because McNabb saw there was no hole and momentarily thought about pulling up and trying something else. But that’s just specualtion at best. No one really knows why he did that. SO I tend to not count that as a FF.

The greatest two yard run ever!

by WB3forMB3 on Sep 18, 2008 1:27 PM CDT up reply actions

Maybe.

It seems like they are still too high if they are going for the ball. Most guys carry it between their chest and stomach, not up by their heads. It actually looks like they are going for horse collar like tackles, meaning getting a hand inside the shoulder pads and dragging them down. It’s really not that hard to tackle someone, you just aim for their waist and slide down and hang on. Let your buddies come in and clean him up. I think they are just trying to hard to make solo tackles and big hits, and not enough of just getting the guy stopped. I was watching the highlights on On Demand, and when the Eagles tackled Barber, Bennett, etc., even the DBs were getting them, because they were grabbing their waists and legs.

I really hope we start seeing some turnovers from our D. I guess part of it might be the zone coverage they are playing, but you would think that we would get one here or there.

by Baked Potato Soup on Sep 18, 2008 2:01 PM CDT up reply actions

I don't think so,

The tackling is far from good. They’re trying to lay wood and like you all said, it’s not working. FUNDAMENTALS!!! If they’re tackling how they’re supposed to, place the helmet on the ball and it will come out eventually…First and foremost, you HAVE TO bring the ball carrier down! Again, to beat a dead horse, the D will improve, it’s still only week 3.

by AikmanNailedMySis on Sep 18, 2008 2:13 PM CDT reply actions

the tacking will improve

like Aikman said. They didn’t tackle until the preseason started, it will take them a few games, but they’ll get there.

In Romo we Trust

by Terry on Sep 18, 2008 2:56 PM CDT reply actions

Defense

we gettn better, my opinion its a direct result of touch football training camp, as a result it’ll take longer to break some of those lazy tackle habits. we get it together!

by bleedn blu on Sep 18, 2008 6:25 PM CDT reply actions