How to beat the Giants and Eagles: and drafting to do so

by ScarletO on Jan 16, 2012 6:47 PM CST

This weekend was as painful for the Green Bay Packers and their fanatics, as the divisional playoff round was for Dallas Cowboys fans following the 2007 regular season. The New York Giants once again upset the number one seed in the NFC playoffs and may again meet the New England Patriots in the Super Bowl.

Last season, the only team to play a competitive post season game against the World Champion Packers was the Philadelphia Eagles. After a tremendous off season, the Eagles were once again favored to win the division and anticipated to make a deep run through the playoffs.

It seems that the NFC East may still have its share of beasts despite an awful regular season by the Giants and Eagles in 2011. Both teams, however, exhibited strong finishes in the regular season.

As OCC noted in one of his responses to a previous post, Jimmy Johnson believed that Dallas needed to win the NFC East to meet its goals. In order for the Dallas Cowboys to once again become a playoff contender (no talk of Super Bowl around here until the Cowboys win a playoff game), Dallas needs to beat the Eagles and Giants.

Good luck with that.

The Cowboys were 0-4 against the Giants and Eagles in 2011. Worse yet, in the 4 losses Dallas suffered against teams outside of the NFC East, the Cowboys were outscored by 17 total points. In the four games against the Eagles and Giants, the Cowboys were outscored by a combined 60 points.

Yes...it really was that ugly. Maybe it is not too late to petition to join the NFC West. After all, Dallas was the only team to beat the 49ers in San Francisco in 2011.

Oddly, lifelong rivals can often answer questions that illuminate important facets regarding ones performance providing valuable insight during reflection and self-assessment. Who else would better know how to beat you than a long-time rival?

In this case, the 49ers also showed where the Cowboys need to improve in order to beat the Giants and Eagles. San Francisco beat New York (27-20) and won at Philadelphia (24-23) during the 2011 regular season.

The 49ers gave up an average of about 354 yards passing and 101 yards rushing against the Giants and Eagles. The Cowboys defense yielded an average of 318 yards passing and 140 yards rushing versus the same opponents.

Defensively, Dallas permitted New York and Philadelphia to gain 458 total yards per game, while San Francisco had the same teams average 455 yards per game on offense. The Cowboys sacked Vick and Manning 8 times and hit them 20 times in four games. The 49ers had 3 sacks and 7 quarterback hits in 2 games against those quarterbacks.

One of the biggest defensive differences was that San Francisco forced five turnovers (3 interceptions, 2 fumbles); compared to the 2 takeaways Dallas registered in twice as many games. Perhaps due to the turnovers, the 49ers only allowed 43 points in two games, while the Cowboys gave up 122 points in four games.

The greatest differences, however, lie on the offensive side of the ball. The 49ers were able to run for over 120 yards per game while the Cowboys gained an average of about 88 yards per game on the ground. Alex Smith was sacked 5 times (with 7 hits on the quarterback) in two games, while the Cowboys' quarterbacks were sacked 16 times and hit 26 times in 4 games.

In fact, Romo getting sacked in Dallas' losses was a trend in 2011. Cowboys' quarterbacks were sacked 28 times in the 8 losses. In winning efforts, Dallas yielded but 10 total quarterback sacks.

That difference does not exist on the defensive side of the ball. Dallas actually averaged half a sack more in the losses than in the wins. Considering Romo's mobility, giving up 28 sacks in 8 losses implicates the offensive line's performance.

Comparing teams with offensive lines that pass protect effectively, or are among the best in running the football, in games versus the Giants and Philadelphia, yields favorable results. Buffalo, which gave up the fewest sacks in 2011, beat Philadelphia and lost to New York by 3. New Orleans, which has an incredibly potent passing attack, ranked second in fewest sacks given up, and mauled the Giants 49-24.

New Orleans and Buffalo also rank 4th and 5th respectively in rushing yards per attempt. Both teams were also ranked 24th and 26th in total defense respectively during the 2011 regular season.

New Orleans is recognized for having a strong offensive line. That makes what San Francisco did on Saturday all that more impressive. The 49ers defeated the Saints' strength and earned the right to host the NFC Championship game.

As rabblerousr wrote earlier today (http://www.bloggingtheboys.com/2012/1/16/2711021/dallas-cowboys-wishlist-divisional-round-edition#storyjump), the 49ers have invested heavily on linemen and linebackers early in the draft and through free agent signings. Comparatively, the Cowboys have allocated their resources to receivers, running backs, and cornerbacks: the players furthest from the line of scrimmage.

In order to beat the Giants and Eagles, the Cowboys need to invest early picks on the players battling in the trenches. According to the teams that have the greatest success against the Cowboys' NFC division rivals, bolstering the interior of the offensive line is a solid investment. This strategy should be especially effective in a draft featuring two offensive linemen (DeCastro and Konz) that are rated among the best prospects entering the NFL.

Another user-created commentary provided by a BTB reader.

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Comments

Nice ScarletO.

I would love for us to solidify the trenches, on both sides. We also need 1-2 good CB’s.
I would go pass rusher DL 1st round, CB 2nd round and either G or CB/DL/S/OLB/ILB in the 3rd. Depending of course on how the draft falls. Pushing a position doesn’t work if the player isn’t there. And if someone unexpectedly falls you love, jump and don’t look back.

BTW Konz is rumored to have really a really major health issue. As in life threatening. Hopefully he is ok, but I am backing off him till I hear more details.

by Rena on Jan 16, 2012 7:08 PM CST reply actions

Agreed...nice job ScarletO...thanks.

And I agree Rena. If we’ve learned anything from the Giants it should be that we have to not just “solidy” the trenches, we have to become dominate. When the O is struggling for the Giants, the front-7 seem to turn it up a notch. When the Giants’ secondary struggle, the O-line tends to get nastier and understand it’s time for them to step up.

Most of that comes from the quality of the players, but the Giants’ coaches also do a great job of knowing how to push their buttons when it’s needed most toward the end of the season. If not for a fluke mistake with the punter sending the ball to D-Jackson last year, the G-men probably would’ve made a similar run.

So back to the Boys, yes as you said: trenches (mainly thru the draft, but give me Carl Nicks OG and some help for Ware at OLB via FA)…and then as you also indicate in priority.

If we don’t, not only do we have to worry about the G-men and Eagles next year, we’ll also have to worry about the Skins—who are also strengthening the trenches, etc. (will prob get their QB) and who we barely beat 2 times.

by ChuckCowboy on Jan 16, 2012 8:41 PM CST up reply actions

when does free agency start?

by somebodyquiet on Jan 16, 2012 7:10 PM CST reply actions

The 2012 NFL Free Agency period will start on Tuesday, March 13, 2012, at 4:00 pm ET/3:00 pm CT/1:00 pm PT.\

by Rena on Jan 16, 2012 7:17 PM CST up reply actions

The best way to draft to beat the Eagles and the Giants is to go BPA

by Jonathan Stern on Jan 16, 2012 7:48 PM CST reply actions

True but easier said than done

when Jerry invests high draft picks or free agent signings on DLs and LBs, the results are mixed.

by DavidH22 on Jan 16, 2012 7:56 PM CST reply actions

cannot agree more!!!

This off season will be very important for the boys. we are in postion to get this offense to elite status with a very good offensive line. I think demarco murray is the next great back in the nfl. building of the o-line would set us up for the next decade. MAKE ME SICK TO SEE THE GIANTS IN THE CHAMPIONSHIP GAME

by tonyd33 on Jan 16, 2012 9:44 PM CST reply actions

The 49ers have 2 Pro Bowl DBs.

One is a CB drafted in the first round, and the other is a safety drafted in the fourth round. Their other starting safety was drafted in the first round. Most of their backup DBs were drafted in the first to third rounds.

By contrast, next year the Cowboys are projected to start a fifth round CB opposite a first rounder who’s been inconsistent. Their third CB is a seventh rounder. One current starting S was drafted in the fifth round and the other was an undrafted free agent. Most of their backups are undrafted FAs.

The 49ers won so many games because of their defense, not their mediocre offense. Their secondary was capable of stopping teams in the clutch. The Cowboys lost many games because their defense, particularly their secondary, was unable to stop teams from quick pass marching down the field when it mattered most. Conversely, the Cowboys offense usually was able to drive and score in clutch situations.

Dallas has a less talented secondary than every team in the playoffs, including the Patriots (who complement a first round CB who made the Pro Bowl last year with a very high second round S). Upgrading the secondary is the priority. If and only if that’s accomplished in FA would a first round pick for O-line or frankly any non CB position be justified.

by krl97a on Jan 16, 2012 11:00 PM CST reply actions

go BPA

If it’s Oline, so be it. If it’s DL so be it. If it’s pass rusher, so be it. If it’s DB, so be it. Don’t just pigeon hole yourself to a specific position. The guy we get at #14 is going to be a great player.

"The tone is business," Garrett said. "Let's get to work. The Giants are going to be at the Meadowlands on Sunday at 4:15. They're an awfully good football team. We have to get ready for them."

by Rohpuri on Jan 17, 2012 12:57 AM CST via mobile reply actions 1 recs

Nice post, I was thinking on doing a similar one.

However I disagree with everyone thinks drafting a guard at 14 is the best solution. No question Romo needs protection like Eli got yesterday but its harder to find good pass rushing 34 DEs. The Texans nearly advance to the championship weekend with a 5th rd rookie QB by relying on disruptive pass rushing 5 techs (Watt, Smith). The player on San Fran that makes the defense from very good to elite is Justin Smith. Green Bay’s D misses Cullen Jenkins from last season, and the Ravens have one of the best players up front in Haloti Ngata.

imagine if Ware and Ratliff had a player of the caliber that I named next to him. Even a JAG like Spencer could get maybe 2 more sacks per year as a result of running away from those three guys. Not to mention Hatcher and Lissimore rotating in and keeping the front fresh. If Bruce Carter is the player we think he can be the middle should be much improved and will improve the pass defense we saw against both Phlly games.

Michael Brockers is getting some high praise right now and if he is that type of pressure player from the interior, I’m all for taking him at 14. If not, I’ll spend my money on Mario Williams and a press corner like B. Carr or Finnegan and take Ingram or Perry to replace Spencer.

As for the O-line Bryan Broaddus tweeted the the front office knows that C needs to improve so if we can get a good player there (2nd round), I’m sure two guards from in house can emerge from Kosier, Nagy, Arkin, Kowalski, Costa, and Holland (should be easy to bring back).

by starmesh23 on Jan 17, 2012 1:06 AM CST reply actions

I'm stayimg away from Brockers

A Sophmore looking for a cash grab. Scouts told him he’d not a first round lock, and his own coach said he should come back to improve his stock.

"The tone is business," Garrett said. "Let's get to work. The Giants are going to be at the Meadowlands on Sunday at 4:15. They're an awfully good football team. We have to get ready for them."

by Rohpuri on Jan 17, 2012 1:41 AM CST via mobile up reply actions

We have no reason why he is coming out.

It could be a cash grab, it could be his family really needs $ and he is leaving school early to help out. It could be he is going to be a daddy and wants to support his kid. It could be a lot of reasons.
If it was strictly a cash grab it would make more sense to wait till next year when he should have locked a 1st round spot, instead of possibly sliding to the 2nd this year and a lot lower paycheck as a result. But of course kids don’t always think in a way that makes sense either. :)

by Rena on Jan 17, 2012 4:17 AM CST up reply actions

Brockers is a stud.He will shoot up the draft board after the combine.

Jerry is the end all in Dallas.

by football mensa on Jan 17, 2012 6:09 AM CST reply actions

We need a mobile QB, McGee would be better but even Aaron Rodgers had trouble vs the Giants

The Giants were successful because of their pass rush, their secondary is pretty average but made adjustments. They can be beat, if we continue with Romo we could succeed with improvement at the OG positions. Maybe we can improve at Center but Costa will most likely improve with OTA’s as well. That doesn’t mean we can’t bring in some veteran G/C’s.

Obviously guys like Tyron Smith will have trouble with the best pass rushers, he will be rock solid in most games though. Improving at the interior line positions will help and eventually Romo will be replaced with a more mobile QB… but sometimes those are difficult to find.

McGee is a great example of a mobile QB becoming a pocket passer, he’s a lot more accurate than a Tim Tebow and has the potential of becoming similar to a Cam Newton or Vince Young/Vick. Playing with a OL that can handle an Eagles pass rush would be a good start, or one that could open some holes for an RB.

Draft one – OK – let McGee take over from Romo – OK. Romo can’t take very many hits, especially this year so Romo running for a 1st down down was not much of an option. McGee at least can avoid a tackle…

by scraig on Jan 17, 2012 12:51 PM CST reply actions