Cowboys Corner: Dak or Lamar? Biggest defensive concern? Time to add an RB?-ZoomTech News

The Dallas Cowboys regarded so good on Opening Day, so powerful in most phases, that it was simple to start out feeling optimistic. The NFC regarded fairly large open. They regarded able to roll.

Then their blowout loss of their dwelling opener to the New Orleans Saints put a cease to that.

It wasn’t simply that they have been drubbed 44-19. In spite of everything, the Cowboys have a historical past of massive, humiliating losses simply after they begin to actually be ok with themselves. However this one felt totally different. Nobody thought the Saints have been a harmful crew … till they scored touchdowns on every of their first six possessions. They ran everywhere in the Cowboys protection.

Perhaps it is too early to fret. Nevertheless it certain introduced up quite a lot of points to debate in Dallas, at the same time as Jerry Jones — and everybody else within the group — tried to evangelise calm.

However do not panic (but). On this Week 2 version of Fox Sports activities’ Cowboys Nook, NFL writers David Helman and Ralph Vacchiano break down Dallas’ largest issues and potential options, and have a look forward to a harmful recreation at dwelling towards the winless Baltimore Ravens on Sunday afternoon (4:25 p.m. ET on FOX):

1. Forward of Sunday’s showdown in Dallas, which crew’s Week 2 loss is most regarding: Cowboys or Ravens?

Helman: I will say the Cowboys. It is received to be irritating how the Ravens discover methods to lose leads within the fourth quarter, however that may be fastened with higher playcalling and execution. It is lots harder to repair what we noticed from the Dallas run protection. As soon as once more, we watched the Cowboys’ defensive tackles get blown off the ball by the Saints, giving Alvin Kamara miles of open house to run earlier than the linebackers may get to the play. Perhaps Mike Zimmer can repair it to a level, however this seems like a personnel challenge that is been ongoing courting again to 2021. Keep in mind the Arizona and Buffalo losses final yr? Seemed awfully related. This is guessing Derrick Henry is watching final week’s recreation tape with a smile on his face.

Vacchiano: There isn’t a doubt that the Cowboys’ loss is most regarding — by lots. I imply, it is dangerous sufficient they received blown out of their dwelling opener, however to see their protection fold the way in which it did? That protection was presupposed to be their energy. To see them surrender so many massive performs and to so completely be unable to cease the run in simply the second recreation underneath new defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer, how may you not be nervous? At the least the Ravens have been near profitable in Week 2. Their fundamental concern is not that loss, it is that they are 0-2. However the Cowboys have been humiliated by the Saints, and a few of their usual issues resurfaced. Stopping the run and working the ball have been points final season, too. Did they not do sufficient within the offseason to repair it? Are they simply not adjusting to Zimmer’s scheme? It is all purpose to be involved, and we’ve not even gotten to Dak Prescott and the offense but.

2. Jake Ferguson is anticipated to play vs. Baltimore after sitting out Week 2. Is he the largest particular person X-factor in Dallas’ offense?

Vacchiano: I am unsure that he’s, however he actually might be. Ferguson is among the most underrated tight ends within the league, and he might be a critical asset to the Cowboys offense. He confirmed that final season when at occasions he was their greatest non-CeeDee Lamb weapon on the sphere. And that is what this Cowboys’ offense so desperately wants — a second choice. Brandon Cooks is not constant sufficient. Jalen Brooks is not dependable sufficient, but. And the working backs … effectively, let’s simply say no protection is worrying concerning the 1-2 punch of Ezekiel Elliott and Rico Dowdle. Ferguson has the abilities. He’ll be a invaluable X-factor if the Cowboys let him.

Helman: If we realized one factor from the Dallas offense final week, it is that they’re severely missing juice. CeeDee Lamb is an unbelievable participant, clearly, and he provides you an opportunity to attain factors. However with out Jake Ferguson on the sphere, the Cowboys’ different choices have been missing. Brandin Cooks largely disappeared once more. Jalen Brooks missed a key block within the crimson zone and slipped throughout his route on an eventual interception. The Cowboys’ working backs did not handle a acquire longer than seven yards. It was tough. The true X-factor on this offense is Lamb, however the Cowboys desperately want Ferguson to raise the remainder of this group behind Lamb.

3. Which quarterback would you decide to start out a playoff recreation: Dak Prescott or Lamar Jackson?

Helman: This take goes to get me yelled at, as a result of Lamar Jackson has a greater general physique of labor than Dak. But when we’re speaking concerning the playoffs, Dak has been the considerably higher quarterback thus far of their careers. Take your decide of the numbers. Dak’s cumulative passer ranking throughout all playoff begins is 91.8, in comparison with Lamar’s 75.6. Dak is finishing 65% of his passes within the playoffs to Lamar’s 57%. Dak has 18 playoff touchdowns to seven playoff turnovers, in comparison with Lamar’s 9 touchdowns and 9 turnovers. Dak’s groups have additionally averaged 24 factors per recreation within the playoffs, in comparison with Lamar’s 16. Lot of time left in each careers, however Dak has been the higher postseason participant thus far.

Vacchiano: Is there a 3rd selection? I am kidding. Most likely. However look, we’re speaking about two of the very best quarterbacks within the NFL. Each have been MVP candidates late final season and one, clearly, received. However their playoff success has been … missing. They’re additionally totally different kinds of quarterbacks working utterly totally different offenses, which makes the comparability arduous. However in case you drive me to make a decide, I would most likely decide Prescott. Like Dave stated, he is been the higher postseason passer. But additionally, I feel he is the higher passer basically. I do know it is old style, however I worth the way in which Prescott can sit within the pocket and decide aside a protection. He can create off schedule if he has to, however he would not do it almost as usually. That makes issues simpler on the receivers, the offensive line, the offensive coordinator. Jackson may need the next upside for large performs, however I will go together with the consistency. Actually, although, I would take both of those two over about 25 different beginning quarterbacks on this league.

4. Which place group deserves essentially the most blame for the Cowboys’ dreadful defensive exhibiting towards the Saints, and do you count on it to be fastened?

Vacchiano: I’ve received a couple of on my record, however I will most likely begin with the defensive tackles. The worst half is that the Cowboys knew this was going to be an issue. You can inform as a result of they panicked close to the tip of the summer season and rapidly added Linval Joseph and Jordan Phillips. It was like they forgot that was a difficulty they wanted to deal with all offseason lengthy. Clearly, they need to have. Phillips did not seem on the stat sheet Sunday and is now on injured reserve. Joseph had two tackles. They received first rate play from Osa Odighizuwa. However keep in mind Mazi Smith, the DT the Cowboys drafted within the first spherical final yr? An enormous zero from him Sunday. In case your defensive tackles are that ineffective, it ought to be no shock when your opponent rushes for 190 yards. And it places a pressure on the remainder of the protection, too, which might be seen within the period of time Saints quarterback Derek Carr had within the pocket. I can discover loads of fault with the remainder of the go rush, the linebackers and the secondary, too, however the root of the issue was the center of the defensive position.

Helman: I discussed it already, nevertheless it’s price shouting out the defensive sort out woes another time. Jordan Phillips and Linval Joseph have been late additions made throughout coaching camp, so hopefully they will play their approach into higher performances because the season goes. It would be nice to get extra from Mazi Smith, too — cease me in case you’ve heard that earlier than. I feel Mike Zimmer can discover methods to get enchancment, as a result of it might’t be a lot worse. I am unsure this downside will ever really go away, although.

5. Is there one specific working again you’d goal on the wire or through commerce to assist their floor recreation?

Helman: The choices aren’t thrilling. At one level I’d’ve stated Miami’s Jeff Wilson, however the Dolphins have massive damage points at working again and that feels unlikely. Houston’s Joe Mixon additionally received banged up the opposite evening, so I am unsure the Texans would need to deal Dameon Pierce. I would be keen to ship a late-round decide to New York for Israel Abanikanda, who’s losing away on the backside of the Jets’ depth chart. He may not revitalize the run recreation, however he is received contemporary legs and legit pace.

Vacchiano: There actually aren’t many choices — no good ones, anyway. Anybody on the waiver wire at this level is not going to be a lot of a assist, and groups aren’t going to be keen to half with their high two working backs, given how injury-prone that place tends to be. I imply, if you would like an image of what is on the market, contemplate the Cowboys lately signed no matter is left of Dalvin Prepare dinner. Perhaps, simply possibly, one working again to observe is Miles Sanders of the Carolina Panthers. He is behind Chuba Hubbard on their depth chart and the Panthers did draft Jonathan Brooks within the second spherical. He is out for the primary 4 video games, and since he is recovering from ACL surgical procedure, there is no assure he’ll be able to return anytime quickly. But when he is shut, possibly the Panthers shall be keen to dump Sanders. He is finished nothing since leaving the Eagles after the 2022 season (474 yards on 3.3 yards per carry in 18 video games in Carolina). However he is confirmed succesful when working behind a great offensive line. And the commerce should not be too expensive, as a result of the Panthers are a company that even Jerry Jones may fleece. At the least he’d be a physique. Simply do not count on him to be a savior.

Ralph Vacchiano is an NFL Reporter for FOX Sports activities. He spent the earlier six years protecting the Giants and Jets for SNY TV in New York, and earlier than that, 16 years protecting the Giants and the NFL for the New York Every day Information. Comply with him Twitter at @RalphVacchiano.

David Helman covers the NFL for FOX Sports activities and hosts the NFL on FOX podcast. He beforehand spent 9 seasons protecting the Cowboys for the crew’s official web site. In 2018, he received a regional Emmy for his function in producing “Dak Prescott: A Household Reunion” concerning the quarterback’s time at Mississippi State. Comply with him on Twitter at @davidhelman_.

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