Cowboys mailbag: Questions on run defense, Mike Zimmer, and Lamar Jackson

Our latest mailbag features plenty of questions about the Dallas Cowboys.

Every week, we take questions on X (Twitter) and Facebook about Dallas Cowboys players and other issues surrounding the team. So let’s get9 right into it.

“How do we stop the run?”

(@Jess Warren on Facebook)

Mike: The answer to that question needs to be answered this weekend. The Ravens aren’t a huge passing team but can run the ball between Lamar Jackson and Derrick Henry very efficiently.

The inside of this defensive line needs to anchor and not get bullied like last week. Last weekend against the Saints the defensive tackles were often pushed back way too easily and it’s no surprise we see the team shut Jordan Phillips down with a “wrist injury”. If the battle in the trenches is lost the linebackers can’t flow to the ball and shut the run down, then it becomes a long day for Dallas.

Dana: If the Cowboys are going to be able to stop the run, it starts with the DTs. Last week was a pretty poor performance from them and it affected the rest of the defense, especially the LBs trying to come up and fill multiple gaps. The Cowboys have made a move to hopefully help in that area, adding Carlos Watkins to replace Jordan Phillips (IR). Watkins takes pride in stopping the run and wants to help lead in that room. He had a great season in 2021 with the Cowboys and is hoping to get back on track after surgery last season. Outside of bringing in Watkins, the entire team needs to make sure that the effort, execution, and discipline are on full display.

“Was Mike Zimmer to blame for last weeks downright terrible defense? It was embarrassing!”

(@Dale Brown on Facebook)

Mike: It’s a fair question. The defensive plan before the game has to come into question when a team puts 35 points against your defense in one half. But it doesn’t mean Zimmer is totally to blame. The players on the field have to do their jobs and Zimmer can only do so much from the sideline. Can we blame Zimmer for defensive linemen getting pushed back five yards into their own endzone? Can we blame Zimmer for a defense not moving laterally quickly enough and clog the holes? Last week was a total failure from Mike McCarthy, down to Zimmer and filtering down to the players. The perfect storm.

Dana: Looking at the replay, it was clear that the execution and effort for the Cowboys defense were no where to be found. However, at some point, there should be some blame on the coaches for not having the team motivated and ready to go. That being said, the Saints deserve some credit for their game plan that included shutting down Micah Parsons. They were using many different players to throw off Parsons and the other defensive players were not able to make up for it. Hopefully, moving forward that is something that Zimmer will be able to anticipate.

“How do you think we manage keeping Lamar (Jackson) in the pocket!”

(@Steven Barker Mountford on Facebook)

Mike: Playing a Spy linebacker will definitely help. Don’t let Jackson out the pocket and the freedom to move, that means having players like Demarcus Lawrence and Marshawn Kneeland setting the edge consistently and effectively. If the defensive ends and tackles hold up front and having either DeMarvion Overshown or Marist Liufau spying in the middle, that should help this run defense contain the ground game. In the passing game, the Ravens have only scored two passing touchdowns and you would like to think the Cowboys defensive backs will bounce back and keep the Ravens receivers in check. Another big positive is playing at home for Dallas. The noise and energy from Cowboys fans will make things trickier for Jackson and his offensive linemen to communicate.

Dana: The Cowboys defense did a pretty good job of making Deshaun Watson uncomfortable all day long in the season opener. Now, Watson is no Lamar Jackson but the idea should be the same. The defense was able to stop the run, force Watson into throwing situations and then attack with the pass rush. It starts with discipline and getting off blocks, but the not-so-secret weapon that the Cowboys should utilize is DeMarvion Overshown. His vision and speed could be the perfect solution to contain Jackson on Sunday. He lead the team in tackles in Week 1 with 11 total and had a crucial sack on fourth down. While he was curiously held back last week against the Saints, look for him to be unleashed this weekend.