Ravens pass protection gives me a reason to believe Dallas can be disruptive. I’m less concerned about the Cowboys reaching Lamar Jackson and more concerned about whether they can finish.
We watched the problem against Washington and finding another weak blocker won’t fix bringing down the quarterback. Still, Baltimore has three linemen I’d target: center Jovaughn Gwyn, right guard Vega loane, and Carson Vinson, who is replacing the injured Ronnie Stanley at left tackle.
Gwyn is where my game plan starts.
Jovaughn Gwyn’s Grade Hides a Protection Problem
At first glance, Gwyn’s numbers don’t look like somebody worth targeting. His 69.5 overall PFF grade ranked fifth among qualifying centers through two games. Until I separated his blocking assignments.
Jovaughn Gwyn’s run-blocking grade is 86.3, second at his position. However, his pass blocking grade is 19.5, coming in last among centers. He was charged with five pressures across 73 pass-blocking snaps, but no sacks, yet.
I’m not expecting Quinnen Williams or another defensive tackle to shove him backwards into Derrick Henry handoffs, but what happens when Gwyn has to identify pressure and protect Lamar Jackson?
The zero sacks shouldn’t scare you. A quarterback escaping trouble doesn’t mean the blocker did his job, I mean Jackson is a running back who throws the ball. I want to see if he has time to throw.
In the Indianapolis game, a defender got off the edge almost unblocked against the Ravens. Against New Orleans, being unable to handle pressure contributed to an eight-yard sack.
If you click the links, you will see the breakdowns involving more than one blocker. That’s why I’d challenge the communication between them instead of individual pass-rush wins.
Give Quinnen Williams a Shot at loane
Vega loane allowed six pressures through two games, and with Gwyn struggling beside him, I see an opportunity to test how those two handle movement together.
Show linebackers beside the center, then change which defenders rush. That could influence where Baltimore sends help and give Quinnen Williams a favorable matchup against loane.
I’d also mix in movement between Williams and another defensive lineman like Kenny Clark. The idea is to force a protection switch, and not let the Ravens blocker settle into the same assignment.
Quinnen Williams doesn’t have the advantage according to the stats, but he is being used differently than he has in the past. He has five pressures on 57 pass-rush snaps and a 53.7 pass-rush grade through two games. I’m not worried about him at all.
In Eberflus’ scheme, Big Q was able to shoot gaps and play upfield, which made it easy to
The Washington game gave me mixed feelings. On one play, Kenny Clark helped create a one-on-one for Williams with a stunt. The call worked, but Jayden Daniels stepped up and made Williams miss. We have to finish.
That’s a play the Cowboys have to make. Christian Parker can help Williams get a chance, but he can’t finish the tackle for him.
Carson Vinson Would Get an Early Test
Ronnie Stanley’s injury puts Carson Vinson in line for his first career start. That’s good for the Cowboys because Vinson allowed two pressures on just 13 pass-blocking snaps when he replaced Stanley against the Saints.
I am testing this guy early and often.
Donovan Ezeiruaku would be on that side almost all night. He has five pressures so far this season and those pressures will turn into sacks. The mobile quarterbacks he has played so far make it difficult.
If the Ravens help Vinson out from the start, that should tell Parker where the extra blocker is without having to do much winning first.
Beating the Ravens on the edge doesn’t mean much if Lamar Jackson is able to step up through the middle and take off. The defensive line is going to have to work together and get the communication right.
The Cowboys Still Have to Finish
Dallas had 15 pressures against Washington, nine with four rushers, but no sacks. Jayden Daniels also gained 69 yards on six scrambles and picked up five first downs.
The pressures are great, but the scrambling numbers hurt.
Against Lamar Jackson, who is the top running quarterback of all time, the scrambling numbers could get out of hand fast. I would rather see the pocket close around Jackson instead of one player rushing through.
Extra blitzes won’t help if the first free rusher misses.
We also cannot forget about Derrick Henry.
The Ravens are going to be a tough matchup for a defense that is not very good against the rush right now. So, I want to see this defensive line take advantage of the weak pass blocking, but don’t overcommit on this team and underestimate one of the best rushing teams in the NFL.
Gwyn is the strongest target, with loane beside him, and Vinson on the outside. Dallas has to game plan against these guys. I want to see some third down stops and punts.
That would be a nice step forward for this defense and a moral booster for the entire team.
Was this helpful?
1 Comment