Dallas Cowboys: 5 ways to generate more interior pressure on defense

How the Dallas Cowboys generate more interior pressure

NASCAR package/Reduce inside

Something we also need to consider is the different ways the Dallas Cowboys can get their best pressure players on the field at the same time. Who do you think the better pass-rusher is, Dorance Armstrong/Bradlee Anae or the run-stuffer Brent Urban?

In pass rushing situations, the Dallas Cowboys can flip to their NASCAR package, so-to-speak, and replace their 1-tech DT with another pass-rusher. And the best pass rusher is often found in your stable of edge players.

If the Dallas Cowboys can find competent players capable of reducing inside, they would immediately upgrade their interior pressure rate. Imagine a scenario where Randy Gregory and Micah Parsons are rushing from the edge, and Lawrence and Anae are inside.

Maybe the rookie Osa is the better option inside next to Tank. Or maybe the other third round pick, Chauncey Gholston is. He was drafted as a defensive end but his best pass-rushing snaps came when he reduced down inside. He could be a valuable option in the interior as well.

At the end of the day, the more frequently the Dallas Cowboys can force obvious passing situations, the more often they can bust out their nickel NASCAR package that swaps DTs for DEs.

Summary

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Even without a massive injection of pass-rushing talent inside at defensive tackle, the Dallas Cowboys have a number of ways to upgrade their interior pressure rate in 2021. They can use Jaylon Smith to blitz up the middle at a higher rate than they’ve used him in the past.

They can use Micah Parsons as a pass rusher a variety of ways:

1. By rushing from the outside he allows other ends to reduce inside while upgrading the interior pass rush talent.
2. Or by blitzing inside like Jaylon.

The Cowboys can also go back to a stunt-heavy scheme that has a proven level of success against the pass. Or they can rely on the upgrade in talent the rookie Osa offers. The problems they endured last year are fixable, and indications are the Cowboys are on the path to doing just that.

How do you feel about the Dallas Cowboys efforts in upgrading the interior pressure rate?