Mike Zimmer's shine wore off after which some within the Dallas Cowboys' 25-point loss to the New Orleans Saints on Sunday. Zimmer's protection allowed touchdowns on six consecutive drives to begin the sport, which gave Dak Prescott and the offense no likelihood to maintain the sport aggressive.
The Saints used a ton of pre-snap movement – on 74% of their plays to be exact — and the Cowboys did not have any solutions. A staple of the Shanahan teaching tree, movement and play motion have given Dallas matches for years. After two video games, New Orleans ranks first within the NFL in play-action fee.
Dan Quinn could not work out how to fight it in his three years as defensive coordinator. Sunday proved Zimmer has to return to the drafting board.
It is truthful to query how a lot blame Zimmer deserves. Micah Parsons passionately defended Zimmer and took accountability for the loss, saying that the gamers have to execute higher. That is true, however Zimmer has so much to clear up as properly.
An excellent begin could be taking part in DeMarvion Overshown greater than he did yesterday. After taking part in 44 snaps in opposition to Cleveland, Overshown logged simply 18 snaps in opposition to the Saints.
Overshown has performed fewer snaps than Linval Joseph to this point lol
— John Owning (@JohnOwning) September 15, 2024
Less than 20 snaps from arguably the Cowboys' finest participant from the season-opener is past egregious from Zimmer.
With the Saints taking part in extra 12/21 personnel, Dallas was compelled to play extra base protection. For no matter cause, Overshown is just not a part of the first-team base protection.
Eric Kendricks unsurprisingly led the best way with 56 snaps. However, Damone Clark, who struggled within the sport, played the second-most snaps of the linebackers with 41. Rookie Marist Liufau was third with 39 snaps. Liufau was arguably the lone vibrant spot on the Cowboys' protection.
There is not any cause Clark ought to be taking part in over Overshown. The workforce's main tackler in Week 1, Overshown made an ideal open discipline deal with on 2nd-and-4 to power third down instantly after checking into the sport. The deal with was one of many few performs from the primary half that acquired the house crowd rowdy.
Make no mistake: the Cowboys weren't successful the sport if Overshown performed a full complement of snaps. However, it was robust to watch the protection get gashed in opposition to the run and on crossing patterns whereas Overshown was holding his helmet on the sideline.
The Saints' movement and play motion triggered complications all afternoon, however Overshown's pace and athleticism may have made a distinction, if solely a small one. The truth he was demoted to a fourth-string position after he dominated in Week 1 is unforgiveable from Zimmer.
