Spy vs Spy: These 3 Cowboys defenders hope to minimize Lamar Jackson’s impact for Ravens
The Cowboys are notoriously dreadful against dual-threat quarterbacks. They routinely give up massive gains on scrambles, critical conversions on third downs and undisciplined execution on designed read-options to athletic QBs.
Dallas' heavy use of man coverage, specifically Cover 1 looks, only compounds the damage since cover cornerbacks are playing with their backs to the QB. These coverages probably won't change with Mike Zimmer at the helm on defense.
Like Dan Quinn, Zimmer loves man coverage, and given the Ravens propensity to run, coupled with Dallas' struggles to stop said run, the Cowboys will likely once again lean on Cover 1 in Week 3. That's because playing with just one deep safety means Dallas gets an extra player in the box which is something the Cowboys could desperately use.
Lamar Jackson, Baltimore's explosive weapon at the position, isn't just a good rushing QB, he's by most accounts the best rushing QB in the NFL. The two-time NFL MVP is lightning fast with the ability to start and stop on a dime. He makes the other dual threats in the NFL look like they're running in mud.
The Ravens utilize Jackson as one would expect – a runner. They frequently call designed runs, read options, zone reads, and even RPOs with a QB run element attached ( RPO's don't inherently have run options for QBs attached ).
Even the Ravens passing game leaves run options open for Jackson. Tuck-and-run is often his second read on plays so the Dallas defense will have to be prepared for a QB run every single down.
Normally this would spell certain doom for the Cowboys. That's especially true coming off their embarrassing efforts in Week 2 against the Saints. But the Cowboys have a couple aces up their sleeves that could prove difference makers in Sunday's showdown. They have DeMarvion Overshown and Marist Liufau.
The Cowboys' two young linebackers are as explosive as it gets from the LB position. Overshown has a level of click-and-close that makes even Micah Parsons look mortal. Liufau is a hyper intelligent player known to play like his hair on fire for all 60 minutes. Both are positioned to serve as QB spys this Sunday. Both could be the difference maker in the Cowboys ability to stop Jackson.
There's a debate raging over which one will be tasked with the job. Liufau is typically in base packages while Overshown is in for nickel packages. After shining like a star in Week 1, Overshown took the backseat in Week 2. The reason behind that is the Saints heavy use of 12 and 21 personnel warranted more base packages from Dallas last week.
Week 3 could bring a similar reaction from Zimmer since the Ravens have only played 11 personnel (3WR, which prompts nickel defense) 26.2 percent of the time this season. Unless Zimmer changes his packages, Liufau should expect the bulk of the snaps.
Dallas has also hinted at Parsons doing some spy work. Given Zimmer's use of complicated and/or deceitful blitz packages, he could very well fake a pass rush and then drop Parsons into a spy role at times on Sunday. Based on what we know, Liufau will likely get the most spy opportunities with Overshown plugged in as a close second. Parsons or even a safety could be used in select situations behind them.
Will it be effective?
That's anyone's guess but the Cowboys seem to finally have some solid options on their staff who can successfully fill this role, which is much more than they've ever appeared to have in the past. Which spy on the Cowboys will be the biggest difference maker?
Everyone is about to find out.
