Division Links: BGN tries to replace Brandon Brooks while BtB ponders Demarcus Lawrence as a Redskin

Blogging the Boys

Nightmare scenarios: Cowboys players we’d hate to see with a division rival

They let Byron Jones walk, but fortunately he landed up outside the NFC East.

DeMarcus Lawrence to Washington

This may not seem like an obvious one, since the defensive front is already a strength of Washington. But the Cowboys went with building on strength when they drafted Lamb, and with a defensive minded head coach in Ron Rivera and Jack Del Rio the defensive coordinator, adding Lawrence would make them scary indeed. And like the others, he is so very familiar with the players he would line up against. Life for Prescott, and to a lesser extent Ezekiel Elliott, would be much more difficult twice a year.

Meanwhile, the rebuild of the defensive line for the Cowboys would take a huge step back. Aldon Smith is still very much an unknown quantity, and we have no idea if Randy Gregory will even get a chance to try and help.

The good news is that all three of these standouts are under contract with Dallas for years to come. So none of these are even remote possibilities. Still, if you are one who enjoys a good horror flick, no matter how improbable, these are things that should give you chills.

Bleeding Green Nation

7 free agent guard options for the Eagles following Brandon Brooks’ injury

With Brandon Brooks already out for the 2020 NFL season (UGH), the Philadelphia Eagles are going to need a new starting right guard. The team has some internal options to consider — and we’ll take a closer look at those soon here at Bleeding Green Nation — but for now let’s focus on the free agent market.

Big Blue View

Summer School 2020: Cover 4 defense — what it is, and how to beat it

A common zone coverage that focuses on eliminating the deep portion of the field is Cover 4. Also known as quarters coverage, Cover 4 has four deep zones, typically two corners and two safeties, splitting a fourth of the deep portions of the field. The two safeties are in the middle of the field, while the corners take the quarter of the field to their side.

The outside flat zones are open for business against a Cover 4 defense, so any type of hitch or speed out will be very hard to defend, if the corners bail to their responsibilities at the snap. As I stated earlier, corners can sink down and bail, to make the quick game (three-step or fewer) of an offense hesitate, but that leaves the defense vulnerable to double moves; an adjustment any adept offensive coordinator would make against a defense biting down.

The underneath portions of the field are vulnerable against Cover 4 defenses. Three-step route combinations and quick screens are very advantageous ways for the offense to gain an advantage against the defense in a Cover 4. Both underneath and deep zone defenders are susceptible to being manipulated either through route combinations drawing defenders to desired locations or just by high-lowing certain defenders. Levels concepts and the Texas concept, with a tight end occupying the middle linebacker, are also excellent ways to attack the middle of the field. Double moves also prove to be dangerous against the coverage, so the deep coverage has to be in sync with one another to effectively guard concepts like a scissors combination.

Bleeding Green Nation

Malcolm Jenkins hired by CNN

Malcolm Jenkins has another new job. The former Philadelphia Eagles and current New Orleans Saints safety has been hired as a contributor to CNN, according to an official statement.

“Having spent years running non-profits and supporting grassroots organizations to address the inequalities of our criminal justice system, educational system and disparate wealth in our marginalized communities, I believe I can be a voice for other athlete activists and those who have dedicated their lives to changing legislation, policies and reforms for human equality. Now more than ever, the public needs to be educated on the roles of elected positions of power, such as the District Attorney, Police Chief or City Council and how to hold those individuals accountable, especially through their voice and their vote. In an important election year, I’m eager to join the CNN family and share my perspective as a regular contributor.”