Sturm: Decoding Garrett - Week 7 - Data - Philadelphia

[WoodysGirl]

Some weeks you can learn a lot about the week of preparation for a game by simply breaking down every movement of a football game. There are other weeks, like the game in Philadelphia on Sunday Night that you look at the game and realize that you cannot learn much of anything.

We discussed at great length on Monday about the game plan of Rob Ryan that in some respects seemed sound and well conceived before the game began. Sometimes, what looks like a great idea on the chalkboard does not work on the field. The reasons for this discrepancy are multiple; sometimes the coaches are sabotaged by poor execution on the field by their players. Sometimes, the opposing coach anticipates your tactics and has a plan in place to make you look silly. Sometimes, it is both. On those days the scoreboard will usually indicate a result that will not require a long-term examination. When you lose 34-7, you can learn from the film study, but it won't be enjoyable.

And when a defensive game plan is so soundly defeated, that by the time your offense takes its 9th snap they are already behind 21-0, then you never truly know what Jason Garrett had planned for the Eagles. Whatever Garrett was going to try to exploit on that Eagles defense will never see the light of day due to the events of the 1st Quarter. The entire coaching process of building a sound strategy for his offensive unit was wasted because of the ambush the Eagles executed to perfection.

Read the rest: http://sturminator.blogspot.com/2011/11/decoding-garrett-week-7-data.html

[Cochese]

Very interesting. You would think that Ginger, and not his usual apologist Bob, could figure out he s11 doesnt work that well for us.

[ZeroClub]

I certainly agree with Sturm's analysis re: the impact of the OL on play calling.

[Wolfpack]

Need to take away S11 from Red. It's his crack.

[ScipioCowboy]

With their highly touted cast of skill position players, it's astounding how poor the Cowboys have been in S11 over the years. They're not just ineffective in it. They're incompetent on a keystone cop level. You might as well put on a Benny Hill soundtrack.

With players like Witten, Austin, Bryant, and now Robinson, they should be racking up yards and points like Mike Leach's Red Raiders. But they're doing just the opposite.

The line is arguably the biggest culprit in this, but lately, I wonder if Romo doesn't shoulder more of the blame. Perhaps he's simply not and never will be a quarterback in the Manning, Brady, Brees, Rodgers, and Rivers mold. Lately, it seems that Romo needs to be protected by play calling and a strong running game. It's not that the Cowboys can't win with Romo. It's that his role needs strict boundaries.

If that's the case, I think the Cowboys are destined for a sub-.500 finish. Their line and running game simply aren't strong enough to save Romo from himself.

[Aven8]

Need to take away S11 from Red. It's his crack.

I can't even fathom why he is still running it so much. This is a great report from Bob. 4 years this has been going on?? I don't understand why he hasn't tweaked it yet?

[Cochese]

This isnt getting near the attention it deserves. 4 years of s11 failure, whats the deal? I guess I just want one of the fan bois to come in here and say that getting our brains beat in with the same plays and personnel groups is part of some grand plan to turn us into the Patriots.

[john van brocklin]

This isnt getting near the attention it deserves. 4 years of s11 failure, whats the deal? I guess I just want one of the fan bois to come in here and say that getting our brains beat in with the same plays and personnel groups is part of some grand plan to turn us into the Patriots.

Help ! what is S11 ???????????????????:confused:

[DOUBLE WING]

Nothing in that article surprises me in the least.

[Cochese]

Help ! what is S11 ???????????????????:confused:


Its in the article brah.

[Wolfpack]

Help ! what is S11 ???????????????????:confused:

Shotgun formation, 3 WR, 1 TE, 1 RB. Average of 3.16 yards/play out of it. Might as well just run the ball.

I wonder if anyone is telling Red this stuff or if they self-scout much? I swear even Fat Andy brought in an OC and learned his lesson about balance.

[bbailey423]

With their highly touted cast of skill position players, it's astounding how poor the Cowboys have been in S11 over the years. They're not just ineffective in it. They're incompetent on a keystone cop level. You might as well put on a Benny Hill soundtrack.

With players like Witten, Austin, Bryant, and now Robinson, they should be racking up yards and points like Mike Leach's Red Raiders. But they're doing just the opposite.

The line is arguably the biggest culprit in this, but lately, I wonder if Romo doesn't shoulder more of the blame. Perhaps he's simply not and never will be a quarterback in the Manning, Brady, Brees, Rodgers, and Rivers mold. Lately, it seems that Romo needs to be protected by play calling and a strong running game. It's not that the Cowboys can't win with Romo. It's that his role needs strict boundaries.

If that's the case, I think the Cowboys are destined for a sub-.500 finish. Their line and running game simply aren't strong enough to save Romo from himself.
I don't think it is Romo. While many of us tout the physical ability of our skill position players...I am convinced more than ever that the chemistry between Romo and our skill position players is not even close to what it is for Brady, Rodgers, Brees and their skill position players. Romo cannot trust WRs to cross the face of DBs...Romo has to tell them where to lineup. Romo calls an audible at the LOS and Dez does not know the snap count...so everyone else is running their routes and Dez is just standing their in neutral. I will give you a perfect example from Sunday night. The Cowboys were trying to run your BASIC natural pick play at the goaline between Witten and Ronbinson. Robinson runs the route incorrectly and him and Witten almost collide. This is NOT a hard play to run. Especially at the NFL level. So while we all go on and on about Dez hands, speed or run after catch ability...and how hard Miles is to tackle...and the speed/size combo or Robinson...none of it matters if they don't compliment each other..or if they are not where the QB expects them. And don't even get me started on the OL. Folks, we will beat weak teams...but we have a ways to go for our offense to function like the Saints, Pats or Packers.

[Seven]

I don't think it is Romo. While many of us tout the physical ability of our skill position players...I am convinced more than ever that the chemistry between Romo and our skill position players is not even close to what it is for Brady, Rodgers, Brees and their skill position players. Romo cannot trust WRs to cross the face of DBs...Romo has to tell them where to lineup. Romo calls an audible at the LOS and Dez does not know the snap count...so everyone else is running their routes and Dez is just standing their in neutral. I will give you a perfect example from Sunday night. The Cowboys were trying to run your BASIC natural pick play at the goaline between Witten and Ronbinson. Robinson runs the route incorrectly and him and Witten almost collide. This is NOT a hard play to run. Especially at the NFL level. So while we all go on and on about Dez hands, speed or run after catch ability...and how hard Miles is to tackle...and the speed/size combo or Robinson...none of it matters if they don't compliment each other..or if they are not where the QB expects them. And don't even get me started on the OL. Folks, we will beat weak teams...but we have a ways to go for our offense to function like the Saints, Pats or Packers.


I do. I think he's more than 'concerned' about the OL. His focus is to not get creamed everey time he drops back. Dude gets his collar bone broke. The start of the very next season he gets busted ribs and a hole in his lung. Anybody tells me he's not concerned after all of that is plain crazy. I mean, he doesn't even closely resemble the Romo from 2 years ago. Who could blame him.


What do you think was his first thought when the staff said "We're going with Free, Kosier, Nagy, Smith and Costa." Your damned straight........ It was "holy ****.............."

[faninjersey]

I don't think it is Romo. While many of us tout the physical ability of our skill position players...I am convinced more than ever that the chemistry between Romo and our skill position players is not even close to what it is for Brady, Rodgers, Brees and their skill position players. Romo cannot trust WRs to cross the face of DBs...Romo has to tell them where to lineup. Romo calls an audible at the LOS and Dez does not know the snap count...so everyone else is running their routes and Dez is just standing their in neutral. I will give you a perfect example from Sunday night. The Cowboys were trying to run your BASIC natural pick play at the goaline between Witten and Ronbinson. Robinson runs the route incorrectly and him and Witten almost collide. This is NOT a hard play to run. Especially at the NFL level. So while we all go on and on about Dez hands, speed or run after catch ability...and how hard Miles is to tackle...and the speed/size combo or Robinson...none of it matters if they don't compliment each other..or if they are not where the QB expects them. And don't even get me started on the OL. Folks, we will beat weak teams...but we have a ways to go for our offense to function like the Saints, Pats or Packers.
Very *Very* accurate assessment.

[Future]

I do. I think he's more than 'concerned' about the OL. His focus is to not get creamed everey time he drops back. Dude gets his collar bone broke. The start of the very next season he gets busted ribs and a hole in his lung. Anybody tells me he's not concerned after all of that is plain crazy. I mean, he doesn't even closely resemble the Romo from 2 years ago. Who could blame him.


What do you think was his first thought when the staff said "We're going with Free, Kosier, Nagy, Smith and Costa." Your damned straight........ It was "holy ****.............."
So then, it's not on Tony is what you're saying :laugh2:

The problems with this offense are on the OLine and WRs inability to get open quickly and, and I think this is the biggy, JG's inability to work with what he has.

[JoeCorrado]

Help ! what is S11 ???????????????????:confused:

Kind of catchy, eh? We all can't wait to use the term.

Shotgun formation with 1 back and 1 TE, of course 3 receivers.

My question is, why don't we do pre snap motions more, or shifts. Seems we just don't have time for it because we are so intent on looking the defense over... all the while the defense is looking us over.

Kind of like declining to use a weapon because you might hurt yourself I guess? Seriously folks, why don't we try to confuse the defense a bit, sure looks like opposing offenses get it to work for them by confusing our defense.

Somebody, help me out.

[Future]

My question is, why don't we do pre snap motions more, or shifts. Seems we just don't have time for it because we are so intent on looking the defense over... all the while the defense is looking us over.



Somebody, help me out.
It rhymes with shmason shmarrett

[kidcrook]

I understand we were in shotgun almost 80% of the time on Sunday due to a 21 point deficit but the score was 21-0 in a little more than a quarter and a half. Why would any rational thinking coach decide to scrap a game plan with almost 3 full quarters of football left to play?

Has this team of players ever scored 3 touchdowns in 3 quarters? Yep.

Did they have to go exclusive shotgun to do it? Nope.

That "S11" formation barely even works in the 2 minute drill. Why use it at any other time if it has proven to be ineffective?

Why not pound the rock with Murray behind Fiametta in the middle of the second quarter? There were opportunities.

Why not right pound the rock after halftime? We got the ball to start the second half.

Sometimes Garrett tries to score 21 points in one drive. You have to take it one play at a time and not lose sight of your game plan. Go to shotgun when your down by 4 with 45 secs left in the 4th and the ball on your own 34 yard line. Do it if you want to position the team for points before the half. You don't have to it for the remainder of the game if your down by 21 with 7 mins left in the 2nd quarter.

That game was so frustrating to watch.

[Eskimo]

I can't even fathom why he is still running it so much. This is a great report from Bob. 4 years this has been going on?? I don't understand why he hasn't tweaked it yet?

Poor reading skills here.

We haven't run it much except when we are behind and losing.

The reason we don't run it much is because our OL can provide the passblocking needed to make it effective. All we accomplish is getting Romo killed.

[Eskimo]

With their highly touted cast of skill position players, it's astounding how poor the Cowboys have been in S11 over the years. They're not just ineffective in it. They're incompetent on a keystone cop level. You might as well put on a Benny Hill soundtrack.

With players like Witten, Austin, Bryant, and now Robinson, they should be racking up yards and points like Mike Leach's Red Raiders. But they're doing just the opposite.

The line is arguably the biggest culprit in this, but lately, I wonder if Romo doesn't shoulder more of the blame. Perhaps he's simply not and never will be a quarterback in the Manning, Brady, Brees, Rodgers, and Rivers mold. Lately, it seems that Romo needs to be protected by play calling and a strong running game. It's not that the Cowboys can't win with Romo. It's that his role needs strict boundaries.

If that's the case, I think the Cowboys are destined for a sub-.500 finish. Their line and running game simply aren't strong enough to save Romo from himself.

I think your conclusions are woefully off base.

Romo has never been protected by the running game. His entire time here we have never had much more than an adequate running game. Much of the yardage we have gotten here has been out of draws which we run well mainly because Romo is so good at freezing linebackers with his body language.

The reason we can't pass effectively out a spread formation is because we can't pass block. Go back to 2006/7 when we actually had a decent OL and you will find that Romo was probably pretty effective in spread formations. Since 2008 we haven't been nearly as productive because the OL has steadily regressed. It has been downright awful the last two years.

[ScipioCowboy]

I think your conclusions are woefully off base.

Romo has never been protected by the running game. His entire time here we have never had much more than an adequate running game. Much of the yardage we have gotten here has been out of draws which we run well mainly because Romo is so good at freezing linebackers with his body language.

The reason we can't pass effectively out a spread formation is because we can't pass block. Go back to 2006/7 when we actually had a decent OL and you will find that Romo was probably pretty effective in spread formations. Since 2008 we haven't been nearly as productive because the OL has steadily regressed. It has been downright awful the last two years.

Untrue.

In 2009, which was arguably Romo's best season, the Cowboys had the 7th ranked running game (http://www.nfl.com/stats/categorystats?tabSeq=2&offensiveStatisticCategory=RUSHING&conference=ALL&role=TM&season=2009&seasonType=REG&d-447263-s=RUSHING_YARDS_PER_GAME_AVG&d-447263-o=2&d-447263-n=1). As Bob Sturm as pointed out numerous times, the Cowboys of recent seasons have been most effective passing the ball out of "run-first" formations. Outside of 2007, they've been ineffective and borderline incompetent out of spread formations.

Pass blocking certainly plays a factor. You'll get no argument from me there. However, one quality season out of five using spread formations seems like a statistical aberration.

I've been one of Romo's most stalwart defenders. He's not a bad quarterback by any stretch. But it might be time we start heeding the admonitions of people such as Babe Laufenberg when it comes to Romo.

[dooomsday]

C'mon. What would Romo have to do with passing? Its the dreaded S11 no one uses to break records as is happening around the league right now. Garrett put Romo up to fluttering passes and dying ducks. I figure since we know Austin and Bennett cant catch Garrett has told Romo to put a lil something on the ball so maybe a pass that appears uncatchable will get tipped and somehow end up in the receivers grasp. Like the one to Robinson. Its low % but its the only chance we have with Boy Blunder and his pop gun passes.

Give it to Choice! We'll save 67 mil!

[JPostSam]

I understand we were in shotgun almost 80% of the time on Sunday due to a 21 point deficit but the score was 21-0 in a little more than a quarter and a half. Why would any rational thinking coach decide to scrap a game plan with almost 3 full quarters of football left to play?

Has this team of players ever scored 3 touchdowns in 3 quarters? Yep.

Did they have to go exclusive shotgun to do it? Nope.

This.

It would have been entirely acceptable to run the ball to slow down the Eagles defense, or stick to whatever game plan they had going in, to catch up over the course of the game. There was plenty of time left, with no need to panic.

Trying to make up that huge deficit quickly not only didn't work, but it gave the Eagles offense more time to keep racking up points, and it gave the Eagles defense more confidence that they could stop the few plays we were using.

[Wolfpack]

This.

It would have been entirely acceptable to run the ball to slow down the Eagles defense, or stick to whatever game plan they had going in, to catch up over the course of the game. There was plenty of time left, with no need to panic.

Trying to make up that huge deficit quickly not only didn't work, but it gave the Eagles offense more time to keep racking up points, and it gave the Eagles defense more confidence that they could stop the few plays we were using.

Red doesn't get that. He wants to outsmart n outscore everyone.

If he gets behind, he panics and goes s11 or off the reservation. Needs an Oc to help him calm down.

[Eskimo]

Untrue.

In 2009, which was arguably Romo's best season, the Cowboys had the 7th ranked running game (http://www.nfl.com/stats/categorystats?tabSeq=2&offensiveStatisticCategory=RUSHING&conference=ALL&role=TM&season=2009&seasonType=REG&d-447263-s=RUSHING_YARDS_PER_GAME_AVG&d-447263-o=2&d-447263-n=1). As Bob Sturm as pointed out numerous times, the Cowboys of recent seasons have been most effective passing the ball out of "run-first" formations. Outside of 2007, they've been ineffective and borderline incompetent out of spread formations.

Pass blocking certainly plays a factor. You'll get no argument from me there. However, one quality season out of five using spread formations seems like a statistical aberration.

I've been one of Romo's most stalwart defenders. He's not a bad quarterback by any stretch. But it might be time we start heeding the admonitions of people such as Babe Laufenberg when it comes to Romo.

The 2009 Cowboys were not a very good running team. Much of that yardage came off of trickery. A surprising small amount of it came on straight runs. We routinely could not gain a single yard when we needed it much of that year.

The numbers look good partly because Felix had some great long runs and partly because that was the year that Romo started running that "freeze draw" that defenses had a hard time deciphering.

I would like us to run the ball effectively as we will be a much better offense. The last time I think we were decent running the ball was 2007. It is very important in our division to run effectively because of how aggressive the Giants and Eagles DLs are. However, both can give up yards on the ground and it wears on their passrushers some. It would also keep us out of third and long which their DLs feast on.

Improving the running game should be the number one priority this offseason. Major investments are needed on the interior in the draft and FA.

[JIGGYFLY]

The 2009 Cowboys were not a very good running team. Much of that yardage came off of trickery. A surprising small amount of it came on straight runs. We routinely could not gain a single yard when we needed it much of that year.

The numbers look good partly because Felix had some great long runs and partly because that was the year that Romo started running that "freeze draw" that defenses had a hard time deciphering.

I would like us to run the ball effectively as we will be a much better offense. The last time I think we were decent running the ball was 2007. It is very important in our division to run effectively because of how aggressive the Giants and Eagles DLs are. However, both can give up yards on the ground and it wears on their passrushers some. It would also keep us out of third and long which their DLs feast on.

Improving the running game should be the number one priority this offseason. Major investments are needed on the interior in the draft and FA.

How wrong can you be most of are yardage in 2009 came from the 22 package and from overloading one side with both tackles, just read sturms stuff from 2009 and you will see.

Here is a brief excerpt on the running game of 2009

http://sturminator.blogspot.com/2009/12/game-plan-friday-washington-redskins.html

1) - Continue to listen to your Identity - The Cowboys have been doing this for 14 weeks and surely, by now, they have proven to Norm and anyone else who did not believe it that they are a top-notch power football team that plays its best football with Romo under center and the threat of a run. This threat may or may not be real, but it is present. From there, they can do so many things and spread the ball in so many directions. There are times (Green Bay, December 2008) where they forget this identity and attempt to switch to the Saints/Patriots offense. But, this is who they are. This is what they do.

And if want to do more research go here and look at his breakdowns on packages used in the the running game, he has a chart for each week under his decoding articles.

http://sturminator.blogspot.com/search?updated-min=2009-01-01T00%3A00%3A00-06%3A00&updated-max=2010-01-01T00%3A00%3A00-06%3A00&max-results=50

[casmith07]

They attempt to switch to a Saints/Patriots offense in formation only. We do not ever run the same routes that they run. Ever. No drags, no quick digs, no quick slants, no double tight in the slot up the seam.

Everything feels like a 15 yard dig, 20 yard post, 15 yard slant, 15 yard out. Barely any three step drops. Everything is 5 to 7 steps or shotgun.

Subtlety about shotgun -- when I played CB, our defensive linemen loved when the opponent came out in shotgun. Why? Because the offensive linemen were already out of their stance, which meant the D-Line was lower than the O-Line and had the leverage before the ball was ever snapped. This made it easy to collapse the pocket and get after the QB, which made it a lot of fun for us DBs and LBs to pick off duck passes due to pressure or QB hits.

We play our best football from under center -- even the freeze draw! We should only be in shotgun in the 2 minute offense or 3rd and long, IMO. Or on the (I know) goal line, and run the ole Romo sneak we used to run - spread 5 wide, QB draw for 6 points. Nobody expects Romo to run anymore because he's too busy doing 5-7 step drops. Which by the way end up with a loss of 5-10 yards on a sack instead of 2-5 yards with a 3-stepper.

[CCBoy]

The 2009 Cowboys were not a very good running team. Much of that yardage came off of trickery. A surprising small amount of it came on straight runs. We routinely could not gain a single yard when we needed it much of that year.

The numbers look good partly because Felix had some great long runs and partly because that was the year that Romo started running that "freeze draw" that defenses had a hard time deciphering.

I would like us to run the ball effectively as we will be a much better offense. The last time I think we were decent running the ball was 2007. It is very important in our division to run effectively because of how aggressive the Giants and Eagles DLs are. However, both can give up yards on the ground and it wears on their passrushers some. It would also keep us out of third and long which their DLs feast on.

Improving the running game should be the number one priority this offseason. Major investments are needed on the interior in the draft and FA.

We forgot to warn you about a Jiggy, Scipio tag team match...kind of like the WWF Sheep Herders in a ring....and Cas gave the final view. Good posts, yourself.

I know, a non-burn barrel life is a strain for some here...:)

[CCBoy]

Gameplan gone by the wayside in Philly

Bob Sturm
http://www.foxsportssouthwest.com/11/01/11/Gameplan-gone-by-the-wayside-in-Philly/landing_cowboys.html?blockID=594156&feedID=4679



Some weeks you can learn a lot about the week of preparation for a game by simply breaking down every movement of a football game. There are other weeks, like the game in Philadelphia on Sunday Night that you look at the game and realize that you cannot learn much of anything.

We discussed at great length on Monday about the game plan of Rob Ryan that in some respects seemed sound and well conceived before the game began. Sometimes, what looks like a great idea on the chalkboard does not work on the field. There are multiple reasons for this discrepancy; sometimes the coaches are sabotaged by poor execution on the field by their players. Sometimes, the opposing coach anticipates your tactics and has a plan in place to make you look silly. Sometimes, it is both. On those days the scoreboard will usually indicate a result that will not require a long-term examination. When you lose 34-7, you can learn from the film study, but it won't be enjoyable.

And when a defensive game plan is so soundly defeated, that by the time your offense takes its 9th snap they are already behind 21-0, then you never truly know what Jason Garrett had planned for the Eagles. Whatever Garrett was going to try to exploit on that Eagles defense will never see the light of day due to the events of the 1st Quarter. The entire coaching process of building a sound strategy for his offensive unit was wasted because of the ambush the Eagles executed to perfection....

[Chocolate Lab]

How wrong can you be most of are yardage in 2009 came from the 22 package and from overloading one side with both tackles, just read sturms stuff from 2009 and you will see.

Here is a brief excerpt on the running game of 2009

http://sturminator.blogspot.com/2009/12/game-plan-friday-washington-redskins.html


And if want to do more research go here and look at his breakdowns on packages used in the the running game, he has a chart for each week under his decoding articles.

http://sturminator.blogspot.com/search?updated-min=2009-01-01T00%3A00%3A00-06%3A00&updated-max=2010-01-01T00%3A00%3A00-06%3A00&max-results=50

Yep.

I don't buy that we (Garrett) have honestly wanted to run the ball for years but just haven't been able to do it. It was Wade who had to come out after that 2008 season and say (paraphrasing), "We have to run the ball better next year. We just have to. It will balance the offense and protect Tony." Remember that was the year when we had games like the Redskins loss where we only ran it like 10 times all game and lost... And Tony had been knocked out with the broken hand and then gotten the serious thigh bruise late in the year against the Giants.

And then the next year, we did put more of a focus on it and improved greatly at it. (That was also when Wade tried to bring in Dan Reeves to specialize on that until the deal got blown up at the last second.) So it can't have been the head coach that wanted to throw it all the time.

Besides that evidence, has anyone heard of a defensive-oriented HC who doesn't like to run the ball? I can't think of one.

I've been screaming for years for us to try to run it more, like the Giants do. But Garrett simply hasn't wanted to.