FWST: Cowboys offense trying to cut down on mistakes

[WoodysGirl]

Posted Monday, Sep. 24, 2012
By Jimmy Burch
jburch@star-telegram.com

IRVING -- The Dallas Cowboys' offense snapped the ball 66 times in Sunday's 16-10 escape against Tampa Bay and experienced negative results on 24 occasions.

The total includes turnovers, penalties and plays that resulted in lost yardage. But the biggest culprit was 13 penalties for 105 yards, including six false starts. Such numbers are way beyond the team's area of acceptability, coach Jason Garrett said Monday.

"Zero is the target area, obviously. And that's what we have to get to," Garrett said. "Ironically enough, we did a lot of good things on offense. But we did them from second-and-11, second-and-16, third-and-long. There were a lot of situations that made it very difficult to run our offense."

Read more here: http://www.star-telegram.com/2012/09/24/4285770/cowboys-offense-trying-to-cut.html#storylink=cpy

[Dave_in-NC]

No kidding? In other news the ocean is big AND wet.;)

[Doomsday101]

No doubt it is hard to run and offense when you are constantly looking at poor down and distance situation created by the penalties we are taking.

[Idgit]

No doubt it is hard to run and offense when you are constantly looking at poor down and distance situation created by the penalties we are taking.

Not just the penalties (penalty plays should not be counted in the play count numbers in the OP, btw). Even the negative runs last week were putting us in tough down/distance situations.

It's so much easier calling plays at 3rd and 2 than it is 3rd and 9. And all it takes is one low-percentage situation to end an otherwise promising drive. With as many penalties, drops, sacks, and negative runs as we've had, it's no wonder the offense is struggling so much. Some of that (especially the penalties and the drops) are quickly fixable. Once the passing game threat is more credible (ie, down and distances are manageable), the running game can loosen up a bit. These are little things that snowball to make the O look a lot more of a liability than it hopefully is. I think we'll get it sorted, but maybe not against that Bear front this week. This game's looking like another messy defensive slug fest on both sides.

[Doomsday101]

Not just the penalties (penalty plays should not be counted in the play count numbers in the OP, btw). Even the negative runs last week were putting us in tough down/distance situations.

It's so much easier calling plays at 3rd and 2 than it is 3rd and 9. And all it takes is one low-percentage situation to end an otherwise promising drive. With as many penalties, drops, sacks, and negative runs as we've had, it's no wonder the offense is struggling so much. Some of that (especially the penalties and the drops) are quickly fixable. Once the passing game threat is more credible (ie, down and distances are manageable), the running game can loosen up a bit. These are little things that snowball to make the O look a lot more of a liability than it hopefully is. I think we'll get it sorted, but maybe not against that Bear front this week. This game's looking like another messy defensive slug fest on both sides.

I agree. People talk about predictable well when you are looking at long yardage situation you become very predictable. Defense knows you are limited in what calls are made when they have you in 2nd and 15 or 3rd and 10, it is not hard to figure out. Right now defense is playing pretty good ball and will have to carry a big load until this offense can get their act together.

[Idgit]

I agree. People talk about predictable well when you are looking at long yardage situation you become very predictable. Defense knows you are limited in what calls are made when they have you in 2nd and 15 or 3rd and 10, it is not hard to figure out...

Yep. Take the down and distance calls (how many 3rd and 12 plays you have on your play sheet), and couple them with the fact that JGs offense is predicated on taking what the defense gives it, and you get your explanation for the offense being predictable. And I guess it is, if by 'predictable' you mean 'they're always going to attack us at our weakest point.' It's not a liability, though.

The liability is not getting the unit in positions where the plays you call can be successful in the first place. Or outright dropping conversions or having them called back for penalties on the low-percentage third-and-long calls you manage to make correctly.

[visionary]

:laugh2: :laugh2:

after only 5 years as OC garrett realizes we should cut down on penalties

how many years before he learns that we have to score more points than the opposition to win the game?