The Cowboys problem is not that Complicated

[xwalker]

I have seen all types of reasoning about the Cowboys problems this season both on CowboysZone and in the media. Some are very detailed like Dez’s route running and some are repeats forever (It’s Jerry). A partial list:

Romo has lost it.
Dez ran the wrong route.
Austin has issues.
Ogletree is an idiot.
Garrett – Play calling, time management, leadership, turnovers, etc..
Fumbles
Interceptions
Defense does not create turnovers.
Felix is an idiot.
Witten slowing down.
It’s Jerry, Jerrah, Jerra, Jethro.
No home team advantage.
Nepotism with the Jones and Garrett families.
Rob Ryan’s haircut.
Trainers suck because of too many hamstring issues.
Special teams are terrible.

While all the above may be true to some extent or another, the primary problem is:

The Cowboys can’t consistently RUN the Ball.

If you listen to Defensive Coordinators, Defensive Players and Defensive coaches, you always hear “we have to stop the run 1st”. Rob Ryan says, if we stop the run, then we can play defense “our way”.

If you can’t run the ball, then you have these issues:

QB’s have to throw into much tighter windows.
WR’s have to operate in much tigher spaces. Routes have to be much more precise.
Playcaller’s are severely hampered.
Safeties don’t bite on play action.
You score field-goals when you were in position to score touchdowns.
You give the other offense more time on the field.
Players and coaches start “pressing” because they feel desperate. Turnovers increase.
Playing from behind allows the other defense to “tee-off ” on the QB.
Playing with a “weak hand” causes coaches to take risks like Dez on Punts returns.

Possible Solutions for 2013:

http://cowboyszone.com/forums/showth...80#post4816580

[Frozen700]

Originally Posted by xwalker

I have seen all types of reasoning about the Cowboys problems this season both on CowboysZone and in the media. Some are very detailed like Dez’s route running and some are repeats forever (It’s Jerry). A partial list:

Romo has lost it.
Dez ran the wrong route.
Austin has issues.
Ogletree is an idiot.
Garrett – Play calling, time management, leadership, turnovers, etc..
Fumbles
Interceptions
Defense does not create turnovers.
Felix is an idiot.
Witten slowing down.
It’s Jerry, Jerrah, Jerra, Jethro.
No home team advantage.
Nepotism with the Jones and Garrett families.
Rob Ryan’s haircut.
Trainers suck because of too many hamstring issues.
Special teams are terrible.

While all the above may be true to some extent or another, the primary problem is:

[View Full Quote]The Cowboys can’t consistently RUN the Ball.

If you listen to Defensive Coordinators, Defensive Players and Defensive coaches, you always hear “we have to stop the run 1st”. Rob Ryan says, if we stop the run, then we can play defense “our way”.

If you can’t run the ball, then you have these issues:

QB’s have to throw into much tighter windows.
WR’s have to operate in much tigher spaces. Routes have to be much more precise.
Playcaller’s are severely hampered.
Safeties don’t bite on play action.
You score field-goals when you were in position to score touchdowns.
You give the other offense more time on the field.
Players and coaches start “pressing” because they feel desperate. Turnovers increase.
Playing from behind allows the other defense to “tee-off ” on the QB.
Playing with a “weak hand” causes coaches to take risks like Dez on Punts returns.

Possible Solutions for 2013:

http://cowboyszone.com/forums/showth...80#post4816580

Yeah because running the ball well got us so far in the Baltimore game....we almost won.

Just like we almost won sunday.....

We are just an "Almost" team, that's our problem

[D29Murray]

The Cowboys can’t consistently RUN the Ball. -- SEE: S_____ Offensive Line for more details.

[GloryDaysRBack]

Been saying the exact same thing. OP is spot on.

[Idgit]

As others have noted, see: Baltimore.

The problem recently has been the turnovers. You can't win consistently turning the ball over more than you get it back on defense, and we turn the ball over a lot.

[Future]

Originally Posted by Idgit

As others have noted, see: Baltimore.

The problem recently has been the turnovers. You can't win consistently turning the ball over more than you get it back on defense, and we turn the ball over a lot.

Yea but we didn't lose the Baltimore because the offense couldn't perform. We lost because they had a special teams touchdown, missed a GW field goal, and the defense surrendered 24. Run as well as they did and score 29, your offense has certainly done its job.

But like anything, a great run game doesn't guarantee a win if the other units let you down.

[jnday]

Several us internet blow-hards seen this one back in the off-season. If we could see that some scrap heap free agents and some sorry in-house talent was not going to work, it looks like professional "football men" could see it. Despite the post claiming the line is showing improvement, they gave up four sacks and a season high eight QB hits Sunday and the run blocking was even worse. The line is simply not a priority in Dallas. They always find other positions to upgrade and they will again this offseason.

[xwalker]

Originally Posted by Future

Yea but we didn't lose the Baltimore because the offense couldn't perform. We lost because they had a special teams touchdown, missed a GW field goal, and the defense surrendered 24. Run as well as they did and score 29, your offense has certainly done its job.

But like anything, a great run game doesn't guarantee a win if the other units let you down.

Good description of the Baltimore game.

In 2013, how many games do they win if:

1. The offense plays all 16 games like they did against Baltimore.
2. The defense returns all players including Spencer.

[Kangaroo]

Originally Posted by Future

Yea but we didn't lose the Baltimore because the offense couldn't perform. We lost because they had a special teams touchdown, missed a GW field goal, and the defense surrendered 24. Run as well as they did and score 29, your offense has certainly done its job.

But like anything, a great run game doesn't guarantee a win if the other units let you down.

We where -1 in the Turn Over margin

[Nirvana]

Mistakes, mental errors, etc.

[CoCo]

Originally Posted by jnday

Several us internet blow-hards seen this one back in the off-season. If we could see that some scrap heap free agents and some sorry in-house talent was not going to work, it looks like professional "football men" could see it. Despite the post claiming the line is showing improvement, they gave up four sacks and a season high eight QB hits Sunday and the run blocking was even worse. The line is simply not a priority in Dallas. They always find other positions to upgrade and they will again this offseason.

Sacks and QB hits were of course with what 64 pass attempts - that distorts those numbers, for what its worth.

The O-line is the most significant roster need, I agree. I think there are very few people who did NOT feel that way during the offseason and preseason. The debate did and will still center around matter of degrees on that subject.

Improvement in the O-line, by whatever means will most certainly help this team. But it's not THE cause of all our turnovers, and as someone already pointed those turnovers MUST be fixed. Then there are other issues as well.

Much as I want the running game fixed, it doesn't solve everything. Then again, we don't need perfection, we need a boost to get over the hump.

[jobberone]

I agree we need a better OL. You still need WRs to run good routes in this offense or you will get TOs and lose anyway.

[Zordon]

this team just isn't consistent.

one day it's the qb throwing picks...

one day it's the running game falling apart...

one day it's the swiss cheese defense...

one day it's the "special" special teams...

sometimes everything comes together but the coach has a brain freeze....

you never know what you're going to get with this team.

[D29Murray]

FIX: OL, STs, WRs.

[Idgit]

Originally Posted by Kangaroo

We where -1 in the Turn Over margin

Yeah. That game the ST score was killer too. That's the other stat that's very difficult to overcome.