Decoding Garrett - Week 13 - At Cincinnati

[proline]

http://sturminator.blogspot.com/2012...incinnati.html

Tuesday, December 11, 2012


Decoding Garrett - Week 13 - At Cincinnati




Aside from the very unique circumstances to the win in Cincinnati, we should not completely lose sight of the fact that the offense had the least productive outing in 2012. With just 288 total yards of offense (despite an above-average 70 snaps), the production was quite modest. In fact, the final 2 drives produced 118 yards, or the Cowboys offense would have flirted with a rare sub-250 day, which hasn't happened in a Tony Romo-started game since December of 2007. Those days are normally reserved for Brad Johnson, Stephen McGee, or Jon Kitna starts, and game plans that simply are constructed to avert risk from the moment the Cowboys run out of the tunnel.

All roads of explanation lead us back to the match-up at the line of scrimmage. I promise, I do not try to make every "Decoding Garrett" review about the fact that this team's offensive line cannot block with any regularity the teams on their schedule, but it seems to reveal itself as anyone observing a Cowboys game can see an offense that is constantly under siege.

And what makes matters worse, is that the Cowboys are not a horrible team at picking up blitzes. What this means is that teams do not trouble Romo on blitz plays any worse than they seem to bother a normal NFL offense. But, where the Cowboys really have failing grades across the board all season long seems to be the plays where the opponent is just rushing the front 4.

A successful offense must be able to block 4 pass rushers with 5 offensive linemen most (if not all) of the time. If a team cannot, it has two choices - both bad. Either leave their tight end and their running back in to help - this leaves 7 defensive players covering just 2 or 3 targets - or run routes that can develop in less than 2.5 seconds so as not to ask the offensive line to hold up. The trouble with the first option is nobody can get open because they are all doubled and the trouble with the latter is the defense reacts and pushes up to defend all shallow routes, making all openings smaller and smaller for a QB under duress to find.

[DFWJC]

Just awesome stuff.

He does it every week. No cherry picking or glossing over anything; he tells it as it is.

Bob Sturm should be required reading for everyone who wishes to enter a discussion regarding the Cowboys offense, QB, and Oline.....probably play-calling as well.

[Heisenberg]

As usual, a great article.

[onetrickpony]

The Sturminator is on target most of the time and this article is no different.

I will say that you should not need elite blockers to win the majority of snaps where the blockers have a 5 on 4 advantage against the D. But this line is so far from elite they wouldn't know it if they tripped over it.

I hate to say it but this team has so many holes, it's going to take some great luck in the draft to plug even half of them. If any of our injured starters can't return to their previous form, we are in even worse trouble.

[Oh_Canada]

Originally Posted by onetrickpony

The Sturminator is on target most of the time and this article is no different.

I will say that you should not need elite blockers to win the majority of snaps where the blockers have a 5 on 4 advantage against the D. But this line is so far from elite they wouldn't know it if they tripped over it.

I hate to say it but this team has so many holes, it's going to take some great luck in the draft to plug even half of them. If any of our injured starters can't return to their previous form, we are in even worse trouble.

I disagree...the only question mark is Church. If he returns healthy and productive this team can be a force with additions to the oline and pass rush alone.

[onetrickpony]

Originally Posted by Oh_Canada

I disagree...the only question mark is Church. If he returns healthy and productive this team can be a force with additions to the oline and pass rush alone.

I think you are missing a few:

3 or 4 O-linemen plus backups (could use the whole draft here)
Backup RB (Jones won't be back)
Nose tackle/Dline (Rat's injuries and attitude issues may send him down the road)

That's not including any of the injured guys not returning and someone always quits or retires. Has Austin ever made a full season on his hammies? None of the WR backups have stood out when thay have had a chance to show what they could do.

Pessimistic? Maybe, but it sure looks like a lot of holes to fill in one off-season.

[Oh_Canada]

Originally Posted by onetrickpony

I think you are missing a few:

3 or 4 O-linemen plus backups (could use the whole draft here)
Backup RB (Jones won't be back)
Nose tackle/Dline (Rat's injuries and attitude issues may send him down the road)

That's not including any of the injured guys not returning and someone always quits or retires. Has Austin ever made a full season on his hammies? None of the WR backups have stood out when thay have had a chance to show what they could do.

Pessimistic? Maybe, but it sure looks like a lot of holes to fill in one off-season.

Three or four olineman??? That's ridiculous. Upgrade Free and maybe Bernardeau and they'll be fine.

I bet Laurent Robinson gets cut-they'll be able to pick him cheap.

Backup is not difficult to find. Mendenhall won't be a souught after commodity considering he bailed on the Skeevers.

Like I said draft pass rush (dline/olb) and oline and they'll be ok.