Off-Season Priority #1: Find A Running Game - Dallas Cowboys Forum

TheFinisher · 01-01-2013

Unfortunately, we are not one of those teams that can be a contender relying heavily on the pass. Romo is a capable QB, but if we continue to put too much on his shoulders we're going to continue watching the playoffs from home. All is not lost and we do not have to blow things up, but we absolutely MUST develop a good running game to give ourselves a chance. It's going to help the QB by slowing down the pass rush AND the defense by keeping them off the field. The running game is the foundation of every good balanced offense, and its what we've been missing during the Romo/Garrett era.

Even if all we do this off-season is bring in some road graders up front and a complementary bell-cow to Murray, we'll still see a much improved team come September. Get back to basics, pound the rock.

miamicowboy21 · 01-01-2013

This draft is full of offensive lineman and defensive lineman. 80 percent of our draft must be devoted to both sides of the line thats where these games are won.

TheFinisher · 01-01-2013

Here's a stat that doesn't get much play but has as much to do with our lack of success in recent years as anything else:

Our last 1,000 yard rusher was Emmitt Smith.

Let that marinate.

zack · 01-01-2013

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheFinisher

Here's a stat that doesn't get much play but has as much to do with our lack of success in recent years as anything else:

Our last 1,000 yard rusher was Emmitt Smith.

Let that marinate.

Actually it was Julius Jones in 2006. But this is what the team needs to be successful on offense. Romo is more than capable and he would excel if he had the Seahawks, Redskins, 49ers, Vikings running games. Can you imagine if we had a good running game?

But is Garrett really committed to doing this? Even in the game against the Skins, Romo threw it 40 times.

egn22 · 01-01-2013

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheFinisher

Here's a stat that doesn't get much play but has as much to do with our lack of success in recent years as anything else:

Our last 1,000 yard rusher was Emmitt Smith.

Let that marinate.

You can't possibly be serious. Are you kidding me??????

TheFinisher · 01-01-2013

Quote:

Originally Posted by egn22

You can't possibly be serious. Are you kidding me??????

Ok so Julius Jones did it once about 7 years ago, crucify me.

The point still stands that the lack of a running game has hurt us since The Romo/Garrett era started.

TheFinisher · 01-01-2013

Quote:

Originally Posted by zack

Actually it was Julius Jones in 2006. But this is what the team needs to be successful on offense. Romo is more than capable and he would excel if he had the Seahawks, Redskins, 49ers, Vikings running games. Can you imagine if we had a good running game?

But is Garrett really committed to doing this? Even in the game against the Skins, Romo threw it 40 times.

Yea I forgot Jones did it once, but its still a troubling stat.

We need a run game.

CaptainMorgan · 01-01-2013

We often talk about the mess of sub par QB's we had to contend with between Aikman and Romo but we hardly ever talk about the failed attempts to shore up the RB position since Emmitt. Its as equally embarrassing.

Chocolate Lab · 01-01-2013

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheFinisher

Ok so Julius Jones did it once about 7 years ago, crucify me.

I don't think he was mad at you, I think he was appalled that it's been that long.

As you point out, if *might* not be coincidental that 2006 was the last time we had a different OC.

dogberry · 01-01-2013

I'd go for a line that can pass block.

CowboysYanksLakers · 01-01-2013

Whether Murray is the answer or not they must find a reliable running back who's going to be on the field 95% of the season. I'm sick of these fragile running backs in Dallas.

Cajuncowboy · 01-01-2013

Quote:

Originally Posted by CaptainMorgan

We often talk about the mess of sub par QB's we had to contend with between Aikman and Romo but we hardly ever talk about the failed attempts to shore up the RB position since Emmitt. Its as equally embarrassing.

That ship sailed when we passed on Stephen Jackson for Julius. That still irritates the living crap out of me.

CowboysYanksLakers · 01-01-2013

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cajuncowboy

That ship sailed when we passed on Stephen Jackson for Julius. That still irritates the living crap out of me.

I know... Parcells wasn't the genius folks claim he was.

TheFinisher · 01-01-2013

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chocolate Lab

I don't think he was mad at you, I think he was appalled that it's been that long.

As you point out, if *might* not be coincidental that 2006 was the last time we had a different OC.

Oh, I apologize then lol. Internet misinterpretation.

Venger · 01-01-2013

You get a line that can effectively block, and the re-animated corpse of Walter Payton can get you 4.2 yards per carry.

We don't need to lead the league but we MUST get consistent yardage on a running down. We don't need to pop for huge yardage but we cannot have the kind of game where we have an enormous number of runs of 1 yard or less. Even three yards on a carry make an enormous difference in makeability on your next play. This also translates into effective short yardage running - if we need one yard, we need to be able to run for one yard. Don't need five, just one. And that almost always comes back to blocking.

As noted, Murray has health issues, but I still believe the key is not the runner per se but consistent blocking at the line.