Offensive Personnel Packages and why adding Pollard more might help

[Bobhaze]

A few weeks ago, Dallas Radio man and writer Bob Sturm posted a good overview of NFL Personnel packages, and I have included the Twitter link below to show the graphic he used.


According to the graphic, there are 11 basic offensive personnel groupings, all based on having 5 skill position players in addition to the QB. The grouping numbers used to identify packages are based on the number of RBs (first number) and number of TEs (second number) All sets include the traditional 5 OL.

In 2019, the Cowboys used the 11 package for nearly 67% of its plays, followed by the 12 package about 18% of its plays.

Many of us on these boards have voiced a desire to see Tony Pollard have a larger role in the offense. In his rookie year, he had 101 touches in 15 games- about 6.5 touches per game, which was actually pretty good. The only problem with Pollard’s use last year was how few times both he and Zeke were on the field together. When Pollard was in, Zeke usually wasn’t. When Pollard was in the game last year, he was very often getting the ball, making it easier for defenses to be prepared.

What I think would make the overall offense better, would be placing both Pollard and Zeke on the field together more often- maybe 5 plays a game, giving defenses something else to think about in an already talented bevy of skill position players to worry about.

Mike McCarthy is known for his creative use of offensive personnel. This should be fun to watch.

 

[Future]

Pollard only gives you a matchup advantage while on the field at the same time as Zeke if he's a threat in the slot in the passing game. He hasn't shown to be that.

 

[cowboygo]

Lets start by spelling Pollard more in the run game and keeping Zeke fresh. Once we have that down, have them on the field at the same time.

 

[75boyz]

A few weeks ago, Dallas Radio man and writer Bob Sturm posted a good overview of NFL Personnel packages, and I have included the Twitter link below to show the graphic he used.


According to the graphic, there are 11 basic offensive personnel groupings, all based on having 5 skill position players in addition to the QB. The grouping numbers used to identify packages are based on the number of RBs (first number) and number of TEs (second number) All sets include the traditional 5 OL.

In 2019, the Cowboys used the 11 package for nearly 67% of its plays, followed by the 12 package about 18% of its plays.

Many of us on these boards have voiced a desire to see Tony Pollard have a larger role in the offense. In his rookie year, he had 101 touches in 15 games- about 6.5 touches per game, which was actually pretty good. The only problem with Pollard’s use last year was how few times both he and Zeke were on the field together. When Pollard was in, Zeke usually wasn’t. When Pollard was in the game last year, he was very often getting the ball, making it easier for defenses to be prepared.

What I think would make the overall offense better, would be placing both Pollard and Zeke on the field together more often- maybe 5 plays a game, giving defenses something else to think about in an already talented bevy of skill position players to worry about.

Mike McCarthy is known for his creative use of offensive personnel. This should be fun to watch.

I like the idea but going by his history of RB usage with the Pack, McCarthy hasn't exactly bowled me over with creativity in the use of one or 2 back schemes.

Believe me, I'm all for something resembling and taking advantage of a 2 back dynamic duo skill set similar to past pairings of maybe a Tevin Coleman and Devonta Freeman in Atlanta or definitely with the impact of that past Ingram and Kamala pair in New Orleans.

As a couple, are these 2 capable of meeting these aforementioned guy's abilities?

Maybe.

As with everything else in this whole McCarthy saves the day as HC narrative, seeing is believing with me.

Hope has always been a pretty strongly endorsed strategy around here I guess, lol.

 

[Bullflop]

It's all about being less predictable, regardless of what's been done in the past. The Cowboys' history with Garrett in charge didn't include having both Zeke and Pollard available in tandem enough to keep defenses guessing. Regardless of what MM might have done with GB in the past, it would likely serve him very well to embrace such an idea. His recent experience with analytics should bear that out.

Hopefully, McCarthy will see fit allow Kellen Moore more to include both Pollard and Zeke more than what Dallas has done in the past. Failure to do so is one of the things that rendered the Cowboys offense too predictable in the past. Let's just see if it happens in the future, as it apparently should. Pollard has already proven himself far too valuable to make his usage overly predictable.

 

[cern]

Most of us can think of better ways to get Zeke and pollard in the game simultaneously. Surely mccarthy will be able.

 

[Bullflop]

Most of us can think of better ways to get Zeke and pollard in the game simultaneously. Surely mccarthy will be able.

Exactly -- maybe his experience with analytics will convince him to try something that holds hope for better things to come.

After all, history teaches us that the mistakes of the past should fortunately help us to do things much better in the future.

 

[Bobhaze]

Most of us can think of better ways to get Zeke and pollard in the game simultaneously. Surely mccarthy will be able.

Too many fans think by Pollard being on the field more that it somehow takes away some of Zeke’s effectiveness or god forbid, his stats. (The stats that matter most are wins of course)

Actually, I believe having them both on the field at the same time more makes it tougher on defenses because it just adds another possible problem for them to think about.

 

[Tangle_Foot]

I like our cards and I trust them in the hands of McCarthy and Moore when they're at the table. It's a pretty good hand that offers flexibility in strategy.

I think we'll call

 

[MyFairLady]

Man we are gonna light up below average defenses like crazy next year. Can hardly wait.

 

[cern]

Too many fans think by Pollard being on the field more that it somehow takes away some of Zeke’s effectiveness or god forbid, his stats. (The stats that matter most are wins of course)

Actually, I believe having them both on the field at the same time more makes it tougher on defenses because it just adds another possible problem for them to think about.

I agree. Both can run. Both are good receivers. Either can be a mismatch nightmare for lb's in coverage. Doesn't have to be just on 3rd downs.

 

[Typhus]

I agree. Both can run. Both are good receivers. Either can be a mismatch nightmare for lb's in coverage. Doesn't have to be just on 3rd downs.

Its always about matchups, and who can beat their man, their player assignment.
That was always the issue with the past regime, JG had is good qualities, he keeps a locker room in order.
A real coach and maybe MM is, understands the Xs and Os of the game,, its not complicated, its all about miss matches.
Just having running back depth may seem revolutionary to us, because as Cowboys fans we have been waiting …….
Pollard is here to stay, and we finally have that piece that, that player, that can open the can, open this offense up and exploit a mismatch.
Exploiting a mismatch is really essential, always has been, but has been ignored for several reasons for several years, we have the ability to
exploit most defenses now.

 

[Bobhaze]

I agree. Both can run. Both are good receivers. Either can be a mismatch nightmare for lb's in coverage. Doesn't have to be just on 3rd downs.

Even just 4-5 plays a game using both Zeke and Pollard in a package would give defensive coordinators some extra wrinkles to prepare for.

 

[75boyz]

Man we are gonna light up below average defenses like crazy next year. Can hardly wait.

Lol, I chuckle in agreement with you.

 

[CowboyRoy]

Pollard only gives you a matchup advantage while on the field at the same time as Zeke if he's a threat in the slot in the passing game. He hasn't shown to be that.

Couple things here:

-Pollard has shown that when in there, he is actually more of a threat than Zeke at RB
-Pollard hasn't really been used in the slot, so for you to act like he has shown he isn't capable is because they haven't put him there. Its obvious to anyone that the guy would be great at it.

 

[Techsass]

So who has to come off of the field when both Zeke & Pollard are in together? I'm guessing probably Jarwin or whoever is playing the slot, but maybe it's one of the outside guys.

Do we really want Pollard in the slot over CeeDee or Amari?

 

[quickccc]

Lets start by spelling Pollard more in the run game and keeping Zeke fresh. Once we have that down, have them on the field at the same time.

i don't see how that's likely to happen when consider the number of possessions, momentum of the game, scoring territory,closing the game,.. with a player and a reputation like Zeke, and also considering how much they have invested in him, it's not likely to be a shared backfield and such roles such as we've seen some prominent teams when thinking of the better past the 1-2 punch RB duo, such as Raheem Mostert/ Tevin Coleman of Niners, .. Pat's Sony Michel and James White.. or even when there was Mark Ingram and Alvin Kamara with the Saints.

With Pollard, i think it's gonna be the usual spelling zeke in every 3rd series of the game, and only times there'd be dual presences in the game at the same time, is with a 20 Personnel look.. (2 running backs, 0 tight ends, 3 wide receivers)
- with Pollard flexed in motion out of the backfield; or in a run formation in one of McCarthy's mis-direction formations where he'd actually be required to run block.

if Pollard's touches is to be increased, it will come at someone else's expense,and that won't be Zeke,.. and how i'm seeing it, it stands a chance it will be from Blake Jarwin .... than Zeke or the three amigo WR's.

 

[cowboyec]

preston pearson 2.0.
only good things can happen when we get pollard more involved.

 

[cowboygo]

i don't see how that's likely to happen when consider the number of possessions, momentum of the game, scoring territory,closing the game,.. with a player and a reputation like Zeke, and also considering how much they have invested in him, it's not likely to be a shared backfield and such roles such as we've seen some prominent teams when thinking of the better past the 1-2 punch RB duo, such as Raheem Mostert/ Tevin Coleman of Niners, .. Pat's Sony Michel and James White.. or even when there was Mark Ingram and Alvin Kamara with the Saints.

With Pollard, i think it's gonna be the usual spelling zeke in every 3rd series of the game, and only times there'd be dual presences in the game at the same time, is with a 20 Personnel look.. (2 running backs, 0 tight ends, 3 wide receivers)
- with Pollard flexed in motion out of the backfield; or in a run formation in one of McCarthy's mis-direction formations where he'd actually be required to run block.

if Pollard's touches is to be increased, it will come at someone else's expense,and that won't be Zeke,.. and how i'm seeing it, it stands a chance it will be from Blake Jarwin .... than Zeke or the three amigo WR's.

thats jason garrett kind of thinking. which is why jason witten got the majority of the snaps and why Zeke had 300+ carries. If Pollard's touches are to be increased, it should come from Zeke. It doesn't have to be a 50/50 or a 60/40 1-2 punch like the backfields you mentioned. In 2019, it was 77/22 between Zeke and Pollard. Going to 70/30 will keep Zeke fresh and healthier. You just have to give 2 carries a game more to Pollard that comes from Zeke to get to that 70/30.

Will it happen? Dunno. But I think its better for the team.

 

[Bobhaze]

So who has to come off of the field when both Zeke & Pollard are in together? I'm guessing probably Jarwin or whoever is playing the slot, but maybe it's one of the outside guys.

Do we really want Pollard in the slot over CeeDee or Amari?

Sometimes yes. Cedee Lamb is going to play a lot. But...It’s the changes in patterns that make things difficult for defenses. In today’s game, you never play anyone in the same position or package all the time. Under Garrett, this team was one of the most predictable offenses in the NFL. And we were still pretty good. Imagine what’s possible with some deception.