Offensive alignment that could be scary good!

[Cowboyny]

Options for 5th man: Pollard, Jarwin, Olawale, or DSmith.

DSmith gives you the classic run and gun. Big back and lots of speed and quality at WR.

Pollard, Jarwin, and Olawale are all tweeners. Pollard RB/WR, Jarwin FB/TE/WR, Olawale FB/TE/WR.

Pollard gives you the most with the ball in his hands, but less blocking. He's the max run/catch threat as the 5th.

Olawale is more when you want to pound Zeke, but keep have an over the top threat to keep the defense from loading up a big box.

Jarwin is definitely the guy to move the chains. Maybe splits downs with Smith in all pass scenarios.

Pollard as the 5th is my favorite. He's the complementary threat to Zeke that make defenses defend every player, and the entire field.

There are a lot of advantageous lineups we can put onto the field. If our OL can be productive, the sky is the limit for this offense.

 

[baltcowboy]

The best thing that could happen is if the defense doesn’t know exactly what we’re doing at all times.

We need coaching to step up.

McCarthy talked a big game to get back in the league.. Well do something then.

He has no excuses. Even if you are not a big Dak fan he should be successful with our offensive fire power. We have the most talented offensive team in the NFC from the skill positions at least.

 

[Cowboyny]

Yeah but you can't go 5 wide against them if they put their normal 1st down defense on the field. My whole point with that alignment is that you make them choose what D they put out there on 1st down and you go hurry up so they can't substitute. If they go base D, then you attack them with 5 wideouts and get 1 on 1 mismatches all over the place. If they go nickel/dime, you simply power run it down their throat. Yeah. it would be nice to have Zeke for that but he would be a liability going 5 wide so you need a RB that can be a true RB and/or a WR. That's Pollard.

You are missing the point. If you come out in a 4 wr set,1 rb, the defense will match-up with the on the field personnel. Teams aren't afraid of Pollard with smaller players, due to him being more of a speed type of player, Zeke on the other hand would be a far more difficult match-up against smaller defenders. Teams would consider playing an extra linebacker to prevent the team from running against them, due to his physical running style.

 

[baltcowboy]

In the modern NFL, secondary defense is tough. When the offense has a lot of weapons there are only two things the defense can do:

1. stop the run
2. Get to and hit the QB

thats what teams will do against us

For those reasons, Dak is going to have to connect with the bombs and take advantage of one on ones. The coaches have to game plan to exploit defensive weaknesses. Most teams have a bad Cover safety, linebacker, second and third corners. You have to take advantage of that. Zeke and Pollard in the passing game should open things up as well.

 

[TwentyOne]

The offensive skill positions lost two starters via free agency in Randall Cobb and Jason Witten.

Cobb was considered more of a slot only type of WR with good run after the catch abilities, his biggest issue over the last few years was his durability.

Jason Witten probably should of retired a few years ago. He is still sure handed, but offers little to nothing yards after the catch abilities. He is more of a liability as a blocker now, where in his prime was considered excellent in that area at his position. It's sad to see a legend aging, but father time remains undefeated.

The Cowboys invested their 1st rd pick on arguably the best receiver in the draft, a WR class that many thought was the most deep in years. Lamb as a unique skill set, his biggest strength is his run after the catch abilities. He is a receiver that has the versatility to line up anywhere and be a threat.

Blake Jarwin signed with the team as an undrafted free agent TE. He is a former WR that has transitioned to the TE position. Hasn't seen too many snaps over his career, but they liked him enough to not only protect him from signing with the Eagles, but gave him a contract extension. In my opinion, Jarwin was seldom used due to his poor inline blocking abilities. He is more of an modern age big WR, playing the TE position. Many TE's around the league are considered poor, inline blockers, but remain on the field due to being big, mismatch players in the passing game. Jarwin fits this profile and certainly will offer more run after the catch abilities then the departed Jason Witten.

The Cowboys have a third weapon that was on the roster last season, but was under utilized in Tony Pollard. Coming into the league he was a jack of all trades type of back, one who can certainly carry the football, but was an excellent space player in the passing game. His skill set is similar to that of former Cowboy Felix Jones, but more stronger/more durable. Some many say he is a poor man's Alvin Kamara.

You would think MM/Moore will design personnel groups to take advantage of his three top receivers on the field at the same time. That leaves 1 other spot where they can have a Jarwin, Pollard or even another WR in the formation.

Pollard on the field gets me most excited with the personnel grouping. How do teams defend the Cowboys if Cooper/Pollard in the slot, Gallup/Lamb on the outside and Zeke in the backfield. Do they use more of a nickel/dime package? This would make them susceptible against the run and Zeke Elliot. Do they keep an extra linebacker on the field? Who does he cover? Jarwin also can create mismatches. MM/Moore must be licking their chops at all the possibilities!!

I do consider our WR group weaker then last year. I do expect Cobb as a veteran better then CD Lamb in his first year. WRs usually take 2-3 years until they really do have an impact. Unless they are Moss or whomever.

So were did we go with all the talent last year at WR ?

Pollard and Zeke. Same backfield as last year.

OL has to be viewed weaker right now.

TE may be a bit stronger now that Witten is finally gone.

QB.... Has to play better so all those weapons make sense.

 

[jrumann59]

Definitely have the weapons, and looks like an improvement to an already potent offense that finished #1 in yards. This is what concerns me, starting off games slow:

Dak Prescott 2019:
1st quarter: 80/133 60.2% 805yds 4/3 TD/INT 78.1 qbrate

2nd quarter: 111/168 66.1% 1,473yds 12/4 TD/INT 107.6 qbrate

3rd quarter: 91/124 73.4% 1,268yds 7/0 TD/INT 124.7 qbrate

4th quarter: 106/171 62.0% 1,356yds 7/4 TD/INT 90.7 qbrate

We need to start stronger and not wait until the 2nd or 3rd quarter to get things rolling. If our defense is worse, we are in for another 8-8 season even with all these weapons. Moore/Dak need to step it up in the 1st quarter.

That leads me to believe game day prep and planning was bad. Things gameplanned during the week did not exactly line up and takes a quarter to get an accurate read on what is really happening.

 

[xwalker]

The offensive skill positions lost two starters via free agency in Randall Cobb and Jason Witten.

Cobb was considered more of a slot only type of WR with good run after the catch abilities, his biggest issue over the last few years was his durability.

Jason Witten probably should of retired a few years ago. He is still sure handed, but offers little to nothing yards after the catch abilities. He is more of a liability as a blocker now, where in his prime was considered excellent in that area at his position. It's sad to see a legend aging, but father time remains undefeated.

The Cowboys invested their 1st rd pick on arguably the best receiver in the draft, a WR class that many thought was the most deep in years. Lamb as a unique skill set, his biggest strength is his run after the catch abilities. He is a receiver that has the versatility to line up anywhere and be a threat.

Blake Jarwin signed with the team as an undrafted free agent TE. He is a former WR that has transitioned to the TE position. Hasn't seen too many snaps over his career, but they liked him enough to not only protect him from signing with the Eagles, but gave him a contract extension. In my opinion, Jarwin was seldom used due to his poor inline blocking abilities. He is more of an modern age big WR, playing the TE position. Many TE's around the league are considered poor, inline blockers, but remain on the field due to being big, mismatch players in the passing game. Jarwin fits this profile and certainly will offer more run after the catch abilities then the departed Jason Witten.

The Cowboys have a third weapon that was on the roster last season, but was under utilized in Tony Pollard. Coming into the league he was a jack of all trades type of back, one who can certainly carry the football, but was an excellent space player in the passing game. His skill set is similar to that of former Cowboy Felix Jones, but more stronger/more durable. Some many say he is a poor man's Alvin Kamara.

You would think MM/Moore will design personnel groups to take advantage of his three top receivers on the field at the same time. That leaves 1 other spot where they can have a Jarwin, Pollard or even another WR in the formation.

Pollard on the field gets me most excited with the personnel grouping. How do teams defend the Cowboys if Cooper/Pollard in the slot, Gallup/Lamb on the outside and Zeke in the backfield. Do they use more of a nickel/dime package? This would make them susceptible against the run and Zeke Elliot. Do they keep an extra linebacker on the field? Who does he cover? Jarwin also can create mismatches. MM/Moore must be licking their chops at all the possibilities!!

In college Pollard"s ability to catch swing passes and then turn to run downfield was as good as I've seen from any player. Most players have a slight delay in transition from looking back at the QB to turning to run on swing passes. That small delay is often just enough to allow a defender a couple of extra steps towards cutting off the RB'a path to turn the corner out near the sideline. Pollard had near zero delay in transition. The swing pass does not have to go to the RB. It can be a receiver motioning into the backfield.

Pollard can be as good as Kamara. Pollard just needs enough playing time to prove it.

There will be snaps available for Pollard that don't require removing the TE. Most teams like to limit their WR's snaps. Gallup and Cooper played less than 90% of the snaps in 12 or more games last season. If Pollard plays just 6 snaps in place of each skill position starter (3 WR, TE, RB) that's 5 x 6 = 30 snaps per game. Offenses play about 60 to 70 snaps per game which means 6 snaps is only 10% or less of the plays that each starter is resting.

If they use him enough as a receiver, then when he is the RB defenses will be tempted to play Dime because he can line up as WR in an empty backfield set but the defense has to set their personnel group before they know the offensive alignment.

He is also a threat on misdirection and gadget plays. When Garrett uses Tavon Austin as the gadget player defenses knew it was likely to be a gadget play but with Pollard the a gadget play could happen at anytime.

In 2018 the Rams were great at using misdirection plays to setup their running game. The threat of misdirection holds the backside LB and backside DE on runs to the opposite side from those players. Just that small delay allowed the Rams to get an OL out to cut off the backside LB which then allowed the RB to cut the outside run back inside with nothing but Safeties there to stop him.

 

[Cowboyny]

In college Pollard"s ability to catch swing passes and then turn to run downfield was as good as I've seen from any player. Most players have a slight delay in transition from looking back at the QB to turning to run on swing passes. That small delay is often just enough to allow a defender a couple of extra steps towards cutting off the RB'a path to turn the corner out near the sideline. Pollard had near zero delay in transition. The swing pass does not have to go to the RB. It can be a receiver motioning into the backfield.

Pollard can be as good as Kamara. Pollard just needs enough playing time to prove it.

There will be snaps available for Pollard that don't require removing the TE. Most teams like to limit their WR's snaps. Gallup and Cooper played less than 90% of the snaps in 12 or more games last season. If Pollard plays just 6 snaps in place of each skill position starter (3 WR, TE, RB) that's 5 x 6 = 30 snaps per game. Offenses play about 60 to 70 snaps per game which means 6 snaps is only 10% or less of the plays that each starter is resting.

If they use him enough as a receiver, then when he is the RB defenses will be tempted to play Dime because he can line up as WR in an empty backfield set but the defense has to set their personnel group before they know the offensive alignment.

He is also a threat on misdirection and gadget plays. When Garrett uses Tavon Austin as the gadget player defenses knew it was likely to be a gadget play but with Pollard the a gadget play could happen at anytime.

In 2018 the Rams were great at using misdirection plays to setup their running game. The threat of misdirection holds the backside LB and backside DE on runs to the opposite side from those players. Just that small delay allowed the Rams to get an OL out to cut off the backside LB which then allowed the RB to cut the outside run back inside with nothing but Safeties there to stop him.

-30 snaps a game would give Pollard plenty of opportunities. If he hits on one big play, defenses with be forced to adjust.
-Like to see a similar attack how Sean Peyton used Mark Ingram and Alvin Kamara. Get them onto the field at the same time in certain packages.Have Pollard lined up all over the field. Force teams to play more coverage and it allows Zeke to see less box players.

 

[Cowboyny]

I do consider our WR group weaker then last year. I do expect Cobb as a veteran better then CD Lamb in his first year. WRs usually take 2-3 years until they really do have an impact. Unless they are Moss or whomever.

So were did we go with all the talent last year at WR ?

Pollard and Zeke. Same backfield as last year.

OL has to be viewed weaker right now.

TE may be a bit stronger now that Witten is finally gone.

QB.... Has to play better so all those weapons make sense.

-Lamb could start off slow, but by the middle of the season, he potentially could be better. He was the best receiver in a loaded class.
-Many believe the coaches underused Pollard last season, he can be a dynamic player in space.
-I don't think the OL will be much weaker. The area in which the loss of Travis hurts the most, his his pre-snap calls.

 

[charron]

This should change based on the weaknesses of the defenses we face. I like how coaches gave pollard his own series every 3rd series in addition to giving zeke a break when needed. The biggest issues with witten and dez was the coaches calling the same plays for them to run. Even though they ran those routes well the coaches still need to change up what they call and early in 2019 witten did run a few seam routes for some decent gains and like in the jets game they had jarwin running the short 4 -5 yard routes.

 

[Kaiser]

Pollard can be as good as Kamara. Pollard just needs enough playing time to prove it.

 

[Kaiser]

Pollard can be as good as Kamara. Pollard just needs enough playing time to prove it.

Last offseason we had a bunch of threads about Kellen Moore being an unqualified puppet handed a job by Jerry. Then we averaged 32 points a game in the first three games and all that disappeared. I'm just dying to see the hybrid offense McCarthy develops with Moore and what they do with all these weapons. Rushing DE's dealing with these outlet weapons like Zeke, Pollard and Jarwin are going to look like the mouse a cat is playing with.

 

[SteveTheCowboy]

He isn't better, but it keeps Zeke fresh. 2-4 more carries a game for Pollard would do wonders.

I Want to see those carries PLANNED. Not Zeke's hand going up.

 

[Proof]

For those reasons, Dak is going to have to connect with the bombs and take advantage of one on ones. The coaches have to game plan to exploit defensive weaknesses. Most teams have a bad Cover safety, linebacker, second and third corners. You have to take advantage of that. Zeke and Pollard in the passing game should open things up as well.

2nd only to Mahomes in TD passes > 20 yds last year. I have a feeling he will hit the bombs.

 

[SteveTheCowboy]

2nd only to Mahomes in TD passes > 20 yds last year. I have a feeling he will hit the bombs.

Is that after yards after catch or in air? Might seem like quibbling, to you. But I'm trying to compare QB's not receivers efforts.

 

[quickccc]

The offensive skill positions lost two starters via free agency in Randall Cobb and Jason Witten.

Cobb was considered more of a slot only type of WR with good run after the catch abilities, his biggest issue over the last few years was his durability.

Jason Witten probably should of retired a few years ago. He is still sure handed, but offers little to nothing yards after the catch abilities. He is more of a liability as a blocker now, where in his prime was considered excellent in that area at his position. It's sad to see a legend aging, but father time remains undefeated.

The Cowboys invested their 1st rd pick on arguably the best receiver in the draft, a WR class that many thought was the most deep in years. Lamb as a unique skill set, his biggest strength is his run after the catch abilities. He is a receiver that has the versatility to line up anywhere and be a threat.

Blake Jarwin signed with the team as an undrafted free agent TE. He is a former WR that has transitioned to the TE position. Hasn't seen too many snaps over his career, but they liked him enough to not only protect him from signing with the Eagles, but gave him a contract extension. In my opinion, Jarwin was seldom used due to his poor inline blocking abilities. He is more of an modern age big WR, playing the TE position. Many TE's around the league are considered poor, inline blockers, but remain on the field due to being big, mismatch players in the passing game. Jarwin fits this profile and certainly will offer more run after the catch abilities then the departed Jason Witten.

The Cowboys have a third weapon that was on the roster last season, but was under utilized in Tony Pollard. Coming into the league he was a jack of all trades type of back, one who can certainly carry the football, but was an excellent space player in the passing game. His skill set is similar to that of former Cowboy Felix Jones, but more stronger/more durable. Some many say he is a poor man's Alvin Kamara.

You would think MM/Moore will design personnel groups to take advantage of his three top receivers on the field at the same time. That leaves 1 other spot where they can have a Jarwin, Pollard or even another WR in the formation.

Pollard on the field gets me most excited with the personnel grouping. How do teams defend the Cowboys if Cooper/Pollard in the slot, Gallup/Lamb on the outside and Zeke in the backfield. Do they use more of a nickel/dime package? This would make them susceptible against the run and Zeke Elliot. Do they keep an extra linebacker on the field? Who does he cover? Jarwin also can create mismatches. MM/Moore must be licking their chops at all the possibilities!!

i don't get the comparisons of Tony Pollard to Felix Jones, maybe you're dwelling on fast backup RBs who were great kick returners, but that's where the comparisons stop,imo. Their skill sets are not the same sense.

- Pollard is a much more powerful, physical runner than Felix ever was, and he was a much more effective, tougher in-between the tackles ball carrier than Felix ever was.
And Felix was a horrible blitz blocker, whereas Pollard was a surprisingly adequate blitz blocker for a rookie
.
- And though it's only been just one year, Pollard is already off to being a more resilient, durable player than Jones.
And Felix never developed into a dangerous receiver out of the backfield.
Frankly Jones was a finesse RB, .while Pollard showed he has power and physicality in his game.

-Maybe some still want to refer and term Pollard as a "gadget " player.
Something media and fans were pushing per his draft day here despite Garrett insisting that the team sees him more than that.
They already liked his ability to carry the ball in the traditional sense,... and coaches were proven right.

 

[jrumann59]

In college Pollard"s ability to catch swing passes and then turn to run downfield was as good as I've seen from any player. Most players have a slight delay in transition from looking back at the QB to turning to run on swing passes. That small delay is often just enough to allow a defender a couple of extra steps towards cutting off the RB'a path to turn the corner out near the sideline. Pollard had near zero delay in transition. The swing pass does not have to go to the RB. It can be a receiver motioning into the backfield.

Pollard can be as good as Kamara. Pollard just needs enough playing time to prove it.

There will be snaps available for Pollard that don't require removing the TE. Most teams like to limit their WR's snaps. Gallup and Cooper played less than 90% of the snaps in 12 or more games last season. If Pollard plays just 6 snaps in place of each skill position starter (3 WR, TE, RB) that's 5 x 6 = 30 snaps per game. Offenses play about 60 to 70 snaps per game which means 6 snaps is only 10% or less of the plays that each starter is resting.

If they use him enough as a receiver, then when he is the RB defenses will be tempted to play Dime because he can line up as WR in an empty backfield set but the defense has to set their personnel group before they know the offensive alignment.

He is also a threat on misdirection and gadget plays. When Garrett uses Tavon Austin as the gadget player defenses knew it was likely to be a gadget play but with Pollard the a gadget play could happen at anytime.

In 2018 the Rams were great at using misdirection plays to setup their running game. The threat of misdirection holds the backside LB and backside DE on runs to the opposite side from those players. Just that small delay allowed the Rams to get an OL out to cut off the backside LB which then allowed the RB to cut the outside run back inside with nothing but Safeties there to stop him.

That is why I am not in favor of Austin returning. Pollard can do 95% of what Austin can do from any formation and it is not a neon sign that says, "Hey look at this guy"

 

[PAPPYDOG]

In the modern NFL, secondary defense is tough. When the offense has a lot of weapons there are only two things the defense can do:

1. stop the run
2. Get to and hit the QB

thats what teams will do against us

Since 2017 the formula to stop us is the same against any opponent we face.
Stop Zeke at all costs and let Prescott beat them with his arm.
So far the above plan is working as when Zeke isn't over 75 yards on the ground we LOSE!!!!!......

 

[Proof]

Is that after yards after catch or in air? Might seem like quibbling, to you. But I'm trying to compare QB's not receivers efforts.

well couple things. Compare what? The point at hand was hoping Dak completes bombs. He does. At a good clip. No comparison needed.
Beyond that I’d have to find the stat again to answer honestly, but there’s plenty of rankings out there for Dak this year for air yards, yards per attempt, deep ball accuracy etc etc.

 

[quickccc]

You are missing the point. If you come out in a 4 wr set,1 rb, the defense will match-up with the on the field personnel. Teams aren't afraid of Pollard with smaller players, due to him being more of a speed type of player, Zeke on the other hand would be a far more difficult match-up against smaller defenders. Teams would consider playing an extra linebacker to prevent the team from running against them, due to his physical running style.

If you're thinking Pollard won't be effective and can't physically overpower smaller "nickel " defenders, that's is where i will disagree
with this. He was breaking tackles from LBs with the limit chances he received in running the ball , primarily vs Dolphins and Rams.
i think some continue to underestimate his lower body strength, ability to run between the tackles effectively and finish runs strongly going down forward. Fact is, i am never worried about losing ground with Pollard as a ball carrier.
Zeke is just on another level.