This offseason priority-fix the run game!

[Cowboyny]

- How much of our problems is player personnel? … how much is it coaches play call/run scheme ?
Imo, that's what needs to be determined in offseason.

- What is going on to where we are either getting stalemated up front, or our RBs are constantly stoned stopped in the backfield ?
Our guys are constantly getting penetration in our backfield.

- We had a good stretch between Chargers, Philly, Carolina ..but really dropped off since.
It’s not just zeke, ..Pollard has had his difficulties too.

- We may have the worst blocking TEs in the NFL. Difficult to capture the edge, off tackle runs when penetration allowed.
This is why I’m not sold on going all out to re-signing Schultz at any cost. Tough, clever underneath but major liability blocking wise and doesn't have elite separation. .

- Is our OL more suited for man power blocking scheme than McCarthy’s zone block scheme ?
It's a problem because we let go an OL coach better suited for man scheme, for sake of adding MM's preferred coach/scheme.

I think TE is a huge need for this team. Both Shultz/Jarwin are terrible inline blockers and aren't difference makers in the passing game. This is perhaps the team's biggest need. Could we upgrade LG or Center as well?

 

[BleedSilverandBlue]

Last year's offseason the team's priority was fixing the rush defense, now it looks like the other side of the football:

-Teams are daring the Cowboys to beat them on the ground and they just cannot do so.
-Yes, Zeke is hurt and unproductive, but Pollard also has had his struggles.
-OL is a penalty machine
-Starting TE is a terrible inline blocker
-Playcaller gets away from the run and does little to scheme for it.

I very much am in the line of thinking that this squad needs a top 10 running game in order to be a serious contender with Dak at QB. That is not me trying to rip him. In fact I think that could be said about like 75% of starters in this league, but it truly does help to mask some of his deficiencies and opens up more opportunities to hit open receivers versus throwing them open (something Dak has not shown he can do with any regularity). A good running game in the past has also helped us to suppress all of the disguised coverage and blitz looks that also seem to be a kryptonite for Dak. For the first time in Dak's career we have no running game and his play has dropped off a cliff. Add in a decent run game and we can solve the main problems with the offense right now by making things easier for the QB.

I hate to say this since we have other holes specifically on the defensive side of the ball, but in the same way that the last offseason was all about fixing the defense this next offseason needs to be all about fixing the running game. We need to invest premium picks on offensive linemen as well as a mid round running back or two that can give us some more juice. I would seriously not be opposed to spending either our first and third or second and third on OL. Great interior linemen can be had at the tail end of the first round which is where we will be picking and usually do not fly off the board as fast as other positions.

We also should really consider firing the offensive line coach on top of adding some new talent. This line is insanely under achieving given the players that are on the roster. Two hall of famers, a former pro bowl right tackle and two adequate starters at LG and C. Coaching/blocking scheme may secretly be a huge culprit here.

 

[RonnieT24]

I very much am in the line of thinking that this squad needs a top 10 running game in order to be a serious contender with Dak at QB. That is not me trying to rip him. In fact I think that could be said about like 75% of starters in this league, but it truly does help to mask some of his deficiencies and opens .

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This was a good take until you made it about Dak. I looked up the Super Bowl participants over the last 20 seasons and if memory serves the only time at least one of them didn't have a top 10 rushing attack was 2020. In fact in most years it has been BOTH teams.. This notion that there are QBs out there carrying their teams to the Super Bowl without any semblance of a running game is a myth .. largely created by all the QB talking heads you see on TV.

 

[75boyz]

Maybe but he was already pretty cooked as a big time back before the injury. He wasn't nearly the same explosive back he was years ago.

Could have been avoided if the Cowboys stuck to their original plan they had in 2015 where their data showed TBs production drops off after a certain number of carries and the overall wear and tear of the position.

Yep, great point. Once I saw this same data you mention that showed most all past RBs and the decline after X number of touches/carries I was convinced as well.

There will always be one outlier(or possibly even 2) to defy the data, but Zeke ain't one of 'em. He showed strong flashes those first 7 games but looks to be running in quicksand since the Denver game.

 

[BleedSilverandBlue]

This was a good take until you made it about Dak. I looked up the Super Bowl participants over the last 20 seasons and if memory serves the only time at least one of them didn't have a top 10 rushing attack was 2020. In fact in most years it has been BOTH teams.. This notion that there are QBs out there carrying their teams to the Super Bowl without any semblance of a running game is a myth .. largely created by all the QB talking heads you see on TV.

Hey I am a Dak supporter and I truly believe nearly any QB needs a good run game but there are a few reasons I said what I said. It just so happens with Dak that a few of his known weaknesses (disguised coverage presnap and throwing wideouts open) can be directly countered by adding in a good run game. I think being able to run helps him much more than someone like Mahomes but that is just what I think. Top QBs do need a running game to help them to the top of their game, but I think with Dak his personal weaknesses in certain elements of his game make it even more paramount.

Just my opinion though.

 

[Sydla]

Yep, great point. Once I saw this same data you mention that showed most all past RBs and the decline after X number of touches/carries I was convinced as well.

There will always be one outlier(or possibly even 2) to defy the data, but Zeke ain't one of 'em. He showed strong flashes those first 7 games but looks to be running in quicksand since the Denver game.

Now yes, an injury has clearly slowed down Elliott even more over the last 5-6 games. But he wasn't the same explosive guy from years ago pre-injury this year.

And when talking about fixing the run game for next year, you can't ignore his cap hit is $18 million next year, $17 million the following year, $14 million in 2024 and $17 million in 2025. That's just horrible. And if you restructure his base salary in 2022 of $12.4 million to make space next year, you are just making those future cap hits even worse.

 

[AshyLarry06]

Draft a Guard or Center in the first, Draft a RB in the 2nd, Draft a Tackle in the third. I would go heavy at OL and try to find Zeke's replacement at RB as well. Williams/McGovern and Biadisz are severely hampering this team, and Tyron is only Tyron when healthy, but he's only healthy for about 5 games a year now so I really believe it's time to draft his replacement as well. Doesn't have to be in the first round, and maybe Josh Ball is as good as some think he is, so I think a 3rd or 4th round developmental tackle with upside is a good way to go. DEFINITELY need some more beef on the interior though. Man how much do we miss ole Fredbeard??? Guy was such a rock, sad to see what life is like when he ain't here.

 

[BleedSilverandBlue]

Now yes, an injury has clearly slowed down Elliott even more over the last 5-6 games. But he wasn't the same explosive guy from years ago pre-injury this year.

And when talking about fixing the run game for next year, you can't ignore his cap hit is $18 million next year, $17 million the following year, $14 million in 2024 and $17 million in 2025. That's just horrible. And if you restructure his base salary in 2022 of $12.4 million to make space next year, you are just making those future cap hits even worse.

If we think Zeke looks rough right now, imagine 3 years down the road along with a 17 million dollar cap hit. That will be a very painful pill to swallow.

I haven't done much research, but is there any possibility of an out from that contract in the next couple years? I understand a large sum of dead money would come with it but surely it would save us some in the long run.

 

[75boyz]

Now yes, an injury has clearly slowed down Elliott even more over the last 5-6 games. But he wasn't the same explosive guy from years ago pre-injury this year.

And when talking about fixing the run game for next year, you can't ignore his cap hit is $18 million next year, $17 million the following year, $14 million in 2024 and $17 million in 2025. That's just horrible. And if you restructure his base salary in 2022 of $12.4 million to make space next year, you are just making those future cap hits even worse.

I mean Philly is currently eating the largest dead money cap hit in history with Wentz's 30 plus million dollar zinger, right?
Well, Jerry can surely pony up to the table then...
Lol

 

[Havic]

I dont care what the cap hit is next year, I am ready for Zeke to walk. It's Pollards time to shine.

 

[BleedSilverandBlue]

I dont care what the cap hit is next year, I am ready for Zeke to walk. It's Pollards time to shine.

We need to keep Zeke on this roster for at least 1 more season given the cap implications but man we need to have the playing time split more along line lines of 70% Pollard 30% Zeke. People who argue for Zeke's pass blocking ability should also take note that Dak's QBR is an entire point better over the last 3 years with Pollard on the field versus Zeke as well.

 

[baltcowboy]

They can restructure his contract to free more money. Look at Gallup this yr, gave us basically nothing, not giving him a 13 million plus contract.

I would let Gallup go as well. He will net us a 4th round comp pick. I think the Cowboys have finally figured out the comp game. We need to invest high picks in the offensive and defensive line. Paying Martin, Frederick, and Tyron was the best investment this team has had in the last 20 years. Protect Parsons with big ugly defensive tackles. Make teams one handed.

 

[Sydla]

I dont care what the cap hit is next year, I am ready for Zeke to walk. It's Pollards time to shine.

To cut him next year (and before June 1), you'd have to eat an additional $12 million in cap space. This team is already cap constrained for 2022. So to take another $12 million in dead cap would be idiotic for this franchise. They could designate him June 1 which would result in zero cap savings.

The first possible, sensible out is after the 2022 season - you save around $5 million in cap space pre June 1 and $11 million or so as a June 1 designee.

 

[atlantacowboy]

It's not just Zeke, Pollard has had his issues as well running behind this line.

Pollard is averaging 5.5 YPC. Other than being underutilized, he's not having a problem.

 

[quickccc]

I have a huge fear that by playing through whatever this injury is Zeke is doing irreparable damage to that knee. They won't tell us what it is but it sure as hell aint no bruise as they first indicated. Bruises don't take over two months to heal and don't require a brace. There must be something seriously wrong with that knee and it worries me that whatever it is can't be fixed after you play 12 games on it.

Oh and I agree. Philbin has to go. These linemen are too good to be playing this bad.. When Zack Martin and Tyron Smith are getting more than once or twice a game it's a huge red flag.

- If that knee was that wrong and that concerning, and he’s playing a position that is the most highly contact absorbed skill position, I’d highly doubt he’d be able to go as has.
Why would they risk a Todd Gurley like situation, that could lead to serious ACL and chronic situation ?

- Do we know to what degree, or how of a deep of a bruise zeke has ?

- I just heard Per PFF, we have 5 of top 22 graded run blocking OL, … go figure.

- With OL coach Joe Philibin “has to go “,…….. that’s gonna be a huge stickler with the HC. Philibin and MM are very close and MM is very heavily entrusted in him.
Philibin gotta be a front runner by Mike’s side. Whether OL coach or OC.

- The other ex-MM guy whose name could come up is former long time OL coach James Campen (currently with Texans? )
Many expect the Texans to clean sweep their coaching staff with a new regime, so Campen could be on the move again.
If there becomes a future plan to replace Philibin with a different OL coach, then expect Campen, with Philben moving to one of the top asst. positions (ala QB, or OC)

- And whether Philibin or Campen, McCarthy is likely gonna be very insisting on this Zone blocking scheme

 

[quickccc]

I would let Gallup go as well. He will net us a 4th round comp pick. I think the Cowboys have finally figured out the comp game. We need to invest high picks in the offensive and defensive line. Paying Martin, Frederick, and Tyron was the best investment this team has had in the last 20 years. Protect Parsons with big ugly defensive tackles. Make teams one handed.

Gallup's comp pick per FA departure may likely depend upon how much a NFL team decides to offer up as a massive contract.
And now coming off a serious torn ACL, I'm doubting teams are gonna be as aggressively and generous going after him now.
This isn't an OJ Beckham like valued player and his ACL injury.
Look for Gallup to re-sign a cap-friendly 1 year deal to reestablish his market value.

 

[baltcowboy]

Gallup's comp pick per FA departure may likely depend upon how much a NFL team decides to offer up as a massive contract.
And now coming off a serious torn ACL, I'm doubting teams are gonna be as aggressively and generous going after him now.
This isn't an OJ Beckham like valued player and his ACL injury.
Look for Gallup to re-sign a cap-friendly 1 year deal to reestablish his market value.

Maybe but don’t ever forget the Cowboys tax. Gallup is good citizen. I could see a team like Washington paying the contract. Andy Dalton made lots of money this season for goodness sake.

 

[quickccc]

Maybe but don’t ever forget the Cowboys tax. Gallup is good citizen. I could see a team like Washington paying the contract. Andy Dalton made lots of money this season for goodness sake.

Dalton plays the most important, most critical position in the NFL, and teams were/are desperate for what they deem as quality QB play.

At that time, they still had high priced vet Nick Foles who they apparently deemed as a failed starting QB in the previous year, but cap hit came into play.
and at FA period in March, they signed vet Dalton , which was before they had the chance for a draft trade for rookie Justin Fields ...

Remember we the Cowboys were somehow able to sign vet Dalton for what .. one year 4 million ?
That was such a bargain steal for such an vastly experienced vet QB.

 

[BleedSilverandBlue]

I just heard Per PFF, we have 5 of top 22 graded run blocking OL, … go figure.

Is it possible that our line is actually run blocking well but defenses are scheming us into situations where even if we block 5 effectively there are too many additional defenders to overcome?

Perhaps our offensive scheme/ predictability in the run game is contributing more to our struggles than we think.

 

[RonnieT24]

Dalton plays the most important, most critical position in the NFL, and teams were/are desperate for what they deem as quality QB play.

At that time, they still had high priced vet Nick Foles who they apparently deemed as a failed starting QB in the previous year, but cap hit came into play.
and at FA period in March, they signed vet Dalton , which was before they had the chance for a draft trade for rookie Justin Fields ...

Remember we the Cowboys were somehow able to sign vet Dalton for what .. one year 4 million ?
That was such a bargain steal for such an vastly experienced vet QB.

It was three million I think.. and as it turns out we might have overpaid..