Too Predictable: The Cowboys Need Some Brand New Plays

[Pass2Run]

If you look around, even fans like us could probably compile a pretty good playbook and list of plays that the Cowboys might run. If they were a run-first team, truly a running team, then it might not matter.

But the Cowboys are trying to use the pass to set up the run instead, which seems backwards when you have a running back like Zeke. The only problem is they're entirely predictable.

They need to fix this with about 20 new plays this week.

And maybe 20 for the next several weeks.

20 new ones.

We have to step outside of our playbook unlike we did last week to have any chance at winning.

 

[Haimerej]

Kellen's "system" is essentially based on pre-snap reads and putting the defense in a pick your poison situation. Good defenses pick up on the tendencies of the QB, i.e. he sees x pre-snap so he switches to y.

Romo talked about this stuff when he was still playing. If the defense knows your pre-snap reads and tendencies, they can actually make you switch into something they want you to do. Romo specifically mentioned running into stacked boxes and how that kept defenses honest. I think Dak is being manipulated into switching into something the defense wants him to do by their showing different pre-snap looks.

 

[Pass2Run]

Kellen's "system" is essentially based on pre-snap reads and putting the defense in a pick your poison situation. Good defenses pick up on the tendencies of the QB, i.e. he sees x pre-snap so he switches to y.

Romo talked about this stuff when he was still playing. If the defense knows your pre-snap reads and tendencies, they can actually make you switch into something they want you to do. Romo specifically mentioned running into stacked boxes and how that kept defenses honest. I think Dak is being manipulated into switching into something the defense wants him to do by their showing different pre-snap looks.

I think are you are right.

Because, like I said in another post, when Cooper Rush came in the game, the defense didn't really know what to do and they looked lost and were looking to their coach for advice.

Whatever they were seeing was something they were seeing in/on Dak, and then Rush came out and they didn't know what to expect.

But you are right. The way I see it, this wasn't really even on Dak so much as it is the coaches for not fixing these things. This is why Romo would have been such a great help to Dak. He could have really helped Dak. Just wasn't in the cards.

 

[Haimerej]

I think are you are right.

Because, like I said in another post, when Cooper Rush came in the game, the defense didn't really know what to do and they looked lost and were looking to their coach for advice.

Whatever they were seeing was something they were seeing in/on Dak, and then Rush came out and they didn't know what to expect.

But you are right. The way I see it, this wasn't really even on Dak so much as it is the coaches for not fixing these things. This is why Romo would have been such a great help to Dak. He could have really helped Dak. Just wasn't in the cards.

I think it's why they stop running when it's successful. There was no reason to abandon the run (other than maybe Pollard being on the field). If Dak is checking out of runs based on what he's seeing pre-snap, that explains a lot. Especially the comments made by the TB players after the game. If they know they can force you out of a play by what they're showing pre-snap, they essentially dictate the game.

 

[ICP]

And brand new coaches, brand new management, brand new culture.....

 

[Pass2Run]

I think it's why they stop running when it's successful. There was no reason to abandon the run (other than maybe Pollard being on the field). If Dak is checking out of runs based on what he's seeing pre-snap, that explains a lot. Especially the comments made by the TB players after the game. If they know they can force you out of a play by what they're showing pre-snap, they essentially dictate the game.

Yes, this game could end up being our biggest lesson of the season, if we want it to be. Because the players weren't supposed to reveal that, most likely. But since we don't have to face them again, they did. In any case, we should take this as an example to learn from. And replan, regroup.

 

[Haimerej]

Yes, this game could end up being our biggest lesson of the season, if we want it to be. Because the players weren't supposed to reveal that, most likely. But since we don't have to face them again, they did. In any case, we should take this as an example to learn from. And replan, regroup.

I remember during Dak's rookie season there was talk on the daily Cowboys shows about Linehan having a, "rejuvenation," to his career because Dak wasn't allowed to change things. They were sending in plays and those were what they ran. We all remember Romo prior to 2014 getting pass happy in all his adjustments. I think it's a QB thing, not just Dak. If a QB thinks he can fling it he's going to do that.

I think Dak has to do some self scouting and see if he's becoming too predictable in his pre-snap adjustments. The coaches should address it as well, but ultimately the final word on Sunday comes down to the guy on the field. They're not going to take that decision making away because it's integral to a QB's development in the league.

 

[Pass2Run]

I remember during Dak's rookie season there was talk on the daily Cowboys shows about Linehan having a, "rejuvenation," to his career because Dak wasn't allowed to change things. They were sending in plays and those were what they ran. We all remember Romo prior to 2014 getting pass happy in all his adjustments. I think it's a QB thing, not just Dak. If a QB thinks he can fling it he's going to do that.

I think Dak has to do some self scouting and see if he's becoming too predictable in his pre-snap adjustments. The coaches should address it as well, but ultimately the final word on Sunday comes down to the guy on the field. They're not going to take that decision making away because it's integral to a QB's development in the league.

Correct. I'm not suggesting they do that. Just that they get some new plays, in general.

 

[Cowfan75]

"New wrinkles".

 

[Haimerej]

Correct. I'm not suggesting they do that. Just that they get some new plays, in general.

Other than the silly gadget plays, most teams run the same stuff across the board. The only differences are tendencies and situational. There's only so many types of routes, route combinations, blocking assignments, alignments, etc.

They could probably benefit by using more bunch formations and rub routes. But I think something as simple as sticking to the run even against unfavorable looks would benefit them greatly. I'm also skeptical of Dak's quick pass accuracy, especially the flares and flats. Those short, quick passes work best if you hit the guy in stride and let him run. Our receivers over the last few years have had to be part acrobat due to all the contortions needed to make receptions.

 

[Pass2Run]

Other than the silly gadget plays, most teams run the same stuff across the board. The only differences are tendencies and situational. There's only so many types of routes, route combinations, blocking assignments, alignments, etc.

They could probably benefit by using more bunch formations and rub routes. But I think something as simple as sticking to the run even against unfavorable looks would benefit them greatly. I'm also skeptical of Dak's quick pass accuracy, especially the flares and flats. Those short, quick passes work best if you hit the guy in stride and let him run. Our receivers over the last few years have had to be part acrobat due to all the contortions needed to make receptions.

Right. That's what I want to see with Fehoko. Get him the ball, let him run.

I would also like to see them get Hendershot involved in those 2 TE sets. We need to hit him deep and get them thinking.

There are things we can do. But mostly, we need to lean on the run.

I want to see us get Josh Johnson. He's the cheapest, most sensible option, imo.

 

[Doomsday]

It isn't just the plays, it is the design of the offense and the ability of a play caller to set things up. Good play callers know how to utilize their personnel as well, I can't remember the last time Dallas did that.

Thinking KM was going to step in without much experience is a joke.

 

[CowboysFaninHouston]

If you look around, even fans like us could probably compile a pretty good playbook and list of plays that the Cowboys might run. If they were a run-first team, truly a running team, then it might not matter.

But the Cowboys are trying to use the pass to set up the run instead, which seems backwards when you have a running back like Zeke. The only problem is they're entirely predictable.

They need to fix this with about 20 new plays this week.

And maybe 20 for the next several weeks.

20 new ones.

We have to step outside of our playbook unlike we did last week to have any chance at winning.

in other words, you are not impressed by the "genius boy" Moore? tell me more LOL

 

[Aven8]

A little late for that. With all the inexperience at WR why not try the new TE’s out too. Get everyone involved here and see who can play.

 

[Brooksey]

You didn't like the double reverse and the fake double reverse? Come on

 

[LittleD]

If you look around, even fans like us could probably compile a pretty good playbook and list of plays that the Cowboys might run. If they were a run-first team, truly a running team, then it might not matter.

But the Cowboys are trying to use the pass to set up the run instead, which seems backwards when you have a running back like Zeke. The only problem is they're entirely predictable.

They need to fix this with about 20 new plays this week.

And maybe 20 for the next several weeks.

20 new ones.

We have to step outside of our playbook unlike we did last week to have any chance at winning.

Kellen doesn't have any. The rest of the NFL has the playbook and a joker named Dak to dial them up.

 

[atlantacowboy]

If you look around, even fans like us could probably compile a pretty good playbook and list of plays that the Cowboys might run. If they were a run-first team, truly a running team, then it might not matter.

But the Cowboys are trying to use the pass to set up the run instead, which seems backwards when you have a running back like Zeke. The only problem is they're entirely predictable.

They need to fix this with about 20 new plays this week.

And maybe 20 for the next several weeks.

20 new ones.

We have to step outside of our playbook unlike we did last week to have any chance at winning.

I think Moore makes the job too hard. Look no further than our 14 play opening drive that ended in a 51 yard FG. None of Kellens trickery worked. He was losing us yards digging holes for the offense. He threw in 2 trick plays during that drive for absolutely no good reason. Zeke was gashing the defense for 5-6 yards a pop. Dak completed some play action throws. Thats all you need. You keep doing what works until the other team proves they can stop it. It seems Moore likes to show off his playbook a little too much.

 

[CWR]

I think it's why they stop running when it's successful. There was no reason to abandon the run (other than maybe Pollard being on the field). If Dak is checking out of runs based on what he's seeing pre-snap, that explains a lot. Especially the comments made by the TB players after the game. If they know they can force you out of a play by what they're showing pre-snap, they essentially dictate the game.

Yeah, I was listening to BTB on the commute home this morning and they made mention of how our offense is predicated on pre-snap reads. Dak looks at what the defense is showing and then adjusts to take advantage. The problem is, if the defense is aware of that they bait you into doing exactly what they want.

So Dak sees "favorable" passing match ups, then kills the run, and at the snap of the ball, the defense plays the pass.

We are being out smarted. The KM/Dak duo was debunked last season, and even with an entire off-season to realize that and adjust, we are right back to where we left off. He should've been replaced, along with our oline coach AT THE LEAST.

 

[Captain-Crash]

yeah, we need a new double reverse jets sweep or a double sweep with a long pass. Maybe just let the quarterback change to more passes. Heck, we need more passes.

 

[nalam]

If you look around, even fans like us could probably compile a pretty good playbook and list of plays that the Cowboys might run. If they were a run-first team, truly a running team, then it might not matter.

But the Cowboys are trying to use the pass to set up the run instead, which seems backwards when you have a running back like Zeke. The only problem is they're entirely predictable.

They need to fix this with about 20 new plays this week.

And maybe 20 for the next several weeks.

20 new ones.

We have to step outside of our playbook unlike we did last week to have any chance at winning.

Good point, but Kellen should stick to what works and exploit it,

in the last game run was working , until late it was a low scoring game , if we had pound the ball , with zeke and pollard , heck even Dowdle for fresh legs , may be we could have gotten close for a TD. One TD would have been very different game at 9-3 or even 12-3 .

it would have changed the game plan of Tampa to got more pass and less run , and that probably exposed TB12 to Micah and the gang more. We could have gotten a TO or more .

Dumb KM has to go ! If Mac takes over and have simple game plan to continue what’s working, it would do a lot good to this offensively limited team