CFZ Cowboys Red Zone and overall offensive improvement

[Bobhaze]

One of the biggest issues with the Cowboys offense to start the year was its lack of Red Zone efficiency. Man has that changed. In the first 5 games, the Cowboys converted touchdowns on 7 of 19 red zone trips (36.8%). Since then, they have scored touchdowns on 25 of 38 red zone opportunities. (65.7%)

After the loss to San Fran back in October, the Cowboys have been a different team offensively and their red zone efficiency is just one of several impressive improvements. Here are some more big examples:

• Since the SF loss, Dak has thrown 23 TDs and 1 interception. No other QB in the league has been as efficient.
• In the last 3 games, the Cowboys red zone efficiency is 71%.
• In the first 5 games of the year, Dak averaged 212 yds passing per game. In the 8 games since the SF beat down in game 5, Dak is averaging 305 yards passing per game.

One belief I strongly hold regarding all NFL teams is this: Don’t judge a team‘s abilities or inabilities before November. Because what you see in Sept or Oct is not usually what that team will be later. It takes a long time for a team to develop. This year is a perfect example. It’s why it now takes 17 games to decide playoff seeding. Lots of football left of course but this team’s offense has dramatically improved.

 

[CCBoy]

If a Cowboys drive gets to the opponent's 40, and today's kicker, Dallas is guaranteed some kind of score. Turpin mixed with Cook are starting to really show up also.

 

[Bobhaze]

If a Cowboys drive gets to the opponent's 40, and today's kicker, Dallas is guaranteed some kind of score. Turpin mixed with Cook are starting to really show up also.

Having a great kicker is one of the most underrated weapons in the NFL and having Aubrey is a real weapon. As we all remember last year going into the playoffs with a K who struggled making an XP.

 

[Coogiguy03]

Just don't understand why it takes so long for this to happen or does it just happen when we get on hot streaks? Will it be the same way next year also??

 

[Bobhaze]

Just don't understand why it takes so long for this to happen or does it just happen when we get on hot streaks? Will it be the same way next year also??

I think this year it was mostly because of learning a new offense and how to execute It in certain situations. It takes more than a training camp to master a new offense. This team had run the Garrett-Kellen Moore offense for a very long time.

 

[Reid1boys]

One of the biggest issues with the Cowboys offense to start the year was its lack of Red Zone efficiency. Man has that changed. In the first 5 games, the Cowboys converted touchdowns on 7 of 19 red zone trips (36.8%). Since then, they have scored touchdowns on 25 of 38 red zone opportunities. (65.7%)

After the loss to San Fran back in October, the Cowboys have been a different team offensively and their red zone efficiency is just one of several impressive improvements. Here are some more big examples:

• Since the SF loss, Dak has thrown 23 TDs and 1 interception. No other QB in the league has been as efficient.
• In the last 3 games, the Cowboys red zone efficiency is 71%.
• In the first 5 games of the year, Dak averaged 212 yds passing per game. In the 8 games since the SF beat down in game 5, Dak is averaging 305 yards passing per game.

One belief I strongly hold regarding all NFL teams is this: Don’t judge a team‘s abilities or inabilities before November. Because what you see in Sept or Oct is not usually what that team will be later. It takes a long time for a team to develop. This year is a perfect example. It’s why it now takes 17 games to decide playoff seeding. Lots of football left of course but this team’s offense has dramatically improved.

Play calling..... thats it. Our offense was mediocre because Mike made it mediocre. We didnt even use Cooks, we didnt throw the ball down field, we were ultra conservative running way too much on 1st down. It took getting destroyed by the 49ers for Mike to realize that offense wasnt going to cut it.

Same players, totally different play calling.

 

[Bobhaze]

Play calling..... thats it. Our offense was mediocre because Mike made it mediocre. We didnt even use Cooks, we didnt throw the ball down field, we were ultra conservative running way too much on 1st down. It took getting destroyed by the 49ers for Mike to realize that offense wasnt going to cut it.

Same players, totally different play calling.

You know Reid I agree with you that play calling has improved. But…I also think play calling is almost always judged by the success of the play.

And …according to what I’ve read, experienced QBs like Dak audible out of plays at least 25% of the time. We don’t even know how many great plays were “called” by Big Mac or Dak.

I also believe the success or failure of every play is dependent almost completely on how well all 11 players execute the play. When plays don’t work, it’s a “bad call”. When they do, it’s “great playcalling”.

I hear you Reid. The playcalling has improved. But more so, the execution of plays has improved.

 

[jazzcat22]

Just don't understand why it takes so long for this to happen or does it just happen when we get on hot streaks? Will it be the same way next year also??

Do not forget, the OL was injured as well. The projected starting OL did not play together for almost 2 years. It wasn't until after the SF game until they did.
That too takes a lot of time to gel and get in sync.

 

[Tabascocat]

The SF both broke and fixed the Cowboys, mostly the offense. I think they realized that there was no chance against a top tier team later and things needed a big change. It has been night and day from Dak and the offensive play calls. The QB whisperer went to work…..

 

[Reid1boys]

You know ReidI agree with you that play calling has improved. But…I also think play calling is almost always judged by the success of the play.

And …according to what I’ve read, experienced QBs like Dak audible out of plays at least 25% of the time. We don’t even know how many great plays were “called” by Big Mac or Dak.

I also believe the success or failure of every play is dependent almost completely on how well all 11 players execute the play. When plays don’t work, it’s a “bad call”. When they do, it’s “great playcalling”.

I hear you Reid. The playcalling has improved. But more so, the execution of plays has improved.

I dont think the play calling has "Improved." I think Mike's total outlook on what it takes to win has changed. It is almost like Mike started believing the narrative that Dak was some TO machine. That is total garbage. Dak has ALWAYS take care of the ball. Last year was an anomaly. Mike decided he wasnt goin gto let Dak cost us games.... best example IMO of that is the AZ game. The first few games our defense was so good that that is what Dak and the offense needed to do. Just be conservative and let the D win. Then we went into AZ and played like absolute garbage and Mike and his conservative play calling was exposed. Getting stomped by the Niners made Mike wake up and let Dak play.

Since then, we have thrown downfield way more. Cooks has become a weapon... in the first four or 5 games he wasnt even involved. He had ZERO TDs, he had not even 100 yards COMBINED in the first 5 games..... that is simply pathetic. He has had 5 TDs in the next 8 games and been a big part of the offense. Again, play calling didnt get better... it simply did a 180 and let the QB win instead of not lose.

 

[lopey]

Just don't understand why it takes so long for this to happen or does it just happen when we get on hot streaks? Will it be the same way next year also??

No exhibition games slows down the process. I think cowboys look at benifits of exhibition games as opposed to injuries.

 

[Doomsday77]

Play calling..... thats it. Our offense was mediocre because Mike made it mediocre. We didnt even use Cooks, we didnt throw the ball down field, we were ultra conservative running way too much on 1st down. It took getting destroyed by the 49ers for Mike to realize that offense wasnt going to cut it.

Same players, totally different play calling.

I'm going to read between the lines for this...I remember hearing MM say the offense was not going to be completely different early in the season or maybe even in TC. So if he was using his own version early on which got us nowhere, what version is he using now...? KM's? he didn't just make up a new system 5 games into the season. I think this is still mostly KM's offense with SOME variations to it.

 

[Hawkeye0202]

One of the biggest issues with the Cowboys offense to start the year was its lack of Red Zone efficiency. Man has that changed. In the first 5 games, the Cowboys converted touchdowns on 7 of 19 red zone trips (36.8%). Since then, they have scored touchdowns on 25 of 38 red zone opportunities. (65.7%)

After the loss to San Fran back in October, the Cowboys have been a different team offensively and their red zone efficiency is just one of several impressive improvements. Here are some more big examples:

• Since the SF loss, Dak has thrown 23 TDs and 1 interception. No other QB in the league has been as efficient.
• In the last 3 games, the Cowboys red zone efficiency is 71%.
• In the first 5 games of the year, Dak averaged 212 yds passing per game. In the 8 games since the SF beat down in game 5, Dak is averaging 305 yards passing per game.

One belief I strongly hold regarding all NFL teams is this: Don’t judge a team‘s abilities or inabilities before November. Because what you see in Sept or Oct is not usually what that team will be later. It takes a long time for a team to develop. This year is a perfect example. It’s why it now takes 17 games to decide playoff seeding. Lots of football left of course but this team’s offense has dramatically improved.

As Parcell used to say.........you want to play your best ball after T'giving

 

[Bobhaze]

The SF both broke and fixed the Cowboys, mostly the offense. I think they realized that there was no chance against a top tier team later and things needed a big change. It has been night and day from Dak and the offensive play calls. The QB whisperer went to work…..

Agreed. And as I said earlier, successful Playcalling is not just the “call”, it’s mostly about how well your team executes the play. Sometimes we blame the playcaller for what was essentially a failure of several players to execute it.

Or…sometimes the other team just beats your team on a play. Wasn’t a bad call, it was just the other team outplayed your team in that play. Most fans forget that the other team has good players too, lol.

 

[johneric8]

I'm going to read between the lines for this...I remember hearing MM say the offense was not going to be completely different early in the season or maybe even in TC. So if he was using his own version early on which got us nowhere, what version is he using now...? KM's? he didn't just make up a new system 5 games into the season. I think this is still mostly KM's offense with SOME variations to it.

Wrong, this is timing based steeped in west coast routes and style, this is the furthest thing from Kellen Moore you will ever see.

 

[Kellsbells]

Do not forget, the OL was injured as well. The projected starting OL did not play together for almost 2 years. It wasn't until after the SF game until they did.
That too takes a lot of time to gel and get in sync.

Exact same point I was going to make.

 

[Manwiththeplan]

Having a great kicker is one of the most underrated weapons in the NFL and having Aubrey is a real weapon. As we all remember last year going into the playoffs with a K who struggled making an XP.

With the way our offense moves the ball, almost every drive is at least three points

 

[Praxit]

Having a great kicker is one of the most underrated weapons in the NFL and having Aubrey is a real weapon. As we all remember last year going into the playoffs with a K who struggled making an XP.

..lol... yep, that was scary. I remember the playoff Tampa game

The very first kick was blocked. We thought omg, here we go. Luckily, he pulled himself together rest of game.

 

[Gambit]

If a Cowboys drive gets to the opponent's 40, and today's kicker, Dallas is guaranteed some kind of score. Turpin mixed with Cook are starting to really show up also.

Aubrey is a weapon for sure.

 

[Bobhaze]

..lol... yep, that was scary. I remember the playoff Tampa game

The very first kick was blocked. We thought omg, here we go. Luckily, he pulled himself together rest of game.

Well actually Maher missed 4 of 5 XPs in that wild card win at Tampa last year. He was worthless.