We struggled running and stopping the run, but did nothing to fix it!

[Coogiguy03]

What hope do we have to believe that this will somehow fix itself? Bringing back Zeke, bringing in Zim? Running back by committee, signing Kendricks? Yet I bet I'm Jerry's mind we're all in and on the bath to another Superbowl run, please give your thoughts

 

[Aerolithe_Lion]

1st round pick on a DT in 2023, multiple FA running backs, multiple future starting Olineman in the first 2 days of the draft, upping LB group with Kendricks, replacing boom-or-bust DC with old school DC

What more can be done

 

[thunderpimp91]

I believe that running the football is once again going to be a disaster. Certain elements of the run game should be improved with the return of Zeke as short yardage situations should improve as well as just the overall philosophy the Cowboys had a year ago of heavily running between the tackles despite a RB in Pollard who really profiles as an outside zone guy. I expect the Oline to be worse than it was a year ago, and unless someone down the depth chart steps up I don't see the RB position being better either.

Now stopping the run I believe will be much improved, although that really isn't a high bar. To some extent this is going to frustrate a lot of fans because it's likely to lead to fewer big plays from our defense though. I'm a DQ fan, however the lack of discipline with his edge guys and a failure to get this corrected is largely what led to the run game issues. Zimmer should correct this issue right away, in addition to simply better luck with health among the LB group. Overall I think the net result of the defense is going to pretty similar. They should be a better unit fundamentally and situationally, but without creating as many negative plays.

 

[TwentyOne]

What hope do we have to believe that this will somehow fix itself? Bringing back Zeke, bringing in Zim? Running back by committee, signing Kendricks? Yet I bet I'm Jerry's mind we're all in and on the bath to another Superbowl run, please give your thoughts

Hey, we have Mazi.

YAY!

 

[jwitten82]

But we brought back Zeke,lol, some people think his last couple of seasons was a mirage

 

[JBS]

I believe that running the football is once again going to be a disaster. Certain elements of the run game should be improved with the return of Zeke as short yardage situations should improve as well as just the overall philosophy the Cowboys had a year ago of heavily running between the tackles despite a RB in Pollard who really profiles as an outside zone guy. I expect the Oline to be worse than it was a year ago, and unless someone down the depth chart steps up I don't see the RB position being better either.

Now stopping the run I believe will be much improved, although that really isn't a high bar. To some extent this is going to frustrate a lot of fans because it's likely to lead to fewer big plays from our defense though. I'm a DQ fan, however the lack of discipline with his edge guys and a failure to get this corrected is largely what led to the run game issues. Zimmer should correct this issue right away, in addition to simply better luck with health among the LB group. Overall I think the net result of the defense is going to pretty similar. They should be a better unit fundamentally and situationally, but without creating as many negative plays.

My thoughts exactly

Run game has big issues
OL is going to be worse
Poor RB room
OL coach is clueless

Run defense will be better
Better LBs
Better DC for stopping the run

 

[big dog cowboy]

What hope do we have to believe that this will somehow fix itself? Bringing back Zeke, bringing in Zim? Running back by committee, signing Kendricks? Yet I bet I'm Jerry's mind we're all in and on the bath to another Superbowl run, please give your thoughts

As usual I have little clue what you are talking about. The weakest starter on the OL was replaced. Steele should be back to his old form. So the OL will be better once Guyton has adjusted. The running scheme from last year was junked and a better one ready. Better TE blocked is expected. At RB we really don't know what we have. We should see Deuce and Luepke this year. Short yardage and 1st down specialist added. Getting another RB wouldn't be a surprise. Rumor mill saying it's possible.

On defense there will be a massive number of changes. New DC. Two draft picks from each of the last two drafts could and likely will get a lot of snaps on the DL. The LB corp has been remade with Overshown back, Kendricks and Wilson are vet adds and Liufau drafted and Clark switching sides.

There are lots of changes aimed at running and stopping the run this year. I guess you slept through this off season and missed all of those if you think the Cowboys "did nothing to fix it".

 

[Bagman]

How does this team retain the OL coach ? He's HORRIBLE. His system is HORRIBLE. Who does he have incriminating evidence on ? Jerry ? Stephen? McCarthy ?

 

[Chasing6]

What hope do we have to believe that this will somehow fix itself? Bringing back Zeke, bringing in Zim? Running back by committee, signing Kendricks? Yet I bet I'm Jerry's mind we're all in and on the bath to another Superbowl run, please give your thoughts

Isn't that what good GM's do? Ignore the problem and pretend like it does not exist.

 

[kskboys]

What hope do we have to believe that this will somehow fix itself? Bringing back Zeke, bringing in Zim? Running back by committee, signing Kendricks? Yet I bet I'm Jerry's mind we're all in and on the bath to another Superbowl run, please give your thoughts

As per usual.

Hard to figure out if Jerry just really really dumb or so stubborn that he's.....well dumb.

 

[Chasing6]

As per usual.

Hard to figure out if Jerry just really really dumb or so stubborn that he's.....well dumb.

Was Jerry more upset we lost to GB or just made that he did not have another home playoff game and missed out on lost revenue?

 

[superonyx]

Was Jerry more upset we lost to GB or just made that he did not have another home playoff game and missed out on lost revenue?

Its so bizarre some fans still need to project onto Jerry instead of looking at reality.
No one care including Jerry if he makes another couple million dollars. At this point of wealth its just another line somewhere on a financial statement he will never see.
His entire identity is the Cowboys. He is rich beyond what we can understand and winning is the recognition and glory he seeks. As long as he gets credit for it.

 

[thunderpimp91]

As usual I have little clue what you are talking about. The weakest starter on the OL was replaced. Steele should be back to his old form. So the OL will be better once Guyton has adjusted. The running scheme from last year was junked and a better one ready. Better TE blocked is expected. At RB we really don't know what we have. We should see Deuce and Luepke this year. Short yardage and 1st down specialist added. Getting another RB wouldn't be a surprise. Rumor mill saying it's possible.

On defense there will be a massive number of changes. New DC. Two draft picks from each of the last two drafts could and likely will get a lot of snaps on the DL. The LB corp has been remade with Overshown back, Kendricks and Wilson are vet adds and Liufau drafted and Clark switching sides.

There are lots of changes aimed at running and stopping the run this year. I guess you slept through this off season and missed all of those if you think the Cowboys "did nothing to fix it".

The idea that every young player on this team is going to show linear progression is extremely optimistic, but I hope you're right.

My big question is what about the running scheme has changed? Has there been any evidence that this? If anything it seems like they brought in players that are better fits for the existing scheme, but maybe I've missed something?

 

[75boyz]

Yeah, on running the football:
After the infamous Run the damn ball and rest the defense prior to scapegoating his OC in the postseason loss press conference year before last, I thought McFraud might actually try to establish a viable run game last year.

But nope. Between him Schott and Solari they couldn't establish a consistent weekly ground game to save their lives.

My confidence is low in this staff to be able to run the ball effectively along with a very weak RB room.

With stopping the run:
Nothing has changed whatsoever if Mazi Charlton is our supposed answer.

Epic bust attempt at trying to finally draft a 1T.
At least they tried.
If the 7th round Auburn kid can channel some sorta Jay Ratliff type surprise talent then maybe we can at least be somewhat competent.
Otherwise, expect to get gashed again.

 

[kskboys]

1st round pick on a DT in 2023, multiple FA running backs, multiple future starting Olineman in the first 2 days of the draft, upping LB group with Kendricks, replacing boom-or-bust DC with old school DC

What more can be done

Unfortunately, that's exactly how Jerry thinks. He has no comprehension of how to run a team/build a D/get a team that can succeed in the playoffs. Throwing a pick or two at key positions doesn't necessarily fix things.

What more can be done. Before I answer that, just remember that you asked:

1. Focus on DT in the draft. Which means frickin' quit drafting TE's high and often in the draft.
2. Quit drafting gazelles both for DT and for OL. R Doesn't matter how good your feet are if you can't stand your ground.
3. Read a book explaining to you what lateral agility/burst/instincts are and how they affect the player's ability to play at a high level.
4. Quit drafting/signing injured players. Although you may occasionally find a gem(Columbo, for instance), you'll waste the careers of many good players counting on the Jaylons and Edogas to suddenly be able to stay on the field.
5. Quit thinking a position is fixed just because you drafted someone there. DT is the most important position on D, and prolly the hardest to draft.
6. Quit signing JAGs(RB position) and thinking you've fixed it.
7. Do a better job at drafting OL's in the 3rd and later so you're not forced to draft them in the 1st. Other teams find starters later in the draft, get a guy in here who can do same.

Need more? Watch game/player tape to figure out solutions/player evaluations. Jerry does not.

 

[kskboys]

Yeah, on running the football:
After the infamous Run the damn ball and rest the defense prior to scapegoating his OC in the postseason loss press conference year before last, I thought McFraud might actually try to establish a viable run game last year.

But nope. Between him Schott and Solari they couldn't establish a consistent weekly ground game to save their lives.

My confidence is low in this staff to be able to run the ball effectively along with a very weak RB room.

With stopping the run:
Nothing has changed whatsoever if Mazi Charlton is our supposed answer.

Epic bust attempt at trying to finally draft a 1T.
At least they tried.
If the 7th round Auburn kid can channel some sorta Jay Ratliff type surprise talent then maybe we can at least be somewhat competent.
Otherwise, expect to get gashed again.

There was no starting quality RB on the roster last season.

 

[kskboys]

Was Jerry more upset we lost to GB or just made that he did not have another home playoff game and missed out on lost revenue?

Neither. Jerry was upset because what he did didn't work, and he has no idea what he did wrong or how to fix it. He absolutely just doesn't understand NFL football.

 

[RonnieT24]

1st round pick on a DT in 2023, multiple FA running backs, multiple future starting Olineman in the first 2 days of the draft, upping LB group with Kendricks, replacing boom-or-bust DC with old school DC

What more can be done

I think adding a bigger stronger presence in the middle of the offensive line will be huge. Guyton will not be as good in the run game as Tyron but Steele should be closer to his old self another year removed from the ACL injury, Zack will have an actual training camp, Tyler Smith will get another year stronger and more experienced and the cherry on top is we brought back the most physical runner maybe in Cowboys history. I think at least on that side of the ball we did plenty to address it.

 

[kskboys]

I think adding a bigger stronger presence in the middle of the offensive line will be huge. Guyton will not be as good in the run game as Tyron but Steele should be closer to his old self another year removed from the ACL injury, Zack will have an actual training camp, Tyler Smith will get another year stronger and more experienced and the cherry on top is we brought back the most physical runner maybe in Cowboys history. I think at least on that side of the ball we did plenty to address it.

Agree. We were forced to due to previous poor drafting/player evaluations.

 

[75boyz]

There was no starting quality RB on the roster last season.

Sometimes effective runblocking can make lesser RBs effective.

We sucked at runblocking.
Like you said in a previous post to me, "can we at least run block well enough to not be met 6 yards in the backfield every run play?"

Wouldn't have mattered who the runner was if the oline is doing turnstile type run blocking.