Successfully running the football is the key!

[blueblood70]

I mentioned in my opening post, that the Eagles/Lions saw the least amount of runs against their defense. When you control the football, teams are forced to take more chances as they are afraid they won't see the ball again for several minutes.

Wow when you control the time of possession you control and limit the amount of opportunities for the other offense as well That helps your defense..

 

[blueblood70]

Dallas doesn't expect Sanders to carry the full load.

Absolutely you can make it work with a three headed monster this is really up to the offensive line and the coaches.

this is how san francisco before they got Christian McCaffrey the Super bowl they got to with garoppolo and they used three running backs and sometimes a fourth one but I remember three of those bats had about 500-600 yards each, and it worked...

You know what's ironic they didn't get any further than the Super Bowl with Christian Mccaffrey they didn't win it they paid him nineteen million dollars and then he misses the next year.

There was no crude blueprint but the efficiency's got to come from the coaching staff how they call the plays who they use at the right times and obviously the scheme with the offensive line...

 

[CowboysFaninHouston]

The top 2 NFC Teams last season were the Lions & Eagles:

Eagles were #2 in rushing, Lions were #6
#5 & #7 in rushing yards per carry
Eagles lead the league in time of possession, Lions were #2

Lions lead the league in the least amount of rushing attempts against their defense, Eagles were #7

This is the old blueprint that the Cowboys successfully used in Dak's rookie season that lead to them earning the #1 seed. Successfully run the football, control the clock and force teams to play catch up. Fix the run game and team success will follow!

not a good post. because the anti Dak crowd is not going to like this. and they will point to 2016 his rookie year when he had zeke and couldn't win a playoff game. hey look at Jayden Daniels doing it.

and the running game sucks because teams are stacking the line, because they don't fear dak. so lack of running game is Dak's fault.

 

[charron]

The ability to run when the defense is geared to stop it is always critical to success.

 

[CCBoy]

As it stands out right now, the Cowboys would love to see a starting lineup of Guyton, Smith, Beebe, Booker and Steele. That means, they've got six guys - Rob Jones, Hakeem Adeniji, Saahdiq Charles, Brock Hoffman, T.J. Bass and Asim Richards who have all started at least one game.

https://www.dallascowboys.com/news/mailbag-which-veteran-could-be-on-hot-seat

Sometimes it is a good thing to catch the attention of the coaching staff and sometimes it's bad. For Nate Thomas, it's the former. He recently received some high praise from his head coach, Brian Schottenheimer.

https://www.bloggingtheboys.com/202...ead-coach-brian-schottenheimer-terence-steele

 

[Big D]

The ability to run when the defense is geared to stop it is always critical to success.

And the reverse is also true. When you don't have the ability to stop a team from running it's just as critical and IMO the #1 reason why we get bounced in the playoffs.

 

[CCBoy]

And the reverse is also true. When you don't have the ability to stop a team from running it's just as critical and IMO the #1 reason why we get bounced in the playoffs.

The current running group.

This group will rotate often, with motion helping create mismatches—think RBs motioning to empty sets or aligning wide, then shifting back in for play-action deception.

This group allows Dallas to call more outside zone, duo, and power run schemes. Pulling guards and motioning receivers create eye candy for the defense, freeing lanes for runners and boot-action for Dak.

In 2024, the Cowboys ranked near the bottom of the league in motion-at-snap usage. But in 2025, that will change dramatically.

https://insidethestar.com/cowboys-2025-offense-speed-motion-and-power

 

[KingCorcoran]

Dallas doesn't expect Sanders to carry the full load.

Two veterans were added but so were two rookie draft picks. JaVonte Williams feels as if he could take the lead, but that could go out the window if Sanders, Blue or Mafah fly out of the gates; and/or if Deuce Vaughn impresses. Some might view Terence Steele as in danger, but I don't, because he's the best right tackle on the team and my gut tells me he's going to surprise people as he gels with Tyler Booker and new offensive line coach Conor Riley. So, yeah, for me? It's staring you in the face from inside the RBs room.

https://www.dallascowboys.com/news/mailbag-which-veteran-could-be-on-hot-seat

Sanders is 28. Isn’t that a little old for a running back?

 

[CCBoy]

Sanders is 28. Isn’t that a little old for a running back?

• Use jet motion to widen edge defenders pre-snap.
• Employ orbit motion to pull safeties out of the box.
• Shift into stacked receiver formations to defeat man coverage.
• Send tight ends across the formation to adjust run strength post-snap.
• Motion RBs out wide, then shift them back in for misdirection.

These wrinkles not only help Dak Prescott pre-snap but also force defenders into mistakes—perfect for exploiting aggressive defenses.

https://insidethestar.com/cowboys-2025-offense-speed-motion-and-power

 

[Big D]

The current running group.

This group will rotate often, with motion helping create mismatches—think RBs motioning to empty sets or aligning wide, then shifting back in for play-action deception.

This group allows Dallas to call more outside zone, duo, and power run schemes. Pulling guards and motioning receivers create eye candy for the defense, freeing lanes for runners and boot-action for Dak.

In 2024, the Cowboys ranked near the bottom of the league in motion-at-snap usage. But in 2025, that will change dramatically.

https://insidethestar.com/cowboys-2025-offense-speed-motion-and-power

Agreed. I'm excited to see what this group can do. I know it's all dependent on the O-line but I think we'll be improved there. We just need Schotty to call the games right. In terms of the defense stopping the run, I'll believe it when I see it.

 

[Wangchung83]

not a good post. because the anti Dak crowd is not going to like this. and they will point to 2016 his rookie year when he had zeke and couldn't win a playoff game. hey look at Jayden Daniels doing it.

and the running game sucks because teams are stacking the line, because they don't fear dak. so lack of running game is Dak's fault.

Enough said and thanks for pointing out my stance as anti Dak. Dak isn’t feared to run the ball, most good running teams also have either an elite pocket passer(Goff) or dual threat in backfield. No doubt need a good line but one can’t possibly see Dak as a liability as he’s not threat at all to run.

 

[KingCorcoran]

• Use jet motion to widen edge defenders pre-snap.
• Employ orbit motion to pull safeties out of the box.
• Shift into stacked receiver formations to defeat man coverage.
• Send tight ends across the formation to adjust run strength post-snap.
• Motion RBs out wide, then shift them back in for misdirection.

These wrinkles not only help Dak Prescott pre-snap but also force defenders into mistakes—perfect for exploiting aggressive defenses.

https://insidethestar.com/cowboys-2025-offense-speed-motion-and-power

So Sanders’ age is not an issue?

 

[BoyzBlaster]

The counter argument is in Dak's rookie season our defense was worse and yet we earn the #1 seed. Controlling the football is the key. Teams will be forced to play catch up knowing they may not see the football again for several minutes.

I'm not sure where you are getting that? 2016 our defense was 5th BEST in the league in PPG.

 

[BoyzBlaster]

This people forget that our defense gave up the second most points in the NFL. The only team that gave up more was the Panthers. I am guessing they are hoping a scheme change fixes the defense because it was terrible. I don't believe Mazi Smith is the answer as a starting or maybe even a back up DT. Last year he was ranked 207th out of 219 DT's. That is terrible. He is still young player and this is year 3 so hopefully the light turns on.

Exactly. Defense is going to be bad this year again. They don't have the personnel.

 

[CowboysFaninHouston]

Enough said and thanks for pointing out my stance as anti Dak. Dak isn’t feared to run the ball, most good running teams also have either an elite pocket passer(Goff) or dual threat in backfield. No doubt need a good line but one can’t possibly see Dak as a liability as he’s not threat at all to run.

like I said its all his fault. always. regardless. I know defense sucking is also his fault.

 

[AyeAtey]

So was big Mike, see how that helped us

Big Mike had an even younger OL, and last year was a total disaster.

This new set of linemen and the "new culture" might just blossom with different coaches.

I am, cautiously optimistic with what's on hand.

 

[Hadenough]

Much easier when a team sells out to stop the run, single coverage to take advantage of.

Yes but you still need a QB that can take advantage of the one v one matchups. We've seen teams take away Zeke and it wasn't pretty.

 

[conner01]

The top 2 NFC Teams last season were the Lions & Eagles:

Eagles were #2 in rushing, Lions were #6
#5 & #7 in rushing yards per carry
Eagles lead the league in time of possession, Lions were #2

Lions lead the league in the least amount of rushing attempts against their defense, Eagles were #7

This is the old blueprint that the Cowboys successfully used in Dak's rookie season that lead to them earning the #1 seed. Successfully run the football, control the clock and force teams to play catch up. Fix the run game and team success will follow!

The run game makes the whole offense better. It’s hard to pass when teams don’t have to worry at all about the run