DMN: Three things suggest Cowboys will run more, but pardon DeMarco Murray's skepticism

[jobberone]

Three things suggest Cowboys will run more, but pardon DeMarco Murray's skepticism


dmoore@***BANNED-URL***
Published: 02 August 2014 06:51 PM

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OXNARD, Calif. — Stop rolling your eyes.

Resist the urge to be smug and crack a joke.

Maybe the Cowboys really will run the ball more this season. Maybe the reasons are finally too numerous and compelling to ignore. Maybe you should believe it.

DeMarco Murray will believe it when he sees it.

“Yeah,’’ he responded.

He thinks about saying something else, but doesn’t.

“Like I said, yeah,’’ the running back concluded.

The skepticism is understandable. The Cowboys have not ranked in the top half of the league in rushing with Jason Garrett as head coach. Only 36 percent of all plays from scrimmage last season were runs, and that actually represents a slight improvement over the previous season.

And guess what? In the last two training camps, Garrett and others spoke about the need to run the ball more in the upcoming season.

Why is this season any different?

http://www.***BANNED-URL***/sports/...re-but-pardon-demarco-murray-s-skepticism.ece

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[jobberone]

I'd like to see them run the ball some more but I'd really like to see them run more effectively. And run the ball when it's necessary.

 

[PA Cowboy Fan]

It's just baffling to me why Garrett doesn't respect the run since he was here when Emmitt was and saw for himself what a good running game will do. I'm like Murray though, I'll believe it when I see it. I hope they finally got the message though. This team needs a balanced attack and with this OL there is no reason not to have one.

 

[Texas_Pete]

I think had Murray showed that he could be durable, they (might) have ran the ball a bit more. With an improved OL there simply is no excuse not to now.

I'm guessing we'll be something like a 55% passing, 45% running team this year. We'll still be more of a passing team because our best player is a WR.

 

[Cowboy06]

It's simple, call more running plays and if you need to audible, look to run more often. Call play action if the defense crowds the line or a quick out. Let the defense lineup as they wish and use plain old position and physics dictate where the ball goes. If they aren't there, run or pass there. Sooner or late they will just go back to base and you win because they you clearly get to dictate the flow of the game...unless they have better linemen and this year I'll bet on the front 5 of the offense against most teams.

 

[BoysFan4ever]

I get the feeling if DeMarco is ever not a Cowboy he will go all Patrick Crayton in an interview re his time with the Cowboys.

 

[Risen Star]

Pardon my skepticism, DeMarco, at your ability to run the ball more.

Or should I say durability?

 

[starfrombirth]

I'd like to see them run the ball some more but I'd really like to see them run more effectively. And run the ball when it's necessary.

According to the article, they were first in the league in yards per attempt, so I'm not sure how much more effective they can be expected to be. Running when necessary and more often.. that can certainly be addressed. Sometimes running the ball is a good thing, even when you get stopped, if it forces the other team to burn a timeout or it just shortens the game so the defense isn't out on the field for so many possessions.

 

[jobberone]

Pardon my skepticism, DeMarco, at your ability to run the ball more.

Or should I say durability?

I have zero problem with this. Couldn't agree more.

I don't think we will run the ball a lot more. I just think we will run it more in short yardage situations and on the GL. I've been critical of Garrett's play calling all along but I've also always defended him some because of the inability to run the ball in short yardage situations particularly around the GL. Running TDs is a very healthy stat for a competitive team. You have to be able to run the short game if you want to open up the GL. It's already cramped down there.

 

[jobberone]

According to the article, they were first in the league in yards per attempt, so I'm not sure how much more effective they can be expected to be. Running when necessary and more often.. that can certainly be addressed. Sometimes running the ball is a good thing, even when you get stopped, if it forces the other team to burn a timeout or it just shortens the game so the defense isn't out on the field for so many possessions.

They were great on first and second downs. They weren't so much in short yardage and converting thirds as well as around the GL. That is where you will see this offense start tearing it up. I'll be disappointed if we don't score more than 30ppg this year. And a lot of that increased production (should it actually happen) is going to be in large part because of the ability to run the ball on 3rd and 3-4.

 

[TwoDeep3]

Perhaps the answer is to not audible into passing plays as much. Find out who is responsible for this and limit their ability to do so.

 

[jobberone]

Perhaps the answer is to not audible into passing plays as much. Find out who is responsible for this and limit their ability to do so.

TBF to the offense particularly the offensive coaches and Romo, teams have dared us to run the ball. When you can't convert via the run and they crowd the LOS then you have to pass. And that's a huge advantage to the D.

 

[tantrix1969]

TBF to the offense particularly the offensive coaches and Romo, teams have dared us to run the ball. When you can't convert via the run and they crowd the LOS then you have to pass. And that's a huge advantage to the D.

"Oh, my God. It's the best zone scheme in the league," Pickett continued. "The last four weeks, nobody could stop it -- their zone scheme. And they gave up on it. We're just happy they did. We were, like, 'OK, we'll take it.'"

Pickett wasn't the only Green Bay player to express astonishment at Dallas' refusal to lean on Murray with a commanding lead.

"That's just who they are," cornerback Tramon Williams said. "They run the ball really well against everybody they play, but they just never stick with it."

 

[burmafrd]

"Oh, my God. It's the best zone scheme in the league," Pickett continued. "The last four weeks, nobody could stop it -- their zone scheme. And they gave up on it. We're just happy they did. We were, like, 'OK, we'll take it.'"

Pickett wasn't the only Green Bay player to express astonishment at Dallas' refusal to lean on Murray with a commanding lead.

"That's just who they are," cornerback Tramon Williams said. "They run the ball really well against everybody they play, but they just never stick with it."

in the end it all comes down to Red Ball. he is the HC and its up to him to set the tone. And it is very clear he will pass every chance he can and does not have the intelligence to see that running well gives you more offensive options overall. It is a blind area to him apparently.

 

[itsaboat]

We have an offensive line that can run block well and could be better with Martin at RG. Dallas should run the ball more so they can win TOP and keep their defense off the field as much as possible.

 

[BoysFan4ever]

We have an offensive line that can run block well and could be better with Martin at RG. Dallas should run the ball more so they can win TOP and keep their defense off the field as much as possible.

See the post above yours. This team is pass happy. If Tony's back holds out one has to worry about his arm falling off. Hopefully they do run more as coach Stephen Jones said they would.

 

[Zordon]

"Oh, my God. It's the best zone scheme in the league," Pickett continued. "The last four weeks, nobody could stop it -- their zone scheme. And they gave up on it. We're just happy they did. We were, like, 'OK, we'll take it.'"

Pickett wasn't the only Green Bay player to express astonishment at Dallas' refusal to lean on Murray with a commanding lead.

"That's just who they are," cornerback Tramon Williams said. "They run the ball really well against everybody they play, but they just never stick with it."

Somebody needs to tell them that our coach is in training and we'll have the last laugh in 2028.

 

[ElGatoGrande]

I have zero problem with this. Couldn't agree more.

I don't think we will run the ball a lot more. I just think we will run it more in short yardage situations and on the GL. I've been critical of Garrett's play calling all along but I've also always defended him some because of the inability to run the ball in short yardage situations particularly around the GL. Running TDs is a very healthy stat for a competitive team. You have to be able to run the short game if you want to open up the GL. It's already cramped down there.

This is one reason I would love Dallas to have a bruiser RB in the rotation,,, someone like that jerk that played for the Giants,,, that brief amount of time Sammy Morris ran for us was a site for sore eyes. They need that short yardage guy IMO.

 

[Section446]

Murray is awesome, no doubt, but I won't lie, every time he touches the ball, I tense up a bit thinking he may get injured.

 

[LittleBoyBlue]

I'd like to see them run the ball some more but I'd really like to see them run more effectively. And run the ball when it's necessary.

You don't ALWAYS run effectively. But you STILL HAVE TO run. Otherwise defenses pin their ears back and it's open season on Romo.