News: Dallas Cowboys: Post-draft evaluation of the new offense

[CCBoy]

Dallas Cowboys: Post-draft evaluation of the new offense
https://thelandryhat.com/2018/05/03/dallas-cowboys-post-draft-evaluation-new-offense/



The Dallas Cowboys addressed multiple roster needs in the draft. It’s time to evaluate offensive positions and see where things stand.
For the most part, the Dallas Cowboys did an admirable job of maximizing value while filling roster needs in the draft. Six of nine picks were used to bolster the offense. Another 6th rounder was traded for a veteran offensive weapon. Surprisingly, 70% of the draft was spent on offense.




RUNNING BACK
Losses: Alfred Morris

Additions: Tavon Austin (FA), Bo Scarbrough (7th rd. – Alabama)

Evaluation: Strong upgrade

Analysis: Ezekiel Elliott back at full steam drastically upgrades the position from 2017. Morris was a worthy change of pace, but Rod Smith and Scarbrough should be fine sharing the reduced back-up snaps. Blazing scat back Austin will add new pop.




OFFENSIVE LINE
Losses: Jonathan Cooper, Byron Bell

Additions: Connor Williams (2nd rd. – Texas), Cameron Fleming (FA), Marcus Martin (FA)

Evaluation: Elite upgrade

Analysis: Former All-American rookie Williams will start at left guard. Fleming (2017 Super Bowl starter) will serve as swing tackle insurance. Former starter Martin adds high quality interior depth. The front office knocked it out of the park in the trenches.

 

[CCBoy]

How this season works out, will depend upon just how well Dak Prescott works with his new offensive unit in the off season and continues it's progress once the season starts.

The strongest non-quarterback unit on the team, is now, hands down, the offensive line. It now show cases five studs occupying starting positions. Not only does the unit have the strongest unit ability in the NFL, but it's depth is very strong and pretty deep as well.

Teams will have to now scheme at how to defeat this unit as a whole...and that will be a tough task master to defeat. That will hold true for the toughest of opponent defenses. There now is a valid reason why this unit is top notched...and it will be growing better, the more time that they spend together.

The running game is now the bread and butter for this offensive group. The team already had a top 3 NFL running back in Zeke Elliott. During the draft, it upgraded the unit by trading for Tavon Austin and picking up Bo Scarbrough in the draft. This unit has flex and some dramatic character for production.

Scarbrough is a pounder and Austin is top shelf danger and speed.

The receiver group will now have to produce it's own character, but this will be dependent upon how Prescott now forges his team.

 

[Ranching]

How this season works out, will depend upon just how well Dak Prescott works with his new offensive unit in the off season and continues it's progress once the season starts.

The strongest non-quarterback unit on the team, is now, hands down, the offensive line. It now show cases five studs occupying starting positions. Not only does the unit have the strongest unit ability in the NFL, but it's depth is very strong and pretty deep as well.

Teams will have to now scheme at how to defeat this unit as a whole...and that will be a tough task master to defeat. That will hold true for the toughest of opponent defenses. There now is a valid reason why this unit is top notched...and it will be growing better, the more time that they spend together.

The running game is now the bread and butter for this offensive group. The team already had a top 3 NFL running back in Zeke Elliott. During the draft, it upgraded the unit by trading for Tavon Austin and picking up Bo Scarbrough in the draft. This unit has flex and some dramatic character for production.

Scarbrough is a pounder and Austin is top shelf danger and speed.

The receiver group will now have to produce it's own character, but this will be dependent upon how Prescott now forges his team.

Our offensive coaching staff needs to step up and get the most out of our talent. I hope they do!!

 

[ShiningStar]

i disagree about Dak, its more on Garrett and Linehan to commit to the run. If they can do that, it ll make things easier for Dak to do his thing. Keep him at his strengths and show the fans you are going to make this team run on more than 1 cyclinder.

Either the defense plays and the offense sucks, offense sucks defense sucks but ST played well, or defense plays, offense sucks and ST gave up plays.

 

[Techsass]

As bad as our O was last season, we still scored around 30 points in 8 of the games. Shoring up the Oline, especially getting real backups (I hope) was the biggest need there. That alone should have been enough to keep us in contention every game this season.

Yes we needed a TE & I think I'm going to really like Gallup, but those wanting the emphasis on D weren't wrong. We lost 2 games in a row where we scored 30 against teams with a good QB/offence. If we make it to the playoffs. that's what we're going to have to face.

I think we had a pretty good draft, but the D needed a bit more than just 1 out of every 3 picks.

 

[ChronicCowboy]

I don’t think you can call the changes at QB, WR or RB slight upgrades. If anything it’s a push, with the moves at WR a huge question mark. I think the move at FB is also a push. The analysis of OL and TE is correct.

 

[charron]

70% of our wr group has never caught a pass from dak. Not to mention all of our tight ends have caught maybe 10 passes from dak in a game over the last 2 years combined. Its alot of unknowns of just how much these guys can get in sync. Luckily the run game will still be 90-95% zeke.

 

[GimmeTheBall!]

I have lots of criticisms, but our O line is superb, good fellows!
Zeke and that line for 6 years????
Add an Irwin-esque receiver ....

 

[buybuydandavis]

Dallas Cowboys: Post-draft evaluation of the new offense

Most important question: Do we get a new offense, or the same old offense with new cogs plugged in?

With our top 2 TEs moving on, and Beasley probably still our best WR, we *should* be going 3 wide with Beasley full time. Maybe 3wide with Olawale at FB, and no TE. Maybe 4 wide, with Zeke, and Dak running more. Our oline will handle any dline. Make DBs tackle Zeke all day. That's a very long day for the DBs.

It was arguable that Witten should have been on the field for most snaps. Same can't be said of any of our TEs today.

Will we actually adapt to the personnel we have, or will it be the Garrett way of the last decade, stuffing players into his preferred system?

That's the big question.

 

[jobberone]

As bad as our O was last season, we still scored around 30 points in 8 of the games. Shoring up the Oline, especially getting real backups (I hope) was the biggest need there. That alone should have been enough to keep us in contention every game this season.

Yes we needed a TE & I think I'm going to really like Gallup, but those wanting the emphasis on D weren't wrong. We lost 2 games in a row where we scored 30 against teams with a good QB/offence. If we make it to the playoffs. that's what we're going to have to face.

I think we had a pretty good draft, but the D needed a bit more than just 1 out of every 3 picks.

I keep saying this factually and it keeps getting ignored.

We gave up 20.8 PPG which isn't sterling but is good enough with a decent offense to win 10+ games. We gave up 19.1 PPG in 2016 and won 13 games. 17 PPG is elite.

We only scored 22.1 PPG last year. We scored 26.3 PPG in 2016. We scored 10 or fewer points in 4 games last year. We score 27 PPG we are 13-3 again.

It was the offense that failed the team last year although the defense could improve. We didn't get off the field in critical moments some games. That was on the offense and defense.

So they spent their money in the right place. They got a first rate cover LBer and they added enough talent on defense otherwise to add 1-3 starters on top of LVE.

We got a swing tackle in the offseason. We added a first rate LG in the draft. Gallup will push for a starting spot and we added enough FAs to fill out the WR position. We got a decent TE in the draft.

We look good esp with the 4 UDFA DBs.

 

[Cowpolk]

I would count Austin at 2 positions he will be a receiver lots of the time this season

 

[CCBoy]

Most important question: Do we get a new offense, or the same old offense with new cogs plugged in?

With our top 2 TEs moving on, and Beasley probably still our best WR, we *should* be going 3 wide with Beasley full time. Maybe 3wide with Olawale at FB, and no TE. Maybe 4 wide, with Zeke, and Dak running more. Our oline will handle any dline. Make DBs tackle Zeke all day. That's a very long day for the DBs.

It was arguable that Witten should have been on the field for most snaps. Same can't be said of any of our TEs today.

Will we actually adapt to the personnel we have, or will it be the Garrett way of the last decade, stuffing players into his preferred system?

That's the big question.

Straight up, get out of the habit...win or lose...of blaming Jason Garrett and Jerry Jones...period.

This year is upon a whole group of very young players...how THEY come together at top skill levels...and how much of the team that Dak Prescott can carry himself. Nothing more...and the work is going on right, now!

Make no mistake, schemes will come from the current groups of coaches, but how that develops is upon the players themselves.

Me, I'm gladly watching...that's what a fan does. Not - only watching for a trophy and all else is thrown out.

It's all upon the team, and what Jobberone pointed out, what occurs on the carpet is all important.

But this group of players have their own dynamics and it's on their shoulders now. Yea, things and situations will be changing, but that is football...and this guy, is a FAN!

 

[CCBoy]

Jones also added Prescott is a bit more disciplined than the improvisational Tony Romo, so Dak needs his receivers to be better route runners.

This excerpt about Dak’s strengths further drives home the point that with precise footwork and well-timed routes, a group of three of four ‘B’ receivers can get you equal to or more production than a receiving core with one dominant ‘A+’.

https://thelandryhat.com/2018/05/04/jason-wittens-departure-defenses-focus-ezekiel-elliott/

 

[CCBoy]

Running Back & Full Back: Ezekiel Elliott, Rod Smith, Bo Scarbrough, Tavon Austin and Jamize Olawale (4)

Again no surprises here. Ezekiel Elliott is the number one with Rod Smith as the number two back in the group. Bo Scarbrough will make the team and have the opportunity to make some plays during games. He won’t see much playing time unless there is an injury to either Elliott or Smith.

Tavon Austin will make the team not as much for his play at the running back position but for his big-play ability in the return game. He could see just as much playing time as Scarbrough.

Jamize Olawale will be the team’s fullback with no real competition for him on the current roster. His ability to also run the ball and catch out of the backfield make him a valuable asset.

https://thelandryhat.com/2018/05/04/dallas-cowboys-replaced-dez-bryant/

 

[CCBoy]

Wide Receiver: Terrance Williams, Michael Gallup, Cole Beasley, Allen Hurns, Cedrick Wilson, and Noah Brown (6)

This group is going to be the second biggest wild card when it comes to the roster positions. I say that because injuries can always play a part in roster decisions. My gut feeling tells me that this is how the position will end up. Terrance Williams, Allen Hurns, Cole Beasley and Michael Gallup are the locks to make the team.

This leaves two spots open with Cedric Wilson, Noah Brown, Deonte Thompson, K.D Cannon and Lance Lenoir all battling for it. Lenoir and Cannon lost their roster spots when the Cowboys selected Gallup and Wilson in the draft. Thompson will lose his spot to Brown as the Cowboys see him as the “X” receiver replacement for Dez Bryant in the red zone due to his height advantage.

https://thelandryhat.com/2018/05/05/dallas-cowboys-post-draft-early-roster-prediction/2/

Offensive Line: Tyron Smith, Connor Williams, Travis Frederick, Zack Martin, La’el Collins, Cameron Fleming, Joe Looney, Marcus Martin (8)

The Cowboys won’t shock anyone at this position. The only possible competition in this group would be at right tackle between Collins and Fleming. The Cowboys will choose Collins due to Fleming’s ability to play both left and right tackle. Smith, Williams, Frederick, Zack Martin and Collins will be your starts. Fleming, Looney and Marcus Martin with being the backups at the center, tackle and guard positions.

 

[Flamma]

I keep saying this factually and it keeps getting ignored.

We gave up 20.8 PPG which isn't sterling but is good enough with a decent offense to win 10+ games. We gave up 19.1 PPG in 2016 and won 13 games. 17 PPG is elite.

We only scored 22.1 PPG last year. We scored 26.3 PPG in 2016. We scored 10 or fewer points in 4 games last year. We score 27 PPG we are 13-3 again.

It was the offense that failed the team last year although the defense could improve. We didn't get off the field in critical moments some games. That was on the offense and defense.

So they spent their money in the right place. They got a first rate cover LBer and they added enough talent on defense otherwise to add 1-3 starters on top of LVE.

We got a swing tackle in the offseason. We added a first rate LG in the draft. Gallup will push for a starting spot and we added enough FAs to fill out the WR position. We got a decent TE in the draft.

We look good esp with the 4 UDFA DBs.

Someone once said there are three types of lies, Lies, Damn Lies, and Statistics, and statistics can be misleading since they usually use an overall average. A statistic itself never explains how it got there, it's just there. That PPG statistic will probably get you that 10-13 wins as you've described, but it's not always indicative of how good a football team is. Ball control, turnovers on both sides of the ball, your opponent(s), or just a damn good defense all have an impact on PPG. They are also interchangeable and can mask one another.

 

[CCBoy]

Someone once said there are three types of lies, Lies, Damn Lies, and Statistics, and statistics can be misleading since they usually use an overall average. A statistic itself never explains how it got there, it's just there. That PPG statistic will probably get you that 10-13 wins as you've described, but it's not always indicative of how good a football team is. Ball control, turnovers on both sides of the ball, your opponent(s), or just a damn good defense all have an impact on PPG. They are also interchangeable and can mask one another.

Up front, let's see one fly in space without the projections of statistics! Calculus and physics dominate in path of flight!!

 

[dallasdave]

I would count Austin at 2 positions he will be a receiver lots of the time this season

AT least WR,RB,KR,PR --a man for all seasons

 

[Verdict]

Running Back & Full Back: Ezekiel Elliott, Rod Smith, Bo Scarbrough, Tavon Austin and Jamize Olawale (4)

Again no surprises here. Ezekiel Elliott is the number one with Rod Smith as the number two back in the group. Bo Scarbrough will make the team and have the opportunity to make some plays during games. He won’t see much playing time unless there is an injury to either Elliott or Smith.

Tavon Austin will make the team not as much for his play at the running back position but for his big-play ability in the return game. He could see just as much playing time as Scarbrough.

Jamize Olawale will be the team’s fullback with no real competition for him on the current roster. His ability to also run the ball and catch out of the backfield make him a valuable asset.

https://thelandryhat.com/2018/05/04/dallas-cowboys-replaced-dez-bryant/

Olawale coukd very well be the unexpected x-factor for the offense this year.

 

[Verdict]

Wide Receiver: Terrance Williams, Michael Gallup, Cole Beasley, Allen Hurns, Cedrick Wilson, and Noah Brown (6)

This group is going to be the second biggest wild card when it comes to the roster positions. I say that because injuries can always play a part in roster decisions. My gut feeling tells me that this is how the position will end up. Terrance Williams, Allen Hurns, Cole Beasley and Michael Gallup are the locks to make the team.

This leaves two spots open with Cedric Wilson, Noah Brown, Deonte Thompson, K.D Cannon and Lance Lenoir all battling for it. Lenoir and Cannon lost their roster spots when the Cowboys selected Gallup and Wilson in the draft. Thompson will lose his spot to Brown as the Cowboys see him as the “X” receiver replacement for Dez Bryant in the red zone due to his height advantage.

https://thelandryhat.com/2018/05/05/dallas-cowboys-post-draft-early-roster-prediction/2/

Offensive Line: Tyron Smith, Connor Williams, Travis Frederick, Zack Martin, La’el Collins, Cameron Fleming, Joe Looney, Marcus Martin (8)

The Cowboys won’t shock anyone at this position. The only possible competition in this group would be at right tackle between Collins and Fleming. The Cowboys will choose Collins due to Fleming’s ability to play both left and right tackle. Smith, Williams, Frederick, Zack Martin and Collins will be your starts. Fleming, Looney and Marcus Martin with being the backups at the center, tackle and guard positions.

I'm not sure Williams is a lock to make the roster and I am not sure we will keep more than 5 receivers. I think we will keep 5 receivers and try to sneak one or two on the practice squad.

We could go one player longer this year on the OLine.