What about the running game?

Takes a strong-willed HC for a run game in today's NFL and it is not as much can he do that when he wants to but when he has to?

Shanahan knew he would have to live by the run to win that game and so did his opponent. He found creative and traditional ways to run the ball.

I am not sure there are a lot of coaches in tune with the run game like it used to be and Shanahan was raised by one of the best ever at it. Moore believes in the run game but he is not creative in getting his backs free.

The real crux of the run game is the QB, does be believe in it and is he willing to rely on that. All of this hoopla about Brady, Rodgers, Burrows, Allen, Mahomes and Herbert is about passing. Every OC has two jobs, make the offense work and keep the trigger man happy. Which do you think is more important to the Cowboys?

Some GM's would accept paying the QB 40M is the price to pay but this one needs to feature him and make him a star to validate his decision.

The irony is that this GM does not get it. Win and no one picks the decisions on the players apart, which bothers him a lot. There were questions about the Rams decisions until they won it all. The Pats got questions every time Belichick made a move. But he won.

maryquality said:

We still have holes in the o-line, but our FO is doing nothing about it....so far. That's unbelievable to me....well, on second thought, I believe it.

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Our Oline has not been the same since we lost Fredbeard. He was a horse and a leader.

Doomsday101 said:

and that is your opinion, I think the knee issues clearly slowed him down and the Cowboys I feel should have sat him but as I said I think primary backs are Zeke and Pollard and do not see a 3rd RB getting many chances. I would wait until the following draft since RB tend to produce early on in their careers

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uhh yeah, everything we all post here is basically our own opinion.

Rayman70 said:

we need 1 now not in 2023. Zeke is nearly washed.

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We need one that can actually run effectively right now.

We have to luck into that player getting a real chance.

Another primo case in point of how we need to overcome our own management to succeed.

Thinking however, that just maybe Jerry will relent on Elliotts snap count next season....kinda the way he sets it up as if that were the plan all along.

Rayman70 said:

uhh yeah, everything we all post here is basically our own opinion.

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That is right, and I am allowed to disagree just as you are.

- We have not yet settled the OL as there is questions about the LG role. As there will eventually be at the RT spot too.
And we have not had the NFL draft yet.
Who knows if they are considering the center position per draft ..or post- draft vet FA.

- Frankly i still think there's a dire need for a experienced quality backup vet backup tackle. We only have raw, unproven Josh Ball
who has zero game experience, ..and we know well the deal with vet Tyron Smith and his usual durability issues.

- As far as the RBs, what you see now is what you gonna get in 2022. At least for one more year, heavy contract dough$ is already placed in Zeke,
and we also have change of pace spark plug Tony Pollard.
We're flat rolling with those 2, and unless there's a injury to either one says differently. We'll have a vet JAG or green rookie or 2nd year guy/special teamer

- Now in terms of a much better more improved run/pass scheme for the RBs .... .much better OC Play-calling ?.. the HC finally being able to input, share/suggest and implement
some of his GB designs and ideas into the Kellen offense, will we finally see that ?

- What will be able to get outta the current OL coach Joe Philbin ?

Doomsday101 said:

That is right, and I am allowed to disagree just as you are.

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yes... and..?

Speaking of running....

Rayman70 said:

yes... and..?

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and what? I disagree and gave reason why I disagreed So what? You say Zeke is a wash and I disagree, you say we should be drafting RB this season and I gave a reason why I would not. I look to drafted in 2023 for a RB since the position is one of instinct of being able to see daylight and hitting the hole which is why RB come out of the gates quickly and make it year 1 or not. I think looking for RB within 1st 4 rds would be a waste since he would not get a lot of snaps outside of injury. Those are my reasons and you are free to disagree all you want.

The running game was putrid the second half of the season.

the cowboys have to hit on draft picks on the OL. At least one, if not two. And they better find immediate starters/contributors.

if they don’t. We are in big trouble on the OL because they once again, crapped the bed in free agency and haven’t even signed anyone to address the awful OL play.

Jake said:

Vikings scored 16 points in the Cooper Rush game. The Cowboys were 6-0 when holding the opponent to 17 or less. Go figure.

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Stats are fun, huh?

Rayman70 said:

Im glad this subject was brought up. Its been stagnant. The line has been bad and the running backs have been mediocre. We must improve. I would like to add a rb in the draft like Breece Hall. Use a 3 headed monster at rb.

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And just a little creativity.Not the same 2 or 3 running plays over and over.It’s so predictable.

Arkyvarminter said:

I'm not hearing alot about the running game this offseason. It seems with a QB like Dak we need a really good ground game. I don't have alot of faith in Zeke anymore and who knows if Pollard can carry the load. Do we need to draft a RB in the later rounds or just stick with what we have. I would love to pick someone up. Is Kellen Moore abandoning the ground game too soon in games? What do you think?

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When you have a 160 million $ Elite top 5 QB you don't need a running game baby!!!!!

Rayman70 said:

Im glad this subject was brought up. Its been stagnant. The line has been bad and the running backs have been mediocre. We must improve. I would like to add a rb in the draft like Breece Hall. Use a 3 headed monster at rb.

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Slam the OL with draft picks, and draft a RB every year with later round draft picks.
Hall is arguably the first RB off the board, so when you look at 24th overall, are you good with taking him there?
Too early at 24 imo, but would consider a move up in the 2nd if he lasts that long possibly?

PAPPYDOG said:

When you have a 160 million $ Elite top 5 QB you don't need a running game baby!!!!!

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Is that why the Packers resigned Aaron Jones? Brees did not need Kamara

TexasHillbilly said:

Our Oline has not been the same since we lost Fredbeard. He was a horse and a leader.

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We need 4 no 1 picks again on the offline for us to have any chance of scoring in big games......
Someone tell Burrows the above, please!!!

glimmerman said:

If we are smart we will begin looking. I could see us letting Elliot go unless he has a unreal season. That depends on the O-Line. But could lose Elliot and see about a descent contract with Pollard as starter. If so will need a good backup. But this year is a good time to find a RB that could be a good #2 in the future or maybe a starter. Would like to see a big guy. Someone to beat LBs down. With good hands. Or if we kept Elliot then draft super fast home run speed..

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- We likely have already begun looking for " future" potential backs, .especially there's a very likelihood, that we'll lose both Zeke and Pollard in back to back years.
- and yes i am among those that think Zeke will be a casualty cut next year in 2023, when his cap hit becomes 11 mill instead of these 30+ million dead cap hits.

- We have an escape option out and i fully expect Cowboys to exploit it. If he were still Adrian Peterson like explosive as his previous 2 years then it may likely have been
a whole different tale. But ZKE had lost his innate burst before his recent knee issue in 2022.
Unfortunate as the dude is only 26 years of age. He should've been in his prime, not nearing the end.

https://www.spotrac.com/nfl/dallas-cowboys/ezekiel-elliott-18952/

https://www.spotrac.com/nfl/dallas-cowboys/tony-pollard-29176/

- Pollard has been vastly misused and under utilized in Kellen's offense, he could've been one of the more dangerous, explosive players in the NFL,, both as a runner and receiver,
even as a change of pace type.
But such is the limit of our current OC, and for whatever reason, McCarthy has been hands off.

- Even if we're able to re-sign Pollard, i'd still like and prefer the committee/ride share approach of two playmaking backs instead of laying it all on the lap of just one RB.
But that's not gonna happen this year, it'll will definitely come post- cut Elliott.

The teams that run the ball, do they get all the coverage or is that reserved for the teams with QB's? Some failed to place the value for media coverage to Booger in keeping Prescott.

The Titans have the best RB in the game, how much love do they get?

This owner filters through the showbiz side of football and that begins with a QB and lotsa balls in the air.

That game where Romo stood toe to toe with Manning and barely lost that game. Booger would take that, 10 out of 10 times, as opposed to running the ball and clock controlling for a win. And, honestly, I cannot fault him for that as the owner. it is a business.

To begin to understand his gameplan, you must first accept that unlike the other owners, he does not market his team to just football fans, he markets them to the world. While that doesn't make us, the fans, happy, it is why this team remains the 9th Wonder of the World. The richest and most talked about and watched sports team in history without accomplishing anything in 2.5 decades but being the richest and most watched.

CouchCoach said:

Some GM's would accept paying the QB 40M is the price to pay but this one needs to feature him and make him a star to validate his decision.

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100% correct.

The way to fix a mistake in Dallas it to double down on it and try to make it look like that was the plan all along.

They can win with Dak....but only if used correctly. Trying to feature him a a passer isn't that and we wont see anything different than we already have.

The current offensive personnel here doesn't really add up well, but we just collect players and coaches and schemes and hope it all works.

PAPPYDOG said:

When you have a 160 million $ Elite top 5 QB you don't need a running game baby!!!!!

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I mean your money says it all

2022 #4 QB cap hit $19.7 mill
2022 #21 RB cap hit $18.2 mill

seems to me they spent money for a running game for 2022 ..by your statement.