Why are we running the ball effectively with Rush but not with Dak?

kskboys

Well-Known Member
Messages
44,484
Reaction score
47,348
Why are we running the ball effectively w/ Rush, but mostly could not do so w/ Dak? I absolutely cannot wrap my head around this one. What's the big difference? Does Dak have a tell? I mean, we're just not seeing defenders meeting RB's in the backfield as we did before.

Any ideas?
 
thunderpimp91

thunderpimp91

Well-Known Member
Messages
7,039
Reaction score
15,256
This could easily turn into a 10 page thread as the answer really isnt super simple.

1) Zeke being injured last year really hurt our ability to run
2) So far this year Tampa Bay was by far the best run defense we have faced
3) Dak has a tendency to check out of runs more often than Cooper Rush has shown so far
4) Very possible KM took more of a "back to basics" approach once Rush became the starter
5) Fewer penalties the last couple weeks - fewer situations of 10+ yards to go means more ability to run the football
6) We are seeing more downfield attempts right now than we have in recent Dak history. - This one may be incorrect as I didnt look up the data, but it certainly feels like Rush is taking more shots down field, and even those mid range throws.

and the list can go on and on. I have a ton of ideas as to why, but I struggle to pin point just once answer.
 
Dallasfann

Dallasfann

Well-Known Member
Messages
4,391
Reaction score
7,400
I don't know if many people in this forum know this but, most QB's can choose to run or pass it depending on the look of the defense. In fact, a lot of times there are 2 plays given to the QB through the head set. A run play and a pass play. The QB then looks at a defense and decides which option might work better. Dak doesn't know what's going to work better. Cooper can read a defense and goes with his best option. The problem teams are having right now, is they think Cooper will sell out on the run being a back up, but if you give him the pass play he's going to throw it.
 
TequilaCowboy

TequilaCowboy

Well-Known Member
Messages
5,278
Reaction score
7,331
kskboys said:
Why are we running the ball effectively w/ Rush, but mostly could not do so w/ Dak? I absolutely cannot wrap my head around this one. What's the big difference? Does Dak have a tell? I mean, we're just not seeing defenders meeting RB's in the backfield as we did before.

Any ideas?
Click to expand...

Well for one, they have finally been running with the QB under center. Zeke or Pollard in the I formation. They can see the line play from seven yards back and see the defense as well. Look for the hole. Less shotgun. Of course the OL playing better helps too.
 

kskboys

Well-Known Member
Messages
44,484
Reaction score
47,348
TequilaCowboy said:
Well for one, they have finally been running with the QB under center. Zeke or Pollard in the I formation. They can see the line play from seven yards back and see the defense as well. Look for the hole. Less shotgun. Of course the OL playing better helps too.
Click to expand...
I don't think the OL is playing all that much better. Cooper gets rid of the ball extremely quick. OL doesn't have to hold their blocks anywhere near as long.

I like the less shotgun explanation.
 
fivetwos

fivetwos

Well-Known Member
Messages
19,261
Reaction score
26,168
I question whether this is even on Moore.

How do we know when run plays are called but Dak checks out of them?

All I know is that while Prescott is a better player than Rush, our OC and game plan seem to be MUCH better when the latter is playing.
 

kskboys

Well-Known Member
Messages
44,484
Reaction score
47,348
thunderpimp91 said:
This could easily turn into a 10 page thread as the answer really isnt super simple.

1) Zeke being injured last year really hurt our ability to run
2) So far this year Tampa Bay was by far the best run defense we have faced
3) Dak has a tendency to check out of runs more often than Cooper Rush has shown so far
4) Very possible KM took more of a "back to basics" approach once Rush became the starter
5) Fewer penalties the last couple weeks - fewer situations of 10+ yards to go means more ability to run the football
6) We are seeing more downfield attempts right now than we have in recent Dak history. - This one may be incorrect as I didnt look up the data, but it certainly feels like Rush is taking more shots down field, and even those mid range throws.

and the list can go on and on. I have a ton of ideas as to why, but I struggle to pin point just once answer.
Click to expand...
Good stuff.

I believe the fewer penalties has a lot to do w/ Rush getting rid of the ball so quickly. If what I remember is correct, didn't he have the quickest throwing time after the snap in the NFL? I think that's what they showed.

Also, a stat that no one likes to talk about because everyone just loves them some mobile QB's. It is monstrously easier to block for a pocket QB. Many holding calls happen because the blocker has his hands in the middle of the defenders jersey, and when your QB breaks out of the pocket, the defender follows leaving the blocker holding.
 

kskboys

Well-Known Member
Messages
44,484
Reaction score
47,348
fivetwos said:
I question whether this is even on Moore.

How do we know when run plays are called but Dak checks out of them?

All I know is that while Prescott is a better player than Rush, our OC and game plan seem to be MUCH better when the latter is playing.
Click to expand...
Dak is more physically talented, but I'm starting to question mightily whether he's a better player.
 
Cowboy4ever

Cowboy4ever

Well-Known Member
Messages
4,991
Reaction score
4,208
some of it has to do with better OLine play. We are also using both backs really well. And some of it is the current QB can check to the right play. Move the run to the right or to the left depending on what the D is doing. It looks like Dak guesses at that way to much and we end up running into the teeth of the D. Rush seems to process the information quicker and more accurately. I do not know if this is true or not but after the game last night Chase Daniels on the NFL Network said the toss sweep on 3rd and 12 to zeke that went for like 29 yards was a check by Rush at the LOS. If that is true, that kinda tells you why we are running the ball better.
 
RonnieT24

RonnieT24

Well-Known Member
Messages
13,531
Reaction score
21,613
kskboys said:
Dak is more physically talented, but I'm starting to question mightily whether he's a better player.
Click to expand...

Don't.. the simple fact of the matter is we run a very different offense when the two are in. One guy leads the offense to 400+ yards and 30+ points with regularity while the other guy is fortunate to get to 20. If we used this game plan with Dak at QB (like we saw in weeks 2-5 last year) we get the best of both worlds.. An offense that can grind the opposition to paste but a QB who can light them up for 400 yards and 4 TDs at a moment's notice. The biggest problem is getting Moore to recognize that we don't need to play every game like we need 400 yards and 4 TDs out of Dak.. because we don't. We have two very good running backs and an offensive line that appears to be much improved at least in run blocking.. and I think having a couple of tight ends who don't whiff on the backside end regularly is making all the difference. The younguns are already better blockers than Schultz.. and neither appears to be a liability catching the ball either.. Hope Schultz invests his 11 million well.. He will not be getting another contract for that kind of money..
 
RonnieT24

RonnieT24

Well-Known Member
Messages
13,531
Reaction score
21,613
kskboys said:
I don't think the OL is playing all that much better. Cooper gets rid of the ball extremely quick. OL doesn't have to hold their blocks anywhere near as long.

I like the less shotgun explanation.
Click to expand...

It absolutely makes a difference.. as I have been clamoring for for three years, quit giving Zeke the damn standstill handoff. Having that beast attack the line of scrimmage with a head of steam is always going to yield better results. We have seen a lot more plays run under center with Rush in the lineup and the impact in the running game has been obvious. Even Pollard has been more effective between the tackles from the deep set.
 
noshame

noshame

I'm not dead yet......
Messages
13,750
Reaction score
11,911
CowboysZone ULTIMATE Fan
The defense for dak is move the corners back give him the sidelines, he won't throw there. force him to throw in the middle with the safety's tight . This cloggs the middle, he won't throw into tight windows. It also cloggs the run game.
They tried this with Rush and he made them pay, throwing the ball deeper
They started playing cover 2 and all of the sudden are running game opened up So there's your answer.
Stick with rush we'll have great running attack
 
fivetwos

fivetwos

Well-Known Member
Messages
19,261
Reaction score
26,168
RonnieT24 said:
Don't.. the simple fact of the matter is we run a very different offense when the two are in. One guy leads the offense to 400+ yards and 30+ points with regularity while the other guy is fortunate to get to 20. If we used this game plan with Dak at QB (like we saw in weeks 2-5 last year) we get the best of both worlds.. An offense that can grind the opposition to paste but a QB who can light them up for 400 yards and 4 TDs at a moment's notice. The biggest problem is getting Moore to recognize that we don't need to play every game like we need 400 yards and 4 TDs out of Dak.. because we don't. We have two very good running backs and an offensive line that appears to be much improved at least in run blocking.. and I think having a couple of tight ends who don't whiff on the backside end regularly is making all the difference. The younguns are already better blockers than Schultz.. and neither appears to be a liability catching the ball either.. Hope Schultz invests his 11 million well.. He will not be getting another contract for that kind of money..
Click to expand...
Exactly right.

Man I wish they would figure this out and do what’s best for the team instead of trying to justify a contract.

I’m completely convinced Jerry has Moore in pad stat mode when it comes to Prescott.
 
Cumart21

Cumart21

Well-Known Member
Messages
749
Reaction score
937
Cowboys played TB week one... That's the difference. The running game was a point of emphasis on the off season and looked better in the preseason.
 
Shane612

Shane612

Well-Known Member
Messages
7,307
Reaction score
5,088
kskboys said:
Why are we running the ball effectively w/ Rush, but mostly could not do so w/ Dak? I absolutely cannot wrap my head around this one. What's the big difference? Does Dak have a tell? I mean, we're just not seeing defenders meeting RB's in the backfield as we did before.

Any ideas?
Click to expand...
It just seemed like they play with more passion with Rush at QB. It may be the novelty of having a "new" QB, IDK.
Will the novelty wear off, forcing the cowboys to backtrack to being their old stale self?
Too early to tell.
 
CouchCoach

CouchCoach

Staff member
Messages
41,122
Reaction score
74,902
CowboysZone ULTIMATE Fan
Did you think the Joneses would pony up that kind of money and not demand he be made a star to justify it? Booger cannot stand any form of criticism so Moore got his marching orders that Prescott has to be a top tier for the old fool's ego.

No way can Prescott be thought of as a bus driver or a Cousins comparison.

The idiot son went as far as to say Prescott is a top 3 QB and nobody has him close to that level. And that puts additional pressure on Prescott.

I find it interesting that Orlovsky and Young both think they should run the O they're running with Rush for Prescott when he comes back, it is so evident there are two different offenses.

Booger must have stars to market. Did you hear what he said about Parsons? "We've got big plans for Micah Parsons". What a completely ridiculous statement to make, players make their own plans through their play. He's so arrogant, he wants to take some of the shine from Parsons' natural talent. Without our plan, he's just a player.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top