Dallas is one of two teams that has held it's opponent scoreless on their 1st possession of the 2nd half....the other team is the Ravens who are viewed as one of if not the best defenses right now....
At least defensively we are making some good adjustments at halftime and coming out ready to go!
Let's get those skins and hang a w on the wall today!
All of my friends who are coaches (including my son) say “halftime adjustments” are overrated. Of course you make some, but they are made throughout the game, not just at halftime.
Here’s where Garrett struggles with adjustments- if the team is getting stopped offensively, he doesn’t seem very capable (or willing) to make quick changes to counter what the defense is doing.
Two examples-
1. Last year, against Denver, the broncs made a huge commitment defensively- they used press coverage and single covered everyone except Cole Beasley, who was bracketed wherever he went. It shut down Dak’s primary receiver and it stacked the box for the run.
THAT defense became the blueprint in 2017 for stopping the Cowboys offense. It didn’t always work, but Dallas rarely did much in terms of moving Beasley around. Garrett usuallly sticks with what he wants, even when it is stopped.
2. The infamous Atlanta game last November. Knowing in advance of the game that LT Tyron Smith was injured, JG and Linehan planned very little to help the hapless Chaz Green. We all watched in amazement as time after time, possession after possession, Garrett left Green in there as as the average falcon DE Adrian Clayborn racked up 6 sacks.
By halftime, it was obvious Green couldn’t handle LT. Garrett made no decision for a change at halftime, despite only being down 10-7 at the half. When the game was already out of hand, Garrett finally removed Green. This game became the game that destroyed the Cowboys confidence and had long term ramifications.
Their is a difference between “commitment” and “stupid”. Garrett blurs those lines when it comes to making in game adjustments. His primary adjustment is for his team to “fight”.