Interesting Nuggets of Info on Offensive Scheme Last Season

Haimerej · May 10, 2019

cern said:
Try reinventing yourself.

Nah.

big dog cowboy · May 10, 2019

817Gill said:
The Cowboys also had Prescott throw just 11 passes on RPO (run-pass option) plays last season, per Sports Info Solutions, a figure that is frankly embarrassing given Prescott's obvious strength with RPO schemes.

How Garrett allowed this to happen is beyond me by light years.

CalPolyTechnique · May 10, 2019

817Gill said:
https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/...their-chances-of-reaching-super-bowl-liv/amp/

The first subtitle is where the info is.

Yes this is some of the stuff we already know but it’s May and interesting to get some numbers and data behind it. Gives us an idea of how Linehan has held Dak back.

“Far too many of the Cowboys' passing-down snaps last year involved them spreading the field with three receivers and a tight end, all of whom ran identical comeback routes to the sticks. It was predictable and incredibly easy for defenses to cover. Linehan's lack of creativity most often manifested itself in Prescott having to throw into tight coverage far too often. Last year, 17.7 percent of his passes were thrown into tight coverage, per NFL.com's NextGen Stats, a figure that ranked 29th out of 38 qualified quarterbacks. Prescott also threw short of the sticks by an average of 1.5 yards per pass, which ranked 28th out of the same group of 38 players.

The Cowboys also had Prescott throw just 11 passes on RPO (run-pass option) plays last season, per Sports Info Solutions, a figure that is frankly embarrassing given Prescott's obvious strength with RPO schemes. He averaged 9.5 yards per pass on those throws, which allow him to combine his skill at play-fakes, quickly reading defenses, and using his legs and athleticism to make plays on the perimeter if necessary. The Cowboys don't need to do this on every snap, but a considerable increase is certainly called for.

Prescott should also just be throwing after a play-action fake more often in general. Given the strength of the Cowboys' run game and opposing defenses' obvious inclination to stop Ezekiel Elliott, it should not be surprising that Prescott has been a far more efficient passer on play-action plays (where he is one of the best in the league) than on straight drop backs (where he is merely average) throughout his three-year career. Consider the following figures, per Pro Football Focus.

Prescott PA No PA
Comp 238 737
Att 349 1,178
Comp % 68.2% 62.6%
Yds 3,090 7,786
YPA 8.85 6.61
TD 19 48
INT 2 23
Rtg 111.6 87.2
% Passes 22.9% 77.1%

Again, the Cowboys don't need to be calling a play-action pass on every drop back, but 23 percent is far too low. They should be among the league leaders in play-action rate, up near teams like the Rams, who like the Cowboys base their entire offense around the versatile contributions of a star running back.”

More nuggets past this point like using more pre-snap motion (only used 36% of the time, tied for 24th in the league), but I’m not going to copy and past the whole article haha

While the easy thing to do is blame Linehan for all the wrong doings, I think in fairness he had to run a simplified passing scheme because it's easier for a less accurate QB to throw to spots. We weren't running that same scheme Romo and Linehan.

I think where it's fair to criticize Linehan is not utilizing Dak's strengths as the article highlights.

Alexander · May 10, 2019

Whoa, there are "scientists" in here.

LOL

Alexander · May 10, 2019

Idgit said:
By most accounts I’ve read, Stephen is a bigger fan of JG than Jerry is.

And throw in the obligatory “the offense has generally been effective under Garrett on a points/series basis.”

I do not often agree with your perspective on things. But you are correct here.

cern · May 10, 2019

Alexander said:
Whoa, there are "scientists" in here.

LOL

That was one ennui inducing post.

817Gill · May 10, 2019

CalPolyTechnique said:
While the easy thing to do is blame Linehan for all the wrong doings, I think in fairness he had to run a simplified passing scheme because it's easier for a less accurate QB to throw to spots. We weren't running that same scheme Romo and Linehan.

I think where it's fair to criticize Linehan is not utilizing Dak's strengths as the article highlights.

There’s simplification and then there’s oversimplicstion, Linehan with Dak is the latter.
By all account Linehan was stubborn and unreasonably risk averse, as the article highlights Dak had a 115.9 Passer Rating when he passed 20+ yards downfield. Linehan only allowed Dak to attempt them 9.4% of the time.

I can understand calling conservative if Dak is stinking it up down the field, but even with his issues with Gallup, these are his stats:

“Passes that traveled at least 20 yards in the air have accounted for only 9.4 percent of his attempts during his career, even though he has a 115.9 passer rating on such attempts, per Pro Football Focus.”

Prescott 20+ Yds
Comp 53
Att 143
Comp % 37.1%
Yds 1,871
YPA 13.08
TD 18
INT 3
Rtg 115.9
% Passes 9.4%

Keep in mind a 37% completion isn’t bad for the distance hence the 115.9 rating.

Haimerej · May 10, 2019

cern said:
That was one ennui inducing post.

Nah. It's closer to comedy.

tyke1doe · May 10, 2019

Sometimes, coaches are so smart they're stupid.
No, I'm not going to call plays to the strength of my talent. I'm going to stubbornly make my talent fit my system no matter what.
Square peg, round hole. Make it happen.

America's Cowboy · May 10, 2019

charron said:
Like many have said. Asking Dak to stand in the pocket and make a play (traditional QB) is asking for failure. He's not that guy.

You keep on saying that, but it's simply not true! Do you even watch film? You should.

Here, bro. Watch these Dak 2018 highlights. Roughly 80% of his highlight passes were from inside the pocket.

Wish you would stop saying, "Asking Dak to stand in the pocket and make a play (traditional QB) is asking for failure. He's not that guy." It simply is not true.

Dak easily does most of his work from behind/inside the pocket. Please stop spreading falsehoods.

cern · May 10, 2019

Haimerej said:
Nah. It's closer to comedy.

Please forgive me. Seems I dozed off for awhile.

buybuydandavis · May 10, 2019

Moore is so lucky in following Linehan. Linehan left so much productivity on the table.

Silly · May 10, 2019

gmoney112 said:
Another tidbit if you like this info, is the 4th quarter trends where it looks like we didn't really bother to implement an offense until the 4th quarter. It was weird. We basically played conservative, predictable football for 3 quarters, then realized we were in a real game and actually started attacking.

Not much of the offense made any sense at all.

I think it is part of Garret's strategy. Play a conservative game until you have to come with a play to win. Of course, there will be games where the ball bounces your way, and then you don't have to risk anything for the win.

charron · May 10, 2019

America's Cowboy said:
You keep on saying that, but it's simply not true! Do you even watch film? You should.

Here, bro. Watch these Dak 2018 highlights. Roughly 80% of his highlight passes were from inside the pocket.

Wish you would stop saying, "Asking Dak to stand in the pocket and make a play (traditional QB) is asking for failure. He's not that guy." It simply is not true.

Dak easily does most of his work from behind/inside the pocket. Please stop spreading falsehoods.

Did you watch film? Even the article says the same thing, he is an average at best passer. We left a ton of opportunities because linehan didn't do enough to help Dak be better. Yea I get he has stats but watch him. Sure he is probably the best on our team but that's not hard to beat white an rush. How many starting QB's throw less touchdowns? Ever notice he struggles in progressions, or how he admitted he didn't know who was who on a given play untill we got coop as a clear #1? Instead of highlights watch how often he checks to Zeke instead of the open wr down field. He had 2 wr's that we're pretty good at getting separation yet he still struggled. If not for the league leading rusher we'd be a hare above the Giants.

America's Cowboy · May 10, 2019

charron said:
Did you watch film? Even the article says the same thing, he is an average at best passer. We left a ton of opportunities because linehan didn't do enough to help Dak be better. Yea I get he has stats but watch him. Sure he is probably the best on our team but that's not hard to beat white an rush. How many starting QB's throw less touchdowns? Ever notice he struggles in progressions, or how he admitted he didn't know who was who on a given play untill we got coop as a clear #1? Instead of highlights watch how often he checks to Zeke instead of the open wr down field. He had 2 wr's that we're pretty good at getting separation yet he still struggled. If not for the league leading rusher we'd be a hare above the Giants.

Did you copy and paste anti-Dak talking points from Shannon Sharpe? Sure sounds like it. Everything you said pretty much is untrue. It must suck for you to follow this team knowing full well Dak is the franchise QB and here to stay for many years. How will you cope with that?

charron · May 10, 2019

America's Cowboy said:
Did you copy and paste anti-Dak talking points from Shannon Sharpe? Sure sounds like it. Everything you said pretty much is untrue. It must suck for you to follow this team knowing full well Dak is the franchise QB and here to stay for many years. How will you cope with that?

Don't need to. I don't need to get anyone's opinion. I'll come just fine. I set myexpectations based on the talent we have. Better QB and we'd have a better chance at winning more games but we've proven to do good with an average qb. And guys like you will blame Moore or Garrett for not doing more with Dak at the helm. And as QB pay outpaces other spots our overall roster will decline and the small SB window will shut.

Verdict · May 10, 2019

ESisback said:
I think our percentages for play action and presnap motion will both rise. Our PPG will too. How much do you think is reasonable?

7 points per game increase should help us out a lot. If everyone stays healthy and Moore is all that and a bag of chips, with the talent we have we could have the biggest improvement in the league.

America's Cowboy · May 10, 2019

charron said:
Don't need to. I don't need to get anyone's opinion. I'll come just fine. I set myexpectations based on the talent we have. Better QB and we'd have a better chance at winning more games but we've proven to do good with an average qb. And guys like you will blame Moore or Garrett for not doing more with Dak at the helm. And as QB pay outpaces other spots our overall roster will decline and the small SB window will shut.

$100 bucks says you're wrong. I give it a 5 year window, Dak will lead the Cowboys to at least 1 SB.

ScipioCowboy · May 10, 2019

Alexander said:
Whoa, there are "scientists" in here.

LOL

“Back off, man. I’m a scientist.”

Irvin88_4life · May 10, 2019

charron said:
That is his weakest part of his game. He is an average passer when playing like a traditional guy. Right now teams dare us to let dak beat them, they ain't scared of him but rest assured they terrified of the zeke monster which would work to daks strengths letting him run RPO's and play action fakes along with more varied route combo's.

I'm not disagreeing just saying he can be efficient throwing from the pocket. Also that's nonsense that teams don't fear Dak because his opponents have said so.

The problem is defenses are able to control our offense because they know what plays we are running. Easy to defend when guys run the same route. Go rewatch and the Philly game when Dak and Cooper changed the routes, Dak had almost 300 yards and 3 TDs in the 4th quarter and overtime just from switching the routes.

Interesting Nuggets of Info on Offensive Scheme Last Season

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THE BIG DOG

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What's it going to be then, eh?

What's it going to be then, eh?

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More than meets the eye.

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