2009 Offensive Sets

[BourbonBalz]

It's no big secret that we will run the ball more this coming season, or at least try to. As I've been stating for some time, RB is out deepest and most talented position, and IF the coaching staff instills the desire to run the ball in the O line, I think we will be very successful doing so. But, I'm wondering about how we can be a bit more creative on offense in order to keep defenses guessing. I would like to see some two TE and two RB sets. Of course, this is all predicated on down and distance. But, let's say it's 3rd and 4 or so. With Witten, Bennett, and Roy Williams, along with Felix and Barber, we should own he middle of the field. Witten is a great route runner with stellar hands and the strength to get open in the middle. RW is tall and has more than sufficient speed to run slants or any other route, and Bennett is big and extremely athletic with what appears to be very good hands. Putting Felix and Barber in the backfield, with the three just mentioned lined up in various sets, would certainly keep the D guessing. Is it a run to either back? Slant to RW? Witten or Bennett over the middle or Bennett on the sideline? Screen to Felix? Lots of options with a package like that. The bottom line is we need to focus more on the short and intermediate game as opposed to throwing downfield all the time. It would also make it easier on the OL. I'm intrigued with Bennett. Given his athletic ability, he could even line up as a receiver given certain down and distances. I just think we need to use our big athletic bodies much more in the middle of the field. We have the tools to make defenses pay if they cheat on anyone. Don't forget using Austin on fly paterns, etc. to draw the defenses downfield and still going back underneath. I just see loads of potential with what we already have. It's just a matter of creating favorable matchups for us rather than the opposing defenses.

 

[BourbonBalz]

Any thoughts?

 

[JBS]

wishbone offense, put all of our stud rb's on the field together

 

[hockix]

Any thoughts?

Yes, don't write everything on the same sentence....
So hard to read.

 

[BourbonBalz]

Yes, don't write everything on the same sentence....
So hard to read.

Just what are you talking about? Maybe you need glasses. Do you not see a good number of periods, commas, etc? Ever hear of a compound sentence?

 

[sonnyboy]

I think we may see some 2 TE, 2 RB formations. But not much.

Problem you have with it is it's difficult to stretch the field horizontally in the passing game. You have one WR splt wide on one side of the field.

What happens is you get a lot of bodies in the box.

Modern rules which favor the passing game almost dictate 2 to 3 WRs as a base formation.

Now I agree our strength is our RB's and TE's.

I favor a 2 TE 2 WR formation as our base. When we go with a more conventional 1 TE, 2 WR formation, I think we should use Barber as our FB.

 

[Texan_Eph89]

I think our offense will change substantially.

Run first, then possession passes.
We'll have some deep passes, but most will be around 15-20 yrds.

Ball control.
It'll help Tony's errors go down significantly.
Romo Friendly.

 

[Silverstar]

Actually, 2 RB's in the wishbone (not the "I" formation) and just 1 TE would keep the defenses guessing more IMO.

Using that formation, here's a play no defense can set up or prepare for...

The TE goes in motion and then slows down like he's going to block in the left gap, (selling the run) just like in a goal line situation..HIKE!..Barber runs up way ahead of Jones going left where the TE is blocking (the LB's follow Barber), Romo quickly fakes it to Barber holding the ball with his right hand out, then Jones comes up and Romo switches the left hand and holds it out for Jones for a second fake handoff going the other way (right) and everybody on defense turns the other way and REALLY bites on this one.

Then, Romo plants his right foot, already seven steps back and looking downfield, with Barber and Jones blocking both sides of him, is now ready to throw either a needed 1st down or a bomb if available, to either Austin or Williams on a say...a crossing route. Basically, a double run fake with the TE selling it and Romo using his left hand on the second one for added measure.

How is the defense NOT going to think it's a running play?

Romo can even roll out after the second fake, just to give his receivers even more time downfield.

 

[Fletch]

It's "Wildcat" time. JK I like what this thread is all about. Everything Star4ever talks about is what I wish for in this offense. You watch, the Cowboy's offense will be even more potent this year than the past couple of years.

 

[twentytwo]

We have the weapons to do SO many different things...I just really hope we can take advantage of that.

One thing I would really like to see is Felix split out wide.

 

[BourbonBalz]

I think we may see some 2 TE, 2 RB formations. But not much.

Problem you have with it is it's difficult to stretch the field horizontally in the passing game. You have one WR splt wide on one side of the field.

What happens is you get a lot of bodies in the box.

Modern rules which favor the passing game almost dictate 2 to 3 WRs as a base formation.

Now I agree our strength is our RB's and TE's.

I favor a 2 TE 2 WR formation as our base. When we go with a more conventional 1 TE, 2 WR formation, I think we should use Barber as our FB.

Look back at my post and you'll see I mentioned specific down and distances for packages like this (like 3rd and 4). Of course I don't expect the 22 to be our primary offensive set. I just want to see us mix it up more. You mentioned stretching the field. IMO that's been one of our biggest problems. We ALWAYS seemed to want to stretch the field and threw downfield too much. Let's move the chains, get first downs, wear down the opposing defenses, and keep our own D off the field. I think the package I mentioned would be perfect and hard to defend given certain down and distances. We would have so many choices with sets like that and we could chose what to run based on defensive alignments. You know, dictate to the defenses rather than letting them dictate to us. In a 22 set we could run either back, let our two VERY good TEs work the middle of the field, run a screen, a slant to Roy, etc. Just a thought.

 

[BourbonBalz]

The thing I like so much about running a 22 set is the personnel we have to run it. Bennett and Witten are both big and have great hands. In essense, we have two TEs that are similar to big receivers. But, they're also big and especially in Bennett's case, very athletic. With Felix (speed and big play capability) and Barber or Choice in the backfield (ability to pick up the tough yards or break it outside for a big gainer), we have lots of options. Again, depending on how the defense lines up, we hand off to our of our backs and have two big TEs to block, or if they want to put 8 in the box, we have two excellent TEs and a big WR in Roy Williams to work the middle of the field and pick up the first down. Also could run a screen to Felix or one of the other backs. Felix could also just go out into a pass pattern. Just a lot for a defense to think about and try to defend. Again, I'm not in any way stating this should be our base offense. That would be ridiculous. BUT, MIX IT UP!!!!!!

 

[Yeagermeister]

I thought about something the other day but I don't know if it legal.

Start in the wishbone
Motion Felix out in to the slot
Shift in to the I with Barber at FB and TC at TB

Would that be illegal motion?

 

[Big D]

It's no big secret that we will run the ball more this coming season, or at least try to. As I've been stating for some time, RB is out deepest and most talented position, and IF the coaching staff instills the desire to run the ball in the O line, I think we will be very successful doing so. But, I'm wondering about how we can be a bit more creative on offense in order to keep defenses guessing. I would like to see some two TE and two RB sets. Of course, this is all predicated on down and distance. But, let's say it's 3rd and 4 or so. With Witten, Bennett, and Roy Williams, along with Felix and Barber, we should own he middle of the field. Witten is a great route runner with stellar hands and the strength to get open in the middle. RW is tall and has more than sufficient speed to run slants or any other route, and Bennett is big and extremely athletic with what appears to be very good hands. Putting Felix and Barber in the backfield, with the three just mentioned lined up in various sets, would certainly keep the D guessing. Is it a run to either back? Slant to RW? Witten or Bennett over the middle or Bennett on the sideline? Screen to Felix? Lots of options with a package like that. The bottom line is we need to focus more on the short and intermediate game as opposed to throwing downfield all the time. It would also make it easier on the OL. I'm intrigued with Bennett. Given his athletic ability, he could even line up as a receiver given certain down and distances. I just think we need to use our big athletic bodies much more in the middle of the field. We have the tools to make defenses pay if they cheat on anyone. Don't forget using Austin on fly paterns, etc. to draw the defenses downfield and still going back underneath. I just see loads of potential with what we already have. It's just a matter of creating favorable matchups for us rather than the opposing defenses.

We had the tools. Once we released TO I think that part of our offense is gone. We have noone that will require a double team to stop. I think teams will load up in the box on us now. We should be able to make them pay for doing that but we couldn't do it with TO so I think it will be more difficult to do without him until we prove that we can burn people with who we have.

We will need to be a ball control offense now. Our special teams and defense will be crucial.

 

[BourbonBalz]

Well, I think you're wrong. We have more than enough weapons to run an extremely successful offense. In fact, I think it'll be better than it was this year. Why? Because I think our playcalling will be much better now that we don't have to appease one player. Don't get me wrong. I'm not an Owens basher. I just know that we tried to force feed him and defenses knew this. If I knew it, I'm pretty sure opposing defenses did as well. We'll get more players involved and that's a good thing. We have an abundance of good offensive players. Losing Felix last year and having an injured Barber hurt us as well. As long as we stay healthy, our offense will be fine.

 

[DaBoys4Life]

3 TE sets 2 TE sets Full house

 

[speedkilz88]

Unless Cricket gets a lot better, I definitely want to see more of Bennett in two TE sets and more of Felix in two RB sets with Felix able to motion out as a wr at times.

 

[HoosierCowboy]

we had the weapons last year--this year is crucial for the evolution of Garrett