A Golden Age of Cowboys Rushing Game Came During 2022

[Kingofholland]

A Golden Age of the Cowboys Run-Game Came During 2022...and I suspect you might have missed it. Or failed to appreciate its epic grandeur.

There was an 8 game stretch in 2022 where a certain Dallas running back averaged 6.2 yards per carry over 111 carries. That my friends is King Arthur's Camelot. High Valyria. Elvish Rivendale. The promised land of a promised people. Oh yes, it was forty-burger time on the scoreboards. Running backs don't do that in today's NFL. Maulers up-front don't maul so viciously, play after play. Runners don't dart and dance with such results.

Yet it did happen.

Before I continue with details of this mini "golden age" and describe my view of the vital elements, I'm curious to hear your thoughts:
-What was the stretch of games?
-Who was the running back? (softball question)
-What were the key ingredients and how can it happen again?

We may define Golden Age a little differently, I felt last year was a transition year with our lead runner no longer being Zeke. Our RB golden ages were with Dorsett and Emmitt.

 

[CCBoy]

I believe that in order to qualify a time period as an "age", the phenomenon (elite results running the ball) must be a span of several years.

A few weeks to a month doesn't qualify as an "age" or "era" or "dynasty" .

Most likely, you are talking about the middle of last season when the Cowboys played all four NFC North teams in a row.

The Vikings were ranked 31st in defense, the Lions 32nd and the Bears 29th. The Packers were ranked 17th.

Against the run, the Bears were ranked 31st, the Lions 29th, the Packers 26th and the Vikings 20th.

Spot on look...

 

[T-RO]

This has as much to do with the defenses they played against, as anything. Run defense ranking by ypc:

CIN - 9
NYG - 31
WAS - 17
LAR - 11
PHI - 24
DET - 30
CHI - 26
GB - 28
MIN - 20
NYG - 31
IND - 4

Steele is a good player, but the idea that was singularly responsible for the success of the run game is wrong.

Dallas rushed for 220 yards (6.5 YPC) against Indy's #4 ranked run defense. They rushed for 163 yards (4.8) carries against Rams stout run defense.

I can only imagine if Zeke the Sloth's carries had been distributed to a better back. Interested to see what Deuce can do.

 

[T-RO]

We may define Golden Age a little differently, I felt last year was a transition year with our lead runner no longer being Zeke. Our RB golden ages were with Dorsett and Emmitt.

Let's take 1994, one of the best years ever to be a Dallas Cowboys fan. Let's take prime Emmitt Smith and try, if possible, to be a little objective about that run game. Here were Smith's game by game numbers.

What you'll see is that he ran in massive volume. Over and over again. But except for a few games... production per play wasn't so great at all.

Loved me some Emmitt. Still do. But in 8 Games behind that line...couldn't even produce 4 yards per carry.

 

[gimmesix]

I will not miss him for a second. Even if they struggle a bit getting in sync with the new changes over the 1st 4 games. Because it takes that long anyway, because lack of PS game plays.

We will see how he does in LAC. I know many fans want to see him succeed, so they can post and troll it here.
I wonder if others want to see him fail for they same reason, post and troll also.
This will be a debate all season long. And of course the QB pedigree comparison. I can see many of arguments coming.
I want the LAC to succeed, not because of Moore / Herbert debate, but I want them to knock off KC. I am not a Denver fan, but for them or LVR to knock them off is also good.

He was not mandated to do anything. Fans are so hilarious over stuff like that.

I don't care if Kellen succeeds or fails, but it will be interesting to compare what he is able or unable to do in LA to what he did here. It's kind of like Garrett going off to New York. We knew his offense was stale, but the Giants showed how stale it can be with a quarterback like Daniel Jones. Fans complain about our QB play, but Jones showed what kind of QB play Garrett was worthy of as a coordinator.

My belief is that Kellen has too much Linehan and Garrett in his system and it hampers his success against top defenses. I think he adds a degree of creativity that Garrett did not have, but we'll see if that's enough and players were the issue or if that system hampers offenses too much.

 

[Kingofholland]

Let's take 1994, one of the best years ever to be a Dallas Cowboys fan. Let's take prime Emmitt Smith and try, if possible, to be a little objective about that run game. Here were Smith's game by game numbers.

What you'll see is that he ran in massive volume. Over and over again. But except for a few games... production per play wasn't so great at all.

Loved me some Emmitt. Still do. But in 8 Games behind that line...couldn't even produce 4 yards per carry.

I'm not sure why you picked 94 when 92, 93, and 95 seasons were probably the best years to be a Cowboy fan. 94 they lost to the 49ers in the NFC Championship game.

1) No RB always produces over 4 yards a carry every single game, Tony Pollard included. You also have to consider 2022 is a much different rushing league than 1994. Average yards per rush was 4.5 in 2022, but in 1994. Rushing yards have gone up as teams are more focused on stopping the pass.

2) Cowboys were 8th in rushing yards and 18th in team average last year. Hard to say its a golden age when they're not top 5 over a single year.

 

[T-RO]

My belief is that Kellen has too much Linehan and Garrett in his system and it hampers his success against top defenses.

Dallas versus top twelve defenses in 2022:

Bengals...19 first downs and win with backup QB, win
Commanders...25 points and win with backup QB
Eagles Game 1...21 first downs with backup QB on road. Outgained Philly.
Jags...34 points, 24 first downs, 397 yards
Eagles Game 2...40 points, 25 first downs, win

Try another anti-Kellen theory

 

[T-RO]

I'm not sure why you picked 94 when 92, 93, and 95 seasons were probably the best years to be a Cowboy fan. 94 they lost to the 49ers in the NFC Championship game.

1) No RB always produces over 4 yards a carry every single game, Tony Pollard included. You also have to consider 2022 is a much different rushing league than 1994. Average yards per rush was 4.5 in 2022, but in 1994. Rushing yards have gone up as teams are more focused on stopping the pass.

2) Cowboys were 8th in rushing yards and 18th in team average last year. Hard to say its a golden age when they're not top 5 over a single year.

OK...let's look at some peak Jimmy Cowboys, and year one Switzer

-1991, Dallas only ranked 14th in yards per carry, at 3.95. Is that golden era?
-1992, Dallas ranked 9th in yards per carry, at 4.24. Is that golden era?
-1993, Dallas ranked third in yards per carry, 4.41. Good. Not #1.
-1994, Dallas ranked 19th in yards per carry. Yikes.

 

[gimmesix]

Dallas versus top twelve defenses in 2022:

Bengals...19 first downs and win with backup QB, win
Commanders...25 points and win with backup QB
Eagles Game 1...21 first downs with backup QB on road. Outgained Philly.
Jags...34 points, 24 first downs, 397 yards
Eagles Game 2...40 points, 25 first downs, win

Try another anti-Kellen theory

12 points against San Fran doesn't exactly make Kellen look good, does it? Especially when Philly scored 31 against the 49ers the next week. We also went into the last Washington game playing our starters and scored 6 points.

The previous year against San Fran in the playoffs, we scored 17.

I think I'll stick with my theory. Moore has a chance to prove it wrong with a new team.

 

[T-RO]

12 points against San Fran doesn't exactly make Kellen look good, does it? Especially when Philly scored 31 against the 49ers the next week. We also went into the last Washington game playing our starters and scored 6 points.

The previous year against San Fran in the playoffs, we scored 17.

I think I'll stick with my theory. Moore has a chance to prove it wrong with a new team.

Moore didn't break Steele's ACL. Moore didn't throw picks for Dak. Moore didn't get Pollard injured. Moore didn't fail to provide enough WR talent.

As for the Washington game 17...meant nothing. Nothing to play for.

 

[T-RO]

Looks like my work is done here. Skeptics and doubters of the message all ran away.

 

[SteveTheCowboy]

I believe that in order to qualify a time period as an "age", the phenomenon (elite results running the ball) must be a span of several years.

A few weeks to a month doesn't qualify as an "age" or "era" or "dynasty" .

Most likely, you are talking about the middle of last season when the Cowboys played all four NFC North teams in a row.

The Vikings were ranked 31st in defense, the Lions 32nd and the Bears 29th. The Packers were ranked 17th.

Against the run, the Bears were ranked 31st, the Lions 29th, the Packers 26th and the Vikings 20th.

Look I'm a big fan and all...but I love it when we keep it real. Good job.

 

[SteveTheCowboy]

Looks like my work is done here. Skeptics and doubters of the message all ran away.

Oh...you think you scared everyone off, eh?

Good lord. People...sheesh.

So you think Moore is untouchable...perfect...in managing our offense. Okay. You are entitled to that...opinion.

 

[Cowboys5217]

Looks like my work is done here. Skeptics and doubters of the message all ran away.

k

 

[gimmesix]

Moore didn't break Steele's ACL. Moore didn't throw picks for Dak. Moore didn't get Pollard injured. Moore didn't fail to provide enough WR talent.

As for the Washington game 17...meant nothing. Nothing to play for.

And yet our starters were playing and sucking against Washington.

If we're going to absolve Moore of the problems the offense had against San Fran this postseason, do we also absolve him of the problems the offense had against San Fran the previous offseason? If so, when do we stop absolving him. He's the offensive coordinator, it's his job to come up with solutions, not excuses.

 

[LatinMind]

you could also add in 21 and 22 ?

21. Is the one italked bout at the end. I don't think 22. Lol forgot to put the yr.

I think this yr is a legit shot if the cooks and Gilmore trades pay off. I really think alot of people are sleeping on getting a healthy Gallup back. He was staying to hit his stride then he got hurt.

The defense is going to be insane this yr. My pick to be the suprise this yr and ball out is Overshown. By far my favorite pick.

Imo even the coaching has improved. Addition by subtraction. And now you have a HC who has his guys coaching his way. That's huge because that's just something that doesn't happen in Dallas.

The one question I have is how are the going to replace the tough yards. The tough tds. Because that's been the staple to this team even before Elliot with Murray. I like Luepke but until he shows it I'm not buying. After that they got alot of lightweight who I know can't get those kinds of yards. So as of right now they're depending on a udfa to fill a big void.

 

[DandyDon52]

21. Is the one italked bout at the end. I don't think 22. Lol forgot to put the yr.

I think this yr is a legit shot if the cooks and Gilmore trades pay off. I really think alot of people are sleeping on getting a healthy Gallup back. He was staying to hit his stride then he got hurt.

The defense is going to be insane this yr. My pick to be the suprise this yr and ball out is Overshown. By far my favorite pick.

Imo even the coaching has improved. Addition by subtraction. And now you have a HC who has his guys coaching his way. That's huge because that's just something that doesn't happen in Dallas.

The one question I have is how are the going to replace the tough yards. The tough tds. Because that's been the staple to this team even before Elliot with Murray. I like Luepke but until he shows it I'm not buying. After that they got alot of lightweight who I know can't get those kinds of yards. So as of right now they're depending on a udfa to fill a big void.

a lot of things have changed for cowboys, and we can assume it is for the better, but I think we need to see 8 games or so to
Know if it is better or not, and even then there will still be the question of playoff performance.

I just watched the 2007 champ game with nyg vs GB and mike hardly ran the ball, mostly pass pass pass.
It was funny in that I saw rodgers on the sideline, while old man farve was the starter, in a night game, that was 3rd coldest in nfl history !
It was minus 3 with chill factor minus 24/. I bet rodgers could have won that game.

The game wound up 20-20 which giants won in OT after farve failed to get a 1st down. The fg kicker for giants had missed his last 2 attempts.
He then kicked a 47 yd fg with a strong crosswind lol.
Mike was bundled up bigtime, and coughlin wasnt, and look who won.

 

[CCBoy]

Who's the Frank O'Harris and who is Rocky Blier? Both from a true running team of quality.

 

[CCBoy]

Dallas doesn't need a Buffalo OJ Simpson nor a Pittsburgh Joe Greene. And players aren't in the 'zone' much during their careers.

 

[CCBoy]

The Pittsburgh Steelers had been kicked around and then in 1974, they became Champions and it stuck.