A Look at The Dallas Offensive Philosophy, and the Double Slots Formations of the Future

[waving monkey]

Intro


The drafting of Ryan Switzer was a bit confusing at the time for most. Considering where he was taken, and Xavier Woods was still left, a lot of Cowboys nation was just waiting for Woods' name to be called. Myself included. Yet, it was Ryan Switzer out of UNC who was little known to many. We didn't know at the time, but we would still somehow get our way as we would be able to secure Woods in the 6th round.

Many fans weren't sold on Dallas' selection of a WR that early in the draft with so many pressing needs on defense, and the strength of the draft aligning with our needs so well. Much less, they had re-signed Terrance Williams AND Brice Butler not so long before. Throw in the fact they had arguably the best slot WR in the NFL, it was a strange move on the surface.

link/http://www.bloggingtheboys.com/2017...las-offensive-philosophy-and-the-double-slots

 

[DeaconMoss]

Just his return abilities alone makes us a better team. We haven't had a return dimension in years. And throw in the fact he is a nasty little route runner, RKG, and fearless competitor, makes him an even better pick because of the stress him and Beasley will put on a defense. We now have two guys that will always be open on the underneath stuff. Nice easy throws for a young QB. Switz wont play all the time, but certain down and distance, and special packages will be fun to watch. And he is a nice insurance policy if Beasley gets injured.

 

[Direwolf63]

The double slot formations shown in the article has Jason Witten sitting on the sidelines. How likely is this to happen?

Remains to be seen. But in the past, Witten has been extremely reluctant to leave the field.

 

[DeaconMoss]

jason

The double slot formations shown in the article has Jason Witten sitting on the sidelines. How likely is this to happen?

Remains to be seen. But in the past, Witten has been extremely reluctant to leave the field.

Jason Witten is 137 years old. he will be taking some breaks.

 

[cowboyblue22]

so this is going to be like the two tight end offense they were going to run or are they actually going to do it

 

[Doc50]

The double slot formations shown in the article has Jason Witten sitting on the sidelines. How likely is this to happen?

Remains to be seen. But in the past, Witten has been extremely reluctant to leave the field.

Reluctant?

I've never seen him throwing fits on the bench or arguing with the coaches, a la Dez.

He's a team player; he'll follow orders 100%.

 

[ghst187]

I was questioning the selection at the time for sure. However, as important as Beasley is to our offense plus his diminutive size it's nice to have a backup to him. And a return game

 

[Doc50]

We should call the 2 slot offense Switz-Bease -- it shows holes in the defense.

 

[Hardline]

There's no excuse to take Witten off the field. When you have a pro bowl future hall of famer that catches everything thrown to him you don't take him off the field.

 

[Direwolf63]

There's no excuse to take Witten off the field. When you have a pro bowl future hall of famer that catches everything thrown to him you don't take him off the field.

He is a future Hall of Famer.

He also is not the player he was 5 years ago. If the people who run this offense thinks it can run better (for example, on 3rd downs) in a double slot formation, Witten should be taken off the field in those circumstances.

If he is on the sidelines, it is not an excuse. It is an attempt to have more weapons on the field, right or wrong.

Even Jerry Rice was a part time player at the end of his career.

 

[conner01]

The double slot formations shown in the article has Jason Witten sitting on the sidelines. How likely is this to happen?

Remains to be seen. But in the past, Witten has been extremely reluctant to leave the field.

More often than some think
Less often than some want
We are still gonna be a running team so double slot may get 7-8 looks a game

 

[Direwolf63]

More often than some think
Less often than some want
We are still gonna be a running team so double slot may get 7-8 looks a game

I would doubt we will see it even that often. Especially early in the season when Switzer's knowledge of the playbook will be somewhat limited. Being a rookie and all.

 

[erod]

Don't like this idea at all. It clogs the route lanes too much and gives the QB a more difficult read.

I always hate it when they send the RB in motion. Gives away the play and it favors good zone defenses.

Too tough to run the ball with no Witten and two little munchkins in the slot.

 

[DFWJC]

In order, here are the reasons they drafted Switzer

1) Strong insurance if Beasley goes down. He's become a big part of the offense and they did not want to risk losing that completely if he's injured.
2) Punt returns



3) WR sub-packages (top 4/5)
4) Kickoff return

 

[GORICO]

personally i hope to see bease and Switzer same time packages...with Witten blocking and then running up field with a turn around button hook of course...of course you will have Dez double teamed so no way the defense can cover these packages...and of course we will have Zeke blocking and then slipping out unto the flat....again i see us as a possession offense with a killer redzone schemes....keeping our D off the field but our D will be much improved this year...everyone talks how our NFL east rivals had better off season pick ups and are closing the gap....we must remember Dak never had an offseason or TC as first time QB...with all those reps...cannot wait game 1 against Giants

 

[conner01]

I would doubt we will see it even that often. Especially early in the season when Switzer's knowledge of the playbook will be somewhat limited. Being a rookie and all.

I get the feeling he will catch on quick but valid point
It's just not a formation that a run first team is gonna run 10-15 times a game
Though the times you use it is not as important as the success when you do

 

[Bullflop]

Switzer should have the ability to stretch some of those short 8-yard passes into deep penetrations. It'll be added attention that will make it easier for our deeper routes to find success. Gotta love that aspect of our newly visited offensive philosophy. Opposing defenses will be tested severely.

 

[conner01]

Don't like this idea at all. It clogs the route lanes too much and gives the QB a more difficult read.

I always hate it when they send the RB in motion. Gives away the play and it favors good zone defenses.

Too tough to run the ball with no Witten and two little munchkins in the slot.

Valid point but you can clear the crowd with the WRs running deeper routes while the slots go one across the field the other out. It's not something I see as a staple but something you use in certain situations to create a mismatch
Our primary offense should still be Dak handing it to zeke

 

[T-RO]

I would doubt we will see it even that often. Especially early in the season when Switzer's knowledge of the playbook will be somewhat limited. Being a rookie and all.

We ran 5 receiver sets w/empty backfield in 2016, so double slot seems like a very reasonable expectation in 2017...I'd guess we may see it as often as 15-20% of plays.

 

[T-RO]

Don't like this idea at all. It clogs the route lanes too much and gives the QB a more difficult read.

Not really. Lots of college teams play spread and Dak did so in college. At the snap he can easily see the mis-matches and act accordingly.

Too tough to run the ball with no Witten and two little munchkins in the slot.

You don't understand. Spreading the defense lightens the defensive box. Running from such sets can be awesome. With the threat of play-action the coverage guys can't aid in run support until late in the play. You usually don't even need to block those guys...they are out of position and can't quickly adjust to run support.