A lot of you are missing the point

[Sydla]

This isn't a prescott versus romo debate. This isn't a Jerry Jones debate. This isn't a Jason Garrett debate. This isn't even a spiking versus timeout debate.

The debate everyone should be talking about is throwing short passes on 3rd and shorts instead of running and why we stopped feeding EE. Granted, we were behind most of the game, however when we were in the position to utilize our strength as a running team we were passing. When the game was tied or about to be tied we should of had EE converting 1st downs. DP was great and almost single handley won the game. Anti DP/pro TR can say/believe what they want but those are the facts.

EE was rested for a month and had the same amount of carries, on average he had for the year. What was the point of resting him?

What you just said is then a Garrett debate.

He's the head coach. If he has an issue with the game plan calling for passes on 3rd and short, he has the power to grab Linehan by the neck and tell him to wise up. He has the authority when looking at the game plan before the game and say, "I know GB has a weak secondary, but I think we are trying to attack them too much through the air here, stick to the run."

So yeah, Elliott not being used enough or in certain situation is precisely a Garrett debate.

 

[KJJ]

yes but one thing happened beacuse we got away from what worked yet again. What got us to the playoffs was not what we did to rely on it and win. Even at the end with the running Zeke was pounding and he was pounding throughout the game. Would have been great to see it in action.

We never got down by 18 points during the regular season. Once we got down by 18 the next Packers TD would have been the knockout punch so we had to break away some from the running game because we desperately needed to score TD's. We couldn't afford to have a 13-15 play drive eat up 8 minutes when we're down by 3 scores. Our poor defensive play dictated what we had to do offensively to get back in the game. We got back in the game by throwing the football. It took us 8 plays to score our first FG and the Packers answered back in 5 plays for a TD.

The Packers then drove 90 yards in only 5:47 to score their second TD because they were throwing the ball. On their 3rd possession the Packers drove 80 yards for a TD in only 5:24. Once we got down by 18 and the game was on the brink of turning into a debacle, we had to start showing a sense of urgency by putting the ball up. It took us only 1:34 on 4 plays to score our first TD by passing the ball. We had to break away from the run at that point because we had to score a TD on that drive to have any chance.

We had to start getting the ball to Dez who scored our first TD. Once we started passing the ball more our scores started coming and they were quick. Our next TD drive only took 5:40 and it got us back in the game. When you get down by 3 scores you can't be running the ball every down chewing up the clock or you'll never come back against Aaron Rodgers. We still mixed the run in on some of our TD drives but we had to throw more to get back in the game.

 

[VACowboy]

We didn't lose the game because Zeke didn't carry the ball 35 times. We lost because we weren't in a position for Zeke to carry the ball 35 times.

 

[bark]

Listen, we have a back that is capable of being ridden to a title. He's a special talent who should operate in his own set of rules. Now the odds were against it this year because of the rookie QB and defensive issues but the fact is our head coach is too gutless to let the man showcase his true potential. Jason Garrett should have proven to every one of you that he's a coward. Imagine taking Emmitt Smith off the field for a series each half and on all 3rd downs. Imagine not letting Emmitt touch the ball in a close playoff game in crunch time. The man has no stones. He's gender fluid.

This same scared thought process gave the team a vacation before the playoff game that allowed 21-3 to happen. A hole we should have never had to try to overcome.

You ever see that skit Pat on SNL years ago? That's Jason Garrett. I have zero respect for him anymore. Less than none.

You are a little harder on him than I but in lieu of what happened Sunday, your points carry more weight.
I was personally on the fence with the rest issue thinking that the plan was to ride Zeke hard during the playoffs.
I was expecting 30 carries Sunday for Zeke.
Completely disgusted that he wasn't rode hard on third down and don't even get me started on that empty set crap and Dunbar.

 

[ShiningStar]

We never got down by 18 points during the regular season. Once we got down by 18 the next Packers TD would have been the knockout punch so we had to break away some from the running game because we desperately needed to score TD's. We couldn't afford to have a 13-15 play drive eat up 8 minutes when we're down by 3 scores. Our poor defensive play dictated what we had to do offensively to get back in the game. We got back in the game by throwing the football. It took us 8 plays to score our first FG and the Packers answered back in 5 plays for a TD.

The Packers then drove 90 yards in only 5:47 to score their second TD because they were throwing the ball. On their 3rd possession the Packers drove 80 yards for a TD in only 5:24. Once we got down by 18 and the game was on the brink of turning into a debacle, we had to start showing a sense of urgency by putting the ball up. It took us only 1:34 on 4 plays to score our first TD by passing the ball. We had to break away from the run at that point because we had to score a TD on that drive to have any chance.

We had to start getting the ball to Dez who scored our first TD. Once we started passing the ball more our scores started coming and they were quick. Our next TD drive only took 5:40 and it got us back in the game. When you get down by 3 scores you can't be running the ball every down chewing up the clock or you'll never come back against Aaron Rodgers. We still mixed the run in on some of our TD drives but we had to throw more to get back in the game.

thats how it turned out, i get that, but being the best way or the only way, im not so sure. But its fact with what we know. I would have liked to see them run it but we abandon it even when we are ahead. See Dallas vs GB circa 08 or 09, the year before Linehan joined us . Dallas was winning with the run and Garrett gave up on it and went to the pass, luckily that plan worked out and we lost. my point being, when the run did work Garrett would get away from it. Much like when teh run is working throw to witten 3 times. That way you dont anything. It was a bad game by our coaches bailed out by our players. Thats why i want this staff gone. Execute adn stick with works and Garrett has a history of getting away from anything that work, and not exploiting our oppoents weaknesses.

 

[KJJ]

thats how it turned out, i get that, but being the best way or the only way, im not so sure. But its fact with what we know. I would have liked to see them run it but we abandon it even when we are ahead. See Dallas vs GB circa 08 or 09, the year before Linehan joined us . Dallas was winning with the run and Garrett gave up on it and went to the pass, luckily that plan worked out and we lost. my point being, when the run did work Garrett would get away from it. Much like when teh run is working throw to witten 3 times. That way you dont anything. It was a bad game by our coaches bailed out by our players. Thats why i want this staff gone. Execute adn stick with works and Garrett has a history of getting away from anything that work, and not exploiting our oppoents weaknesses.

We never "abandoned" the run we got away from it some because we got so far behind but Zeke still had 22 carries. He had 8 games this season where he had fewer carries than that. You can't keep pounding the ball in a playoff game when you're down by 18 to Aaron Rodgers. Don't know what game you were watching but the passing game got us back in the game.

Any team who faces Rodgers is going to have to throw the ball to beat the Packers. Zeke had 6 more carries against Green Bay in week 6 because we had the lead almost the entire game. Once we got them down we were able to pound the run at them. It's a different story when you get way behind and have to play catchup against a great QB.

 

[ShiningStar]

We never "abandoned" the run we got away from it some because we got so far behind but Zeke still had 22 carries. He had 8 games this season where he had fewer carries than that. You can't keep pounding the ball in a playoff game when you're down by 18 to Aaron Rodgers. Don't know what game you were watching but the passing game got us back in the game.

Any team who faces Rodgers is going to have to throw the ball to beat the Packers. Zeke had 6 more carries against Green Bay in week 6 because we had the lead almost the entire game. Once we got them down we were able to pound the run at them. It's a different story when you get way behind and have to play catchup against a great QB.

no, had we stuck to what got us here, we would have won. You dont have to out pass Rodgers to beat Rodgers, thats nonsense.

 

[Silver N Blue]

This isn't a prescott versus romo debate. This isn't a Jerry Jones debate. This isn't a Jason Garrett debate. This isn't even a spiking versus timeout debate.

The debate everyone should be talking about is throwing short passes on 3rd and shorts instead of running and why we stopped feeding EE. Granted, we were behind most of the game, however when we were in the position to utilize our strength as a running team we were passing. When the game was tied or about to be tied we should of had EE converting 1st downs. DP was great and almost single handley won the game. Anti DP/pro TR can say/believe what they want but those are the facts.

EE was rested for a month and had the same amount of carries, on average he had for the year. What was the point of resting him?

Could not agree more and why I have posted several times...why in the earth did the game plan change from what worked earlier this season...they should have rode the young stallion 30 plus times...

 

[Seven]

Actually, regardless of who's getting the ball, you have to score TD's in the red zone. The Packers did. Cowboys did not.

Seriously.

31-34 and one got in the end zone more?

One got thru the uprights, more......barely.

 

[Silver N Blue]

Here here...my recent post from another thread:

The strongest part of our team was rooted in the fact that we were a league leading RUSHING ATTACK that controlled the clock and wore down opponents. We completely betrayed that identity at key moments of the game Sunday and yes it was unforgivable and totally worthy of strong criticism. Linehan at best outsmarted himself and got away from what we do best which is extend drives and keep the chains moving, leading to touchdowns. Since you like stats, another thing we lead the league in (or at least near the top) was average plays per scoring drive...how did we mainly accomplish that??? YES....by rrrrrrrrruuuuuuuuunnnnnnnniiiinnnnnnggggg the rock!

- 3 and 2 of first drive...we threw.
- Redzone end of first half with Pack on their heels...we threw THREE STRAIGHT TIMES!
- 2 and 1 in redzone in 3rd...we throw a pick on the VERY SAME PLAY WE RAN IN WEEK SIX!?! With ZERO disguise of the formation or personnel!?! At the very least, if you want to throw on 2nd and short, take an end zone shot for the love of everything holy and NOT a WR screen!?! sigh...
- 3 and short on the final drive where clock burn was just as critical as scoring...we threw.

The fact is, Scotty boy reverted back to some pass happy ways when we had a totally rested back (idle since the 15th game) who was AVERAGING nearly six yards a carry.

As much as I respect your knowledge, my brotha, there is NO EXCUSE for us to betray our strengths and core team values under those circumstances. Made all the more egregious by the fact that, as you point out, we got such great results while playing THAT EXACt SAME WAY throughout the ENTIRE REGULAR SEASON...and yet come playoff time we try to change it up???! SMH. That makes sense to you, man?

 

[KJJ]

no, had we stuck to what got us here, we would have won. You dont have to out pass Rodgers to beat Rodgers, thats nonsense.

We did stick with what got us here, the running game which put up over 125 yards and the short passing game which produced over 300 yards and 3 TD's. When you get down by 18 points to Aaron Rodgers you have to show some sense of urgency by passing the ball more. They wanted to put the game on Dak and he stood up to the challenge, unfortunately our defense didn't.

 

[MileyDancer]

We were down 21-0 to a bad team with very little offense in an early regular season game, big difference between being down 18 to a hof qb in a playoff game.

True, but he had no problem putting 21 points on us in the first half. It's not unreasonable to think he could keep scoring. My point is... We didn't panic and stop running the ball. Sunday we decided to throw on 3 and 2's. It's idiotic when your RB is averaging 5 yards a carry

 

[landroverking]

I think or feel like Scott Linehan over thought the game plan.
Went away from the run in short yardage.
As Coach Royal would say you gotta dance with the one that bung yoha.
Garrett should have vetoed some passes
With only 2 or 3 yards to go.

 

[PA Cowboy Fan]

This isn't a prescott versus romo debate. This isn't a Jerry Jones debate. This isn't a Jason Garrett debate. This isn't even a spiking versus timeout debate.

The debate everyone should be talking about is throwing short passes on 3rd and shorts instead of running and why we stopped feeding EE. Granted, we were behind most of the game, however when we were in the position to utilize our strength as a running team we were passing. When the game was tied or about to be tied we should of had EE converting 1st downs. DP was great and almost single handley won the game. Anti DP/pro TR can say/believe what they want but those are the facts.

EE was rested for a month and had the same amount of carries, on average he had for the year. What was the point of resting him?

Bingo. I think if we kept with the running game and kept Rodgers on the sidelines we would have won. Don't understand it. I thought we were resting Zeke so he'd be ready for the playoffs.

 

[Asklesko]

starving zeke on 3rd and 2 is on garrett

 

[sean10mm]

I admit that this baffles me too.

The Patriots - the Patriots! - gave a scrub running back 37 carries in a game in 2013 when the opposing run defense was bad. How can the Cowboys not commit to feeding Zeke on short yardage when he's getting 5.6 YPC?

 

[Yakuza Rich]

Prescott has the power to audible out of a play. I really wonder what went on with the interception because the ball was either poorly thrown or the intended receiver didn't read the play correctly and wasn't where he was supposed to be.

The fact is that we scored 31 points and lost. We ran the ball effectively and passed effectively and lost. You should win when you run the ball and pass the ball effectively and score 31 points. Why people are harping about the playcalling is so far down on the list of things to harp on.




YR

 

[cowboyfan4life2]

True, but he had no problem putting 21 points on us in the first half. It's not unreasonable to think he could keep scoring. My point is... We didn't panic and stop running the ball. Sunday we decided to throw on 3 and 2's. It's idiotic when your RB is averaging 5 yards a carry

The Packer secondary is awful, no problem throwing it more, Elliot had what 125 rushing? My big problem is the 2nd and one play where Dak threw the int on the screen, either run it there, or go playaction and take a deep shot.

 

[Blackspider214]

This is 2007 all over again. That year for the Giants game, we decided to start Barber over Jones and use him up in the 1st half. We also decided to become a ball control, conservative offense which is not what we were in the season. Changed our identity and it cost us.

22 carries is way too low. Even before the 21-3 lead occurred, he wasn't being utilized. We didn't even try and run him once inside the redzone at the end of the 1st half down 21-10.

Ridiculous.

 

[msmarti]

It makes no sense why they did not give the ball to EE more. Especially when it was 2nd and 1. He would have made that easily! I think they were trying to fool the defense and it didn't work.

In fact, most of the calls didn't make any sense....and I'm blaming the coaches. And it is not fair that Dak has had soooooooo much pressure on him to perform (which he did) yet when we needed the coaches to perform they choked!!! And they came out the next day and said ALL the coaches will be back.

Why aren't the coaches held to a winning standard like the players are?