About The Running Game

[Doomsday101]

Very good post Alexander. I am with Dooms and WG, I want a committment to the running game. Visions of that 1st 'Skins game still haunt me and it taints my thoughts of Jason Garrett.

But vision of the 2nd Commander game where Dallas pounded out a win using Barber and the running game on a 13 play drive to clinch the win shows this team can go out and do the job on the ground.

 

[DallasEast]

As a team we are much closer to that now than we were just a year ago.

Agreed.

 

[Alexander]

But vision of the 2nd Commander game where Dallas pounded out a win using Barber and the running game on a 13 play drive to clinch the win shows this team can go out and do the job on the ground.

It also showed Garrett is not quite a complete passing imbecile like he's portrayed by some. Romo's hand was hurt and they didn't want to pass a lot so they ground it out. Not every game has to be ugly like that, as I know I was not comfortable until the final gun sounded. What I want to know is where that mentality went. They were all excited to have their QB back, but it seemed we knew he had to be protected and everyone, particularly the line, stepped up. We seemed to lose that focus late in the year, presumeably because of Barber's additional injury as well.

 

[Doomsday101]

It also showed Garrett is not quite a complete passing imbecile like he's portrayed by some. Romo's hand was hurt and they didn't want to pass a lot so they ground it out. Not every game has to be ugly like that, as I know I was not comfortable until the final gun sounded. What I want to know is where that mentality went. They were all excited to have their QB back, but it seemed we knew he had to be protected and everyone, particularly the line, stepped up. We seemed to lose that focus late in the year, presumeably because of Barber's additional injury as well.

I agree with you. I think Garrett has to find that balance between running and passing. I think there was also a matter of trust in young players like Choice.

 

[slick325]

But vision of the 2nd Commander game where Dallas pounded out a win using Barber and the running game on a 13 play drive to clinch the win shows this team can go out and do the job on the ground.

Agreed 100%.

 

[thechosen1n2]

excellent post alexander.

 

[dreghorn2]

That has always been my main criticism of Jason Garrett, his lack of 'feel' when it came to sensing momentum changes in game.

He has been touted as an offensive genius but will not become one (in my mind) until he starts anticipating when to change gears.

A great great deal of our success this year falls squarely on his shoulders. I'm really hoping for a breakout, future coaching superstar, season from our OC.

 

[THUMPER]

As a team we are much closer to that now than we were just a year ago.

Now that is the truth. :starspin

 

[DallasEast]

Game-by-game attempts from last season:
http://i356.***BLOCKED***/albums/oo4/DallasEast1701/08RushingPassingAttempts.png

 

[dallasfaniac]

Game-by-game attempts from last season:

So what that tells me is, if we run the ball more than we throw, we'll go undefeated.

 

[Doomsday101]

Game-by-game attempts from last season:
http://i356.***BLOCKED***/albums/oo4/DallasEast1701/08RushingPassingAttempts.png

Very interesting graph you posted. Thanks

 

[DallasEast]

So what that tells me is, if we run the ball more than we throw, we'll go undefeated.

I wish! We would've lost the season ending Philly game regardless based on the team's lackluster attitude alone, but a more balanced attack against the Commanders early in the season would've resulted in an automatic W in my opinion.

Very interesting graph you posted. Thanks

Thanks. Just supporting Alexander's great thread.

 

[ABQcowboyJR]

We have so much talent in the back field and a line thats physically capable of getting it done. There is really no reason in my book that we should not be a top 10 rushing team. We have to make a commitment to the run and it sounds like we have. I also feel like we have missed the marion barbarian closing ability very much. To have that swagger and physicality when we need to grind a game out and win is essential IMO.

 

[Bizwah]

We have so much talent in the back field and a line thats physically capable of getting it done. There is really no reason in my book that we should not be a top 10 rushing team. We have to make a commitment to the run and it sounds like we have. I also feel like we have missed the marion barbarian closing ability very much. To have that swagger and physicality when we need to grind a game out and win is essential IMO.

This is the real trick. You cannot abandon the run if it doesn't work early. It seemed we were too quick to turn to the pass if we didn't have early success running it.

This is a real mystery to me. We have all the personnel needed to have a strong running game. We need to make it happen.

 

[NextGenBoys]

We need balance, not a swing in the other direction to be something we are not. Honestly, I don't see this line as a great run blocking line. We saw how they all were sucking wind after pounding New York in the divisional playoffs. What I would expect is more Felix Jones, but also a concerted effort to run more physically as the season progresses. If we don't run the ball effectively in the last quarter of the season, that's where it will be more of a determinant.

You hit the nail on the head. I still want to be a pass first team, but utilize the short passing game as a running game. Marty B and Felix can do that. I DO want balance though.

I'm not sold on this Oline's ability to just go play smashmouth football. It's worked once before (@Wash) but thats it.

We need to use the short passing game, keep it balanced, and run plenty of play action to keep the defenses guessing.

 

[Alexander]

Game-by-game attempts from last season:
http://i356.***BLOCKED***/albums/oo4/DallasEast1701/08RushingPassingAttempts.png

Great graph.

Note our opponents. Only one ran less than 25 times in a game.

We had seven games where we ran less than 25 times. That is a little higher than I initially thought.

 

[dallasfaniac]

Great graph.

Note our opponents. Only one ran less than 25 times in a game.

We had seven games where we ran less than 25 times. That is a little higher than I initially thought.

I must be reading the graph wrong, to me it looks like we ran the ball fewer than 25 times in 9 games.

 

[skinswin]

I'm with Dooms, I think it's a matter of being committed to the run game.

It's important to have an effective run game, but the team has to be committed to the overall aspect of that part of the offense and not stop running just because the other team's defense is holding up.

Your offense is predicated and designed for the big play,your QB's style is for the big play,as long as tony romo is your QB you will not be able to methodically drive down the field on a consistent enough basis to win games..Romo is a homerun hitter,its outta the park or strikeout..My point you can't change what you have at QB,garrett knows that so dont expect to much difference in your offense this year...

 

[CF74]

I noticed Phillips in between fist-pounding yesterday declared we have to become a better running team and in fact, be a top ten running team.

I'm glad he finally noticed. The rest of your post was good info as well. Wad's job and our success depend on him looking towards the offense a little more this year, hopefully he can instill some balance to Garrett's schemes despite Wad's strength being more defense...

 

[theogt]

It doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure out that successful teams tend to be able to run the football better.

I think you have this backwards. Success has little to do with being able to run the football better or not. There is almost no correlation between winning and yards per attempt rushing. This statistic, which is more rigorous than the few lines you point to, bears itself out year after year.

There's a minimum level of rush attempts a team should engage in, just for the sake of keeping the opponent balanced. Taking out the extremes, whether someone gains 4.1 or 4.6 YPA on those attempts is of little consequence.