Analysis: Cowboys Run Blocking

[xwalker]

During the Losing Streak had been attempting too many difficult to execute "Reach Blocks".

Starting with the Eagles Game they started trying to limit Reach Blocks.

Now they might have over-compensated.


I'll define Reach Block by using a simple diagram:

Diagram 1:
offensive left -- DL -- offensive right
--------------- OL --------------------------

In diagram 1 above:
Reach Block: OL wants to prevent DL from moving to the right.
Leverage Block: OL wants to prevent the DL from moving to the left.

Note:
Reach Block: OL has the leverage dis-advantage.
Leverage Block: OL has the leverage advantage.

Now I'll divide Reach Blocks into 2 categories that I'll call Difficult and Easy.

• Based on diagram 1:
  • Difficult:
    • The offense runs to the right.
    • The DL will quickly move to the right.
    • The OL must "out run" the DL to get to the right or the DL.
    • The OL has to cross the face of the DL to make the Reach Block.
  • Easy:
    • The offensive shows Zone Run Left but the plan is for the RB to cut back inside.
    • The DL will quickly move left.
    • The OL can just stand still and the DL will move to his left.
    • Once the RB cuts back the DL will want to move back to the right.
    • The OL has crossed the face of the DL but the DL did the work for the OL.

In both the Difficult and Easy examples, the OL wanted to prevent the DL from moving to the right.

Recap:

• During the Losing Streak: Too many Reach Blocks.
• Starting with the Eagles Game: Started to avoid Reach Blocks.
• My Conclusion: Only avoid the Difficult Reach Blocks. The Easy Reach Blocks are good.

 

[xwalker]

Cowboys - Vikings Example 1:

• The plan is for Frederick to kick out and block the LB.
• Martin blocked the DL to Fredrick's right.
• If they had blocked for cut-back, then...
• Frederick could make a Reach Block on the DL.
• Martin could block the LB.
• It would be the "Easy" type reach block for Fred.
• i.e. The DL would take himself across Fred's face.
• Martin would be in perfect position vs the LB.

 

[xwalker]

Cowboys - Vikings Example 2:

• This play is very similar to example 1.
• This time they have Witten pull across the backfield.
• The plan, like the other play is for Frederick to block the LB.
• Witten probably should have blocked the backside DE but it didn't really matter.

 

[xwalker]

Cowboys - Vikings Example 3:

• Martin is assigned to block a LB.
• It's basically an impossible block for La'el.
• The DT is aligned head-up on Martin.
• If the DT was aligned as a 3-tech in the gap between La'el and Martin, then...
  • La'el could make the block.
• How the Rams would have blocked the Cowboys on this play:
  • The Rams RB would key on the LB #55.
  • If LBs move strong to the outside (play-side), then cut-back inside.
  • If LBs delay moving outside, then run outside.
  • On this play both LBs move towards the outside immediately.
  • RB would cut back inside.
  • RG would block the Left DT.
  • RT would help-block Left DT.
  • When RB cuts back, LG would kick out to block LB.
  • LB would just start to move back inside but LG is waiting.
  • Key: RB has to sell outside run.

Bonus:
If the RG-RT double-team pushes the DT backwards at all, the DT and blockers will get in the way of any backside defenders like #41 from coming back inside.

 

[Fritsch_the_cat]

Run blocking? What run blocking?

 

[nightrain]

Cowboys - Vikings Example 1:

• The plan is for Frederick to kick out and block the LB.
• Martin blocked the DL to Fredrick's right.
• If they had blocked for cut-back, then...
• Frederick could make a Reach Block on the DL.
• Martin could block the LB.
• It would be the "Easy" type reach block for Fred.
• i.e. The DL would take himself across Fred's face.
• Martin would be in perfect position vs the LB.

Vikings LBs playing 4 yards of LOS and attacking at the snap. Time to abandon the run.

 

[Sydla]

Cowboys - Vikings Example 1:

• The plan is for Frederick to kick out and block the LB.
• Martin blocked the DL to Fredrick's right.
• If they had blocked for cut-back, then...
• Frederick could make a Reach Block on the DL.
• Martin could block the LB.
• It would be the "Easy" type reach block for Fred.
• i.e. The DL would take himself across Fred's face.
• Martin would be in perfect position vs the LB.

Now people have claimed this play was a RPO.

Then why is Witten never looking back and instead setting up like it's run all the way? And who is the slot on the other side? He also doesn't seem to be running a route either, just kind of drifting.

 

[ScipioCowboy]

Thanks, X, for all the work you put in.

 

[Cmac]

Cowboys - Vikings Example 2:

• This play is very similar to example 1.
• This time they have Witten pull across the backfield.
• The plan, like the other play is for Frederick to block the LB.
• Witten probably should have blocked the backside DE but it didn't really matter.

Witt blocked the same guy I did....no one. Who came up with that play?

 

[Cmac]

Run blocking? What run blocking?

I missing something....I keep catching guys missing blocks and Minny DL guys feasting behind the line. Blame Zeke.

 

[mahoneybill]

Vikings LBs playing 4 yards of LOS and attacking at the snap. Time to abandon the run.

Bingo. They probably see the formation, know the tendency of the direction of the run and a skilled enough at that distance to create a log jam that even Zekes
ability to lunge forward for a yard or two can't penetrate....

Very frustrating to watch this mano y mano type of play when some misdirection etc may have worked better or at least a pass or 2 mixed in instead of hitting a wall...

Give Zimmer credit he's coached a team to the NFC championship and knows a thing or two about D.

JG just used a 90's we'll beat your playbook on this last attempt...

 

[Corso]

Now people have claimed this play was a RPO.

Then why is Witten never looking back and instead setting up like it's run all the way? And who is the slot on the other side? He also doesn't seem to be running a route either, just kind of drifting.

Good question.

 

[Acheman08]

In those examples, Collins (71) is pooping the bed

 

[JakeCamp12]

In those examples, Collins (71) is pooping the bed

Chris Collinsworth said he was the best RT in the league....LOL

 

[Acheman08]

Chris Collinsworth said he was the best RT in the league....LOL

Yeah, the beer pong league

 

[Oh_Canada]

Now people have claimed this play was a RPO.

Then why is Witten never looking back and instead setting up like it's run all the way? And who is the slot on the other side? He also doesn't seem to be running a route either, just kind of drifting.

Because JG is full of crap. He put it out there it was an RPO.

 

[xwalker]

Now people have claimed this play was a RPO.

Then why is Witten never looking back and instead setting up like it's run all the way? And who is the slot on the other side? He also doesn't seem to be running a route either, just kind of drifting.

It was a read-option type play but I don't see any signs of RPO. None of the WRs or TE were looking back.

Some people confuse RPO and Read-Option and plays can be both.

Dak showed Read-Option several times but I don't recall him keeping the ball and running in this game.

I still think that Kellen Moore is going to be a good OC but a rookie OC needs a strong Head Coach which is not Garrett.

 

[Number1]

During the Losing Streak had been attempting too many difficult to execute "Reach Blocks".

Starting with the Eagles Game they started trying to limit Reach Blocks.

Now they might have over-compensated.


I'll define Reach Block by using a simple diagram:

Diagram 1:
offensive left -- DL -- offensive right
--------------- OL --------------------------

In diagram 1 above:
Reach Block: OL wants to prevent DL from moving to the right.
Leverage Block: OL wants to prevent the DL from moving to the left.

Note:
Reach Block: OL has the leverage dis-advantage.
Leverage Block: OL has the leverage advantage.

Now I'll divide Reach Blocks into 2 categories that I'll call Difficult and Easy.

• Based on diagram 1:
  • Difficult:
    • The offense runs to the right.
    • The DL will quickly move to the right.
    • The OL must "out run" the DL to get to the right or the DL.
    • The OL has to cross the face of the DL to make the Reach Block.
  • Easy:
    • The offensive shows Zone Run Left but the plan is for the RB to cut back inside.
    • The DL will quickly move left.
    • The OL can just stand still and the DL will move to his left.
    • Once the RB cuts back the DL will want to move back to the right.
    • The OL has crossed the face of the DL but the DL did the work for the OL.

In both the Difficult and Easy examples, the OL wanted to prevent the DL from moving to the right.

Recap:

• During the Losing Streak: Too many Reach Blocks.
• Starting with the Eagles Game: Started to avoid Reach Blocks.
• My Conclusion: Only avoid the Difficult Reach Blocks. The Easy Reach Blocks are good.

X, what's your grade on Colombo so are? and why?

 

[xwalker]

X, what's your grade on Colombo so are? and why?

Individual Player Technique: Very Good

Motivation/Mindset: Very Good

Scheme: Not Good

Columbo played in Houck's Man-Blocking scheme where it was "beat the guy i front of you".

Callahan replaced Houck in 2012 and we finally saw coaching/scheme giving a unit on the team an advantage that made the unit better the the sums of parts.

Now they trying to run both Man and Zone like Callahan did but the specific blocking assignments are often wrong and they don't have a good "feel" for zone blocking.

 

[CCBoy]

Good analysis presented, X...as always thanks.

As usual in losses Dallas didn't dominate due to schemes applied...and not able to overcome tough and physical play opposite the line.

Unlike the Vikings, Dallas didn't stick to a dominant passing game until it established dominance of game trends.

The team stuck to an unproductive scheme application on both defense and final quarter game on the line status.

Few in game adjustments that were effective and the game flow was given to Minnesota, despite successes that did occur.

On running plays, lanes just did not occur or additional blocking players that turned the aggressive and physical play opposite the offensive line.

Just like with the Rams last season, when the running game and run defense was high lighted, Dallas had few answers.