Are checkdowns a viable replacement to running?

[DFWJC]

I think if you look at the numbers they can deceive you into thinking that a high percentage checkdown is a viable option in lieu of a running game.

I think those statistics only look good on paper. I think that while running the ball yields less yards on average than a checkdown it provides a dimension to an offense that opens things down the field in the passing game, gets tough first downs, and helps you score in the redzone.

We're about equal to our opponents in terms of first downs in the air, but we're completely dwarfed when it comes to rushing first downs.

I think our inability to run the ball effectively and consistently is why we lose close games. (In tandem with poor clock management by Garrett).

I agree.

The ability to run--or at least make the defesne soemwhat fear the run--can correlate directly a team's ability to go deeper down field in the passing game.
The less fear of a run game, the less likely you will be able get open deep or have time to have those plays develope.
Watch Aaron Rodgers or Drew Brees' play action effeciency for exhibit 1and 1A. As long as they at least fear the run, you don't really have to run it all that much.

 

[ABQCOWBOY]

Depends, In the WCO Bill walsh said the swing passes and short passes out to the backs where an extention of the running game within their system. Having said that we don't run the WCO but in my book a 5 yard pick up is still 5 yards leaving you with 2nd and 5 which is a down and distance that still allows you to run or pass

I agree with this, to a point. The problem with this is that you still must be able to run the football. In the RedZone, those short dump offs to the backs are covered and it becomes much harder to execute in the passing game IMO. In those situation, you must be able to run. Even the 49ers, back in the day, had the ability to run. As far back as you go with the WCO in SF, they had backs that could run the ball and an OL that could execute in the running game if needed. Going all the way back to Earl Cooper and Ricky Patton, Roger Craig, Wendell Tyler and Tom Rathman, Ricky Waters, Will Floyd and more recently with Gore. They have always had that ability to get the tough inside yards.


The difference between those SF teams and ours is that they were very disciplined in their passing game and they did not hurt themselves with penalties and things like that. We, on the other hand, have a tendency to self destruct on offense all too often. We miss assignments, we commit costly penalties, we drop easy catches, run the wrong routes or simply make bad throws to easy targets. It's a discipline thing IMO but of course, that is only my opinion.

 

[Zman5]

You need to run also to help the Oline out. It's very difficult to pass protect 50+ times. When you are pass protecting, you are the one receiving the punishment going backwards. When you run block, you are the one dishing out the punishment going forwards.

Ask any linemen which they prefer to do. Almost, if not all, will say run blocking.

 

[Roadtrip635]

While I think having an effective rushing game is important, I think it goes beyond that and how the RB's are used. Instead of using those short RB passes as merely safety valves or after thought dump off's, they should be a genuine part of their game plan. A large part of that is philosophy and play design.

Those short passes to the RB's accomplish many of the same things that rushing plays do, it forces and holds the LB's and Safetys closer to the LOS, which in turn give more space for the WR's and TE's to work and help open up deep routes..

If the Cowboys want to be a pass happy team, so be it, but use those RB's more efficiently. Force their LB's and safeties to respect our RB's ability as pass catchers. It will open up a few more holes in zone coverage if they have to pick up RB's out of the back field and hopefully get them moving more east and west which would help getting some softer coverage on those vertical and crossing routes for Dez and T-Dub. DeMarco is healthy right now and can be a playmaker for this team, they need to use him as one for cripes sake. It's not about the lack of talent on this team. it's about better utilizing the talent we do have on this team.