Are we going to be seeing a lot more of Dak running?

[exciter]

They saw it in 2016 so it shouldn't be a surprise

They did it in 2016 to protect a rookie 4th round pick who was limited and needed a dumb downed offense.

 

[buybuydandavis]

I absolutely loved Dak taking off and running last night. That made the difference and won us the game. Looked a lot like he picked up something from watching Cam in week 1.

Do you think this is a new dynamic we are going to add to our offense?

It should be. Every additional run threat leverages the oline and synergizes with Zeke. Makes our strength stronger.

I wonder if Dak was run more because NY is a 3-4.

 

[ConstantReboot]

7 rushes for 45 yards.

720 over the course of a season. Newton is in that ballpark every year, having 754 last season.

I'm all-in and love the idea of Dak running at the pace he did last night. If he can keep doing it at a similar level to Cam, it adds another dimension to our offense.

We should also pass from the RPO play. Many teams are doing. They are rolling out their QBs out of the pocket and passing on a bootleg. I have no clue why Garrett/Linehan can do something like that.

 

[blumayne38]

I absolutely loved Dak taking off and running last night. That made the difference and won us the game. Looked a lot like he picked up something from watching Cam in week 1.

Do you think this is a new dynamic we are going to add to our offense?

I like it, Chris carter on first things first said it best. This team isn’t the Romo cowboys where we put up 30 35 points. It’s a running football team that has a top 10 defense that can win 10 games and sneak in the playoffs.

 

[blumayne38]

We will see Dak Prescott keep it and run in some games and mainly go with the hand off in others.

The read option has been a staple in the offense since D4K became the starter.

It's easy to miss because Ezekiel Elliott will get the ball if the weakside edge defender stays in his lane and doesn't collapse on the perceived threat of #21 running inside. The Giants were biting on the threat of Zeke and Dak made them pay repeatedly by keeping the ball himself.

Seattle is going to be very aware of this and will harp on their guys staying where they belong.

All this said, Dak does not look to take off and run with the football akin to Cam Newton.

It's built in with the read option for the QB to keep the ball and run if the edge defender abandons contain and goes for the back. What that weakside edge does determines if the runner or QB ends up with the ball.

On passing plays, Dak almost never elects to run, and it's an area where he must improve in order to stop leaving yards on the field. I haven't re-watched the game yet, but I know of at least two opportunities last night where Dak could've bolted right up the middle for good yardage and he didn't, as per usual.

He will hang in the pocket waiting for someone to uncover, finally bail, and attempt to roll out to throw the ball away.

Stephen Jones spoke today about not wanting to expose the QB by running 8-10 times a game and that's perfectly understandable. We don't want to Dak to take unnecessary hits.

I'm not worried.

So far, he's only had 8 carries in a game once and had 7 carries three times. Dak does not look to run. He'll keep it 2-3 times on option plays and every once in a while run on called passes.

Dak also has a much sturdier build than someone like Robert Griffin or Mike Vick, he will typically slide to avoid contact and simply doesn't take off running on passing plays.

About the only time we will call a true QB run is less than one yard to go situations and two point conversions, which are very obvious.

Defenses know Dak. They know he isn't going to run the ball on passing plays unless forced and that designed QB runs aren't part of the game plan. Dak will keep it a few times on option runs and scramble when passing only if given no choice.

I'd like exploit that.

Dak needs to be coached that darting up the middle for 6-8 yards on a passing play if a big hole just opens up can be a very good thing. And adding the occasional QB keeper when we have defenses spread out with 11 or 10 personnel would be more of the same.

Dak is a conservative player, he doesn't like to take lots of chances with the football, and that's a great thing.

But I believe he needs to run more than he has to date, and not just as a built in component of the read option. Show defenses that need to worry about #4 busting up the middle on any passing play and designed QB draws so that they might feel the need to start spying to account for the threat.

There's a fine line here and undoubtedly the team is frightened about getting Dak injured, but I believe we have to let him cut loose and play the game.

Dak is too conservative.

The first thing most fans will thing of is the deep ball and not taking enough shots down the field during games. But the same holds true for Dak's feet, we need to see more of both.

Seattle looked like crap on defense and oline should be able to take advantage of them right now

 

[Blackrain]

I absolutely loved Dak taking off and running last night. That made the difference and won us the game. Looked a lot like he picked up something from watching Cam in week 1.

Do you think this is a new dynamic we are going to add to our offense?

Im a fan of this also . It really puts pressure on the defense to have to spy Dak at all times and that takes personnel away from other areas .

This should help open things up a bit and I think Dak can refine his running style so he can get down and avoid hits . In the Giants game I think he just wanted to lay the wood after that comment was made .

 

[Cowboy Brian]

Im a fan of this also . It really puts pressure on the defense to have to spy Dak at all times and that takes personnel away from other areas .

This should help open things up a bit and I think Dak can refine his running style so he can get down and avoid hits . In the Giants game I think he just wanted to lay the wood after that comment was made .

100% agreed. I think it is a must do.

 

[OmerV]

It worked big time. I hope we use it at similar levels to last night. Dak has a similar skill-set to Cam. He doesn't have the accuracy or ability to be a Drew Brees, but he doesn't need to be.

The only thing is if it is used to regularly it will be game planned for and expected. Much of the success Sunday was the defense was so keyed on stopping Zeke that they bit on the fake handoff.

 

[Diehardblues]

IF we are planning on using Dak more running the ball we better sign a better backup QB cause Dak will eventually get hurt.

 

[Cowboy Brian]

The only thing is if it is used to regularly it will be game planned for and expected. Much of the success Sunday was the defense was so keyed on stopping Zeke that they bit on the fake handoff.

Even if it is expected, it can work - look at what the Panthers do with Cam, who averages 750 yards a year rushing.

Dak has a similar skill-set.

 

[Cowboy Brian]

IF we are planning on using Dak more running the ball we better sign a better backup QB cause Dak will eventually get hurt.

Without question, but on the bright side, he has proved extremely durable... he hasn't yet missed a game unless I'm mistaken.

Cam Newton runs the most similar offense to what I'm envisioning, and he missed 2 games in one season - otherwise he has been on the field.

 

[OmerV]

Even if it is expected, it can work - look at what the Panthers do with Cam, who averages 750 yards a year rushing.

Dak has a similar skill-set.

Obviously the Cowboys weren't expecting Cam in the first half, but look what happened when they adjusted to him - he was shut down as a runner afterward. In any case, some of the yardage comes off scrambles when pass protection breaks down - it isn't all called plays. I'm all for Dak running when the pass protection fails.

 

[Cowboy Brian]

Obviously the Cowboys weren't expecting Cam in the first half, but look what happened when they adjusted to him - he was shut down as a runner afterward. In any case, some of the yardage comes off scrambles when pass protection breaks down - it isn't all called plays. I'm all for Dak running when the pass protection fails.

Me too, and yes defenses can adjust and stop it with a QB spy, but that opens up the receiving game, and then when Austin burns them on a long play, they remove the spy, Dak and Zeke can have a field day.

 

[Diehardblues]

Without question, but on the bright side, he has proved extremely durable... he hasn't yet missed a game unless I'm mistaken.

Cam Newton runs the most similar offense to what I'm envisioning, and he missed 2 games in one season - otherwise he has been on the field.

NFL history proves out that a running QB has a limited shelf life.

But I’m all for using him up.

 

[Cowboy Brian]

NFL history proves out that a running QB has a limited shelf life.

Agreed... but so far, Newton has bucked that trend.... I'm not saying we want Dak to be running for the next 5 seasons like Cam does, but for this season with our lack of credible receiving threats and useless TEs, it can be a bridge to get us into the playoffs.

 

[MWH1967]

I realy,really, hope not.

 

[blueblood70]

10X planned plus few more unplanned a game would be good, way more then game 1 but not much more then game 2.. we needed his legs game 1 and he didnt use them..odd

 

[Diehardblues]

Agreed... but so far, Newton has bucked that trend.... I'm not saying we want Dak to be running for the next 5 seasons like Cam does, but for this season with our lack of credible receiving threats and useless TEs, it can be a bridge to get us into the playoffs.

So, you want to base our strategy on one exception with Cam? Ok then.

But like I added above. I’m ok with using all of Daks assets as long as he’s here.

 

[Cowboy Brian]

So, you want to base our strategy on one exception with Cam? Ok then.

But like I added above. I’m ok with using all of Daks assets as long as he’s here.

We're on the same page, but yes, I do think the Cam comparison is pretty appropriate. Dak is never going to be Drew Brees or Tom Brady, but can he be Cam Newton? Yep, I'm pretty darn sure of it.

 

[Diehardblues]

I see Dak as more of a bridge to our next era.

Once this OL needs rebuilding and we let Zeke walk this supporting cast Dak thrives on will more expose his weaknesses.

I’m just hopeful we dont extend him more than 3 years. That will be about the time we need to revamp this entire offense.