At least now we know why they haven't been using Luepke in the red zone

[RonnieT24]

A lot of us, myself included, have been calling for them to use the big guy on the goal line.

I suppose you could put some of the blame for that fumbled exchange on Dak but Dak has handed off probably about 10,000 times since he came into the league and only on THIS one did the back manage not to take the ball. I put most of the blame for that on the rook. He didn't clamp down when the ball hit his chest plate and basically left his arms separated. If it's not a read play as a back you are taught to TAKE the ball from the QB as soon as he puts it into your arms. That way it doesn't go bouncing around in the backfield. In my honest opinion I think the kid just froze in the moment. He was asked to do something significant in a meaningful juncture in the game and I think it got to him. Not the end of the world and I'm sure it will never happen again as long as he's in the league.. but that one hurt. The Cowboys should have had TDs on their first two drives and been up 14-3 after CeeDee's score. Probably would have been a very different game if that happens.

 

[maryquality]

Yeah, I felt bad for the guy. He was doing so well up to that point. I agree, he probably won't do it again!

 

[nightrain]

It's on the Coach to understand situational football and put your best players in the position to succeed in those moments.

 

[blueblood70]

A lot of us, myself included, have been calling for them to use the big guy on the goal line.

I suppose you could put some of the blame for that fumbled exchange on Dak but Dak has handed off probably about 10,000 times since he came into the league and only on THIS one did the back manage not to take the ball. I put most of the blame for that on the rook. He didn't clamp down when the ball hit his chest plate and basically left his arms separated. If it's not a read play as a back you are taught to TAKE the ball from the QB as soon as he puts it into your arms. That way it doesn't go bouncing around in the backfield. In my honest opinion I think the kid just froze in the moment. He was asked to do something significant in a meaningful juncture in the game and I think it got to him. Not the end of the world and I'm sure it will never happen again as long as he's in the league.. but that one hurt. The Cowboys should have had TDs on their first two drives and been up 14-3 after CeeDee's score. Probably would have been a very different game if that happens.

Dude I don't think this needed a special post my man I mean we know what happened it happens but that doesn't mean we shouldn't do it more I was encouraged by some of the wrinkles with the full back the way they use land behind the line of scrimmage use the other running backs I just hope that it doesn't discourage them from using him more I don't wanna use him less I wanna use him more I think that this was the beginning of some of the installments of this type of offense that we're gonna need for the playoffs and we're gonna need him and we should give it right back to him at the goal line in the next game when we get down in there it was a mistake who knows what was supposed to happen but it really almost looked like to me he hardly even reached for the ball that he thought it was gonna be like an RPO you know like it was gonna be a fake handoff or something it just looks like he wasn't even expecting the ball that's how bad it was but it is what it is

I just hope this doesn't discourage Mike McCarthy as much as some of you seem disappointed look it was one mistake it happens long as it's not a regular occurrence I wanna see more of this I wanna see him blocking for some of our other running backs I wanna see him getting some short yardage it's time to ramp up the playoff game plans right now

 

[Cowboysheelsreds058]

Sure picked the wrong time for whatever that was.

 

[rambo2]

A lot of us, myself included, have been calling for them to use the big guy on the goal line.

I suppose you could put some of the blame for that fumbled exchange on Dak but Dak has handed off probably about 10,000 times since he came into the league and only on THIS one did the back manage not to take the ball. I put most of the blame for that on the rook. He didn't clamp down when the ball hit his chest plate and basically left his arms separated. If it's not a read play as a back you are taught to TAKE the ball from the QB as soon as he puts it into your arms. That way it doesn't go bouncing around in the backfield. In my honest opinion I think the kid just froze in the moment. He was asked to do something significant in a meaningful juncture in the game and I think it got to him. Not the end of the world and I'm sure it will never happen again as long as he's in the league.. but that one hurt. The Cowboys should have had TDs on their first two drives and been up 14-3 after CeeDee's score. Probably would have been a very different game if that happens.

It's actually good that they started using Luepke. He certainly can be effective and they know it.

 

[Ken]

A lot of us, myself included, have been calling for them to use the big guy on the goal line.

I suppose you could put some of the blame for that fumbled exchange on Dak but Dak has handed off probably about 10,000 times since he came into the league and only on THIS one did the back manage not to take the ball. I put most of the blame for that on the rook. He didn't clamp down when the ball hit his chest plate and basically left his arms separated. If it's not a read play as a back you are taught to TAKE the ball from the QB as soon as he puts it into your arms. That way it doesn't go bouncing around in the backfield. In my honest opinion I think the kid just froze in the moment. He was asked to do something significant in a meaningful juncture in the game and I think it got to him. Not the end of the world and I'm sure it will never happen again as long as he's in the league.. but that one hurt. The Cowboys should have had TDs on their first two drives and been up 14-3 after CeeDee's score. Probably would have been a very different game if that happens.

It was unfortunate....I would still use him the way they were though...it looked good until the fumble.

 

[rambo2]

Dude I don't think this needed a special post my man I mean we know what happened it happens but that doesn't mean we shouldn't do it more I was encouraged by some of the wrinkles with the full back the way they use land behind the line of scrimmage use the other running backs I just hope that it doesn't discourage them from using him more I don't wanna use him less I wanna use him more I think that this was the beginning of some of the installments of this type of offense that we're gonna need for the playoffs and we're gonna need him and we should give it right back to him at the goal line in the next game when we get down in there it was a mistake who knows what was supposed to happen but it really almost looked like to me he hardly even reached for the ball that he thought it was gonna be like an RPO you know like it was gonna be a fake handoff or something it just looks like he wasn't even expecting the ball that's how bad it was but it is what it is

I just hope this doesn't discourage Mike McCarthy as much as some of you seem disappointed look it was one mistake it happens long as it's not a regular occurrence I wanna see more of this I wanna see him blocking for some of our other running backs I wanna see him getting some short yardage it's time to ramp up the playoff game plans right now

Some fans don't have a clue. Using Luepke as a ball carrier actually works. He looks like he will be a solid player for the Cowboys.

 

[Creeper]

I also was calling for them to use Luepke near the goal line and I still think they should. I am not going to sour on a guy for one mistake. I still think he has potential to run the football.

I also will not blame the coaches decision for handing him the ball. After 14 games of not getting the ball, it had to surprise Miami some. And after watching Pollard's weak attempt to get into the end zone on the previous play, the FB may have been a natural reaction.

The Cowboys running game has been disappointing this year, especially near the goal line. They needed to try something different and they did. If they run that play 100 times I get the get the handoff right 99 other times. Certainly they will get it right the next time.

 

[blueblood70]

Some fans don't have a clue. Using Luepke as a ball carrier actually works. He looks like he will be a solid player for the Cowboys.

We just hope that the coaches see this and I hope this was a launching game for a playoff type formations using the full back a lot more than we have we need it we definitely know we need it I just hope this doesn't discourage them from using him... I wanna see them increase his load every game Detroit Washington get him ready for the hits and handling the football for playoff time if that's my opinion but that fumble wouldn't should not discourage us from using him more needs a lot more formations where he's in an eye formation traditional lineups etcetera etcetera..

 

[Jarntt]

Schitt happens. Don't stop using the kid at the goal line. I'll take a handoff to Luepke or Pollard or Dowdle or really a QB sneak on 1st and goal from the half yard line over that asinine pass call late in the game every time. Fumbling once doesn't mean you will fumble again. Probably a little of both Dak and Luepke's fault but we are going to need to be able to convert inside the 5 in the playoffs and when it's first down just run run run

 

[Mark]

Luepke can help this team, and it's unfortunate he hadn't gotten more reps before Sunday.

I'm glad they put him right back in after the fumble.

You don't give up on a guy after one botched handoff exchange. By the draconian metrics some apply here, Brock Purdy would be looking for a job this morning.

 

[RodeoJake]

From the replays of seen, it looked like Dak audibled and the rook either didn't know he was getting the ball or didn't hear the play change. Definitely a coachable moment for the kid, albeit at an inopportune time.

 

[rambo2]

Luepke can help this team, and it's unfortunate he hadn't gotten more reps before Sunday.

I'm glad they put him right back in after the fumble.

You don't give up on a guy after one botched handoff exchange. By the draconian metrics some apply here, Brock Purdy would be looking for a job this morning.

I wouldn't use the word unfortunate. They just saved it for a new look later in the season and it was working. He would have scored easily if the handoff would have been made.

 

[blueblood70]

From the replays of seen, it looked like Dak audibled and the rook either didn't know he was getting the ball or didn't hear the play change. Definitely a coachable moment for the kid, albeit at an inopportune time.

Yeah I haven't gone back and rewatched it but you're right something was weird it was like he wasn't expecting the football it looked like he thought there was gonna be a fake yeah like an RPO and the ball was gonna be pulled out I don't know but it definitely looked weird and yeah it is a teachable moment and I hope they keep going back to him over and over I like him in this offense and we need to stress that more next game and even more in the Washington game and I don't care if it show the team what we're about to do we need to start being physical in the run game right now I wanna see more two back sets I wanna see more I formations I wanna see more jumbo packages Tony Pollard is not that guy alone obviously he doesn't even want to Sprint outside anymore so whatever went on on that series we need to sweep under the rug but keep doing it

I hope Mike McCarthy is not gun shy about going back to this I want to see more of it not less of it I liked it I really did when they started using it more it's like we had a little bit of an execution problem but I really liked the packages the way they were using lamb behind the line of scrimmage and all that stuff that was a nice start to finding some groupings and packages to bring to the playoff games.. And we have two games to practice it...

 

[SlammedZero]

It's unfortunate, and it hurt in the long run, but the kid learned a very valuable lesson in ball security in that moment (well, one would hope!). I'd absolutely continue to play him. Give him the chance to show him the coaching staff has faith in him. He definitely flashed with reasons to use him.

 

[5Stars]

A lot of us, myself included, have been calling for them to use the big guy on the goal line.

I suppose you could put some of the blame for that fumbled exchange on Dak but Dak has handed off probably about 10,000 times since he came into the league and only on THIS one did the back manage not to take the ball. I put most of the blame for that on the rook. He didn't clamp down when the ball hit his chest plate and basically left his arms separated. If it's not a read play as a back you are taught to TAKE the ball from the QB as soon as he puts it into your arms. That way it doesn't go bouncing around in the backfield. In my honest opinion I think the kid just froze in the moment. He was asked to do something significant in a meaningful juncture in the game and I think it got to him. Not the end of the world and I'm sure it will never happen again as long as he's in the league.. but that one hurt. The Cowboys should have had TDs on their first two drives and been up 14-3 after CeeDee's score. Probably would have been a very different game if that happens.

This team is snake bit with all the stupid mistakes they make that should never have been made. Dak stepped out of bounds, the TE just a few inches from the goal line, the bumbled hand off to the FB, and I'm sure there are some more, but without those mistakes, this team could have won more games than they already have. Mind blowing.

 

[noshame]

It's on the Coach to understand situational football and put your best players in the position to succeed in those moments.

Yeah, like a guy that's had less than 5 touches all season long.
Mike the fraud.

 

[sbark]

MM tried to use him again on the goal line, with a route to the right. Was doubled. The play right before Cooks td in left corner.
Kudos to MM to try and get him right back on the bronc.

 

[quickccc]

i saw it as simply a rookie mistake. yeh bad timing and costly point of the game for the fumble turnover, cuz we
really needed those points by game's end.

maybe Hunter thought it was meant as a " play-fake" , and he was not meant to get the ball.
Will it likely happen again ? Likely not.

He did not fumble the ball when he scored from 9 yards out TD earlier game this season when given a chance in red zone,
and his size and run skills could come in handy. Don't give up on him from one mistake.