...Austin needs help... and fast...

[kramskoi]

While the Cowboys have three effective running backs, they have only one good wide receiver: Miles Austin, who ranks second among receivers in DVOA, fifth in DYAR (Defense-adjusted Yards Above Replacement, FBO's method of ranking wide receivers based on total value instead of value per play). Austin is especially dangerous with the ball in his hands, leading the league by a wide margin with 12.0 yards after catch per reception. The only other wideout with at least 25 targets and more than 9.0 YAC per reception is the Giants' Hakeem Nicks. But Austin is getting no support. Patrick Crayton has only 20 DYAR on the year, and Roy E. Williams has exactly zero, making him literally a replacement-level player. His catch rate of 42 percent is simply unacceptable for an NFL receiver in 2009.

With that in mind, it's curious that Dallas doesn't run more often. The Cowboys have run the ball on 41 percent of all plays this season, ranking 21st in that category. Keep in mind that 64 percent of the time Dallas' offense snaps the ball, they are either tied or ahead. There's no reason Dallas shouldn't be running on at least half its plays.

 

[JBond]

While the Cowboys have three effective running backs, they have only one good wide receiver: Miles Austin, who ranks second among receivers in DVOA, fifth in DYAR (Defense-adjusted Yards Above Replacement, FBO's method of ranking wide receivers based on total value instead of value per play). Austin is especially dangerous with the ball in his hands, leading the league by a wide margin with 12.0 yards after catch per reception. The only other wideout with at least 25 targets and more than 9.0 YAC per reception is the Giants' Hakeem Nicks. But Austin is getting no support. Patrick Crayton has only 20 DYAR on the year, and Roy E. Williams has exactly zero, making him literally a replacement-level player. His catch rate of 42 percent is simply unacceptable for an NFL receiver in 2009.

With that in mind, it's curious that Dallas doesn't run more often. The Cowboys have run the ball on 41 percent of all plays this season, ranking 21st in that category. Keep in mind that 64 percent of the time Dallas' offense snaps the ball, they are either tied or ahead. There's no reason Dallas shouldn't be running on at least half its plays.

Interesting. Maybe we should trade for a big name WR in the off season. Don't we have a 1st rd pick still? Lets trade it for a "proven" top flight WR.

 

[Idgit]

While the Cowboys have three effective running backs, they have only one good wide receiver: Miles Austin, who ranks second among receivers in DVOA, fifth in DYAR (Defense-adjusted Yards Above Replacement, FBO's method of ranking wide receivers based on total value instead of value per play). Austin is especially dangerous with the ball in his hands, leading the league by a wide margin with 12.0 yards after catch per reception. The only other wideout with at least 25 targets and more than 9.0 YAC per reception is the Giants' Hakeem Nicks. But Austin is getting no support. Patrick Crayton has only 20 DYAR on the year, and Roy E. Williams has exactly zero, making him literally a replacement-level player. His catch rate of 42 percent is simply unacceptable for an NFL receiver in 2009.

With that in mind, it's curious that Dallas doesn't run more often. The Cowboys have run the ball on 41 percent of all plays this season, ranking 21st in that category. Keep in mind that 64 percent of the time Dallas' offense snaps the ball, they are either tied or ahead. There's no reason Dallas shouldn't be running on at least half its plays.

If passing the ball 59% of the time has us snapping the ball with the lead 64% of the time, isn't that at least one reason we shouldn't be running on at least half our plays?

 

[craig71]

I'm not that worried about Williams right now.He had a decent game against Philly with 5 catches for 75 yards.He wasn't all that far away from a monster game against Green Bay.In Green Bay he had a costly drop that hurt along with that fumble that stung as well.That slant that he caught was real close to being a long touchdown play,he was barely tripped up on that one.Even after the game he manned up and took the blame for what happened,that's hardly T.O.'esque.If Roy can improve his game a little more over the next two games it would greatly enhance this teams ability to stake a claim to a playoff spot.

Craig

 

[tunahelper]

If passing the ball 59% of the time has us snapping the ball with the lead 64% of the time, isn't that at least one reason we shouldn't be running on at least half our plays?

Good point. Also when are we going to start running the ball effectively? This may be why Garrett has let off the running game?

 

[skinsscalper]

I just read the first sentence of the OP and knew where this was going.

The only thing I can say is that the past two weeks defenses have keyed on Austin and Williams, for the most part, has picked up the slack. His drops and his fumble were maddening last week, but teams are starting to pay for keying on Austin. When they try to take Austin and Williams out, then it's time for Witten to step up.

I think we are just barely getting to the "pick your poison" that we all had hoped with this offense early in the year. If they can start peaking toward the end of the season, they could be dangerous.

 

[kramskoi]

I just read the first sentence of the OP and knew where this was going.

The only thing I can say is that the past two weeks defenses have keyed on Austin and Williams, for the most part, has picked up the slack. His drops and his fumble were maddening last week, but teams are starting to pay for keying on Austin. When they try to take Austin and Williams out, then it's time for Witten to step up.

I think we are just barely getting to the "pick your poison" that we all had hoped with this offense early in the year. If they can start peaking toward the end of the season, they could be dangerous.

ray:

 

[Doomsday101]

I'm not worried about Austin. Dallas played a poor game nothing more than that. It was not the end of the world or even the end of the season. Miles had some opportunities that he and Romo did not connect and 4 that they did. It was a bad game for the Cowboys and I hope they can put this behind them better than the fans do.

 

[TheCount]

It'd help if Romo would hit more of those deep throws as well. He was off on quite a few of them, especially earlier in the year.

 

[Crad|e]

I solely agree with the OP. Austin is getting coverage rolled his way now and we have nobody else to open up the playbook with. RW can't shake man coverage against the 2nd cb and I think Felix is more hurt than we all know.

 

[skinsscalper]

ray:

You and me both bro.

:laugh2:

 

[JBond]

I just read the first sentence of the OP and knew where this was going.

The only thing I can say is that the past two weeks defenses have keyed on Austin and Williams, for the most part, has picked up the slack. His drops and his fumble were maddening last week, but teams are starting to pay for keying on Austin. When they try to take Austin and Williams out, then it's time for Witten to step up.

I think we are just barely getting to the "pick your poison" that we all had hoped with this offense early in the year. If they can start peaking toward the end of the season, they could be dangerous.

Peaking at the right time is always important. Never want to peak to soon.

 

[Phoenix]

Roy E. Williams has exactly zero, making him literally a replacement-level player. His catch rate of 42 percent is simply unacceptable for an NFL receiver in 2009.

Pitiful.

 

[CF74]

Good point. Also when are we going to start running the ball effectively? .....Garrett

When somebody figures out Choice is the healthiest back on the team right now...

 

[kramskoi]

...the maddening thing in all this is that only three teams are better in offensive DVOA...an incidentally they stack up the same way overall...

New England.....33.2% [1st]
Indianapolis......26.6% [2nd]
New Orleans.....26.4% [3rd]
Dallas..............20.3% [8th overall]

...but as we've seen, statistics are'nt everything...

 

[superpunk]

If passing the ball 59% of the time has us snapping the ball with the lead 64% of the time, isn't that at least one reason we shouldn't be running on at least half our plays?

Dude..wait...what?

 

[Apollo Creed]

I've been very pleased with Crayton this year. If contracts and draft picks weren't involved he would probably be starting opposite Austin.

 

[TwoDeep3]

While the Cowboys have three effective running backs, they have only one good wide receiver: Miles Austin, who ranks second among receivers in DVOA, fifth in DYAR (Defense-adjusted Yards Above Replacement, FBO's method of ranking wide receivers based on total value instead of value per play). Austin is especially dangerous with the ball in his hands, leading the league by a wide margin with 12.0 yards after catch per reception. The only other wideout with at least 25 targets and more than 9.0 YAC per reception is the Giants' Hakeem Nicks. But Austin is getting no support. Patrick Crayton has only 20 DYAR on the year, and Roy E. Williams has exactly zero, making him literally a replacement-level player. His catch rate of 42 percent is simply unacceptable for an NFL receiver in 2009.

With that in mind, it's curious that Dallas doesn't run more often. The Cowboys have run the ball on 41 percent of all plays this season, ranking 21st in that category. Keep in mind that 64 percent of the time Dallas' offense snaps the ball, they are either tied or ahead. There's no reason Dallas shouldn't be running on at least half its plays.

Or, Austin made hay against inferior teams and when faced with big boy coverage he has gone back to being what he was before the 500+ output.

A guy that cannot get open and deliver against top flight DBs.

 

[Apollo Creed]

Or, Austin made hay against inferior teams and when faced with big boy coverage he has gone back to being what he was before the 500+ output.

A guy that cannot get open and deliver against top flight DBs.

What about the other guy that can't even perform against every team's 2nd best corner.

And teams have started to double Austin and slide coverage his way.

 

[TwoDeep3]

What about the other guy that can't even perform against every team's 2nd best corner.

And teams have started to double Austin and slide coverage his way.

I never once said Austin is the #1 receiver. There are a whole group of people who have crowned him with this title.

I asked during the off season what happens if both he and Roy cannot deliver. What is plan B.

You are trying to change the debate away from Austin. Who just might end up being a glorified Billy Davis.

When he was a nobody against the third corner he posted over 100-yards against the Packers.

Now when he is the focal point of their defensive scheme because of his break out against teams with a lot less talent at corner, he has twenty yards and is a non-factor.

If Austin is truly a number one as so many here have hoped - another Cinderella story - then he needs to show up against double teams.

Regardless of who is on the other side.