BTB: Cowboys Running Game: Used Too Little Or Used Ineffectively?

[cowboyjoe]

Cowboys Running Game: Used Too Little Or Used Ineffectively?
http://www.bloggingtheboys.com/2011...ng-game-used-too-little-or-used-ineffectively
by Dave Halprin on Jun 6, 2011 11:52 AM CDT in Dallas Cowboys General

Throughout Jason Garrett's tenure as the Dallas Cowboys offensive coordinator, much was made of his penchant for the passing game. Various reasons have been put forth as to why it's so. 1) That's where the Cowboys strength is with Tony Romo and a bevy of talented receivers. 2) The Cowboys offensive line is a better pass-blocking unit than run-blocking unit. 3) It's just a product of the NFL now being a passing league. 4) As a former QB himself, Garrett naturally gravitated to giving that position the responsibility of carrying a team. There are probably bits of truths in most of those statements.

 

[SDCowboy]

Used ineffectively. We are a passing team in a passing league. We run more than enough. We need to run better.

 

[AdamJT13]

It's kind of pointless to worry about the running game, because it has very little correlation to winning and losing in the NFL.

 

[sonnyboy]

It's kind of pointless to worry about the running game, because it has very little correlation to winning and losing in the NFL.

I don't know about that Adam.

I agree it's a passing league and it really has been for a long time. Just more so today.

And the telling stats are found in your passing game efficiency.
Winning teams have a high YPA and a low %INT.

But the running game still counts big time for these reasons alone.

1) Keeping your QB in one piece. No QB, even with today's no touch the QB rules, can last a season attempting 50 passes a game.

2) The more you threaten a defense with your running game, the easier it is to pass. An effective running game helps your passing game achieve a higher level of efficiency.

3) TD conversion rate in the red zone and especially in goal to go situations. There's a strong correlation to red zone success and running the ball well. Teams that run the ball poorly, never perform well in the red zone.

 

[Stash]

It's kind of pointless to worry about the running game, because it has very little correlation to winning and losing in the NFL.

I would disagree with you here.

While it is a 'passing league', success in the running game is still a key component for success.

Two 2010 playoff teams spring to mind in the Jets and Chiefs, I think both got there in large part due to success running the football.

 

[gmoney112]

I'll go with Option C. Our offensive line blew so hard we couldn't run the football.

 

[Stash]

I'll go with Option C. Our offensive line blew so hard we couldn't run the football.

I think that asking our linemen to do things they weren't capable of didn't help matters either.

 

[Doomsday101]

I would disagree with you here.

While it is a 'passing league', success in the running game is still a key component for success.

Two 2010 playoff teams spring to mind in the Jets and Chiefs, I think both got there in large part due to success running the football.

I agree. Yes teams love to pass but when you can establish a good running game it prevents defense from just pinning their ears back and going after the QB. If you can force a LB or Safety to hesitate because they are worried about the running game then it helps free up alot of what you can do on offense.

 

[Stash]

I agree. Yes teams love to pass but when you can establish a good running game it prevents defense from just pinning their ears back and going after the QB. If you can force a LB or Safety to hesitate because they are worried about the running game then it helps free up alot of what you can do on offense.

Most definitely, keep the defense guessing.

Not to mention the certain situations where it pays to be able to run the football, like short yardage and goal line and controlling the clock and the ball when playing with a lead.

 

[gmoney112]

I would disagree with you here.

While it is a 'passing league', success in the running game is still a key component for success.

Two 2010 playoff teams spring to mind in the Jets and Chiefs, I think both got there in large part due to success running the football.

Statistically a running game doesn't really matter much. However, it is the essence of playaction. One of the most simple and effective fakes that can and will cause hesitation in the defense just about every time it is employed. An effective running game will also keep your defense rested, which is crucial.

 

[sonnyboy]

OMT - I don't think the Cowboys used their running game too little or ineffectively. They just sucked at it.


The total runs as a percentage of total plays run was respectable as was the overall efficiency of the running game.

But......
we couldn't run the ball in short yardage or goal line situations.
we couldn't run well in the red zone.
we had far too many runs for negative yardage.


When the opposing defense thought we would run, should run or had to run the ball, we couldn't.
And that's the #1 sign of a weak running game.

 

[sonnyboy]

Statistically a running game doesn't really matter much. However, it is the essence of playaction. One of the most simple and effective fakes that can and will cause hesitation in the defense just about every time it is employed. An effective running game will also keep your defense rested, which is crucial.

It bascially helps keep a defense form doing a lot of what they love to do to defend a passing attack.

 

[Doomsday101]

Most definitely, keep the defense guessing.

Not to mention the certain situations where it pays to be able to run the football, like short yardage and goal line and controlling the clock and the ball when playing with a lead.

No doubt even GB as they got into the playoffs starting getting production out of the running game as much as they like passing it was a big boost to the offense not to mention they avg 27 carries a game.

I think teams who can show great balance are the harder teams to beat and I hope Dallas can establish a balance attack

 

[Stash]

No doubt even GB as they got into the playoffs starting getting production out of the running game as much as they like passing it was a big boost to the offense not to mention they avg 27 carries a game.

I think teams who can show great balance are the harder teams to beat and I hope Dallas can establish a balance attack

I'm optimistic that they will, but I think the offensive line still needs some work.

I hope they get both Free and Kosier re-signed, and I would like to see both Colombo and Davis replaced.

Tyron Smith was step one in doing that.

 

[Dough Boy]

Here are the top 10 rushing teams in the NFL in 2010:
1 Kansas City
2 Oakland
3 Jacksonville
4 NY Jets
5 Philadelphia
6 NY Giants
7 Houston
8 Tampa Bay
9 New England
10 Minnesota


Of that list, 6 did not make the playoffs.

 

[RS12]

I'll go with Option C. Our offensive line blew so hard we couldn't run the football.

We have a winner.

 

[Doomsday101]

I'm optimistic that they will, but I think the offensive line still needs some work.

I hope they get both Free and Kosier re-signed, and I would like to see both Colombo and Davis replaced.

Tyron Smith was step one in doing that.

Same here, I'm optimistic that Smith will be able to man the right side this season. As for RG that still appears to be up in the air of what the Cowboys may do.

 

[theogt]

Adam's right. Statistically, an effective running game has almost no impact whatsoever on winning and losing.

 

[Stash]

Here are the top 10 rushing teams in the NFL in 2010:
1 Kansas City
2 Oakland
3 Jacksonville
4 NY Jets
5 Philadelphia
6 NY Giants
7 Houston
8 Tampa Bay
9 New England
10 Minnesota


Of that list, 6 did not make the playoffs.

But, as we said, it's more about having balance.

You can have a great running game and a lousy passing game and your team will stink - like Jacksonville.

Or you can have a great running game and a great passing gaame and a lousy defense and your team will stink - like Houston.

I'd also look at that list and say that several of those teams on it that missed the playoffs did not miss the playoffs by much.

 

[jobberone]

Stats wise Adam is right. However, stats don't tell all especially here. You need to run the ball effectively at times. Some of those times have been mentioned. You need to be able to run the ball well enough.