Can We Talk Rams Now?

[TheSport78]

It's the Rams, dude.

No but seriously, I fully expect us to come out flat on offense but get things going in the 2nd half.

I see a low scoring game in the range of 20-17...

 

[Deep_South]

We need to duct tape the ball to Dunbar's hands and get him on the field.

 

[Chocolate Lab]

I think this will be Tyron's toughest test for the early portion of this schedule. Free looked great against Houston and Hali last week. With the talk of the running game woes I'm sure Callahan will make it a point to emphasize it this week.

I wish we would activate Randle over Tanner. I'd like to see what Randle could do. Seemed like Demarco missed some running lanes on Sun.

I don't normally listen to the Cowboys website shows, but I caught a few minutes of one of them yesterday, and someone asked about Randle. Broaddus was adamant that Randle doesn't know the offense well enough, especially on pass protection, and simply isn't ready to play. He said if you want to play Randle, just prepare for Romo to get hit.

Now it's Broaddus, and he halfway has a screw loose (he was getting way overly worked up about this topic, like he took it personally that anyone would want to play Randle)... So who knows. Personally I like Randle as well. He's too slow to break any big plays but he's tough and does seem to find the soft spots in the defense.

 

[VThokie7]

Another guy I'd like to see active is TE Andre Smith, the best blocking TE of the bunch. He might be able to provide some help in the running game.

Especially if we're not going to use the 2nd TE in the passing game anyways. Might as well only keep one of Escobar/Hanna active since Andre Smith could be used as a blocker.

 

[Idgit]

I would agree if it weren't the same old story year after year.

Play Calling always seems in question.

Running the ball always seems in question.

Red Zone efficiency always seems in question.

Why does our 2nd round TE always seem so un-involved seems in question.

Lack of creativity always seems in question.

All signs point to the Offensive coaches and their system.

I'll give you red zone. I've never had a problem with the play calling. Running the ball is a question inasmuch as there are situations where we should run it and we don't. The second TEs have an impact, whether they're on the receiving end of the ball or not. They change what the defense does, and impact where we go with the ball just by being on the field. I haven't seen any serious criticism of a lack of creativity in the offensive design that goes beyond disappointed fans second-guessing after the fact.

Sturm's article this week about conservative play calling on the road was really interesting, I thought. I'd recommend it to anyone who hasn't seen it.

As I said, I'm not sure what the problem is, really, because it looks like we've got all the pieces for a beautiful offensive team, but what we're seeing is not beautiful. Maybe you're right and it's the coaching (and I do agree that ultimately it's the coaches who are held accountable). I'd actually be somewhat relieved to believe that, because it's more frustrating not knowing what to pin it on. I think the more likely problem requires a series of small related changes that are more tweaks than they are sea-changes, but I'm at a loss as to what they are, exactly. I do like the idea of more play action with the zone blocking, and more of those off-tackle runs with Dunbar that were so effective in preseason. I actually thought we were going to see a ton of that against the Chiefs, and I have to admit that I was really frustrated to see him put the ball on the ground so early and put an end to his own day. (I'm glad the coaches pulled him there, though. They're serious about holding onto the ball this year).

 

[Idgit]

I don't normally listen to the Cowboys website shows, but I caught a few minutes of one of them yesterday, and someone asked about Randle. Broaddus was adamant that Randle doesn't know the offense well enough, especially on pass protection, and simply isn't ready to play. He said if you want to play Randle, just prepare for Romo to get hit.

Now it's Broaddus, and he halfway has a screw loose (he was getting way overly worked up about this topic, like he took it personally that anyone would want to play Randle)... So who knows. Personally I like Randle as well. He's too slow to break any big plays but he's tough and does seem to find the soft spots in the defense.

If you haven't already, take a look at the second Poe-whiff last week, with Murray running right by him on his way to sacking Romo. I know Poe wasn't Murray's primary responsibility on that play, but, come on, man. You've got to take one for the team and get in that guy's way in that situation. And that's with our best pass protector in the lineup. Frustrating.

 

[shank]

even though the rams scored points against atlanta they are not good team. This is Dallas easy part of schedule so they need to put these teams away. Nothing is guaranteed in NFL because I had Dallas beating KC but if they lose against Rams we have bigger problems.

 

[Nirvana]

Especially if we're not going to use the 2nd TE in the passing game anyways. Might as well only keep one of Escobar/Hanna active since Andre Smith could be used as a blocker.

Yep, just found this article about Smith:

Andre Smith graded out as the Dallas Cowboys only positive run blocker this past preseason according to Pro Football Focus. Smith led the team with a run blocking grade of +2.7 (0-1 is considered average.) Gavin Escobar was the team’s worst run blocker, grading out at -6.6. This isn’t to say that Andre Smith is going to be a better pro player than Escobar. But simply put, Smith is a far superior blocker to Escobar or in fact even Jason Witten at this point in his career. Yes Andre Smith leaves much to be desired in the passing game, but then again so did Martellus Bennett.

Many times during the preseason, I saw Smith do a fantastic job against defensive ends in the run game, moving the pile and sealing the edge.

http://cover32.com/cowboys/2013/09/05/is-andre-smith-the-next-martellus-bennett/

I'd like to see him in a fullback formation, can't remember how much they did that with him in the preseason.

 

[Pessimist_cowboy]

I see a blowout here . I respect the rams defense but their corners are small . I just can't see them sticking with dez , miles etc ...if we protect romo he should have 300+easily . This is a game where the pass will open up the run .
As for the rams offense , they have t Austin and a decent tight end , not much more .bradford is very inaccurate it's my opinion . Yeah , he has a strong arm but his completion percentage is poor .

Cowboys 34 -rams 20

 

[ufcrules1]

It all depends what offense shows up for the Cowboys.

Are we going to make mistakes and play not to lose or are we going to blow the Rams doors off?


Teams are forcing us to put drives together and that is our weakness. Hopefully we can get a few big plays and get TD's off those plays.

I'd like to see Dunbar or Randle get some touches this week too.

Agreed with Dunbar and Randle. I want to see a lot more of them after watching how Murray ran against the Chiefs. I'm starting to think Murray isn't the answer for us at RB.

 

[CATCH17]

I see a blowout here . I respect the rams defense but their corners are small . I just can't see them sticking with dez , miles etc ...if we protect romo he should have 300+easily . This is a game where the pass will open up the run .
As for the rams offense , they have t Austin and a decent tight end , not much more .bradford is very inaccurate it's my opinion . Yeah , he has a strong arm but his completion percentage is poor .

Cowboys 34 -rams 20

You're depending on Dallas taking advantage of matchups.

If they double up on our studs we'll settle for check downs to Witten and passes to Terrence Williams all day long.

 

[NickZepp]

Rams have some offense. Bradford has looked good in his first 2 games this year with that offense. They don't' have much of a run game so far. They can attack our weaknesses at DB if we can't 'get to Bradford much. Cook is a really solid TE.

 

[Chocolate Lab]

Yeah, Cook is a very good under-the-radar TE. Talented player that it seems not many people know a lot about.

 

[Bull Frog]

I see a blowout here . I respect the rams defense but their corners are small . I just can't see them sticking with dez , miles etc ...if we protect romo he should have 300+easily . Cowboys 34 -rams 20

We haven't blown anyone out in two years. You are right about Dez and Miles, but it won't matter if we "take what they give us". Everyone will give us the underneath stuff and we willingly take it to our detriment. We need to pressure defenses with our weapons and take what we want.

 

[bayeslife]

If we don't blow the doors off the Rams then I really don't see much hope for this team.

 

[dupree89]

Yeah...lets talk Rams. I think we're all going to find out that Jeff Fisher has his team well-prepared, focused, and amped up. I would be very surprised if this was a blowout win for Dallas, as some have suggested.
Rams are gonna come out of the blocks trying to take players' heads off. I can see Dallas benefitting from a couple of early personal fouls/late hits by STL.
16-13 Dallas on a last second FG.

 

[reddyuta]

some typical reactions here.we will see but this offense is in a major funk and even Stephen jones is worried about Romo's throws.

 

[pacy]

We need good special teams play.

 

[Cowboy4ever]

I'm not as down on the coaches as you are, because I think the coaches are really good. But I'm perplexed by the offensive production, too. It looks to me like we've got all the parts we should need to be successful. Well, not just successful, but really successful. And we're just not getting it done. Ultimately, that goes to the HC and his coordinators, but, in terms of the day-to-day operations of the club, it's not obvious to me that the problem is with the game plans or the play calls. I don't know what it is. We're not running the ball enough in situations where you've got to run the ball. That's part of it, but then, I'm not seeing a ton of yards left on the field on running downs, either. I know people say that when they want to run it more and the running game isn't working, but it's just not what I've seen in the games. Perhaps when I rewatch the KC game it'll be more apparent.

It might be something as simple as being more committed to running the ball when we have to and letting the RBs get into some rhythm. Or it might be that we've shied away from that because of some inopportune fumbling and an unwillingness to be in 3rd in long against a blitzing team in a hostile environment. Maybe it's just the game situations we've seen so far really early. I don't know. But it is confusing why we're not more effective on offense given the personnel we've got available right now and how good a player the QB is.

Perplexed is a great word to use to describe what we see on the field. We go get a 6'6 TE to present mismatches for RZ but we don't throw to him in the RZ. (I think once so far this year and his shoe came off). We have a WR that could be the most physically gifted WR in the league and will sell out every play to make that catch but we don't go to him when he is 1 on 1 with a CB he has beat like a drum all day. We have no creativity in the running game in the RZ, just give it to 29 behind a guard, never mind that everyone on the D is within 5 yards of the LOS. We have Austin who should destroy any safety in the league with Man Coverage and either he isn't or Romo is not finding him, I don't have all 22 to see. We have a very athletic TE in Hanna but he can't run further than 5 yards from the LOS it seems.

We have all the pieces. For some reason, we don't use them. I love Garrett. I love how he has built this team. But why build a mansion if you are only going to live in one room? You went and got the pieces,, use them to our advantage.

 

[visionary]

Perplexed is a great word to use to describe what we see on the field. We go get a 6'6 TE to present mismatches for RZ but we don't throw to him in the RZ. (I think once so far this year and his shoe came off). We have a WR that could be the most physically gifted WR in the league and will sell out every play to make that catch but we don't go to him when he is 1 on 1 with a CB he has beat like a drum all day. We have no creativity in the running game in the RZ, just give it to 29 behind a guard, never mind that everyone on the D is within 5 yards of the LOS. We have Austin who should destroy any safety in the league with Man Coverage and either he isn't or Romo is not finding him, I don't have all 22 to see. We have a very athletic TE in Hanna but he can't run further than 5 yards from the LOS it seems.

We have all the pieces. For some reason, we don't use them. I love Garrett. I love how he has built this team. But why build a mansion if you are only going to live in one room? You went and got the pieces,, use them to our advantage.

great points
it is all on the coaching staff and the offensive system implemented by garrett
no creativity, no commitment to running, no discipline, no accountability

people who deny this are just looking for excuses for a very sub-par offensive coaching staff

no wonder they are perplexed