Coming to grips on how Dez is used

[waving monkey]

And were one and done in the playoffs. You can get away with a basic offense IF....IF....you have a dominant defense. But the playoffs are the elite teams in the league...and we will never win 3 games in the postseason and capture the trophy with a average defense and a vanilla offense. It simply will NOT happen!

Let's hold that thought till the play offs

 

[NoLuv4Jerry]

Let's hold that thought till the play offs

Not trying to put the cart before the horse. But this team is very questionable when we cannot run the ball. And if we are fortunate to make the playoffs...that is EXACTLY what teams will do. Sell out to stop the run. And with no speed amongst are pass catchers...the field shrinks and the windows to fit the football shrink. And keep in mind...the windows to the fit the football are already tight for the offense we run...because we expect our man to beat his man to get open. We don't scheme you open. This is offense also requires the QB to make more difficult throws than other offenses. Because our WRs rarely look 'open'. And Dak is not nearly as good as Romo at ball placement. And I love Dak...and I think moving away from Romo for Dak was the right call...I just did not want our future QB running Garrets offense.

 

[conner01]

I've always thought with dez it's more about getting the ball in his hands and letting him use his physical ability
Slants and crossing routes would be in my game plan for half the plays

 

[Cowboysfan917]

I read thread after thread with people griping about the productivity of Dez Bryant. What we are seeing today has been building for some time. And the biggest culprits of what we are seeing today...is Jason Garrett and his offense. It is no secret that I am not of fan of Jason Garrett. I have felt all along that the Romo era and Jason Garrett should have ended together. I am on record saying I would not want Jason Garrett to spend 1 day tutoring, nurturing, developing our QB for the future. The book on Garrett has been out for some time AND it is not very difficult to figure out. He does not have enough flexibility, creativity or diversity to win 3 games in the postseason against quality opponents. The problem is the Romo era ended abruptly and we were in no position to move on from Garrett.

What does this have to do with Dez? First of all...is Dez Bryant perfect? No. Is he a speed demon? No. Is he an exceptional route runner? No. What he was....which is why he was deployed the way he has been for years...was a player that Garrett used to allow the other playmakers on the team a chance to go one on one against the oppositions weaker defenders. And Jason was content to leave Dez in one spot....so they could have a good idea where bracket coverage was going to be the majority of the time. Instead of Dallas getting a bona fide #2 borderline #1 WR...they have been content to fill that spot with warm bodies. And this is not to take anything away from Terrance Williams. But when Dez was younger and more explosive....and had the attention of the entire defense....a bona fide #2 WR would have put up Pro Bowl numbers. Thus making everyone's life on this team a lot better.

Dez has played such a physical style...because he was deployed to be the Shaquile O'Neal of WRs. Just throw it into him 2 feet from the basket and let him dunk everything. Dez has played such a physical style where every catch was with defenders within 6 inches of him...that the wear and tear has robbed him of his explosiveness. We never deployed him to catch the ball in different areas of the field with space to turn and run and wreak havoc in the open field on a consistent basis. Jason was content to let Dez just out physical everyone. And he has taken a lot of big shots over the years IMMEDIATLEY after catching the ball..because so many of his catches have been in traffic

So that brings us to where we are today. And this has NOT been by accident. Dallas is a big, lumbering, plodding slow team on offense. They have MANY opportunities to add guys that can stretch the field...and they have NOT done it. So that leads me to believe this has been by design. Witten will get all the 6 to 8 yard catches on his way to the HOF. Dez can get his 8 to 12 yard catches while engaged in a boxing match the over that 12 yard span....and of course Dallas will run the ball. So we just have to hope that 12 play drives in 4 - 8 yard increments is a formula that will work against quality opponents IF we are lucky enough to make it in the tournament.

WE NEED SPEED. And we need an organization that is not afraid to take these sacred cows off the field for a few snaps...so this team can be infused with some explosiveness.

I always think back to before Linehan, Romo running the no huddle was always when we actually moved the ball. I think Romo created a lot of offense. I'm not a Garrett hater but I do wonder where this franchise would be had decisions from 2005 on been made differently

 

[Denim Chicken]

And were one and done in the playoffs. You can get away with a basic offense IF....IF....you have a dominant defense. But the playoffs are the elite teams in the league...and we will never win 3 games in the postseason and capture the trophy with a average defense and a vanilla offense. It simply will NOT happen!

Do you realize we beat the same elite team in the regular season that bounced us from the playoffs?

 

[sbark]

I've always thought with dez it's more about getting the ball in his hands and letting him use his physical ability
Slants and crossing routes would be in my game plan for half the plays

....jay novacek'esque....

 

[TheHerd]

Do you realize we beat the same elite team in the regular season that bounced us from the playoffs?

I think you just helped the point. Playoffs are a little more intense, even from the same elite teams.

My problem with this statement is that it implies we had no chance in that playoff game. If Heath knocks the ball out on the previous play and we get it, Bailey wins the game and we have a different narrative. It's a razor's edge in this league, and luck plays a bigger part than anyone wants to admit.

 

[birdwells1]

I read thread after thread with people griping about the productivity of Dez Bryant. What we are seeing today has been building for some time. And the biggest culprits of what we are seeing today...is Jason Garrett and his offense. It is no secret that I am not of fan of Jason Garrett. I have felt all along that the Romo era and Jason Garrett should have ended together. I am on record saying I would not want Jason Garrett to spend 1 day tutoring, nurturing, developing our QB for the future. The book on Garrett has been out for some time AND it is not very difficult to figure out. He does not have enough flexibility, creativity or diversity to win 3 games in the postseason against quality opponents. The problem is the Romo era ended abruptly and we were in no position to move on from Garrett.

What does this have to do with Dez? First of all...is Dez Bryant perfect? No. Is he a speed demon? No. Is he an exceptional route runner? No. What he was....which is why he was deployed the way he has been for years...was a player that Garrett used to allow the other playmakers on the team a chance to go one on one against the oppositions weaker defenders. And Jason was content to leave Dez in one spot....so they could have a good idea where bracket coverage was going to be the majority of the time. Instead of Dallas getting a bona fide #2 borderline #1 WR...they have been content to fill that spot with warm bodies. And this is not to take anything away from Terrance Williams. But when Dez was younger and more explosive....and had the attention of the entire defense....a bona fide #2 WR would have put up Pro Bowl numbers. Thus making everyone's life on this team a lot better.

Dez has played such a physical style...because he was deployed to be the Shaquile O'Neal of WRs. Just throw it into him 2 feet from the basket and let him dunk everything. Dez has played such a physical style where every catch was with defenders within 6 inches of him...that the wear and tear has robbed him of his explosiveness. We never deployed him to catch the ball in different areas of the field with space to turn and run and wreak havoc in the open field on a consistent basis. Jason was content to let Dez just out physical everyone. And he has taken a lot of big shots over the years IMMEDIATLEY after catching the ball..because so many of his catches have been in traffic

So that brings us to where we are today. And this has NOT been by accident. Dallas is a big, lumbering, plodding slow team on offense. They have MANY opportunities to add guys that can stretch the field...and they have NOT done it. So that leads me to believe this has been by design. Witten will get all the 6 to 8 yard catches on his way to the HOF. Dez can get his 8 to 12 yard catches while engaged in a boxing match the over that 12 yard span....and of course Dallas will run the ball. So we just have to hope that 12 play drives in 4 - 8 yard increments is a formula that will work against quality opponents IF we are lucky enough to make it in the tournament.

WE NEED SPEED. And we need an organization that is not afraid to take these sacred cows off the field for a few snaps...so this team can be infused with some explosiveness.

It seems simple to me but maybe I'm wrong. Against man coverage, running go routes, stop routes , or out routes facing good corners is not going to get it done. Against man you have to make breaks that takes you away from the defender like slants or in routes. the Cowboys don't use these routes effectively, I saw where Julio ran all the way across the field when he had bracket coverage and beat it and wondered "why won't Dallas use this"?

 

[Vinnie2u]

When was the last time a team won a Super Bowl with a true #1 Reciever. I'll wait.

 

[NoLuv4Jerry]

Do you realize we beat the same elite team in the regular season that bounced us from the playoffs?

I am well aware of the Cowboys history. I am well aware of who we beat and when. We have NEVER made a run in the playoffs with Garrett as coach. We have either been 1 and done. Or won ONE game. There has not been a playoff run in over 20 years. And I am sure you do not need me to remind you that the Regular season is different than the playoffs. Witness 2007...when we were 13 - 3. Homefield advantage throughout. Had beat the Giants TWICE in the regular season...and failed to win ONE playoff game that year losing in our first game to the Giants..yes the same Giants we had beaten in the regular season.

 

[NoLuv4Jerry]

It seems simple to me but maybe I'm wrong. Against man coverage, running go routes, stop routes , or out routes facing good corners is not going to get it done. Against man you have to make breaks that takes you away from the defender like slants or in routes. the Cowboys don't use these routes effectively, I saw where Julio ran all the way across the field when he had bracket coverage and beat it and wondered "why won't Dallas use this"?

^^^^This times 100. Of course we do it some. But again...if we know where the bracket coverage is...we use that as a chance to get the OTHER guys the ball. Because the OTHER guys NEVER see bracket coverage.

 

[NoLuv4Jerry]

When was the last time a team won a Super Bowl with a true #1 Reciever. I'll wait.

This offense will not come CLOSE to winning a SB without a true #1 WR. Actually....this offense needs an ELITE #1 WR.

 

[Tenkamenin]

Terrell Owens was 33, 34, and 35 years old when he played with Cowboys, and he averaged about 80 receptions a season under Jason Garrett's system. I'm thinking Dez is wearing down a bit and is limited on what he could do. I still see him as a 10+ TD guy we just need to get him the ball in quick slants, WR screens and jump balls.

 

[perrykemp]

When was the last time a team won a Super Bowl with a true #1 Reciever. I'll wait.

It's been a LONG time since a top 3 WR (at the time) was on a Superbowl winning team.

Maybe even Isaac Bruce, 1999?

 

[CATCH17]

I've always thought with dez it's more about getting the ball in his hands and letting him use his physical ability
Slants and crossing routes would be in my game plan for half the plays

TO was as well but we gave him the Dez treatment when he was here.

If Dez played for Andy Reid there is no telling what his numbers would be.

 

[Avery]

Dez doesn't have to be a top 5 WR. And I don't think he is to be honest. What matters is that our top five are better than the defenses depth.

It's not about hitting a stat and I think Dez realizes that. It's about lifting a trophy.

 

[sean10mm]

Romo was kind of gushing about how the Patriots offense can completely re-invent itself year to year, and even week to week, when he was calling the Pats-Saints game. I think he wished he could have run that kind of offense instead of being asked to re-enact the 1993 playbook 20+ years after the fact.

 

[NoLuv4Jerry]

Terrell Owens was 33, 34, and 35 years old when he played with Cowboys, and he averaged about 80 receptions a season under Jason Garrett's system. I'm thinking Dez is wearing down a bit and is limited on what he could do. I still see him as a 10+ TD guy we just need to get him the ball in quick slants, WR screens and jump balls.

TO was an ELITE athlete....and that 2007 team was just better than any offensive team Dallas has had in some time. Witten was younger and faster. Terry Glenn could run. Romo was younger and more elusive. TO could run. Our second TE was Anthony Fasano...which as better than any TE depth we have on the team now. His numbers once he left Dallas proved he could play if given opportunities. I also believe Crayton was better than Beasley. Julius Jones had speed....Barber was the hammer. And back then...Garrett concentrated on offense ONLY. Plus the "book" on Garrett was not as out. If I recall correctly, that was his first year as a play caller on ANY level. And be clear...Tony was a better QB back then....than Dak is today.

I've always said we will rue the day we did not capitalize in 2007. Don't think we would have beat the Pats in the Super Bowl. But I am pretty convinced we would have been in the Super Bowl that year.

 

[cowboy_ron]

Lord enough of the Romo isms Romo just chucked the ball up in the air and Dez made an adjustment out leaped the defender
making some of the most acrobatic catches I've ever seen a wide receiver make.
However he landed in the worst possible way and with his age he can no longer do that.

Time to use Dez as a push off and cut lateral routes he'll be wide open and he can plow through people like he did last night he'll be happy we'll be happy and we can put speed on the outside.

I want a TV like you have.

 

[ghst187]

bbailey423 who do you want as head coach and offensive coordinator? I've asked this question to several members who don't want Garrett as coach and haven't received one answer.
I'm dying to hear what the solution is.

Easy Jim Harbaugh.
Already took a crap team and QB to within inches of winning a super bowl. I wanted to go grab him from San Fran when I heard he was on the outs there. I feel strongly that we would have lombardis number six and seven right now had that happened.