Bobhaze
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These three Cowboys- one coach and two players- literally changed the way the NFL game was played for decades to come. All three of course are in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
https://www.usatoday.com/story/spor...andry-installed-shotgun-for-cowboys/96558584/
Not many NFL teams can say they have three people that literally changed the game of football and how it is played.
- Tom Landry- One of the most innovative coaches in football history on both sides of the ball. Landry was credited with several innovations that literally changed the way Football was played:
- He invented the 4-3 defense while an assistant coach in NY. which became the base defense for most NFL teams for decades.
- While in Dallas, he developed what became known as “multiple formation offense“, which had multiple offensive players moving to non traditional places on the field. Like TEs lining up in a slot, or RBs moving into multiple places. It also featured having the OL stand up while players were shifting, making it difficult for the defense to see where players were moving. Now known as “the Landry shift”.
- In 1975, Landry reintroduced the “shotgun formation”, moving the QB five yards behind the center. It has become the most common snap formation in football. Landry didn’t invent the shotgun, but he’s the one that made it work and stick around.
- Bob Hayes- one of the few players in NFL history that was so unstoppable as a speed receiver, NFL defensive coaches had to change coverage schemes from man to zone. Before Bob Hayes, man coverage was the dominant way secondaries covered receivers. Bob Hayes shattered that. Look at his numbers in his career:
- In 1965, ‘67, ‘70 and ‘71, Hayes averaged over 20 yards per catch, including two of those years averaging 26 and 24 yards per catch.
- Retired with a 20 yard per reception avg. Unbelievable.
- Hayes had 6 TD receptions of 85 yards or more.
- The modern NFL speed receiver began with Bob Hayes.
- In 1965, ‘67, ‘70 and ‘71, Hayes averaged over 20 yards per catch, including two of those years averaging 26 and 24 yards per catch.
- Roger Staubach- he was already a very successful QB when in 1975, Tom Landry reintroduced the shotgun formation and Roger used it so effectively, eventually all NFL teams use it today. In fact, over 60% of NFL plays today are from the shotgun.
- In the 1975 season, Staubach used the shotgun to devastating effect in the playoffs, including the famous “Hail Mary” pass to Drew Pearson against the Vikings in the divisional round on the way to an NFC championship.
- Staubach was so effective in the shotgun, his completion % increased 5 points and he was able to see passing and running lanes much quicker.
- Staubach’s success in the shotgun paved the way for the modern use of it in the now common “spread offenses”.
https://www.usatoday.com/story/spor...andry-installed-shotgun-for-cowboys/96558584/
Not many NFL teams can say they have three people that literally changed the game of football and how it is played.
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