Cowboys using the shotgun formation

[Doomsday]

A few things have bothered me about what the Cowboys have been doing the last year or so on offense. Probably none more then the number of times they are in shotgun.

- This is a run first team and it limits Zekes effectiveness
- It limits the effectiveness of PA and they call less PA passes in shotgun (down from 2016 when league avg is up)
- It telegraphs the bootleg and runs even more when you hardly ever go under center then do so
- It makes it harder to throw quick passes to WRs in the flat when teams are single safety high and DBs are giving big cushions

Looking at this chart it shows Dallas has gone from 49% shotgun in 2016 to 73% in 2018. This seems insane to me. If they want to try to make some quick changes that could have a big impact I would start by getting Dak back under center and pounding the rock, using more RPO with quick slants and using PA to attack down the field to stretch the defense and make some big plays.

https://www.sharpfootballstats.com/snap-rates--shotgun-v-under-center--off-.html

 

[links18]

The offense was ostensibly redesigned to be more "Dak friendly," maybe this is the result?

 

[DBOY3141]

He needs that extra .5 seconds to read the defense.

 

[Doomsday]

He needs that extra .5 seconds to read the defense.

He needs more time now, then he did in 2016?

I think he would benefit from quicker reads and having Zeke be a viable threat on every down.

The Rams in contrast run shotgun only 30% of the time.

 

[DBOY3141]

He needs more time now, then he did in 2016?

I think he would benefit from quicker reads and having Zeke be a viable threat on every down.

The Rams in contrast run shotgun only 30% of the time.

I think that is the problem. he's not able to do quick reads, so putting him in shotgun allows an extra tick of the clock. He's taken a huge step back from 2016. Why? don't know, but he has.

 

[Bob-Lillys-War]

Been on shotgun formation for 9 years .

Look at the Romo years, shotgun .

It a Garrett thing .

 

[OmerV]

A few things have bothered me about what the Cowboys have been doing the last year or so on offense. Probably none more then the number of times they are in shotgun.

- This is a run first team and it limits Zekes effectiveness
- It limits the effectiveness of PA and they call less PA passes in shotgun (down from 2016 when league avg is up)
- It telegraphs the bootleg and runs even more when you hardly ever go under center then do so
- It makes it harder to throw quick passes to WRs in the flat when teams are single safety high and DBs are giving big cushions

Looking at this chart it shows Dallas has gone from 49% shotgun in 2016 to 73% in 2018. This seems insane to me. If they want to try to make some quick changes that could have a big impact I would start by getting Dak back under center and pounding the rock, using more RPO with quick slants and using PA to attack down the field to stretch the defense and make some big plays.

https://www.sharpfootballstats.com/snap-rates--shotgun-v-under-center--off-.html

One of the things that has struck me is that all the running plays seem slow to develop, and a lot of that has to do with running out of the shotgun where Zeke stands stationary after the ball is snapped and waits for Dak to hand him the ball before he starts to a hole. I get the thinking - that the RB has time to see the blocking develop before starting toward a hole - but opposing defenses are getting penetration, and therefore they have time to disrupt the play and leave Zeke searching for a way just to get a few yards. I don't mind this being part of the offense, but I believe some quick hitting run plays would also benefit the team.

 

[OmerV]

Been on shotgun formation for 9 years .

Look at the Romo years, shotgun .

It a Garrett thing .

The shotgun actually goes back to Landry. It actually goes back further than that, but Landry is the one that revived it in the 70's. Not only that, it's far from just a Garrett thing even today. Teams all over the NFL use the shotgun frequently.

 

[links18]

"187, RED DOG, RED DOG, SHOTGUN, HUT, HUT, HIKE!"

 

[links18]

Aikman was rarely in shotgun until Gailey took over and he didn't like it.

 

[Bob-Lillys-War]

The shotgun actually goes back to Landry. It actually goes back further than that, but Landry is the one that revived it in the 70's. Not only that, it's far from just a Garrett thing even today. Teams all over the NFL use the shotgun frequently.

ok yes.. its a thing all around the league, thats true .

 

[Doomsday]

We also only run the ball 24% of the time out of shotgun.

This staff tips off their play calling with personnel, motion and formation.

 

[G2]

The shotgun forces the QB to takes his eyes off the defense and receive the snap. So I disagree to a degree that the Shotgun gives Prescott more time. It's awfully predictable as well.

 

[Jake]

He needs that extra .5 seconds to read the defense.

He could have 5 minutes and there still wouldn't be anyone open in this well-designed gem of a play.

 

[craig71]

The shotgun forces the QB to takes his eyes off the defense and receive the snap. So I disagree to a degree that the Shotgun gives Prescott more time. It's awfully predictable as well.

It's harder for a QB to scan the field (pre snap) taking a snap from under center, that is where the main advantage lies (IMO). If you are up to a little experiment, crouch down as one would taking a snap from under center and take note of how much joint articulation you have scanning both vertically and horizontally. Compare that to what you have when standing upright and you will notice a difference. I should note that overall height and general build have a large effect on the amount of vision an individual has in the respective postures. Generally, as the height of the QB increases the harder it becomes to see the field from under center.


Craig

 

[Jake]

We also only run the ball 24% of the time out of shotgun.

This staff tips off their play calling with personnel, motion and formation.

We used motion on 3 of 40 pass plays at Seattle. That really sets up those 2 yard jet sweeps.

 

[G2]

It's harder for a QB to scan the field (pre snap) taking a snap from under center, that is where the main advantage lies (IMO). If you are up to a little experiment, crouch down as one would taking a snap from under center and take note of how much joint articulation you have scanning both vertically and horizontally. Compare that to what you have when standing upright and you will notice a difference. I should note that overall height and general build have a large effect on the amount of vision an individual has in the respective postures. Generally, as the height of the QB increases the harder it becomes to see the field from under center.


Craig

My point was you take your focus off the defense and on the ball being snapped.

 

[CouchCoach]

When a team does not have great confidence in their OL, they like to use the shotgun. And this QB is 6'2", most of the OL and DL are taller.

 

[foofighters]

He needs that extra .5 seconds to read the defense.

He can read defenses?

 

[Jake]

We also only run the ball 24% of the time out of shotgun.

This staff tips off their play calling with personnel, motion and formation.

Ran play action 5 out of 40 pass plays at Seattle. Not only do the Boys not run it, they don't even fake like they're going to run it.

That just tells the d line to do one thing - rush the QB - and makes it harder to protect.