Good reply.
1. Stop tipping off the play with certain personnel packages.
From 11 personnel (Play : Run)
Cowboys 66% : 34%
Patriots 68% : 32%
Rams 59% : 41%
2. Run different plays from same formation.
Same formation or same personnel group?
The Rams ran most of their plays from the same personnel group but they used many formations.
3. On third and short use the olines advantage by using the 11 package.
They used 11 personnel on 81% of third downs.
I'm not against running more from 11; however...
Their success rate on 3rd down runs with 3 or less yards to go:
11 Below 50%
12 Above 50%
21 Above 50%
22 Below 25%
13 Above 50%
I don't have short yardage by personnel group stats but for all personnel groups:
Success Rate on 3rd and 3 or less yards
Run 75%
Pass 57%
4. Stop using so many clear out routes which reduces the number of receivers that you can actually throw to.
???
A big part of the Rams offense was how they used route combinations to setup specific players to get open.
The Cowboys run too many go routes that aren't targeted, all this does is tire out the wrs for later in the game.
Most complaints have been that the receivers run too many curls or comeback routes.
With regards to keeping players rested, I do know that it's something the Cowboys monitor.
Keeping players rested is a core part of Marinelli's DLine rotation.
He guarantees DLinemen that he keep them rested is they go all-out when on the field.
In 2018 they coached Zeke to rest more with the trade-off that he go all-out when on the field.
In the Rams game they used Tavon Austin on several deep non-targeted routes.
In the Seattle playoff game Noah Brown played 37% of the snaps.
I think keeping other WRs rested probably factored into that move.
In 2018 they used the TEs on more deep routes than in past years.
Since Jarwin and Shultz played significantly less snaps than the top WRs, rest shouldn't be an issue for them.
They carried 7 WRs for the 2nd half of the season which is rare.
The often had 6 WRs active. Some teams don't even have 6 on the 53.
5. Stop running so many comeback routes, hit wrs on the move so they can increase the RAC.
For YAC per target (all players with over 50 targets):
Zeke was 11th overall.
Amari Cooper was 4th for WRs.
A lot of this was due to individual effort, rarely does the pass help with the RAC. Look at Cooper's long tds last year, he broke tackles for most of them. On some he had to stop and start again.
If something is a significant scheme issue it should show up in multi-game stats.
They can definitely improve in this area but I'm not sure if it's really a big problem.
6. Develop an actual 3rd down scat/speed back.
Is there a 3rd down back better than Zeke?
Zeke 4th in receptions for RBs.
Zeke is an excellent pass blocker.
Developing a 3rd down back will lower the wear and tear on our best offensive player and allow him to be fresh at the end of game.
I'm in favor of having a backup RB that is a speed and receiving back.
Some people would argue that they can rest Zeke by having a quality general purpose RB and that taking Zeke off the field on 3rd downs is a bad idea.
I've posted in the past that having a receiving back as a backup can be more valuable because they can also use that type of player as a slot WR or other roles where that player and Zeke could be on the field together. Also that type of player can be a game day backup at WR (If Dunbar had ever been able to stay healthy, he could have been a legit backup to Beasley).
I love the fact that Pollard is a speed receiving back but also has legit NFL RB size.
The 3rd down type backs are best if they can block which is a problem for many scat backs.
One reason they were patient with Lance Dunbar's injuries is because he was a good blocker in addition to being very fast and a good receiver.
A limitation of Tavon Austin is that he can't be used as a blocker when playing RB.
Tony Pollard
Terrific receiving ability as a RB in college
4.37 forty
Good blocker.
Tavon Austin
Randall Cobb (Has been used as a 3rd down back in the past)