News: DMN: Will McClay on his confidence in Cowboys' running back-by-committee approach

[Idgit]

Seattle wins because of defense and their running game. Last year, Seattle was in a slump and they started to get their mojo back once they started giving the ball to Marshawn Lynch once again. They don't win by good defense alone and it also the run game helps set up Wilson with a lot of play action.

As for us going to the playoffs last year, it was because of our running game. The run game sets up the pass. We ran mostly on 1st and 2nd downs which we gave us a lot of 3rd and short situations. Having Murray in on 3rd downs during those situations made it hard for defenses to play against because they didn't know whether if we were going to run or pass. Why do you think that Romo had his best year ever? He also had the one of the highest if not the highest conversion ratings on 3rd downs.

The run game also kept our defense fresh because we were able to control the clock. Last year we had the worst defense in the league and we also lost Ware and Hatcher. Thus one of the main reasons why we improved on defense was because we ran the ball and kept them fresh throughout the game.

We got to the playoffs because of our running game. Once we started running the ball everything on our team improved including the passing game.

We're just not going to agree on this. SEA was hobbled defensively last year, and it showed early in the season, even though they still were winning a lot of those games. But it wasn't until Bobby Wagner got back in the lineup that they started playing really good defense again. That team plays great defense and doesn't screw up the passing game, which is why they win, period. Except in the Superbowl where, of course, they screwed up in the passing game and lost.

As for us, don't fool yourself. We were a better team on offense because we passed the ball better than we had. Some of that was playcalling--I don't dispute that running the ball helped us avoid same inadvisable passing situations. But we played significantly better defense, too. That's what put us in better game situations, and that's what really helped with the play calling. Games are easier to call when you need to protect leads than they are when you have to score points. Offensively, though, we weren't all that much more productive than we'd been the season before from series to series. We played much better on defense, and did a good job with the takeaways. That's what closed the game on the 5 games we'd lost in 2013 by a total of 8 points. What makes you think the improvement had to do with being better rested? We were better from the start of the year, on, quarter by quarter, and drive by drive.

In any event, we'll see which of us is right this season, having let the bell-cow RB walk for a relatively moderate differential on the contract on the table. We're doubling down on being able to stay in effective passing situations and investing everything in stopping the other guys' passing games better. The team, at least, doesn't seem agree with you that it was special talent in the running game that made the difference--on offense, or defense.

 

[Oh_Canada]

Not true. You think Seattle wins because of their passing attack? The main reason why we went to the playoffs last year was because of our running game.

No they win because of there defense. How did Marshawn and his Bills do in Buffalo?

 

[ConstantReboot]

No they win because of there defense. How did Marshawn and his Bills do in Buffalo?

Their defense surely wins them games no doubt. But like I said they are a run oriented team. They also win by running the ball not passing. Their run game opens up the pass for Wilson. Without the threat of Marshawn running the ball their opponents can easily shut down their passing attack.

Marshawn and their running attack is very important to their offense. Otherwise they wouldn't have resigned him.

 

[erod]

Am I the only one who doesn't like running back by committee?

Depends on the committee.

I also don't like having all my eggs in one basket. One injury, and you're up a creek.

 

[percyhoward]

As for us going to the playoffs last year, it was because of our running game. The run game sets up the pass. We ran mostly on 1st and 2nd downs which we gave us a lot of 3rd and short situations. Having Murray in on 3rd downs during those situations made it hard for defenses to play against because they didn't know whether if we were going to run or pass. Why do you think that Romo had his best year ever? He also had the one of the highest if not the highest conversion ratings on 3rd downs.

Dallas was actually #2 in 3rd down conversion percentage, behind the Saints. If you just look at the average distance to go on 3rd down over the season, comparing all 32 teams, the Cowboys ranked 7th. But we're only interested in the plays that resulted in conversions. Dallas ranked 16th in average distance to go on the 3rd downs that it converted. There were 15 teams that had fewer yards to go when they converted on 3rd down. Considering that there were 15 other teams that benefited more from 3rd and short situations than the Cowboys in 2014, our gains on 1st and 2nd down weren't a big factor.

Conversion percentage on
3rd and...
short (1-2) 70.0% 5th
medium (3-6) 50.7% 8th
long (7-9) 40.5% 7th
very long (10+) 29.3% 6th

Breaking conversion percentage into four categories based on 3rd-down distance, we can see that Dallas ranked no lower than 8th in any of them. In fact, the Cowboys were the only team in the NFL to rank in the top 10 in conversions in all four distance categories. The Saints and Pats were good in every area except short yardage, and the Packers and Eagles were good everywhere except the medium distance. Only the Cowboys were excellent across the board on 3rd down.

If the running game were really the story of our #2 ranking on 3rd down, we'd see a drop off in the rankings in the medium to very long categories when running the ball didn't set up the offense with a favorable 3rd down distance. We don't though, which is why Dallas' average distance to go on the 3rd downs it converted ranks in the middle of the league, and not near the top.

Romo did lead the NFL in pass rating on 3rd down, but that was more due to his performance in obvious passing situations -- not the situations you described, when the defense didn't know whether to expect run or pass.

Romo's pass rating on
3rd and...
short (1-2) 130.5 6th
medium (3-6) 122.8 4th
long (7-9) 98.3 4th
very long (10+) 113.0 3rd

Romo had 132 attempts on 3rd down, but only 16 came on 3rd and short, when the defense was expecting run. If the running game were really the story of Romo's #1 pass rating on 3rd down, we'd see a drop off in his ranking in the medium to very long categories, when the defense knew a pass was coming. Instead, we see that he ranked lower on 3rd and short than in any other distance category.

I have no doubt that the running game made the passing game better, but it doesn't just stop there. The relationship between defense, pass offense, and run offense was much more mutually beneficial than some seem to think, based on their comments.

 

[StarBoyz83]

Just saw the bears were one of the teams trying to get a te from San Francisco. Maybe the rumors about trading Escobar or Hanna are true and dallas can work something out and get forte.

 

[Fletch]

I'm not in favor of it. When a runningback is hot and you sub another runningback during a drive it does tend to stop momentum. You don't fix what isn't broken.

But I do trust Linehan and if there is an OC that can get this to work its him. I can't stress enough how lucky we are to have two quality assistant coaches in Linehan and Marinelli.

I don't think that will be the case. If Randle is en fuego, then I believe they'll ride with him, and vice versa.

 

[JDSmith]

Health is where I dont think what we have is viable. Given his history and the fact he has already tweeked his hamstring, you cant expect McFadden to stay healthy all year. If he tweeks his hammy again, we are real thin.

Personally I would like to see him play as a 3rd down back in a Sproles type role. I think he can thrive for a full season if he is used primarily as a receiver/blocker and occasion ( under 100 carries) runner. To do that you need one other HB equal or close to Randle

McFadden had 155 carries last year and came out fine, and that was behind a horrific OL. I honestly don't think he's nearly as fragile as most here believe - I think it's just a lot easier to let an injury keep you out of a game if you have nothing to play for. When you've got a big contract and the team is playing for draft position sitting out with an injury is a lot easier than when the team has playoff seeding on the line. 7 years of hopelessness with the Raiders might make an injury seem bigger than it would on a team that is fighting for home field throughout the playoffs. Maybe McFadden is as brittle as many here think, but I'd bet he could have suited up and played in many of those Raiders games if they actually meant something.

 

[Rockport]

I know this has been rehashed, but nobody wins because of their running games anymore.

That's exactly how teams win. You must be able to run the ball effectively in order to pass the ball effectively. Even the Patriots establish the run first so that they can pass the ball.

 

[DFWJC]

Depends on the committee.

I also don't like having all my eggs in one basket. One injury, and you're up a creek.

I'm not a huge RBBC fan, but all the eggs in basket applies less in that situation.

 

[visionary]

Am I the only one who doesn't like running back by committee?

It is a pipe dream
Teams that truly rely on their running game have a lead back

 

[CyberB0b]

Darren could end up being a sweet surprise for us. I know the expectations are low in general (as are mine), but he has a chance to rejuvenate his career behind a heck of an O-line here. Hope he can sort of be at RB what Ro was at LB last year.

Are you really saying that now? The guy has been in the league for 7 SEASONS and never produced! He's been hurt the entire camp. Please stop the hype.

 

[Redball Express]

Am I the only one who doesn't like running back by committee?

Not hardly.

It never had worked with Duane Thomas and Walt Garrison..

Mel Renfro and Danny Reeves..

Not with Dorsett and Walker..

not with MBIII and Felix Jones

and not with Murray and Randle\Dunbar\whomever.

Tell me where it ever worked here?

Preston Peason was the only back I ever remember coming in for Ron Springs and being effective.

So I just don't see it.

 

[JDSmith]

If Randle or McFadden get 208 carries, the other guy gets 180 carries and Dunbar gets 89 carries would that be a bad thing?


To anyone opposed to RB by committe, please tell me what would be wrong with that kind of distribution? What would be the downside?

 

[Proximo]

Are you really saying that now? The guy has been in the league for 7 SEASONS and never produced! He's been hurt the entire camp. Please stop the hype.

Stop what hype? Get a grip dude. There's no hype, not on my part anyway. Re-read the post of mine that you quoted as many times as you need to until you actually understand it.

Saying that my expectations are low, but that he has a chance to rejuvenate his career behind a good line and I hope he does well isn't hyping up anyone or anything.

 

[DandyDon52]

If Randle or McFadden get 208 carries, the other guy gets 180 carries and Dunbar gets 89 carries would that be a bad thing?


To anyone opposed to RB by committe, please tell me what would be wrong with that kind of distribution? What would be the downside?

look at it per game, that would be like 11,8,3 carries @4 yds per 44.32.12 =88 yards per game.
Defenses wont fear any of those back like they did murray.

 

[Bullflop]

I think the bulk of McFadden's reps will come on 3rd down, mainly for blocking and catching passes out of the backfield. He'll occasionally get chances to spell Randle but it will likely be a moderate number of instances. Of course, at the same time, he'll need to remain healthy throughout -- something he hasn't managed in the past. I can't say I'm as confident as Will McClay claims to be that McFadden and the others will avoid injuries as need be but that remains to be seen. I feel that adding a veteran RB may be something yet to be decided upon by the staff. For the better or the worst, we're about to find out if this RB by committee approach is everything the staff feels it should be. Let's hope they're right. The sustained health of our OL could factor greatly into their level of success.

 

[JDSmith]

look at it per game, that would be like 11,8,3 carries @4 yds per 44.32.12 =88 yards per game.
Defenses wont fear any of those back like they did murray.

Well that was done in a 14 game season, so the per game numbers are going to be skewed. But that was the Cowboys in 1977.

And if we only get 4 ypc then we are finished anyway. With our RBs and and OL we should average well over 5 ypc. Even Murray managed to limp to 4.8 ypc when he was wearing out down the stretch.

 

[DandyDon52]

Well JD lets see what they avg sunday nite, I am assuming randle and dmc will get some carries.
good or bad it wont be proof, but gives us something to work with.

 

[Jarv]

I think Dunbar numbers do not go up much if at all. I do think the carries will be more between Randle and McFadden. I still think a RB needs enough carries within the game to get into a groove, listen to most RB and they say the same, as they get carries they get into a flow with the OL and the speed of the game.

I've heard the same thing (in bold), the odd thing is though that we see here in Cowboysland and around the league that many times backups have a larger yards/carry stats.

Look, we all want a top ten RB on our team, the one thing I can say about RBBC is that it makes it harder for an opposing team, week in and week out, to game plan for our offense. Team use practice squad scout team players to emulate the top people they want to stop on the opposing teams week after week. With a RBBC approach the opposing team does not have the time or resources in one week of play to focus on all 3 backs and their tendencies. For example, say in week one we run JR 20 times and he get 120 yards. The next week Philly (game 2) studies JR's film and picks up on his tendencies and DMAC and Dunbar combine for 15 swing/circle passes, something they are not prepared for. Then, the week after that we run DMAC 20 times and that is something the other opposing team hasn't seen as of yet. They key is keeping opposing teams off-guard.

Again, would I like to see another Emmitt Smith on our team, of course....But since we don't, let's take advantage of what we do have and keep other teams guessing.