Eagles Gameplan

[Galian Beast]

With Dez out the for the next month or two, the Cowboys will need to lean on their running game more.

I think La'el Collins gets the nod for his first start. I don't think it will be Bernadeau. I don't know if people have heard anything or if they're just assuming he will start because he was active over Collins. I hope they're not forgetting that Bernadeau is the backup center as well as being a backup guard. I think Collins got first team reps for a reason. We'll run and we'll run left with success. I expect a 60-40 run pass split. Passing less will also protect Romo with a rookie guard out there.

I also think you need to focus on the two tight end sets finally. Losing Dez (assuming he comes back 100%) could give us an opportunity to really expand our offense and finally develop Escobar.

I don't think Brice gets activated this week, which gives us the opportunity to bring C-Mike into the running back rotation. Allow him to be our short yardage guy. Many of our mistakes happened because the receivers weren't in sync, yet we kept passing. I'd like to see us slow things down a bit, especially against a high tempo offense like Philly...

What's most important against philly now though, is that they don't have any players that I'm afraid of. There is no ODB Jr. I really do think that missing Gregory might impact this team more immediately than Dez. We need to get after the quarterback, but against a team that I'm just not afraid of in the air, it'll be good to see if Russell can replace Gregory and improve the run defense.

I also think people are being hard on our running game so far. We simply didn't focus on running the ball enough, partially because of all the mistakes the receivers had. Randle is 14th in the league in rushing yards. I'd like to see McFadden more involved in the next game as well. 10 snaps is not enough for this guy.

 

[Bullflop]

Considering how the Cowboys intend to rely heavily upon their running game this week, I'm a bit disappointed that C-Mike hasn't been relegated to the active roster. Maybe it'll happen farther down the line. I think it's very possible they're waiting on his pass pro skills to get somewhat more developed before they assign him to the active roster.

 

[starfrombirth]

Considering how the Cowboys intend to rely heavily upon their running game this week, I'm a bit disappointed that C-Mike hasn't been relegated to the active roster. Maybe it'll happen farther down the line. I think it's very possible they're waiting on his pass pro skills to get somewhat more developed before they assign him to the active roster.

We don't know if he's going to be active or not and they aren't going to tip their hand b4 they have to. Let them prepare for the speedy - shifty backs we have and them surprise them with the hammer. And I would much rather he be able to protect Romo on a surprise blitz than be forced onto the roster because us fans feel he needs to justify his 7th rnd cost....

 

[Yakuza Rich]

I think Benardeau starts. I liked a lot of what I saw out of Collins in preseason, but apparently the coaching staff thinks he has a ways to go with picking up stunts and blitzes. The Eagles are going to throw a ton of them at Romo and we need to protect our 35 year old QB who has had back surgeries in 2 of the last 3 seasons.

Ironically, the Falcons exposed a major weakness in the Chip Kelly offense...you can just stunt them to death and you'll get hits on Bradford. I am also skeptical if Murray really fits in their offense. Murray is a RB that works best getting 7-yards behind the LoS, gaining a full head of steam so he can rip thru arm tackles and make a hard cut. Very tough to stop a guy like that when he's coming at you full speed and he weighs 220 pounds. Kelly's offense has him out of the shotgun which is more about a quick giddyup and cutting very hard and I don't think that fits him. And Bradford isn't a threat to run...so I think the Cowboys will throw more stunts at the Eagles than they did against the Giants.

I'd like to see us go deep with Williams. I think the Eagles will really cloak Witten after he killed them last year. And I think their CB's can be badly beat and they won't bring safeties over to help. So I would have Witten run some seam routes, get the safety over to help and throw it deep to Williams. Maybe Whitehead can serve that purpose as well.

The Dunbar versus Alonso matchup could be interesting. I don't think Alonso has the speed to stay with Dunbar, but Alonso is quite rangy. If we can clearly win a couple of matchups early on with Dunbar on Alonso, that could really dictate what we do on offense.




YR

 

[LittleBoyBlue]

Game plan: code name : Icarus

 

[VACowboy]

I think Benardeau starts. I liked a lot of what I saw out of Collins in preseason, but apparently the coaching staff thinks he has a ways to go with picking up stunts and blitzes. The Eagles are going to throw a ton of them at Romo and we need to protect our 35 year old QB who has had back surgeries in 2 of the last 3 seasons.

Ironically, the Falcons exposed a major weakness in the Chip Kelly offense...you can just stunt them to death and you'll get hits on Bradford. I am also skeptical if Murray really fits in their offense. Murray is a RB that works best getting 7-yards behind the LoS, gaining a full head of steam so he can rip thru arm tackles and make a hard cut. Very tough to stop a guy like that when he's coming at you full speed and he weighs 220 pounds. Kelly's offense has him out of the shotgun which is more about a quick giddyup and cutting very hard and I don't think that fits him. And Bradford isn't a threat to run...so I think the Cowboys will throw more stunts at the Eagles than they did against the Giants.

I'd like to see us go deep with Williams. I think the Eagles will really cloak Witten after he killed them last year. And I think their CB's can be badly beat and they won't bring safeties over to help. So I would have Witten run some seam routes, get the safety over to help and throw it deep to Williams. Maybe Whitehead can serve that purpose as well.

The Dunbar versus Alonso matchup could be interesting. I don't think Alonso has the speed to stay with Dunbar, but Alonso is quite rangy. If we can clearly win a couple of matchups early on with Dunbar on Alonso, that could really dictate what we do on offense.

Murray really does seem like an odd choice for Chip to make. Downhill power running is not the strength of his OL or his offensive design.

 

[Doomsday101]

I think it is important to run the ball but I also think teams starting with Philly will man up on the outside and come in looking to shut the run game down daring us to beat them with the passing game. Cowboys will need to show they can still function at a high level in the passing game.

 

[ElGatoGrande]

I really hope the Cowboys offense will take the attack to these guys, there's no need to retreat into some kind of defensive play calling. Dare them to blitz and then punish the hell out of them when they do. Even without Dez, this O has plenty of talent to get things done, they just need to execute and play with confidence.

 

[CowboysLegend365]

Im not worried about Bradford or their WRs I am very worried about Sproles he always kills us. Also think Murray is embarrassed about last week and is going to try to prove his worth.

I am worried our defense will look like it did on Thanksgiving. I agree that the loss of Gregory is more important at the moment than Dez. Hoping I'm wrong.

 

[GiveDezdaBall88]

LOL NO, they dont like COllins for whatever reason. ALready said Macky B Is gonn start if Leary cant go, we screwed. DEZ was our most important palyer besides romo

 

[jazzcat22]

Bernadeau will probably get the start, the way I took it from Garrett's PC the other day. He will be active at least. Because he is also the backup C. He indicated Collins still not quite ready, though he has worked a bit at OT too, he's still better suited at OG.

I am thinking both Butler and Michael may be active this week, instead of extra DL. Because, of ball control. We run the ball with 4 different RB's, use Butler as a deep threat, even if for a decoy, unless he can get by his man on coverage. Spread out the defense, so they do not keep 8 in the box all the time, and keep them from blitzing too much.

Control the clock, keep their offense off the field, but more importantly, keep our defense off the field. Therefore they stay rested and fresh, so no need for the extra DL.

 

[CrownCowboy]

They are going to stack the box and send pressure all day from all different types of angles. They'll put 8 and maybe 9 men in the box at times and send atleast 5 at Romo the majority of the game.

The theme during their players and even Chip Kelly's interviews so far this week have been pressuring Tony Romo. They know that if you knock him off balance and keep him in duress that that is their best chance to stop our offense, or atleast that's what they think anyway.

I think we need to go down the field on them even with no Dez Bryant. Their secondary is rebuilt and it's frankly not very good. We have so many options on offense that they will pretty much have to pick their poison. We'll have one on one matchups on the outside and in the slot and Tony is too smart and will recognize where the pressure is coming from for their blitzes to work all game.

Burn them long and back them off then pound the ball down their throat. We have plenty of options on offense on Sunday no matter how they choose to attack us.

On defense, I think we need stack the box ourselves. Single up on the outside and get after Bradford, who will pretty much just stand there and has no mobility at all. Knock him around early, bat some balls down and send some run blitzes. We need to be physical against that finesse scheme they run and get them off the field. Chip will feed Demarco the ball on Sunday to prove a point that he is smarter than us and that he virtually stole our boy away from us or for whatever reason that goes through his mind. We need to be ready for it.

I have a feeling we are going to win the turnover battle Sunday and that could make all the difference in the world.

 

[jrumann59]

I think Benardeau starts. I liked a lot of what I saw out of Collins in preseason, but apparently the coaching staff thinks he has a ways to go with picking up stunts and blitzes. The Eagles are going to throw a ton of them at Romo and we need to protect our 35 year old QB who has had back surgeries in 2 of the last 3 seasons.





YR

I think collins would be fine between Fred and Smith. A lot of Collins Preseason was with guys that are either on the PS or no longer here.

 

[jrumann59]

Im not worried about Bradford or their WRs I am very worried about Sproles he always kills us. Also think Murray is embarrassed about last week and is going to try to prove his worth.

I am worried our defense will look like it did on Thanksgiving. I agree that the loss of Gregory is more important at the moment than Dez. Hoping I'm wrong.

I hope he does while swinging the rock like its a loaf of bread

 

[Future]

Run the ball, beat man coverage, get stops on third down.

This team uses the exact same gameplan every single week.

 

[AsthmaField]

I hope he does while swinging the rock like its a loaf of bread

Yeah, you know that Dallas is planning on trying to get the ball away from Murray.

He certainly showed last year that he will put the ball on the turf.

 

[HankC]

....
What's most important against philly now though, is that they don't have any players that I'm afraid of....

I think we better be a little bit afraid of Sproles.

 

[dallasdave]

Good post, I think Collins plays most of the game, he is the future, not Berny.

 

[dallasdave]

Bernadeau will probably get the start, the way I took it from Garrett's PC the other day. He will be active at least. Because he is also the backup C. He indicated Collins still not quite ready, though he has worked a bit at OT too, he's still better suited at OG.

I am thinking both Butler and Michael may be active this week, instead of extra DL. Because, of ball control. We run the ball with 4 different RB's, use Butler as a deep threat, even if for a decoy, unless he can get by his man on coverage. Spread out the defense, so they do not keep 8 in the box all the time, and keep them from blitzing too much.

Control the clock, keep their offense off the field, but more importantly, keep our defense off the field. Therefore they stay rested and fresh, so no need for the extra DL.

I think Brice might get some action, would leave Lucky on the non-active. I think this Brice might be able to stretch the field.

 

[Doomsday101]

I think Brice might get some action, would leave Lucky on the non-active. I think this Brice might be able to stretch the field.

Lucky was active in last weeks game, really no reason to make him inactive. I'm hoping they will let him return kicks and punts this game. Dunbar did not look so great out there as a return man