Empty backfield on 3rd and short

[Eddie]

Their third down efficiency was 4/13 - 30%; anybody have the break down?

Not sure, but I remember a few drives stalled because of incompletions on 3rd and short. I don't like the empty backfields on 3rd and short.

 

[BAZ]

3-6-JAX 36 (12:19) (Shotgun) T.Romo pass incomplete deep left to J.Witten.

3-6-DAL 36 (4:36) (Shotgun) T.Romo pass deep left to D.Street to JAX 36 for 28 yards (D.McCray). PEN

3-16-DAL 26 (4:11) (Shotgun) T.Romo pass short right to L.Dunbar to DAL 30 for 4 yards (T.Smith)

3-2-JAX 2 (2:38) (Shotgun) T.Romo pass short right to J.Witten for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN

3-1-DAL 35 (14:15) J.Parnell reported in as eligible. D.Murray right guard to DAL 40 for 5 yards (D.McCray)

3-5-DAL 45 (12:30) (Shotgun) T.Romo pass incomplete short left to T.Williams (D.McCray).

3-4-JAX 47 (4:13) (Shotgun) T.Romo pass short left to D.Murray pushed ob at JAX 46 for 1 yard (D.McCray).

3-4-DAL 19 (9:42) (Shotgun) T.Romo pass short middle to G.Escobar to DAL 33 for 14 yards (J.Cyprien)

3-11-JAX 30 (4:12) (Shotgun) T.Romo pass incomplete deep right to T.Williams (D.Gratz).

3-8-DAL 22 ( :07) (Shotgun) T.Romo pass short left to L.Dunbar to DAL 25 for 3 yards (S.Martin) [R.Davis]

3-10-DAL 11 (8:46) (Shotgun) T.Romo sacked at DAL 5 for -6 yards (S.Marks).

3-3-DAL 12 (5:14) (Shotgun) Weeden PENALTY on DAL-J.Witten, False Start, 5 yards, enforced at DAL 12 - No Play

3-8-DAL 7 (5:14) (Shotgun) B.Weeden pass short middle to J.Witten to DAL 15 for 8 yards (S.Martin).


Lot of 3rd and longs, ugly reading.

 

[cowboys2233]

It drives me crazy seeing no one in the backfield on 3rd and short. It just screams " pass incoming". The draw-play needs to be utilized more, love it and keeps defenses on their toes.

Frankly, if I had a mobile QB, I would empty the backfield every time in those super short yardage situations, even at the goal line. Spread that defense out so thin, piece of cake for a QB sneak, simply not enough players in the middle to stop it. Unfortunately, Romo does not fit that description. But if I had a Russell Wilson or a Kapernick (sp?) kind of QB, I would run it all the time.

 

[Sportsbabe]

I hate the empty backfield. All it does is make it easier for a Defense to defend. You don't have to account for the run in an empty backfield set. At least set up in a run formation and motion to an empty backfield. That would at least make the defense use a personnel package to account for the run. I hate empty backfield.

I would love for one of our "genius" beat reporters to ask the question at one these PC's and see what kind of answer we get. There is nothing they can say other than "I don't know" that would satisfy me.

 

[DFWJC]

I have been surprised at the number of times Linehan has gone with an empty backfield on 3rd and short. I would have thought the threat of a draw play would have helped slow the pass rush some, not to mention Murray's blocking skills as another benefit of having him in there.

This has been a pet peeve of mine this year.
Drives me nuts.

 

[Kevinicus]

Try as you might, this thread is not about JG, so you're just coming off as a troll. But, like I said, I can deal with on or two of you to bring a little nonsense to this board.

Actually almost anything dealing with the Cowboys means it is about Garrett. This topic much more than some others.

 

[BAT]

The empty backfield was more prominent against Jacksonville. The reason, in my opinion, was to create easier throws for Romo, who clearly did not have his typical velocity on passes.

Jags don't blitz so it did not come back to bite the Cowboys, unlike when they played blitz heavy teams like WASH and AZ. The empty backfield on 3rd and short is short sighted and dangerous depending on the opposing team. The danger is obvious, the short sightedness is because the Cowboys are going away from a strength (over 5 yards per carry average) and making themselves one dimensional.

 

[DiResta]

Beasley is really good on those if the ball is thrown well.

 

[links18]

Too much empty backfield in general.....