Empty Set = Money

[JJHLH1]

Have you all noticed when the Cowboys need a big play recently they go to the empty set (empty backfield with 5 receivers), now that Romo is the quarterback?

They used the empty set on the 7 yard quick slant first down to Glenn to ice the Colts game.

They used it at least twice on the next to last scoring drive against the Giants when they needed crucial third down conversions (one went to a wide open T.O. who broke free for a few extra yards, the other to Glenn on the play he ended up getting hit late out of bounds).

The Cowboys were also in the empty set on the 42 yard pass play to Witten that killed the Giants.

With Romo as quarterback, spreading the field with 5 receivers puts a ton of pressure on the defense, and nobody has effectively stopped it yet.

 

[Doomsday101]

Have you all noticed when the Cowboys need a big play recently they go to the empty set (empty backfield with 5 receivers), now that Romo is the quarterback?

They used the empty set on the 7 yard quick slant first down to Glenn to ice the Colts game.

They used it at least twice on the next to last scoring drive against the Giants when they needed crucial third down conversions (one went to a wide open T.O. who broke free for a few extra yards, the other to Glenn on the play he ended up getting hit late out of bounds).

The Cowboys were also in the empty set on the 42 yard pass play to Witten.

With Romo as quarterback, spreading the field with 5 receivers puts a ton of pressure on the defense, and nobody has effectively stopped us yet.

It has worked out very well. Dallas can spread the defense and leave open the option to pass or run for the 1st down or TD

 

[JJHLH1]

Good point. The empty set also leaves open the possibility for a quarterback draw in short yardage situations.

They can also motion one of the receivers (like they did with Glenn on his play against the Giants) so Romo can get a better read on which receiver might be in single coverage.

Having T.O, Glenn, Crayton, Witten, and Barber as the receivers, and Romo as the quarterback - it's tough to defend that many weapons. That's why every defense we've faced has struggled with it so far. Hopefully their troubles will continue.

 

[TheSkaven]

Haven't just noticed that, but do you remember how it worked out when Bledsoe was the quarterback? Big Bill used it almost out of pure stubborness in the first Philly game and Bledsoe just got hammered.

 

[JJHLH1]

Yes, to run the empty set you need a mobile quarterback since there is less protection. No tight end or running back to help block defenders. That's the trade off for having 5 receivers.

You also need a quarterback that can make quick decisions since the defenders will be in the backfield quickly, particularly if there is a blitz.

Romo runs this formation very well. You can tell he feels comfortable with it.

 

[Future]

I'm happy it has worked so far, but still don't trust it. I dont like leaving my QB all alone throwing short passes. Those are the types of plays that can cripple a team if it gets picked and run back.

 

[Doomsday101]

I'm happy it has worked so far, but still don't trust it. I dont like leaving my QB all alone throwing short passes. Those are the types of plays that can cripple a team if it gets picked and run back.

If that was a formation we ran all the time I would agree but using it now and then and giving DC yet another things to prepare I think is a benefit to the offense.

 

[JJHLH1]

The Cowboys have been using the empty set on crucial plays, when they need a big first down.

By it's nature, the formation is risky and exposes the quarterback. It does show, however, the trust that Parcells has in Romo. I don't remember him using the formation much with the other quarterbacks he's had in Dallas.

 

[dr_hefley]

What I remember about the empty set is that it cost the Cowboys dearly the first few games of the season. Now it seems to be working well. I wonder why?
(sarcasm/off)

 

[JJHLH1]

I like the empty set because it's aggressive.

It seems to go against Parcells rather conservative nature, but I think Parcells is smart enough to use the weapons he has to their greatest advantage.

The only time I can remember it almost backfiring was the pass Romo threw to Crayton on the last touchdown drive against the Giants. That was the pass that Parcells said was "too close for comofort". RC Mc was blitzing, and had a free run to Romo, but the play was still successful and led to a first down, keeping the drive alive.

 

[BulletBob]

They used it at least twice on the next to last scoring drive against the Giants when they needed crucial third down conversions (one went to a wide open T.O. who broke free for a few extra yards, the other to Glenn on the play he ended up getting hit late out of bounds).

The play to Glenn was extremely effective. We've seen the exact same play twice now near the goal line (they used it a couple of weeks ago and scored a TD ... against the Bucs, maybe?).

I'm surprised that the Gints didn't recognize it - as soon as Glenn went in motion from left to right, I knew the same play was coming (and I'm no football genius).

Anyway, if I'm Big Bill, knowing how dilligently Payton has studied our offense, I would line up the troops in the same formation, run the same pre-snap motion, and pump fake the swing pass to Glenn, hitting either TO or Witten on a skinny post. A pseudo-block-down by Witten (fake the low block, and jump up into the pattern) would enhance the deception.

Like I said ... I'm no football genius ...

... but it might just work.

 

[JJHLH1]

Nice point. They could run the same formation and change up the play, maybe catching the defense cheating to where they thought it would be run.

 

[Darkhound]

This is working because the mobility Romo currently has!

 

[JJHLH1]

Romo's feel in the pocket is incredible. He just instinctively seems to know where to move to buy more time.

I was thinking about that "too close for comfort" pass that Romo threw against the Giants. Actually, that pass was very impressive. Romo said he saw the defender, and intentionally threw the ball a little wider than he normally would. He also threw the ball off balance with a defender running free towards him on a blitz. Too me, that pass shows that Romo has a very live arm. If you have the game on tivo, take a look at it again and you'll see what I mean.