nathanlt
Well-Known Member
- Messages
- 4,042
- Reaction score
- 3,045
As good as Dallas' running game was, (and it was a one-dimensional offense that reaped huge dividends), it was high time to establish a dominant passing game. I only wish they hadn't let off the gas, and had given Dez the ball more than one quarter.
But now, any team that plans for single coverage on Dez is doomed. DC's have it in their minds to always give him extra defensive attention while stretched to stop the run. That will leave open receivers running free, Escobar, Hanna, Beasley, Williams, and a guy named Jason Witten. If the offense takes careful stock of the first defensive looks they get, they'll know which method the defense is committed to. From there, it's just roll downhill on them, nonstop!
And keep the defense off the field, fresh, and ready to manage just a few punts from the opponent, that's all Dallas needs to have a chance.
Can you imagine how different this season would be if the Steelers hadn't jumped in front to get Shazier, and force the Cowboys to "settle" for Zach Martin? Would Dallas have still picked Hitchens in the 4th round? I think that the Steelers jumping ahead to remove LB from the first round wish list gave a huge boost not only to Dallas, but also to the value of the running back position in the NFL.
Next year's draft, there will be a ton of O-lineman and running backs picked in the first and second rounds, with running backs gaining value over the next few years. This, as the copycat league that is the NFL decides that running the ball is important again, thanks to Dallas' offensive dominance. There's very few good reasons, apart from injury, that the Cowboys don't make the playoffs, and wear their opponents out with a steamrolling rungame, now balanced with a fierce passing attack. Congrats, Dez, if you had 2 more catches, you might have had a 300 yard day!
But now, any team that plans for single coverage on Dez is doomed. DC's have it in their minds to always give him extra defensive attention while stretched to stop the run. That will leave open receivers running free, Escobar, Hanna, Beasley, Williams, and a guy named Jason Witten. If the offense takes careful stock of the first defensive looks they get, they'll know which method the defense is committed to. From there, it's just roll downhill on them, nonstop!
And keep the defense off the field, fresh, and ready to manage just a few punts from the opponent, that's all Dallas needs to have a chance.
Can you imagine how different this season would be if the Steelers hadn't jumped in front to get Shazier, and force the Cowboys to "settle" for Zach Martin? Would Dallas have still picked Hitchens in the 4th round? I think that the Steelers jumping ahead to remove LB from the first round wish list gave a huge boost not only to Dallas, but also to the value of the running back position in the NFL.
Next year's draft, there will be a ton of O-lineman and running backs picked in the first and second rounds, with running backs gaining value over the next few years. This, as the copycat league that is the NFL decides that running the ball is important again, thanks to Dallas' offensive dominance. There's very few good reasons, apart from injury, that the Cowboys don't make the playoffs, and wear their opponents out with a steamrolling rungame, now balanced with a fierce passing attack. Congrats, Dez, if you had 2 more catches, you might have had a 300 yard day!
