Film Room: Lance Dunbar's Third Down Catch

[NeonDeion21]

For the most part, Lance Dunbar has been a non-factor for the Dallas Cowboys this season. Prior to the Seattle game, Dunbar only managed to have 84 yards on 16 total touches. For a player the Cowboys treated with “kid gloves” Dunbar had many questioning why he was even on the roster. But Dunbar made a game changing play on Sunday, late in the second quarter that helped Dallas change the momentum going into halftime. Today, we are going to examine that play.

The Cowboys faced 3rd and 8 from their own 22 yard line with the game tied at 10-10. With 3:04 left in the first half, Dallas did not want to kick the ball back to Seattle and give them a chance to take the lead and momentum before halftime. Dallas lined up with a S12 personnel (one running back, two tight ends, two wide receivers) and was looking to challenge Seattle down the field.

Pre-Snap:



I labeled Dez Bryant and Lance Dunbar here because this play is really based on a two-man route combination as well as using the tight end down the seam to occupy the safety. The bottom receivers are simply space players who are going to try to get the safeties and linebackers to flow down the field.




Read the rest at: http://cover32.com/cowboys/2014/10/1...ars-big-catch/

 

[stilltheguru]

Dunbar is nice! Dez commands so much attention.

 

[BAT]

Dunbar is nice! Dez commands so much attention.

8 in the box or bracket coverage on Dez opens up this offense, opposing Ds are just picking their poison.

 

[CF74]

Dunbar just needs more reps, like maybe 5 more per game..

 

[guag]

That's pretty much my money play in Madden against zone coverage, lol.

 

[Ashwynn]

That was beautiful, as you watch the LB drift to Dez and the safety vacate his position Dunbar just run through the vacated space with the greatest of ease. Nice draw up and execution.

 

[maxdallasfan]

I loved the mini high step at the end. Cracked me up.

 

[Staubacher]

I actually like how Linehan is slowly unleashing our full weaponry. With our run game as strong as it is, no need to scatter shoot. Pick and choose the spots for the Dunbars and Escobars to make big plays.

 

[lane]

look at that clean pocket!!

 

[Sasquatch]

Enjoyed reading that.

Thanks.

 

[Rainy]

Three defenders occupied Jason Witten running down the seam creating a massive hole in the defense.

I Lol'd at this this in the write up. Have you guys seen the Mean Tweets: Cowboys edition? Somebody tweeted, "Jason Witten, slow as heck lol. But it works"
(Not trying to start a debate on his speed) Gotta give credit to Witten for consistently getting open or pulling defenders away to create opportunities for his teammates.

I remember last year there were numerous posts on here questioning why our offense don't attack the middle of the field and instead chose to only attack the sidelines. This year, I'm reading more and more analysis on how route combinations are being employed such as drag routes across the middle of the field to pull safeties or linebackers away while other receivers run in behind them or what not. You combine this with the fact teams like to bracket Dez and with the emergence of the strong run game, its extremely difficult to NOT leave areas wide open. I know we all have our opinion on who deserves credit for the success of our offense but I'm just glad it looks like we're finally using our players strength to our advantage. Each player has their role and are not only trying to get open but they also know they are contributing to the grand scheme of things even if the ball is not coming their way. It is a team sport after all.

 

[NeonDeion21]

Thanks fellas.

Are these breakdowns something you would like to see more of? Or would you rather have more All-22 observations and nuggets?

 

[xwalker]

Thanks fellas.

Are these breakdowns something you would like to see more of? Or would you rather have more All-22 observations and nuggets?

I would say more of these breakdowns, but both are good.

 

[spook930]

I'm loving his play calling! It's going to be very hard to defend us if we don't shoot ourselves in the foot with dumb turnovers and flags.

 

[NeonDeion21]

I would say more of these breakdowns, but both are good.

Thanks X. I appreciate it.

 

[Manwiththeplan]

Is it just me, or was I the only one more impressed with Jason Witten's awareness as a blocker on that play than anything else.

 

[NorthTexan95]

For years the Eagles' Brian Westbrook killed defenses with this same type of play. It's a roll Dunbar could excel at.

 

[ScipioCowboy]

A Cover 3 beater. It requires time to throw and a clean pocket.

 

[Crown Royal]

Does our offense have option routes? I wonder if that was the route called for Dunbar, or if he had the option to go to the flat or seam based on what the coverage employed?

 

[xwalker]

Is it just me, or was I the only one more impressed with Jason Witten's awareness as a blocker on that play than anything else.

Did I miss something? Witten didn't block on this play: