First Half of Tampa Game, the best of Rush's career

[CowboysFaninHouston]

Rush had the best half of his career, the best he has ever played. he went 18/25 (that's a lot of passes in one half) for 226 yards with 4 pass completion of more than 20 yards. I think this was a surprise game plan from MM to come out passing as the first 4 plays were passes. in the beginning the running game was working decently, as Dowdle rushed 3 times in the first series for 9 yards. the surprise in the first series as Rush completed every pass was going for a run on a 3rd and 6 and gaining 1 yards. why they didn't go with the pass that was clearly working as Rush had completed all his 6 pass attempts.

the second half Rush started with a long pass of 26 yards, then back to his old self of dumping the ball, as he had 40 yards on 9 completions.

this was atypical game by MM attacking down field with Rush and the route combinations were outstanding this time around.

can Rush sustain such play over last two games. if he can, then Dallas has a chance in the last two games and end the season on a winning note, albeit for nothing.
we get lucky probably playing against 3rd string QB with Philly. and the last game might be meaningless in the playoff rest, so commanders may rest their starters.

what a turn around by the cowboys...

 

[Reality]

While there is no denying Rush had a solid half, I think this has more to do with the playcalling than just Rush.

It is the main thing I hate about McCarthy's offense and that is he, like Garrett, play way too conservative and rely heavily on horizontal and comeback pass routes, which are some of the safest routes to call from a turnover standpoint, but also some of the easiest to defend.

The Cowboys defense (with and without Quinn) play much better with a lead, so it seems like McCarthy is very risk-averse in too many games, especially early on, which makes him call a lot more horizontal and comeback routes with an occasional low-risk/low-chance deep sideline throw.

In games where McCarthy has attacked the defense with slants, and 15+ yard passes inside the hashes, Dak and Rush have both looked great.

If you want to win in the NFL, you have to play aggressively as much as possible to keep the defense honest and on their heels as often as possible.

When most of your passes are thrown inside 5 yards of the line of scrimmage, it allows the defense to crowd the line which improves their run defense and their pass defense .

I have been saying all year they need to attack the defense. Stop trying not to make offensive mistakes and instead try to make the defense make mistakes.

 

[Redsfan_83]

While there is no denying Rush had a solid half, I think this has more to do with the playcalling than just Rush.

It is the main thing I hate about McCarthy's offense and that is he, like Garrett, play way too conservative and rely heavily on horizontal and comeback pass routes, which are some of the safest routes to call from a turnover standpoint, but also some of the easiest to defend.

The Cowboys defense (with and without Quinn) play much better with a lead, so it seems like McCarthy is very risk-averse in too many games, especially early on, which makes him call a lot more horizontal and comeback routes with an occasional low-risk/low-chance deep sideline throw.

In games where McCarthy has attacked the defense with slants, and 15+ yard passes inside the hashes, Dak and Rush have both looked great.

If you want to win in the NFL, you have to play aggressively as much as possible to keep the defense honest and on their heels as often as possible.

When most of your passes are thrown inside 5 yards of the line of scrimmage, it allows the defense to crowd the line which improves their run defense and their pass defense .

I have been saying all year they need to attack the defense. Stop trying not to make offensive mistakes and instead try to make the defense make mistakes.

There in lies the problem though. Their starting and backup QB[s have noodle arms, and this isn't aided by the OL not giving them time to find 3rd and 4th reads downfield. Rush is mentally capable of finding these reads, but not beyond 20 yards if asked. Dak? Well, you know.....

 

[McKDaddy]

Rush is mentally capable of finding these reads, but not beyond 20 yards if asked.

That narrative died. The OP just showed he had 5 of those against Tampa.

Without CD it will be interesting if we can get guys downfield to continue to stress the defense.

 

[Reality]

There in lies the problem though. Their starting and backup QB[s have noodle arms, and this isn't aided by the OL not giving them time to find 3rd and 4th reads downfield. Rush is mentally capable of finding these reads, but not beyond 20 yards if asked. Dak? Well, you know.....

I agree, but I still think this has a lot to do with McCarthy's preference to safe play calls.

Back 10-20 years ago, it was a good strategy to keep the game close and try to win it in the fourth quarter because winning games was the goal, winning by a lot was not.

The problem is that defense and defense speed have improved considerably over the last 10 years and early leads provide an advantage for the leading team's defense and a disadvantage for the trailing team's offense.

An early two score lead can snowball very quickly because the defense can take more chances and be overly aggressive early in the game.

 

[Redsfan_83]

That narrative died. The OP just showed he had 5 of those against Tampa.

Without CD it will be interesting if we can get guys downfield to continue to stress the defense.

He did show he has more in that arm, but these passes were perfectly placed not thrown on a rope which is what I am referring to. Trust me, I take that over our alternative, and perhaps the next 2 games some WR steps up

 

[McKDaddy]

He did show he has more in that arm, but these passes were perfectly placed not thrown on a rope which is what I am referring to. Trust me, I take that over our alternative, and perhaps the next 2 games some WR steps up

Agreed.

He doesn't have a big arm, no argument. I just get irritated when fans act like a QB can make it to an NFL roster & not be able to throw the ball 20 yards. It just doesn't happen. Brady nor Manning had big arms either. Brady improved his over his career but early on was probably around the same as Rush's. Memory could be off a little, but it wasn't great.

 

[Redsfan_83]

Agreed.

He doesn't have a big arm, no argument. I just get irritated when fans act like a QB can make it to an NFL roster & not be able to throw the ball 20 yards. It just doesn't happen. Brady nor Manning had big arms either. Brady improved his over his career but early on was probably around the same as Rush's. Memory could be off a little, but it wasn't great.

I am more then a fan of Aikman, and any young QB in the NFL I compare to the arm Troy had. In this day and age of the NFL your QB has to be able to throw the ball, the Tua's of the world are serviceable but that won't get you far in the post season playing in the cold tundra of Green Bay, etc. I am one of the crazy ones that so badly wanted to see what we can get out of Trey for that reason alone...ah well, lol

 

[Proof]

Rush had the best half of his career, the best he has ever played. he went 18/25 (that's a lot of passes in one half) for 226 yards with 4 pass completion of more than 20 yards. I think this was a surprise game plan from MM to come out passing as the first 4 plays were passes. in the beginning the running game was working decently, as Dowdle rushed 3 times in the first series for 9 yards. the surprise in the first series as Rush completed every pass was going for a run on a 3rd and 6 and gaining 1 yards. why they didn't go with the pass that was clearly working as Rush had completed all his 6 pass attempts.

the second half Rush started with a long pass of 26 yards, then back to his old self of dumping the ball, as he had 40 yards on 9 completions.

this was atypical game by MM attacking down field with Rush and the route combinations were outstanding this time around.

can Rush sustain such play over last two games. if he can, then Dallas has a chance in the last two games and end the season on a winning note, albeit for nothing.
we get lucky probably playing against 3rd string QB with Philly. and the last game might be meaningless in the playoff rest, so commanders may rest their starters.

what a turn around by the cowboys...

it was a VERY impressive half (and overall game) by Rush. Really enjoyed it.

 

[gimmesix]

Rush had the best half of his career, the best he has ever played. he went 18/25 (that's a lot of passes in one half) for 226 yards with 4 pass completion of more than 20 yards. I think this was a surprise game plan from MM to come out passing as the first 4 plays were passes. in the beginning the running game was working decently, as Dowdle rushed 3 times in the first series for 9 yards. the surprise in the first series as Rush completed every pass was going for a run on a 3rd and 6 and gaining 1 yards. why they didn't go with the pass that was clearly working as Rush had completed all his 6 pass attempts.

the second half Rush started with a long pass of 26 yards, then back to his old self of dumping the ball, as he had 40 yards on 9 completions.

this was atypical game by MM attacking down field with Rush and the route combinations were outstanding this time around.

can Rush sustain such play over last two games. if he can, then Dallas has a chance in the last two games and end the season on a winning note, albeit for nothing.
we get lucky probably playing against 3rd string QB with Philly. and the last game might be meaningless in the playoff rest, so commanders may rest their starters.

what a turn around by the cowboys...

Tampa has a really good run defense. I think we knew going into it that it was going to be tough sledding for the run, especially if we didn't stretch the field and force Tampa to back off.

 

[chagus]

That narrative died. The OP just showed he had 5 of those against Tampa.

Without CD it will be interesting if we can get guys downfield to continue to stress the defense.

Time to unleash Turpin.

 

[Coogiguy03]

I agree, but I still think this has a lot to do with McCarthy's preference to safe play calls.

Back 10-20 years ago, it was a good strategy to keep the game close and try to win it in the fourth quarter because winning games was the goal, winning by a lot was not.

The problem is that defense and defense speed have improved considerably over the last 10 years and early leads provide an advantage for the leading team's defense and a disadvantage for the trailing team's offense.

An early two score lead can snowball very quickly because the defense can take more chances and be overly aggressive early in the game.

I couldn't imagine someone from the shanahan tree calling "safe plays"

 

[Risen Star]

We never try to run the ball against the Buccaneers. We just assume we can't from the start.

 

[Coogiguy03]

We never try to run the ball against the Buccaneers. We just assume we can't from the start.

That's why you see us throw 50+ times, when in doubt, give up, and never return!