For those wanting Dallas to run the ball more

[dstovall5]

Lately, there seems to be a trend going on around here. People more and more have been saying we need to run the ball more and stop abandoning it, but is that really in our best interest? The reason we DON'T run the ball more is because we're terribly inconsistent at it. So lets take a look at each of our games and see how our running game produced.

W week 1 21ATT / 88YDS = 4.19YPC - *W/O LongRun 20ATT / 75YDS = 3.75YPC
L week 2 13ATT / 37YDS = 2.84YPC - *W/O LongRun 12ATT / 25YDS = 2.08YPC
W week 3 34ATT / 193YDS = 5.70YPC - *W/O LongRun 33ATT / 152YDS = 4.60YPC
L week 4 15ATT / 77YDS = 5.13YPC - *W/O LongRun 14ATT / 56YDS = 4.00YPC
L week 5 12ATT / 43YDS = 3.58YPC - *W/O LongRun 11ATT / 30YDS = 2.72YPC
W week 6 19ATT / 48YDS = 2.52YPC - *W/O LongRun 18ATT / 34YDS = 1.88YPC
W week 7 21ATT / 66YDS = 3.14YPC - *W/O LongRun 20ATT / 54YDS = 2.70YPC
L week 8 21ATT / 50YDS = 2.38YPC - *W/O LongRun 20ATT / 41YDS = 2.05YPC
W week 9 8ATT / 32YDS = 3.50YPC - *W/O LongRun 7ATT / 5YDS = 0.71YPC
L week 10 16ATT / 89YDS = 5.56YPC - *W/O LongRun 15ATT / 54YDS = 3.60YPC
W week 11 20ATT / 107YDS = 5.35YPC - *W/O LongRun 19ATT / 77YDS = 4.05YPC
W week 12 29ATT / 145YDS = 5.00YPC - *W/O LongRun 28ATT / 100YDS = 3.57YPC

As you can see, I not only found our ATT/YDS/YPC for each game, but I also added another column where I took away our longest run. What this shows is how inconsistent our running game is.

For example, there's no reason taking away a 27 yard gain should account for 85% of our total yards, that's just pathetic. With the long runs taking out, you can see how bad we are running the ball consistently, and it's part of the reason we have such a big problem moving the chains. It seems like during critical situations where we need 3-4 yards to pick up a first, we always get stuffed, or at least don't pick up the first down. And the stats even back this up, our YPC on 2nd/3rd and short is ranked 27th/29th out of all NFL teams, that's terrible.

I understand if we're running the ball well (like today) then there's no reason to abandon it, but when our running game has only 20-30 yards after 10 carries, then yes it's time to start passing the ball. Especially when we have one of the better QBs in the NFL. I just can't wrap my head around how inconsistent we are running the ball, your running game is usually suppose to be somewhat consistent week in and week out.

So I don't understand what all the fuss is about, why do people want us to continue running the ball even when it's ineffective? For the most part, all our running game has been doing this year is creating 3rd and long downs for our passing game, but yet people still don't want us to abandon it.

So what am I missing here?

 

[yentl911]

The point is not to become one dimensional. The more ways you can attack a defense, the better. Plus, if you watched the teams from the early 90's, if you can run the ball you can keep a good opposing offense off the field or end the game when you have the lead by grinding out first downs and running out the clock.

 

[50cent]

Lately, there seems to be a trend going on around here. People more and more have been saying we need to run the ball more and stop abandoning it, but is that really in our best interest? The reason we DON'T run the ball more is because we're terribly inconsistent at it. So lets take a look at each of our games and see how our running game produced.

W week 1 21ATT / 88YDS = 4.19YPC - *W/O LongRun 20ATT / 75YDS = 3.75YPC
L week 2 13ATT / 37YDS = 2.84YPC - *W/O LongRun 12ATT / 25YDS = 2.08YPC
W week 3 34ATT / 193YDS = 5.70YPC - *W/O LongRun 33ATT / 152YDS = 4.60YPC
L week 4 15ATT / 77YDS = 5.13YPC - *W/O LongRun 14ATT / 56YDS = 4.00YPC
L week 5 12ATT / 43YDS = 3.58YPC - *W/O LongRun 11ATT / 30YDS = 2.72YPC
W week 6 19ATT / 48YDS = 2.52YPC - *W/O LongRun 18ATT / 34YDS = 1.88YPC
W week 7 21ATT / 66YDS = 3.14YPC - *W/O LongRun 20ATT / 54YDS = 2.70YPC
L week 8 21ATT / 50YDS = 2.38YPC - *W/O LongRun 20ATT / 41YDS = 2.05YPC
W week 9 8ATT / 32YDS = 3.50YPC - *W/O LongRun 7ATT / 5YDS = 0.71YPC
L week 10 16ATT / 89YDS = 5.56YPC - *W/O LongRun 15ATT / 54YDS = 3.60YPC
W week 11 20ATT / 107YDS = 5.35YPC - *W/O LongRun 19ATT / 77YDS = 4.05YPC
W week 12 29ATT / 145YDS = 5.00YPC - *W/O LongRun 28ATT / 100YDS = 3.57YPC

As you can see, I not only found our ATT/YDS/YPC for each game, but I also added another column where I took away our longest run. What this shows is how inconsistent our running game is.

For example, there's no reason taking away a 27 yard gain should account for 85% of our total yards, that's just pathetic. With the long runs taking out, you can see how bad we are running the ball consistently, and it's part of the reason we have such a big problem moving the chains. It seems like during critical situations where we need 3-4 yards to pick up a first, we always get stuffed, or at least don't pick up the first down. And the stats even back this up, our YPC on 2nd/3rd and short is ranked 27th/29th out of all NFL teams, that's terrible.

I understand if we're running the ball well (like today) then there's no reason to abandon it, but when our running game has only 20-30 yards after 10 carries, then yes it's time to start passing the ball. Especially when we have one of the better QBs in the NFL. I just can't wrap my head around how inconsistent we are running the ball, your running game is usually suppose to be somewhat consistent week in and week out.

So I don't understand what all the fuss is about, why do people want us to continue running the ball even when it's ineffective? For the most part, all our running game has been doing this year is creating 3rd and long downs for our passing game, but yet people still don't want us to abandon it.

So what am I missing here?

You're missing the truth! You say it SEEMS the run game can't produce 3-4 yards with out the numbers to show when it has failed and succeeded in those situations. You keep throwing out our 2nd and 3rd down YPC without accounting for sacks and WRs runs to give a true indication of the RBs troubles on those downs. We literally throw it on 2nd and 5 64% of the time, 2nd and 4 (78%), 2nd and 3 (67%), 3rd and 5 (91%), 3rd and 4 (75%, 3rd and 3 (100%), 3rd and 2 (93%).

How can you draw any conclusion on these downs when the sample size is so small for the run and in some cases there is no sample size? Is it time to start running with only 124 pass yards after 20 passes (like today)?

Did sacks in these 2nd down and short situations contribute to the 3rd down distance? Did we lose yards on 2nd and 5 everytime to force a long 3rd down or any other 2nd down situation? I can't tell with your opinionated facts!

Show us where the run game has forced us into more 3rd and longs than the pass when we literally pass over 63% of the time in every 2nd down situation over 3 yards to go except 7 yards (36%).

Did you take out the shortest run in your stats? Nope!

You've provided us incomplete info that combines opinion with stats to prove something.

I have literally gone and broken down what the run has done when called back to back plays on 1st and 2nd. Out of the 33 times it had happened as of 2 games ago, the run only put us in 3rd and 6 or longer like 7 times when called on 1st and 2nd down.

You're not painting a true depiction with so many assumptions.

 

[SuspectCorner]

If you're going to remove the 'longest run' as an outlier - please, at least remove the longest TFL as a countermanding outlier.

 

[bosley88]

if Dunbar and Murry didnt run well in that order this topic would not have been posted

Our qb now that he has protection is playing better and better

 

[bayeslife]

Nope the key to winning games is to run the ball 15 times at 2 yards a carry. That means we win, right?

 

[ANTHONYSCOTT]

The key to winning is to keep the other team off balance and have them guessing as to what we are trying to do. Running the ball will not alway produce big and long gains. But it can set the foundation for later in the game (as it did last night) and keep the other teams Offense off the field along with closing out games. Yesterday was a prime example of have to pass to set up the run. They played 8 to 9 men in the box and dared us to pass the ball. Other times we will have to run vice pass. Its not a sure method of winning, but if we are up in a game and we run smart, throw to the check down WR or RB we can use the clock. And that my friend is a key that this team has been missing for a while now!

 

[morasp]

Knowing when to run doesn't hurt. In the second half yesterday we seemed to have a good feel for what they were doing and when to check to a run or pass. They really looked off balance.

 

[Boyzmamacita]

Knowing when to run doesn't hurt. In the second half yesterday we seemed to have a good feel for what they were doing and when to check to a run or pass. They really looked off balance.

For the first time in a long time, I felt like the Cowboys outcoached the opposition. It's a good feeling.

 

[Bleu Star]

As clearly noted by our recent trend in W's, the real key is to utilize a balanced attack on offense to keep all 11 of our players engaged on offense and opposing defenses off balance. I'm pretty sure you tried to prove your point in my thread and it was debunked. Anyhoo... The latest results stand on their own merits. A balanced approach will get us into the playoffs not just as a 1 & done but as a serious force to be reckoned with.

Oh, & it doesn't hurt that we win at a very high percentage when DeMarco touches the ball no less than 15x. That ties directly in the the required balance on offense to avoid sliding into predictability.

Have fun with those storytelling stats.. Lol

Lately, there seems to be a trend going on around here. People more and more have been saying we need to run the ball more and stop abandoning it, but is that really in our best interest? The reason we DON'T run the ball more is because we're terribly inconsistent at it. So lets take a look at each of our games and see how our running game produced.

W week 1 21ATT / 88YDS = 4.19YPC - *W/O LongRun 20ATT / 75YDS = 3.75YPC
L week 2 13ATT / 37YDS = 2.84YPC - *W/O LongRun 12ATT / 25YDS = 2.08YPC
W week 3 34ATT / 193YDS = 5.70YPC - *W/O LongRun 33ATT / 152YDS = 4.60YPC
L week 4 15ATT / 77YDS = 5.13YPC - *W/O LongRun 14ATT / 56YDS = 4.00YPC
L week 5 12ATT / 43YDS = 3.58YPC - *W/O LongRun 11ATT / 30YDS = 2.72YPC
W week 6 19ATT / 48YDS = 2.52YPC - *W/O LongRun 18ATT / 34YDS = 1.88YPC
W week 7 21ATT / 66YDS = 3.14YPC - *W/O LongRun 20ATT / 54YDS = 2.70YPC
L week 8 21ATT / 50YDS = 2.38YPC - *W/O LongRun 20ATT / 41YDS = 2.05YPC
W week 9 8ATT / 32YDS = 3.50YPC - *W/O LongRun 7ATT / 5YDS = 0.71YPC
L week 10 16ATT / 89YDS = 5.56YPC - *W/O LongRun 15ATT / 54YDS = 3.60YPC
W week 11 20ATT / 107YDS = 5.35YPC - *W/O LongRun 19ATT / 77YDS = 4.05YPC
W week 12 29ATT / 145YDS = 5.00YPC - *W/O LongRun 28ATT / 100YDS = 3.57YPC

As you can see, I not only found our ATT/YDS/YPC for each game, but I also added another column where I took away our longest run. What this shows is how inconsistent our running game is.

For example, there's no reason taking away a 27 yard gain should account for 85% of our total yards, that's just pathetic. With the long runs taking out, you can see how bad we are running the ball consistently, and it's part of the reason we have such a big problem moving the chains. It seems like during critical situations where we need 3-4 yards to pick up a first, we always get stuffed, or at least don't pick up the first down. And the stats even back this up, our YPC on 2nd/3rd and short is ranked 27th/29th out of all NFL teams, that's terrible.

I understand if we're running the ball well (like today) then there's no reason to abandon it, but when our running game has only 20-30 yards after 10 carries, then yes it's time to start passing the ball. Especially when we have one of the better QBs in the NFL. I just can't wrap my head around how inconsistent we are running the ball, your running game is usually suppose to be somewhat consistent week in and week out.

So I don't understand what all the fuss is about, why do people want us to continue running the ball even when it's ineffective? For the most part, all our running game has been doing this year is creating 3rd and long downs for our passing game, but yet people still don't want us to abandon it.

So what am I missing here?

 

[Fredd]

Can't buy what's being sold here...looks like cherry picking stats...you can't just throw and you can't just run....there minimally has to be some type of balance to keep the other guessing...an example of when we didn't do that was the game where we ran on 2nd down EVERY time (I think it was Detroit?)...they had our number because of predictability

It appears to me that the coaching staff had a poor to no game plan in the first half but then seemed to come up with one in the second half...I am hopeful that is because they actually made adjustments at half time (but who knows)....if they made changes at half time, perhaps they are learning how to actually, you know, coach?

 

[TheRomoSexual]

It's easy to scream for more running, but that is difficult when you have one effective, but injury prone rb. Dunbar's impact is greater than his aggregate yards gained.

 

[Questfor6]

Just from watching the Bears play last week and looking back at the last few opponents stats sheets, we should be able shred them on the ground next week. Hopefully Dunbar can play because we need a thunder & lightning duo with him & Murray.

 

[tyke1doe]

The point is not to become one dimensional. The more ways you can attack a defense, the better. Plus, if you watched the teams from the early 90's, if you can run the ball you can keep a good opposing offense off the field or end the game when you have the lead by grinding out first downs and running out the clock.

I agree.

Plus, more than likely, we're going to be playing on the road in the playoffs (assuming we make it). You have to be balanced in the playoffs. We've got to establish something of a ground game, or we're going to be toast.

I'm encouraged by the fact we're trying to grind games out instead of totally relying on Tony Romo. I suspect Romo is encouraged too.

 

[visionary]

It's easy to scream for more running, but that is difficult when you have one effective, but injury prone rb. Dunbar's impact is greater than his aggregate yards gained.

Love it how you tell us how good a job our FO and coaching staff are doing and tell we don't have the players out of the other side of your mouth

 

[TheRomoSexual]

Love it how you tell us how good a job our FO and coaching staff are doing and tell we don't have the players out of the other side of your mouth

You have no idea what you are talking about, nor do you add anything to this board. Please go away.

 

[big dog cowboy]

3.60YPC
4.05YPC
3.57YPC

In the last 3 games (taking away our longest run each game) those are the stats. Seems we are learning to run better post Waters. More than anything I find that encouraging.

 

[visionary]

You have no idea what you are talking about, nor do you add anything to this board. Please go away.

Ahhhh....

Groupies

Gotta love em

 

[jterrell]

As clearly noted by our recent trend in W's, the real key is to utilize a balanced attack on offense to keep all 11 of our players engaged on offense and opposing defenses off balance. I'm pretty sure you tried to prove your point in my thread and it was debunked. Anyhoo... The latest results stand on their own merits. A balanced approach will get us into the playoffs not just as a 1 & done but as a serious force to be reckoned with.

Oh, & it doesn't hurt that we win at a very high percentage when DeMarco touches the ball no less than 15x. That ties directly in the the required balance on offense to avoid sliding into predictability.

Have fun with those storytelling stats.. Lol

Don't need stats to realize what turned the game was the 2 minute drive that included a series of open sets and Tony Romo passes.
Once Dez and Witten got going the rest was easy.

This team is not good enough to run to win. They have to pass to win.
Balance is always the desire but it's also why the defense takes away one side of the game from you.

The Murray 15 carry stat is cute but pointless. Of course when we are ahead and running the ball to win the clock we tend to fare well. Same as all teams when they have big leads.

Murray and Dunbar making it through a game without either being nicked up is a minor miracle. And that has been another limiting factor for the run game.

 

[kramskoi]

Don't need stats to realize what turned the game was the 2 minute drive that included a series of open sets and Tony Romo passes.
Once Dez and Witten got going the rest was easy.

This team is not good enough to run to win. They have to pass to win.
Balance is always the desire but it's also why the defense takes away one side of the game from you.

The Murray 15 carry stat is cute but pointless. Of course when we are ahead and running the ball to win the clock we tend to fare well. Same as all teams when they have big leads.

Murray and Dunbar making it through a game without either being nicked up is a minor miracle. And that has been another limiting factor for the run game.

And it ain't good enough to consistently win without a running game!