Game review offense

[Jenky]

Elliott was pretty good.

The problem was we didn't commit to the ground game.

Any time we got stopped for 3 yards or less with the first rush, we immediately and predictably tried passing on second and long.

I think they also keep under utilizing Morris.

Zeke doesn't have to run 35 times. Let Morris in on at least 10. But overall the goal is to soften up the defense.

Taking Elliott out in critical moments and putting Dunbar in infuriated me. Elliott is a back who can do everything and you take him out....

 

[Zman5]

I'm a Romo fan. I don't have a bias for or against Dak.

You mean like you're a Parnell fan and have no bias against Free?

 

[John813]

IIRC there was a tweet yesterday that had the numbers for Dak when he was in a "clean pocket",

Was it 7 out of 21?

Yes his receivers had some drops, and Dez was bad Sunday, but 7 out of 21 doesn't all fall on his receivers.

I would give him a C-, at best.

 

[mattjames2010]

Taking Elliott out in critical moments and putting Dunbar in infuriated me. Elliott is a back who can do everything and you take him out....

I think, late in games, they have a route tree set up that Dunbar knows. Sadly, at this point, I just don't think Prescott utilizes the RB's as receivers much unless it's a screen or dump off. From what I could see, it seemed Dunbar was running some routes we saw last year against the Giants.

Elliott will most likely need another offseason to be a better receiver. He wasn't big on it in college either, which is why I'm still in favor of getting ourselves a receiving back. I still think Dunbar is good at it.

 

[DallasInDC]

I think I would Dak a C- but in fairness to Dak, this is how most rookie QBs look and this game was probably 30 degrees colder than any other game he has played in his lifetime.

I think one key people are missing is that this is the first game where the OL wasn't dominant in the 4th Quarter. People have gotten so used to it that its a total surprise when it doesn't happen.

Probably second coldest...he said he played in a 20° game against Arkansas. It would be interesting to see how well (or poor) he.played in that game.

 

[mattjames2010]

Agreed. Dak's accuracy was way off that game. Sorry, some teams have good secondaries and the windows aren't as big. Dak has to be a more accurate passer.

I've been making this argument all year long and my worry was Dak wouldn't be able to make those tight window throws. I think the other night, he proved he can't. Some think it's mechanics, I'm still questioning if he has the arm strength. Mechanics, accuracy, and reading defenses can be fixed. If it has to do with his arm, that will be a huge weakness.

I still think Dak excels at reading defenses for being a rookie and his footwork and mechanics, for a 4th rounder, progressed a ton from his college days until this season. That part of his game is still inconsistent though.

But I still question if he can consistently fit balls into tight windows. I have a feeling we'll be seeing the Giants again this year, so we'll see how he does this if he's still the starter.

 

[Crown Royal]

I don't remember T. Williams having any major drops this game. Or this season for that.

 

[BourbonBalz]

I don't need replays to know Dak was way off on many of his throws. I've seen it already. For the first time, he got rattled. He should've tucked the ball and ran a few times as well. Dez certainly didn't do anything to help him, but Dak played very poorly. A grade B? LOL.

 

[NEODOG]

Yeah, I just rewatched every pass play and there is no way I could give Dak a B. Closer to a D, probably a C-.

In 40 dropbacks, 37 passes and 3 sacks I had him with 4 seconds or more on 18 dropbacks, and I had him 5 of 15 with one int on those and all three sacks. I had at least 12 with 3 seconds, he was 5-12 on those plays. I had him 7 of 10 on plays where he had two seconds or less, whether it was a designed quick pass or he had to get rid of it that quick due to pressure.

Could you see the blanket coverage on our receivers? or we're you just watching Dak....tough to throw when no one is open in 2 seconds

 

[waving monkey]

Thanks X,good write up appreciate your time

 

[BourbonBalz]

Dak lacks some confidence right now. He holds onto the ball too long waiting for the receivers to get wide open. This is the NFL. Receivers do not get wide open too often. You just have to make very good throws into tight windows. He often doesn't seem to want to do this. I agree his receivers haven't done him any favors lately, but he has made some atrocious throws too.

 

[BourbonBalz]

The coaching staff needs to call some relatively easy passing plays early on to give Dak some confidence. Screens, bubble screens, quick slants, etc. these are easier passes and allow him to get the ball out quickly.

 

[CWR]

Really wished you'd hit on the complete whiffs on our line blocking though.....you missed some real gems with all the gap pressure, stunts & delays.....

Our receivers were covered....

They were SOLID in gap pressure....

Yet, somehow, Dak sucked

Thats a very good point. We cant see what we cant see. You guys with the all 22 are awesome. Ive never had it but its pretty obvious seeing the entire field of play would tell the actual story of who was and wasnt getting open.

As far as Dak goes he clearly had an uphill battle but I cant make excuses for him either. He was off target on several throws(reminded me of how Arod looked when we played GB). I also caught him with at least one jump pass which looked horrible. When things break down I think he reverts back to sloppy mechanics. All is not lost though. He has earned some faith, his moxy makes me a believer. I think he will come out next week and play a much cleaner game.

Wether or not we win I dont know. This team has faced adversity this season but always managed to pull off a W, so this is a different type of adversity. In particular because the offense has now been really bad for 2 weeks straight. The coaching was frustrating to say the least. I get why Zeke wasnt fed more. We were awful on first down. If you want to run on second and third you need more than 1.5 yds on first. We were constantly stuffed at the line and played from behind the chains most of the game. However, it got really old having Dunbar in every damn third down. He wasnt contributing and he isnt the blocker Zeke is either. Alot of this game looked like the Philly game. The exception being that we made positive adjustments vs Philly and found a way to get the ball to Beasley and play our game. This game we had no answer for press coverage and a strong blitz. That has to change quickly because you can believe we will be tried until we can beat it. Dak is our future and I dont believe Romo will be here next year, that being said Dak, his wrs and the coaches need to step up or we may very well see Romo back in. I haven't heard much lately about practice but if hes showing it and Dak isnt you have to make the adjustment. If somehow, someway the defense continues to surpass our expectations we have a legitimate shot, that cant be wasted away on a rookie who has hit the wall. I personally hope Dak gets going, its not all on him but hes better than what hes shown the last couple outings.

I could go another 3 paragraphs on Dez. Ill just say I love him but I hate him lol. Hes frustrating because you think he could be better than he is but hes not. Hes a quality wr1 but hes simply a notch below AJ Green, Julio and Antonio Brown. He doesnt belong in that tier anymore and we need to lower our expectations because we are clearly being disappointed. Some of it is route running and some of it is coaching. But if Im brutally honest with myself hes just not able to consistently dominate. Great receiver but hes not the former 88 and Im done waiting for him to be that guy. Yes Im happy hes a Cowboy but at the same time I think we need another WR capable of dominating.

Its not time to panic guys but its also not all puppies and rainbows anymore. We are about to see what this team is really made of. The recipe to stop the Dallas Cowboys is out there now and we will see tough defenses from here on out. If we can adapt and overcome this will be the perfect litmus test for our run, if not we will be doing quite a bit of baby crying.

 

[Denim Chicken]

Jeff Cavanaugh review the broadcast tape yesterday, as well. It's on his twitter timeline. A lot of poor throws and protection was better that some have reported.

 

[Aven8]

The coaching staff needs to call some relatively easy passing plays early on to give Dak some confidence. Screens, bubble screens, quick slants, etc. these are easier passes and allow him to get the ball out quickly.

They need to go hurry up as well when he's struggling to get him some cofidence. Our WR's are lousy however against good corners. Minny and The Gents have really good corners.

And yes it appears you can buy a defense in 1 season Jerry.

 

[Fla Cowpoke]

so..............did Dak pass up passes to shorter routes on those 5/18 with 4 seconds ? Did he again pass up quick pass to open receivers on shorter routes on the 5/12 with 3 seconds? Did the offensive scheme give him options off of stack plays, rub routes, slot motion that he passed up............or were there not even any avail ?

Need All 22 peek

I don 't disagree, but the suggestion that Dak was facing ridiculous pressure was clearly not the the case.

 

[xwalker]

IIRC there was a tweet yesterday that had the numbers for Dak when he was in a "clean pocket",

Was it 7 out of 21?

Yes his receivers had some drops, and Dez was bad Sunday, but 7 out of 21 doesn't all fall on his receivers.

I would give him a C-, at best.

That comes from a bogus website.

 

[xwalker]

Jeff Cavanaugh review the broadcast tape yesterday, as well. It's on his twitter timeline. A lot of poor throws and protection was better that some have reported.

Jeff Cavanaugh wanted to trade away the Cowboys entire draft to pick the QB Goff.

 

[Fla Cowpoke]

Jeff Cavanaugh review the broadcast tape yesterday, as well. It's on his twitter timeline. A lot of poor throws and protection was better that some have reported.

Dont know the guy but my results pretty much are the same. Protection was not bad and Dak was all over the place with mechanics.

 

[xwalker]

Yup its kind of like reading his OL takes on Doug Free. He argues for a conclusion. Him trying to say that Parnell intentionally stood there not moving his feet blocking no one was always a joy.

Revisionist history.