Here Are Some Problems I've Found With The Offense

[NeonDeion21]

First and foremost, the Cowboys have become VERY predictable on first downs. The Cowboys are running on 67.1% of their first downs, averaging 5.6 yards per attempt. The rest of the NFL runs on about 46.5% of their first downs, while only averaging 4.2 yards per attempt. While the Cowboys yards per carry average is fantastic, the Cowboys are having far more success passing the ball on first down compared to the rest of the NFL. Dallas is averaging 8.0 yards per attempt passing the ball on first down, while the rest of the league 6.8 per attempt.

So what does all that mean? To me, it means that the Cowboys could greatly improve their offense by lowering their percentages of runs down to about a 50/50 split (still above league average) and could constantly gain more yardage by passing on first down. This would allow for the chance of more explosive plays down the field.

Speaking of explosive plays, the Cowboys have been down-right bad in this area in the first quarter of games. Because they run the ball so much in the first half (and Murray has become more of a power runner than a home-run hitter) the Cowboys haven’t been able to hit many explosives plays early in games. Through 12 weeks, the Cowboys have just four plays of over 25 yards in the first quarter of games. Here are those plays:



Again, let’s compare that to Green Bay, whose offense is carrying their team as well:



Read the rest at: http://cover32.com/cowboys/2014/12/01/whats-wrong-with-the-dallas-cowboys-first-half-offense/

 

[Jenky]

First and foremost, the Cowboys have become VERY predictable on first downs. The Cowboys are running on 67.1% of their first downs, averaging 5.6 yards per attempt. The rest of the NFL runs on about 46.5% of their first downs, while only averaging 4.2 yards per attempt. While the Cowboys yards per carry average is fantastic, the Cowboys are having far more success passing the ball on first down compared to the rest of the NFL. Dallas is averaging 8.0 yards per attempt passing the ball on first down, while the rest of the league 6.8 per attempt.

So what does all that mean? To me, it means that the Cowboys could greatly improve their offense by lowering their percentages of runs down to about a 50/50 split (still above league average) and could constantly gain more yardage by passing on first down. This would allow for the chance of more explosive plays down the field.

Speaking of explosive plays, the Cowboys have been down-right bad in this area in the first quarter of games. Because they run the ball so much in the first half (and Murray has become more of a power runner than a home-run hitter) the Cowboys haven’t been able to hit many explosives plays early in games. Through 12 weeks, the Cowboys have just four plays of over 25 yards in the first quarter of games. Here are those plays:



Again, let’s compare that to Green Bay, whose offense is carrying their team as well:



Read the rest at: http://cover32.com/cowboys/2014/12/01/whats-wrong-with-the-dallas-cowboys-first-half-offense/

Basically there's a good chance we run on 1st down and throw on 3rd and long. The rest of the league knows this and plays their defense accordingly. What is the pass/run ratio on 3rd down?

 

[Staubacher]

Good stuff.

They are way too predictable early in the game and on first downs.

A big play can grab an early lead which THEN the running game can take over.

The only game we lost when we had more than a one-score lead is Arizona (up 10-0) and that was Weeden time.

I say shake things up go for the big plays early

 

[DandyDon1722]

Good stuff.

They are way too predictable early in the game and on first downs.

A big play can grab an early lead which THEN the running game can take over.

The only game we lost when we had more than a one-score lead is Arizona (up 10-0) and that was Weeden time.

I say shake things up go for the big plays early

Agree - really good stuff - thanks.

Some big plays in a first or second series could open up the running game even more as the game progresses and keep safeties at bay. I like the pass/run ratio but nothing wrong with mixing the downs up a bit.

 

[Sarge]

First and foremost, the Cowboys have become VERY predictable on first downs. The Cowboys are running on 67.1% of their first downs, averaging 5.6 yards per attempt. The rest of the NFL runs on about 46.5% of their first downs, while only averaging 4.2 yards per attempt. While the Cowboys yards per carry average is fantastic, the Cowboys are having far more success passing the ball on first down compared to the rest of the NFL. Dallas is averaging 8.0 yards per attempt passing the ball on first down, while the rest of the league 6.8 per attempt.

So what does all that mean? To me, it means that the Cowboys could greatly improve their offense by lowering their percentages of runs down to about a 50/50 split (still above league average) and could constantly gain more yardage by passing on first down. This would allow for the chance of more explosive plays down the field.

Speaking of explosive plays, the Cowboys have been down-right bad in this area in the first quarter of games. Because they run the ball so much in the first half (and Murray has become more of a power runner than a home-run hitter) the Cowboys haven’t been able to hit many explosives plays early in games. Through 12 weeks, the Cowboys have just four plays of over 25 yards in the first quarter of games. Here are those plays:



Again, let’s compare that to Green Bay, whose offense is carrying their team as well:



Read the rest at: http://cover32.com/cowboys/2014/12/01/whats-wrong-with-the-dallas-cowboys-first-half-offense/

Excellent post .02

 

[Alexander]

Less two man routes on play action would be helpful.

 

[WPBCowboysFan]

Predictable on offense? With RedBall? Say it aint so.

 

[rd26]

Thursday was MUCH worse than normal. Dallas did not attempt their second pass on first down until the 7:13 mark in the third quarter. The score was 30-10.

The only first down pass before this point was the fumble by Beasley with just over a minute left til halftime.

 

[xwalker]

First and foremost, the Cowboys have become VERY predictable on first downs. The Cowboys are running on 67.1% of their first downs, averaging 5.6 yards per attempt. The rest of the NFL runs on about 46.5% of their first downs, while only averaging 4.2 yards per attempt. While the Cowboys yards per carry average is fantastic, the Cowboys are having far more success passing the ball on first down compared to the rest of the NFL. Dallas is averaging 8.0 yards per attempt passing the ball on first down, while the rest of the league 6.8 per attempt.

So what does all that mean? To me, it means that the Cowboys could greatly improve their offense by lowering their percentages of runs down to about a 50/50 split (still above league average) and could constantly gain more yardage by passing on first down. This would allow for the chance of more explosive plays down the field.

Speaking of explosive plays, the Cowboys have been down-right bad in this area in the first quarter of games. Because they run the ball so much in the first half (and Murray has become more of a power runner than a home-run hitter) the Cowboys haven’t been able to hit many explosives plays early in games. Through 12 weeks, the Cowboys have just four plays of over 25 yards in the first quarter of games. Here are those plays:



Again, let’s compare that to Green Bay, whose offense is carrying their team as well:



Read the rest at: http://cover32.com/cowboys/2014/12/01/whats-wrong-with-the-dallas-cowboys-first-half-offense/

I'm not sure what to make of the 1st down stats. Is the passing average on 1st good because defenses are playing run due to their tendency to run?

 

[NeonDeion21]

I'm not sure what to make of the 1st down stats. Is the passing average on 1st good because defenses are playing run due to their tendency to run?

That's my belief. Most teams do run on 1st down. PA seems to work very well, at least for DAL, on 1st down. Again, just my belief.

 

[Tabascocat]

We just have a poor offense overall. There is no creativity minus the few different plays we see a season(Shuttle-pass to Witten on the GL). Our scheme is outdated to boot. We have the players to have an elite offense but Garrett's system is what's holding them back.

Players aren't developed correctly in most cases, they aren't used to their strengths, don't use the middle of the field, so on.......

We have other playmakers like Harris, Escobar, past TE's, Dunbar, Randle but rarely see the field and when they do.........a play is called and we all know there is a high probability that they are getting the ball.....applies mostly to Escobar and Harris.

We need a new scheme and system that is strong enough to make up for a bad defense. Way too many slow starts, 3 and outs from dumb play-calls or penalties.

Red-zone scoring has improved as well as the run game but predictability and mental errors are their kryptonite.

This is over the course of the last 12 games and a few years, not on a week to week basis because Dallas can have a gem of a game once in awhile. Until Garrett changes or is fired, not much will change(offensively). This is all in my opinion..........................................

 

[Aven8]

We just have a poor offense overall. There is no creativity minus the few different plays we see a season(Shuttle-pass to Witten on the GL). Our scheme is outdated to boot. We have the players to have an elite offense but Garrett's system is what's holding them back.


Players aren't developed correctly in most cases, they aren't used to their strengths, don't use the middle of the field, so on.......

We have other playmakers like Harris, Escobar, past TE's, Dunbar, Randle but rarely see the field and when they do.........a play is called and we all know there is a high probability that they are getting the ball.....applies mostly to Escobar and Harris.

We need a new scheme and system that is strong enough to make up for a bad defense. Way too many slow starts, 3 and outs from dumb play-calls or penalties.

Red-zone scoring has improved as well as the run game but predictability and mental errors are their kryptonite.

This is over the course of the last 12 games and a few years, not on a week to week basis because Dallas can have a gem of a game once in awhile. Until Garrett changes or is fired, not much will change(offensively). This is all in my opinion..........................................

Post of the day!

 

[SultanOfSix]

Garrett offense. Way too predictable. I heard this said by Ray Lewis about eight years ago.

 

[Toruk_Makto]

First and foremost, the Cowboys have become VERY predictable on first downs. The Cowboys are running on 67.1% of their first downs, averaging 5.6 yards per attempt. The rest of the NFL runs on about 46.5% of their first downs, while only averaging 4.2 yards per attempt. While the Cowboys yards per carry average is fantastic, the Cowboys are having far more success passing the ball on first down compared to the rest of the NFL. Dallas is averaging 8.0 yards per attempt passing the ball on first down, while the rest of the league 6.8 per attempt.

Read the rest at: http://cover32.com/cowboys/2014/12/01/whats-wrong-with-the-dallas-cowboys-first-half-offense/

The problem with this analysis...as always...is that we do so well on passing attempts on 1st down because team's are playing our run tendency. As we run less on 1st down team's will play run less and the efficiency of our passing decreases.

What is the happy medium? Who knows. We could be there. Doing much better than the league average on 1st down both running and passing. But yet people call this a problem.

Yikes.

 

[Redball Express]

Love the analysis..re

First and foremost, the Cowboys have become VERY predictable on first downs. The Cowboys are running on 67.1% of their first downs, averaging 5.6 yards per attempt. The rest of the NFL runs on about 46.5% of their first downs, while only averaging 4.2 yards per attempt. While the Cowboys yards per carry average is fantastic, the Cowboys are having far more success passing the ball on first down compared to the rest of the NFL. Dallas is averaging 8.0 yards per attempt passing the ball on first down, while the rest of the league 6.8 per attempt.

So what does all that mean? To me, it means that the Cowboys could greatly improve their offense by lowering their percentages of runs down to about a 50/50 split (still above league average) and could constantly gain more yardage by passing on first down. This would allow for the chance of more explosive plays down the field.

Speaking of explosive plays, the Cowboys have been down-right bad in this area in the first quarter of games. Because they run the ball so much in the first half (and Murray has become more of a power runner than a home-run hitter) the Cowboys haven’t been able to hit many explosives plays early in games. Through 12 weeks, the Cowboys have just four plays of over 25 yards in the first quarter of games. Here are those plays:



Again, let’s compare that to Green Bay, whose offense is carrying their team as well:



Read the rest at: http://cover32.com/cowboys/2014/12/01/whats-wrong-with-the-dallas-cowboys-first-half-offense/

Love the analysis..really.

But I can summit it upon one word..

Chokers.

This team no matter how the coaches try..

no matter who the coach is.

nor who the players are

this team fails to take the next step towards winning as required at the NFL level.

This has become a joke around the leaque..this team and its cast of ner-do-wells.

If this team again fails to advance..

it has to be completely torn down

and replaced with ownership, coaches and players who are in it for more than profit and fame.

This will be difficult to face up to..

but it must be done.

 

[AdamJT13]

Thursday was MUCH worse than normal. Dallas did not attempt their second pass on first down until the 7:13 mark in the third quarter. The score was 30-10.

The only first down pass before this point was the fumble by Beasley with just over a minute left til halftime.

Probably the only reason we passed on first down before halftime was because we were in the two-minute offense. Other than that, we ran the ball on our first 13 first-down plays of the game. That is ridiculously predictable. Even if you're trying to "establish the run," for whatever reason, you should at least try to catch the defense off-guard every once in a while.

 

[maxdallasfan]

So is it the players or the scheme?

 

[NeonDeion21]

So is it the players or the scheme?

A lot of it has to do with the scheme. When DAL plays average to bad offenses, they can afford to play a low scoring first half. When they play teams like PHI and GB, they need to open up the offense earlier in games IMO.

 

[65fastback2plus2]

one thing i think of immediately looking at the comparison

rodgers can chunk the rock down the field knowing nelson or cobb is going to get it.

if tony did that, we'd have a pile of interceptions from dez stopping to blame the ref's he was breathed on, or terrence williams watching the defending secondary catch it.

I'm really becoming more convinced the problem is our WR's. We ran a boring offense before with no run game, and TO and Miles didnt have the same issue.

 

[Silverstar]

Garrett offense. Way too predictable. I heard this said by Ray Lewis about eight years ago.

Is it still Garrett's offense or is it Linehan's now?