How I would like to see our offense operate

[sureletsrace]

I was watching ESPN (I think, not really watching it, it was just kinda on), and I heard the term, "they are a chain-moving team". I think whoever said it was referring to the Giants.

I think that term will fit the Cowboys offense very, very well.

My homer vision for a game:

1st Quarter- Start the game with Felix. A few passes here and there (ever heard of a slant route, redhead?). Hit Beans and Rice a little bit. Spread the offense all over the field. Don't abandon the run after 3 tries.

2nd Quarter- Barber. Beans and Rice. Crayton and RW11 on some comebacks, maybe 1 deep down the field if we're ahead. Perfect time to get Austin involved.

3rd Quarter- Here's where Choice comes in. He's a perfect "get the defense tired" style runner. He's physical enough to not shy away from a hit, but also quick enough to make people have to run for him. Throw Felix in for a few plays to give him a chance to bust a big run. The 3rd quarter should be DOMINATED by the Cowboys as far as time of posession goes. They will be chain movers, methodically moving down the field, wearing down the defense.

4th Quarter- If we are ahead, then let Barber have his cookie. Cookie being the defenses pride. They should be worn down by a tiring 3rd quarter keeping up with Choice, Witten, Bennett, and the pass mixed in to Crayton and RW11. Barber should be fresh, having the halftime and 3rd quarter to rest, but he's already warmed up from the 2nd quarter. If we're down, Felix should be fresh, having 2 quarters and halftime to rest, but also loose enough from the running in the first quarter. Here's where you go with the 2TE set, and let Felix work some magic.

Again, this is obviously homerism and I'm sure there are a million reasons this wouldn't work. Just speculation. We don't need a 1st, 2nd, 3rd string RB. They are all starters in their own way. Injuries would obviously hurt this gameplan a little, but health-willing, I think it would definitely be interesting, and I think defenses would honestly get tired of seeing our 3 RBs several times a game, different times in the game, and always fresh.

Commence flames.

/match
/strike

 

[LandryFan]

I was watching ESPN (I think, not really watching it, it was just kinda on), and I heard the term, "they are a chain-moving team". I think whoever said it was referring to the Giants.

I think that term will fit the Cowboys offense very, very well.

My homer vision for a game:

1st Quarter- Start the game with Felix. A few passes here and there (ever heard of a slant route, redhead?). Hit Beans and Rice a little bit. Spread the offense all over the field. Don't abandon the run after 3 tries.

2nd Quarter- Barber. Beans and Rice. Crayton and RW11 on some comebacks, maybe 1 deep down the field if we're ahead. Perfect time to get Austin involved.

3rd Quarter- Here's where Choice comes in. He's a perfect "get the defense tired" style runner. He's physical enough to not shy away from a hit, but also quick enough to make people have to run for him. Throw Felix in for a few plays to give him a chance to bust a big run. The 3rd quarter should be DOMINATED by the Cowboys as far as time of posession goes. They will be chain movers, methodically moving down the field, wearing down the defense.

4th Quarter- If we are ahead, then let Barber have his cookie. Cookie being the defenses pride. They should be worn down by a tiring 3rd quarter keeping up with Choice, Witten, Bennett, and the pass mixed in to Crayton and RW11. Barber should be fresh, having the halftime and 3rd quarter to rest, but he's already warmed up from the 2nd quarter. If we're down, Felix should be fresh, having 2 quarters and halftime to rest, but also loose enough from the running in the first quarter. Here's where you go with the 2TE set, and let Felix work some magic.

Again, this is obviously homerism and I'm sure there are a million reasons this wouldn't work. Just speculation. We don't need a 1st, 2nd, 3rd string RB. They are all starters in their own way. Injuries would obviously hurt this gameplan a little, but health-willing, I think it would definitely be interesting, and I think defenses would honestly get tired of seeing our 3 RBs several times a game, different times in the game, and always fresh.

Commence flames.

/match
/strike

You may be a little on the "homer" side , but I don't disagree that the Cowboys will be the type of team you described. I can see RG calling more screens and slants (RW will actually run slants, and catch them when they arrive!), and I can see a little more emphasis on the run than in years past.

 

[burmafrd]

We need to run a minimum of 30 times a game. 35 would be even better.
That would hold the passing game down to around 30 per game. Which is plenty.

 

[sureletsrace]

I'd like to see a 65% run/35% pass ratio. That seems to be a sweet spot, IMO

 

[SaltwaterServr]

I'd like to see a 65% run/35% pass ratio. That seems to be a sweet spot, IMO

Here's the percentage of regular season offensive plays that were rushing attempts by the Super Bowl winning team for the last few years:

2008 - 60.3%

2007 - 60.8%

2006 - 54.8% Peyton!

2005 - 70.7%

2004 - 64.1%

2003 - 59.6%

Adjust mean looks like a hair over 61:39 Run to pass ratio.

 

[JoeyBones31]

This is simple, with the potential of the three quality backs we have on the roster, here's the game plan, POUND THE ROCK.

Super bowls are won with a balanced attack, and a good passer with the minimum of dumb mistakes, the more we move the ball on the ground, the more confidence Romo will gain by steering the bus and not having to carry it.

I love the premise of 60/40 run /pass, But will Big Red??

We'll see is all I can say at this point in the non season.

 

[CATCH17]

We need to run a minimum of 30 times a game. 35 would be even better.
That would hold the passing game down to around 30 per game. Which is plenty.

Every game unfolds differently so you can't really throw a number up there like this.

Lets just hope we are a well balanced team this season.

 

[Doomsday101]

Every game unfolds differently so you can't really throw a number up there like this.

Lets just hope we are a well balanced team this season.

I agree. Even Bill Walsh who would script plays it would only be the 1st series after that the ebb and flow of the game dictates allot of what you are calling play wise. Like you I want to see balance in the offense

 

[LandryFan]

This is simple, with the potential of the three quality backs we have on the roster, here's the game plan, POUND THE ROCK.

Super bowls are won with a balanced attack, and a good passer with the minimum of dumb mistakes, the more we move the ball on the ground, the more confidence Romo will gain by steering the bus and not having to carry it.

I love the premise of 60/40 run /pass, But will Big Red??

We'll see is all I can say at this point in the non season.

I completely agree with you, sir!

 

[sonnyboy]

I'd like to see a 65% run/35% pass ratio. That seems to be a sweet spot, IMO

This not only impractical, it's not playing to our strength.

We have a very good to perhaps great QB, depending on who your talking to.

Run oriented teams are often trying to hide a suspect QB. And even then they only run slightly more than they pass it. 55/45 run/pass.


The league has been evolving to a more pass friendly game for 30 plus years. I'm not just talking about rule changes.

The increase in size and speed of the players has shrunk the field. The field's width and hash marks have been the same for some time.

Go watch a game from the 50's or 60's. The players are so small and slow, the field looks 10 yards wider than in a modern game.


Either way, we should run a little more than we did in 2008. It will better utlize our depth at RB and improve the odds of Romo remaining healthy.

I'm more concerned/interested in Garrett's ability to utilize our depth at RB and TE with formations.

Two RB's with Barber playing a FB role and two TE sets with perhaps Barber as the lone RB.

Think I'd like to see one of these two sets for about 90% of our plays. Only go 3 WR's on 3rd and 10 or longer.

I believe what Barber gives you in the running and passing game and what Bennett gives you will create a lot of mismatches and pressure a defense.

Playing well will always be top priority. But being different also helps.

If you watch an average NFL game today, you see the offense in a spread formation with 3 or even 4 WR's for about half the game.

To combat this defenses run with 5 and 6 DB's. Defenses have become accustom to this. They now put as much a priority in the ability of thier 5th and 6th DB as they do in their 6th and 7th front 7 players.

Forcing a defense to play with 4 DB's for more of the game than they usually do will take them out of their comfort zone. It could screw up thier front 7 rotation and perhaps better wear out that front 7.

 

[Idgit]

Here's the percentage of regular season offensive plays that were rushing attempts by the Super Bowl winning team for the last few years:

2008 - 60.3%

2007 - 60.8%

2006 - 54.8% Peyton!

2005 - 70.7%

2004 - 64.1%

2003 - 59.6%

Adjust mean looks like a hair over 61:39 Run to pass ratio.

Wow. Are these numbers right? I"m sure they are, but that's much more run-oriented than I would have expected.

 

[GoBoys41]

I think a 60/40 ratio is a good spot to shoot for, but of course every thing comes in context of the game. As far as the topic starter, having Felix sit for that long is silly. Sprinkle all 3 backs throughout the entire game, with an emphasis on saving Barber for the 4th quarter.

 

[LittleBoyBlue]

An effective offense trumps any run/pass ratio.

If you are not executing then it means nothing.



So my answer is: I want to see an offense that executes... oh yeah and "adjusts"

 

[burmafrd]

Considering what the SB winning teams show - 55-45 would be about right for us with all the RBs we have. The fact that only ONE pass happy team (Indy with Peyton) has won the SB should be a wake up call to Garrett.
And despite the rule changes to make the pass more favorable, it has not changed in the last 10 years.

 

[DFWJC]

I'd like to see a 65% run/35% pass ratio. That seems to be a sweet spot, IMO

I'll take 60-40

 

[cobra]

If we are going be running the ball over 60% of the time, we have to get a better lead blocking FB. It would suck running the ball that much out of one back sets.

I'd like to see some creativity in the run game with split backs and other non-traditional alignments.

That being said, I am a little surprised at why we would shun the passing game. Tony Romo is one of the most potent passers in this league. I really think we are doing a disservice if we get into a run-run-pass rhythm. Romo needs to be able to some things, get creative, and keep the defense on its heels.

I don't want to hide Romo. I'd like to run a bit more than in years past, but I'm getting a little annoyed with the calls to be a run, run, run team (that's what teams which ****ty QBs like the Commanders have to try to do). I think it neglects a strength of this team.

 

[Doomsday101]

If we are going be running the ball over 60% of the time, we have to get a better lead blocking FB. It would suck running the ball that much out of one back sets.

I'd like to see some creativity in the run game with split backs and other non-traditional alignments.

That being said, I am a little surprised at why we would shun the passing game. Tony Romo is one of the most potent passers in this league. I really think we are doing a disservice if we get into a run-run-pass rhythm. Romo needs to be able to some things, get creative, and keep the defense on its heels.

I don't want to hide Romo. I'd like to run a bit more than in years past, but I'm getting a little annoyed with the calls to be a run, run, run team (that's what teams which ****ty QBs like the Commanders have to try to do). I think it neglects a strength of this team.

I want to see Dallas mix it up both run and pass but I would say the RB's on this team is playing to strength of this team. Not a knock on Romo at all heck Aikman did not pass as much as many other QB's when he played not because he couldn't but because Dallas was a very balanced team and had the ability to shove the ball down a team’s throat

 

[Idgit]

If we are going be running the ball over 60% of the time, we have to get a better lead blocking FB. It would suck running the ball that much out of one back sets.

I'd like to see some creativity in the run game with split backs and other non-traditional alignments.

That being said, I am a little surprised at why we would shun the passing game. Tony Romo is one of the most potent passers in this league. I really think we are doing a disservice if we get into a run-run-pass rhythm. Romo needs to be able to some things, get creative, and keep the defense on its heels.

I don't want to hide Romo. I'd like to run a bit more than in years past, but I'm getting a little annoyed with the calls to be a run, run, run team (that's what teams which ****ty QBs like the Commanders have to try to do). I think it neglects a strength of this team.

Especially when our power run blocking needs to improve to be just average.

 

[Apollo Creed]

I'm all for pounding the rock, if you can run the football that opens up play action and will let Rice n Beans capitalize between the numbers.