I'd like to see us work on run game against Jets

[LarryCanadian]

I think our run game needs work. It's not just the last couple of games. The pass blocking has been fantastic, but with a line as big and strong as ours is, it should be opening up some holes. Anderson was doing a good job at FB and Hoyte is probably going to be gimpy the rest of the year.

Not that every game isn't important, but this Jets game is probably the least important of the schedule remaining (save perhaps the last game of the season if we truly take care of remaining business).

I know the pass game has been opening up the run for us this season, but I don't want this team to get one dimensional. Julius and Barber have both shown nice flashes. Julius is getting a bit hotter. Barber is bouncing outside and running sideways a bit. Barber is a bit like Romo, you have to take his good with the bad. If he only ran straight ahead he wouldn't make as many big plays that he makes. But, there is room for improvement. I'd like to see the backs get lots of touches, including WAY MORE SHORT PASSES to our RB's.

I just see this as being one of our few weaknesses, yet I feel the potential is still there.

Pass defense is another matter. That middle, soft zone area, is what kills us right now, but I think that has to do with trying to avoid giving up the huge TD type plays we gave up in previous years. This is opening up the soft cushion in the middle.

Last weakness I see is punt and kick coverage. Yeuck! Folks kickoffs looked high and deep this last game and we aren't coming close to the returner till he was already past the 20. Again Anderson was playing well busting the wedge. Time for starters to play in there in playoffs unless this improves.

But this week, I'd like to see the running game get a focus. Control the clock, and smash it in there.

As much as I think Jones has been playing well and more explosive last couple of weeks, that first series in 2nd half last week, I thought he left a ton of yards on the table. He had that first run for 6 yards with a huge wall in front of him, but went down on first contact. Then he looked like he had some wiggle room for a few yards gain on the 2nd down run, but went down at first contact for 1 yard. We had to punt that series, 3 and out. This is another drive that I felt stalled because of ineffective running. There have been 3 or 4 like that this season where I felt the holes and momentum were there to get a first down and the run gets stopped dead somehow.

Anyway, splitting hairs here, looking for perfection. It's just that I don't want to see any of these 3 things coming back to biting us in playoffs. We shouldn't be surprised if we struggle on these without addressing them.

Get on it coaches.

LarryCanadian

 

[Doomsday101]

I hope the running game gets going but I think Dallas just needs to go out and run their offense and take care of business. If we can get a big lead late in the game I hope we have the chance to pull the starters.

 

[Coy]

Might as well forget about the run game, if we have any chance of beating NE (ultimate goal) we are going to have to outscore them, and running is not the option.

 

[Everlastingxxx]

Julius Jones vs Thomas Jones + Thanksgiving = Big Day for Julius!

Edit: Just saw that Abram Elam plays for the Jets. With that said, run later, pass early and often.

 

[LarryCanadian]

Fair enough Coy, but gotta get there first. I think we want to run the ball a bit against Green Bay. I think we have more overall talent than Green Bay and need to take a balanced and ball control approach against them.

The reason I say this is the game will be young Favre against old Favre. But i think we are deeper across the field than Green Bay and think we have the advantage without doing the shootout thing.

LarryCanadian

 

[aikemirv]

I hope the running game gets going but I think Dallas just needs to go out and run their offense and take care of business. If we can get a big lead late in the game I hope we have the chance to pull the starters.

When Romo is hitting on 73% of his passes and averaging 10.16 yards per attempt which he has done the last 3 games it is hard to step away from that just to try and prove a point. We tried that in the Washington game after the Ware sack and ended up 3 and out. Frustrating!

We are a passing team, we need to run a bit to keep teams honest and we need to be able to run at the end of games. We have been able to at times when we wear the defense down, but on Sunday our drives were so quick in the second half that we did not wear them down at all.

 

[Doomsday101]

Fair enough Coy, but gotta get there first. I think we want to run the ball a bit against Green Bay. I think we have more overall talent than Green Bay and need to take a balanced and ball control approach against them.

The reason I say this is the game will be young Favre against old Favre. But i think we are deeper across the field than Green Bay and think we have the advantage without doing the shootout thing.

LarryCanadian

I agree. I think Phillips and Garrett would like to see a bit more consistency in the running game. I don't think you use a game as a type of practice ground. Jets may not be a great team but the Cowboy still need to go out and take care of business. Every game we when puts us one step closer to clinching the playoffs and hopefully a chance to rest starters before the post season is here. Ranking wise the Jets are in last place vs the run so we should expect the Cowboys to be able to run in this game

 

[Coy]

Fair enough Coy, but gotta get there first. I think we want to run the ball a bit against Green Bay. I think we have more overall talent than Green Bay and need to take a balanced and ball control approach against them.

The reason I say this is the game will be young Favre against old Favre. But i think we are deeper across the field than Green Bay and think we have the advantage without doing the shootout thing.

LarryCanadian

Good Point, I do understand that.

 

[Sarge]

Might as well forget about the run game, if we have any chance of beating NE (ultimate goal) we are going to have to outscore them, and running is not the option.

Wrong. The only way to beat NE is to have a SERIOUS and successful running attack/game. This keeps their offense OFF the field and tires out their defense. No one, and I mean no one, is going to beat NE in a shootout.

There is a definite way to beat NE, and that is by cramming the ball down their throat all day long keeping that offense off the field.

NE's defense can be had. Their offense is the best.

 

[Doomsday101]

Might as well forget about the run game, if we have any chance of beating NE (ultimate goal) we are going to have to outscore them, and running is not the option.

Colts used a running attack and they are just as much of a passing team as Dallas. Vs NE, Joseph Addai rushed for 112 and the Colts were able to control the clock and was able to keep the scoring down which was a big helped. You play a great team having every part of your offense working is a big help including the running game.

 

[Sarge]

Colts used a running attack and they are just as much of a passing team as Dallas. Vs NE, Joseph Addai rushed for 112 and the Colts were able to control the clock and was able to keep the scoring down which was a big helped. You play a great team having every part of your offense is a help including the running game.

Exactly - CONTROL the clock is the way to go- NE can be had - but to do it, it will be by running the ball and controlling the clock keeping that offense OFF the field.

 

[GimmeTheBall!]

Might as well forget about the run game, if we have any chance of beating NE (ultimate goal) we are going to have to outscore them, and running is not the option.

I beg to differ.

A sustained run game against the Pats would

1. keep the Pats offense off the field more
2. eat up the clock
3. Keep our receivers fresh.

I like the balance we have used in the past.
Sunday was an abberation because of the close score and the pass game was clicking so the run fell by the wayside.

 

[thekavorka]

Yep. You need a successful running game to beat NE.

 

[Yeagermeister]

Me too.....I need some BIG points from Barber dangit

 

[Doomsday101]

Exactly - CONTROL the clock is the way to go- NE can be had - but to do it, it will be by running the ball and controlling the clock keeping that offense OFF the field.

I agree. As I said I think when you face a great team you better bring everything to the table. Running, Passing, Defense and Special teams. You can't make many mistakes because they will not make many. I think NE is beatable but you better bring your A game

 

[THUMPER]

I agree. As I said I think when you face a great team you better bring everything to the table. Running, Passing, Defense and Special teams. You can't make many mistakes because they will not make many. I think NE is beatable but you better bring your A game

We also cannot be one-dimensional against them and have to be able to move the ball on the ground as well as through the air.

They are killing most teams because they jump out to a lead and force the other team to pass almost exclusively. They don't have to worry about the running game much in the 2nd half of games so they just bring the pressure on every down because they know the other team has to pass. This forces mistakes which they capitalize on and score even more points with a short field.

If we can maintain a balanced offense it will keep them honest on defense and we can control the clock as well as keep their scoring down. We did a good job of that up until midway through the 3rd quarter when they scored 27 points in the last 20 minutes of the game.

 

[Jetsfan]

If I were the Cowboys Id look to just jump all over my Jets and get the game finished with early on so you can start planning for the Packers game. The Jets have been very up and down against the run this year, but have been significantly better since David Harris got the starting nod due to Jon Vilmas injury. It could be a killer if you try to run on us and it doesnt work. Marion Barber would probably be much more effective than Julius Jones. Last week notwithstanding the Jets are miserable in pressuring the QB and dont deal well with a big offensive line like the Cowboys. The Jets are usually bad at containment and Romo is so good outside the pocket Id just be looking to use Witten and Owens right off the bat. Jets cant cover tight ends and the Jet secondary, especially David Barrett and Andre Dyson, will have a miserable time with Owens.

If you score a bunch you should get to work on your kick coverage units. The Jet special teams are probably the best in the NFL at returns. Leon Washington is a lock for the pro bowl and already has 3 returns for touchdowns.

The wife and I are flying out for this one, so I hope the Jets can keep it close. Good luck on Thursday.

 

[zeromaster]

 

[Coy]

Wrong. The only way to beat NE is to have a SERIOUS and successful running attack/game. This keeps their offense OFF the field and tires out their defense. No one, and I mean no one, is going to beat NE in a shootout.

There is a definite way to beat NE, and that is by cramming the ball down their throat all day long keeping that offense off the field.

NE's defense can be had. Their offense is the best.

We can score on NE, but by throwing the ball and being aggresive, what good comes from running and controling the ball and not scoring, I understand what you are saying, but if you choose not to be aggresive and run the ball and do NOT score you will be trailing 14-0 by the 10th minute in the 1st quarter and it´s all down hill from there.
We have the weapons to do what NE is doing, it´s just that we run it more than 25 times a game and they run it 10 or so(most in the 4th quarter)
Now if we had Emmitt that would be a whole different story, not with Julius and Marion.

 

[Coy]

I beg to differ.

A sustained run game against the Pats would

1. keep the Pats offense off the field more
2. eat up the clock
3. Keep our receivers fresh.

I like the balance we have used in the past.
Sunday was an abberation because of the close score and the pass game was clicking so the run fell by the wayside.

If we were a running team with a star RB I would agree with your assumption 100% but we are neither let´s face it.