I'm not too worried yet about the redzone struggles

[RustyBourneHorse]

I'm not too worried yet about the redzone struggles that the Cowboys have had so far. The reason is because the Cowboys are running a new system atm and, especially given that the players didn't play in the preseason, I think this is something that will be corrected and be improved on as the season progresses.

What does bother me is that the Cowboys starters didn't get at least a few reps in the preseason. I think it's telling with how Mike McCarthy admitted that he was "too conservative" (https://news.yahoo.com/amphtml/why-mike-mccarthy-taking-blame-175309033.html) with his play calling in the redzone against the Cardinals. I think, if the Cowboys had at least tried a few reps in the redzone during the preseason with the starters, the offense would have been able to tell what works well for the offense in the redzone and what doesn't. I understand that the first few games of the season nowadays is almost a glorified preseason game, but I think the starters, especially with a new system being installed, should have gotten a few reps. Hopefully, next preseason, the starters will get at least a drive or two in the preseason to test out some plays in the redzone.

 

[MountaineerCowboy]

We’re 3 weeks in.

A drive in the preseason changes nothing.

 

[kskboys]

Eeeek. I am.

 

[RustyBourneHorse]

We’re 3 weeks in.

A drive in the preseason changes nothing.

A drive or two would give the Cowboys a chance to see what worked and what didn't work. Heck, I'd change it up next preseason. Have the starters on every time we get into the redzone until we get a TD. But, in the meantime, the issues should be resolved soon. For me, if we get to week 5, and we are still struggling in the redzone, then I will be very concerned. By that time, the team should know the system and know what works in the redzone. I look forward to Mike being a bit more aggressive against the Pats as he conceded that we were too conservative in the redzone last week.

 

[Mr_437]

I agree, I'm not too concerned about any of it because the Cowboys have double digit games the last two seasons with the same issues. Redzone could be all God vs the Pats, it's just week 4.

 

[jazzcat22]

We’re 3 weeks in.

A drive in the preseason changes nothing.

Apparently 5 drives in one game did not change anything either.

 

[DuncanIso]

Eeeek. I am.

Me too.

Teams are playing soft cover shells against us.

Big Mike got schooled by a rookie DC.

 

[RustyBourneHorse]

I agree, I'm not too concerned about any of it because the Cowboys have double digit games the last two seasons with the same issues. Redzone could be all God vs the Pats, it's just week 4.

It's not just that. It's the fact that I think Mike McCarthy has the experience to know how to adjust his playcalling. He can see what's not worked. I would imagine they're working on some new redzone ideas in practice this week to try to come up with a more effective strategy.

 

[DuncanIso]

It's not just that. It's the fact that I think Mike McCarthy has the experience to know how to adjust his playcalling. He can see what's not worked. I would imagine they're working on some new redzone ideas in practice this week to try to come up with a more effective strategy.

Cards rookie DC just called cover zones on big Mike.

If he can’t figure that out….

 

[cowboys5xsbs]

Cards rookie DC just called cover zones on big Mike.

If he can’t figure that out….

Because we were down 3 starting offensive linemen and they were daring us to run the ball.

 

[nalam]

Me too.

Teams are playing soft cover shells against us.

Big Mike got schooled by a rookie DC.

Admittedly he said OL shuffles limited his aggressiveness, but come on , at least should have pounded the ball to get one RZ conversion to TD, what is the issue with not using TEs ?

 

[KJJ]

We’re three games into the season and we’ve only scored six offensive TDs. Our kicker has attempted 10 FGs. Our redzone issues are something to worry about.

 

[RustyBourneHorse]

Admittedly he said OL shuffles limited his aggressiveness, but come on , at least should have pounded the ball to get one RZ conversion to TD, what is the issue with not using TEs ?

Well, it'd help if the tight ends could catch the ball.

 

[KJJ]

I’ll keep saying it we’re missing Zeke and Dalton Schultz. They combined for 17 TDs last season, and most of them were in the redzone. We’ve had five straight goal to goal failures. That’s a concern!

 

[RustyBourneHorse]

I’ll keep saying it we’re missing Zeke and Dalton Schultz. They combined for 17 TDs last season, and most of them were in the redzone. We’ve had five straight goal to goal failures. That’s a concern!

Perhaps, and it's why I'd like, for example, to use Luepke more in that spot. He's a FB who seems to handle the short yardage situations well. I loved that we used him on a FB dive on 3rd and short. That's what I want to see more of in shorter goal line situations. I think Schultz might be missed, but I don't know if he's been much use in Houston. I think the tight ends need to be better at catching the ball. I've seen several plays where they dropped a pass in the end zone, and that can't happen. They must catch it in that spot.

 

[MoistMayonnaise]

I am very concered. Seems as though there are only 5-6 plays being used close in. That doesn't scream confidence.

 

[EGTuna]

I am. 5/13 on the season is way below league average. They can’t get bug play TDs consistently since 2021, and now they can’t get red zone TDs. Definitely worried.

 

[Pass2Run]

Lamb, Gallup, Ferguson, Schooner, Vaughn, Luepke, and possibly Hendershot would be my RZ guys.

 

[RustyBourneHorse]

Lamb, Gallup, Ferguson, Schooner, Vaughn, Luepke, and possibly Hendershot would be my RZ guys.

I agree, along with using Dak's legs more.

 

[TequilaCowboy]

Because we were down 3 starting offensive linemen and they were daring us to run the ball.

So i guess Big Mike took the dare five times and came up snake eyes every time... SMDH....great excuse.