Ineffective first down running

[HungryLion]

I am very worried about how ineffective the early down runs have been for the cowboys. Really since Steele went down and now it’s even worse with Tyler B hurt.


The cowboys are averaging like 2 yards per carry on early down runs the last month. It’s been awful.

Given how often the cowboys run on first down. They are consistently putting the offense into 2nd and 3rd and long situations. Which is really unsustainable.

 

[Ken]

Zeke last 4 games (and Pollard hasn't been much better)

59 160 yards and 2.7 avg.

Anemic.

 

[Point-of-the-Star]

Run game sucks. If they don't improve then the turrible Bucs move on to the 2nd round.

 

[HungryLion]

Zeke last 4 games (and Pollard hasn't been much better)

59 160 yards and 2.7 avg.

Anemic.

I don’t want to use injuries as an excuse. But our OL just isn’t blocking the same since Steele and Tyler B went down.

 

[reddyuta]

zeke is too slow,his best bet is running straight up the gut and get 3-4 yards.if he tries to go outside like his rookie days he will be tackled for a loss.If i was MM i will start Pollard and only use Zeke sparingly in the playoffs.

 

[Adiba1977]

zeke is too slow,his best bet is running straight up the gut and get 3-4 yards.if he tries to go outside like his rookie days he will be tackled for a loss.If i was MM i will start Pollard and only use Zeke sparingly in the playoffs.

Bingo

 

[Hawkeye19]

The horrid run blocking is a gigantic problem. The offense in general is flat, inconsistent, sloppy, and ineffective.

Biadasz returning may help by returning guys to their normal positions— but right now, this is the worst way to enter the playoffs

 

[Kingofholland]

zeke is too slow,his best bet is running straight up the gut and get 3-4 yards.if he tries to go outside like his rookie days he will be tackled for a loss.If i was MM i will start Pollard and only use Zeke sparingly in the playoffs.

No one was getting rushing yards today. But agree that Pollard should get more snaps than Zeke.

 

[jwooten15]

having a good run game is a necessity for Dak to be effective. If the offensive line doesn’t get better, the playoffs will be very ugly

 

[JoeKing]

Tom Brady has to be loving his team's prospects of a playoff victory next week. The odds makers had to be baked out of their minds went they gave the Cowboys a 55% chance to win in Tampa.

 

[Coogiguy03]

I am very worried about how ineffective the early down runs have been for the cowboys. Really since Steele went down and now it’s even worse with Tyler B hurt.


The cowboys are averaging like 2 yards per carry on early down runs the last month. It’s been awful.

Given how often the cowboys run on first down. They are consistently putting the offense into 2nd and 3rd and long situations. Which is really unsustainable.

Take out ZEKE and everything gets easier

 

[unionjack8]

Teams are not scared of the passing game in any way shape or form. Loading up v the run .....plus we telegraph our plays more than any other team in history.

 

[Coogiguy03]

zeke is too slow,his best bet is running straight up the gut and get 3-4 yards.if he tries to go outside like his rookie days he will be tackled for a loss.If i was MM i will start Pollard and only use Zeke sparingly in the playoffs.

I get so so so so tired of seeing him trying to run it outside!!!

 

[Coogiguy03]

Teams are not scared of the passing game in any way shape or form. Loading up v the run .....plus we telegraph our plays more than any other team in history.

When all you have is curl routes and players running around in a scramble drill, not too hard to defend!!

 

[fansince68]

I am very worried about how ineffective the early down runs have been for the cowboys. Really since Steele went down and now it’s even worse with Tyler B hurt.


The cowboys are averaging like 2 yards per carry on early down runs the last month. It’s been awful.

Given how often the cowboys run on first down. They are consistently putting the offense into 2nd and 3rd and long situations. Which is really unsustainable.

This has actually been going on for the past 3 seasons. A big part of what makes us so predictable. Our coaches see it and do nothing. The only thing they will try is the quick WR screen that's rarely successful. Then we throw out to the flats to stiff Zeke instead of Pollard. They treat our RB like they are interchangeable. They are NOT. They are both situational. Please get rid of KM.

 

[jblaze2004]

I don't see it changing anytime soon. The oline has just been terrible. Can blame it on too many injuries on the oline or what but they have been terrible. I don't believe this current offensive line is the best for us. I rather have Tyron Smith back at LT blocking Dak's backside. Or atleast move The rookie who struggled back at LT and move Peters to LG and Keep Tyron Smith at RT. IDK but its bad out there. Defense also is terrible when we don't get turnovers. Thats the only way we seem to stop other teams is by getting a turnover. It's hard for our defense to force a 3 and out and punt. Prescott has to do better. Kellen Moore called a terrible game but what's new? McCarthy is just a walking Puppet. Scared to step in and veto some of Kellen's more terrible calls and does nothing for the defense. McCarthy has proven time and time again he doesn't understand the flow of the game. We look like we will be one in done unless we hurt Tom Brady early but, the way we made back up QB's look, the Bucs backup QB will come in and have a career day.

 

[TheHerd]

Teams are not scared of the passing game in any way shape or form. Loading up v the run .....plus we telegraph our plays more than any other team in history.

I’d like to see the numbers, but it feels like we run up the gut 85% of the time on first down. And I can’t remember the last time we ran play action on first down.