Inside Cowboys’ plan of attack to limit INTs, where Dak Prescott isn’t the only one with a new set of rules

[visionary]

I can see the “this is his first year in a new system” excuse being floated around here by week 6 LOL

 

[CowboysFaninHouston]

​

This is a very long article but it really gets into the thinking and decisions the Cowboys are making with their 'new' offense. My favorite line is Prescott saying he “trained his *** off this offseason” working this summer so maybe he knows how important this season is for him.

Inside Cowboys’ plan of attack to limit INTs, where Dak Prescott isn’t the only one with a new set of rules​

Jori Epstein
Senior NFL reporter
Sun, Aug 6, 2023

OXNARD, Calif. — Dallas Cowboys players keep hearing the question about pass plays.

“What’s the step count?” coaches ask, wanting to confirm how many steps quarterback Dak Prescott will take when it’s time to execute the pass concept they’re discussing.

But the question is not being directed only to Prescott, his fellow quarterbacks or even meetings that include at least one QB.

Cowboys receivers, rather, are now tasked with tracking this information.

“This is the first year we’ve really had to key in on how many steps he’s taking so we know how fast the ball is coming out,” sixth-year receiver Michael Gallup told Yahoo Sports. “They harp on that every day.”

The Cowboys are shifting their offensive system more drastically than they have since Prescott earned his starting role in 2016. To say Prescott’s league-high 15 interceptions last season prompted this move would oversimplify the Cowboys’ direction. But as head coach Mike McCarthy assumes play-calling for the first time since arriving in Dallas in 2020, he’s evolving from the principles that he had allowed now-Chargers offensive coordinator Kellen Moore to maintain as they prioritized system continuity for Prescott’s development.

Read much more: https://sports.yahoo.com/inside-cow...h-a-new-set-of-rules-184350409.html?.tsrc=364

CeeDee Lamb and the other Cowboys receivers bear some responsibility in the team's potential fixes to their interception issues.

get the WRs timing on the same page as the QB. where was Moore with this?

 

[Hadenough]

This makes no sense since Dak doesn't take the snap from under center that often.

 

[CowboysFaninHouston]

The timing-based offense is more predicated on a receiver getting to where he is supposed to be when the ball comes out. The receiver doesn't worry about the QB's drop. He just worries about his pattern.

My understanding is McCarthy is taking away the flexibility of receivers reading coverage and picking from route options 1, 2 or 3 based on what they see. That led to some miscommunication with the quarterback if he saw the coverage differently.

Making receivers stick to their designated route doesn't always work against what the defense is doing on a given play, so McCarthy is building in the ability of the QB to make adjustments to routes based on what he reads. That makes it more important for the receivers to know what the QB's drop is.

Let's say you were running a go route, but the QB sees that they are going to double the outside, but bring a blitz. He might adjust the receiver to a slant coming off a three-step drop. The receiver needs to know the steps in order to know how quickly to break inside and expect the ball. He might understand the timing off the pass on the go, but the timing changes for the slant and if he's not where he needs to be, then it's probably a turnover.

That's probably oversimplified and inexact, but I believe that is the main difference. If you are just running to spot A, B or C on a given play, you don't really have to think about anything but that. However, if your route may be changed from a long one to a short one or vice versa, you really need to know how long the QB is supposed to hold the ball. Do you need to break in immediately off the snap or throw some footwork/movement at the DB before breaking in?

I think part of this maybe true. they still have pre-snap reads, but in Moore's offense, the WR made adjustments to the route late in the route, and what he saw when he is running, with most of the defense to his back, may have been different than what the QB saw and thus sometimes they ended up on different pages. all offenses adjust routes on the fly, but its mostly early in the route, as to leave no doubts and decisions having to be on the same page for QB and WR.

I think this simple adjustment is another way of getting WRs to understand when the ball is expected to come out, looking for the ball, becoming more crisp in route running, so the QB doesn't have to hold the ball too long. it relieves stress on the OL, sacks, etc. its part of the essence of west coast offense. Billicheck incorporated it into his offense with Brady, with welker and edleman.

 

[CowboysFaninHouston]

This makes no sense since Dak doesn't take the snap from under center that often.

actually about 40% of the snaps are from under center. so this is just making sure that phase of the offense is in-tune.

 

[morat1959]

The pile on It was all Kellen's fault hysteria is in full swing. Only a matter of time before the trusty Scapegoat lays claim to his 3rd Dallas playcaller.

It’s coming. What will be the excuse for Dak this time. MM’s head is gonna roll and he won’t be the last as long as Dak is the starter.

 

[CowboysLakerBamaFan]

I have a plan that would limit Dak's interceptions..... guaranteed to work!

 

[75boyz]

It’s coming. What will be the excuse for Dak this time. MM’s head is gonna roll and he won’t be the last as long as Dak is the starter.

Yep, its funny man. I wonder how quick this Holier than Thou superfan crowd will take to begin blaming MM once the same offensive results happen as when Kellen and Linehan called plays.

 

[gimmesix]

I think part of this maybe true. they still have pre-snap reads, but in Moore's offense, the WR made adjustments to the route late in the route, and what he saw when he is running, with most of the defense to his back, may have been different than what the QB saw and thus sometimes they ended up on different pages. all offenses adjust routes on the fly, but its mostly early in the route, as to leave no doubts and decisions having to be on the same page for QB and WR.

I think this simple adjustment is another way of getting WRs to understand when the ball is expected to come out, looking for the ball, becoming more crisp in route running, so the QB doesn't have to hold the ball too long. it relieves stress on the OL, sacks, etc. its part of the essence of west coast offense. Billicheck incorporated it into his offense with Brady, with welker and edleman.

The adjustments are going to be more about changing to a different play or route, though, than adjusting routes on the fly (unless that's what you are saying). This has been specifically mentioned. If the quarterback is expecting you to run a curl, McCarthy doesn't want the receiver to read that the curl is covered and run a post while the QB is expecting a curl. He wants either for the QB to read pre-snap that the route isn't going to work and change it or for the receiver to run what's expected and the ball to go elsewhere.

It's been said several times that they are dumbing down the offense, but they really aren't. They are actually expecting the QB to read presnap what the defense is doing and adjust if the called play is not likely to succeed based on the presnap. Rather than the receiver having options within the route, the option is determined before the snap. If the read is wrong, it's up to the QB to move on to his next read or probably check the ball down. It just simplifies expectations, which should cut down on miscommunication.

 

[shabazz]

If this prevents Dak from leading the league in picks I'm all for it....now when does the new philosophy start that will enable him to throw for more than 200 yards and 1TD against the Niners?

I know....baby steps

 

[5Stars]

Burrow actually leads all QB's in comp% for a career, he is doing something right.. he also has maybe the best WR corpse in the league..that probably helps a bit.

corpse? Who died?
lol

 

[gimmesix]

get the WRs timing on the same page as the QB. where was Moore with this?

Considering he was running a version of the timing-based offense, Moore was where he was expected to be with it. The problem was with the communication between the receivers and quarterback. If you're reading that the safety is playing back and you need to cross instead of go deep and the QB is reading that the safety is going to come up, then that's an easy interception.

We saw that (usually the opposite way) several times last year with Lamb and Prescott. Lamb slanted toward the middle and tried to take his route deep while Dak read that Lamb should break his route in front of the safety and ended up throwing interceptions. This year, Dak and Lamb will both know at presnap where he is going to go, unless, of course, they fail to property communicate presnap.

 

[CowboysFaninHouston]

The adjustments are going to be more about changing to a different play or route, though, than adjusting routes on the fly (unless that's what you are saying). This has been specifically mentioned. If the quarterback is expecting you to run a curl, McCarthy doesn't want the receiver to read that the curl is covered and run a post while the QB is expecting a curl. He wants either for the QB to read pre-snap that the route isn't going to work and change it or for the receiver to run what's expected and the ball to go elsewhere.

It's been said several times that they are dumbing down the offense, but they really aren't. They are actually expecting the QB to read presnap what the defense is doing and adjust if the called play is not likely to succeed based on the presnap. Rather than the receiver having options within the route, the option is determined before the snap. If the read is wrong, it's up to the QB to move on to his next read or probably check the ball down. It just simplifies expectations, which should cut down on miscommunication.

yes, my expectations are as you said....changing to a different play or route.... although in Moore's offense, some, not all routes adjusted in flight, and sometimes late in the route.
and I agree, in a timing offense, its critical to be on the same page and throw based on the timing to where you expect the WR to be and if the QB and WR are on different pages, then it turns into a bad play.
now, some of that will continue to exist in new offense. its not a zero sum game, but probably based on pre-snap and read and adjustments.

the bash dak crowd call it dumbing it down or trying to simplify it in their heads that we will only have a short passing game..which is far far far from the truth. west coast offense is as complex and in certain areas more complex than a timing offense. what I expect to see if better route combinations called on passing plays, something moore struggled with a bit. mostly attacking the defense in different passing zone (9 in my mind) and forcing the defense into making tougher decisions in covering more of the field as opposed to try and confuse them by running WRs into the same area. also naturally we should see more YAC as its staple of west coast offense.

 

[CowboysFaninHouston]

If this prevents Dak from leading the league in picks I'm all for it....now when does the new philosophy start that will enable him to throw for more than 200 yards and 1TD against the Niners?

I know....baby steps

 

[gimmesix]

yes, my expectations are as you said....changing to a different play or route.... although in Moore's offense, some, not all routes adjusted in flight, and sometimes late in the route.
and I agree, in a timing offense, its critical to be on the same page and throw based on the timing to where you expect the WR to be and if the QB and WR are on different pages, then it turns into a bad play.
now, some of that will continue to exist in new offense. its not a zero sum game, but probably based on pre-snap and read and adjustments.

the bash dak crowd call it dumbing it down or trying to simplify it in their heads that we will only have a short passing game..which is far far far from the truth. west coast offense is as complex and in certain areas more complex than a timing offense. what I expect to see if better route combinations called on passing plays, something moore struggled with a bit. mostly attacking the defense in different passing zone (9 in my mind) and forcing the defense into making tougher decisions in covering more of the field as opposed to try and confuse them by running WRs into the same area. also naturally we should see more YAC as its staple of west coast offense.

The interview with Turpin in today's practice kind of sums it up. The receivers aren't having to think. They are just getting to play fast because they know where they are expected to be. If it's a crosser, they are going to run a crosser, not have to think about where the linebacker is going to be and whether they should adjust off that and take their route upfield. It will be Dak's job to pre-read and make an adjustment or adjustments if needed.

The positives are fewer miscommunications, less hesitation. The main negative is the defense changing the call after the pre-snap read and the receivers just running into cover. However, the WC throws a lot to the backs, some by design and some by checkdown, so essentially if the defense outfoxes you, you check down and move on to the next down.

 

[TheMarathonContinues]

Burrow actually leads all QB's in comp% for a career, he is doing something right.. he also has maybe the best WR corpse in the league..that probably helps a bit.

Ain’t no maybe about it. He has two number one receivers and Boyd is one is the better slot receivers.

 

[DeaconMoss]

I have a plan that would limit Dak's interceptions..... guaranteed to work!

Cheers

 

[CowboysFaninHouston]

The interview with Turpin in today's practice kind of sums it up. The receivers aren't having to think. They are just getting to play fast because they know where they are expected to be. If it's a crosser, they are going to run a crosser, not have to think about where the linebacker is going to be and whether they should adjust off that and take their route upfield. It will be Dak's job to pre-read and make an adjustment or adjustments if needed.

The positives are fewer miscommunications, less hesitation. The main negative is the defense changing the call after the pre-snap read and the receivers just running into cover. However, the WC throws a lot to the backs, some by design and some by checkdown, so essentially if the defense outfoxes you, you check down and move on to the next down.

its what bilicheck referred to as do your job. this puts the onus on OC and play calling to make sure they put the players in a position to succeed. that's why I kept saying, about calling the right route combinations in a play to stress the defense.

 

[DeaconMoss]

If this prevents Dak from leading the league in picks I'm all for it....now when does the new philosophy start that will enable him to throw for more than 200 yards and 1TD against the Niners?

I know....baby steps

Linehan, Garrett and KM are not good enough OCs to make Dak successful. You haven't heard?

 

[visionary]

get the WRs timing on the same page as the QB. where was Moore with this?

Yes, Moore didn’t want them on the same page to increase picks LOL

You guys