Interesting Stat from Bob Sturm on the radio

[Stash]

I am not/will not ask you to buy anything. One person said the coaching staff passed on a particular play because they "loved to pass". I commented on that. It's that simple. I stated nothing else. You're trying to make my comment into something it was not. I understand your (and everyone else's) frustration over that game and that ending, but taking your frustration out on me or anybody else accomplishes nothing.

My apologies. I'm not trying to take out anything on you and I'm sorry if that's how you felt. It was unintentional.

My point was to not in any way try to justify anything or to try to leave these guys off the hook for any reason.

Again, sorry about that!

 

[MarionBarberThe4th]

During the regular season when the Cowboys needed 2 yds or less for a 1st down they ran the ball 77% of the time.

In the Packers game under the same situation we ran the ball 12% of the time (1 out of 8).

Sturm is ripping Linehan for going away from our identity against a team that showed no capability of stopping our run.

I blame dak for not being romo and keeping pace with the other all pro qb .

What did linehan forget about zeke?? Nah.

 

[Silver N Blue]

During the regular season when the Cowboys needed 2 yds or less for a 1st down they ran the ball 77% of the time.

In the Packers game under the same situation we ran the ball 12% of the time (1 out of 8).

Sturm is ripping Linehan for going away from our identity against a team that showed no capability of stopping our run.

This only cements how REDS staff was not prepared for this game!! It worked to perfection earlier this season and dominated perfection at that...freaking CRAP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[LandryFan]

My apologies. I'm not trying to take out anything on you and I'm sorry if that's how you felt. It was unintentional.

My point was to not in any way try to justify anything or to try to leave these guys off the hook for any reason.

Again, sorry about that!

Thank you, Stash. There's a lot of anger, frustration, and plain old heartbreak among the fandom right now, and understandably so. I probably tossed and turned for two hours before finally falling asleep Sunday night. Honestly, I understand the logic behind everybody's take on the way that game played out. There are some valid points all around. At this point in time, I'm taking the optimistic approach in the team's future prospects and hoping for the best. Not much more I can do than that.

 

[Stash]

Thank you, Stash. There's a lot of anger, frustration, and plain old heartbreak among the fandom right now, and understandably so. I probably tossed and turned for two hours before finally falling asleep Sunday night. Honestly, I understand the logic behind everybody's take on the way that game played out. There are some valid points all around. At this point in time, I'm taking the optimistic approach in the team's future prospects and hoping for the best. Not much more I can do than that.

I'm trying to do the same thing, though obviously not always succeeding!

But overall, I do agree that the team's future is bright. A great season with a disappointing end, but I think lots of good times ahead.

 

[Dodger12]

I'm interested in your opinion.

Hypothetically speaking of course, would younlike to see Norv Turner replace Scott Linehan as this team's offensive coordinator?

I'm not sure Norv would ever work here under Garrett but you never know. Personally, I like what Linehan has done and the offense has been night and day since he took over from Garrett. But I still think there are some head scratchers, like the way they utilize Zek which is where, IMO, the HC should step in. And while we can be critical of some play calls, some basic clock management could have hid those flaws.

And while I've been overly critical of Garrett and even Dak to some extent, I had no issue with them trying to go downfield on the first series even if it was 3rd and short. I've complained we didn't do it enough with Dak so I can't say too much about it when we did it early in the game.

 

[cowboys1981]

I noticed early on we got cute with some unnecessary throws. Like the TDs would be automatic against a depleted secondary.

 

[Zman5]

Our defense never put us in a hole like they did in that game all season and in turn that made us throw more so we wouldn't use as much clock.

Had we stuck to running the ball like we did all year, I don't think the defense would have been as bad. Had we run on 3rd and 2 and kept the drive going on the first drive, we would most likely have scored a TD and the rest of the game would have been vastly different.

 

[YosemiteSam]

During the regular season when the Cowboys needed 2 yds or less for a 1st down they ran the ball 77% of the time.

In the Packers game under the same situation we ran the ball 12% of the time (1 out of 8).

Sturm is ripping Linehan for going away from our identity against a team that showed no capability of stopping our run.

Sounds like Red started calling the plays then. haha

 

[Zordon]

Did he also say how successful we were on those instances where we needed 2 yds or less (both for the season and the game)?

I don't think that's really the point. We had a successful formula/identity in the regular season, why did we abandon it in the playoffs? 77% to 12% is a significant split regardless what we're discussing.

 

[ABQCOWBOY]

I think that GB was scheming to take away the run. If that was the case, then you go to the pass and see if we had success. If this is what GB did, then it should be easier to complete passes and pick up the first downs. If that is not the case and we failed to take advantage of that opportunity (IE, proved unsuccessful with the pass on third down), then that's on the Coaching Staff and the passing game. Those are the types of situations you see in the playoffs. Teams adjust and you must be able to also adjust and capitalize on those changes. That is how you win playoff games.

I have not looked at the stats on this game, nor have I rewatched it and that is intentional. At some point I will but not today.

 

[Kevinicus]

I don't think that's really the point. We had a successful formula/identity in the regular season, why did we abandon it in the playoffs? 77% to 12% is a significant split regardless what we're discussing.

Well, if we had been successful on all of the passes (we weren't - I checked), then going away from the identity wouldn't have really mattered much.

 

[GhostOfPelluer]

While it may be true I'm not going to nit pick at our offense for Sundays loss.

It's a team game. The way the team is currently constructed it's the offense that has to carry the burden. It's the fault of the coaches (Linehan and by extension Garrett) that they didn't use the offense the most efficient way possible. When you build around ball control, that's your identity. That's the identity Garrett says he wants. That's why you pick three O-linemen in the first round and (when Martin is extended) pay them the most at their respective positions. That's why you pick Zeke fourth overall. You try to limit Green Bay's possessions and if you get in a shootout you have to outscore the opposing team. Expecting the defense to play above its pay grade and win a playoff game for you is wishful thinking.

Extending one drive by three plays would have meant the difference in Green Bay getting that last possession.

 

[bayeslife]

It's a team game. All sides played a part in the loss. Pointing to points alone is ignorant.

The offense has had to play perfect almost all season. I'm not absolving the offense of mistakes but the Linehan finger pointing is what's really ignorant.

The game was on both the offense and the defense.

If the offense does what it's good at.......... sustaining drives, scoring early, it puts the defense in better situations late.

To run the ball once out of 8 times on third and 2 or less in that game is awful decision making. For anyone to give the offense a pass here is perplexing.

Sustain long drives whiles down 21-3. Okay

 

[Asklesko]

don't you love it when your coaches don't play to your strengths and lose in the playoffs because of it

 

[Stash]

The offense has had to play perfect almost all season. I'm not absolving the offense of mistakes but the Linehan finger pointing is what's really ignorant.

Totally inaccurate statement. If the offense had to "play perfect", that would mean that the defense was last in the league in points allowed. That's not close to being the case.

 

[Plankton]

Let's take a look at what actually happened on these plays before drawing any conclusions:

1. First drive, 3rd and 2 at the GB 32. Prescott throws incomplete into double coverage to Bryant. Poor choice by Prescott on where to throw. Could they have run? Absolutely. The decision making on the part of the QB was not good on this play.
2. Second drive, 2nd and 1 from the Dallas 44. Elliott ran up the middle for two yards, conversion successful.
3. Fifth drive, 3:38 left in the first half, 3rd and 2 from the GB 43. Prescott scrambled for 4 yards, conversion successful.
4. First drive of the second half, 2nd and 1 from the GB 19. Prescott intercepted on a poorly thrown hitch pass where Bryant allowed Micah Hyde to jump inside and make the play. The play call was a run-pass option where Prescott made the call to throw the ball. Poor decision and execution.
5. Last play of the third quarter, Cowboys trail 28-13, 3rd and 2 from the Dallas 49. Prescott completes a slant in to Bryant for 10 yards. Conversion successful.
6. Fourth quarter, Cowboys trail 28-20, 2nd and 2 from the GB 7. Prescott throws incomplete to Bryant in the left corner of the end zone. Pass was a throw away. Could have easily run on this.
7. 3rd and 2 from the GB 7, Prescott throws a TD to Bryant on a slant, beating man coverage, cutting the lead to 28-26. Hard to fault the play call. Conversion successful.
8. 2 point conversion play - goal to go from the 2. Prescott scores on a QB draw up the middle.

So, in conclusion, here were the results:

• 2 planned runs, both successful, one for the tying two point conversion.
• 1 run-pass option that the QB chose to throw, pass intercepted. Failure to convert.
• 1 scramble on a planned pass, successful conversion.
• 4 planned passes, 2 conversions, 2 misses.

In these situations, the Cowboys were successful 5 of 8 times, with 10 points scored on these plays.

While this stat sounds meaningful, it was in fact meaningless in how the game played out.

 

[Mr Cowboy]

It's absolutely something that needs to be pointed out and made abundantly clear to everyone. And based on that information, the organization needs to ask themselves if Linehan is the right guy to be coaching this offense.

If anything, I'm shocked that the first number for the regular season was that high? I definitely don't think it applied to 3rd and 2.

they should be asking if Garrett is the right coach.....I do not think we will ever win a ring with Garrett in charge.

 

[Stash]

they should be asking if Garrett is the right coach.....I do not think we will ever win a ring with Garrett in charge.

After a 13-3 season with two rookies in important roles, he's not going anywhere. And although I wish differently, I don't think Linehan is either.

 

[rags747]

While it may be true I'm not going to nit pick at our offense for Sundays loss.

Agreed, I think had we not been in the hole from the start we would have seen a much different game. Get in the hole by 18 points and of course u go off script. This game is more about the defense starting off in slo motion for the 1st half. Had we not been in the hole so much I think we would have ground and pound.