Its not just us, the whole league is passing all the time

[Future]

Causation vs. correlation. A winning team (regardless if they got ahead because of a superior passing game) will likely run more than the losing team because the winning team will try to run out the clock at the end of the game.

Don't disagree. The point I was getting at and was simply too lazy to type, was that Dallas should have been running more, especially when they had the lead lol

 

[Nova]

I think its now how much you run its how well you run, right now we dont run good

I keep hearing this, this week. And while I don't completely disagree, I don't think it's that simple.

Getting away from the run in close games just doesn't make sense to me. You make yourself one dimensional and you give their defense a break by not trying to wear them down with the run. And theoretically, you should be able to get a first down with two passes, so you still have at least one down to soften up the defense.

If the team can't get a first down with two pass attempts, they really shouldn't be passing so much in the first place.

Just my opinion.

 

[pugilist]

used to be that the passing stats league wide were always inflated in the "good" weather months (Sep. and Oct.). but as of recent, I can't say I've seen a substantial drop off of passing in the cold weather

it's interesting.. as an old school football fan it saddens me a bit to see the dramatic shift. i tend to like the punch-you-in-the-mouth style of football that the running game brings

 

[Yakuza Rich]

You seriously think that there's some actual, direct connection there? I'd say that stat is easily explained by the fact that teams tend to run the ball a lot more when they have the lead.

I think there is more of a legitimate connection than people think.

Only because the numbers are quite extreme. 0-18 when less than a measly 20 run attempts.

And like the Chiefs game, I would gander that we had close games in the majority of those losses.

What it does not accomplish is we cannot use a 'Randy Ratio' type of philosophy where we just run it to get our 20 attempts in and assume that we'll automatically increase our odds. The key here is to come out with the mindset that we plan on running the ball and will not abandon it unless *absolutely necessary*.

I thought Broaddus brought up a good point. We tend to get a few running plays that we run well, but we only use them once during the game. Part of the problem is that if you're running less than 20 times a game, you can't use those special designed plays that worked well more than once.

I remember Joe Gibbs having a ridiculous record when he had over 20 rushing attempts per game, something like 87-1. I think people are too quick to dismiss it for causality purposes.








YR

 

[WV Cowboy]

it's interesting.. as an old school football fan it saddens me a bit to see the dramatic shift. i tend to like the punch-you-in-the-mouth style of football that the running game brings

Then you would love my local high school football team, .. where I played years ago, and where I have been the PA announcer for 20 seasons.

We are known state-wide for our commitment to the run, and for our Stick I formation.

We had 451 yds rushing last Friday night.

Does focusing on the run equal success?

We have qualifed for the post-season playoffs a state record 20 consecutive years. (5 state championships since the 70's)

And even more impressive in my opinion, we have 45 consecutive non-losing seasons.

Think about that for a minute. I actually think that would be an impressive accomplishment if you could go out and recruit, .. but to have 45 non-losing seasons in a row with just the kids that grow up in your town, .. that blows me away.

The "punch-you-in-the-mouth" style of football you mention that the running game brings shows on both sides of the ball. I have seen many many teams that love to throw the ball, and usually have more athletes than we do, come in and play against our team and they don't want to "smash-mouth" down after down, play after play, quarter after quarter. They have not prepared for the physicality required to play that kind of football.

We have even beaten teams that come over into WV from the Washington D.C. area with 5 or 6 Division 1 kids on their roster.

If you develop that punch you in the mouth attitude, commit to it, and stick with it no matter what the down and distance, .. as the game wears on the other team wears down.

 

[Hoov]

The NFL has turned into a pass first league. The team that passes more eficciently will amost always win. So I dont have a problem with passing more - But why does the cowboys passing game look so much more disjointed than other teams ?
I think that is the issue with most fans. The offense just does not look like it runs smoothly. Last year the protection definitely contributed to this. I think pass protection is already improved and will continue to improve even more as the year goes on. So it remains to be seen if they can put out an offense that looks like it has a nice ryhthm to it. Right now they still seem to be the type that gains some yards then takes a step back or stalls out.

 

[WV Cowboy]

Right now they still seem to be the type that gains some yards then takes a step back or stalls out.

Painful, .. and frustrating.

 

[Rockport]

Rule changes have very little to do with it. The OP has used a tiny sample to base an opinion on which is short sighted IMO. You can't pass all the time and win Superbowls. You've got to have balance with a strong running game. Pass to run stats are irrelavant.

 

[kramskoi]

You seriously think that there's some actual, direct connection there? I'd say that stat is easily explained by the fact that teams tend to run the ball a lot more when they have the lead.

There is a loose correlation. 2009 was the only season that the Cowboys have won a playoff game since 1996. Rushing yardage that year? 2103. It was 300 - 400 yds better than any other season under the Garrett offense. You have to go all the way back to Campo in 2001 for anything over 2000yds [2184]. Last year rushing? 1265 yds.

You have to go all the way back to 1960, the Cowboys inaugural season, where they went 0-11 to find a rushing season of less yardage [1094] than last year under Garrett. Even the strike shortened '82 season [9 games] produced over 1300 yds rushing.

When the Cowboys rush for over 2100 yds in a season, good things usually follow.

Superbowl teams rushing:

1995: 2201
1993: 2161
1992: 2121
1978: 2783
1977: 2369
1975: 2432
1971: 2249

 

[pugilist]

Then you would love my local high school football team, .. where I played years ago, and where I have been the PA announcer for 20 seasons.

We are known state-wide for our commitment to the run, and for our Stick I formation.

We had 451 yds rushing last Friday night.

Does focusing on the run equal success?

We have qualifed for the post-season playoffs a state record 20 consecutive years. (5 state championships since the 70's)

And even more impressive in my opinion, we have 45 consecutive non-losing seasons.

Think about that for a minute. I actually think that would be an impressive accomplishment if you could go out and recruit, .. but to have 45 non-losing seasons in a row with just the kids that grow up in your town, .. that blows me away.

The "punch-you-in-the-mouth" style of football you mention that the running game brings shows on both sides of the ball. I have seen many many teams that love to throw the ball, and usually have more athletes than we do, come in and play against our team and they don't want to "smash-mouth" down after down, play after play, quarter after quarter. They have not prepared for the physicality required to play that kind of football.

We have even beaten teams that come over into WV from the Washington D.C. area with 5 or 6 Division 1 kids on their roster.

If you develop that punch you in the mouth attitude, commit to it, and stick with it no matter what the down and distance, .. as the game wears on the other team wears down.

that is very impressive, even moreso based on the fact that the success comes more from the philosophy rather than the talent (as you said with the absence of recruiting and developing homegrown talent).