Jerry Jones Hopeful Cowboys Can Spark Their Ground Game Against Atlanta

ShiningStar

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The first two games arent fair, those were divisonal games where the teams stood up to play us. So im not to concerned yet. Atlanta stops the run well, Even if the yards are low but teh defense is gassed, its worth it. You dont need super yards to wear a defense down, just keep ramming them.
 

KJJ

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Atlantas defense Is ranked like 29th. Dallas should be able to out score them.

The Cowboys better hope they can score because it may take a lot of points with Atlanta ranking 5th on offense. Ryan and Julio Jones are coming off 2 huge games and with Mincy out the Cowboys secondary is going to be heavily tested. It's going to be very difficult getting a pass rush with no Gregory or Mincy and FANS on this board can tear down Matt Ryan all they want but he's a very solid, productive QB who has one of the top receivers in the game in Julio Jones and another solid receiver in Roddy White. Atlanta actually ranks 27th in defense but 9th against the run which means the Cowboys are going to have to have success throwing the football. A lot may be put on Weeden's shoulders so he's going to have to play well and avoid forcing balls into coverage which has been a big issue with him.
 

KJJ

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We didn't run all over Philly last year. In fact, the numbers from both games last year are almost identical to this years results.

However we ran all over the Giants last season with Murray gaining 120+ rushing yards in both games. This year vs the Giants our backs combined for only 80 rushing yards.
 

KJJ

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I think we'll see the offense open up against the severely weaker defenses coming up on the schedule.

I wouldn't bank on that unless Weeden can look as good for an entire game as he did in relief last week. Without Romo, Dez and a solid runner in the backfield this offense doesn't have a lot of punch to open things up regardless what defense they're playing again. It's going to be hard opening anything up dinking and dunking to the backs which I think we'll see even more of with Weeden at QB. Even with Romo the Cowboys were targeting their backs a lot to compensate for their lack of running game.
 

KJJ

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Atlanta defense is not as good as people think. We are going to run very well against them.

They're ranked 9th against the run and with their offense ranking 5th even if the Cowboys were to have some success running the ball they may be forced to get away from it if the defense can't contain the Ryan to Jones connection that's put up some big yards in the first 2 games. If the Cowboys start falling behind Weeden is going to have to put it up and be efficient or this could get ugly if our secondary can't contain Julio.
 

KJJ

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It's a shame we can't count those dump passes to RB's as running attempts because that is really what they are this year.

They're basically extended handoffs which is what the Cowboys have been forced to do to give their backs some room to run because they haven't been good between the tackles and in tight spaces. The Cowboys have gone from a physical offense to a finesse offense having to compensate for the lack of blocking up front and the talent they have in the backfield. Let me guess Whoosh? lol
 

bayeslife

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They're ranked 9th against the run and with their offense ranking 5th even if the Cowboys were to have some success running the ball they may be forced to get away from it if the defense can't contain the Ryan to Jones connection that's put up some big yards in the first 2 games. If the Cowboys start falling behind Weeden is going to have to put it up and be efficient or this could get ugly if our secondary can't contain Julio.

Well if you're going to point to 2 game statistics then the Cowboys should be able to shut them down with their #3 defense.
 

KJJ

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Then cassell will be going in

Not until he gets up to speed with the offense so even if Weeden were to stink the next 2 weeks he'll still be in there until Cassel knows the offense. He has to be able to run the full offense or he won't be playing.
 

KJJ

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Well if you're going to point to 2 game statistics then the Cowboys should be able to shut them down with their #3 defense.

The Cowboys are actually #2 in total defense and that was the result of last weeks game that saw us shutdown a completely screwed up Philly offense. The D didn't look that great in the opener vs the Giants on NY's final drive where they gashed the Cowboys with the run. No team can establish what their identity will be after 2 games. What we do know heading into tomorrows game is Atlanta has a much more productive QB and WR than the Cowboys currently have and that will be a big advantage for them. Not saying Atlanta is going to win but they have more offensive firepower than the Cowboys so our D is going to have to play very solid again.
 

KJJ

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I really think Dunbar could have some pretty big games recieving out of the backfield with Weeden at QB. We know that they're going to call lots of easy dump offs/check downs for Weeden to try and avoid turnovers, so I could see Dunbar getting a lot of targets.

Dunbar could end up being Weeden's leading receiver while he's subbing for Romo. Dunbar is currently #2 in receiving behind Jason Witten. The Cowboys plan will be to come up with game plans that will hopefully keep Weeden from getting them beat and high percentage passes to the backs will be a big part of the plan. Even with Romo the Cowboys have been utilizing the backs in the passing game to compensate for the lack of a running game they've had so far.
 

KJJ

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I shudder to think what the results will be if the run game does not get rolling with Weeden under center.

We all shudder at the thought of it because it will force Weeden to have to win games and I can't see any good coming from that. Continuing not being able to run the ball will put pressure on him and the defense. The biggest fear with Weeden at QB is if the Cowboys start falling behind by 2 or more scores. The Cowboys can't afford to get too far behind with him at QB it could cause the floor to cave in. I doubt any of us can envision Brandon Weeden leading the team 72 yards with 1:29 left and no time outs to a winning TD with no Dez Bryant on the field. These 3rd and longs we've been finding ourselves in can't continue if the Cowboys are going to have any success with him at the helm.

If he plays poorly tomorrow resulting in a thumping you can bet you'll see several threads proclaiming the season is over. There's going to be intense panic on the board if Weeden lays an egg tomorrow. To give the team and the fan base some hope he has to go out and play at least respectable tomorrow because if he doesn't it's going to be hard to be encouraged going forward with him. I'm just hoping the team steps up providing him enough support for him to have a chance to be successful. We can't afford to give up cheap TD's and we have to reduce the penalties.
 

BotchedLobotomy

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We all shudder at the thought of it because it will force Weeden to have to win games and I can't see any good coming from that. Continuing not being able to run the ball will put pressure on him and the defense. The biggest fear with Weeden at QB is if the Cowboys start falling behind by 2 or more scores. The Cowboys can't afford to get too far behind with him at QB it could cause the floor to cave in. I doubt any of us can envision Brandon Weeden leading the team 72 yards with 1:29 left and no time outs to a winning TD with no Dez Bryant on the field. These 3rd and longs we've been finding ourselves in can't continue if the Cowboys are going to have any success with him at the helm.

If he plays poorly tomorrow resulting in a thumping you can bet you'll see several threads proclaiming the season is over. There's going to be intense panic on the board if Weeden lays an egg tomorrow. To give the team and the fan base some hope he has to go out and play at least respectable tomorrow because if he doesn't it's going to be hard to be encouraged going forward with him. I'm just hoping the team steps up providing him enough support for him to have a chance to be successful. We can't afford to give up cheap TD's and we have to reduce the penalties.

I feel a little bit better knowing that if Weeden stinks it up, a serviceable QB is waiting in the wings with M.C.
 

KJJ

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I feel a little bit better knowing that if Weeden stinks it up, a serviceable QB is waiting in the wings with M.C.

It's anyone's guess how serviceable Cassel will be not having gone to camp with the Cowboys and having to spend the next few weeks trying to learn the offense. It's not like he's anything great the Cowboys are his 5th team. I believe if we're going to stay afloat until Romo returns the best chance will be with Weeden who's been with the team for 2 years.
 

bayeslife

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We all shudder at the thought of it because it will force Weeden to have to win games and I can't see any good coming from that. Continuing not being able to run the ball will put pressure on him and the defense. The biggest fear with Weeden at QB is if the Cowboys start falling behind by 2 or more scores. The Cowboys can't afford to get too far behind with him at QB it could cause the floor to cave in. I doubt any of us can envision Brandon Weeden leading the team 72 yards with 1:29 left and no time outs to a winning TD with no Dez Bryant on the field. These 3rd and longs we've been finding ourselves in can't continue if the Cowboys are going to have any success with him at the helm.

If he plays poorly tomorrow resulting in a thumping you can bet you'll see several threads proclaiming the season is over. There's going to be intense panic on the board if Weeden lays an egg tomorrow. To give the team and the fan base some hope he has to go out and play at least respectable tomorrow because if he doesn't it's going to be hard to be encouraged going forward with him. I'm just hoping the team steps up providing him enough support for him to have a chance to be successful. We can't afford to give up cheap TD's and we have to reduce the penalties.

If the Cowboys get thumped by the Falcons its not gonna be solely on Weedens shoulders. If they get blown out by a mediocre team then doesn't that mean their problems go deeper than their qb?
 

mattjames2010

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Atlantas defense Is ranked like 29th. Dallas should be able to out score them.

Atlanta has an offense that can put up over 20 points nearly every week. We need to hope we put up about 24-27 points against them. I think we'll lucky to get 17 points with Weeden leading the charge.
 

mattjames2010

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If the Cowboys get thumped by the Falcons its not gonna be solely on Weedens shoulders. If they get blown out by a mediocre team then doesn't that mean their problems go deeper than their qb?

Yeah, I mean, it would somehow suggest we are missing key players at multiple positions...which we are.
 

StarBoyz83

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Atlanta has an offense that can put up over 20 points nearly every week. We need to hope we put up about 24-27 points against them. I think we'll lucky to get 17 points with Weeden leading the charge.

Ya I agree if it becomes a shoot out I don't think dallas can hang. I was just hanging my hopes on the d not letting atl go crazy.
 
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