Kellen Moore has a blind spot. running the ball

[RonnieT24]

I have been screaming this since he took over. He simply has no feel for how to use the running game to settle things down when the wheels are coming off. He does not understand that 2nd and 6 is better than 2nd and 10 or 2nd and 13 when your line is not pass blocking worth a damn. He fails to acknowledge when they are overmatched and adjust accordingly. The absolute BEST way to slow down a pass rush is to let the offensive line fire out into the d-line and take some of the starch out of it. Not keep dropping back and saying "Hail Mary don't let Dak get killed." Yesterday's game never got to more than two scores difference and the running game was averaging at least 4 yards a pop.. Yet we went 50 pass 16 run.. Friggin three to one ratio!!! Moore seems to have forgotten that when this offense was rolling it was closer to 50/50. I am discouraged by this because I honestly thought that the three game stretch when we killed people by being balanced he had figured it out. But these last 4 games show me he hasn't.. and if he hasn't by now.. he probably never will. Somebody needs to hire him as head coach somewhere.. Soon.

 

[Carson]

Moore’s main issue is he’s only good when we are ahead and dominating.

Once we get down or start slow, he immediately panics and begins with the ISOs and draws straight up the gut.

 

[RonnieT24]

Moore’s main issue is he’s only good when we are ahead and dominating.

Once we get down or start slow, he immediately panics and begins with the ISOs and draws straight up the gut.

The slow developing running plays drive me nuts. When your line is getting beat you can't ask backs to putz around in the backfield looking for holes. They're not coming.. Call some drive blocking plays and let them hammer the defense for a change. Then let your backs hit it downhill and see what happens.. Even if you don't break a big one right away eventually the d-line wears down and the dam breaks..

 

[morasp]

If they don't get it fixed they can forget about doing anything in the playoffs.

 

[thunderpimp91]

You are 1000% correct on this, however I am going to throw a but in there. The Chiefs were playing mostly press coverage with one safety over the top. If i'm Dak coming to the LOS even if I have a run play called i'm very tempted to change the play. A better run/pass ratio probably does help the outcome of the game, I agree, but the drops, inaccurate passes, etc are equally to blame.

Dont get me wrong, I dont think KM should get a pass on this one, but the Cowboys had opportunities to execute on the field and simply didn't.

 

[MaineBoy]

I have been screaming this since he took over. He simply has no feel for how to use the running game to settle things down when the wheels are coming off. He does not understand that 2nd and 6 is better than 2nd and 10 or 2nd and 13 when your line is not pass blocking worth a damn. He fails to acknowledge when they are overmatched and adjust accordingly. The absolute BEST way to slow down a pass rush is to let the offensive line fire out into the d-line and take some of the starch out of it. Not keep dropping back and saying "Hail Mary don't let Dak get killed." Yesterday's game never got to more than two scores difference and the running game was averaging at least 4 yards a pop.. Yet we went 50 pass 16 run.. Friggin three to one ratio!!! Moore seems to have forgotten that when this offense was rolling it was closer to 50/50. I am discouraged by this because I honestly thought that the three game stretch when we killed people by being balanced he had figured it out. But these last 4 games show me he hasn't.. and if he hasn't by now.. he probably never will. Somebody needs to hire him as head coach somewhere.. Soon.

Totally true. And maddening. I even remember when the running game was working and Moore gets inside the 20 and goes away from run to get cute. Field goal time.

 

[RonnieT24]

You are 1000% correct on this, however I am going to throw a but in there. The Chiefs were playing mostly press coverage with one safety over the top. If i'm Dak coming to the LOS even if I have a run play called i'm very tempted to change the play. A better run/pass ratio probably does help the outcome of the game, I agree, but the drops, inaccurate passes, etc are equally to blame.

Dont get me wrong, I dont think KM should get a pass on this one, but the Cowboys had opportunities to execute on the field and simply didn't.

I am not absolving Dak or the receivers for their part of what we saw.. but how many times did we run for 4-5 yards on first down then come to the line in empty backfield on 2nd down? WHY? Why not continue to press the issue and hammer the defense some. There's a reason football is often compared to war... Because you have a group of large and aggressive men beating the hell out of one another. The winner is the one who delivers the most beating not the one who absorbs it. When all you do is pass you basically make your offensive linemen accept all the blows and deliver none. Imagine a boxing match where one fighter is ordered to just stand there and take punches.. How long would he last?

 

[Carson]

You are 1000% correct on this, however I am going to throw a but in there. The Chiefs were playing mostly press coverage with one safety over the top. If i'm Dak coming to the LOS even if I have a run play called i'm very tempted to change the play. A better run/pass ratio probably does help the outcome of the game, I agree, but the drops, inaccurate passes, etc are equally to blame.

Dont get me wrong, I dont think KM should get a pass on this one, but the Cowboys had opportunities to execute on the field and simply didn't.

That’s easy to do with no Cooper or Lamb. They covered two on Lamb and not a single other receiver stepped up

 

[ChronicCowboy]

Line couldn’t run block either yesterday. All our rushing yards came from Pollard (and Zeke to a lesser extent) busting through tackles.

 

[Aftershock]

Cowboys win against a bad team
"See this is why Dak is the best QB in the NFL!!!!"

Cowboys lose against a good or decent team
"WOW [Coaching], [Scheme], [This WR, RB, OL, Defense] is SO BAD, why doesn't Dak have any HELP!?!?!?!"

 

[Zman5]

You saw an example of this yesterday. Zeke just ran for 5-6 yards on second down past the mid field. It was 3rd and 2. It was 4 down territory. We could have ran there for the 1st. But instead we passed and got sacked and then passed again on 4th and didn't get the first down.

 

[charron]

Moore hates running plays. He hates designing them, calling them, and everything to do with them. Remember the patriots game a couple years ago where the only thing working was the run yet he kept throwing to lose the game.

 

[Carson]

I’m so sick of

First down - Run up the gut. Stuffed
Second down - WR screen for no gain or loss
Third down - Sack

 

[TheMarathonContinues]

Yeah I can't agree with this take. Anytime we lose people point to the rushing......but never factor in the reason we lost is because the run game couldn't get going. Let's also be honest this offensive line hasn't been good these past few weeks and the run game surely hasn't. Kellen didn't call the best game for sure but I'm going to give him a "excuse". How much blame should he get when his receivers was dropping footballs, Dak wasn't sharp, the offensive line was crap? These guys lost as a unit yesterday.

 

[CATCH17]

If they don't get it fixed they can forget about doing anything in the playoffs.

If we’re going to make mistakes now is the time to do it.


I’m more worried that they had no clue how to deal with The Chiefs coverage.

 

[Point-of-the-Star]

Look at his background. It is not run strong. Not only was he a QB he comes from a throwing system in college. Maybe in love with QB arms thinking that's the way to go. But I'll say this too, he had no continuity in the passing game yesterday. I said this earlier that there was poor execution all the way through the team up to the coaching level.

I agree with your assessment on this subject Ronnie.

 

[Silly]

The defense gets weaker with every 1st down. Moore should have pounded out a few first downs and slowed down the rush!

 

[Sonicxtacy02]

Hard to be run heavy when your lead back is dealing with knee and back issues. Zeke is a warrior for being out there, but you can tell he's limited. Doesnt have the power to fall forward in his runs right now. Only 1 other back on the roster thats capable... this has some to do with the play-calling.

 

[Carson]

If we’re going to make mistakes now is the time to do it.


I’m more worried that they had no clue how to deal with The Chiefs coverage.

I mean I can’t imagine it’s tough to shut down Gallup, Brown and Wilson. Gallup is a one trick pony.

Reminds me of the Jets game we lost with basically Tavon Austin at WR

 

[thunderpimp91]

I am not absolving Dak or the receivers for their part of what we saw.. but how many times did we run for 4-5 yards on first down then come to the line in empty backfield on 2nd down? WHY? Why not continue to press the issue and hammer the defense some. There's a reason football is often compared to war... Because you have a group of large and aggressive men beating the hell out of one another. The winner is the one who delivers the most beating not the one who absorbs it. When all you do is pass you basically make your offensive linemen accept all the blows and deliver none. Imagine a boxing match where one fighter is ordered to just stand there and take punches.. How long would he last?

I'm with you Ronnie. If that game could be replayed I guarantee we see a more balanced approach. It felt like the Chiefs set the Cowboys up and KM & Dak fell into the trap. Aside from the long run by Pollard they didnt have a huge amount of success in the run game, but as you mentioned its good for the Oline to stay aggressive and deliver some hits. Also good just to keep the defense guessing so they cant just set up in a sprinters stance and rush the passer every play. The cowboys were playing like its 3rd and long every snap, and KC took full advantage of it.

I just cant decide if the Cowboys biggest issues on offense right now is based around philosophy, or a talent issue. I have a hard time believing the oline is actually that bad, I also have a hard time believing that Dak is as bad as he has been for 2 of the last 3 games.