Linehan: Cowboys running game going 'back to the basics'

[Bullflop]

We've all seen what Randle can do in spot duty but haven't seen how well he's able to sustain that level when his workload is increased. At least, there should be fresh bodies available whenever one (or more) of our RBs needs rest. Ryan Williams has shown he's capable of getting some tough yards, if only his health allows that to persist. McFadden is getting good reports by the staff but of course, without the pads on, it means little at this juncture. Synjyn Days might be able to provide some power running but his ability in the pro ranks is yet to be determined. Dunbar's status has yet to become evident, especially so since he was so rarely a factor last year.

Also, I'll be hoping WR Terrance Williams finds a way to avoid lingering periods of non-productive play. His development should still be an ongoing thing at this stage of his career. If so, that would definitely be a plus while adding something special to the passing attack. Perhaps the same might be said of Devin Street. Let's see if his development takes an impressive next step forward in his 2nd full season as a receiver. We'll see. I think there's good reason tor optimism if all or at least most of those players prove themselves to be solid contributors.

 

[DandyDon52]

I think it's more than that.

I think Linehan is going to get more creative with the offense overall.

I see less reliance on the running game like last year and a more wide open passing attack like Linehan used in Detroit.

We have the guys to open up with Escobar and Street and maybe this guy Farmer.

We will still play action a lot with the running backs but I see more ball control with short to medium passing where the OL can dominate repeatedly effectively.

It's going to place more burden on Romo..

but without Murray..

he's the next fall back guy until somebody else steps up.

What else is new in Dallas.

If indeed the defense improves..it could be enough to get us back to the playoffs.

yep this could happen, but I dont think it is the right formnula

 

[Doomsday101]

I don't see how anyone can make that determination because we've just recently (in the past 3 years) restructured our offensive line. And during all those years Murray was our featured back. Randle or Dunbar have never been featured in our offense. I think they can do it behind this O-line. I want to give them the chance....including Williams.

I hope your right but when a players has never done it before then it is a question mark until they prove otherwise. McFadden who knows maybe coming to Dallas will be the big change in his career, I can hope for it but I can't say it is a sure deal no concern. Same with Randle, same with Williams and Dunbar. I can be optimistic and say they will have great success but reality is none have done it before and until they do it is a big question mark on a part of the offense that accounted for over 40% of the offense

 

[gimmesix]

I thought about something today, what if Ryan Williams asked Witt to work out with him like he did with DeMarco last year? That would put RW in the Pet House and give him some of that special sauce.

I think everyone on the team should be asking Witten to work out with them after Murray's year last year.

 

[gimmesix]

Want a friendly wager on that one?

If you seriously believe Murray will average 2.1 per carry after averaging 5.5 behind a line that included Phil Costa at center his rookie season, 4.1 the next year, 5.2 in a 1,000-yard season in 2013 and 4.7 with too much of a workload last year, I want to have you committed not wager against you.

 

[gimmesix]

Not buying it because I can't see thru my agenda against Murray.

Fair enough.

 

[gimmesix]

I think it's more than that.

I think Linehan is going to get more creative with the offense overall.

I see less reliance on the running game like last year and a more wide open passing attack like Linehan used in Detroit.

We have the guys to open up with Escobar and Street and maybe this guy Farmer.

We will still play action a lot with the running backs but I see more ball control with short to medium passing where the OL can dominate repeatedly effectively.

It's going to place more burden on Romo..

but without Murray..

he's the next fall back guy until somebody else steps up.

What else is new in Dallas.

If indeed the defense improves..it could be enough to get us back to the playoffs.

I could see that happen, and to some extent I hope it does. I think there were times that we were stubborn about running the ball into the teeth of a stacked box on first down when play-action passes would have killed the defense. At the same time, the reason we did that was we didn't want to get away from the run.

I don't think we want to get away from the run this year, either, but it might be handled differently. We don't know if we have anyone who can run into an eight-man front and fall forward in the process, so we might be more likely to be more balanced on first down.

My concern is that we will have to get away from the run if our backs can't do anything against those fronts. If they are stopped for no gain or a loss, then second down becomes almost strictly a passing down. If teams sell out against the run on first down and we're consistently stopped for no gain or a loss, then first down becomes almost strictly a passing down.

I'm not concerned about these backs being able to break off big runs. It's the consistency of putting us in second-and-7s, 6s or 5s or third-and-short (or picking up third-and-short) that I believe could be an issue. If the consistency isn't there, then certainly more of the burden will fall on Romo and the passing game. If that's the case, the defense is definitely going to have to be better, not because of the capability of the passing game, but because of time of possession.

 

[VACowboy]

I did not feel Murray was a concern entering the 2014 season

Neither did I, but a lot of people did, and I'm pretty hopeful for 2015 too.

 

[Doomsday101]

Neither did I, but a lot of people did, and I'm pretty hopeful for 2015 too.

Me too, I feel pretty good about the overall team but the RB position does concern me, if someone steps up I think what is likely to be a good season can become a great season.

 

[burmafrd]

I was worried if Murray could make it through a full season with a heavy workload - he had not really done it before.

 

[ShiningStar]

I like this approach. You dont need to hit the home run every time. Move the chains, get the hard yards and wear down the defense. This approach worked, due to the line, not abandoning the run, using our runners effectively and keeping it in perspective. If Linehan needs to change up for the new runners. Great, means hes thinking, means he knows he cant have teh same approach with the same runners. Change it up.

 

[Direwolf63]

Me too, I feel pretty good about the overall team but the RB position does concern me, if someone steps up I think what is likely to be a good season can become a great season.

The RB's will get their yards. Pass protection is a big worry though. Murray was excellent at picking up blitzing LB's and CB's.

 

[Doomsday101]

The RB's will get their yards. Pass protection is a big worry though. Murray was excellent at picking up blitzing LB's and CB's.

Not yardage total as much as situational run. Guys knowing the situation not trying to turn a run for a 1st down into a big play and in the process not picking up the 1st. May sound simple but I have watched many RB do it where their is only a slim gap to hit and instead of hitting in and lower the shoulder driving to pick up the 1st they try to bounce it outside looking for more and in the end they fail to do the important thing which was get the 1st down and keep the chains moving.

 

[Idgit]

The RB's will get their yards. Pass protection is a big worry though. Murray was excellent at picking up blitzing LB's and CB's.

I worry more about the pass protection, too. Because those plays are more important. The situational runs I'm waiting to see about. A lot of that is just blocking it right and having a RB who is aware enough to make his read and get the conversion. Murray was really good at getting some of those conversions that weren't blocked properly in the first place, but then there weren't a ton of those to begin with. I do think this is something we'll probably do a good enough job at that it doesn't end up killing a lot of drives. If not, we can always throw a bit more in those situations, given the targets we have in the short passing game and how effective they can be.

 

[VACowboy]

I think we should all just enjoy the spectacular Cowboys offseason to date and do our worrying IF and when that time comes.

 

[coult44]

If you seriously believe Murray will average 2.1 per carry after averaging 5.5 behind a line that included Phil Costa at center his rookie season, 4.1 the next year, 5.2 in a 1,000-yard season in 2013 and 4.7 with too much of a workload last year, I want to have you committed not wager against you.

Haha. My wife says that sometimes too. in all seriousness, here's what it is. Murray is the perfect example of what happens to guys in a contract year. And, some stars also aligned last year as well. I've always been a huge DM fan. Even when most here wanted him gone. But finally, I had to accept the facts. He was driven last year because he knew this was his last big payday. He'll never have that drive again. You know what drive is? It's showing up for OTA's while being franchised. It's taking a pay cut long term, to help the team immediately. It's playing hurt in other years, not just the contract year. I don't blame him at all. But mark my words, just like countless numbers of other guys , contract year guys never live up to their potential after the fact. Murray was able to run with guys like Costa, because everybody and their mom was playing against us with 3-4 guys in the box. They knew they just had to stop Romo, or wait for him to make a mistake. And when your throwing the ball 40-50 times a game, you're going to make mistakes, (different subject, sorry)... If we would have committed to a running game back then, DM would not have been as successful as he was when he was being used sporadically because of that pathetic OL. Murray had a great year last year and it was blast to watch. I just don't see him doing that in Chips offense. I also don't expect him to ever have the desire to play hurt again to prove something. And with the lack of playmakers in Philly, he's going to be expected to carry the load their also. He can't do it again. His OU sidekick will rely in him too much and ultimately Murray will end up watching from the sidelines.

 

[BigD_95]

The RB's will get their yards. Pass protection is a big worry though. Murray was excellent at picking up blitzing LB's and CB's.

My friend who is a big Raiders fan said Run DMC is good at picking up the blitz .

 

[Redball Express]

I could see that happen, and to some extent I hope it does. I think there were times that we were stubborn about running the ball into the teeth of a stacked box on first down when play-action passes would have killed the defense. At the same time, the reason we did that was we didn't want to get away from the run.

I don't think we want to get away from the run this year, either, but it might be handled differently. We don't know if we have anyone who can run into an eight-man front and fall forward in the process, so we might be more likely to be more balanced on first down.

My concern is that we will have to get away from the run if our backs can't do anything against those fronts. If they are stopped for no gain or a loss, then second down becomes almost strictly a passing down. If teams sell out against the run on first down and we're consistently stopped for no gain or a loss, then first down becomes almost strictly a passing down.

I'm not concerned about these backs being able to break off big runs. It's the consistency of putting us in second-and-7s, 6s or 5s or third-and-short (or picking up third-and-short) that I believe could be an issue. If the consistency isn't there, then certainly more of the burden will fall on Romo and the passing game. If that's the case, the defense is definitely going to have to be better, not because of the capability of the passing game, but because of time of possession.

Great follow up.

I learn from you my brother.

Thank.

 

[Redball Express]

yep this could happen, but I dont think it is the right formnula

I have to agree.

But you have to take what the defense gives you, right?

I just expect defensive coordinators to sell out on clogging the running lanes and challenging the OL with all sorts of run blitzes trying to confuse them feeling until proven..

we have no home run runner who can hurt them constantly.

So hope is everything if not free.

I have no idea.

We have wandered the wilderness for years without a running game and we finally find one and now it's gone.

On paper.

 

[Fletch]

Fair enough.

Just figured I'd be honest to save us both some time.