Mailbag: Should Cowboys commit to run game?

[CCBoy]

https://www.dallascowboys.com/news/mailbag-should-cowboys-commit-to-run-game

Why won't the Cowboys stick with the run even in close games? – Adrian Robertson/Memphis, TN

Mickey: Though the Cowboys did a nice job in the running game, especially considering they were operating with at one point three backups playing on the offensive line.
There really was just one point they might have stuck with the run a little more, coming on their possession with 6:31 left on the fourth quarter of a 20-20 game. On first down from their own 20, the Cowboys sent Rico Dowdle around the right side for 14 yards to the 34. Then they went three consecutive incompletions, though one a bad Cooper Rush pass and the third a forced incompletion by Trey Hendrickson's pressure.
Might needed to have been a little more patient there.

Tommy: Frankly Adrian, I don't understand it either. Mike McCarthy has said several times following games that he regrets not running the ball more, or not giving Rico Dowdle more opportunities. Well, when he's averaging 7.2 yards per carry, you would think that would warrant leaning on him more especially down the stretch in a game where you're trying to play keep away from the Cincinnati offense.

Instead, there were several instances where Dowdle would pop a big play, and then get taken out for Ezekiel Elliott or see three straight passing plays that would result in a punt.

For the first time this season, the Cowboys offensive line has been generating good push consistently for Dowdle, and Dallas just hasn't taken full advantage of it. They absolutely need to commit to it going forward if he keeps running the way he's running.

 

[thunderpimp91]

Yeah this is the number 1 issue I have with McCarthy. He talks all the time about running the football, but always gets away from it.

 

[CCBoy]

While most will focus on cornerback Amani Oruwariye’s muff after a blocked punt, Mike McCarthy made several bad decisions throughout the game that allowed Cincinnati to be close enough to steal it at the end. The main issue was the decision by McCarthy to put the ball in the hands of quarterback Cooper Rush instead of focusing on the rushing attack.

The passing game produced only 4.9 yards per pass, while the run game was humming for 6.2 yards per play. Dallas only ran the ball 25 times compared to 31 pass attempts from Rush. Rico Dowdle ran for over seven yards per attempt but only got the ball 18 times. With just under six minutes left and the score tied at 20-20, Dowdle broke off a 14-yard run. McCarthy followed that up by calling three straight passes (all were incomplete) and punting the ball. It was a lousy game plan with poor execution and that strategy kept the Bengals in striking distance.

https://cowboyswire.usatoday.com/lists/cowboys-week-14-studs-duds-bengals-mccarthy-overshown/

 

[CCBoy]

Mike McCarthy’s insistence on force-feeding the least successful part of his offense when the play calls mattered most. Or watching Micah Parsons get put in a high-definition chokehold in the middle of a pass rush while the officials were… um… blinded by the sun, maybe? Or the secondary quietly giving up more passing yards than they have in over three years...

There’s shooting yourself in the foot, and then there’s pointing a cannon at your size 12s Yosemite Sam-style and taking everything below the knee clean off. The Cowboys lead the league in the latter. They scored a touchdown on their opening offensive possession for the first time all season, and then had the chance to follow it up on the next drive. Instead of taking a 14-7 lead on the first play of the second quarter, though, Rush’s pass- in the vicinity of two Cowboys and five Bengals defenders– ended up turning into the quarterback’s third interception of the season. Dallas already has the 31st-ranked red-zone offense, having converted less than 44% of their drives inside the 20 into touchdowns, but their seven red-zone turnovers in 2024 are the most in the NFL ...

https://cowboyswire.usatoday.com/li...cincinnati-bengals-micah-parsons-cooper-rush/

 

[blueblood70]

https://www.dallascowboys.com/news/mailbag-should-cowboys-commit-to-run-game

Why won't the Cowboys stick with the run even in close games? – Adrian Robertson/Memphis, TN

Mickey: Though the Cowboys did a nice job in the running game, especially considering they were operating with at one point three backups playing on the offensive line.
There really was just one point they might have stuck with the run a little more, coming on their possession with 6:31 left on the fourth quarter of a 20-20 game. On first down from their own 20, the Cowboys sent Rico Dowdle around the right side for 14 yards to the 34. Then they went three consecutive incompletions, though one a bad Cooper Rush pass and the third a forced incompletion by Trey Hendrickson's pressure.
Might needed to have been a little more patient there.

Tommy: Frankly Adrian, I don't understand it either. Mike McCarthy has said several times following games that he regrets not running the ball more, or not giving Rico Dowdle more opportunities. Well, when he's averaging 7.2 yards per carry, you would think that would warrant leaning on him more especially down the stretch in a game where you're trying to play keep away from the Cincinnati offense.

Instead, there were several instances where Dowdle would pop a big play, and then get taken out for Ezekiel Elliott or see three straight passing plays that would result in a punt.

For the first time this season, the Cowboys offensive line has been generating good push consistently for Dowdle, and Dallas just hasn't taken full advantage of it. They absolutely need to commit to it going forward if he keeps running the way he's running.

Is that a rhetorical question that's like asking the eagles should they commit to the run game I mean seriously did the Ravens commit to the run game yes you commit to the run game the problem is they're eight weeks too late and there were signs that we should reorganize the offensive line a long time ago you remember all those many many many weeks it go and went out and we saw Tyler at left tackle and we saw bass at left guard and somehow he was working better and yet they abandoned it we saw Rico running really well in the Pittsburgh game and then they abandoned it of course you run the GD ball!!

Yes this is a Mike McCarthy problem his offensive coordinator job needs to be ripped from him if we have to deal with this guy next year again any better not be the coordinator that is gonna be a hard pill to swallow this Texas waste of a coast offense doesn't know how to run the ball you're right he is his players they get into a little rhythm and I'll add Turpin and hunter to the mix they literally just didn't know how to use the guys last year and it made us into a bad position this year I don't think Ezekiel would be here right now if Mike would have used our running backroom properly last year...

I know what Jerry Jones was thinking he sat there and said man we're really bad in the short yardage we're bad at goal line we're bad at blocking let's bring back zeke he's good at those things well if they use hunter properly if they use Rico in place of Tony last year and let Tony beat Tony where he's always been I don't think Ezekiel would have been brought here that's my opinion...

 

[maryquality]

Well, duh....

 

[CCBoy]

Well, duh....

Make believe or for real reasons?

 

[big dog cowboy]

Why won't the Cowboys stick with the run

We've been asking that question for years.

 

[bewp7]

no u want ur back up qb to throw 35+ time per game

that is the smart thing!!!!!

 

[Whirlwin]

NFC, was always the running league. AFC was the passing league. Somewhere in the 80s and 90s it changed. If you can’t run, you’re not going to win in December January.

 

[Whirlwin]

no u want ur back up qb to throw 35+ time per game

that is the smart thing!!!!!

That’s why they change the rules, that’s what fans wanted. Not me.

 

[plasticman]

They couldn't commit to the run earlier in the season. The O-line was not cohesive with two starting rookies. Beebe was still learning how to be an NFL center and Guyton was acclimating to the NFL as a LT.

The average age of the current starters on the O-line is slightly over 24 years.

The entire RB squad was a huge question mark, both Dowdle and Zeke started the season out averaging less than 4 yards a carry.

Now that this this offense has half a season under their belt, they are beginning to come together.

it really doesn't matter what they do now but they should have committed heavy to the running game as soon as Cooper Rush walked onto the field.

 

[CCBoy]

We've been asking that question for years.

ma

There has been offensive efficiency more then once. This applies to the why, here and now. This still explains what is being done. No lies to it.

What the problem is change of discipline by the coaches. If they can't stand their ground with Jerry, they can't lead their team. With no major problems that can still be competitive. How bad do the coaches want to win and real pride. That is ethics then.

 

[CCBoy]

no u want ur back up qb to throw 35+ time per game

that is the smart thing!!!!!

Depends on productivity in a passing NFL.

 

[CCBoy]

The Carolina Panthers struggled immensely in the run game as they have done all season long against the Philadelphia Eagles. This wasn’t exactly a surprising development when one looks at their performance levels throughout the campaign and the standard of rushing attack Nick Sirianni has at his disposal.

https://www.bloggingtheboys.com/202...ks-ashawn-robinson-dj-wonnum-jadeveon-clowney

Run the ball, Coach!

 

[noshame]

The Cowboys have one job between now and the end of the season, that's to find out if there's any potential in Trey Lance, by adjusting the offense to an offense he can perform in.
I just don't know if the morons running this offense are capable of it.

 

[CCBoy]

The Cowboys have one job between now and the end of the season, that's to find out if there's any potential in Trey Lance, by adjusting the offense to an offense he can perform in.
I just don't know if the morons running this offense are capable of it.

That is one job. I agree on his role and not just as a runner.

 

[noshame]

That is one job. I agree on his role and not just as a runner.

No, no, the running is just a simplified way to get him into the NFL without pocket pressure. He can mature out of it. Hopefully, Hopefully, hopefully hopefully.......

 

[CCBoy]

No, no, the running is just a simplified way to get him into the NFL without pocket pressure. He can mature out of it. Hopefully, Hopefully, hopefully hopefully.......

You make a QB meet demands of this team instead of currently failing with his feature as not a good runner. There now is a functional runner needing strong work.

This isn't just gambling more he is a future Jackson. That is undisciplined team leadership and poor team accountability. Why was he let loose by SF?

 

[CowboyoWales]

Yeah this is the number 1 issue I have with McCarthy. He talks all the time about running the football, but always gets away from it.

Yep. But I wonder if he talks it up because he knows any DC looks at our running game .....and doesnt care. The blueprint is still to lightly load the box and sit in coverage....Rico may make the odd +yardage but that's the percentages. We need to force defenses to respect our running game, to give Dak and the passing game a chance.

It's easy to say, but I think it comes from Jerry (Im paying this money, for the passing game, we shouldnt be running the ball).

The Jerry 'Whisperer' needs to get into his ear and remind him of Zeke 2016 and how that facilitated the passing game....Jerry try looking at the game on more than one dimension.