More criticism of Julius Jones

[tyke1doe]

I'm looking at the Detroit vs. Dallas game I tivoed and I'm watching Jones carry the ball. I freeze the frame, and I see big holes to his left and right on several occasions that if he just cuts, he's gone for a big gain.

I was actually shocked at so many missed opportunities by him. And these weren't backfield runs. He had run beyond the line of scrimmage.

Is this just a product of Parcells' "training" or is his vision lacking that bad?

I brought my son in the room to see (since he plays tailback). I was trying to show him the concept of running to daylight, i.e., when you see a hole open, you explode through it, even if the play was called to a certain hole.

 

[CoachHodnett]

Very good point. I noticed this exact same thing and it does lead to confusion.

I can't imagine Parcells leaving Julius in as the starter the whole season knowing he is missing cutback opportunities. Thus, I'm lead to the thought that Parcells gave Julius a certain aiming point and Julius stayed on that point no matter what.

I love the fact that not only do you talk to your kid about the game, but you show real life examples.

 

[RoboQB]

This is a product of the Parcells 'philosophy' of running the football. It goes entirely against all of Jones' strengths and is the primary reason that I can't wait to see what happens now.

 

[tyke1doe]

Very good point. I noticed this exact same thing and it does lead to confusion.

I can't imagine Parcells leaving Julius in as the starter the whole season knowing he is missing cutback opportunities. Thus, I'm lead to the thought that Parcells gave Julius a certain aiming point and Julius stayed on that point no matter what.

I love the fact that not only do you talk to your kid about the game, but you show real life examples.

Thanks.

My son's just 8 years old (will be playing 95 lbs this year), and I tape his games. We watch the video and I try to point out aspects of the game. Even though it's just for fun (or so he thinks), I'm trying to get him thinking about studying film because that's a large part of the college and professional game. And when I see a great run or catch or block on television, I like to show him how the pros do it. Tivo and video come in handy when you want to freeze frame and slow-mo the picture to get a frame-by-frame break down of a play's development.

 

[Mansta54]

This is a product of the Parcells 'philosophy' of running the football. It goes entirely against all of Jones' strengths and is the primary reason that I can't wait to see what happens now.

Well said!!!

 

[THUMPER]

This is a product of the Parcells 'philosophy' of running the football. It goes entirely against all of Jones' strengths and is the primary reason that I can't wait to see what happens now.

Exactly right! When Jones was a rookie, he ran much better than he did last season. In fact his vision was what impressed me the most about him as a rookie, that seemed to be gone last year but I'm hoping the new coaches will allow him to run more instinctively and utilize his strengths rather than try to make him play a certain style.

 

[CrazyCowboy]

He did miss some big holes in that game.....I cannot believe we lost that one

 

[big dog cowboy]

Exactly right! When Jones was a rookie, he ran much better than he did last season. In fact his vision was what impressed me the most about him as a rookie, that seemed to be gone last year but I'm hoping the new coaches will allow him to run more instinctively and utilize his strengths rather than try to make him play a certain style.

As usual I completey agree. Remember this - contract year for Julius.

 

[Royal Laegotti]

It seems to me to be a vision problem, I can't imagine why Parcells would'nt want his hand pick runner (the one he gave up Stephen Jackson for) to gash the opponents defense!

But hey, why not blame Bill, everything's his fault!

 

[dargonking999]

It seems to me to be a vision problem, I can't imagine why Parcells would'nt want his hand pick runner (the one he gave up Stephen Jackson for) to gash the opponents defense!

But hey, why not blame Bill, everything's his fault!

So what you're saying is after a year of cutting back to holes, and showing great vision, that he just lost it? that is just dissapeared? that he became so stupid, and sucky of a RB all he could do was run into defenderS?

Yea that explains everything right there

 

[CowboyMike]

Has anyone seen that stuff on NFL Network from last training camp where they miked up Bill Parcells? At one point he's talking to an assistant coach and he says something like "I wish we just had a compu-back. You know, just type in the play *makes typing noise* and he's just programmed to run in that direction." or something to that effect. That's your answer right there.

 

[Bob Sacamano]

it's probably the coaching, last year they tried to hammer into Julius' head that he couldn't pick and choose holes, that he had to find that one hole quickly and hit it, I don't think Julius got it

he might be one of those guys who isn't very good at assimilating information and applying it ie he has tunnel vision when given direction, that's why he was so explosive his rookie year, he wasn't worrying about the coaching

 

[Bob Sacamano]

It seems to me to be a vision problem, I can't imagine why Parcells would'nt want his hand pick runner (the one he gave up Stephen Jackson for) to gash the opponents defense!

But hey, why not blame Bill, everything's his fault!

but Julius wasn't like this his rookie year

I think Julius is best free-wheeling, when he doesn't have to think too much about anything other than where he's going w/ the football

I think the problem was more Julius not applying the coaching than the coaching being at fault, because who would be more likely to er, coaches who have been coaching for awhile, or a young NFL veteran?

 

[Jimz31]

JJ wasn't like he ran as a rookie last year AT ALL.....I honestly do think that his game against Seattle he said "Screw it....I'm gonna run the way that I want!".

We all know that BP was a stickler on doing things HIS way and I think that JJ was told to stay behind his blockers and wait....but you just can't wait forever like it seemed he did.

Just go back and watch his rookie year and watch the Seattle game....that Seattle game was a game where he looked amazingly like the rookie year JJ.

 

[blindzebra]

Not saying JJ is TD, but if you have a chance watch the 77 Cowboys America's Game.

Landry was stifling TD, starting Pearson, trying to get Tony to run the play as designed.

In a practice Tony cut all the way back against the defense and Landry was screaming no, no, no that will never happen in a game.

They come out on Sunday, call the play, Tony cuts it back and breaks a long TD run...on Monday in the offensive meeting Tom comes in and says, "Guys, Tony is a different kind of runner, from now on just lay a hat on somebody and get out of the way!"

Parcells was too damned stubborn to ever do anything like that, always pounding square pegs.

 

[Zaxor]

Parcells was too damned stubborn to ever do anything like that, always pounding square pegs.

too true but I think a younger Bill would have been more flexible... as one gets older they become more set in their ways... they are comfortable doing something a certain way. If they had acclaim and success doing it that way than change will be next to impossible.

That is why I am a bit apprehensive about signing another older HC like Wade and was hoping for younger... but we will see how it plays out...

 

[sago1]

I'm just hoping that somehow without Julius Jones will play this year like he did in his rookie season. I gotta tell you I just loved watching him that year and a game hasn't gone by since then when I haven't wished for the return of the Julius. Maybe your right that Jones is just a different kind of runner and needs to be allowed to do what his brain/feet tell him to do. If we get that Julius again and Barber also still turns in big plays, Romo constantly won't be pressured on 3rd+ to make the big plays cause we couldn't get those 1-3 yards. Obviously improved consistent play by our OL is also necessary. They are still the guys who must open those holes and also give Romo the time to set up. Here's hoping the addition of Davis, improved play from Kosier, Gurode & Colombo as they enter their 2nd year as startersa & good healthy/play from Adams (and good depth when needed) produce the best scoring offense the Cowboys have ever had.

BTW: We all know TO caught 13 TD to lead the NFL but so called stats also credit him with 15 or more drops. Just imagine with healthy fingers/hands how many more TDs he could score & how many points we can point on the scoreboard and particularly when needed against those better NFL defenses/teams.

 

[Sarge]

It seems to me to be a vision problem, I can't imagine why Parcells would'nt want his hand pick runner (the one he gave up Stephen Jackson for) to gash the opponents defense!

But hey, why not blame Bill, everything's his fault!

I really have to wonder if you might be correct here. Even I ( ) at some point can't blame Parcells for everything. Julius missed a LOT of holes last year. Why didn't Barber?

This blaming Parcells for Julius poor performance might not be warranted.

We'll see. I for one will not be surprised if you see more of the same from Julius.

 

[Mansta54]

Not saying JJ is TD, but if you have a chance watch the 77 Cowboys America's Game.

Landry was stifling TD, starting Pearson, trying to get Tony to run the play as designed.

In a practice Tony cut all the way back against the defense and Landry was screaming no, no, no that will never happen in a game.

They come out on Sunday, call the play, Tony cuts it back and breaks a long TD run...on Monday in the offensive meeting Tom comes in and says, "Guys, Tony is a different kind of runner, from now on just lay a hat on somebody and get out of the way!"

Parcells was too damned stubborn to ever do anything like that, always pounding square pegs.

You're absolutely correct. BP was forcing JJ into the hole even if there was no hole cause BP also hated negative yards. Its obvious to me that BP changed JJ running style. Landry did realize that TD was a different runner but BP never adapted to JJ's style. I think we'll see the JJ that ran his rookie year.

 

[Cowboy4ever]

I think JJ will be fine! I think you have to look at the coach and how he wants to operate when judging a RB. BP was/is a 3 yards and a cloud of dust coach. He would rather gain 2 yards then lose 1 yard because a back was trying to gain 20 yards. Take what you can get and move on type coach. I do not think that is JJ's strength.

I can understand how BP coaching style could hinder a back like JJ and I doubt Stephen Jackson would be any better playing under BP. But what I am concerned with is JJ open field running. When he reached the second level, he seemed to have lost the ability to read the field. I know I heard BP say several times he wanted JJ to run to the safety. Maybe that made JJ have tunnel vision but whatever it was, ,JJ needs to read the field better.

I do expect a lot out of JJ this year and I think he is our back not only this year but for many years to come. I know some are just chomping at the bit to draft a RB next year, but I doubt that happens.