TwoDeep3
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I continue speaking about the running game and some apparently believe I think we need to run more. That is not the case. So allow me to outline what is and why I am concerned.
The respect the running game brings dictates how the defense plays against the offense. This Cowboy team doesn't get a great deal of respect in the rushing attack. That is exemplified by the fact teams are not afraid to use their front four, or four rushers. This allows the linebackers to play pass, or to play in a nickle defense and smother the passing attack.
This team plays out of the shotgun a great deal, because they pass a great deal. If the defense knows they can handle your running game with their defensive linemen, then they can do what the Giants did today and take away integral parts of the passing game with the double team.
They kept everything in front of them and took Dez out of the equation.
So respect for the running game makes a huge difference.
This new college style offense where the QB reads the play - a *******ized wishbone offense - allows two options. Pass and run. But the defense has to respect the run because it could be one of two players doing so.
This sets up their passing attack off the run and makes it more effective.
Dallas doesn't run play action because the defense does not respect their running game. That is because of the line. Regardless of what this Giants' game appeared to be, they dictated what the offense did by their defense and ability to shut down the run. Even though at the end of the day Murray had 86 yards rushing and a 4.3 per.
Dallas is as close to a one dimensional attack as they can be because of the rushing attack getting no respect.
Can Waters change this? To be determined.
But you just saw the footprint for other teams to play Dallas tonight. Play your lanes against the run with your front line and then sell out for the passing game. Double Dez and force this team to drive the field with Witten and Austin and not make the mental mistakes and get the penalties they are known for.
Now factor in the turnovers that may or may not be there consistently and this game could have been huge the other way. Because Dallas is forced to use a passing attack like a running game and can not get big chunks and keep the defense honest.
When you force Dallas to drive the length of the field predominately with short passing as the focus, when you factor in the mental mistakes this team is known for in penalties, it makes it difficult.
Dallas stops itself.
Now add to it the lack of running game effects the red zone and this team goes away with 3 instead of six.
This was what kept the Cowboys from making the play-offs last year and unless Dunbar and Waters can change this, the team is headed toward another .500 year.
No pass rush and the DB's cannot maintain their position and prevent the passing game from thriving.
So the team that should have been built from the trenches out was not, and the results are pretty evident.
It took six turnovers to stay in this game.
Can they count on that every game? And even if they can, the Bears were at or near the top in turnovers take away last year and did not make the play-offs.
There is a flaw with this team that has not been fixed, as yet.
The respect the running game brings dictates how the defense plays against the offense. This Cowboy team doesn't get a great deal of respect in the rushing attack. That is exemplified by the fact teams are not afraid to use their front four, or four rushers. This allows the linebackers to play pass, or to play in a nickle defense and smother the passing attack.
This team plays out of the shotgun a great deal, because they pass a great deal. If the defense knows they can handle your running game with their defensive linemen, then they can do what the Giants did today and take away integral parts of the passing game with the double team.
They kept everything in front of them and took Dez out of the equation.
So respect for the running game makes a huge difference.
This new college style offense where the QB reads the play - a *******ized wishbone offense - allows two options. Pass and run. But the defense has to respect the run because it could be one of two players doing so.
This sets up their passing attack off the run and makes it more effective.
Dallas doesn't run play action because the defense does not respect their running game. That is because of the line. Regardless of what this Giants' game appeared to be, they dictated what the offense did by their defense and ability to shut down the run. Even though at the end of the day Murray had 86 yards rushing and a 4.3 per.
Dallas is as close to a one dimensional attack as they can be because of the rushing attack getting no respect.
Can Waters change this? To be determined.
But you just saw the footprint for other teams to play Dallas tonight. Play your lanes against the run with your front line and then sell out for the passing game. Double Dez and force this team to drive the field with Witten and Austin and not make the mental mistakes and get the penalties they are known for.
Now factor in the turnovers that may or may not be there consistently and this game could have been huge the other way. Because Dallas is forced to use a passing attack like a running game and can not get big chunks and keep the defense honest.
When you force Dallas to drive the length of the field predominately with short passing as the focus, when you factor in the mental mistakes this team is known for in penalties, it makes it difficult.
Dallas stops itself.
Now add to it the lack of running game effects the red zone and this team goes away with 3 instead of six.
This was what kept the Cowboys from making the play-offs last year and unless Dunbar and Waters can change this, the team is headed toward another .500 year.
No pass rush and the DB's cannot maintain their position and prevent the passing game from thriving.
So the team that should have been built from the trenches out was not, and the results are pretty evident.
It took six turnovers to stay in this game.
Can they count on that every game? And even if they can, the Bears were at or near the top in turnovers take away last year and did not make the play-offs.
There is a flaw with this team that has not been fixed, as yet.
