My issues with play calling.

[Verdict]

I understand that the result of the play doesn't always indicate whether the play calling was good or bad on a particular play. So I am not really as interested in the result of the play as I am the thought process that went into a particular play.

Here are a couple of things that I have noticed. First, the offensive line is much stronger on the left side and runs to that side seem to be more productive as a general rule. So why not go to what works, instead of trying to be cute and "keep them guessing" since the runs over the right side don't seem to be as effective.

It seems as though Miles Austin was a complete afterthought in this game. How you can forget about him is beyond me. Dez is much more deadly making the catch, but Austin is probably more elusive after the catch than Dez, so let's not forget about him.

As for the tight ends .... we have a two tight end offense to create a mismatch and gash opposing teams. If we are not going to use Hanna's speed to really "hurt" the opposing team, then what is the purpose of having the offense in place?

What was up with the final play of the game against KC? That play had absolutely NO chance of getting anywhere from the word go. How they can not take a shot down the field in that instance? A pass interference call may get you into field goal range for Bailey to make a long field goal attempt.

 

[WV Cowboy]

What was up with the final play of the game against KC? That play had absolutely NO chance of getting anywhere from the word go. How they can not take a shot down the field in that instance? A pass interference call may get you into field goal range for Bailey to make a long field goal attempt.

Romo may as well have taken a knee.

 

[Yakuza Rich]

My issue with the playcalling is that we've resorted to making very, very short throws in very, very tight windows. Simply put, it's high risk for little reward. If I thrown something short, I generally want the guy to be wide open and maybe he can make a play. Not a 'he's blanketed on a 2-yard pass and we have 9 yards to get a first down.'






YR

 

[Verdict]

My issue with the playcalling is that we've resorted to making very, very short throws in very, very tight windows. Simply put, it's high risk for little reward. If I thrown something short, I generally want the guy to be wide open and maybe he can make a play. Not a 'he's blanketed on a 2-yard pass and we have 9 yards to get a first down.'






YR

I agree with this statement. It gives the play no possibility for a big gain. I realize that the KC defense had something to do with our offensive woes, but is doesn't seem like we EVER get any easy yards, or ever catch the defense off guard (with the exception on Murray being uncovered late in the game) but that had nothing to do with play calling.

 

[Verdict]

One positive thing is that the OL did a pretty good job of giving Romo decent protection in both games. Romo has enough time to make a play now, the issue is putting the players in the right positions to make a play.

 

[Hoov]

My issue with the playcalling is that we've resorted to making very, very short throws in very, very tight windows. Simply put, it's high risk for little reward. If I thrown something short, I generally want the guy to be wide open and maybe he can make a play. Not a 'he's blanketed on a 2-yard pass and we have 9 yards to get a first down.'






YR

True. When you throw short with defenders right behind the receiver there is a chance of a tipped ball going right to the defender.

If it takes 15 short completed passes to go 80 yards instead of 6-8 longer completed passes... then you have an increased risk of a drive stalling with a dropped pass or a turnover due to a tipped pass or a hit that coughs the ball up.

 

[Direwolf63]

My issue with the playcalling is that we've resorted to making very, very short throws in very, very tight windows. Simply put, it's high risk for little reward. If I thrown something short, I generally want the guy to be wide open and maybe he can make a play. Not a 'he's blanketed on a 2-yard pass and we have 9 yards to get a first down.'

This fact is really starting to bug me. To throw a 2 yard pass on 3rd and 7 may be OK if the receiver gets it in stride moving forward with a chance to make a guy miss.
But a 2 yard out to Witten, another TE or RB running towards the sidelines when you need more yards has no chance of succeeding. It's a wasted play. You may as well just run it up the gut and punt the ball. There is less risk.




YR[/quote]

 

[CATCH17]

One positive thing is that the OL did a pretty good job of giving Romo decent protection in both games. Romo has enough time to make a play now, the issue is putting the players in the right positions to make a play.

It's always been the main issue.

The OLine excuse is just for the Garrett fan boys to have something to cling on to.

This system is just bad and has no shot of working unless we get a huge spark from a tailback.

 

[Yakuza Rich]

I agree with this statement. It gives the play no possibility for a big gain. I realize that the KC defense had something to do with our offensive woes, but is doesn't seem like we EVER get any easy yards, or ever catch the defense off guard (with the exception on Murray being uncovered late in the game) but that had nothing to do with play calling.

Football is intricate, but it's not rocket science. If you have a 3rd and 10, I expect some of the receivers to run routes past the first down marker. If they are short of the first down marker, I expect them to be in a position where they can make a play and get the first down. It's basic football 101 and I think we tend to over-think things and get away from that. And I think that is on both Romo and Garrett.

I also think we need to prove to opposing defenses we can beat the blitz rather handily. While we don't have the greatest running game, I think we could put ourselves in position to develop a good running game by setting up the running with the pass. But if Garrett, Callahan and Romo can't come up with something better than that, then we'll never be a contender and it will be time to move on from each of them.





YR

 

[DOUBLE WING]

I would love to see Mike McCarthy in charge of this offense, just for one week, so we can put to rest the "it's the personnel that's the problem" argument that some people still desperately cling to.

 

[Tabascocat]

I also think we need to prove to opposing defenses we can beat the blitz rather handily. While we don't have the greatest running game, I think we could put ourselves in position to develop a good running game by setting up the running with the pass. But if Garrett, Callahan and Romo can't come up with something better than that, then we'll never be a contender and it will be time to move on from each of them.YR

We have two weapons to beat the blitz but are not used....Dunbar and Beasley. One hasn't gained trust and the other is playing Fantasy Football on gamedays.

 

[NoLuv4Jerry]

I agree with a lot I am seeing here. If you are going to throw a 2 yard pass....as often as we do...don't you think you can run and get those same 2 yards...maybe even more than 2 because the defense is expecting us to pass. And the windows our QB has to fit the ball in are ridiculous. Plus they do not allow the receiver to create YAC and/or protect themselves. These routese allow our receivers to take a physical pounding. They could break "some" of these tackles. But it would be nice to throw/catch in space from time to time.

 

[Tabascocat]

I agree with a lot I am seeing here. If you are going to throw a 2 yard pass....as often as we do...don't you think you can run and get those same 2 yards...maybe even more than 2 because the defense is expecting us to pass. And the windows our QB has to fit the ball in are ridiculous. Plus they do not allow the receiver to create YAC and/or protect themselves. These routese allow our receivers to take a physical pounding. They could break "some" of these tackles. But it would be nice to throw/catch in space from time to time.

That is what the middle of the field is for. Apparently, Dallas is allergic to it, must be something in the grass/turf.

 

[Yakuza Rich]

We have two weapons to beat the blitz but are not used....Dunbar and Beasley. One hasn't gained trust and the other is playing Fantasy Football on gamedays.

Dez and Miles can beat the blitz. Both can be used on quick slants and fade routes. But too often we are looking to get too cute and try to change the call to throw to a rookie on a screen pass while neglecting Dez, who has man-to-man and has scorched defenders all game long.




YR

 

[Tabascocat]

Dez and Miles can beat the blitz. Both can be used on quick slants and fade routes. But too often we are looking to get too cute and try to change the call to throw to a rookie on a screen pass while neglecting Dez, who has man-to-man and has scorched defenders all game long.YR

Yes, but I meant those two guys in addition to who is already on the field.

 

[AdamJT13]

What was up with the final play of the game against KC? That play had absolutely NO chance of getting anywhere from the word go. How they can not take a shot down the field in that instance? A pass interference call may get you into field goal range for Bailey to make a long field goal attempt.

In the past 15 seasons, no team has ever scored from that deep in its own territory with that little time left on the clock. Our only chance was to take two shots down the field and on the sidelines, one to get near midfield and hopefully out of bounds, then either a hail mary or a shot to get into FG range and out of bounds, depending on how much time was left after the first play.

Of course, given that we inexplicably took a knee from midfield at the end of the first half, maybe we just had no confidence in Romo being able to throw the ball far enough to be useful.

 

[WV Cowboy]

Of course, given that we inexplicably took a knee from midfield at the end of the first half, maybe we just had no confidence in Romo being able to throw the ball far enough to be useful.

I would not hesitate to let Orton throw it if I felt Romo could not.

 

[TimHortons]

It's actually pretty funny that last year we were all saying that the reason we couldn't make any big plays down field is because the O line couldn't hold blocks long enough to develop the routes. Now, when our pass protection is finally up to snuff, our play callers aren't calling down field plays. Very frustrating

 

[dupree89]

My issue isnt just with play calling. My problem is with the shuffling in and out of players at the skill positions.
If you are using 3 WR...use and stick with the 3 that you deem the best. Same with TE's, RB. Whatever formation is used...use the best at that position and stick with 'em so they can get into a groove, gain some confidence, get on a roll. Too often a WR will make a 12 yd reception and you see him going off the field. IMO they try to be too cute and creative with trying to get so many guys involved.

 

[Zordon]

In the past 15 seasons, no team has ever scored from that deep in its own territory with that little time left on the clock. Our only chance was to take two shots down the field and on the sidelines, one to get near midfield and hopefully out of bounds, then either a hail mary or a shot to get into FG range and out of bounds, depending on how much time was left after the first play.

Of course, given that we inexplicably took a knee from midfield at the end of the first half, maybe we just had no confidence in Romo being able to throw the ball far enough to be useful.

25 yd line, 7 seconds left.