No closing identity for offense

[Dale]

How many 4th-quarter leads have we blown since 2008? In 2007, our one year of real continued excellence, we had Barber to close out games. But ever since his play regressed and/or he was released, our fourth-quarter identity hasn't been the same.

We've gone for the throat at times, and have been burned with INTs. "Why wasn't Garrett running the ball?" fans would say. We play more conservatively, like today, and we see what happens.

We don't know what to do, and we can't execute whichever direction we might try any given week.

It's as if we truly do not know how to close out a game in the fourth. Billick was talking about that four-minute offense. Our four-minute offense effectively better negative yardage over two separate drives to close out this game.

 

[Pessimist_cowboy]

and it starts with a great RB. We dont have one

 

[Dale]

and it starts with a great RB. We dont have one

I think it is where quality running play becomes most important in today's league. I think you'll really see that with Lacy in GB down the stretch.

Maybe you set the table primarily with the passing game for 3 quarters, but running the football is still important down the stretch.

 

[5Stars]

Not to hijack this thread, but how about Bailey? He kept the Cowboys in the game. A road game. Part of a team. Give him some kudos. He scored some of those points.

 

[Dale]

Not to hijack this thread, but how about Bailey? He kept the Cowboys in the game. A road game. Part of a team. Give him some kudos. He scored some of those points.

You're absolutely right. For all the ways we create to lose games, a Bailey missed field goal is rarely, if ever to blame.

 

[Hoofbite]

They don't have any identity at all.

 

[mahoneybill]

Not to hijack this thread, but how about Bailey? He kept the Cowboys in the game. A road game. Part of a team. Give him some kudos. He scored some of those points.

Mr reliable. This looked at one point like he might be the deciding factor in a W

 

[logan]

Just imagine how badass this offense is going to be when we can finally pick up a top notch TE in the draft next year.

 

[CaptainCreed]

So really this thread's point is we cannot effectively run the ball to close out games? Why don't you just say that instead of being ambiguous with "identity" talk when every team in the league wants to be able to run out the clock with a lead at the end of a game. Screw identity, get the job done and get the results.

 

[Rogerthat12]

They don't have any identity at all.

They do have an identity, the identity is consistently inconsistent.

 

[Super_Kazuya]

What's sad is that when you turn on the TV and you see other teams actually run the clock out just running the ball, picking up a few first downs with straight ahead running despite the defense knowing what's coming. With this team, there's never any doubt that it will be third and something and we'll have to make a choice. The thought of us actually running the clock out doesn't cross a single fan's mind in the entire country.

 

[TTexasTT]

and it starts with a great RB. We dont have one

Thats not where it starts.
Not many teams have a great one.

 

[Picksix]

They don't have any identity at all.

No, they do. It's called "play not to lose." Been doing it pretty much since Garrett took over.