Offense's Identity

[BAT]

In the recent past, the Cowboys were known as a pass first, pass second, almost finesse team. In 2014, that all changed. The Cowboys offense had an identity makeover. The offense was dictated by the running game. And not just any running game, but a running game that set out to absolutely ABUSE the opposing team each down. The running game was methodical, physical, time consuming, best of all it was punishing. In 2014, the Cowboys out-Seattled the Seahawks. Some teams emphasize big plays in the running game (getting all the meat off that bone) but the Cowboys preferred making all the right plays in the running game (a 2 yarder on 1st & second is better than a 5 yarder and a negative -4). Grinding for 1st downs at the end of the game with the lead. This was the identity the Cowboys had in the 90's with Emmitt Smith and the Great Wall. Norv Turner's offense relies on a vertical passing game predicated and supported by a smash mouth running attack. Garrett's offense is based on Norv's version of Air Coryell.

The RBBC approach can very well match the YARDS generated by the 2014 OL and 28. But will they be able to retain their identity, more importantly their winning success? Who is the back that will keep the drive alive at the end of games with a tiny lead on the line? Who is the back that can have a bad first quarter, or even half, then come alive in the 2nd to completely demoralize the opponent? The OL is still here, but their effect takes a while to build, the RB has to set the tone, finish runs hard. We need a back that makes opposing Defenses feel like they were in the worst fight of their lives, and lost. This is what Garrett and Linehan were so strident about last season. I see only Barry Sanders type RBs on this committee. We need at least ONE RB with the physicality and attitude of Emmitt, Earl Campbell, Jim Brown, or yes, Demarco Murray.

To retain our identity, we need a back who loves picking up the Dirty Yards.

 

[erod]

This is going to be a more Romo-oriented offense this season, no doubt. HOWEVER, not nearly like it was before last season. And this line creates opportunities for a lot more varieties of screens and quick throws that function more like running plays anyway.

 

[Cowboy4ever]

I don't agree with the premise of this thread. The identity of the team to be smash mouth, rugged and whipping you like you stole something starts and ends with the OLine. While i agree that none of the backs have a power run game, although Randle might surprise us with his power, he moved a pile pretty good the other night against Minny, I think their vision, speed and quickness in and out of the hole and breaks will be a huge difference that we didn't see last year. I do think Dunbar can and should be replaced on the roster, McFadden can do anything he can do and do it better. I would like to see a back with a little more power brought in but I don't think our 3rd RB is going to set our Identity this year. And their is no one available at the moment that will be replace Randle or McFadden without an injury.

 

[dwreck27]

I don't think we got our identity last year till we played the season... no one knew we would have Murray break Emmitts single season rushing mark... you would have been laughed off the site. .

Let the season start and let's see what happens

 

[BAT]

I don't think we got our identity last year till we played the season... no one knew we would have Murray break Emmitts single season rushing mark... you would have been laughed off the site. .

Let the season start and let's see what happens

Yet coaches like Pete Carroll were coming out even before the Seattle game and prefacing the matchup by saying how physical the Cowboys had become on offense. The identity was created IN season, not at the end.

 

[visionary]

Great post
I have the same fear
Most teams with great run games don't do RBBC, they have a dominant runner

Unless Randle or DMC become that, I think we are in real trouble

 

[erod]

Great post
I have the same fear
Most teams with great run games don't do RBBC, they have a dominant runner

Unless Randle or DMC become that, I think we are in real trouble

How many teams actually do have a great run game?

And when you're relying on a dominant runner, one injury to a guy who is likely to get injured is a pretty shaky way to try to play 19 games.

 

[visionary]

How many teams actually do have a great run game?

And when you're relying on a dominant runner, one injury to a guy who is likely to get injured is a pretty shaky way to try to play 19 games.

Did you not see our team in 2013 vs 2014?
We need a dominant run game if we want to make noise in the post season

Romo is good but he is not Rogers or Brady

 

[jazzcat22]

So the premise of this thread goes from it's identity to a RB thread. Go figure...lol....
The identity is an offense to be feared. A power offense that can hurt you with the run and the pass.
That started last year with the OL. And it will continue with that.

Protect Romo, he hurts you with the pass. Open up holes for a RB they hurt you with that. The OL will wear down your Defense, then you get hurt some more.

Yes a big RB would help, but he won't be your bell cow. People need to get over this. Maybe they get that next year. And RBBC doesn't mean Randle and MCFadden will have a 50-50 split.

I will wait to see how they start out, and give it 3 or 4 games, and see if a pattern or a front runner emerges.

But the identity will still be with the OL.

 

[BAT]

Great post
I have the same fear
Most teams with great run games don't do RBBC, they have a dominant runner

Unless Randle or DMC become that, I think we are in real trouble

Not sure if in real trouble with RBBC, but don't think we remain elite, as in true SB contender. Towards middle of the 2014 season, opposing teams were starting to fear us before we even played them. That 90's swagger, although more controlled/less flamboyant, was back.

 

[RS12]

Offense's Identity

O Line

 

[JoeBoBBY]

I agree 100%. And I'm not sure I can articulate all the positive, intangible, benefits that kind of style and RB brings to a team. Seattle is a great example. They call it "Beast Mode". And its Marshawn Lynch. Turn it on when needed.....

But imho, the OL, Dez, the team, and most importantly Romo and the Coaches, trusted Murray with their very careers. DM showed up when he needed to show up.... I'll never forget the Washington game a few years back when Romo chucked a 20 -30 yarder to Murray on the last play I think, to win the game and keep our playoff hopes alive. They trusted Murray; They "knew" Murray; That dynamic doesnt exist anymore...

Doesnt mean we lose; But what we had there, which imho was the biggest reason for a successful season, is not there anymore. -- And I do beleive the screens, and dump offs, quick hitters, mixed in with Randle/DMC will become the Identity. And I dont like it. Not saying it wont work, but the less Romo has to do, the bettter. I dont want to see him passing more. Not even one more attempt. If anything, I wouldl like to see less passing attempts this year. But that is not the direction we are heading.....

either way. Its getting close. game time.

 

[jazzcat22]

Did you not see our team in 2013 vs 2014?
We need a dominant run game if we want to make noise in the post season

Romo is good but he is not Rogers or Brady

Romo was the leading passer in passer rating last year. Rogers won because we didn't have a pass rush, and it was a catch by Dez. And our feared RB fumbled on a tapped ball that he loosely holds when running in the open. So his "bruising" style runner everyone wants didn't help us there.

Brady won with deflated balls, it may work for him in football games, but...well, never mind....lol....

 

[DFWJC]

Yet coaches like Pete Carroll were coming out even before the Seattle game and prefacing the matchup by saying how physical the Cowboys had become on offense. The identity was created IN season, not at the end.

Dallas was physical...no doubt!

Smith-Martin-Frederick-Leary-Free.....now THAT is physical! Murray and even Witten and Dez too.
That's a lot of physical players on offense. Only one is missing

Can't imagine that our run-pass ratio will be quite as high as last year. But with this line, they have no need at all to revert back to where they were before then.

Even better, I think the defense is going give us better field position and give up less points this year.

sweeet

 

[BAT]

So the premise of this thread goes from it's identity to a RB thread. Go figure...lol....
The identity is an offense to be feared. A power offense that can hurt you with the run and the pass.
That started last year with the OL. And it will continue with that.

Protect Romo, he hurts you with the pass. Open up holes for a RB they hurt you with that. The OL will wear down your Defense, then you get hurt some more.

Yes a big RB would help, but he won't be your bell cow. People need to get over this. Maybe they get that next year. And RBBC doesn't mean Randle and MCFadden will have a 50-50 split.

I will wait to see how they start out, and give it 3 or 4 games, and see if a pattern or a front runner emerges.

But the identity will still be with the OL.

So you are saying that the RB is not important if you have an elite OL? What happened to the Niners when Gore got injured? What happened to 90's Cowboys when Emmitt held out? The Browns have had one of the best OL groups for years, yet their running game is average. OL is dominant because the RB is producing dominating results. An OL is more physical, if the RB shares that same attitude and finishes runs with authority. They feed off one another. Garrett, Linehan, the OL themselves echoed this EVERY week last season.

For you to discount the importance of a RB as a crucial ingredient towards sustaining the identity of a punishing ground attack is comical.

 

[jazzcat22]

Dallas was physical...no doubt!

Smith-Martin-Frederick-Leary-Free.....now THAT is physical! Even Witten and Dez too. That's a lot of physical players on offense.

Can't imagine that our run-pass ratio will be quite as high as last year. But with this line, they have no need at all to revert back to where they were before then.

Even better, I think the defense is going give us better field position and give up less points this year.

sweeet

Actually our run pass ratio was pretty close last year. I posted what it was quite some time ago. But can't recall the numbers. But was less than 4% difference IIRC.

Yes, OL started it last year, and will continue this year.
Agree, our D will give us better field position, and not give up those long drives either.
Actually our Offense can gain less yards overall becuase of it, but the scoring will be up. But by making more stops, creating punts, or getting more turnovers, gives the offense more opportunities, therefore getting more yards on more possessions.

 

[jazzcat22]

So you are saying that the RB is not important if you have an elite OL? What happened to the Niners when Gore got injured? What happened to 90's Cowboys when Emmitt held out? The Browns have had one of the best OL groups for years, yet their running game is average. OL is dominant because the RB is producing dominating results. An OL is more physical, if the RB shares that same attitude and finishes runs with authority. They feed off one another. Garrett, Linehan, the OL themselves echoed this EVERY week last season.

For you to discount the importance of a RB as a crucial ingredient towards sustaining the identity of a punishing ground attack is comical.

No I am not saying the RB is not important at all. I am saying you do not need a big bruiser for a RB. Why do people think our RBs can't run with authority. Just because they are not 6-2 220 pounds. Does not mean they can't be physical.

 

[DFWJC]

Actually our run pass ratio was pretty close last year. I posted what it was quite some time ago. But can't recall the numbers. But was less than 4% difference IIRC.

Yes, OL started it last year, and will continue this year.
Agree, our D will give us better field position, and not give up those long drives either.
Actually our Offense can gain less yards overall becuase of it, but the scoring will be up. But by making more stops, creating punts, or getting more turnovers, gives the offense more opportunities, therefore getting more yards on more possessions.

Oh, I realize we were about even...but actually favored the run...which is rare.
I don't think it will be this year, nor do I think it should be.
I'm not talking 35-65 run/pass...or anything like that.
More like 46-54 ish. where last year is was 52-48

 

[BAT]

No I am not saying the RB is not important at all. I am saying you do not need a big bruiser for a RB. Why do people think our RBs can't run with authority. Just because they are not 6-2 220 pounds. Does not mean they can't be physical.

McFadden and even Randle are over 200 lbs. They are not much different size wise from Murray. But they don't finish runs aka "run to darkness" very often. Many lament that Murray left yards on the field but he also left a statement.

Run DMC and Joey Fingers are at their best in space. Randle does have the ability to make himself skinny going through LOS, and can lay a hit at times at end of his runs, but his natural instinct is to avoid contact, seek space, even if it means going sideways or even backwards. All 3 guys will break it outside at every opportunity. A workhorse back who relishes the dirty work would be nice, but barring that Cowboys need a short yardage mauler who can close out games, especially close games.

Current RBBC concerns me during those waning moments when we must keep the chains moving and OWN the clock, not just control it.

 

[jazzcat22]

Size of RBs
Seattle, Lynch, Turbin, and the 2 that most are drooling over for Dallas to get, Michael and Rawls.
Are all in the range of 5-10, 5-11 and 215 to 222 pound range.

Randle is 6-0 and 204, McFadden 6-2, 210, Gus Johnson 5-10, 224
As comparison Emmitt was 5-9, 209.

So Seattle loved RBs aren't really that much different in size. A little shorter, but heavier. I don't see that being a big significance to be all that concerned over. So have them put on a little weight or do you want them to still be quick and fast.
Yes Dunbar smaller but look at othe smaller RBs that can have an impact, like Sproles.