One thing that almost everybody here seems to agree on

[GimmeTheBall!]

It seems that almost everybody is in agreement that the Cowboys are not utilizing quick, short throws and the middle of the field properly.

It's rare to see so many people here in agreement on a subject.

I'm just wondering if everybody really does agree or if it's just my perception.

Second, without just complaining about it, is there a reasonable explanation that we're missing?

You take a lot for granted, mein Xwalker.

Not ever one agrees, though i do.

Here is the thing: Romo half an all-pro in Witten and a burgoning star in Beaseley. And yet romo feel impaled to go long many times. OK, when you half Dez, duh, hail yeah go long but remember to not forget: The short pass to Witten and Beaseley be gold. Gold, I tell you. And it would not hurt to show more of Escobar on the near flat. That is all I got to say.

 

[Brooksey]

It seems that almost everybody is in agreement that the Cowboys are not utilizing quick, short throws and the middle of the field properly.

It's rare to see so many people here in agreement on a subject.

I'm just wondering if everybody really does agree or if it's just my perception.

Second, without just complaining about it, is there a reasonable explanation that we're missing?

Slants, bunch formations, drags, bubble screens, pick plays, I don't see much of it. I'm wondering if the lack of short passes in the middle is part of their scheme to run the ball more effectively by driving defenders deep down the field and to the sidelines. The original Coryell system stretches a defense vertically and horizontally right? What doesn't make a lot of sense is these long developing plays, 15-20 yard routes on 3rd and 5 or against the blitz. ? I can see taking a shot on 3rd and 1 against a stacked box.

We ran a hybrid system in the past with a lot of short passing in place of the run. Ever since we became a run first team, increasing our running plays from 35% to 50%, it seems as if we have made a decision to run less short passing plays.

I don't know the answer but for whatever reason they don't like last year's dink and dunk attack combined with this year's running game.

 

[31smackdown]

That's what makes the lack of more short routes even more questionable. Throwing the 20 yard intermediate routes that require a line drive type throw is more difficult than lofting up a long bomb.

And that really may be the issue. If Romo can't get a lot of pace on the ball you are left with all longer timing based routes with a higher margin for error, back shoulder, comebacks, basically anything that needs to be "squeezed in" is low percentage and may get picked. We are seeing that even with the outside throws of corners gaining an extra step. The window of openness is short and with less pace on the ball you are inviting contested catches.

 

[BigStar]

He didn't have problems throwing it to Ogletree in the game against the Giants few years back. Ogletree had his 15minutes of fame because he killed the giants with the slant in that game. So much that Coughlin commented that his defense looked like they never saw a slant pass before.

Which relates back to the lack of zip that was initially present during that season a few years ago and before the back issues became evident. Tony is a smart player and can still usually put it where he needs to, but for whatever reason slants have been generally ruled out in this scheme, as well as the deep ball.

 

[xwalker]

Has anyone seen the all 22 yet for eagles game ? And if so, can they confirm there are little to know quick / short routes

Yes, I can confirm that they don't use many quick route options. Of the few slant routes that they ran, only 1 maybe 2 were the primary option. The other problem is that of the few slant that they do run, the WRs often run right up to the face of the DB that is playing off before making their cut. If they would slant immediately from the line, the DB is often too far off to cover it.

Beasley did get completely open twice on slants but it was not the primary read. The defense did not cover Beasley at all on these 2 plays. It appeared the defense knew that the ball would not come to him.

The short/intermediate middle of the field has no receivers in it on a majority of the Cowboys pass plays.

 

[jobberone]

I do not think it is playcalling but design. The routes outside of the numbers, the back shoulder fades, etc. those are integral parts of the design and probably what we spend the majority of the time practicing. The structure of the playbook is what is in question to me, not the playcalling. The reason why we tend to struggle late in seasons is that there is not a lot of diversion from the installed offense. It works early, teams adjust, we are unable to compensate.

I worry this is true but I don't have the ability to really know this.

 

[xwalker]

I worry this is true but I don't have the ability to really know this.

They do have slant routes in the playbook. IMO, they just don't call them often enough and when they do run then it's rarely the primary read.

 

[jobberone]

They do have slant routes in the playbook. IMO, they just don't call them often enough and when they do run then it's rarely the primary read.

I believe this is true. But I don't know if my belief is reality.

 

[Red Dragon]

Here is the thing: Romo half an all-pro in Witten and a burgoning star in Beaseley. And yet romo feel impaled to go long many times. OK, when you half Dez, duh, hail yeah go long but remember to not forget: The short pass to Witten and Beaseley be gold. Gold, I tell you. And it would not hurt to show more of Escobar on the near flat. That is all I got to say.

"Impaled".........?

 

[GimmeTheBall!]

"Impaled".........?

like he feel he need to do something.

 

[Red Dragon]

like he feel he need to do something.

http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/impelled



"Impaled" is............. different.

 

[xwalker]

http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/impelled



"Impaled" is............. different.

Impale:
a. To pierce with a sharp stake or point.
b. To torture or kill by impaling.


Impel:
1. to drive or urge forward; press on; incite or constrain to action.
2. to drive or cause to move onward; propel; impart motion to.

 

[GimmeTheBall!]

http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/impelled



"Impaled" is............. different.

well that is embarasing. Thank you my friend.

 

[GimmeTheBall!]

Impale:
a. To pierce with a sharp stake or point.
b. To torture or kill by impaling.


Impel:
1. to drive or urge forward; press on; incite or constrain to action.
2. to drive or cause to move onward; propel; impart motion to.

I chose Number 1. thank you

 

[Hoov]

Yes, I can confirm that they don't use many quick route options. Of the few slant routes that they ran, only 1 maybe 2 were the primary option. The other problem is that of the few slant that they do run, the WRs often run right up to the face of the DB that is playing off before making their cut. If they would slant immediately from the line, the DB is often too far off to cover it.

Beasley did get completely open twice on slants but it was not the primary read. The defense did not cover Beasley at all on these 2 plays. It appeared the defense knew that the ball would not come to him.

The short/intermediate middle of the field has no receivers in it on a majority of the Cowboys pass plays.

Thanks. I'll take your word about not running enough slants/short routes.

But when they do run them Its just confusing to think the slant would not be the first read because its not a route that you can progress to later after looking to see how others do. Perhaps Tony does not like what he sees presnap and therefore predetermines not to even look there.

 

[Mr Cowboy]

Yes, I can confirm that they don't use many quick route options. Of the few slant routes that they ran, only 1 maybe 2 were the primary option. The other problem is that of the few slant that they do run, the WRs often run right up to the face of the DB that is playing off before making their cut. If they would slant immediately from the line, the DB is often too far off to cover it.

Beasley did get completely open twice on slants but it was not the primary read. The defense did not cover Beasley at all on these 2 plays. It appeared the defense knew that the ball would not come to him.

The short/intermediate middle of the field has no receivers in it on a majority of the Cowboys pass plays.

This is not a new issue, its been that way for at least the last three seasons, particularly towards the end of the year. I don't buy the excuses that Romo can't throw slants or short passes. He's done it before. As mentioned before, he beat the Giants that one Monday night throwimg slants to Ogletree. He made Austin a star throwing him slants and crossing patterns. If Romo truly can't throw slants and short passes and crossing routes he has no business throwing deep outs. Some of Dez's best plays have come on crossing patterns.

A couple of games ago, I mentioned that is appeared to me that Garrett has taken over the play planning and play calling, because the same Garrett tendencies were cropping up, mainly no passes to the middle of the field, and absolutely no adjustments. Defenses don't even defend the middle of the field. The only one who runs patterns to the middle of the field is Witten and they are keeping him in to block.

 

[CCBoy]

X, you always raise a good football centered question or make one in comment. I'll always appreciate your work on site.

As to topic, I tends towards an explanation that points to Bill Bellichick and his directions.

How is it, that his teams have always been fully functional with just a top notched quarterback on offense? Simply, a sharp throwing quarterback is able to throw all level and distances well. This leaves many more options on the board than simple putting out a stamped response as to team direction.

Maybe a quick comparison might focus my statement.

Bill bases his weekly scheme and mode of attack based upon beating the weaknesses that an upcoming opponent has on it's team. He doesn't throw extensively at a team that leads the league in pass defense...but in a selective manner that uses a tight end that just can't be stopped without a double team.

If a team is poor at run defense...the Patriots get a good dose of running the ball. That is how a lower round running back can produce 200 yards of rushing and get something like 4 touchdowns.

On defense, he has a complete shutdown cornerback, Revus, that he can adjust every element of his defense around to attack weak areas of an opposing offense. This means his defense can adjust and attack an opponent's offense as well.

The Cowboys, employ an understaffed bend but don't break defense...but while on offense, sends out the same scheme sequences week end and week out. But even this offense has weaknesses that are easily exploited.

The biggest eye sore for a Cowboy's offensive series, is cramming the box with a coordinated run blitz set, as the Cowboys still attempt to run at all odds to start off.

Double this, with an aggressive pass blitz package on passing downs, and those short passes and inside slants aren't being completed by Dallas.

To complete this thought, Dallas does not meet challenges to it's own weaknesses well...nor does it exploit an opponents effectively to gain advantage.

And defensively, Dallas at least needs to stop the run...as this will level general play between teams, a lot.

 

[xwalker]

This is not a new issue, its been that way for at least the last three seasons, particularly towards the end of the year. I don't buy the excuses that Romo can't throw slants or short passes. He's done it before. As mentioned before, he beat the Giants that one Monday night throwimg slants to Ogletree. He made Austin a star throwing him slants and crossing patterns. If Romo truly can't throw slants and short passes and crossing routes he has no business throwing deep outs. Some of Dez's best plays have come on crossing patterns.

A couple of games ago, I mentioned that is appeared to me that Garrett has taken over the play planning and play calling, because the same Garrett tendencies were cropping up, mainly no passes to the middle of the field, and absolutely no adjustments. Defenses don't even defend the middle of the field. The only one who runs patterns to the middle of the field is Witten and they are keeping him in to block.

I had a similar thought to the offense looking more like Garretts work rrecently but I'm beginning to think it Romo's influence. I thought the play calling and play design were better early in the season.

 

[CCBoy]

If Chicago is overly successful against the Dallas defense this season...this defense didn't fall far from last season's tree.

 

[Pessimist_cowboy]

It seems that almost everybody is in agreement that the Cowboys are not utilizing quick, short throws and the middle of the field properly.

It's rare to see so many people here in agreement on a subject.

I'm just wondering if everybody really does agree or if it's just my perception.

Second, without just complaining about it, is there a reasonable explanation that we're missing?

I agree and we should've especially vs philly . Both their MLB's are backups . Sometimes I scratch my head with these NFL a coaches . The week before GB tore them up through the middle .