Our allegedly weak running game - Murray at more than 5 yards/carry

[Denim Chicken]

It is indeed for me based purely on observation, someone could show me the numbers and I may be surprised. Perhaps our particular ineptitude on second down in the Saints game is sticking extra long with me. However for me, the observation is that when we get 7 yards on 1st down, we almost never pick up the first down with a second down run... we'll get a yard or no gain. Also, we may run well early in the game but when we are trying to protect a lead our running game gets stuffed, getting 1-2 yards or losing yards. Fans interpret this as us abandoning the run, but the coaches know deep down that we can't run when a team knows we are and there's no use in throwing away downs. But yes, I'd like to see the numbers too.

Thanks, man. I think it was a good post. I just want to look into it a little more when I get some time. Seems it could be a result of telegraphing runs on 2nd & 3rd or a lack of imagination on run plays (haven't seen that delayed draw much).

 

[Stash]

There have been a lot of "fans" blaming Murray and ripping on him all season for the poor running game. It's had nothing to do with Murray and everything to do do with the scheme and dedication (or lack of it) to the running game.

Murray has been at or close to this 5 yards per carry all season. Got a running game like that and the scheme/gameplan ignores it? Completely pathetic.

I'm in complete agreement with you, and some of these attempted excuses to cover up for it are laughable at best.

This running game isn't perfect and still has room for improvement, especially in short yardage, but you don't get better at something by avoiding it.

The running game's issues have everything to do with coaching, from a coach who has needed a 'running game helper' since day one.

 

[AmericasTeam31]

There have been a lot of "fans" blaming Murray and ripping on him all season for the poor running game. It's had nothing to do with Murray and everything to do do with the scheme and dedication (or lack of it) to the running game.

Murray has been at or close to this 5 yards per carry all season. Got a running game like that and the scheme/gameplan ignores it? Completely pathetic.

Actually he leads the league in YPC.... Tied with Rashad Jennings at 5.1YPC and overall 13th in the league in Yards per game at 70.4 despite averaging only 13.9 carries per game...

 

[cowboys2233]

Nobodies arguing how good our running game would be IF 2 things happened. Murray staying on the field for 14-16 games. Jason allowing him to run the ball at least 15 -20 times a game. Those tow things happen, and we are find on offense!!!

Please. I have seen numerous posters suggest that Murray is an average back.

 

[Zimmy Lives]

I would hope they will use both run and pass in this game and frankly every game. I do think that is ultimately what Garrett wants in this offense. Yes we are good at throwing the ball so when things get stagnate they will turn to what they do best but I don't think that changes what Garrett would like to see from this offense and that is better balance. Does not mean you run every 1st down but it does mean you use the run game to compliment the passing game and of course to keep defense off balance.

I think the running game would be solid if Dallas had a good lead blocker. The guy in NY did most of the dirty work for Jacobs and Brown but he seemed to get little credit for their success running the ball. Without a good lead blocker, Dallas is sometimes forced to feature the pass.

 

[percyhoward]

1st and 10
4.26 ypc (18th)
15.7% 1stD (3rd)

2nd down, 3 or less to go
2.17 ypc (27th)
58.3% 1stD (21st)

3rd down, 3 or less to go
1.78 ypc (29th)
66.7% 1stD (15th)

Run Play Percentage
30th Dal 33.4%
31st Cle 31.1%
32nd Atl 30.5%

 

[31smackdown]

Murray did not look right in the Giants game. Almost looked to me like he was favoring something on his left side(quad, hamstring, groin) that would not allow him to burst or accelerate. He has never been "quick", but he you usually see him driving off his legs more than he was against NY IMO.

 

[Doomsday101]

I think the running game would be solid if Dallas had a good lead blocker. The guy in NY did most of the dirty work for Jacobs and Brown but he seemed to get little credit for their success running the ball. Without a good lead blocker, Dallas is sometimes forced to feature the pass.

Maybe so but others are able to run with consistency without the true FB. One thing now days it is hard to find a quality FB since there are fewer in the college ranks to begin with.

 

[Zimmy Lives]

Maybe so but others are able to run with consistency without the true FB. One thing now days it is hard to find a quality FB since there are fewer in the college ranks to begin with.

I still think they should turn Lemon into a fullback.

 

[Deep_South]

I think the running game would be solid if Dallas had a good lead blocker. The guy in NY did most of the dirty work for Jacobs and Brown but he seemed to get little credit for their success running the ball. Without a good lead blocker, Dallas is sometimes forced to feature the pass.

The guy playing fullback for the Giants was John Conner. He was a final cut by the Bengals, and sat on his couch for a few weeks until the Giants signed him to a two year contract.

 

[Stash]

I think the running game would be solid if Dallas had a good lead blocker. The guy in NY did most of the dirty work for Jacobs and Brown but he seemed to get little credit for their success running the ball. Without a good lead blocker, Dallas is sometimes forced to feature the pass.

I see that as self-inflicted. The team's stubbornness and failure to successfully implement the two TE offense is directly responsible in my opinion.

 

[dstovall5]

Wrong. The only thing inconsistent about our run game this season has been the frequency in which a run play has been called. Garrett abandons the run regardless of time or situation. A guy (your featured back) averaging 5+ yards per game is not inconsistent, it misused and mismanaged. Baffles me how your starting running back avg something like this and people still subscribe to the theory that its inconsistent, when HE is OUR RUNNING GAME.

If we had a CONSISTENT 2 back tandem, that didn't produce them I'd buy into this but we have one back that they have used all season and the others are spare parts that have barely seen the ball outside of 2 games and in one of those games Randall performed well under the circumstances.There has never been a RB in history that always got positive yards on every carry. Not one! But after a couple of bad runs, Garrett has somehow Jedi mind-tricked some fans into thinking we suck at it. Fact is, he sucks at employing a balanced gameplan and used this nonsense as a scapegoat and its unwarranted.

PLEASE DON'T DRINK HIS, JERRY'S, BC'S OR ROMO'S KOOLAID ANYMORE. The run game is just fine and has been all season long when utilized and when I say utilized, I mean actually called upon it more than 14 times in a game.

Dude, you're just flat out wrong. We DO have an INCONSISTENT running game, and that's why we abandon it. The numbers even back my statement up, heck, look up the stats Percy just posted.

1st and 10
4.26 ypc (18th)
15.7% 1stD (3rd)

2nd down, 3 or less to go
2.17 ypc (27th)
58.3% 1stD (21st)

3rd down, 3 or less to go
1.78 ypc (29th)
66.7% 1stD (15th)

That's an inconsistent running game, and it's a large reason why we're struggling on 3rd down. If you STILL don't think we have an inconsistent running game, then how do you explain these numbers posted?

 

[Denim Chicken]

Dude, you're just flat out wrong. We DO have an INCONSISTENT running game, and that's why we abandon it. The numbers even back my statement up, heck, look up the stats Percy just posted.

1st and 10
4.26 ypc (18th)
15.7% 1stD (3rd)

2nd down, 3 or less to go
2.17 ypc (27th)
58.3% 1stD (21st)

3rd down, 3 or less to go
1.78 ypc (29th)
66.7% 1stD (15th)

That's an inconsistent running game, and it's a large reason why we're struggling on 3rd down. If you STILL don't think we have an inconsistent running game, then how do you explain these numbers posted?

I would assume those numbers include the games where our staring RB was out. Also, the number of attempts would be relevant for context.

 

[dstovall5]

I would assume those numbers include the games where our staring RB was out. Also, the number of attempts would be relevant for context.

I bet you're right, but that wouldn't matter anyway. We're talking about our running game as a whole here, and not just one single player. The fact is, our running game has been very inconsistent and we have a horrible YPC in critical situations. Even with the eyeball test alone it seems we get stuffed on a lot of runs, or can't convert a short first down when need be.

I'm sure our o-line is part of the reason as well for our inconsistencies, but I honestly don't care who's at fault as long as Dallas fixes it.

 

[50cent]

Dude, you're just flat out wrong. We DO have an INCONSISTENT running game, and that's why we abandon it. The numbers even back my statement up, heck, look up the stats Percy just posted.

1st and 10
4.26 ypc (18th)
15.7% 1stD (3rd)

2nd down, 3 or less to go
2.17 ypc (27th)
58.3% 1stD (21st)

3rd down, 3 or less to go
1.78 ypc (29th)
66.7% 1stD (15th)

That's an inconsistent running game, and it's a large reason why we're struggling on 3rd down. If you STILL don't think we have an inconsistent running game, then how do you explain these numbers posted?

Lack of committment. Show me the carries and who's carrying it in those situations. Those numbers factor in pass plays that Romo scrambled out of for minimal gains (and if I'm not mistaken, sacks factor into those numbers as well), horrible WR reverses and 2 games when your 4th RB was forced into action. When Murray has suited up the run game has fine when given a chance. You can't call your run game inconsistent when your starter is avg 5+. but you can say the play calling has.

 

[EPL0c0]

Imagine if Murray wasn't 25th in carries.

Imagine if Murray didn't run into piles/blockers and opted for the open hole instead

 

[Tenkamenin]

To me, he doesn't finish long runs because he's tired. It just looks that way when he runs cause he hits the hole then slows up getting past the next level.

i.e. his long gain against the giants a yr ago. He pulled up when he had the opportunity to fight for more yds.

 

[TheRat]

That is like saying Lichtenstein has such a large economy because their GDP per capita is so large.

 

[JoeyBoy718]

I've always thought Murray was a great runner. He is miles better than any other RB we've had in a long time. The problems are: 1) whoever is calling our plays rarely calls running plays, and 2) Murray is so fragile that I don't even know if he could be a 20 carry a game back.

 

[JoeyBoy718]

I think the running game would be solid if Dallas had a good lead blocker. The guy in NY did most of the dirty work for Jacobs and Brown but he seemed to get little credit for their success running the ball. Without a good lead blocker, Dallas is sometimes forced to feature the pass.

I think that's irrelevant. A good lead blocker helps you get more yards. This thread is saying Murray is already capable of getting yards (he leads the league in ypc). The problem is he only gets 13 carries per game.