Playoff adjustment drives us to the SB

[nathanlt]

In looking at the season highlight reel that's going around, I've just been amazed at how many big plays were the result of Romo checking down to Barber. For the teams that have put a talented defender to spy Barber, they have done well in recent games. Romo will have to make the adjustment in using Witten as a safety valve to continue to burn the blitz. Either that, or scramble a little more.

Too many teams have figured out the gashing Barber does as a safety valve, the Cowboys should design some better safety valves to offset what these strong teams have surely figured out.

 

[NextGenBoys]

Hopefully Jason is saving some plays that he has only ran a few times this season for the playoffs.

Our coaches are too good at adjusting, so we're really going to see how they do in the playoffs. In my opinion the playoffs are when the coaching staff can make or break you. If you put together a great gameplan, sometimes that can beat the better team. (01 Pats beating 01 Rams) Or if your gameplan is terrible, the better team can lose (Us last year versus Seattle)

I think we're going to kind of be unleashed again in the playoffs. Especially our defense.

 

[sago1]

I think the Romo - Barbar duo worked well cause they both seem to anticipate what the other can and will do in given situations.

 

[joseephuss]

I think Dallas can do a lot of things to adjust to this. One thing is to do nothing. If teams are dedicating a spy to watching Barber, then that is one less pass rusher and one less guy covering TO and Witten.

Another adjustment to that is to send the back, either Barber or Jones on a wheel route instead of having them just flaring out or sitting in the flat. Make the spy come up and then run right by them.

 

[khiladi]

I think one problem is we tend to run a lot of vertical routes, so it crowds the WRs in one area. Plus, the opposing teams are dropping men back into coverage making it more of a spacing issue. Because of this, it has become easy for a LB who is playing up, and doesn't have to worry as much about shorter routes, to not be confused when Barber goes out into the flat. It is easy to mark him on the check-down. Also, longer routes mean more development time.

I think the Patriots, who also do similars things with Moss, counteract this type of defense well with Walker. Or they also keep the DBs off balance buy throwing a lot of screens. In both cases, it keeps the DBs off balance.

We need to estabish an effective running game to keep the DBs second guessing. That way, your forcing men up, and it will open the vertical routes more.

 

[percyhoward]

Unless we're counting on Owens being back for the divisional round, that's one adjustment we'll have to make. That's why I'd like to see the healthy offensive starters see some playing time this week--to find out how a game plan that doesn't include Owens works against a good defense.

 

[slogriff]

I've been surprised at the almost complete lack of "trick" plays run by the Cowboys this year. No RB/WR (Crayton) option passes or have we even tried a simple flea flicker this year? A lacking of reverses or double reverses. I couldn't believe it when I looked at the rushing stats to see just 1 Owens rush of 5 yds was the total yardage for WRs.

Do we break out any new "trick" plays for the playoffs? It would seem like it would have potential to catch the other team off-guard. Particularly in light of how the offense has been a little stagnant of late.

 

[Boyzmamacita]

Didn't we try a trick play against Carolina that didn't work too well? I think it was a fake reverse then throw to the RB that was stuffed for a loss. If Glenn can actually contribute, I would love to see the return of the flea-flicker at some point. He's so good at the receiving end of that one.

 

[onetrickpony]

I've been surprised at the almost complete lack of "trick" plays

You don't need trick plays when you are scoring over 30 points a game.

 

[LittleBoyBlue]

I would like to see Tony run a little more... especially early in games when opposing defenses are having more success against us... we waste alot of the game just trying to get it going.... a good tuck and run by Romo will loosen defenses up.

 

[NextGenBoys]

You don't need trick plays when you are scoring over 30 points a game.

29.9

Damnit these last few games suck! Hopefully our 2nd stringers can put up some numbers against the Skins and get us back to 30ppg. Not that it matters, but it does look nice in the stat sheet