Pollard vs McCaffrey

[Cowboyny]

If we do not stop " bell-cowing " Pollard, he's gonna be so spent out, long before stretch run into playoffs.

Same with Brandin Cooks, I don't think it has anything to do with " injury" .

And yet once again with Pollard - there was nuthin " major " about his playoff injury.
This wasn't an ACL or Achilles Tendon tear.

- He did not even need screws in recovering back from a broken fibula, as that was a self- heal process.
and only the high ankle sprain was a minor procedure. I just ever get the impression that the skeptics will forever make it an major injury for the shock value sound of it.

- And he's already had a few breakaway 20+ yard runs that has displayed his patented burst.
But I'm thinking he has not been positioned and schemed to where it is/should be constant splash plays and
hasn't yet had that homerun TD.

- Dunno if it has been about having the key OL starting guys all healthy at one time, but the cut lanes and
secondary level of blocking hasn't always been there consistently and frequently.

- Having a Tyron out, ..Martin out ,...Tyler Smith, ..Tyler Biadasz out, could make all difference in the world, I'll have to wait to see if what happens when we get that cohesive chemistry back, but it hasn't been the expected homerun hits but we still did gain 100+ yards rushing, our backup serviceables.

- And it has not been just running the ball .. why hasn't McCarthy maximized and developed Pollard's receiving skills
in this dink and dunk offense of yet ?
The wheel routes vs LBs, ..the stop & re-direct isolation routes over the middle against the middle LBs, the quick swing flairs (as seen via Rico Dowdle TD catch) ...
and where are the RB screens we expected ? (and did not get from Kellen Moore)

To me, he just doesn't look as explosive as he did last season. Yes, banged up OL has played a role, but he hasn't gotten many splash plays as of yet. MM is using him as an extension of the run with underneath passes thus far. We heard that they yet have opened up their entire playbook, perhaps there are some down the field passing opportunities for Pollard.

 

[quickccc]

To me, he just doesn't look as explosive as he did last season. Yes, banged up OL has played a role, but he hasn't gotten many splash plays as of yet. MM is using him as an extension of the run with underneath passes thus far. We heard that they yet have opened up their entire playbook, perhaps there are some down the field passing opportunities for Pollard.

Which doesn't make sense to me, as you've acquired player talent to have an opened up playbook. it should not be a backup reserve. This team is geared to be splash plays, not ball control, dink n dunk ball possession.
Pollard is not a bell cow grinder, you don't pound away at him for such a role. You gear him to get into the 2nd level, get cutback lanes and off tackle plays to get him into space and open field as much as possible.

- You don't make a major trade for one of the speedy WRs in the NFL (Cooks) to be a dink n dunk offense.
He's not a possession guy, and you should have to have to make adjustments to now find a role for him.
He should have been your priority scheme in the offseason with the coaches.

- Yes, we are among the NFL in yards gain, ..because opposing are giving us the underneath chain yards under their zone umbrella, " beat us methodically " rather than giving up chunk yards and big splash plays.
That's more break down and demoralizing to an opposing defense.

- And then there's the lack of red zone efficiency, something we were clearly tops in the NFL last year under Kellen.

- Schultz is gone and he was a huge key in red zone, but we still have other key players that should be major factors
in red zone, ala Lamb, Gallup, Cooks, Pollard, Ferguson, etc. ...but what it is ?
Coach scheme/coach design, Play calling. It's been more of a coach fail than player fail, imo.

Note: And I'm willing to bet that the executives (Jones & McClay) are gonna be meeting with the HC, to find out
and demand why we cannot get much more outta of the splash play guys that the coaches have at their disposal,
and they ( the Jones) are gonna demand the coaches make the very noticeable, necessary adjustments accordingly.

 

[CCBoy]

I was really excited to hear McCarthy was taking over the offense, and new OC Brian Schottenhemer was assisting.

Kellen Moore, imo was absent in developing, designing and involving the RBs more in the pass game, and we have long been
subpar in RB screens,
Kellen did not seem to care, prefer, have a knack for or patience for that kind of play .

Pollard is one of the more explosive and exciting RBs iin the NFL, he made the Pro Bowl even with splitting time with ZKE, we’ve seen in

Maybe I got ahead of myself in imagining Pollard with the right coaching and scheme design combined with his explosive speed, could have Christian McCaffrey like capabilities and impact.

A RB who frightens opposing defenses with his instant burst and homerun speed, and one that can also kills defenses once he quickly gets into the open field (ala his wheel route vs Vikings for a TD)

I thought I’d see a bundle of those kind of splash big plays even more so than Kellen.
But I’m starting to wonder now if that’s in the big Mac’s bag of tricks

Oh, he is good and strongly talented. He has paid the price for his turn at the top of the Dallas offense. That says a lot, by itself.

As to his totals, it is solid league wide, now. He is already producing strongly.

As to highlight footage, that will still come. He can handle holes very well. That part will start showing up with the return of a pro bowl line again. Then speed, screens, play action will be the heart and soul of the Dallas Cowboys.

 

[CCBoy]

Which doesn't make sense to me, as you've acquired player talent to have an opened up playbook. it should not be a backup reserve. This team is geared to be splash plays, not ball control, dink n dunk ball possession.
Pollard is not a bell cow grinder, you don't pound away at him for such a role. You gear him to get into the 2nd level, get cutback lanes and off tackle plays to get him into space and open field as much as possible.

- You don't make a major trade for one of the speedy WRs in the NFL (Cooks) to be a dink n dunk offense.
He's not a possession guy, and you should have to have to make adjustments to now find a role for him.
He should have been your priority scheme in the offseason with the coaches.

- Yes, we are among the NFL in yards gain, ..because opposing are giving us the underneath chain yards under their zone umbrella, " beat us methodically " rather than giving up chunk yards and big splash plays.
That's more break down and demoralizing to an opposing defense.

- And then there's the lack of red zone efficiency, something we were clearly tops in the NFL last year under Kellen.

- Schultz is gone and he was a huge key in red zone, but we still have other key players that should be major factors
in red zone, ala Lamb, Gallup, Cooks, Pollard, Ferguson, etc. ...but what it is ?
Coach scheme/coach design, Play calling. It's been more of a coach fail than player fail, imo.

Note: And I'm willing to bet that the executives (Jones & McClay) are gonna be meeting with the HC, to find out
and demand why we cannot get much more outta of the splash play guys that the coaches have at their disposal,
and they ( the Jones) are gonna demand the coaches make the very noticeable, necessary adjustments accordingly.

Get the all pro line on the field and your view through that set of lenses...will change - drama fed.

 

[blueblood70]

I was really excited to hear McCarthy was taking over the offense, and new OC Brian Schottenhemer was assisting.

Kellen Moore, imo was absent in developing, designing and involving the RBs more in the pass game, and we have long been
subpar in RB screens,
Kellen did not seem to care, prefer, have a knack for or patience for that kind of play .

Pollard is one of the more explosive and exciting RBs iin the NFL, he made the Pro Bowl even with splitting time with ZKE, we’ve seen in

Maybe I got ahead of myself in imagining Pollard with the right coaching and scheme design combined with his explosive speed, could have Christian McCaffrey like capabilities and impact.

A RB who frightens opposing defenses with his instant burst and homerun speed, and one that can also kills defenses once he quickly gets into the open field (ala his wheel route vs Vikings for a TD)

I thought I’d see a bundle of those kind of splash big plays even more so than Kellen.
But I’m starting to wonder now if that’s in the big Mac’s bag of tricks

well I think the bigger problem here has been the offensive line hasn't been there and also you do realize that we all told you this was gonna happen with Tony Pollard being the number one player when you're taking first team snaps the defense is all over you you wanna get on Elliott for his lack of production we're getting a taste of Tony Pollard being the number one being focused on by the defense running through the tackles a lot being utilized like a regular running back instead of a change of pace back and I believe that's a mistake I've been saying it all year they need to pull back on him they've been giving him way too many carries his yards per carry is suffering his explosive plays are suffering..

Oh and let's be honest here let's not act like this is the difference between Kellen Moore and Mike McCarthy let's I'm gonna remind you 3.8 yards per carry no touchdowns 51 yards per game two injuries no explosive plays in the last five games last year yes for Tony Pollard that was Tony Pollard the way he finished last year..​

​

You wanna know why because he got more and more carries as the year went on and everyone was proud to say he finally is getting his day in the sun that he deserves the number one spot from Ezekiel Elliott well here we are this is what Tony Pollard is as a number one running back versus a guy that you keep his legs fresh and you wear down the defense and then bring him in they are over using him and in my opinion using him wrong they need to give more carries to the other backs on this team and try to keep Pollard more fresh for bigger moments literally overuse this dude and used him in a odd way running him so many times on short yardage and through the middle of the line and that is not how to use him properly in my opinion...​

​

So I don't know what the coaches are thinking or why they're doing it but I think that they've made a critical error here you're already wearing this dude out.. The big picture here is the playoffs or the games like San Francisco if you were to underutilize this guy the first four weeks he'd be much fresher coming into this game and then again when we need him against the Eagles and big games then you could put the load on him but you could have easily cut back on his snaps and win all these games have you watched the games three of them were blowouts and one was a loss where nobody showed up you could have easily took five carries a game away from him and we still win those games...​

 

[quickccc]

Here's hoping MM sees fit to use Luepke to advantage this week vs. the 49ers. I do believe he's aptly suited to handle our power rushing needs to advantage in a complementary role to Pollard. Why he hasn't done so thus far is a bit puzzling to me. I feel confident that he's ready to step up.

I think we''ll have to reply upon Hunter as the RB2 while Rico is out or recovering
(from the usual nicks & dings he gets)

- I wonder (and believe) if there are such issues with Deuce and his blitz blocking to reply upon him
as a dependable RB2.

- Vaughn simply has got to display responsibilities to be relied upon when he does Not have the ball.
Otherwise he's merely a decoy for play action, or it leads to Predictability.

- If Deuce is in the game, it's automatic telegraphic play call for him to get the ball, so overload and
commit to getting a jump on him at snap of the ball.
And it's gonna present problems if there are audibles that calls for him to immediately hot read pick up blitz block.

- Even past notable smallish spot guys like Sproles, Warrick Dunn, Dave Meggett, are gonna be asked
to occasional block in spots and situations.

 

[lukin2006]

Luepke is not a power runner. He’s a blocking and pass catching RB

Really. Hes a full back???

 

[quickccc]

Get the all pro line on the field and your view through that set of lenses...will change - drama fed.

Niners have one All Pro guy (Trent Williams) but for years they have managed splash plays and productive
even before McCaffrey came onto the scene.

 

[Jarntt]

The O-line will be intact. Pollard will outperform McCaffrey and the Cowboys come away with the win. Tony is just as electric, we just haven't been able to provide him with much space. That changes Sunday.

Having the OL together for a game against a great D is almost a bigger barometer than the fact hat we are playing the team that eliminated us the last two years. I'm so psyched to see how they do as a group against a front 7 that absolutely dominates and bullies everyone. On Pollard, I don't think you are gong to see the performance you allude to because it's not just their great DL, it's also Warner and assuming he plays, Greenlaw. It's very difficult to control both their DL and also their LBs in the run game. They have only been giving up like 60 yards per game rushing. If we can get to around 115 as a team (assume about 75 for Pollard; 20 Dowdle; 10 Dak; 10 Misc)) I think we will have a great chance to win. We need Dowdle to spell Pollard. This team will throw Deuce around like a rag doll and Luepke is too slow for the base offense against the 49ers. I would call up Malik Davis for this game and not have Deuce on the game day roster unless they are 100% sure Dowdle is good to go full bore. We will need McKeon active for his blocking and an extra OL due to all of the injuries that could come back during the game to our starters. I love Deuce and he will get his chances, but this week shouldn't be one of them IMO.

 

[CowboyRoy]

So far I am not satisfied with the running game.
I would without hesitation take a RB in the first three rounds in next years draft.

TreVeyon Henderson - Ohio St
Rahiem Sanders -Arkansas
Trey Benson -Florida St
Blake Corum - Michigan
Ray Davis - Kentucky.
Will Shipley - Clemson

The backs arent the problem. The Oline is the problem. Better off drafting oline.

But I do agree we need to take a back in rounds 2-4. Definitely not 1. Cant pay a back 10 million.

 

[CowboyRoy]

The O-line will be intact. Pollard will outperform McCaffrey and the Cowboys come away with the win. Tony is just as electric, we just haven't been able to provide him with much space. That changes Sunday.

in all your wildest dreams Pollard is not MCaf.

 

[JohnsKey19]

Niners have one All Pro guy (Trent Williams) but for years they have managed splash plays and productive
even before McCaffrey came onto the scene.

The Shanahans' running schemes, father and son, have always been the best in the business.

 

[Outlaw Heroes]

Not everyone can scheme like Shanahan. He'd probably be able to get McCaffrey-like impact out of Pollard but that doesn't mean McCarthy is capable.

 

[CCBoy]

Niners have one All Pro guy (Trent Williams) but for years they have managed splash plays and productive
even before McCaffrey came onto the scene.

They have how many Lombardis recently? How many prior SF runners were also at the top of the total yardage lists as well?

 

[CCBoy]

Not everyone can scheme like Shanahan. He'd probably be able to get McCaffrey-like impact out of Pollard but that doesn't mean McCarthy is capable.

Quinn also can educate his team in tendencies and remedies in game!

 

[Outlaw Heroes]

Quinn also can educate his team in tendencies and remedies in game!

Yes, I'm glad we have DQ to match up against Shanahan's offensive mind. I think that contest probably decides the game.

 

[Cowboyny]

Which doesn't make sense to me, as you've acquired player talent to have an opened up playbook. it should not be a backup reserve. This team is geared to be splash plays, not ball control, dink n dunk ball possession.
Pollard is not a bell cow grinder, you don't pound away at him for such a role. You gear him to get into the 2nd level, get cutback lanes and off tackle plays to get him into space and open field as much as possible.

- You don't make a major trade for one of the speedy WRs in the NFL (Cooks) to be a dink n dunk offense.
He's not a possession guy, and you should have to have to make adjustments to now find a role for him.
He should have been your priority scheme in the offseason with the coaches.

- Yes, we are among the NFL in yards gain, ..because opposing are giving us the underneath chain yards under their zone umbrella, " beat us methodically " rather than giving up chunk yards and big splash plays.
That's more break down and demoralizing to an opposing defense.

- And then there's the lack of red zone efficiency, something we were clearly tops in the NFL last year under Kellen.

- Schultz is gone and he was a huge key in red zone, but we still have other key players that should be major factors
in red zone, ala Lamb, Gallup, Cooks, Pollard, Ferguson, etc. ...but what it is ?
Coach scheme/coach design, Play calling. It's been more of a coach fail than player fail, imo.

Note: And I'm willing to bet that the executives (Jones & McClay) are gonna be meeting with the HC, to find out
and demand why we cannot get much more outta of the splash play guys that the coaches have at their disposal,
and they ( the Jones) are gonna demand the coaches make the very noticeable, necessary adjustments accordingly.

Teams are following that Fangio blueprint how to slow down this offense, they aren't blitzing Dak and playing extra men in coverage. The Jets/Cardinals use this type of scheme as do the Eagles/Dolphins later on. The way to beat it is to run the football against light boxes and take the underneath passes to the sidelines. Look what happened to Josh Allen against the Jets when he tried to take deep shots against that type of defense. Force the defensive to get out of that type of coverage and things will open up.

Should they attempt more down the field shots? Absolutely, but it has to be under the right coverage, makes zero sense if a corner has over the top help. Last week, Dak did hit Lamb for a long TD when they saw man coverage.

As for the red zone, in my opinion, it is a combination of several things: very conservative play calling, poor execution (I can remember several instances, Pollard running into Dak, Hendershot taking the wrong angle, Schoon dropping a pass, Dak's inaccuracy with the fade routes, etc.), inability to run the football and Dak not using his legs enough. I believe with more reps, they should get better, also with better competition, MM is going to have to get more aggressive down there.

 

[blueblood70]

I think we''ll have to reply upon Hunter as the RB2 while Rico is out or recovering
(from the usual nicks & dings he gets)

- I wonder (and believe) if there are such issues with Deuce and his blitz blocking to reply upon him
as a dependable RB2.

- Vaughn simply has got to display responsibilities to be relied upon when he does Not have the ball.
Otherwise he's merely a decoy for play action, or it leads to Predictability.

- If Deuce is in the game, it's automatic telegraphic play call for him to get the ball, so overload and
commit to getting a jump on him at snap of the ball.
And it's gonna present problems if there are audibles that calls for him to immediately hot read pick up blitz block.

- Even past notable smallish spot guys like Sproles, Warrick Dunn, Dave Meggett, are gonna be asked
to occasional block in spots and situations.

How about this we use running back by committee and not label these guys RB1 or RB2 or RB3 I literally don't care that Tony Pollard is listed as a starter or not he's being overutilized and wore out and I think you need to bring in Malik Davis and or use hunter as the first guy you go to for standard running back set between the tackles short yardage goal line and stop wearing out Tony Pollard because he hasn't been Tony Pollard since five games to go last season period end of story he's lost his first he's lost his energy level he needs to play less so we can get more out of him...

 

[kskboys]

LOL, Pollard is not CMC

Yeah, I like Polly, good player, but he is not in the same convo w/ McC.

 

[blueblood70]

Not everyone can scheme like Shanahan. He'd probably be able to get McCaffrey-like impact out of Pollard but that doesn't mean McCarthy is capable.

I think it has more to do with overusing Tony Pollard since about mid season last year they started giving him more carries putting him between the tackles put him in short yardage and he finished the season 3.8 yards per carry no explosive plays no touchdowns 51 yards per game and two injuries... If you want Tony Pollard to have more explosive plays and be more dynamic you have to pull back they should have did this from game one 5 carries a game less and he's a lot more explosive stop using in between the tackles so much on 1st and 2nd downs or whatever give that to the other running backs Tony Pollard has not been dynamic for a very long time and people keep acting like he's the same player that had like 5.6 yards per carry in mid season last year.. He's not if you want him to be stop looking at him as the starter even if you wanna let him keep the title and give a lot more carries to the other guys... I'd like a true running back by committee and I don't care who gets the bulk of the runs if you want Tony to beat Tony in these bigger games you gotta stop over utilizing him in the base run plays IMHO