Predictability

[CF74]

gotta agree with this - Romo is hurting more than they will tell

Of course he is but he has to feed the monkey man, and Jerry insists to beat his prize horse to death...

 

[rd26]

This is good stuff, by the way. But I'm not sure you can call 2nd and 1 a rushing down. That's a great opportunity to try for a big passing play as you're very likely to pickup the first on the ground the next play if you have to. Nor is running on second and 7, really. The other four of the plays you're citing here are first-and-tens, which can be run or pass and where, I'd agree with the idea overall that we should probably be mixing in a few more passing plays.

But the difference in the Giants and Eagles games was all in our passing effectiveness. It was the +4 TDs against the Giants v. the -2 INTs against the Eagles. That's not because of the first down passing (though there were some nice plays in that group, as you pointed out). It's because of the better QB play and better pass protection, overall.

As I stated in the OP, Ive generally been ok with the play calling this season, we've been run heavy, but so what. The Eagles game just baffled me.

Romo was probabably 60% at best, and I'm sure the coaches knew this coming in

BUT BUT BUT

IF he's physically able to pass in all obvious passing situations (3rd and 9, 2nd and 8, down by 20, etc.), drop back 30+ times and take several shots,
shouldn't he be physically able to attempt at least attempt a handful of passes that have an above average chance of being successful? Like idunno.....maybe play action on 1st down after 12 straight runs on 1st

It was obvious from the fist possession they were going to put up points (at least to me).
If your QB is healthy enough to stand in and take a beating in a blowout, he's healthy enough to put up a first down play action pass here and there.

Romo wasn't at all sharp in the first 2 1/2 quarters, but he wasn't a train wreck either. It got ugly later on.

Probably not winning that game anyway with a gimpy QB and an uninspired defense, but imo the play calling did nothing but hurt our chances dramatically.

 

[CF74]

Short week.

Pretty much, it takes time to recoup from a car wreck...

 

[CF74]

if this is the excuse, then they shouldn't make throwing deep outs the focal point of their game plan. Screens and crossing patterns would be much easier throws for the ailing Romo.......

How do we know it's not just Romo being stubborn or choosing to go that route?

 

[Tabascocat]

Aside from other observations, not having a mobile QB is detrimental. Romo doesn't even pose a threat to leave the pocket. I was watching Inside the NFL and one of Philly's coaches said "just don't let Romo get comfortable back there, we know he isn't going to run". That right there lets their D line pin their ears back and give constant pressure.

If Tony is not going to run for a 1st and the receivers are running the same basic routes......we are limited on offense.

We need option routes, slants, screens, motions and more draw-plays and no more empty backfields. A Dallas empty set screams "pass incoming", probably a 15yd out.

I don't care if we run more or less, the rushing game is fine.....it is the passing game that needs work. I would love to see some pick plays/screens mixed in and more routes for Romo to get rid of the ball faster to beat the incoming rush.

 

[toto1939]

Anyone want to go out on the limb and say that the 1st play from the Cowboys in the Bears game will be something other than handing off the ball to Demarco Murray? Perhaps the team would have more success if not every carbon-based life form in the known galaxy realizes what is coming on first down over and over again.