Rafael Vela: Fly First, Run Later

[Cbz40]

May 20th, 2008 by Rafael Vela
Fly First, Run Later




I was talking to a source this week who mentioned a dramatic splits in the Cowboys running attack. He pointed out that Dallas was 28th in first half rushing and 13th in the second half.


This confirmed a strategy I first noticed in week two against the Dolphins, where Dallas passed at a very high ratio and then tilted towards the run in the second half. I wrote then that OC Jason Garrett was trying to gas the Dolphins D-line early by forcing them to chase Tony Romo in the heat.

These stats show that Garrett’s game plan was not a one off. Dallas did this throughout the season. It makes me wonder if Felix Jones will be used in a manner similar to Julius Jones last year. He won’t be the starter, but if the Cowboys stick with their pass first, run later strategy (and why would they change it if it worked so well?) that we’ll see Jones a lot in the early phases of the game, to keep Marion Barber fresh and able to rip apart defenses late.

 

[DanTanna]

I can't wait to see FeJo run.

It would be great if this turns out to be a Fred Taylor/MJD situation.

Established vet shares carries with rookie who is 20 times better than him.

 

[CrazyCowboy]

Vela knows all the tricks.

 

[lurkercowboy]

Dallas should be better than 13th rushing this coming season.

 

[sago1]

I also think Tashard Choice will see a lot more action on the field as a RB then many will suspect.

 

[Chocolate Lab]

I can't wait to see FeJo run.

Please no.

 

[Fletch]

Please no.

Exactly what I was thinking. No FeJo nicknames. No need to jinx the guy. It sounded stupid with Julius, and now even worse with Felix.

 

[Idgit]

Please no.

Marbar/Fejo in '08.

 

[dcfanatic]

May 20th, 2008 by Rafael Vela
Fly First, Run Later




I was talking to a source this week who mentioned a dramatic splits in the Cowboys running attack. He pointed out that Dallas was 28th in first half rushing and 13th in the second half.


This confirmed a strategy I first noticed in week two against the Dolphins, where Dallas passed at a very high ratio and then tilted towards the run in the second half. I wrote then that OC Jason Garrett was trying to gas the Dolphins D-line early by forcing them to chase Tony Romo in the heat.

These stats show that Garrett’s game plan was not a one off. Dallas did this throughout the season. It makes me wonder if Felix Jones will be used in a manner similar to Julius Jones last year. He won’t be the starter, but if the Cowboys stick with their pass first, run later strategy (and why would they change it if it worked so well?) that we’ll see Jones a lot in the early phases of the game, to keep Marion Barber fresh and able to rip apart defenses late.

I think we could also see Choice get himself a series in both halves as well.

If Garrett could finish off the game with Barber carrying the ball on the last 12-14 offensive plays for the Cowboys not only would he be ecstatic but I think we would all be as well.

 

[ENGCowboy]

wouldn't it be better for Barber to play first half then let Jones gas passed the tired Dline in the 2nd half?

 

[BIGDen]

The biggest factor will be whether Jones can pick up the blitz and block. If he can, then he will likely see the field more often.

 

[THUMPER]

I don't think it was necessarily by design that we ran more in the 2nd half but was due to having the lead in a lot of games. We went 13-3 last season and led at the half in most of those games.

We did the same thing in the 90s. We would throw a lot in the first half and build a lead then give them a big dose of Emmitt in the 2nd half as we held onto it.

 

[big dog cowboy]

I don't think it was necessarily by design that we ran more in the 2nd half but was due to having the lead in a lot of games. We went 13-3 last season and led at the half in most of those games.

That is certainly a valid point.

I feel like we really upgraded our RB situation and Red Ball will take advantage of that more this year.

 

[Sarge]

The trips:

BarFeChoice................:ralph: uke:

 

[YosemiteSam]

He won’t be the starter, but if the Cowboys stick with their pass first, run later strategy (and why would they change it if it worked so well?) that we’ll see Jones a lot in the early phases of the game, to keep Marion Barber fresh and able to rip apart defenses late.

..and then maybe a dose of Jones at the end of the game after the defense is tired from trying to stop the pass and then beat up by Barber pounding on them. Then all the sudden, Jones' home run threat really becomes apparent!

 

[lostinomiya]

Please no.

Fejo! Fejo! Fejo! (everyone join in!...no? No?)

 

[RealCowboyfan]

wouldn't it be better for Barber to play first half then let Jones gas passed the tired Dline in the 2nd half?

Or all Barber first half / a little bit of Jones... And Second Half Choice and Jones / a little bit of Barber??????

 

[TonyRomo#9]

i think felix the cat will, get most of his time in the the first half as he is gunna be the screen, typa guy, i really think he might get alot of catches, we might get a faulk/westbrook typa guy outta him.

 

[Redball Express]

I also think Tashard Choice will see a lot more action on the field as a RB then many will suspect.

And there is another guy I think that is going to have an interesting effect on this offense if he sticks with this team and it's Amendola.

If he sticks as a WR and ST player, which he should..he's got some speed to be utilized as a small slot WR as a 3rd WR and I see him getting on the field more and more as the season progresses, as a punt returner and as a 3 WR that can make plays.

Same thing with Choice. I see him spelling both the RBs as the season goes on and we try to keep the RB's fresh for the second half of the year when running the ball and ball control offense gets more and more important.

:starspin ReDBaLL ExPreSS :starspin

 

[Phrozen Phil]

I can't wait to see FeJo run.

It would be great if this turns out to be a Fred Taylor/MJD situation.

Established vet shares carries with rookie who is 20 times better than him.

Let's just call him Felix. Hated the Jujo thing and I'm not a fan of this kind of nickname.