CFZ Running Game Has Not Stepped Up

[Redline360]

KM can't scheme a run game to save his life. That's the real problem. Starts and ends there.

Imagine Zeke and Pollard with a coach who can utilize those two properly. They would be amazing. Not Hunt / chubb or Ingram / Kamara amazing and etc but they would be dominating most defenses

We played our best football when the run game was wearing down defenses(keeping our **** defense off the field to boot) and eating up the clock. If we get back to this formula with this improved defense we have a deep playoff team. Granted I think the achilles heel will be the run defense as always in the playoffs.

 

[RonnieT24]

KM can't scheme a run game to save his life. That's the real problem. Starts and ends there.

Imagine Zeke and Pollard with a coach who can utilize those two properly. They would be amazing. Not Hunt / chubb or Ingram / Kamara amazing and etc but they would be dominating most defenses

If Bill Callahan was here coaching the offensive line and the "running game coordinator" Zeke and Pollard would easily approach the Hunt/Chubb level. Moore stinks at calling the the run and Philbin stinks at scheming up the blocking for it. The running game has generally struggled since those two have been paired. Other than a game here or there it's stunk. The evidence is overwhelming to this point. Pretty much any success we have in the run game is Zeke or Pollard going ham individually.

 

[fivetwos]

When was that?

Fair question based on the wording. I probably should have said that I care more about winning than stats.

There was a period last year when the offense couldn’t get out of its own way…other than a pair of division games against 3rd string or worse players who clearly had quit…..yet I had to hear all about how we were ranked #1. Can’t cash junk yardage in for points.

 

[Ranched]

The run game was not great by any means, but Moore stuck with it to make the reads easier for Rush. Which will probably continue until Dak comes back. Alwasy remember, there's a reason for everything!

 

[MyFairLady]

Our "feature" back averages 3.8 yards per carry and 5.4 yards per reception. He is clearly fat and slow and washed out. Perhaps the issue lies with him?

 

[jterrell]

There is not a QB in the league who can just drop back 50 times every game and win them all. Nor has there ever been. The repeated narrative that "Dak needs help so he's not as good as {fill in the blank}" is just mindless drivel. This is a team game.. It takes 40+ guys to win games on Sunday.. I have no problem acknowledging that there are some QBs who are better than Dak.. I just don't think that list is nearly as long as some people make it out to be.

Facts.
Aaron Rodgers might be the most naturally gifted QB and he has won 1 SB.
QB alone isn't winning it all.
QB gives you a shot to win if you build around them.

Tom Brady has had a top 10 defense for virtually every season of his illustrious career.

 

[fivetwos]

Yeah, winning's fun - we all like it. What happens when the opponent scores 20+ points? Or do you think this defense is the 2000 Ravens?

Limited offense will only get you so far in 2022. So either Zeke and Pollard both suck, or the Cowboys have a problem blocking for the run.

Wouldn’t you think playing a backup QB has something to do with that? Maybe the playcalling?

I don’t know if that changes for the better when 4 returns. Maybe it does.

Either way the defense is going to need to carry this team, that was no secret, so if and when they do surrender 30 plus points, it’s probably a loss.

The motivation behind my words was a little different from how it sounds as now read it over. They are doing what’s needed to win games, but it sure doesn’t seem as if the rushing numbers are as bad as they are. Maybe just kinda tells us that rankings (especially based on yardage alone) doesn’t really tell the full story.

 

[jterrell]

The rush game has been pretty solid.
It is middle of the league in production and has been keyed on for weeks.
It will get better as the OL gets even more comfortable, but we've seen signs.

The team does have to guard against last year's SF type games where we get bullied in both trenches. That is really the kryptonite for us right now.
DLaw staying healthy and getting Peters in at LG full-time are probably the best counters to that.

 

[mardwin]

This information is for those people that believe the running game is carrying Rush.

 

[XXLMike]

We are showing our run far too easily .
We rarely run right - Zeke is basically a 3rd beck talent these days - but paid like a top 3 mvp candidate.

Pollard is trending overrated right now .

He shows flashes of brilliance in open space , swing routes etc but up the middle - off tackle veers - he’s bad .

 

[MyFairLady]

Facts.
Aaron Rodgers might be the most naturally gifted QB and he has won 1 SB.
QB alone isn't winning it all.
QB gives you a shot to win if you build around them.

Tom Brady has had a top 10 defense for virtually every season of his illustrious career.

Rogers has been to 5 NFC championship games. He is god tier. Brady is the god of gods. Dak is a mere peasant compared to those two titans. They should not have to suffer the indignity of being talked out in the same breath as Dak.

 

[Scotman]

No it isn’t
U can’t remove carrys to twist the stats
The running game has been pretty good this year minus the wash game which they loaded the box

I don't even necessarily disagree with you. BUT, you tell him he can't remove carries to twist the stats...and then you "MINUS" an entire game to twist the stats.
Your point stands that he can't take out the best runs and then look at the stats. You also can't subtract a game to make the running game look better.

Bottom line, our running game could use some improvement. A better running game will help us win. A better passing game could help the running game. A better running game would improve the passing game, too.

 

[Crown Royal]

The running game was fine against TB, but the passing game was horrible and we got behind and made stupid mistakes.

Cincy was ok.

Giants it was great.

Washington it wasn't strong but don't underrate how truly gifted their interior line is, or how they focused on stopping the run so much that the PlayAction destroyed them.

I'm not saying there is nothing to worry about but I'd tap the breaks.

 

[MyFairLady]

Pollard is a fine player and a positive contract for this team. Give me 10 more guys like him on contracts like him all day long. Having said that Pollard is not some super stud. He does his job. He does it at level that exceeds expectations. As soon as he starts snigging around for big money you let him walk and find another one.

Zeke is an absolute albatross. He is a big time negative contract for the team. Not only that but he sets a bad example. He epitomizes entitlement. He sends all the wrong messages about what it is to "make it". He is D Flaw and Jay Ratliff and J Smooth. He is Dez Bryant and Marcellus Wiley and Lael Collins. He is Tyrone Crawford and Xavier Woods and Randy Gregory. He is taint.

Man when I type out that list it is no wonder our defense was so awful for so many years.

 

[Cowboyny]

Zeke numbers expanded to a 17 game total would be less than a thousand yards with 4 TD's. Pollard's would be less than 700 yards with 4 TD's.

The Cowboys average 2.9 yards a carry in the 4th quarter.

Take out the Giant game and Cowboys RB's have had three runs for 10 or more yards in the other three games combined.

Take out their longest run and Zeke's average YPC is 3.4. Pollard's is 3.3.

Why can't the running game step up? Part of it is due to the injuries on the left side of the O-line.

However, I suspect that most opponent defenses are focusing on stopping the Cowboys running game. if Rush continues his success, they may back off a little, but I don't think you can discount this fact when considering our backup QB's success. Simply put, they did not respect him. They loaded the box against the run.

That's what the Cowboys wanted in order to keep Rush under less pressure. However, this plan cannot last against some of the better teams.

One of the advantages to having Dak is that defenses will let up more on defending the run. Dak is a more dynamic passer and runner and defenses must respect that.

Right now. some of Cooper's success, geared more towards not making mistakes, comes at the detriment of the running game. Unless the passing game opens up and you see some three hundred yard passing games, the running game will continue to stall.

You hit it, teams are forcing Cooper to beat them. Run game is improved and it will get better once Dak returns.

 

[75boyz]

1. Looked good first game but stopped running. Didn't stay committed but were behind a couple scores.
2. Inconsistent with flashes but somewhat effective in second game.
3. Dominant in third game.
4. Shut down by a very run conscious dee but stayed committed/kept running it anyway. Although shut down, still kept the defense honest by not going pass happy all day.

That's the run game I've seen thus far.

 

[xwalker]

Zeke numbers expanded to a 17 game total would be less than a thousand yards with 4 TD's. Pollard's would be less than 700 yards with 4 TD's.

The Cowboys average 2.9 yards a carry in the 4th quarter.

Take out the Giant game and Cowboys RB's have had three runs for 10 or more yards in the other three games combined.

Take out their longest run and Zeke's average YPC is 3.4. Pollard's is 3.3.

Why can't the running game step up? Part of it is due to the injuries on the left side of the O-line.

However, I suspect that most opponent defenses are focusing on stopping the Cowboys running game. if Rush continues his success, they may back off a little, but I don't think you can discount this fact when considering our backup QB's success. Simply put, they did not respect him. They loaded the box against the run.

That's what the Cowboys wanted in order to keep Rush under less pressure. However, this plan cannot last against some of the better teams.

One of the advantages to having Dak is that defenses will let up more on defending the run. Dak is a more dynamic passer and runner and defenses must respect that.

Right now. some of Cooper's success, geared more towards not making mistakes, comes at the detriment of the running game. Unless the passing game opens up and you see some three hundred yard passing games, the running game will continue to stall.

The value of the running game is the 'threat of the run' more than the actual yards gained.
- i.e. 8 mans boxes vs 7, etc..
- Up to this point, the threat of the run has helped Rush because teams have focused on the run and challenged Rush to beat them.
- Without actually gaining significant yards, defenses will start to focus less on the Cowboys run offense.
- With the Cowboys only gaining 62 yards rushing vs WFT, the Rams will likely focus more on defending the passing offense.
- If that happens, then Zeke/Pollard needs to take advantage and gash the Rams.

 

[CouchCoach]

I find interesting that that old "who have they beaten" hasn't been brought up about the last two games. DAL's backup QB is better than the QB1's for NYG and WAS.

DAL gets 2 of the top 6 NFC teams in the next 2 games, let's see where they are after that.

 

[fansince68]

We need to see if Dak will take off with the ball when he gets back. They stack the box and Dak rolls out and the defense freaks out because he can take off for 7 or more and slide. He does that a few times and the defense is forced to change or if Dak is smart he will either have a big rushing day or they can set up screens. Run the 12 personnel.

I've been begging for this. QBs can run and slide all day long if there is a clear path and it gives the lbs and safeties fits!!!

 

[fansince68]

The value of the running game is the 'threat of the run' more than the actual yards gained.
- i.e. 8 mans boxes vs 7, etc..
- Up to this point, the threat of the run has helped Rush because teams have focused on the run and challenged Rush to beat them.
- Without actually gaining significant yards, defenses will start to focus less on the Cowboys run offense.
- With the Cowboys only gaining 62 yards rushing vs WFT, the Rams will likely focus more on defending the passing offense.
- If that happens, then Zeke/Pollard needs to take advantage and gash the Rams.

It's hard to "gash" anyone with this unimaginative, up the gut on 1st down running game.