CFZ Running Game Has Not Stepped Up

[RonnieT24]

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

True enough but the problem against Washington was that the interior was getting beat so quickly that we couldn't even get to the outside.. Allen was in the backfield helping the guys take the handoff so it really didn't matter which gap we were trying to run through. And with Schultz back in the lineup the edge blocking took a huge step back too.

 

[fansince68]

True enough but the problem against Washington was that the interior was getting beat so quickly that we couldn't even get to the outside.. Allen was in the backfield helping the guys take the handoff so it really didn't matter which gap we were trying to run through. And with Schultz back in the lineup the edge blocking took a huge step back too.

Remember the Ole "pitch" play that was used to get the RB to the outside?

 

[75boyz]

True enough but the problem against Washington was that the interior was getting beat so quickly that we couldn't even get to the outside.. Allen was in the backfield helping the guys take the handoff so it really didn't matter which gap we were trying to run through. And with Schultz back in the lineup the edge blocking took a huge step back too.

Yep, that's what I watched. Sometimes it's okay to credit the other teams defense.

Washington denied the Cowboy run game but at least Dallas didn't stop the attempts and lessen the 'threat' of the run so as to still keep it honest and not be pass happy one dimensional as in the past.

Like I said, kudos to Washington as they played the best run dee of the 4 opponents faced thus far.

 

[fansince68]

True enough but the problem against Washington was that the interior was getting beat so quickly that we couldn't even get to the outside.. Allen was in the backfield helping the guys take the handoff so it really didn't matter which gap we were trying to run through. And with Schultz back in the lineup the edge blocking took a huge step back too.

As Zeke slows, I hoped we would get more creative running the ball to stay effective. We all see it. Zeke can't "gash" anyone anymore and I'm a huge Zeke fan. It's saddens me to compare Zeke to Derrick Henry.

 

[RonnieT24]

Remember the Ole "pitch" play that was used to get the RB to the outside?

Yeah but this team has done an awful job with it this year. We just don't block on the perimeter worth a darn most of the time. Schultz is terrible at it... I mean we all thought Jarwin was a horrible blocker but so far this year it seems like Schultz might actually be worse.. The receivers, other than Brown are just okay blockers so every time we have tried to run wide there has been a host of defenders there waiting for the back. We're not sealing the backers inside and the receivers aren't staying on the DBs. I can't say if it's poor scheme or poor execution or some combination of both.. but our outside run game stinks.. Pollard lost yards on I believe 5 of 8 attempts Sunday and most of those were trying to get him outside. As I have stated many times.. it doesn't matter how fast a back is, in most cases every cornerback on the other team is faster and every team has at least one linebacker who is as well. So you're not outrunning these people.. you have to get them blocked.

 

[RonnieT24]

As Zeke slows, I hoped we would get more creative running the ball to stay effective. We all see it. Zeke can't "gash" anyone anymore and I'm a huge Zeke fan. It's saddens me to compare Zeke to Derrick Henry.

You shouldn't. Henry gets double the carries Zeke does these days. Their ypc averages are pretty much identical over the last two seasons.. In fact I believe Zeke's was higher last season despite playing 11 games on one leg.. And the Titans line is much better at run blocking. Henry gets to the second level untouched 5-6 times a game. That might not happen for Zeke 5-6 times this season.

 

[75boyz]

As Zeke slows, I hoped we would get more creative running the ball to stay effective. We all see it. Zeke can't "gash" anyone anymore and I'm a huge Zeke fan. It's saddens me to compare Zeke to Derrick Henry.

I was looking for more creativity as well. I believe there was offseason mention on both McCarthys additional involvement in the offense and prioritizing the run game.

It's much more personnel dependent than scheme. The scheme has proven to be simple but can be effective IF everybody is fully healthy and the opponent dee gives the proper look.

Like RonnieT24 says though, Schultz is a glaring deficiency attempting to edge block.

Need continuity at LG as well.

 

[plasticman]

We still have to keep running the ball as a tool to wear down the defense AND to keep them honest with balance and the threat of being ran on.

The last thing you want is for Rush to have to pass all game and abandon the run. He's not built like that.

Absolutely.

However, one point I'm making is that, for Cooper to continue to win, the running game is either going to have to overcome defenses keying or Cooper is going to have to start passing on a more prolific level, as he did against the Vikings last season.

Cooper needs a 300 yard passing game in order to take pressure off the running game.

If you look at the three games you see LB's and safeties playing very close to the line of scrimmage. In some cases both safeties are playing close. They will back off when Cooper starts airing it out more frequently.

Dak was a bus driver his rookie season but was still able to make the big passes when it needed to be done.

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.

I agree that the Cowboys must run the ball whether they are getting good yards or not. Yes, the threat of running has an effect. However, if the Cowboys needs to score more with Cooper starting they will have to improve.

The Cowboys are ranked 25th in number of drives that had 6 or more plays. Last week against Washington they had three. The defense, as good as it is, spends too much time on the field and the better teams like the Eagles are going to take advantage of this. My hope is that the Cowboys will improve as Jason Peters and Tyler Smith become more acclimated to their respective positions

 

[MyFairLady]

I just finished watching some YouTube zeke highlights from last year at Ohio and first year in Dallas. That guy was absolutely freaking incredible. Everyone should go back and rewatch because the guy you see on Sundays now is absolutely no where even close to the same guy. It is shocking.

 

[CowboysFaninHouston]

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.

first, bengals and tampa are top 12 run defense. washington has a great front 4. Giants sucked and they got gashed.

to me its not about the total yards necessary, but number of rushes, if you abandon the rush too early then the defense will pin their ears back and rush the passer and drop 6,7 in coverage and that makes it challenging....although our total yards and rush/attempt is not that great, it keeps defenses honest and it allows success in play action. in the tampa game we abandoned the run too early. passing game suffered. their pass rush was a killer.

 

[plasticman]

first, bengals and tampa are top 12 run defense. washington has a great front 4. Giants sucked and they got gashed.

to me its not about the total yards necessary, but number of rushes, if you abandon the rush too early then the defense will pin their ears back and rush the passer and drop 6,7 in coverage and that makes it challenging....although our total yards and rush/attempt is not that great, it keeps defenses honest and it allows success in play action. in the tampa game we abandoned the run too early. passing game suffered. their pass rush was a killer.

I'm in agreement that the Cowboys need to run the ball regardless of the yardage they get.

All I'm saying is that if they want to score beyond the 20's with Cooper at QB, then the yards per carry must increase. the drives are too short, There are too many 3 and out. The Cowboys can't rely on their defense every game. The defense is spending too much time on the field.

I think it will work itself out as the offensive line becomes more cohesive.

 

[RonnieT24]

I'm in agreement that the Cowboys need to run the ball regardless of the yardage they get.

All I'm saying is that if they want to score beyond the 20's with Cooper at QB, then the yards per carry must increase. the drives are too short, There are too many 3 and out. The Cowboys can't rely on their defense every game. The defense is spending too much time on the field.

I think it will work itself out as the offensive line becomes more cohesive.

I agree.. things will improve as the line gets more time on task together. It'll probably also help that not every defensive front will be as good as Washington.. but that break isn't coming in the next two weeks. So we should suppress any thoughts of the running game breaking out in these next two games. Maybe they'll be functional.. but I don't expect any big numbers...