Scott Linehan & The Running Game

[Hoofbite]

I'm just curious who suggest Linehan is a run-first type of OC? Granted, I've read many blog entries that suggested as much, but I don't recall the media or sports analyst indicating that this is the direction the Cowboys will take. I do recall Linehan indicating in a interview somewhere that his approach to the run will largely depend on the score. If they are leading in the 2nd half and our comfortable with the lead, then running the majority of the time is just smart football. Also, with the addition of Martin, and more experience across the board for the other OL positions, the Cowboys absolutely should have more room to run. Rather or not they take advantage of that on consistent basis, at this point, is another question.

Gil Bradts article the other day said he would help the running game. Perhaps he meant average but it's hard to say that would be the type of help the team needs coming off of a 4.5 YPC season and almost dead last in attempts.

 

[JBS]

I'll go league average in attempts. I'm not sure Dallas comes out in the top half of that.

Top 15 is probably too high, lol

I was thinking top 20

 

[Doomsday101]

Funny to me that some of the people claiming Linehan will be a big improvement are the same ones who were claiming about a week before Linehan was hired that Garrett was a great OC and every problem with our O was all on the players for bad execution.

I think a lot of it does come down to execution . I think Linehan frees up Garrett to be HC funny Jimmy Johnson never called an offense or defensive play in Dallas being a HC is not about calling the plays for the most part that is the role of OC and DC even though for some teams the HC does it. Johnson advice from the get go was Garrett should delegate that role and Jason and Jerry did not do that and it has proven to be too much. Jason and Linehan have a good working relationship and a lot of their offensive systems are very simular but like any 2 coaches there will be some differances. One thing for sure failure or success of the team falls to Jason.

 

[DFWJC]

What?

Think he left off the 1.
They had 21...still horrible.

 

[jday]

Gil Bradts article the other day said he would help the running game. Perhaps he meant average but it's hard to say that would be the type of help the team needs coming off of a 4.5 YPC season and almost dead last in attempts.

Mediots. That's all I can say on that point. But as far as last years attempts, keep in mind a big reason we abandoned the run was due to playing from behind with a defense that couldn't stop anybody teamed with Murray/Dunbar missing significant time to injury. As much as I am a big believer in balanced football, the only way you keep a defense honest with the run is if you can consistently be effective with it. And while 4.5 average would be considered effective, I believe those #'s are inflated by how little they ran and doesn't tell the whole story with Murray/Dunbar off the field.

 

[big dog cowboy]

If we actually start running on 3rd and 1 I'll be happy. There is something called 'imposing our will' which we seemed to have forgotten about the last few years.

 

[Doomsday101]

Mediots. That's all I can say on that point. But as far as last years attempts, keep in mind a big reason we abandoned the run was due to playing from behind with a defense that couldn't stop anybody teamed with Murray/Dunbar missing significant time to injury. As much as I am a big believer in balanced football, the only way you keep a defense honest with the run is if you can consistently be effective with it. And while 4.5 average would be considered effective, I believe those #'s are inflated by how little they ran and doesn't tell the whole story with Murray/Dunbar off the field.

I agree I also think at times Dallas outsmarted themselfs. Take a situation of looking at 3rd and 1 or 2 and instead of using the run game to pick it up they would drop back and throw and end up punting. This happened quite a bit. While I don't expect the Cowboys to be a team running it 50% of the time I do think they are capable of being a very effective running team

 

[jday]

I agree I also think at times Dallas outsmarted themselfs. Take a situation of looking at 3rd and 1 or 2 and instead of using the run game to pick it up they would drop back and throw and end up punting. This happened quite a bit. While I don't expect the Cowboys to be a team running it 50% of the time I do think they are capable of being a very effective running team

I agree. And your right, there were times were they tried to be cute and it bit them. I'd further say that this next year, especially, barring significant injuries again, they should be very effective in the run. Of all the things I am looking forward to, aside from rather or not the defense has in fact improved, the running game is a very close second because I honestly think our running game will be the best player on our defense this year.

 

[Hoofbite]

Mediots. That's all I can say on that point. But as far as last years attempts, keep in mind a big reason we abandoned the run was due to playing from behind with a defense that couldn't stop anybody teamed with Murray/Dunbar missing significant time to injury. As much as I am a big believer in balanced football, the only way you keep a defense honest with the run is if you can consistently be effective with it. And while 4.5 average would be considered effective, I believe those #'s are inflated by how little they ran and doesn't tell the whole story with Murray/Dunbar off the field.

Mediots? You seemed to ask for more reputable sources than the blogs.

 

[CowboysFaninHouston]

There seems to be the notion that Scott Linehan will help the running game, or run more, or whatever.

I have two issues with the idea. First off, why would Scott Linehan even have to be brought in for the team to run more frequently? The team had a good average last year so the only thing left to help would be the willingness to run. In order for Scott Linehan to even be hired with the intent of running more you have to first believe that Jason Garrett wants to run more, which in spite of all the lip service he has paid to the topic hasn't actually manifested itself on the field.

Beyond that, if Garrett wanted to run more then why doesn't he just run more? He is the HC and if he wants more running why does he need someone else to be brought in to get it?

Secondly, the numbers just don't back up the idea that Linehan is more run-oriented.

Over his past 5 years in Detroit few teams have less rushing attempts than the Lions. Dallas is actually one of them but Detroit has run 250 additional places in that span and Dallas only nudges out Detroit by about 40 rushing attempts. Same goes for the other teams that have fewer attempts. They have far fewer total plays.

As a percentage of plays called NOBODY ran less than Scott Linehan did in Detroit. Nobody dropped back to pass more. Detroit is #1 in dropbacks over that 5 year span.

Consider this: Of the 5 highest passing attempt totals in a single season, Matthew Stafford occupies spots #1 and #5.

I know some people will argue that Detroit has a weak OL, no RBs, or whatever else. Detroit has not averaged less than 4.0 YPC and they're 4th in sack % since 2009. The OL cannot be that bad. In terms of the RB, who would expect any RB to produce enough to be noteworthy when you don't run. Furthermore, what happens if Murray doesn't hold up? Entire plan to increase running just goes out the window?

You have to go all the way back to 2002 and 2003 to find a time when Linehan could be a run-oriented playcaller.

Here are the ranks of Linehan's teams since 2002 in terms of passes attempted and rushes attempted.

2002 - R: 8 / P: 13
2003 - R: 7 / P: 15
2004 - R: 28 / P: 8
2005 - R: 17 / P: 10
2006 - R: 23 / P: 3
2007 - R: 24 / P: 9
2008 - Omitted (Fired after week 4)
2009 - R: 24 / P: 6
2010 - R: 24 / P: 3
2011 - R: 31 / P: 1
2012 - R: 25 / P: 1
2013 - R: 14 / P: 5

I'd love for the team to run more but I have little confidence they will do so. Scott Linehan has been the most pass happy coordinator over the past 5 seasons and outside of 2013, you have to dig pretty deep find a season in which he could be considered modestly interested in running.

I'd welcome it, but I don't expect it at all.

great post and investigation. I did a mild look into his run vs. pass record and he is even more pass oriented than garrett if anything. they said passing attempt records in Detroit.

he has relationship with garrett from Miami and jerry is once again stepping away, in case the crap hits the fan. he can then fire all the coaches and bring in the next one and generate hope amongst cowboys fans once again.

if it works, he will take credit. jerry is set himself up pretty.

 

[jday]

Mediots? You seemed to ask for more reputable sources than the blogs.

No, you provided exactly what I asked for. I was curious to know who insinuated more of running game under Linehan, and you delivered. But like you pointed out in the OP, his article was misguided, which was why I used the "mediots" label.

 

[Cebrin]

If we actually start running on 3rd and 1 I'll be happy. There is something called 'imposing our will' which we seemed to have forgotten about the last few years.

I'd rather 1st and 2nd. If you've a short third down it leaves the opposing defense with a question mark as to how to defend. You can really open up your play-action and control a drive if you can run effectively the first two downs.

 

[Cebrin]

I think Linehan is here to allow Garrett to do his job (HC). I also believe we will mix the play calling up a lot more because unlike Garrett, Linehan isn't the most predictable offensive coordinator in the league. We may run the ball a little more than last year. Mostly because of the late success and the addition at guard in the draft. However, I don't believe we will suddenly be a down hill, smash team. If Linehan sees what I see, Dez will go from being 8th in receiving targets to at least top 5. He is a clutch, game changing receiver and will snatch the ball in heavy coverage when asked. Also, Williams really impressed me last year (minus the typical, rookie, boneheaded mistakes). Apparently this Street kid is supposed to be a steal and a bigger slot target. I suspect we'll be seeing some nice things from the offense this season. The defense is what I am most concerned about.

 

[Hoofbite]

No, you provided exactly what I asked for. I was curious to know who insinuated more of running game under Linehan, and you delivered. But like you pointed out in the OP, his article was misguided, which was why I used the "mediots" label.

Gotcha.

 

[Chocolate Lab]

Who are you talking about? I think most of the people here have always said Garret is a terrible OC and is a major hindrance to our offense. That GB game was a prime example of just how inept Garret is as an OC, I don't see how anyone could defend that performance.

Oh some have, believe me.

 

[rpntex]

Funny to me that some of the people claiming Linehan will be a big improvement are the same ones who were claiming about a week before Linehan was hired that Garrett was a great OC and every problem with our O was all on the players for bad execution.

Not me. I think Garrett is a very good OC, but due to inexperience, wasn't ready to wear both OC and HC hats. I think being involved too deeply in the offense diverted his attention from decisions that should have had his full focus at critical points of games. I DO think offense will be improved for two reasons.

1--- the OC and the OC only, while Garrett is the HC and only the HC

2---The addition of Zac Martin

Seriously, Garrett is in a no-win situation here. If the offense improves, it's a big "I told you so" and Linehan gets all the credit. If the team doesn't win, he gets the blame. Luckily (for him) Jerry Jones makes the decisions around Valley Ranch.

 

[visionary]

If we're able to run short yardage and goal line better, that's great. Otherwise, I don't really care if we run it more often or not, unless we're talking about closing out games because we're playing better on defense. But, for the record, I think people are fooling themselves if they expect a lot more running from Linehan. If we run it more, it'll be incremental.

I do think we'll use Dunbar in the passing/screen game a lot, though, which should be fun to see.

Ahhhhhh.... How the narrative conveniently changes

I remember your shrill support of 2 great football truisms

1. The running game does not matter
2. Great defences are built by having a great secondary not a great front 7

Lol

 

[Sarge]

The bottom line is...we NEED to run it more and run it more SUCCESSFULLY and regularly in order to keep the defense off the field as much as possible. Pretty simple concept.

 

[Risen Star]

Linehan is in Dallas because of one reason. Jerry Jones.

Garrett tried and failed to manage HC duties and OC duties. Jerry failed with his guy Callahan. So it was clear neither guy was good enough for the job. Having sustained drives should not be a problem for the talent this team has.

So a compromise i believe happened. Jerry got somebody else in, and Garrett got somebody he felt comfortable with.

Linehan isnt going to make Dallas isnt a run first team. But he does create gameplans that work. He does adjust to teams on what they do. This team doesnt want to be a run first team. They have a very potent passing attack that needed somebody like Linehans vision. When you look at run first teams, they are usually run first because they cannot pass to save their life.

Ravens, once they lost Bouldin last yr they couldnt throw for a first down it seemed.
Seattle, besides the superbowl this team couldnt throw the ball period.
Niners, Niners has 3 TD passes all yr. Thats atrocious.

Now what could go wrong with an owner micromanaging his head coach like that?

I think this might be our year.

 

[BigStar]

If we actually start running on 3rd and 1 I'll be happy. There is something called 'imposing our will' which we seemed to have forgotten about the last few years.

Especially on the opponents side of the field and then punting with a weak D. If you throw on 3rd and 1 from the opponents 40 and do not convert, YOU GO FOR IT ON 4th DOWN! That is if you had a hint of testosterone left in your body