Scott Linehan's Impact

[khiladi]

http://www.bloggingtheboys.com/2014...arco-murray-tony-romo-jason-witten-dez-bryant

http://www.bloggingtheboys.com/2014...arco-murray-tony-romo-jason-witten-dez-bryant
The Cowboys come into this season with only one real change on the offense, the addition of rookie Zack Martin at right guard. The other four linemen, the five skill players that are on the field for the bulk of the plays, most of the role players that rotate in and out of the eleventh position, and the backups are all players that were with the team last season. And yet with an almost unchanged cast, that offense has been remade.

 

[TellerMorrow34]

Scott Linehan has been great. I was leery when they got him but he's made a believer out of me.

 

[BBQ101]

http://www.bloggingtheboys.com/2014...arco-murray-tony-romo-jason-witten-dez-bryant

I found this interesting from sturms blog entry today: http://cowboysblog.***BANNED-URL***/2014/10/decoding-linehan-week-6-seattle.html/

We continue to feel, as we wrote back in August, that the identity actually changed during last season’s bye week (after the debacle in New Orleans). In that piece we previously linked, you can see all of the many theories, including the most obvious one – that they simply have to do a better job protecting their defense with common sense play-calling from the offense – but they changed their ways before Week 11 against the Giants. Since then, the Cowboys have played 12 games which is 75% of a full season and the confirmation that the Cowboys transitioned from the worst rushing team in the NFL to the best – almost overnight – is flat out stunning.

Over those 12 games, they have run for 1,696 yards (1st in the NFL) at 5.03 yards per carry (1st) and 141.3 yards per game (2nd) for 91 1st Downs (1st) and 49 10-yard runs (3rd).

What makes those numbers absurd is the fact that the 26 games previous to that from Week 1 of 2012 through Week 10 2013, Dallas ran for 2,035 yards (31st), at 3.67 yards per carry (29th), 78.3 yards per game (31st), for 115 1st Downs (29th), and 45 10-yard runs (31st). That is right, if it wasn’t for Jacksonville being worse, the Cowboys flipped a switch and went from worst to nearly first in pretty much every category.

And keep in mind that the personnel is largely the same (but we must account for the time invested for maturity and continuity), when we ponder philosophical changes having the most likely affect on the proceedings. If you think about it from the standpoint of last year’s bye week, Scott Linehan is no longer the Albert Einstein of this operation, but rather the specialist who helped further implement the existing idea. If the final 6 weeks of last season are not that dissimilar in the ground game to the first 6 games of this season, then we are wondering if it was more a conscious (and obvious) decision rather than an accident.

So what happened? As I wrote in the piece back during training camp, there are several things: 1) a clear controversy in the play-calling department as many speculated that Jason Garrett and Bill Callahan were at odds and that Garrett took the play-calling duty from Callahan. 2) DeMarco Murray returned to full health during the bye of 2013. 3) the Cowboys had a new Right Guard after they lost Brian Waters in Detroit and Mackenzy Bernadeau took over. 4) Tony Romo’s health concerns and the Cowboys Run/Pass versus Minnesota (9 runs/51passes) were real issues and 5) on December 3, the Cowboys signed their first fullback of the entire year, Tyler Clutts

Maybe it wasn't all Linehan, but actually started last year.

BBQ

 

[Aven8]

This isn't a bash on JG, but finally we have a real OC! Been waiting for 7-8 years for this. That's always been my biggest gripe about JG was his play calling. Now he's looking like a genius for bringing him in.

 

[khiladi]

I found this interesting from sturms blog entry today: http://cowboysblog.***BANNED-URL***/2014/10/decoding-linehan-week-6-seattle.html/



Maybe it wasn't all Linehan, but actually started last year.

BBQ

Callahan's run game and his fashioning of the OL. During that run, the sweep play became our bread and butter with Murray. We no longer rely on that run delay that we used as a staple with Barber and Felix when Garrett was the main play-caller. Jerry mentioned when they hired Linehan, that not only would they target Dez, Linehan would give emphasis to the run. And Linehan said in a previous article that essentially, after seeing what Callahan has done, he's made it easy for him.

Jerry refused to let Callahan interview for an OC position this off-season for two teams. He knows why... He was the influential decision in drafting Frederik. And Callahan, per Stephen Jones wanted out.

 

[khiladi]

This isn't a bash on JG, but finally we have a real OC! Been waiting for 7-8 years for this. That's always been my biggest gripe about JG was his play calling. Now he's looking like a genius for bringing him in.

Imagine how Wade Phillips felt? Wasn't play calling and offensive game-planning what Garrett was in charge of?

 

[Idgit]

He's been great. Kudos to Jason and team for bringing him in and plugging him into the offense we've got here. It's been fun to watch.

 

[khiladi]

Jerry Jones is quite the visionary:

http://www.axs.com/news/dallas-cowboys-news-jerry-jones-says-tony-romo-will-be-improved-in-201-18418

 

[Hoov]

http://www.bloggingtheboys.com/2014...arco-murray-tony-romo-jason-witten-dez-bryant

you should read the article sturm posted today - about how the offense started changing after the bye last year when they picked up a FB, Murray got healthy and they decided to rely more heavily on the run. Sturm showed there are some similarities to this years offense and the one the cowboys ran the last quarter of the season last year.

Also - dont discount that Frederick was a rook last year, Leary was in his first year also.

So it would be pretty silly to think 2 players starting for the first time in the NFL would be better after a year of experience and a full traing camp and preseason as starters.

In addition reports are that Tyron has improved every year since his rookie year - you cant discount that the growth and deveopment of those guys is also adding to what we are now seeing.

 

[khiladi]

you should read the article sturm posted today - about how the offense started changing after the bye last year when they picked up a FB, Murray got healthy and they decided to rely more heavily on the run. Sturm showed there are some similarities to this years offense and the one the cowboys ran the last quarter of the season last year.

Also - dont discount that Frederick was a rook last year, Leary was in his first year also.

So it would be pretty silly to think 2 players starting for the first time in the NFL would be better after a year of experience and a full traing camp and preseason as starters.

In addition reports are that Tyron has improved every year since his rookie year - you cant discount that the growth and deveopment of those guys is also adding to what we are now seeing.

You should read what I wrote above:

Callahan's run game and his fashioning of the OL. During that run, the sweep play became our bread and butter with Murray. We no longer rely on that run delay that we used as a staple with Barber and Felix when Garrett was the main play-caller. Jerry mentioned when they hired Linehan, that not only would they target Dez, Linehan would give emphasis to the run. And Linehan said in a previous article that essentially, after seeing what Callahan has done, he's made it easy for him.

Jerry refused to let Callahan interview for an OC position this off-season for two teams. He knows why... He was the influential decision in drafting Frederik. And Callahan, per Stephen Jones wanted out.

Irrespective of the play-calling, the RUN GAME and blocking schemes were totally revamped. And Callahan was brought in to revamp the line, with his new schemes.

As many articles pointed out, in the last eight games of the season last year, Dallas led the league in averages per run from scrimmage.

 

[ShiningStar]

its been a fresh of breath air. And this has been helping the D, not completely becasue that D is revamped, but its been helping knowing the defense doesnt have to be on the field all day. Linehan has really turned my opinion around and i hope hes happy to be caoching a great talent that Dallas does have. Even tho id like to see Harris a bit more, cant really complain with what Linehan is doing.

 

[Hoov]

You should read what I wrote above:



Irrespective of the play-calling, the RUN GAME and blocking schemes were totally revamped. And Callahan was brought in to revamp the line, with his new schemes.

As many articles pointed out, in the last eight games of the season last year, Dallas led the league in averages per run from scrimmage.

I see it now.

 

[BAT]

Sturm is correct. This team was elite rushing the ball last season. But the playcalling was subpar. Callahan is responsible for setting up this ZBS (Green Bay players called it the best in the NFL last year) and acquiring the personnel to implement it. But he and Garrett both struggled with playcalling and emphasis from week to week. As great as they could run the ball, they would abandon it at the oddest times. Romo & Bryant were the stars so it would always default to them during critical moments in games regardless of situation.

Linehan is reaping the rewards by coming into an organization already set up (system and players) for success. But his impact, his philosophy, and his emphasis have been no less than exemplary and necessary for this team to take the next step. Linehan got the entire TEAM to buy into the running game - everyone from the WRs to the ball boys, not so in past years under either Garrett or Callahan. Linehan has been the only one who can rein in Romo when he becomes too pass focused. And this is a magnificent thing, not because Romo is not capable but because Romo has to trust that running the ball successfully, staying balanced, is in the best interest of both the team AND Romo (keeps him upright), especially when holding onto leads and putting the game away. Linehan has instilled an understanding and appreciation for TOP. Thank God for Linehan.

 

[FuzzyLumpkins]

Callahan's run game and his fashioning of the OL. During that run, the sweep play became our bread and butter with Murray. We no longer rely on that run delay that we used as a staple with Barber and Felix when Garrett was the main play-caller. Jerry mentioned when they hired Linehan, that not only would they target Dez, Linehan would give emphasis to the run. And Linehan said in a previous article that essentially, after seeing what Callahan has done, he's made it easy for him.

Jerry refused to let Callahan interview for an OC position this off-season for two teams. He knows why... He was the influential decision in drafting Frederik. And Callahan, per Stephen Jones wanted out.

It's adorable watching you flounder about trying to uphold your bias. I'm going to call you waffles.

 

[khiladi]

It's adorable watching you flounder about trying to uphold your bias. I'm going to call you waffles.

Same guy, if I remember correctly, who denied we were amongst the worst in the league at play-action when Garrett was calling plays... And the reason he denied it, was because he played on the Cowboys in the 90s.. You guys are hilarious..

 

[Doomsday101]

Linehan is calling more runs, that is great but it is not a new offense it is the same offense Linehan and Garrett ran under Saban in Miami. I think Linehan has done a great job, this is the same guy many here claimed would not run the ball all he would do is pass it, you guys were wrong. Linehan has been great and is someone Garrett knows and trust.

 

[khiladi]

Linehan is calling more runs, that is great but it is not a new offense it is the same offense Linehan and Garrett ran under Saban in Miami. I think Linehan has done a great job, this is the same guy many here claimed would not run the ball all he would do is pass it, you guys were wrong. Linehan has been great and is someone Garrett knows and trust.

Who is this you guys?

They rushed last year 445 times as opposed to 624, passing. That isn't a bad ratio. Some people were pointing out how Reggie Bush had a much greater role in this offense. In 14 games, he rushed over 1000 yards. And even Jerry Jones was saying they would run more with him from the very beginning.

Jerry Jones was pointing out that though they run a 'similar' offense, the terminology is totally different and he tailors the offense to suit his players, and used Megatron as an example. It's not close to the 'same offense' that Garrett 'runs' other than a Coryell-vertical offense... Cad Cameron also ran the 'same' offense with the Ravens, was fired mid-season and they went on to win the SB. And they were complaining he didn't run the ball enough. And Garrett played under him.

 

[Doomsday101]

Woo is this you guys? They rushed last year 445 times as opposed to 624, passing. That isn't a bad ration. Some people were pointing out how Reggie Bush had a much greater role in this offense. In 14 games, he rushed over 1000 yards. And even Jerry Jones was saying they would run more with him?

Yes he did as more personnel was added in Det they did run more, Linehan who was there before Reggie Bush got there was not running a lot before that but as talent came in he adjusted. I said he would run in Dallas and the reason was we had 3 1st rd picks and a very good RB in Murray as long as he could stay healthy. He has and the OL has performed better including Free. Great job by Callahan and Frank Pollack. Again I'm one who believes that there is a lot of credit that can be passed around to a lot of people. Linehan, Callahan, Pollack, Marinelli, Jerry and Stephen and a host of others including Garrett. I'm not looking to take credit away from anyone, they all share in this, it is not 1 person it is not Linehan alone it is not Marinelli alone or Jason it is the entire package and all of these men deserve credit. If some choose to ignore or belittle due to some personal agenda be my guest it only make you look petty and foolish.

 

[khiladi]

Yes he did as more personnel was added in Det they did run more, Linehan who was there before Reggie Bush got there was not running a lot before that but as talent came in he adjusted. I said he would run in Dallas and the reason was we had 3 1st rd picks and a very good RB in Murray as long as he could stay healthy. He has and the OL has performed better including Free. Great job by Callahan and Frank Pollack. Again I'm one who believes that there is a lot of credit that can be passed around to a lot of people. Linehan, Callahan, Pollack, Marinelli, Jerry and Stephen and a host of others including Garrett. I'm not looking to take credit away from anyone, they all share in this, it is not 1 person it is not Linehan alone it is not Marinelli alone or Jason it is the entire package and all of these men deserve credit. If some choose to ignore or belittle due to some personal agenda be my guest it only make you look petty and foolish.

So who is this you all people? Is the play-calling different?

 

[FuzzyLumpkins]

Same guy, if I remember correctly, who denied we were amongst the worst in the league at play-action when Garrett was calling plays... And the reason he denied it, was because he played on the Cowboys in the 90s.. You guys are hilarious..

If I was wrong about something then that is okay. I don't remember saying that and can think of no logical basis for said take nor even know if it is true one way or the other but I say stupid things just like the next guy from time to time. It's not about never being wrong. It's about getting the right answer in the end and overcoming past mistakes.

If I had instead ran around and talked about the passing game and the defense and waved my hands in an attempt to deflect attention away from my mistake as you do trying to deflect credit from Garrett then you might have a point.

And I have to say my favorite part was referring to me in third person and then finishing with the you vs. the world sentiment. The wannabe martyr is a favorite of mine. Also makes me wonder who your audience really is.