Short and Sweet prediction

[Idgit]

I know all of those stats. But the reality is this offense only works with Romo. It's a flaw of this coaching staff IMO.

We've got one of those offensive schemes that doesn't work effectively with a bad QB. What would help would be some real coaching.

 

[CCBoy]

If the Cowboys draft Ezekiel Elliott, the Cowboys will go to the playoffs, but will likely fall short of going deep into the playoffs due to holes on defense.

If the Cowboys draft anywhere on defense with the 4th pick, they will be picking high again in 2017.

Discuss

In 2014, Tony Romo's offense produced the second highest total in Cowboys' history. The lead runner for them, Demarco Murray, produced over 1800 total yards and took the top total in Cowboys history. The same quality offense is back this year, with an even better offensive line. The team will be potent, and still in play for a run through the playoffs. A pretty easy schedule and able to match well against most of their own NFC East, I think the team will be even more game with about three prominent players on the defensive side of play. The foundations to better implement Marinelli's style of defense will be better laid. I think the team is even tougher after those moves. Myself, with children already in the family, I don't push them suddenly aside to prepare for one in the oven.

 

[MikeT22]

If Romo stays healthy we should have a chance to go to the playoffs no matter who we draft this year. We also likely won't go deep in the playoffs if we make it no matter who we draft. This team just isn't good enough starting at the top on down.

 

[Sydla]

We've got one of those offensive schemes that doesn't work effectively with a bad QB. What would help would be some real coaching.

The system is too reliant on Romo, not just his physical skills but his mental skills. He was the master of adjusting at the line whereas Weeden and Cassel just couldn't do that with the same effectiveness.

Romo covered up a lot of warts that showed last year when he was out.

 

[CCBoy]

Since the Cowboys didn't take on last year, I have been following the running back's in college. In terms of explosive plays, he's not Todd Gurley, but in terms of being an all round player (alla Emmitt Smith), this guy is as polished as they come. He does everything and would absolutely feast behind the Cowboy's line. My prediction is not to suggest that the Cowboys would be wrong going with defense with the fourth pick overall...it is just going to take more than 1 draft to fix what is wrong on that side of the ball.

Jason Garrett ended up with a 5 year contract. But his Coordinators aren't as blessed. This would be year three of four expected years for a side of ball to be at snuff, and sustaining. This year is very important for the defense. We haven't forgotten that good defense wins a Championship...as the good offense can have more opportunity than an opponent. It's that important, rather then sweet dreams.

The Dallas will be high producing already, this next season...just with the return of the team's top two leaders, Tony Romo and Dez Bryant. The top blocks are as important now, as the ideal blue chippers to gloat about. I know you are realistic and always enjoy your discussions, our friend.

 

[jobberone]

Not as much as it does here. NE won with Cassel playing for Brady that one season, for example. Other teams won some games last year without their elite QBs.

Everyone did it but Dallas, it seems.

We've been over this. In the history of the league, at least back to the 50s, there has been a couple of times that a team was carried the vast majority of the season and won in the playoffs although Plunkett won a SB for the Raiders even if he didn't play all year. Winning a game here and there with a backup is of no consequence when you aspire to a SB. Actually Earl Morrall did it twice although I'm not certain without looking it up if he won a title or just helped get them there.

You aren't likely to win anything in this league without an elite QB.

 

[AdamJT13]

A great running game would improve the passing game.

Nope, a great running game actually has very little effect on the passing game. Elliott would have to improve the passing game mostly through his receiving skills and pass blocking skills -- assuming we use him for those things, of course.

 

[waving monkey]

It's an extremely misleading claim, for many reasons. First, the ranking applies to both run and pass plays on 3rd and 1. When you remove the pass plays on 3rd and 1, the ranking goes up to 27th. Then when you stop and think, "Why just 3rd and 1? Isn't 3rd and 2 also short yardage?" you see the ranking go up to 22nd. Then you think a little more, and you realize this completely leaves out 4th down -- an even more critical short-yardage situation than 3rd down. Now the ranking goes up to 17th.

All of a sudden, you realize our short-yardage run game wasn't the league's worst after all, but instead was middle of the league. Maybe you still think, "Well that was the McFadden effect. We dropped from the 10th-best short-yardage running team in 2014 down to 17th in 2015 because McFadden replaced Murray." You can find out if that's true by comparing their conversion percentages on short-yardage runs.

2014 Murray 19 of 26 (73.1%)
2015 McFadden 13 of 17 (76.5%)

Add in runs from the 1- or 2-yard line on 1st or 2nd down (which are also short-yardage plays), and it looks like this:

2014 Murray 25 of 32 (78.1%)
2015 McFadden 15 of 21 (71.4%)

I think it's important that the only thing separating the short-yardage performances of the two backs is their 1st- and 2nd-down goal-line runs. It tells me that there must have been something different about the goal line runs, but what? Did Murray just have more of a nose for the goal line? That sounds good, but it doesn't make sense that he wouldn't also have had more of a nose for the first down marker. So it must have been something besides the RB. I think it was the QB, and the different ways that defenses approached short yardage, based on who the QB was. I think that near the goal line in 2015, defenses were able to concentrate their resources on stopping the run because they didn't have a large area of field to cover. In 2014, we had a QB and a #1 WR who were able to exploit defenses near the goal line when those defenses cheated toward the run.

I can test this theory by comparing the early part of the season with the rest of the season. How often did we run early in the season, and how successful were we, before defenses started taking away the run? Was there any difference compared to the rest of the year? Well, yes, there was a huge difference both in how often we ran, and how successful we were.

from 5-yard line or closer
% of runs resulting in TD
2014 (all 16 games) 9 of 17 (53%)
2015 (games 1-6) 5 of 7 (72%)
2015 (games 7-16) 0 of 3 (0%)

in regards to reasoning this is pretty good logic.

 

[jobberone]

I think a great running game would help the passing attack somewhere between a little and a little bit more than a little. But not a lot by a lot. No one has a great running game anymore although some have a good one.

Name the last few teams to have a great running game. With today's athletes I'm not certain it can be done very often.

 

[Gaede]

I know what I saw in 2014.

When we committed to the run, we went 12-4 and into the playoffs. We had three years of Dez and Romo and passing all over the place. This team didn't produce a winning season until we committed to running the ball in 2014 and our runningback rattled off like 9 100 yd games in a row.

Besides taking the pressure off Romo and making down and distance easier on a regular basis, our running game physically punished teams and beat them down. And in that way, our running game did help our passing game, defense and special teams. We imposed our will on teams and that made our team better.

That was the biggest benefit, and unfortunately, there is no way to quantify that. There is also no way to quantify how defensive coordinators were forced to finally think about something other than Romo

 

[kazzd58]

I did not say he was better than Zeke but I would not spend a 4th overall on Zeke and fact is we don't know what he will do at this level. I'm not trying to put him down but thus far he has not taken 1 snap in the NFL Morris as an NFL RB was 2nd leading rusher in 2012 he has proven himself at this level.

well ok you take whoever you want on yur squad i'll take zeke and wacht my squad win that's where I am .. I don't have to always see what they do in the nFl to know if he can be good or not on the prospects I watch with my eyes ..

yall can sit there and keep questioning toil the cows come.. some people just has iIT man its not rocket science when it comes to certain players and how they will fit into what we do...

me I already got a hunch and I trust my 1st initial gut feeling a lot and I haven't been wrong on the ones im adamant about

You got Dez and Romo coming back you dint think his skill set can put this team over the top because he can actually score on his runs, create, get skinny he loves to block and we all know the best room we've ever seen out of alllllllllllll the years he's been here was 2014 and what was the formula... We running the ball and theres really nothing you can do about it.. Zeke can put this oline as one of the greatest because he fits with what we want to do..

we had to change scheme for McFadden with Zeke we do what we want to do and please leave Dez one on one..

I don't think people against zeke really see the big picture here for our whole team.. our defense wasn't bad last year they was just on the field a lot because of 3 and outs by the offense which was terrible with Cassel ...

Zeke and this Oline can control the whole game literally time management at its finest let romo pick and chose when he wants to pick apart the defense because they cant stop the run...

what Zeke did to Alabama showed me all I needed to see..... Alabama is the closes you'll get to an NFL "caliber" Defense in college...

 

[kazzd58]

I understand being RB malnourished as a fan base, but are we really talking about taking a RB at #4? Seriously? Gurley was a better back and I thought he was lucky to go at 10 last year. Spring forward to 2017 and you can already see potential 1st round grades in Fournette, Cook, McCaffrey, and Chubb. The #4 overall pick needs to be spent on a player that will be part of the organization 10 years from now and a generational talent. Not a guy who had better backs in front of him in 2015 and will have better backs behind him in 2017.

so where would Elliott fit what number is he in that next yrs class? he's number 2 after Fournette to me..

Elliott had back to back 1800 yd seasons annnnndd basically carried his team a National championship not just a conference ship but a National Championship.. so he has championship pedigree meaning he has the ability to take you there...

I could care less about where you take or suppose to take in todays game the rb position in a draft...

im looking at this coming up season and the formula that can get us a super bowl championship this year.. next year cant help me this year cause yall do know we're close to starting over anyway in a couple years when Romo gone... and Zeke will already be a year ahead of those next yrs rbs anyway so he'll have the experience the training a whole year in the training room already too.. he'll be ahead of them anyway

 

[percyhoward]

in regards to reasoning this is pretty good logic.

It's either that, or I can just listen to the guys on TV, pick the opinion I like best, and call it my own.

No reason for me to think, when somebody else is doing it for me, right?

 

[kazzd58]

[quote="kazzd58, post: 6619682, member: 26969
quote]

 

[Doomsday101]

I still have concerns about McFadden's ability to stay healthy, but getting Morris alleviates some of those concerns.

I am concerned about every player on this team staying healthy. Keeping key players on the field has not been easy for the Cowboys.

 

[kazzd58]

I did not say he was better than Zeke but I would not spend a 4th overall on Zeke and fact is we don't know what he will do at this level. I'm not trying to put him down but thus far he has not taken 1 snap in the NFL Morris as an NFL RB was 2nd leading rusher in 2012 he has proven himself at this level.

"]well ok you take whoever you want on yur squad i'll take zeke and wacht my squad win that's where I am .. I don't have to always see what they do in the nFl to know if he can be good or not on the prospects I watch with my eyes ..

yall can sit there and keep questioning til the cows come.. some people just has IT man its not rocket science when it comes to certain players and how they will fit into what we do...

me I already got a hunch and I trust my 1st initial gut feeling a lot and I haven't been wrong on the ones im adamant about

You got Dez and Romo coming back you dint think his skill set can put this team over the top because he can actually score on his runs, create, get skinny and he loves to block and we all know the best Romo we've ever seen out of alllllllllllll the years he's been here in Dallas was in 2014 and what was the formula? We are running the ball and theres really nothing you can do about it.. Zeke can put this oline as one of the greatest because he fits with what we want to do..

we had to change scheme for McFadden to man because he's not good in zone reading which is what Zeke jst come from a zone blocking scheme and you know his stats and seen the highlights so, with Zeke we do what we want to do and please leave Dez one on one.. pick your poison

eventually this team gonna have to hit on these 5th-7th round defense players

the young guys already here they got to develop into solid contributers everybody cant be a superstar

I don't think people against zeke really see the big picture here for our whole team.. our defense wasn't bad last year they was just on the field a lot because of 3 and outs by the offense which was terrible with Cassel ...

Zeke and this Oline can control the whole game literally time management at its finest let romo pick and chose when he wants to pick apart the defense because they cant stop the run...

what Zeke did to Alabama showed me all I needed to see..... Alabama is the closes you'll get to an NFL "caliber" Defense in college...[/

 

[Doomsday101]

well ok you take whoever you want on yur squad i'll take zeke and wacht my squad win that's where I am .. I don't have to always see what they do in the nFl to know if he can be good or not on the prospects I watch with my eyes ..

yall can sit there and keep questioning toil the cows come.. some people just has iIT man its not rocket science when it comes to certain players and how they will fit into what we do...

me I already got a hunch and I trust my 1st initial gut feeling a lot and I haven't been wrong on the ones im adamant about

You got Dez and Romo coming back you dint think his skill set can put this team over the top because he can actually score on his runs, create, get skinny he loves to block and we all know the best room we've ever seen out of alllllllllllll the years he's been here was 2014 and what was the formula... We running the ball and theres really nothing you can do about it.. Zeke can put this oline as one of the greatest because he fits with what we want to do..

we had to change scheme for McFadden with Zeke we do what we want to do and please leave Dez one on one..

I don't think people against zeke really see the big picture here for our whole team.. our defense wasn't bad last year they was just on the field a lot because of 3 and outs by the offense which was terrible with Cassel ...

Zeke and this Oline can control the whole game literally time management at its finest let romo pick and chose when he wants to pick apart the defense because they cant stop the run...

what Zeke did to Alabama showed me all I needed to see..... Alabama is the closes you'll get to an NFL "caliber" Defense in college...

He is a great college player so was McFadden in college. Zeke may end up being the greatest of all time I don't know he has never played a down of pro ball. Morris has and was 2nd leading rusher in 2012 he has done it Zeke is a maybe who the heck knows. I think taking him at 4 would not be a great move, however if Dallas were to take him of course I would welcome him as part of the team after all I don't have a say and too old to pout when I don't get my way.

 

[kazzd58]

He is a great college player so was McFadden in college. Zeke may end up being the greatest of all time I don't know he has never played a down of pro ball. Morris has and was 2nd leading rusher in 2012 he has done it Zeke is a maybe who the heck knows. I think taking him at 4 would not be a great move, however if Dallas were to take him of course I would welcome him as part of the team after all I don't have a say and too old to pout when I don't get my way.

but McFadden and Elliott are 2 different type of rbs with different skills especially vision but I hear your point

 

[Sydla]

We've been over this. In the history of the league, at least back to the 50s, there has been a couple of times that a team was carried the vast majority of the season and won in the playoffs although Plunkett won a SB for the Raiders even if he didn't play all year. Winning a game here and there with a backup is of no consequence when you aspire to a SB. Actually Earl Morrall did it twice although I'm not certain without looking it up if he won a title or just helped get them there.

You aren't likely to win anything in this league without an elite QB.

And we've been over this before........... no one is talking about the Cowboys winning 10 games last year with a backup QB.

When you can't win even one game with a backup QB in 12 games, it's of consequence no matter how hard you want to try to deflect and not put this at the feet of the coaching staff. You can continue to try to downplay that but the fact this team with supposedly the best OL in football couldn't squeeze out one win with a backup QB is pretty damn telling.

 

[Sydla]

I know what I saw in 2014.

When we committed to the run, we went 12-4 and into the playoffs. We had three years of Dez and Romo and passing all over the place. This team didn't produce a winning season until we committed to running the ball in 2014 and our runningback rattled off like 9 100 yd games in a row.

Besides taking the pressure off Romo and making down and distance easier on a regular basis, our running game physically punished teams and beat them down. And in that way, our running game did help our passing game, defense and special teams. We imposed our will on teams and that made our team better.

That was the biggest benefit, and unfortunately, there is no way to quantify that. There is also no way to quantify how defensive coordinators were forced to finally think about something other than Romo

I know what I saw in 2014.

A 3rd round TB that some people didn't think prior to that season could be a bell cow TB turn into the NFL's leading rusher.

What that tells me is you don't have to drop your pants at 4 and take a TB to put a quality running game out there when you have this OL (which could be arguably better in 2016 than it was in 2014).