Stephen Jones: We Will Be Running The Ball More

[DandyDon1722]

Honestly, I have to believe they learned a lesson last year. In the 60's-90's we were the team who always pulled it out at the end, I want to make a return to those endings, a stout running game will get it done.

Agree - I used to love it when the defense would get crucial stops now and then. I miss those days.

 

[BrAinPaiNt]

This probably made Jimmy Johnson laugh.

Holla

 

[KJJ]

Also and of course, they all seem to know that the defense will need protecting. And we know the run game, if working, can do that.

The idea of maintaining possession by running the ball on time consuming drives to keep the defense off the field sounds good but it would lead to the Cowboys losing a number of games. A game plan like that will keep games close with every game coming down to the 4th quarter. The Cowboys have blown a number of 4th quarter leads the past 3 seasons because the defense can't hold. They lost 3 games last season by a combined total of 5 points. I'm not saying don't run the ball but the Cowboys strength is their passing game.

They have one of the best young receivers in the game who can put points on the board and you have to get the ball in his hands. The game plan to run Barber vs the Giants in the playoffs in 07 produced over 100 rushing yards in the first half but only a 14-14 tie because the defense couldn't make stops. The Cowboys have got to put a lot of points on the board to overcome their defense. They need to get opponents down and keep applying the pressure.

The only way you can overcome a bad defense is by having a strong offense led by a prolific passing attack. The 2011 Packers went 15-1 with the 32nd ranked defense due to an MVP year by Rodgers. NE reached the SB that same year with the 31st ranked defense due to a strong offensive attack led by the #2 passing attack. You can't overcome a bad defense especially one that's been historically bad with an offense predicated on the running game.

 

[percyhoward]

The only way the Cowboys will be running the ball more is if they play better defense. They ranked last or next to last in just about every defensive category last season. If you can't keep opponents from scoring you have to throw the ball to keep up. At times the Cowboys did run the ball well but had to abandon the run due to the defense not being able to stop anyone. Of the top 5 rushing teams last season 3 ranked in the top 10 defensively. The problem with running the ball a lot it keeps your score down which means your defense has to keep your opponents score down.

If your defense can't keep opponents from scoring or you're having to play from behind a lot you have to throw the ball to keep up. Every year the Cowboys say they're going to run the ball more but their defense won't allow it. The Cowboys ran all over Chicago last season Murray had 146 yards averaging 8.1 a carry but the Cowboys got blown out by 17 points because the Bears scored on practically every possession. McCown shredded the Cowboys defense for 348 yards and 4 TD's.

Romo only attempted 20 passes in that game but the Cowboys decided to stick with the run because it was working and got buried. No matter how well you run the ball it's not going to produce a lot of points you have to throw the ball to be a high scoring team. The Cowboys defense will determine how much they run the ball this season. They're going to have to continue to outscore some teams to win games and that will take them away from the running game.

This is a fairly good post.

I mean, to be fair, this is a good post.

 

[DFWJC]

The idea of maintaining possession by running the ball on time consuming drives to keep the defense off the field sounds good but it would lead to the Cowboys losing a number of games. A game plan like that will keep games close with every game coming down to the 4th quarter. The Cowboys have blown a number of 4th quarter leads the past 3 seasons because the defense can't hold. They lost 3 games last season by a combined total of 5 points. I'm not saying don't run the ball but the Cowboys strength is their passing game.

They have one of the best young receivers in the game who can put points on the board and you have to get the ball in his hands. The game plan to run Barber vs the Giants in the playoffs in 07 produced over 100 rushing yards in the first half but only a 14-14 tie because the defense couldn't make stops. The Cowboys have got to put a lot of points on the board to overcome their defense. They need to get opponents down and keep applying the pressure.

The only way you can overcome a bad defense is by having a strong offense led by a prolific passing attack. The 2011 Packers went 15-1 with the 32nd ranked defense due to an MVP year by Rodgers. NE reached the SB that same year with the 31st ranked defense due to a strong offensive attack led by the #2 passing attack. You can't overcome a bad defense especially one that's been historically bad with an offense predicated on the running game.

Yeah, I mean situationally. Certainly not as an all out change in philosophy to where they become a "running team".

 

[KJJ]

This is a fairly good post.

I mean, to be fair, this is a good post.

As often as we disagree I know it took a lot for you to say that.

 

[KJJ]

Yeah, I mean situationally. Certainly not as an all out change in philosophy to where they become a "running team".

If the Cowboys have a comfortable lead in a game (which is rare) where the defense is making a few stops (which is also rare) they can stay with the run. They stayed with the run vs the Rams due to a big lead they were able to hang on to. Murray had a season high 26 carries in that game for a season high 175 yards. Murray only had 3 games last season in which he received 20 or more carries. The following week after Murray chewed up Chicago in a game the defense couldn't make a single stop he chewed up Green Bay for 134 yards averaging just over 7 yards a carry but once again the defense got shredded by yet another journeymen QB Matt Flynn.

The Cowboys blew a 23 point lead due to another awful defensive performance. Murray could have easily had over 200 yards vs The Packers had the Cowboys not had to abandon the run in the second half. Romo was forced to put the ball up 48 times that day to try and answer Flynn's 4 scores. If Murray could stay healthy and was supported by a top flight defense he's capable of putting up a 1500 yard season if the Cowboys were able to commit to the run but the defense won't allow it. He was only allowed 18 carries vs GB due to the defense.

 

[burmafrd]

Amazing. You control the game with the run. You can eat the clock. You can keep the opposing offense on the bench.

Yet so many here say do not run the ball.

Which explains why they are not coaches.

You pass the ball and it is more likely to be lost then running.

You pass the ball and you do not eat the clock as much.

You pass the ball and more bad things happen then if you can run it.

THAT is why looking at the coaches that have won SBs is it not amazing how many of them go about it that way?

 

[Idgit]

This is a fairly good post.

I mean, to be fair, this is a good post.

It really was.

 

[KJJ]

Another issue the Cowboys have when trying to establish the run is shooting themselves in the foot with penalties. They'll be running the ball good then get hit with a pre-snap penalty or a holding call that puts them in long down situations. They'll go from a 2nd and 5 to a 2nd and 15 because of a holding call. To sustain drives on the ground you have to be disciplined and penalties put you in passing situations.

 

[NoLuv4Jerry]

You know...I had hope that this guy would not be anything like his Dad. A good jumpstart on that would be to deflect ANY questions that should be answered by the HEAD COACH or O Coordinator. Again, there will be plenty of people who consider this minor. That is only because this is what Jerry has taught us to be 'normal'. But it is NOT normal for a front office person to be discussing the strategy a team will employ. I have never liked it....will never like it...and will NEVER accept it. We will TAKE what the defense gives us. Garret nor any other coach on this team should not be backed into a corner based on some comments made by ownership! I would like us to run the ball SUCCESFULLY...if that means we wind up in the top 10 in total carries.....great! If not......oh well!!!!

 

[Carolina Cowboy]

Last name is Jones = please just shut up.

 

[percyhoward]

You need to be able to run the ball in the red zone to take pressure of your pass offense, because pass defense has the advantage of a smaller field to cover. You need to be able to move the chains and eat clock when protecting a lead late in the game, and running is the safest way to do that. You need to mix in some runs early to keep the defense honest, and make play action more effective.

You do NOT need to meet a quota of so many rushing attempts per game.

 

[Doomsday101]

I think it is important to be able to do both this keeps opposing defense off balance and yes it can help our own defense. If you defense is coming off the field after a 10 or 12 play drive they need the offense to go out and be able to run and give them a breather. As also pointed out in the redzone where the windows QB have to throw into become much smaller. I don't expect the Cowboys to be a 50/50 running team but the run can still be a big factor in helping this team achive their goals.

 

[Hardline]

Who died and made Stephen Jones the coach? How does he know they are going to run more?

 

[PA Cowboy Fan]

Who died and made Stephen Jones the coach? How does he know they are going to run more?

His Dad told him. lol

 

[Corso]

“I think our offensive line is better than it was last year and I think we ran the ball pretty well last year,” Jones said. “I think we’ll run it better this year and I think there will be a bigger commitment to running it.”

Committed-running teams have documented success and Jones even has statistical ranking goal in mind.

“I think we’ve been pretty successful when DeMarco has gotten over 20 carries. Our winning percentage is pretty good. So yes, I’d like to see us in the top 10 in terms of our rushing attack. I think that’s a good recipe in terms of us winning. We will be running the ball more.”

rest of article... http://www.dallascowboys.com/news/a...all-More/e9954189-c830-4e59-a260-874740535c5b



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Remember this, bookmark it in the back of your brain.
We have heard this after games, after seasons, before seasons...here it is again. They have acknowledged it time and time again that they need to run more.

We will see.

I'm of the opinion that the FO should communicate absolute ZIP when it comes to game strategy of your own team in a public forum for everyone to see.
Even trivial comments like this from Stevie.

I like how Garrett is mindfully obtuse with the media. Unfortunately the rest of the barkers at the circus are readily and willingly barking.

I love Coach Pop when he is interviewed:

Interviewer: Coach- How do you think your team is doing with the so-and-so doing such-and-such?
Pop: Turnovers.
Interviewer: What kind of changes you'd like to see with your team in the second half?
Pop: Turnovers.
Interviewer: Thank you Coach.
Pop: Whatever.

That's giving away zip. That's giving nobody nuttin'.
I believe Red would give answers like that if he could.

"What's you're strategy coming into the season Coach?"
"We want to win to the best of our abilities."
"How do you plan on getting to that point with such and such and so and so doing this and that?"
"By winning utilizing the best of our abilities. Any other questions? Thank you and goodnight."

 

[jobberone]

The fact of the matter is that he was raised and grew up in an actual NFL environment, not YouTube or high school or Monday Night Countdown or any other media driven propagandist forum. He, actually, has more NFL experience than just about anybody on this, or any other, forum. FWIW, I think he probably does know more than us.

He does overall although I have no idea what he knows about Xs and Os; probably a lot. He doesn't call plays so he can only repeat what he's told or hears. I think they do want to run the ball. They just need to do it a bit more or just be very efficient with it.

 

[jobberone]

I'm of the opinion that the FO should communicate absolute ZIP when it comes to game strategy of your own team in a public forum for everyone to see.
Even trivial comments like this from Stevie.

I like how Garrett is mindfully obtuse with the media. Unfortunately the rest of the barkers at the circus are readily and willingly barking.

I love Coach Pop when he is interviewed:

Interviewer: Coach- How do you think your team is doing with the so-and-so doing such-and-such?
Pop: Turnovers.
Interviewer: What kind of changes you'd like to see with your team in the second half?
Pop: Turnovers.
Interviewer: Thank you Coach.
Pop: Whatever.

That's giving away zip. That's giving nobody nuttin'.
I believe Red would give answers like that if he could.

"What's you're strategy coming into the season Coach?"
"We want to win to the best of our abilities."
"How do you plan on getting to that point with such and such and so and so doing this and that?"
"By winning utilizing the best of our abilities. Any other questions? Thank you and goodnight."

Don't think it will make a difference here. Everyone wants to run effectively. We'll see.

 

[DenCWBY]

I've heard Charlotte knows more football than all of the Jones boys...

She certainly handles a microphone better than secret sauce boy and the ********** kid. She got the brains in the family.