Strategic changes in offense

jday said:
This is where my head is at right now, as well. What will the Cowboys do to align there offense around Dak's strengths as a QB that get's the most out of their weapons?

That question is what's going to make the rest of the offseason unbearable. Because until we see them execute it, it will all be speculation and for the most part a reflection of what the writer thinks we should do; not necessarily what the Cowboys coaches will dream up.

One thing that stands out to me, though, is the addition of Tavon. So one idea I've been playing around with is, of course, the option where Dak can hand it to Zeke going up the middle, or fake that and toss it to Tavon sprinting for the edge, or fake that too and keep it running in the opposite direction. Of course, the counters to all of those that the defense may attempt to key on are already there. If Dak reads they are crashing the line to stop Zeke, toss it to Tavon. However, if they have a spy on Tavon for that reason, he can keep it.

With that said, with this current offensive construction with no clear #1 option, there is not 1 receiver the defense can take away and feel good about stopping the Cowboys. I honestly think they might actually rotate out receivers like Marinelli does defensive lineman. With no clear dominant receiver, the Cowboys offense can feel free to keep their receivers fresh throughout the game.

I also think they will be picking up the tempo a little by running more no-huddle and have Dak call alot of the plays from the line. With the constant shifting in and out of receivers and the quick tempo and Zeke/Smith/Bo pounding them relentlessly on the ground, the opposition will be dead on their feet by the fourth quarter.
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Last year, after drafting Ryan Swizter, there was a lot of speculation about dual slot receivers with him and Beasley. Maybe that's more of an option with Austin?
 
ColoCowboy said:
Last year, after drafting Ryan Swizter, there was a lot of speculation about dual slot receivers with him and Beasley. Maybe that's more of an option with Austin?
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if austin did nothing but did jet sweeps, jet sweep decoys, bubble screens, lined up as a bubble screen 'threat', running back while zeke is lined up wide, then he would have done plenty. this would need minimal catching but hand-offs and pitches.

this type of use may minimize fumbling as he either does not have the ball or he can simply use 2 hands to hang on to the ball most of the time.
 
Gameover said:
It’s a copy cat league and Jerry has always been a big copycat

1. The Cowboys will try an make their backs a bigger part of the passing game.

Tavon and the full back they picked up from the Raiders. He averaged a ridiculous 18ypc in 2016

Jerry saw how Jax, NE and Philadelphia used their backs in the playoffs.

2. Jerry was jealous of how Philadelphia’ 1-2 punch pounded teams into oblivion, Big Bo is Jerry’s version of Blount

Copycat Jerry
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That goes back to the Chicago Bears, the Refrigerator!! :D
 
waldoputty said:
1. zeke running behind dominant ol betting up defenses and chewing up time of possession.
defense counter: 8 in a box etc.
offense counter-counter:
(1) 4 wr with zeke - forcing defenses to play at least time and spreading the defense wide-open with at least 5 db's and probably dime for zeke to run over
(2) jet sweep/bubble screens with faster wr like thompson and austin to force defense to respect it.

2. dak rolling out
defense counter: de's and lb's change the way they play contain
offense counter-counter:
(1) 4wr or other multiple wr sets that spread apart defense - making zeke more dangerous and de's less likely to play contain the same way
(2) jet sweep/bubble screens with very fast wr like austin or thompson - defenses can no longer just key in on zeke and dak rolling out
(3) better route-running wr's so dak know where they will be.

So getting multiple #2/#3 receivers with good route running and catching with their hands are a counter to the defense's counter.
dak knows where the wr would be.
defenses have to respect all the wr's.



we should still be run-dominant as the defenses should be nicely spreaded apart for zeke/ol to run over.
with defenses in nickel or more likely dime, more dbs with less run-stopping skills/bodies.
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So your counter to everything is a 4 WR set and jet sweep?

I think they will go to more of a 3 WR standard set this year. If you go 4 wide you open yourself up to much to blitzes off the edge. But I could see them doing that some of the time.

I also like Designed run plays with Dak keeping it on the roll out. Would also like to see a lot more of Zeke out of the backfield on a simple route in the flat or over the middle curl or crossing route. ​
 
jday said:
I also think they will be picking up the tempo a little by running more no-huddle and have Dak call alot of the plays from the line. With the constant shifting in and out of receivers and the quick tempo and Zeke/Smith/Bo pounding them relentlessly on the ground, the opposition will be dead on their feet by the fourth quarter.
Click to expand...

I don't see us lifting the tempo, actually I see the reverse. I think it hurts us because it forces us to play more plays which has an accumulative effect in terms of injuries over the course of the season. Plus I think our 1st string on defense is better than most and if we lift the tempo on offense then we're also wearing the defense out and consequently having the 2nd string play more does not work to our advantage.

I think we slow it down, make a lot of changes and methodically eat up clock.
 
DanA said:
I don't see us lifting the tempo, actually I see the reverse. I think it hurts us because it forces us to play more plays which has an accumulative effect in terms of injuries over the course of the season. Plus I think our 1st string on defense is better than most and if we lift the tempo on offense then we're also wearing the defense out and consequently having the 2nd string play more does not work to our advantage.

I think we slow it down, make a lot of changes and methodically eat up clock.
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It depends
I think you switch around
If Austin is in and they go to a base defense then I’d go up tempo and keep them from changing personnel
You can split him out, keep him in backfield and run a route out of back field
If they go nickle then you pound them with Zeke
Nothing works all the time but you just use up tempo to create mismatches and wear them down
 
waldoputty said:
1. zeke running behind dominant ol betting up defenses and chewing up time of possession.
defense counter: 8 in a box etc.
offense counter-counter:
(1) 4 wr with zeke - forcing defenses to play at least time and spreading the defense wide-open with at least 5 db's and probably dime for zeke to run over
(2) jet sweep/bubble screens with faster wr like thompson and austin to force defense to respect it.

2. dak rolling out
defense counter: de's and lb's change the way they play contain
offense counter-counter:
(1) 4wr or other multiple wr sets that spread apart defense - making zeke more dangerous and de's less likely to play contain the same way
(2) jet sweep/bubble screens with very fast wr like austin or thompson - defenses can no longer just key in on zeke and dak rolling out
(3) better route-running wr's so dak know where they will be.

So getting multiple #2/#3 receivers with good route running and catching with their hands are a counter to the defense's counter.
dak knows where the wr would be.
defenses have to respect all the wr's.

we should still be run-dominant as the defenses should be nicely spreaded apart for zeke/ol to run over.
with defenses in nickel or more likely dime, more dbs with less run-stopping skills/bodies.
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waldo--- i am all for it...we had to do something...if it dont work..back to the drawing board...it seems to me...our leadership is still too conservative....i still seem to feel we play not to lose..which often is another word for mediocre?..i could be dead wrong and i hope i am
 
conner01 said:
It depends
I think you switch around
If Austin is in and they go to a base defense then I’d go up tempo and keep them from changing personnel
You can split him out, keep him in backfield and run a route out of back field
If they go nickle then you pound them with Zeke
Nothing works all the time but you just use up tempo to create mismatches and wear them down
Click to expand...
mr Conner--- I hope we pound the Rock..3 and 1/2 quarters Zeke..and 1/2 quarter...Bo-Scar-face
 
DanA said:
I don't see us lifting the tempo, actually I see the reverse. I think it hurts us because it forces us to play more plays which has an accumulative effect in terms of injuries over the course of the season. Plus I think our 1st string on defense is better than most and if we lift the tempo on offense then we're also wearing the defense out and consequently having the 2nd string play more does not work to our advantage.

I think we slow it down, make a lot of changes and methodically eat up clock.
Click to expand...
pound the Rock baby
 
CouchCoach said:
I would just settle for the OC now. I think this offense in the hands of a good OC would be devilish to handle. The combination of Zeke and Austin with that OL is a handful. Linehan doesn't wait for the DC to stop it, he does that himself.
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Couch... i am also hoping if Bo can stay healthy...toss in some Bo and put some hurt on that D
 
I like the idea that we now have zero crutches.

No Romo. No Witten. No Bryant.

Garrett and later Linehan have had quite a bit to work with and have not delivered.

Now they have a handicap. It should prove to be entertaining, at least.
 
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