Strum-Mcfadden could struggle with zone blocking

[Idgit]

You can't implement a Zone Scheme in 1 year. The Cowboys struggled with it in year 1. It does not really hit full stride until about year 3, IMO.

Frank Pollack was the Raider's OL coach in 2012. He should know better than anybody if McFadden is suited for the Zone Scheme.

Good call on Pollack. But McFadden himself was on record being glad they ditched Knapp's ZBS back in OAK. That alone is reason to be concerned with his fit here.

I'm sure the issue came up prior to the signing, and I'm sure we've got a plan of some sort, but I'm withholding any enthusiasm for it until I see it in action.

 

[JohnsKey19]

I have been a vocal proponent for keeping Murray. I think all of you understand this. So many have argued it is the line and not Murray, which flies in the face of truth.

But my biggest concern has been, "which running back has the acumen and desire to pick up the correct blitzer and protect Romo?"

I cannot get the image out of my mind of the Commander player leading with a knee to the small of Romo's back.

All the wonderful things that have transpired this off season, Romo falling and missing games scuttles all if it. There is no back-up like when Aikman went down and Steve Beuelein took the team on an undefeated string in 91. Some even argued Beuerlein should have been the permanent QB of this team that year.

The second aspect of missing Murray are those short dirty yards where he moved the sticks because of his strength. Not sure any of the speedsters have that ability.

On a side note, I read here yesterday Jerry saying he'd toss a 1st out - presumably for the right player - sometime in the future. If he can figure a way to bring AP down, this might be THE most magical season EVER.

I have to rein in my emotions on that idea. But thinking about it, I can hardly breathe because of the excitement.

McFadden is very smooth in the passing game as a receiver and on par with Murray as a pass blocker. I think we'd actually improve in that area assuming McFadden is used as a nickel RB.

Randle IMO is best suited to succeed as a runner in this scheme given his running style. The unknowns are his availability week to week and can he consistently produce with a greater workload. What I found interesting was RBs coach Gary Brown's recent comments pretty much questioning if the staff can trust him with his off-field stuff. He also said Randle is showing signs of maturing, so we'll see.

Obviously the "joker" in the deck is Peterson, or that possibility. I think the odds are greater now that eventually something happens. JMO. I'd have to think the Cowboys would want to acquire him before training camp. So that's 2 months away and I wouldn't expect much to happen until that time, at least publicly.

 

[jazzcat22]

McFadden will be fine. I am sure the coaches took all this into account before looking to sign him. Long before Murray even left. They had to have a list of options and RB plan.
They were not just sitting back and saying...ahh, we got this, out OL will make any RB all pro.....they are not that naïve to truly think that.

Now I don't know who this Strum guy is, but if Sturm said it, then it is worth something to keep an eye on...

But I will go with the coaching decisions here. And who cares what blocking scheme he is better in. With holes as big as the Red Sea parting, Jerry can play RB.

 

[Deep_South]

McFadden and zone-blocking (my bold):

Easily one of the biggest issues for the Oakland Raiders after last season was the offensive line. The fateful decision to bring back Greg Knapp and his zone blocking scheme can only be described as a complete disaster. It sent a team who was able to scrape together two 8-8 seasons largely based on running the football into one of the worst running teams in the NFL. Darren McFadden looked completely befuddled by the scheme and the Raiders had no running game whatsoever routinely relying on QB Carson Palmer throwing an ungodly number of times.
Read more at http://cover32.com/raiders/2013/09/...ver-broncos-tony-sparano/#Ih1GDT3XrK7u8XBC.99

 

[darthseinfeld]

http://cowboysblog.***BANNED-URL***...uggle-with-cowboys-zone-blocking-scheme.html/

Strum obviously doesnt read the Zone

McFadden will break Murrays record by week 3 of preseason

 

[xwalker]

I think there is a great deal of speculation dressed up as hard fact here. Do any of us truly know Run DMC is ahead of the game? Or that the Cowboys have a more difficult implementation.

Or that this line that has played one season together has mastered it?

That last part actually is a positive, because if they haven't, and elevate from where they are, this may truly be one of the best Olines ever. But it is a little early to state that as fact just yet.

Tyron and Free played 3 season under Callahan.
Fred and Leary started for 2 season under Callahan with Leary having a 3rd season with the team.
Martin will be in his 2nd season.

 

[xwalker]

People will say that it's because of his awful offensive line and no quarterback...

I took a look at 2012 and realized that Carson Palmer was actually pretty good that year for Oakland. He threw for over 4k yards and was sacked less times than Romo was last year.
I was not expecting to find this. So with a line good enough to protect Palmer as good as Romo was protected McFadden was still only able to run for 3.3ypc.

Not making me feel awesome inside..

Come on Joseph Randle..

Dallas has a full complements of both Zone and Power-man plays in the the playbook. They will use what works.

 

[darthseinfeld]

I pity those that stand against me and the forces of McFadden as our power and might will be on full display September as the legions of fire drakes, balrogs, cthulhus, and hell spawns under the black banner of McFadden shall break all non believers with the irresistible force of the DMAC.

All shall look upon him and dispair

 

[jnday]

Randle is not a bellcow. He was, is and always will be a change of pace back. Not ready for the pounding he will get running it 15+ times a game but may be ready for the pounding he will receive is prison if he doesn't change his ways.

Randle is not. You are right, but neither are are the other running backs on this roster. This is going to cost the team because there will not be a physical, RB that can set the tempo like Murray did last season. I have read the defenders of RBBC comments and the comparisons to other teams that use the RBBC approach. Make no mistake, the Pats or these other teams are not running the same offense and they do not depend on the run like Dallas. Great running teams are about more than just a great line. A RB that can set the tone of the game is also needed. The 1990's lines were very good, but the results were poor without Emmitt.

 

[CATCH17]

Dallas has a full complements of both Zone and Power-man plays in the the playbook. They will use what works.

I was about to say the same thing.

Dallas does a bit of everything. We are not a pure zone scheme like Shannahan.

I love our run schemes although I do wish we would run out of more spread out formations at times.

 

[mahoneybill]

I'm not worried about it. Run dmc is gonna see the holes and make his cut and take off to the races. Watch.

Watching his highlight videos he seems like he's very good at that. The one who intrigues me is Williams, if he can still juke the way he did in college, he could be Westbrook/McCoy like.... and that would be great.

 

[perrykemp]

Watching his highlight videos he seems like he's very good at that. The one who intrigues me is Williams, if he can still juke the way he did in college, he could be Westbrook/McCoy like.... and that would be great.

All that juking is one of the main reasons why Chip Kelly shipped McCoy off to the Bills.

McCoy led the NFL last year in carries for 1 yard or less. He danced a ton.

It's also the reason why Chip Kelly wanted Murray. Murray is a 1 cut runner and basically doesn't dance at all.

 

[Beast_from_East]

But wait..................I have been told many times that it was "just Oakland" and now I am reading that it might be McFadden himself contributing to his awesome 3.4 average.

I am so confused.

 

[John813]

Have no fear we have Randle, Williams, and Dunbar After DMC.

 

[VACowboy]

It's all about hitting those gargantuan holes with burst, then hitting top speed.

As good as Murray was last year...... I'm completely miffed at the opportunity left out there...... If Randle had the ball on many occasions, he was going to the HOUSE

I agree. One reason I wanted Duke Johnson.

I think Ryan Williams is going to surprise a lot of people.

 

[superonyx]

Watching his highlight videos he seems like he's very good at that. The one who intrigues me is Williams, if he can still juke the way he did in college, he could be Westbrook/McCoy like.... and that would be great.

Williams hasn't juked anyone since 2009.

 

[ConstantReboot]

No, the timing of it has to be perfected. I've spent a good bit of time watching videos of Zone Guru Alex Gibbs. It's not as simple to implement as it might seem. It requires precise footwork and it requires each OLineman to "read" the defense and make the correct block as opposed to a power-man scheme were the Center makes the "read".

The Cowboy scheme is probably even more difficult to implement because they use a mix of both Zone and Power-man concepts.

McFadden is already a step ahead because he knows the basics of the scheme and the Cowboys OL has obviously mastered it; although, if they insert a rookie there will be a learning curve.

He may know the scheme but why does Sturn bring up points that he might not be a fit for the zone blocking scheme? Thus the concern that his 3.2 yard average over the last 3 years is may not be an anomaly but instead a pattern that might carry over to Dallas. Coupled that he is also injury prone making McFadden even more of a liability.

I have hopes for him being the featured back. But in all honesty, the Cowboys could do themselves a favor by not having to put all their eggs into the McFadden basket. There are better prospects out there like Lamar Miller and even Chris Johnson. McFadden has too many questions marks for a player thats going to try and fill in Murray's shoes. Yet people here think he's the answer. Sorry Im not buying it.

 

[ConstantReboot]

Good call on Pollack. But McFadden himself was on record being glad they ditched Knapp's ZBS back in OAK. That alone is reason to be concerned with his fit here.

I'm sure the issue came up prior to the signing, and I'm sure we've got a plan of some sort, but I'm withholding any enthusiasm for it until I see it in action.

Very good point. If McFadden can't adjust to the scheme do we change up the blocking to suite his needs?

 

[FuzzyLumpkins]

People will say that it's because of his awful offensive line and no quarterback...

I took a look at 2012 and realized that Carson Palmer was actually pretty good that year for Oakland. He threw for over 4k yards and was sacked less times than Romo was last year.
I was not expecting to find this. So with a line good enough to protect Palmer as good as Romo was protected McFadden was still only able to run for 3.3ypc.

Not making me feel awesome inside..

Come on Joseph Randle..

And then you look at that OL and realize that it was as bad or worse than 2014. At least they have Gabe Jackson in 14.

My issue with this entire ZBS discussion is that you still need to execute the poa in a ZBS and Oakland couldn't move a potted plant. The 'piles' that he is running into were obviously the poa, there was tons of penetration, and they didn't cut off anyone.

Sure DMC is not going to improvise but I want to see what he can do with an OL that can execute and let's not pretend that any OL he had in the last 4 years has been able to do that.

 

[CATCH17]

I pity those that stand against me and the forces of McFadden as our power and might will be on full display September as the legions of fire drakes, balrogs, cthulhus, and hell spawns under the black banner of McFadden shall break all non believers with the irresistible force of the DMAC.

All shall look upon him and dispair

I'm with you on this. He may make us look like fools but I think he's going to kill it here.