Sturm: Xs and Os - Examining the Sacks

[Sturm1310]

The exercise today is to give one last look to that difficult night on Monday against Washington. I think this is particularly relevant because of Sunday’s opponent. Stylistically, it is rather seldom that you play two teams that mirror each-other’s scheme defensively like Washington and Arizona. Both think nothing of a Cover 0 blitz – and these days, I bet there are fewer than 5 or 6 teams that share that view in the entire league.

So, let’s dive into the 5 sacks and in the interest of time, briefly consider what went wrong as Jim Haslett called an unbelievable game against Dallas – a team many people thought he had no shot at knocking off the tracks on Monday night. You can bet that Todd Bowles is taking notes.

http://cowboysblog.***BANNED-URL***/2014/10/xs-and-os-examining-the-sacks-from-monday-night.html/

 

[ABQCOWBOY]

Bob, you continue to amaze. Thank you for posting this. Great information but that appears to be normal.

 

[Crown Royal]

Through 7 games, I would have credited Scott Linehan - if anything, he really DOESN'T adjust through quarters, he keeps focusing on executing the gameplan, and since that is usually the run, it works out.

This game it's the opposite for doing the same thing. He needed to get adjustments in there and just couldn't. Hopefully he learned from this week, because AZ and Todd Bowles love to blitz as well.

 

[Staubacher]

Great analysis. A lot of shared blame. Pretty much a team effort. We were outcoached and outplayed. Just have to admit it, learn from it and move forward.

 

[Idgit]

Great stuff. And, ABQ, that last sack was the one I was talking about after the game where Murray blew the pickup and Romo actually did have the protection right. I still think you want Romo in that game situation on the 10 yard line and trying to force the ball down the field against a defense that knows you're doing it and is content with the risks of blitzing heavily as they have very little to lose. Is that Beasley in the slot there coming open inside after Witten clears out the LB? That could have been nice play if we hadn't blown the protection.

 

[ABQCOWBOY]

Great stuff. And, ABQ, that last sack was the one I was talking about after the game where Murray blew the pickup and Romo actually did have the protection right. I still think you want Romo in that game situation on the 10 yard line and trying to force the ball down the field against a defense that knows you're doing it and is content with the risks of blitzing heavily as they have very little to lose. Is that Beasley in the slot there coming open inside after Witten clears out the LB? That could have been nice play if we hadn't blown the protection.

Yeah, we don't agree here. Listen, all things equal, Romo 10K out of 10K but not last Monday. Tony was never right and it had nothing to do with the hit. I never felt like Tony was going to get back in there and turn it around. I just felt like both Tony and the team were better served to let Weeden Close out that game.

 

[Hoov]

That was outstanding. One of my favorites this year.

There were some other film review threads eRlier this week that I looked at.

After reviewing this one, I think some of the criticism on romo was a bit harsh. It appears to me that there was a lot of blame to go around.

As far as coaching. I think after the first sack I can see why you would decide to try and correct the protection issues rather than adjust the game plan. Because they were moving the ball well.

After the second one I think u would start to look at doing something different.

The 3rd sack is with time running out in the half so I'm not faulting them so much there.

But at halftime I'm sure the coaches and Qb discussed what was happening. For whatever reason they didn't choose to go to short routes on that 3rd and long and that is the play room got hurt.

I wonder what the half time discussion involved. Would really like to know but don't think we ever will.

 

[nalam]

Thanks Bob, as usual fantastic.

I would blame stubborn coaching who failed to adjust on dallas side, I could count 3 instances of screen passes going a long distance , 2 by romo and 1 by weeden . The two by romo were looked end like not by design but by accident he found Murray/ Dunbar lurking so he got rid of ball,But it was puzzling why they didn't consistently use or lead draws , which could have helped a couple of times like when Murray failed to pick up the late blitzer.

Romo was a bit stubborn too , he was having a off day and been under pressure , so he should ride on Murray and others and not try to do too much ,when will he get that , I don't know. A couple of quick slants to beasly and Bryant was what doctor ordered ,but may be the success has gone to head.

 

[Idgit]

Thanks Bob, as usual fantastic.

I would blame stubborn coaching who failed to adjust on dallas side, I could count 3 instances of screen passes going a long distance , 2 by romo and 1 by weeden . The two by romo were looked end like not by design but by accident he found Murray/ Dunbar lurking so he got rid of ball,But it was puzzling why they didn't consistently use or lead draws , which could have helped a couple of times like when Murray failed to pick up the late blitzer.

Romo was a bit stubborn too , he was having a off day and been under pressure , so he should ride on Murray and others and not try to do too much ,when will he get that , I don't know. A couple of quick slants to beasly and Bryant was what doctor ordered ,but may be the success has gone to head.

Yeah. There's definitely an element of stubbornness there. Though it's a tough balance between being stubborn and trusting what you do well, because our OL protections on passing plays is something we typically do very well. We pride the offense on sticking to it's guns and imposing it's will on defenses on the one hand, and then get on them for being stubborn the one time that doesn't work well on the other. It's a tough line for an OC to walk, and it seems like the best decision is to just do the stuff that wins the game. That way you're safe from the criticism after the fact.

 

[Staubacher]

I don't care if we have the playoffs clinched - Week 17 I want a beatdown of the Skins even if it's with our backups.