Sturm: Xs and Os for Cowboys-Giants

[Sturm1310]

http://cowboysblog.***BANNED-URL***/2014/10/xs-and-os-3-things-from-cowboys-giants-to-examine.html/

Late in the week, we finally get a chance to “look at the tape” as Jason Garrett likes to say and examine some plays that we cannot fully digest on TV. I can’t promise that every week we will be able to do this, but honestly, this is my favorite exercise of the week because only here can you fully appreciate how advanced and complex the NFL game can be sometimes.

 

[JD_KaPow]

As always, great stuff, Bob. Thanks.

I am a staunch believer that RBs are replaceable commodities and you should never pay big bucks for one, especially if it involves paying them for their age-30 season or beyond. However, the very last GIF in this column makes we want to bend the rules (not much, but a bit) where Murray is concerned. Guys who can run with the ball are easy to come by. Guys who can run with the ball AND pass-protect as well and consistently as he does are not.

 

[dfense]

http://cowboysblog.***BANNED-URL***/2014/10/xs-and-os-3-things-from-cowboys-giants-to-examine.html/

Late in the week, we finally get a chance to “look at the tape” as Jason Garrett likes to say and examine some plays that we cannot fully digest on TV. I can’t promise that every week we will be able to do this, but honestly, this is my favorite exercise of the week because only here can you fully appreciate how advanced and complex the NFL game can be sometimes.

I have to admit, Haslett in past has been the toughest division coordinator the Cowboys go up against. Always gives Romo fits.

 

[Crown Royal]

I have to admit, Haslett in past has been the toughest division coordinator the Cowboys go up against. Always gives Romo fits.

Yeah I just read this and agree with everything Bob says, but with one addendum. Perry Fewell and Jim Haslett approach the blitz very differently. Fewell approaches it like Marinelli and Sturm - use it as a counter punch, but don't live off it. Haslett believes that you do everything in the world you can to create pressure for the QB, so you blitz all the time and get burned a little here and there. I think Haslett is more of a challenge than the last two plays represent, but i do think the team is up for it as well.

 

[conner01]

As always, great stuff, Bob. Thanks.

I am a staunch believer that RBs are replaceable commodities and you should never pay big bucks for one, especially if it involves paying them for their age-30 season or beyond. However, the very last GIF in this column makes we want to bend the rules (not much, but a bit) where Murray is concerned. Guys who can run with the ball are easy to come by. Guys who can run with the ball AND pass-protect as well and consistently as he does are not.

murray is a complete back. runs well, blocks well, catches well. i agree not paying rb's past 30 but the key is having their contract where you can cut them after they hot 30 or drop off without much expense.

 

[Wolfpack]

Great article. I look forward to reading your stuff and the insightful breakdowns. Amazing how Murray picks up the LB coming across the center, I continue to be very impressed with him as a total package player.

 

[Outlaw Heroes]

Loved your analysis of that third play. I suppose if the defenders adjust their assignments after Romo moves Witten to account for the fact that he is likely no longer the primary target (presumably by having the safety help on Dez and the linebacker help with the slot guy) Romo goes to T Will on the other side of the field instead. Either way, we get a match-up we should be able to exploit, if the protection is right. The G-men's confusion once Witten shifted actually gives Romo the option of going to Dez or T Will. Hard to argue with the choice he made.

 

[Eanwen]

I guess this answers my earlier question re: 3rd down conversions and blitzing.

 

[ConstantReboot]

murray is a complete back. runs well, blocks well, catches well. i agree not paying rb's past 30 but the key is having their contract where you can cut them after they hot 30 or drop off without much expense.

Murray is 26. Maybe they can just give him a 4 year contract. By then Romo and Witten will be gone anyways and it time to rebuild.

 

[Crown Royal]

My favorite thing about this offense is how it is exploiting defenses for focusing on Dez & Witten within situational football. The one catch made by Escobar that wasn't a TD was because the Defense bit HARD on Witten.

 

[TwoDeep3]

The last play he discusses with Murray and Beard picking up the stunting linebackers is why Murray is the man.

The first play shows Murray taking the New Yorks to the wood shed .

The last shows him being the complete back and protecting on a crucial play.

The idea RBs are a dime a dozen, as professed here on this board by some, is slaughtered with these examples.

What made Emmitt different from Sanders.

Protection.

What makes Murray different than Randle, et al?

Protection....and not shoplifting. Although Murray shoplifted that blitz right out of the New York's pocket.

 

[visionary]

Murray is a really really good RB but you add in his injury history and his work load this year and concerns regarding what he can do next year are very legitimate . See what happened to CJ2K after his max work load year

It is not unreasonable to think that Murray will be injured or severely underperform in upcoming years

 

[Rick_Deckard]

http://cowboysblog.***BANNED-URL***/2014/10/xs-and-os-3-things-from-cowboys-giants-to-examine.html/

Late in the week, we finally get a chance to “look at the tape” as Jason Garrett likes to say and examine some plays that we cannot fully digest on TV. I can’t promise that every week we will be able to do this, but honestly, this is my favorite exercise of the week because only here can you fully appreciate how advanced and complex the NFL game can be sometimes.

I really like understanding why certain plays worked or didn't work. I'm not an x's and o's guy myself so I love how your articles explain it for me. Great job!

 

[Dale]

The last play he discusses with Murray and Beard picking up the stunting linebackers is why Murray is the man.

The first play shows Murray taking the New Yorks to the wood shed .

The last shows him being the complete back and protecting on a crucial play.

The idea RBs are a dime a dozen, as professed here on this board by some, is slaughtered with these examples.

What made Emmitt different from Sanders.

Protection.

What makes Murray different than Randle, et al?

Protection....and not shoplifting. Although Murray shoplifted that blitz right out of the New York's pocket.

TD, I'm right there with ya. I've long been a proponent that it's not wise to hand out big dollars to running backs in today's game, as in many cases they are a dime a dozen and can be replaced.

But Murray is so integrally important to every layer of our offense that it's going to be difficult to replace him unless we're willing to allocate important resources on trying to lure a different player that could be of his caliber.

You made the Emmitt reference, and it's so true. If we were just trying to replace Murray's running, sure, there are other human beings capable of running through well-blocked lanes (albeit not all to the level of which Murray can). But we run the risk of jeopardizing several layers of our offense if we let him walk this offseason.

 

[Dale]

Murray is a really really good RB but you add in his injury history and his work load this year and concerns regarding what he can do next year are very legitimate . See what happened to CJ2K after his max work load year

It is not unreasonable to think that Murray will be injured or severely underperform in upcoming years

It's certainly a valid concern, and how well he holds up the final 9 games will have to be factored in. If he's nursing an ankle, shoulder and hammy by season's end, maybe it's all the ammo we needed not to re-sign him.

But he's still so young that I wouldn't be entirely concerned with one four-year contract, hoping he gives you high-quality play for three of those years. And there just aren't that many backs approaching Murray's level in this league.

 

[Luther]

Excellent stuff! Sure is fun to learn things I never see in the game.

Thanks.