The 2015 Dallas Cowboys and the Myth of DeMarco Murray

[JoeBoBBY]

The trade off is that possibly the defense will. They clearly have sacrificed a little bit in the running game to get a lot more out of the defense and the pass rush.

Dallas was #2 in rushing last year and they didnt win a SB. So getting to #1 isnt going to matter. They were like 30th in sacks last year. 2nd worst in franchise history.
So the thinking is that if we drop from #2 in rushing to #7, but gain from #30 on sacks to #8, then it will make a world of difference. The running game is not going to collapse. Unless you are of the mind that its all about the RB. And like many have pointed out. Romo and the passing game are just fine.

good points ;

I dont think the running game will collapse, but will it be our Identity? Will we be able to call it, and have it work when we really really need it? I am not so sure it will be.

Romo and the passing game is good. heck they are great! Dez is top 3 WR right now. Romo imho is a HOFer.

over the course of a long season, I would rather the Running Game carry the team. Limiting Romos risk to injury. If it were me, I wouldve kept Murray and signed 1 or maybe 2 more RBs. RBBC and good fresh RBs every game. I see Romo a lot like Elway at this point. Yeah, Elway still had to play, and was the reason those Denver teams won, but they had a studd at RB that did a lot of the work during that long, long season....

 

[Rockport]

I'm not remotely concerned about the rushing yards. I care about pass protection and holding onto the football. And a little about short yardage situations.

Sufficient rushing yards will be there. I'm sure it will be, but even if it's not, it's just not that important to winning games. But Romo needs to be protected at all costs.

The running game is not important to winning?! You can't pass the ball well without being able to run the ball.

 

[CowboyRoy]

good points ;

I dont think the running game will collapse, but will it be our Identity? Will we be able to call it, and have it work when we really really need it? I am not so sure it will be.

Romo and the passing game is good. heck they are great! Dez is top 3 WR right now. Romo imho is a HOFer.

over the course of a long season, I would rather the Running Game carry the team. Limiting Romos risk to injury. If it were me, I wouldve kept Murray and signed 1 or maybe 2 more RBs. RBBC and good fresh RBs every game. I see Romo a lot like Elway at this point. Yeah, Elway still had to play, and was the reason those Denver teams won, but they had a studd at RB that did a lot of the work during that long, long season....

Agree with everything accept resigning Murray. To me, it was one of the most important things in the offseason. NOT overpaying for Murray.

Because we didnt pay Murray, we are able to afford a Kraken and a Gregory with a high draft pick. The majority of Murray's production can be replaced by several solid/cost effective backs to team with the best Oline in the NFL. If Murray wanted 5 million per year, then great resign him. He didnt.

Now personally, I wanted a stud rookie in the draft. That would have solved cheap, and a great back. But not at the price of Randy Gregory or the Corner. 3rd round is where they screwed up in my opinion. They took the tackle instead of the back.

 

[CowboyRoy]

The running game is not important to winning?! You can't pass the ball well without being able to run the ball.

Anybody that claims running is NOT important to THIS Cowboys team hasnt been watching the Cowboys. And they certainly missed the entire year last year.

 

[JoeBoBBY]

Agree with everything accept resigning Murray. To me, it was one of the most important things in the offseason. NOT overpaying for Murray.

Because we didnt pay Murray, we are able to afford a Kraken and a Gregory with a high draft pick. The majority of Murray's production can be replaced by several solid/cost effective backs to team with the best Oline in the NFL. If Murray wanted 5 million per year, then great resign him. He didnt.

Now personally, I wanted a stud rookie in the draft. That would have solved cheap, and a great back. But not at the price of Randy Gregory or the Corner. 3rd round is where they screwed up in my opinion. They took the tackle instead of the back.

Yeah, and I had no problem with not paying Murray. But I thought they were going to replace him with something better....If the plan was to replace Murray with Randle, then I wouldve rather they signed Murray, and used RBBC with him and Randle and Dunbar. But I have to ask why they didnt do that last year to begin with? If thats the better option to a Bell cow, they shouldve run that last year, and maybe Murray wouldnt have commaned so much money?? I dont know. Something doesnt add up.....

To go into this season(in Romos final run), with just Randle and DMC at RB, I have to beleive something went wrong. If anything, there are serious depth issues at this position. And, are these guys talented enough to take this team to a SB? Those other teams who run RBBC and won the Super Bowls, had some pretty strong backs splitting the carries. Both/All backs were decent and strong.

 

[Galian Beast]

I am not hedging at all. I do see an improved Defense, but I am not sure how quick that happens and neither is anybody else.....including FO/coaches/players; Thats not hedging thats just a statment.

I am hoping they find their groove down the stretch. But if they don't, I dont see us being much better then last years Defense. Which means, we need that Running game clicking to win or we need to reinvent the Offensive gameplan and rely on short yard passing , screens, etc etc etc.

The formula worked last year. Why would be want to change it? Only if the Running game isnt what it was last year. Some beleive the Passing Threat allowed the Running game to flourish. I disagree. It was the other way around.

Line up that great OL, and run the ball! Thats it, thats the formula...we do that, the passing game gets easy and the Defense stays fresh and off the field. And Rodgers, Manning etc etc stays off the field too...

And there are plenty of reasons this defense cant be Top 10.

having said all that. Even if we do change up the offensive gameplan, and maybe the D does struggle a little. I still think we win games...... I just dont want to Risk Romo. I want to protect him.

Here is what I see. Running First equaled 12-4. Passing First equaled 8-8.

You went from hedging to making the mistake of confusing correlation with causation.

 

[JoeBoBBY]

You went from hedging to making the mistake of confusing correlation with causation.

I am not hedging, I am qualifying. You seem to apply these rules to me, okay. But have your read your own post?

And look, I am just sharing an opinion. I'm not here to prove how smart I am becuase I know the difference between correlation and causation. And to be honest, I dont think you know the difference. Aye yi yi..........

 

[erod]

Being able to run the ball effectively last year didn't make it the strength of the team. I agree with the OP.

The strength of this team was and is Tony Romo.

It's not even debatable.

 

[Galian Beast]

Being able to run the ball effectively last year didn't make it the strength of the team. I agree with the OP.

The strength of this team was and is Tony Romo.

It's not even debatable.

Arizona game should have proved that.

 

[JoeBoBBY]

Being able to run the ball effectively last year didn't make it the strength of the team. I agree with the OP.

The strength of this team was and is Tony Romo.

It's not even debatable.

I disagree. I think it was the engine. I think we went 12-4 because we could run the ball and protect the defense. I also think it allowed for a more successful passing game. The offense is really one unit. Both running game and passing game feed off each other.

We ran the ball successfully last year. It can be argued we went 12-4 because of it.

of course. No romo no W. But with running game, and Romo, more Ws.

I would say that's a strong position and certainly up for debate.

 

[erod]

I disagree. I think it was the engine. I think we went 12-4 because we could run the ball and protect the defense. I also think it allowed for a more successful passing game. The offense is really one unit. Both running game and passing game feed off each other.

We ran the ball successfully last year. It can be argued we went 12-4 because of it.

I would say that's a strong position and certainly up for debate.

There were LOTS of times the run game got shut down. Dallas can't just beat people up with it.

But Romo makes it impossible for teams to stack the box. He just kills defenses when they do that, especially with good protection (which was off and on).

It's a real dilemma. Back off and get steamrolled. Or gang up on the run, and watch Romo throw for four touchdowns with his receivers.

 

[JoeBoBBY]

There were LOTS of times the run game got shut down. Dallas can't just beat people up with it.

But Romo makes it impossible for teams to stack the box. He just kills defenses when they do that, especially with good protection (which was off and on).

It's a real dilemma. Back off and get steamrolled. Or gang up on the run, and watch Romo throw for four touchdowns with his receivers.

my argument always goes back to , we had Romo, passing all the time, and the results of that were the Denver game. and 8-8 seasons. Teams were able to beat us using that offensive gameplan. Especially the stronger teams. Now, we can argue how bad the defenses were back then, and yes they were. But Im not sure are defense was any better last year without the Offense owning TOP.

So, now Romo is older, and has had back issues. We have this great offensive line. And we have seen/witnessed proven results when we Run the ball. And yes, the run was stuffed at times, but so was E Smith. Overall, I would think everybody says DM and the Dallas Cowboys were pretty good running the football. This isnt specualtion or conjecture or opinion. We went 12-4 last year with a gameplan that called for more run plays. And the Run plays worked. 1800 for DM.

Why would you want to change from that, unless it started to fail?

Havijng said all that. I think there are bigger reasons we won last year, and it has everything to do with culture, coaching, and attitude. Not how many times we ran the ball or passed it.

 

[erod]

my argument always goes back to , we had Romo, passing all the time, and the results of that were the Denver game. and 8-8 seasons. Teams were able to beat us using that offensive gameplan. Especially the stronger teams. Now, we can argue how bad the defenses were back then, and yes they were. But Im not sure are defense was any better last year without the Offense owning TOP.

So, now Romo is older, and has had back issues. We have this great offensive line. And we have seen/witnessed proven results when we Run the ball. And yes, the run was stuffed at times, but so was E Smith. Overall, I would think everybody says DM and the Dallas Cowboys were pretty good running the football. This isnt specualtion or conjecture or opinion. We went 12-4 last year with a gameplan that called for more run plays. And the Run plays worked. 1800 for DM.

Why would you want to change from that, unless it started to fail?

Havijng said all that. I think there are bigger reasons we won last year, and it has everything to do with culture, coaching, and attitude. Not how many times we ran the ball or passed it.

No, that's when we had Romo, no running game, and the worst defense in franchise history. If not for Romo, that was a 3-13 team.

This is quite different. Romo doesn't have to be Houdini anymore. He has help now. And if the defense is top-ten worthy now.......

 

[JoeBoBBY]

No, that's when we had Romo, no running game, and the worst defense in franchise history. If not for Romo, that was a 3-13 team.

This is quite different. Romo doesn't have to be Houdini anymore. He has help now. And if the defense is top-ten worthy now.......

okay. I guess we agree then. The running game is the key?

Maybe I should say, The running Game was the missing part of the eqaution, that allows Romo to be the Strength and for the Cowboys to win. They really do go hand and hand. Just like Elway. He needed Davis and that OL to get his ring.....

and. I will beleive the D is top 10 worthy, when they actually start playing like it. I'm not sold yet on how much this D has improved.

 

[percyhoward]

my argument always goes back to , we had Romo, passing all the time, and the results of that were the Denver game. and 8-8 seasons.

You won't see a big increase in pass attempts unless the defense struggles and we're playing catch-up a lot.

 

[JoeBoBBY]

You won't see a big increase in pass attempts unless the defense struggles and we're playing catch-up a lot.

Lets hope not. But the OP said,

" I expect to see us pass the ball more, and that isn't a bad thing. We were 7th in the league in yards last year and only 5th in scoring, because we handcuffed the offense. "

I do think its a bad thing and the wrong formula.

 

[erod]

You won't see a big increase in pass attempts unless the defense struggles and we're playing catch-up a lot.

I expect more passing, but more of the short variety to use the offensive line. Bubbles, screens, swings, etc.

 

[BoysFanInPhilly]

Being able to run the ball effectively last year didn't make it the strength of the team. I agree with the OP.

The strength of this team was and is Tony Romo.

It's not even debatable.

Are you crazy? .
2013 we had the 14th ranked passing 24th running 8 wins
2014 we had the 16th ranked passing 2nd running 12 wins
Obviously running was the strength last year

 

[JoeBoBBY]

Are you crazy? .
2013 we had the 14th ranked passing 24th running 8 wins
2014 we had the 16th ranked passing 2nd running 12 wins
Obviously running was the strength last year

I know, he probably is a troll from Phiily.....looking to troll DM signing.....

 

[CowboyRoy]

Yeah, and I had no problem with not paying Murray. But I thought they were going to replace him with something better....If the plan was to replace Murray with Randle, then I wouldve rather they signed Murray, and used RBBC with him and Randle and Dunbar. But I have to ask why they didnt do that last year to begin with? If thats the better option to a Bell cow, they shouldve run that last year, and maybe Murray wouldnt have commaned so much money?? I dont know. Something doesnt add up.....

To go into this season(in Romos final run), with just Randle and DMC at RB, I have to beleive something went wrong. If anything, there are serious depth issues at this position. And, are these guys talented enough to take this team to a SB? Those other teams who run RBBC and won the Super Bowls, had some pretty strong backs splitting the carries. Both/All backs were decent and strong.

Yep.......Not drafting one of the talented backs was a major let down.

But I honestly don't see this as the YEAR for the Cowboys. They are a top team, but unless this defense becomes top 7ish, then I dont see them winning a SB. In my mind they are about a year away. And I am betting that next season they go out and get that top back in the draft.

Top 5 D and a top back and then we are talking best team in the NFL.