The 2015 Dallas Cowboys and the Myth of DeMarco Murray

[Doomsday101]

1. Romo broke records before he had a running game. Unfortunately, 31 points didn't win football games with those defenses.

2. Seattle had a mediocre everything offensive attack. Their defense allowed an insane 14 points per game that year, and only 13 points per game in the playoffs. That Super Bowl was PURELY about defense.

You can say that all you want but it is not true. Yes their defense was very good most SB winning teams have quality defense but their offense scored 26 points a game.

 

[CowboyRoy]

1. Romo broke records before he had a running game. Unfortunately, 31 points didn't win football games with those defenses.

2. Seattle had a mediocre everything offensive attack. Their defense allowed an insane 14 points per game that year, and only 13 points per game in the playoffs. That Super Bowl was PURELY about defense.

I agree that their team wins on defense. But the offense is more about running. Running the ball and defense is their ticket.

 

[CowboyRoy]

Where did that strong running attack get us when we played Arizona?
I highly doubt that our Front office would think our running game was our biggest strength and let our RB go to a division rival. Look at Percys post. Romo threw the ball the same amount of time in the first half as hes done the last 3 years. He didnt have to throw as much in the second half because we were usually ahead due to us running the ball better and playing better defense.

Romo didnt play against Arizona. Arizona also had an incredible defense last year.

 

[erod]

You can say that all you want but it is not true. Yes their defense was very good most SB winning teams have quality defense but their offense scored 26 points a game.

Their offense had the ball all the time in great field position. And opposing teams would just wear down to nothing as the game went on because their offense couldn't get a damn first down.

A defense like that puts its offense at total ease. So little is asked of it. Wilson is decent, but massively overrated (he was gawd awful against Green Bay in the playoffs until one throw). Lynch is a hoss, no doubt.

Their defense was so dominant in games that it just crushed the will on both sides of the ball on the other team. Just like the '85 Bears.

 

[CowboyRoy]

Where did that strong running attack get us when we played Arizona?
I highly doubt that our Front office would think our running game was our biggest strength and let our RB go to a division rival. Look at Percys post. Romo threw the ball the same amount of time in the first half as hes done the last 3 years. He didnt have to throw as much in the second half because we were usually ahead due to us running the ball better and playing better defense.

If the running game isnt important then why did Philly load up on RB's? Why are people picking the Cowboys to take a step back? Its because they all think without Murray our run game will falter.

Any joker with half a brain can see that the new found, dominant run game was the difference in our team last year. Its not even debatable.

 

[erod]

I agree that their team wins on defense. But the offense is more about running. Running the ball and defense is their ticket.

Watch this year. Their defense has been picked apart by free agency, so now that offense has to do a LOT more. I'm interested to see if they implode.

 

[erod]

If the running game isnt important then why did Philly load up on RB's? Why are people picking the Cowboys to take a step back? Its because they all think without Murray our run game will falter.

Any joker with half a brain can see that the new found, dominant run game was the difference in our team last year. Its not even debatable.

Yes, it's important. REALLY important. Personally, the running game is my favorite part of football.

But teams that can't throw don't win, except for Seattle. It takes historically great defense to win that way, and the Seahawks have a lot of holes on defense with the departure of so many key players for them.

Romo is the reason the run game works here. When teams stack the line, they stop the Cowboys running attack. But Romo just kills them when they do that. Because of Romo, the Cowboys run game sees 6 and 7 man fronts, and with this incredible offensive line, the Cowboys can FINALLY take advantage of that.

We're really not disagreeing. I'm just saying you can't win championships in the NFL with a run-heavy offense unless you have a meat-grinder for a defense.

 

[CowboyRoy]

Watch this year. Their defense has been picked apart by free agency, so now that offense has to do a LOT more. I'm interested to see if they implode.

Wilson is getting better every year and they can rely on him more. Plus they went out and traded for the TE from New Orleans. I would expect more passing as well.

 

[CowboyRoy]

Yes, it's important. REALLY important. Personally, the running game is my favorite part of football.

But teams that can't throw don't win, except for Seattle. It takes historically great defense to win that way, and the Seahawks have a lot of holes on defense with the departure of so many key players for them.

Romo is the reason the run game works here. When teams stack the line, they stop the Cowboys running attack. But Romo just kills them when they do that. Because of Romo, the Cowboys run game sees 6 and 7 man fronts, and with this incredible offensive line, the Cowboys can FINALLY take advantage of that.

We're really not disagreeing. I'm just saying you can't win championships in the NFL with a run-heavy offense unless you have a meat-grinder for a defense.

Many ways to win, but like you, give me a team that wins on defense and the pounding the football.

 

[erod]

Wilson is getting better every year and they can rely on him more. Plus they went out and traded for the TE from New Orleans. I would expect more passing as well.

I agree he's getting better, but he's still 5-foot-nothing, and he can't throw from the pocket because he can't see. That Graham signing will not help them as much as people think. There's nobody outside to really take the focus off of him like in New Orleans.

They will have to pass more because they're going to give up more points, I think. Their defensive coordinator is gone, as well as a couple of defensive linemen and some secondary guys. Their ripe for the picking if Arizona gets its act together, and don't sleep on the Rams.

 

[erod]

Many ways to win, but like you, give me a team that wins on defense and the pounding the football.

It's the best way. It's the most demoralizing way. And it keeps Romo upright for when we need him to take over some games.

 

[WillieBeamen]

If the running game isnt important then why did Philly load up on RB's? Why are people picking the Cowboys to take a step back? Its because they all think without Murray our run game will falter.

Any joker with half a brain can see that the new found, dominant run game was the difference in our team last year. Its not even debatable.

The running game is important. Some games, especially towards the end of the season the running game was shut down, and we still won. Why is that? Because our passing game was elite as its been every year since Romo has been here. If you take Romo off this team and replace him with Alex Smith, our running game is no where near as effective.

 

[JoeBoBBY]

Where did that strong running attack get us when we played Arizona?
I highly doubt that our Front office would think our running game was our biggest strength and let our RB go to a division rival. Look at Percys post. Romo threw the ball the same amount of time in the first half as hes done the last 3 years. He didnt have to throw as much in the second half because we were usually ahead due to us running the ball better and playing better defense.

When I say running game, I am referring to a successful running game.

This team needs to win TOP. It protects the Defense. Keeps them fresh, and keeps opposing offenses on the sideline. -- We dont have a Seattle like Defense......So its important we do that.

When Romo is passing the ball a lot, especially against the stronger teams, we dont always score, which means quick outs by our offense........ At least we run that clock when we run the ball, but end up punting.

We protect the Defense, We protect Romo, we control TOP, We set the tone, create an attitude for the OL, allow them to play to their strength and fight ball clubs for the win.

That formula, for this team, got them to 12-4. That awesone passing attack we got, and it is good, I am a big-time Romo fan; got us to three 8-8 seasons...............

I am not ready to annoint the Defense to a higher status yet. For the most part, we signed Hardy, two big time rookies. And were hoping S lee stays healthy and DLAW and Patmon have breakout years. -- okay, I will admit, I do anticpate a stronger Defense. But I am not ready to bet the season on it.........

Run the Ball!!! its not Romo or Murray/Scrub #2. its the Oline. ----- Run the Ball!!!

 

[Doomsday101]

Their offense had the ball all the time in great field position. And opposing teams would just wear down to nothing as the game went on because their offense couldn't get a damn first down.

A defense like that puts its offense at total ease. So little is asked of it. Wilson is decent, but massively overrated (he was gawd awful against Green Bay in the playoffs until one throw). Lynch is a hoss, no doubt.

Their defense was so dominant in games that it just crushed the will on both sides of the ball on the other team. Just like the '85 Bears.

Offense kept the defense off the field and well rested? Check . The offense put up points check and did it with a strong running game. You can deny it all you want but fact is the run game works for some teams in the NFL. Seahawks are not going to win with defense alone no team does. Dallas in the 92 season gave up 14 points per game but the offense still mattered it still had to perform to win as does the seahawks. I find this as funny as can be with the it is clear as day, when Dallas passed and passed we went 8-8 that was with Romo and Dez along with Witten and while personal achievement were very good the team lost!!! We start running and actually ran the ball more than we passed the ball last season and went 12-4 it was not an accident the RUN GAME matters it is not some killing time system.

 

[erod]

Offense kept the defense off the field and well rested? Check . The offense put up points check and did it with a strong running game. You can deny it all you want but fact is the run game works for some teams in the NFL. Seahawks are not going to win with defense alone no team does. Dallas in the 92 season gave up 14 points per game but the offense still mattered it still had to perform to win as does the seahawks. I find this as funny as can be with the it is clear as day, when Dallas passed and passed we went 8-8 that was with Romo and Dez along with Witten and while personal achievement were very good the team lost!!! We start running and actually ran the ball more than we passed the ball last season and went 12-4 it was not an accident the RUN GAME matters it is not some killing time system.

Their offense scored most of its points in the second half of games when the defenses got tired. Opposing offenses went 3-and-out constantly. They were usually held at 200 yards or less.

Then Lynch would go off in the second half.

That team was ALL about defense. Marshawn Lynch was nothing special in Buffalo, and Seattle wasn't that good with him until the defense was built into one of the greatest of all time.

 

[WillieBeamen]

When I say running game, I am referring to a successful running game.

This team needs to win TOP. It protects the Defense. Keeps them fresh, and keeps opposing offenses on the sideline. -- We dont have a Seattle like Defense......So its important we do that.

When Romo is passing the ball a lot, especially against the stronger teams, we dont always score, which means quick outs by our offense........ At least we run that clock when we run the ball, but end up punting.

We protect the Defense, We protect Romo, we control TOP, We set the tone, create an attitude for the OL, allow them to play to their strength and fight ball clubs for the win.

That formula, for this team, got them to 12-4. That awesone passing attack we got, and it is good, I am a big-time Romo fan; got us to three 8-8 seasons...............

I am not reasy to annoint the Defense to a higher status yet. For the most part, we signed Hardy, two big time rookies. And were hoping S lee stays healthy and DLAW and Patmon have breakout years. -- okay, I will admit, I do anticpate a stronger Defense. But I am not ready to bet the season on it.........

Run the Ball!!! its not Romo or Murray/Scrub #2. its the Oline. ----- Run the Ball!!!

Look I agree with you that Romo passing all those times in years prior didnt get us anywhere and our improved running game helped get us to 12-4. My point is what is easier to stop, our run game or pass game? Look at the Detroit playoff game for example. Murray averaged less than 4ypc and had under 80 yards rushing yet we still won. Romo carried the offense that game against iirc the second highest rated defense in the league. The running game helped us win a lot more than the passing game the first half of the season when Romo was still recovering. Fact is when plays had to be made in crunch time, we put it im the hands of 9 and he succeded more times than not.

 

[Stash]

Or perhaps you could just learn football.

There's a story and reason behind statistics, young padawa.

And that is that if you don't care for a group of statistics, you change the story surrounding them.

I'm not directing that statement at you, but as a general observation.

When numbers don't support a person's beliefs, they simply find a way to bring those numbers into question.

 

[Doomsday101]

Look I agree with you that Romo passing all those times in years prior didnt get us anywhere and our improved running game helped get us to 12-4. My point is what is easier to stop, our run game or pass game? Look at the Detroit playoff game for example. Murray averaged less than 4ypc and had under 80 yards rushing yet we still won. Romo carried the offense that game against iirc the second highest rated defense in the league. The running game helped us win a lot more than the passing game the first half of the season when Romo was still recovering. Fact is when plays had to be made in crunch time, we put it im the hands of 9 and he succeded more times than not.

Depends on who you are playing. Where is the weakness of a defense? Some teams have a very difficult time stopping the run and when those teams have to comment more guys to the line it does open up the passing game even more. Det front last season was solid and your right you are not going to hammer them with the run all day. The fact that you can run and pass allows your team to attack the opposing teams weakness. GB has a hard time with the seahawks they feel they can pass all day on Seattle? think again yet Dallas went ino Seattle Murray rushed for 115 in the game and slowed down a very good seahawks defense. This is what kills me is we all use stats as if all things are equal yet teams run different systems they are not all alike.

 

[erod]

And that is that if you don't care for a group of statistics, you change the story surrounding them.

I'm not directing that statement at you, but as a general observation.

When numbers don't support a person's beliefs, they simply find a way to bring those numbers into question.

Numbers are so often meaningless. Troy Aikman didn't have great numbers. Jeff George did. Drew Pearson didn't have great numbers. Ernest Givens did.

To say the Cowboys had the second best running attack in the league without accounting for (1) how many times they ran, and (2) what the threat of Romo meant to keeping eight out of the box......that's just short-sighted and simple-minded.

If Brandon Weeden was back there, Murray wouldn't have hit 1,200 yards with those carries.

 

[Doomsday101]

Their offense scored most of its points in the second half of games when the defenses got tired. Opposing offenses went 3-and-out constantly. They were usually held at 200 yards or less.

Then Lynch would go off in the second half.

That team was ALL about defense. Marshawn Lynch was nothing special in Buffalo, and Seattle wasn't that good with him until the defense was built into one of the greatest of all time.

Seahawks made post season the 1st year Lynch was in Seattle before the great defense. As for his time in Buffalo just like a QB needs a line to protect him a RB needs a OL to open up some lanes. In Dallas people say Murray was not good it was the OL? yet any great RB who has played this game has always given credit to the guys up front because not even the best RB to play the game can do it without an OL