The Drive After the First Interception

[rcaldw]

Not trying to keep the debate going, but just wanting to get the facts out there.

There have been lots of people acting like after the first interception Dallas just stayed pass happy. For the record, this was the drive following the first pick.

1st and 10 at DAL 21 T.Choice up the middle to DAL 28 for 7 yards (J.Wendling).
2nd and 3 at DAL 28 T.Choice left guard to DAL 34 for 6 yards (L.Jackson).
1st and 10 at DAL 34 D.Murray up the middle to DAL 38 for 4 yards (A.Fluellen).
2nd and 6 at DAL 38 (Shotgun) T.Romo pass short left to L.Robinson pushed ob at DAL 44 for 6 yards (E.Wright).
1st and 10 at DAL 44 D.Murray right guard to DET 49 for 7 yards (K.Vanden Bosch).
2nd and 3 at DET 49 D.Murray right tackle to DET 48 for 1 yard (S.Tulloch).
3rd and 2 at DET 48 (Shotgun) T.Romo pass short right intended for L.Robinson INTERCEPTED by C.Houston at DET 44. C.Houston for 56 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Return down right sideline. The Replay Assistant challenged the runner broke the plane ruling, and the play was Upheld.

Before the 2nd interception DALLAS HAD RUN THE BALL 5 OUT OF 6 PLAYS.

I repeat------ 5 RUN calls ---- 1 PASS call.

Garrett adjusted, trying to calm Romo down. On 3rd and 2 they chose to go for the pass and get a first down. Not unreasonable unless you had a crystal ball.

 

[NextGenBoys]

There are many misconceptions regarding Jason Garrett that are statistically inaccurate. Good one pointing this out.

The same was the case in last year's Washington game where "we didn't run the ball enough"

It's about running it well, and when Detroit came out to stop our run on a given play, for the most part they did. We only had success due to them playing the pass.

Simply put he has no faith in his line and that comes from what he has seen in practice and on tape, and in turn feels like he has to turn to Romo, who is one of the best players on the team, despite what many fools believe.

 

[Zman5]

Not trying to keep the debate going, but just wanting to get the facts out there.

There have been lots of people acting like after the first interception Dallas just stayed pass happy. For the record, this was the drive following the first pick.

1st and 10 at DAL 21 T.Choice up the middle to DAL 28 for 7 yards (J.Wendling).
2nd and 3 at DAL 28 T.Choice left guard to DAL 34 for 6 yards (L.Jackson).
1st and 10 at DAL 34 D.Murray up the middle to DAL 38 for 4 yards (A.Fluellen).
2nd and 6 at DAL 38 (Shotgun) T.Romo pass short left to L.Robinson pushed ob at DAL 44 for 6 yards (E.Wright).
1st and 10 at DAL 44 D.Murray right guard to DET 49 for 7 yards (K.Vanden Bosch).
2nd and 3 at DET 49 D.Murray right tackle to DET 48 for 1 yard (S.Tulloch).
3rd and 2 at DET 48 (Shotgun) T.Romo pass short right intended for L.Robinson INTERCEPTED by C.Houston at DET 44. C.Houston for 56 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Return down right sideline. The Replay Assistant challenged the runner broke the plane ruling, and the play was Upheld.

Before the 2nd interception DALLAS HAD RUN THE BALL 5 OUT OF 6 PLAYS.

I repeat------ 5 RUN calls ---- 1 PASS call.

Garrett adjusted, trying to calm Romo down. On 3rd and 2 they chose to go for the pass and get a first down. Not unreasonable unless you had a crystal ball.

It is unreasonable given the situation. Your QB just got picked for a TD. You just rip off some good runs. So why the heck do you go into a shotgun offense and pass on 3rd and 2? That's just dumb. At the minimum, if you want to pass, do it in a run formation and play action. But the right thing to do at that point was to run it since the run game was working.

 

[rcaldw]

It is unreasonable given the situation. Your QB just got picked for a TD. You just rip off some good runs. So why the heck do you go into a shotgun offense and pass on 3rd and 2? That's just dumb. At the minimum, if you want to pass, do it in a run formation and play action. But the right thing to do at that point was to run it since the run game was working.

Whatever.

 

[NextGenBoys]

It is unreasonable given the situation. Your QB just got picked for a TD. You just rip off some good runs. So why the heck do you go into a shotgun offense and pass on 3rd and 2? That's just dumb. At the minimum, if you want to pass, do it in a run formation and play action. But the right thing to do at that point was to run it since the run game was working.

Pretty simple justification. Detroit's defense would be gearing to stop the run, and there has been little evidence to suggest that we can get a tough few yards when we need to via the ground if the defense is keying on it.

I can't be the only one who is seeing our offensive line get dominated at the POA on short yardage plays. We couldn't even get a freaking half-yard in the first quarter!

 

[rcaldw]

Pretty simple justification. Detroit's defense would be gearing to stop the run, and there has been little evidence to suggest that we can get a tough few yards when we need to via the ground if the defense is keying on it.

I can't be the only one who is seeing our offensive line get dominated at the POA on short yardage plays. We couldn't even get a freaking half-yard in the first quarter!

You are not. You are sane. You won't be able to point out a single thing that could change his mind. I'm saving my time.

 

[NextGenBoys]

You are not. You are sane. You won't be able to point out a single thing that could change his mind. I'm saving my time.

Too many people take how games unfold in football at their face value far too often, considering how multifaceted of a game it is.

 

[rcaldw]

Too many people take how games unfold in football at their face value far too often, considering how multifaceted of a game it is.

You know what you are dealing when when they think in terms of "we should have run"... or "we should have passed"...

I'm just glad I get to watch the games by myself and check in and check out of a fan site, whenever I want. I LOVE this place. I come here every day. We have some GREAT posters on here, and I consider some of the guys great posters that I disagree with sometimes. (Like Lab) But I find myself getting frustrated when those who disagree aren't reasonable, and can't ever admit if they are wrong.

Guys like Lab you can have a conversation with. We can laugh at ourselves and even admit to a bias or two.

I think the game thread might be the most frustrating place in the world The sky is falling or the mountain couldn't be taller.

 

[Picksix]

You know what you are dealing when when they think in terms of "we should have run"... or "we should have passed"...

I'm just glad I get to watch the games by myself and check in and check out of a fan site, whenever I want. I LOVE this place. I come here every day. We have some GREAT posters on here, and I consider some of the guys great posters that I disagree with sometimes. (Like Lab) But I find myself getting frustrated when those who disagree aren't reasonable, and can't ever admit if they are wrong.

Guys like Lab you can have a conversation with. We can laugh at ourselves and even admit to a bias or two.

I think the game thread might be the most frustrating place in the world The sky is falling or the mountain couldn't be taller.

Well, it's human nature to fall prey to what's called "confirmation bias." We all do it, to some degree. We get an idea in our heads, and we only accept information that supports it, and reject information that doesn't. Those that are able to avoid this, and at least allow themselves to see things from a different perspective, those are the people with whom you can have a good, honest debate. Those that can't, well, it's not really worth the effort.

 

[rcaldw]

Well, it's human nature to fall prey to what's called "confirmation bias." We all do it, to some degree. We get an idea in our heads, and we only accept information that supports it, and reject information that doesn't. Those that are able to avoid this, and at least allow themselves to see things from a different perspective, those are the people with whom you can have a good, honest debate. Those that can't, well, it's not really worth the effort.

Very true.

 

[masomenos]

We have one of the worst short yardage run games in the NFL, we convert only 33% of the time. Romo, on the other hand, has a career completion percentage of greater than 60% on 3rd and short.

We threw because it gave us the best chance of extending the drive, it is that simple.

 

[rcaldw]

We have one of the worst short yardage run games in the NFL, we convert only 33% of the time. Romo, on the other hand, has a career completion percentage of greater than 60% on 3rd and short.

We threw because it gave us the best chance of extending the drive, it is that simple.

That's a great point.

 

[Zman5]

As I said, it's the situation that dictates what plays should be called. It's not simple as run more or pass more. The situation we were in and the down and distance should dictate what type of the play should be called. It's a concept that some here just don't get. Just like JG.

 

[rcaldw]

As I said, it's the situation that dictates what plays should be called. It's not simple as run more or pass more. The situation we were in and the down and distance should dictate what type of the play should be called. It's a concept that some here just don't get. Just like JG.

And I will simply ask you again. Were there any play calls that you didn't like on Sunday, until they worked? Be truthful.

 

[Zman5]

We have one of the worst short yardage run games in the NFL, we convert only 33% of the time. Romo, on the other hand, has a career completion percentage of greater than 60% on 3rd and short.

We threw because it gave us the best chance of extending the drive, it is that simple.

Taking unnecessary risk just to extend the drive was not necessary at that point. It wasn't a MUST drive that had to be extended. Run the ball for 2yards. If you can't, punt and pin them back and have them drive 90 yards for a TD.

 

[rcaldw]

Taking unnecessary risk just to extend the drive was not necessary at that point. It wasn't a MUST drive that had to be extended. Run the ball for 2yards. If you can't, punt and pin them back and have them drive 90 yards for a TD.

You didn't answer my question. Were there any play calls on Sunday that you disagreed with, but then they worked?

 

[masomenos]

As I said, it's the situation that dictates what plays should be called. It's not simple as run more or pass more. The situation we were in and the down and distance should dictate what type of the play should be called. It's a concept that some here just don't get. Just like JG.

We have been one of the worst 3rd/4th and short running teams for the past 4 seasons, how is running a better situation decision than passing?

 

[masomenos]

Taking unnecessary risk just to extend the drive was not necessary at that point. It wasn't a MUST drive that had to be extended. Run the ball for 2yards. If you can't, punt and pin them back and have them drive 90 yards for a TD.

Heck, why not just punt on third down and eliminate risk even more?

 

[Picksix]

Taking unnecessary risk just to extend the drive was not necessary at that point. It wasn't a MUST drive that had to be extended. Run the ball for 2yards. If you can't, punt and pin them back and have them drive 90 yards for a TD.

You're making a lot of assumptions there. Let's say we run and don't make it. First, you're assuming there's no fumble. Then, you're assuming the punt doesn't get blocked (already happened once this year). Then, who says McBriar pins them deep? Yeah, he's reliable but not automatic. And it's not like forcing the Lions to drive down a long field helped on their next drive. After the second pick, Dallas drove 75 yards in 9 plays, taking 5 min off the clock, and got a FG. The Lions then proceeded to go 80 yards in 5 plays to get their next TD, and cut the lead to 30-24.

Oh, but by then, they had all the momentum. Not really. Yes, the Lions were given new life. Yes, the defense had to be pissed, and a little shocked. But I would hope that, after playing all of 5 plays in the first 14:23 of the third quarter, having the offense drive 75 yards and score, taking 5 more minutes off the clock, they could have stepped up and not let the Lions go through them like a knife through hot butter.

You don't let off the gas, and you don't go away from what's working. That slant had been working all day, and there was really no reason to think it wouldn't work again.

 

[Zman5]

We have been one of the worst 3rd/4th and short running teams for the past 4 seasons, how is running a better situation decision than passing?

Your QB has tendency to throw INT late in games.
That QB was just intercepted on the previous series.
You just ran 5 running plays that got you 7,6,4,7, 1 yards. Your running game is working at this point.
You are on 3 down and 2 to go for 1st.
You have 17 point lead at this point.
Detroit's offense hasn't done anything all game.
Your defense is playing great.
You are on Detoits 48, so if you don't make the first down you can punt and pinned them deep.



Is that enough reason for you?