The Jason Garrett Play Calling Thread *Merged*

[Idgit]

It's easier to blame a coach for a bad game than it is to face the reality that the players also made a ton of mistakes.Kinda like some people blaming the kid next door for their kid being a general screwup.

Craig

Yep. Exactly. Garrett did make a couple of questionable calls today, especially in the red zone. But there's no getting around how poorly our interior line play and blitz pickups were today. Had we played that poorly last week, we'd have been absolutely killed in Philly.

 

[Hoofbite]

Garrett's a JAG with a hard-on for airing it out.

When things go well everyone says that its an anomaly that Garrett isn't getting such and such player involved and when things go to crap everyone says that he didn't have any choice.

The guys a ****ing bum. He and Roy are two of the most loved and least producing people on this team.

I'm serious when I say that half of this board could produce more than Garrett. No joke. This offense was good before Garrett was around. I'd much rather lose when playing it safe than lose when playing it stupid.

**** Jason Garrett. I hope that he doesn't become the next Cowboys coach. He's just as soft as Wade. Any respectable guy in his position would have asserted himself enough to practically shove Wade out of the way. Instead, he plays second fiddle and loves it.

 

[dbair1967]

I didnt see much wrong with the playcalling yesterday. The run blocking was non existant after the first series, and the pass protection and blitz pickup was about as awful as we've had in a long, long time.

There are no "magic play calls" when a team's OL performs as lousy as ours did yesterday. They had one good seris, then totally mailed it in. I know Gurode has the knee thing and thats somewhat of an excuse for him, but the other guys were all garbage and they dont have an excuse.

 

[odog422]

I hate to say it, but I think this is Jerry's co-head-coach system at work. Wade obviously knows this -- sorry to say it again, but it's why he wanted Dan Reeves -- but Jason apparently has autonomy over his side of the ball.

No need to apologize, I agree. I just wish Wade took the attitude that "f-that, I'm the Head Coach, so ******, run the ball" or "Get Choice in there, he's or only healthy back for christssake!"

Anyway, good post to the OP. When people would say in the offseason that "We don't run more because we aren't good at it", I would say that if you let that big OL fire off the ball and hit people in the mouth all day instead of playing from their heels like they do all game long either pass blocking or faking pass blocking, they'd immediately become better run blockers. And that's coming from a former CB, but even I know how those big guys think!

I agree with this as well and also agree that 98% of our runs seem to come from deception or pass looks. When you are having problems with execution in the passing game, let the big uglies line up and drive people. Traps anyone? And by all means, please put the back in the game whose healthiest and has shown repeatedly he excels at inside running (Choice). One more thing in this regard - if it's working, please don't stop it and go 3 wide shotgun.

What I thought you were going to say was that there's something fundamentally wrong with our blitz protection schemes. It sure looks like it to me.

Agreed.

I've also consistently wondered the same thing Captain America said, about where Garrett got his odd love of the shotgun and the tricky when he learned under Norv, who has the most basic-looking -- but effective -- system you'll ever see.

One of the things I loved about Norv -- he absolutely knew the run game was the meat of the offense and which is why his passing game was based in play action. Because of the commitment to the run. And I mean basic running plays. Not fake slant draws, razorback, etc. It's like Jason abhors simply line em up football.

 

[odog422]

There are no "magic play calls" when a team's OL performs as lousy as ours did yesterday. They had one good seris, then totally mailed it in. I know Gurode has the knee thing and thats somewhat of an excuse for him, but the other guys were all garbage and they dont have an excuse.

Again, I think this is because most of our running is based, as the OP said, on the pass. Go back first, then try to stop and redirect, etc. Why don't we simply line em up and drive? Or trap with a fullback lead?

 

[BourbonBalz]

Our offensive imbalance was really worse than the stats show. If you just look at the stats, they'll show we threw 39 times and ran the ball 14 times. Even though that's really bad, it doesn't tell the whole story. Romo was sacked 5 times and he had to scramble 3 times. That really means we had 11 rushes from our running backs and 47 attempted passes (39+5+3). You will win very, very few games like that. Pathetic play calling.

 

[Jarv]

I didnt see much wrong with the playcalling yesterday. The run blocking was non existant after the first series, and the pass protection and blitz pickup was about as awful as we've had in a long, long time.

There are no "magic play calls" when a team's OL performs as lousy as ours did yesterday. They had one good seris, then totally mailed it in. I know Gurode has the knee thing and thats somewhat of an excuse for him, but the other guys were all garbage and they dont have an excuse.

(ZeroClub)The Cowboys defense lost a fumble recovery deep in Packers' territory due to a hands-to-the-face penality on Jenkins (which happened away from the action).

And, of course, Roy Williams fumbled.

If those two things don't happen (and maybe if only one of them happens), the Cowboys win this game.

I don't think this loss is on Garrett.

I agree with both of the above statements, however I also agree that I'm not happy with how we are running or not running the ball. I would like to see some power running in the "I" or split backs with the FB leading the way.

The "Finesse" runs take to long to setup and are based upon tricks, not power, which is what our huge O-line excels at. FB leads and power sweeps instead of Shotgun draws or whatever cutesy thing Garret has up his sleeve.

The Razorback is cool, because you know it's a run and the linemen must be psyched !

Garret is just too cute in his calls...I know we are a top ranked offensive unit, but I feel we could be so much better. Anything wrong with trying to improve yourself ?

 

[newlander]

"Idgit" is right: you cant do ANYTHING when the oline plays like it did yesterday: NOTHING AT ALL. Then every expert on here says Red sucks. Maybe he does a little ,but the line was beyond pathetic. Looked just like last year vs. Pitt/Bmore/Philly/etc....expect the forskins to have the same game plan next week.

 

[BotchedLobotomy]

11 total carries from ALL our running backs. Freaking 11!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1

and how many of those were conventional type running plays? Maybe 3?

 

[chinch]

Bingo.

It was comical to read the TOTAL HOMERISM here the last few weeks come to a crescendo having some dolts actually looking forward to having wade & co. back next season. (because of a 4 game winning streak in Oct/Nov)

:laugh2:

jason is inept at OC.

a smug fraud who is OUTCOACHED EVERY MINUTE HE'S AWAKE. (and probably when he's sleeping he's dreaming of how smart he is compared to the other NFL coches who embarrass him each game).

yesterday was just one of many, many examples on his gross ineptitude.

take away GREAT PERSONAL PERFORMANCES by romo/austin (and stupidity by andy reid) OVERCOMPENSATING FOR OUR PATHETIC COACHES and we'd be at .500 now. You all know it.

no moderator, admin or homer can spin this.

Please keep in mind this is coming from a former O-Lineman

The running game is to gimmicky, too many Screens and Draws!. What JG earns out of draws and screens he loses in the battle for the line of scrimmage. The Dallas O-Line is big and physical. We can move people off the ball. When you run a draw the O-line does not fire forward off the ball, they are on their heels SELLING PASS. When you run a screen, it's the same thing hold 2 mississippi and release. This may fool them from time to time but he is missing the point, how do you pound the other team with that style? You don't. Anybody here remember Emmitt Smith between the Guard and Center? Man he could hit that 2 hole with the Moose lead blocking on the LB. Felix Jones and Choice can hit that hole but their opportunity has been limited to gimmicky screens and shotgun draws, wildcat and at best maybe a few sweeps. What a night mare for our O-line. I know its not pretty or fancy but line up the I-Formation with a good fullback and pound it 30 times a game between the guards and off tackle with those 3 backs. Don't try to fool the defense with a BS shotgun draw for 5 yds, let them know your coming and pound it down their throat. When they start coming up to the line with 8 in the box, run some play action and take some shots down the field. JG is trying to disguise everything. Its foolish with the O-Line that we have. I can see Felix Jones and Choice hitting these holes and I know we have something special that is not being used right and with MB closing it down near the goal line and in the 4th quarter? Unstoppable. Our plays and personnel are wrong. JG's offense is based on the pass even when we run! He may look good on some weeks but we will struggle against better defenses, especially ones that can disguise the blitz.

 

[Gadfly22]

I said it a couple of weeks ago in a win, and it's even more apparent in this GB loss: JG's playcalling is bad. Actually, to be more specific, his playbook just barely suits some of his best personnel.

He's got a massive O-line, but prefers all kinds of slow-developing misdirections and draws instead of letting his line push guys around. So Hudson Houck, who likes those big guys and knows how to use them, doesn't get the plays called that favor his style of play.

He's got more possession-type receivers and RBs who can catch than he's got speed guys, but the quick slants, short outs and other pass plays that would take advantage of those possession guys (and set up his few speed guys better) are relatively rare. Except, of course, to Witten, which lets the defense roll coverage toward him and limit his effectiveness.

And he's got very selective amnesia: he forgets the running game entirely sometimes. Which is part of a vicious cycle: running plays don't work, putting the team in second- and third-and-long, which forces more passes, which disrupts the O-line's run play rhythm, which causes more running plays that don't work and hence more passes.

To repeat myself: if JG didn't have a QB as elusive and creative as Romo, he would have been fired already.

 

[chinch]

To repeat myself: if JG didn't have a QB as elusive and creative as Romo, he would have been fired already.

sticky that.

 

[ethiostar]

Bloggingtheboys had this to say about the lack of running game against GB. Take it for what it's worth.

http://www.bloggingtheboys.com/2009/11/15/1158839/drowning-in-a-vat-of-whey-packers#storyjump

Dallas called only eleven runs to its trio of backs in the game. The knee jerkers will likely point to last year's Washington game and accuse Jason Garrett of getting pass happy. I don't think that had anything to do with the loss. I've broken down Dallas' drives and find that penalties and sacks kept the offense off the rushing side of the play sheet:

First Half

* Series one -- two rushes, 20 yards;
* Series two -- three rushes, 8 yards;
* Series three -- one 1st down rush for 2 yards. Romo sacked on 2nd, taking the run option away on 3rd;
* Series four -- two rushes for 3 yards. Choice is two feet short on a 3rd-and-4 draw;
* Series five -- no rushes; Roy Williams fumbles on drive's only play;
* Series six -- Romo is sacked on 1st down, putting Dallas in 2nd and long. No rushes;

Second Half

* Series one - Barber rushes on 1st for no gain. Romo sacked on 2nd down;
* Series two -- Choice runs once for 11 yards; Williams and Witten bungle the drive on subsequent plays. (see above);
* Series three -- Felix Jones rushes on 1st down for 4 yards. Romo sacked on next play and fumbles;
* Series four -- Dallas takes the field here down 17-0 with 10:44 left and doesn't call another run.

Jimmy Johnson's halftime remarks on Fox were apt. Dallas could not get first downs, and when you're taking sacks and penalties and not converting, you have no chances to build a running rhythm. Dallas didn't get a first down on five consecutive series starting with its third. It had three rushes in the five italicized drives,while the game was in doubt. But where are the extra runs in that segment coming from? One series lasted one play, and it was a great call. Another lasted two plays. The most promising drive wasted two great pass calls.

The Packers front won the battles up front on run and pass downs, and I don't think we can fault Doug Free too much. The leaks were coming from the left and up the middle on linebacker blitzes.

 

[iceberg]

Bloggingtheboys had this to say about the lack of running game against GB. Take it for what it's worth.

http://www.bloggingtheboys.com/2009/11/15/1158839/drowning-in-a-vat-of-whey-packers#storyjump

Dallas called only eleven runs to its trio of backs in the game. The knee jerkers will likely point to last year's Washington game and accuse Jason Garrett of getting pass happy. I don't think that had anything to do with the loss. I've broken down Dallas' drives and find that penalties and sacks kept the offense off the rushing side of the play sheet:

First Half

* Series one -- two rushes, 20 yards;
* Series two -- three rushes, 8 yards;
* Series three -- one 1st down rush for 2 yards. Romo sacked on 2nd, taking the run option away on 3rd;
* Series four -- two rushes for 3 yards. Choice is two feet short on a 3rd-and-4 draw;
* Series five -- no rushes; Roy Williams fumbles on drive's only play;
* Series six -- Romo is sacked on 1st down, putting Dallas in 2nd and long. No rushes;

Second Half

* Series one - Barber rushes on 1st for no gain. Romo sacked on 2nd down;
* Series two -- Choice runs once for 11 yards; Williams and Witten bungle the drive on subsequent plays. (see above);
* Series three -- Felix Jones rushes on 1st down for 4 yards. Romo sacked on next play and fumbles;
* Series four -- Dallas takes the field here down 17-0 with 10:44 left and doesn't call another run.

Jimmy Johnson's halftime remarks on Fox were apt. Dallas could not get first downs, and when you're taking sacks and penalties and not converting, you have no chances to build a running rhythm. Dallas didn't get a first down on five consecutive series starting with its third. It had three rushes in the five italicized drives,while the game was in doubt. But where are the extra runs in that segment coming from? One series lasted one play, and it was a great call. Another lasted two plays. The most promising drive wasted two great pass calls.

The Packers front won the battles up front on run and pass downs, and I don't think we can fault Doug Free too much. The leaks were coming from the left and up the middle on linebacker blitzes.

good post - i for one appreciate it.

people yell at garrett because he doesn't take what the D gives, but in this instance, he did. getting sacked does take options away, sorry. fact of football.

we collectively shot ourselves in the foot several times yesterday. but garrett just didn't have an opportunity to run the ball more because we kept going 3 and out after sacks, killing the drives.

i can only think if garrett ran it on 2nd and 15 or 3rd and 10, the same whiners would whine because garrett is calling stupid running plays with little chance of success.

i've just had to come to grips with the reality that there are far too many people out there who just whine regardless of what it's about and even moreso without taking the time to understand what they're whining about.

 

[Brooksey]

Well when you start with Pass on 1st down and don't get yards it tough to go back to the run on 2nd and 10 or 3rd and long etc.

 

[Idgit]

Bloggingtheboys had this to say about the lack of running game against GB. Take it for what it's worth.

http://www.bloggingtheboys.com/2009/11/15/1158839/drowning-in-a-vat-of-whey-packers#storyjump

Dallas called only eleven runs to its trio of backs in the game. The knee jerkers will likely point to last year's Washington game and accuse Jason Garrett of getting pass happy. I don't think that had anything to do with the loss. I've broken down Dallas' drives and find that penalties and sacks kept the offense off the rushing side of the play sheet:

First Half

* Series one -- two rushes, 20 yards;
* Series two -- three rushes, 8 yards;
* Series three -- one 1st down rush for 2 yards. Romo sacked on 2nd, taking the run option away on 3rd;
* Series four -- two rushes for 3 yards. Choice is two feet short on a 3rd-and-4 draw;
* Series five -- no rushes; Roy Williams fumbles on drive's only play;
* Series six -- Romo is sacked on 1st down, putting Dallas in 2nd and long. No rushes;

Second Half

* Series one - Barber rushes on 1st for no gain. Romo sacked on 2nd down;
* Series two -- Choice runs once for 11 yards; Williams and Witten bungle the drive on subsequent plays. (see above);
* Series three -- Felix Jones rushes on 1st down for 4 yards. Romo sacked on next play and fumbles;
* Series four -- Dallas takes the field here down 17-0 with 10:44 left and doesn't call another run.

Jimmy Johnson's halftime remarks on Fox were apt. Dallas could not get first downs, and when you're taking sacks and penalties and not converting, you have no chances to build a running rhythm. Dallas didn't get a first down on five consecutive series starting with its third. It had three rushes in the five italicized drives,while the game was in doubt. But where are the extra runs in that segment coming from? One series lasted one play, and it was a great call. Another lasted two plays. The most promising drive wasted two great pass calls.

The Packers front won the battles up front on run and pass downs, and I don't think we can fault Doug Free too much. The leaks were coming from the left and up the middle on linebacker blitzes.

Wow. I guess that just about settles that argument, doesn't it? Good post, and a useful breakdown by Vela. Thread closed? Or do we still want to blame Garrett some more?

 

[Doomsdayblitz]

Bloggingtheboys had this to say about the lack of running game against GB. Take it for what it's worth.

http://www.bloggingtheboys.com/2009/11/15/1158839/drowning-in-a-vat-of-whey-packers#storyjump

Dallas called only eleven runs to its trio of backs in the game. The knee jerkers will likely point to last year's Washington game and accuse Jason Garrett of getting pass happy. I don't think that had anything to do with the loss. I've broken down Dallas' drives and find that penalties and sacks kept the offense off the rushing side of the play sheet:

First Half

* Series one -- two rushes, 20 yards;
* Series two -- three rushes, 8 yards;
* Series three -- one 1st down rush for 2 yards. Romo sacked on 2nd, taking the run option away on 3rd;
* Series four -- two rushes for 3 yards. Choice is two feet short on a 3rd-and-4 draw;
* Series five -- no rushes; Roy Williams fumbles on drive's only play;
* Series six -- Romo is sacked on 1st down, putting Dallas in 2nd and long. No rushes;

Second Half

* Series one - Barber rushes on 1st for no gain. Romo sacked on 2nd down;
* Series two -- Choice runs once for 11 yards; Williams and Witten bungle the drive on subsequent plays. (see above);
* Series three -- Felix Jones rushes on 1st down for 4 yards. Romo sacked on next play and fumbles;
* Series four -- Dallas takes the field here down 17-0 with 10:44 left and doesn't call another run.

Jimmy Johnson's halftime remarks on Fox were apt. Dallas could not get first downs, and when you're taking sacks and penalties and not converting, you have no chances to build a running rhythm. Dallas didn't get a first down on five consecutive series starting with its third. It had three rushes in the five italicized drives,while the game was in doubt. But where are the extra runs in that segment coming from? One series lasted one play, and it was a great call. Another lasted two plays. The most promising drive wasted two great pass calls.

The Packers front won the battles up front on run and pass downs, and I don't think we can fault Doug Free too much. The leaks were coming from the left and up the middle on linebacker blitzes.

Yes, but you're making the poster's point:

First Half
​

• Series 3-Romo is sacked on 2nd down.
• Series 5-Williams fumbles after pass on 1st down.
• Series 6-Sacked on 1st down.

Second Half

• Series 1-Sacked on 1st down.
• Series 2-After Choice runs for 11 yds., they misfire on 2 passing plays.
• Series 3-Sacked on 2nd down.

It doesn't matter if the other team knows you're probably going to run on first & second downs. You run anyway. Especially, after getting your freaking QBs' head knocked off in the first half on passing plays. When your RBs are averaging 4.1 yards per rush, and your pass protection is shoddy, you run early & often.

The poster is also right about the OL. When you're as big & strong as our line is, & you ask them to play finesse ball, you emasculate them. Finesse is just another word for a woman's sexual organ to them. A "Finesse" player is just another way of saying a pu**y. Order your guys to hit someone in the mouth hard & often, & watch their eyes light up.

Great coaches take the strengths of their players & call plays to maximize them. JG is NOT doing that.

​

 

[Rampage]

Bloggingtheboys had this to say about the lack of running game against GB. Take it for what it's worth.

http://www.bloggingtheboys.com/2009/11/15/1158839/drowning-in-a-vat-of-whey-packers#storyjump

Dallas called only eleven runs to its trio of backs in the game. The knee jerkers will likely point to last year's Washington game and accuse Jason Garrett of getting pass happy. I don't think that had anything to do with the loss. I've broken down Dallas' drives and find that penalties and sacks kept the offense off the rushing side of the play sheet:

First Half

* Series one -- two rushes, 20 yards;
* Series two -- three rushes, 8 yards;
* Series three -- one 1st down rush for 2 yards. Romo sacked on 2nd, taking the run option away on 3rd;
* Series four -- two rushes for 3 yards. Choice is two feet short on a 3rd-and-4 draw;
* Series five -- no rushes; Roy Williams fumbles on drive's only play;
* Series six -- Romo is sacked on 1st down, putting Dallas in 2nd and long. No rushes;

Second Half

* Series one - Barber rushes on 1st for no gain. Romo sacked on 2nd down;
* Series two -- Choice runs once for 11 yards; Williams and Witten bungle the drive on subsequent plays. (see above);
* Series three -- Felix Jones rushes on 1st down for 4 yards. Romo sacked on next play and fumbles;
* Series four -- Dallas takes the field here down 17-0 with 10:44 left and doesn't call another run.

Jimmy Johnson's halftime remarks on Fox were apt. Dallas could not get first downs, and when you're taking sacks and penalties and not converting, you have no chances to build a running rhythm. Dallas didn't get a first down on five consecutive series starting with its third. It had three rushes in the five italicized drives,while the game was in doubt. But where are the extra runs in that segment coming from? One series lasted one play, and it was a great call. Another lasted two plays. The most promising drive wasted two great pass calls.

The Packers front won the battles up front on run and pass downs, and I don't think we can fault Doug Free too much. The leaks were coming from the left and up the middle on linebacker blitzes.

maybe if we ran more on 1st and 2nd down Romo wouldn't have been taking all those sacks that kept putting us in 3rd and longs.

 

[utrunner07]

Wow. I guess that just about settles that argument, doesn't it? Good post, and a useful breakdown by Vela. Thread closed? Or do we still want to blame Garrett some more?

Oh I will happily blame him. That call on the 1 was absurd. He should know by now that when Romo is having a bit of an off day you don't go letting him throw it around gun slinga style near the endzone. You have three superb backs and a pretty solid FB or TE to do some significant run blocking. That should not have even been a question. Get behind Flo/Davis and run that thing down their throats.

How ironic is it that our lack of consistency is based on our O coordinator consistently making the same mistakes over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over.

 

[Doomsdayblitz]

maybe if we ran more on 1st and 2nd down Romo wouldn't have been taking all those sacks that kept putting us in 3rd and longs.

My thoughts exactly!!