The Linehan play calling thread

[Idgit]

The two straight passes inside the 5 with Weeden, and the three straight pass plays on the last drive of the game are inexcusable. Someone needs to be held accountable for that.

The one right on the money where Dez didn't make the play? Nothing changes. The plays that work are great plays. The ones that don't are horrible calls. That's just the way it is for an upset fan who wants something to be mad about.

 

[BAT]

The two straight passes inside the 5 with Weeden, and the three straight pass plays on the last drive of the game are inexcusable. Someone needs to be held accountable for that.

Cowboys were actually averaging more yards on running plays than pass plays in this game. Running the ball was not just safer, the likelihood of a big play was greater.

 

[DOUBLE WING]

The one right on the money where Dez didn't make the play? Nothing changes. The plays that work are great plays. The ones that don't are horrible calls. That's just the way it is for an upset fan who wants something to be mad about.

There was great coverage on the play. It's not like Dez just dropped a wide open pass. Weeden threw it to a guy who was well-covered and it was incomplete. It almost worked, but almost only counts in horse shoes and hand grenades.

You're at the 3-yard line, you've got the best RB and best OL in the NFL, and you're putting it in the hands of your backup QB right there. TWICE in a row. How is that remotely a smart idea? How can you even try to defend that? Is there any way on God's green earth that Washington could have stopped Murray from getting three yards on three plays? He got three yards on first down! That was seven points we (literally) threw away.

This coaching staff outsmarted itself. "Hah, they probably expect us to just run the ball now that Weeden is in.. they'll never see this coming."

 

[Rogerthat12]

We're at our best when running the ball or presenting the threat of the run. Not only did I dislike throwing it on the final three plays of the game, but I hated the spread-out look with Murray on the bench, particularly on fourth down.

Those final plays resembled the helter-skelter, chaotic, pass-happy offense we saw last year and in seasons past. And that kind of style is simply not our strong suit. Passing is a key part of the game, and with Romo's creativity and playmaking, that will always rightfully be a huge part of who we are. But it's not all we are, and we acted those final two possessions as if we didn't have the best back in the league. And that made it hard to watch.

Exactly, this was Haslett's only way to beat us, attack Romo with the blitz or with the threat of the blitz.

All Dallas needed to do was run the football, max protect on passing downs and get Dunbar in space to make them pay for the blitz.

 

[Idgit]

There was great coverage on the play. It's not like Dez just dropped a wide open pass. Weeden threw it to a guy who was well-covered and it was incomplete. It almost worked, but almost only counts in horse shoes and hand grenades.

You're at the 3-yard line, you've got the best RB and best OL in the NFL, and you're putting it in the hands of your backup QB right there. TWICE in a row. How is that remotely a smart idea? How can you even try to defend that? Is there any way on God's green earth that Washington could have stopped Murray from getting three yards on three plays? He got three yards on first down! That was seven points we (literally) threw away.

This coaching staff outsmarted itself. "Hah, they probably expect us to just run the ball now that Weeden is in.. they'll never see this coming."

Dez should have caught that ball. And I'm sure he'd say the same thing, When your backup comes in and hits you in the hands with it in the end zone, you catch it. Rookie CB notwithstanding. Sorry, that wasn't a play calling problem. That was an execution problem by our start WR.

 

[DOUBLE WING]

Dez should have caught that ball. And I'm sure he'd say the same thing, When your backup comes in and hits you in the hands with it in the end zone, you catch it. Rookie CB notwithstanding. Sorry, that wasn't a play calling problem. That was an execution problem by our start WR.

You seem to be operating in some fantasy world where Dez was just camped out in the end zone waiting for the ball and he accidently dropped it. It was extremely well-covered and that played a huge part in Dez not making the catch. He's made a lot of tough catches, but you've got to give some credit to the CB there. That was no gimmie play, certainly not as much of a gimmie as say.. letting Murray try to score from 3 yards out.

It is a play calling problem, because they decided that calling for the backup QB who hasn't thrown a meaningful NFL pass in nearly a year to come cold off the bench and immediately throw the ball twice inside the five-yard line, to a WR who is not used to catching balls from him, was a better idea than letting the best RB in the league, who just busted off 54 yards on his last two runs, try to get 3 yards on 3 carries.

What's the higher percentage play there? What logically gives us the best chance for 7 points?

That's a play calling problem. That's outsmarting yourself, and the proof is in the pudding.

 

[Blackspider214]

We have reverted back to the same ol same ol Cowboys. Get away from what is working and get pass happy. Murray breaks a huge run to get inside the 10, then another good run to get inside the 5. So what is the logical plays to call next? Pass!

Gain 8 yards on 1st down in OT where time is not a factor. Need 3 plays to get 2 yards. Do not even attempt to run it again. I actually don't mind the 2nd and 2 play call because they were blitzing and that flat pass worked this game and if Murray gets past his guy, it's a huge gain. But it actually lost a yard. So on 3rd and 3, knowing you have the 4th down, why not run?

Very disappointed in Linehan for not sticking more to the run when the passing game was out of sync. Coupled with he never once figured out or had an answer for these blitzes. You should never be able to all out blitz an NFL team this many times and not get burned.

 

[Szczepanik]

Why can we not learn to utilize the screen plays against the Commanders and Eagles?

They know it rattles Romo, yet we never counter it. Every year it is the same over and over.

 

[BAT]

Dez should have caught that ball. And I'm sure he'd say the same thing, When your backup comes in and hits you in the hands with it in the end zone, you catch it. Rookie CB notwithstanding. Sorry, that wasn't a play calling problem. That was an execution problem by our start WR.

Corner clearly got his had on ball and affected the catch. That throw to Dez was a Romo special, Weeden should have handed it off to Murray no ifs or buts about it. It was not only the right call in that situation but the guy deserved it after breaking that 50 harder to get them in position. Plus our OL is best when run blocking, they were licking their chops to hurt that blitz happy DL. Coaches played into Skins hands over and over again. It was like Opposite Day or something.

 

[Idgit]

You seem to be operating in some fantasy world where Dez was just camped out in the end zone waiting for the ball and he accidently dropped it. It was extremely well-covered and that played a huge part in Dez not making the catch. He's made a lot of tough catches, but you've got to give some credit to the CB there. That was no gimmie play, certainly not as much of a gimmie as say.. letting Murray try to score from 3 yards out.

It is a play calling problem, because they decided that calling for the backup QB who hasn't thrown a meaningful NFL pass in nearly a year to come cold off the bench and immediately throw the ball twice inside the five-yard line, to a WR who is not used to catching balls from him, was a better idea than letting the best RB in the league, who just busted off 54 yards on his last two runs, try to get 3 yards on 3 carries.

What's the higher percentage play there? What logically gives us the best chance for 7 points?

That's a play calling problem. That's outsmarting yourself, and the proof is in the pudding.

Please. Watch the play again. 1:17 mark. Notice, too, how the commentators say the exact same thing I said in my post above. That ball was right on the money. You can't put that on the play caller, or on Weeden.

And a pass to Dez from that point on the field is almost certainly a higher percentage play than trying to run the ball in.

Sorry, but this is more fantasy second guessing of a play that didn't work. It's just blaming the call after the fact when the reality is there was an execution problem.

 

[Idgit]

Corner clearly got his had on ball and affected the catch...

You mean, after it bounced off of Dez' shoulder pad? Yes. Dez should have caught it, if, and, but.

 

[Wood]

Nah, wasn't bad. Murray was still breaking off big runs. Our Oline can't pass protect. Totally inept as pass protection.

when you have 15 guys gashing thru line its pretty hard to contain that. Most teams don't do it because it leaves both CB out on island but for some very very strange reason those young Washington CB didn't need help against Dez or Williams. I have been watching football long time and I have never seen a defense blitz to that extent.

 

[BAT]

when you have 15 guys gashing thru line its pretty hard to contain that. Most teams don't do it because it leaves both CB out on island but for some very very strange reason those young Washington CB didn't need help against Dez or Williams. I have been watching football long time and I have never seen a defense blitz to that extent.

The fact that Romo holds it so long doesn't help either. Weeden was letting it fly after 3 steps. Even Eli knows to do that. Just not a good game for us to go pass happy. Lots of rushing yards but very disjointed, no continuity, especially after big run gains. Make sense to just keep running. And we were below our average TOP, defense was gased.

 

[Clove]

I'll say it. The offensive play-calling was the reason we lost. Period, point blank. AS others have said, why try something else when what works works? Haslett did not change his defense because we couldn't stop it. Yet Linehan stops running in short yardage because Washington couldn't stop it. Teams KNOW what we're going to do all year long, yet they can't stop it. So why get cute? I hate people who claim to be smart because they try to out smart basic logic.

 

[BAT]

I'll say it. The offensive play-calling was the reason we lost. Period, point blank. AS others have said, why try something else when what works works? Haslett did not change his defense because we couldn't stop it. Yet Linehan stops running in short yardage because Washington couldn't stop it. Teams KNOW what we're going to do all year long, yet they can't stop it. So why get cute? I hate people who claim to be smart because they try to out smart basic logic.

It was almost like Linehan was using Garrett's brain tonight. Swear it felt like the GB game last season.

 

[dallasdave]

I'll say it. The offensive play-calling was the reason we lost. Period, point blank. AS others have said, why try something else when what works works? Haslett did not change his defense because we couldn't stop it. Yet Linehan stops running in short yardage because Washington couldn't stop it. Teams KNOW what we're going to do all year long, yet they can't stop it. So why get cute? I hate people who claim to be smart because they try to out smart basic logic.

Well said, stay thisrsty my friend.

 

[nablives]

I hated what appeared to be no runs on 2nd down in the 2nd half, but what I hated a little more was Murray not knowing when to go down and fumbling again. I also hated Dez, whom we're supposed to believe is as good as any WR in the league, struggling with very young CBs, especially when what should have been a TD pass hit him in the chest. BTW, I was also a little confused by Murray's pass protection. There were a few occasions where it appeared he just simply didn't pick a guy up. I'm curious if that;s by some twisted, demented design, with the hope of him being an option for Romo in the passing game, or if this guy honestly couldn't see multiple Redksins flying in to kill his QB. If it's by design, it's pretty ugly.

 

[Alexander]

This looked like last year's team offensively.

 

[lostar2009]

2nd down was complete but lost a yars.

Yeah they hit Murray in a flat for a pass. I was screaming at the TV like why did you not just run the ball up the gut ?

 

[EST_1986]

And I don't frigging care to be bucko!...a monkey could have called a better game tonight on offense! Is that mentality any more ridiculous than what they did 3 times in short yardage situations tonight! 3 drives...3 points.

A monkey that is smart enough to know to run the ball there will never be hired either.