The Myth of the Bell Cow

[Doomsday101]

We converted 80% of 3 and 1-3 by running the ball last year. Didn't matter who ran the ball. You only have to be so good with your run offense. And we were almost as successful under Garrett since he got here. Now goal line I haven't looked at but my eye says not as good. But I thought that we were more successful passing on 3rd and short. And to get to 3rd and short you have to run the ball on 1st and/or 2nd down. We did that before last year.

So the idea of we can't do without Murray or we should be very concerned is not supported by the facts. If you want to say we had a very good run offense last year in Murray's one good year in a contract year then I'm with you.

We'll see.

I will be concerned until the guys we have prove it. Murray did not jack around in the backfield, he saw the hole he hit it and drove. I have seen backs who get it start dancing around cutting back losing yards when all they needed was 2 to 3 yards. Or the back that just runs up the OL back not giving that bit of hesitation to allow the block to be made. It is minor things but it is often the difference of getting nailed in the back field and being successful. I really hope to see one of our guys step up and show himself as a quality RB but only when they prove it on the field will the concerns be gone at least in my eyes

 

[jobberone]

I will be concerned until the guys we have prove it. Murray did not jack around in the backfield, he saw the hole he hit it and drove. I have seen backs who get it start dancing around cutting back losing yards when all they needed was 2 to 3 yards. Or the back that just runs up the OL back not giving that bit of hesitation to allow the block to be made. It is minor things but it is often the difference of getting nailed in the back field and being successful. I really hope to see one of our guys step up and show himself as a quality RB but only when they prove it on the field will the concerns be gone at least in my eyes

I have zero problems with this. Randle seems capable but we need to see 10 to 15 carries a game for awhile to judge. Williams may or may not make the team and I suspect it will be because of his knee. I he is healthy enough then he will create cut down problems for the staff. My guess is they will be forced to keep him. I don't know about Mac but he is dispensable. OTOH he could be the #1 back. I'd keep Dunbar if he proves he can stay healthy and hang onto the ball. He's just too explosive to dismiss.

I wouldn't like carrying 4 backs but they might do so to start with and let things sort out. Also, injuries could settle the issue.

Someone or a RBBC will solve the issue IMO.

 

[Doomsday101]

I have zero problems with this. Randle seems capable but we need to see 10 to 15 carries a game for awhile to judge. Williams may or may not make the team and I suspect it will be because of his knee. I he is healthy enough then he will create cut down problems for the staff. My guess is they will be forced to keep him. I don't know about Mac but he is dispensable. OTOH he could be the #1 back. I'd keep Dunbar if he proves he can stay healthy and hang onto the ball. He's just too explosive to dismiss.

I wouldn't like carrying 4 backs but they might do so to start with and let things sort out. Also, injuries could settle the issue.

Someone or a RBBC will solve the issue IMO.

I think Dallas goes 3 RB and 1 FB. I just can't see them going 4 RB at the expense of depth in some other areas that are also critical. I think Dallas will continue to look hard at these RB and would not be shocked to find that our starting RB is not on the roster just yet. I hope I'm wrong on that part would much rather see one of the current 4 prove they can be the man

 

[jobberone]

I think Dallas goes 3 RB and 1 FB. I just can't see them going 4 RB at the expense of depth in some other areas that are also critical. I think Dallas will continue to look hard at these RB and would not be shocked to find that our starting RB is not on the roster just yet. I hope I'm wrong on that part would much rather see one of the current 4 prove they can be the man

I agree but OTOH they need time to see who the 'man' is and I don't think there is one. I could easily be wrong. I don't want 4 RBs but they could go 4RBs and 0 RB although I really doubt that. Red loves him some FB. My argument against that is they see limited action and we haven't had a FB who can pass protect, lead block, and catch and run with the ball since Moose. If they have that then keep the FB. If not I'd go with 4 RBs on THIS current roster.

Ain't likely to happen though and injuries will likely decide the issue.

 

[Doomsday101]

I agree but OTOH they need time to see who the 'man' is and I don't think there is one. I could easily be wrong. I don't want 4 RBs but they could go 4RBs and 0 RB although I really doubt that. Red loves him some FB. My argument against that is they see limited action and we haven't had a FB who can pass protect, lead block, and catch and run with the ball since Moose. If they have that then keep the FB. If not I'd go with 4 RBs on THIS current roster.

Ain't likely to happen though and injuries will likely decide the issue.

I think they are looking for that FB who is a quality blocker as well as a guy who can do some damage in the passing game similar to Moose.

 

[Stash]

We converted 80% of 3 and 1-3 by running the ball last year. Didn't matter who ran the ball. You only have to be so good with your run offense. And we were almost as successful under Garrett since he got here. Now goal line I haven't looked at but my eye says not as good. But I thought that we were more successful passing on 3rd and short. And to get to 3rd and short you have to run the ball on 1st and/or 2nd down. We did that before last year.

So the idea of we can't do without Murray or we should be very concerned is not supported by the facts. If you want to say we had a very good run offense last year in Murray's one good year in a contract year then I'm with you.

We'll see.

As someone who has felt that we didn't run enough on 3rd and short, I would be very interested to see any specific numbers you have regarding run and pass numbers there.

Do you have anything you can share or a link you can direct me to?

 

[Bleu Star]

I think they are looking for that FB who is a quality blocker as well as a guy who can do some damage in the passing game similar to Moose.

Can Synjyn block? If so, he might be that guy. Seems like a perfect fit for short yardage.

 

[jobberone]

As someone who has felt that we didn't run enough on 3rd and short, I would be very interested to see any specific numbers you have regarding run and pass numbers there.

Do you have anything you can share or a link you can direct me to?

I'll try and find it and then post it. It was very surprising and I didn't reveal all.

 

[Doomsday101]

Can Synjyn block? If so, he might be that guy. Seems like a perfect fit for short yardage.

Maybe he can be that guy, hard to tell. He comes from a run option program at GT. How will he do at this level?

 

[Stash]

I'll try and find it and then post it. It was very surprising and I didn't reveal all.

Thanks, appreciate it!

 

[jobberone]

http://thedctimes.com/tag/dallas-cowboys-3rd-down-runs/

Here's the stats @stasheroo

 

[Bleu Star]

Maybe he can be that guy, hard to tell. He comes from a run option program at GT. How will he do at this level?

He will have to adjust his game but from what I saw on tape the talent & potential is there.

 

[CooterBrown]

Top 10 offenses in the NFL (PPG)
Green Bay
Denver
Philadelphia
New England
Dallas
Indianapolis
Pittsburgh
Baltimore
New Orleans
Seattle

Teams in bold had a running back with over 1000 yards rushing

I don't think anyone will say that having a bell cow doesn't help your offense, but I think it should be pointed out that you can do things without having one (which isn't even to say that a runner on our team can't be that guy).

Denver had one of the best offenses in the league and their top running back had 849 yards.

The Patriots didn't have a single player break 500 yards.

I think the real question isn't whether or not the team can replicate last year's successful formula, but what the team can do with this years roster to be just as successful if not more so.

I definitely think the Cowboys are looking at the Patriots formula from last year, but thinking they can be more successful running the ball with the offensive line and running backs we have.

I think you look at our offensive weapons and the compare pretty well compared to the Patriots.

Is Gronkowski a better target than Witten? Absolutely he is, but I think Bryant cancels him out.

I think Witten is as good if not better than Edelman as a target.

The question is can Williams be as effective and as consistent as LaFell became. Comparing their career trajectory you would think Williams has the potential to become a better player.

I think Beasley gives us a lot of what Edelman gives us. I expect/hope to see him play a larger role in the offense this year, and I think part of that may have been why we didn't want to pay Murray. Cowboys made a hefty investment in him not to use him more.

I think Dunbar can be every bit as good as Vereen in the passing game.

Escobar is better than Tim Wright as well.

The biggest question is can this offensive line pass protect well enough to allow us to take our passing game to another level? And can our defense become the force it needs to be to change the tone of our games. I think it can.

All I know is that the Cowboys have never won a Super Bowl without a "bell cow" running back. Ron Springs was pretty good, but Dorsett was a difference maker.

 

[Galian Beast]

All I know is that the Cowboys have never won a Super Bowl without a "bell cow" running back. Ron Springs was pretty good, but Dorsett was a difference maker.

That's a real small sample size. To suggest anything done by a previous Cowboys team directly applies to this 2015 is pretty off base. It has been done by other teams in the past, and that has a lot more bearing on the Cowboys ability to do it.

 

[Stash]

http://thedctimes.com/tag/dallas-cowboys-3rd-down-runs/

Here's the stats @stasheroo

Thanks, but is that link to numbers from 2010?

 

[jobberone]

Thanks, but is that link to numbers from 2010?

yes but the trend is the same although the numbers might be a tad different. Our 3rd down conversion rate last year was almost 50%. There is more info out there just google or look at profootballfocus or pro-football-reference. The main point is our 3rd down conversion rate running with 1-3 yds to make is higher than passing. I figured that for last year but had no idea we were doing that before then. I still wonder about the figures because my eyeballs thought differently. I looked for GL numbers but didn't see them where I was sure.

 

[Stash]

yes but the trend is the same although the numbers might be a tad different. Our 3rd down conversion rate last year was almost 50%. There is more info out there just google or look at profootballfocus or pro-football-reference. The main point is our 3rd down conversion rate running with 1-3 yds to make is higher than passing. I figured that for last year but had no idea we were doing that before then. I still wonder about the figures because my eyeballs thought differently. I looked for GL numbers but didn't see them where I was sure.

Regardless, thank you for taking the time.

 

[blindzebra]

All I know is that the Cowboys have never won a Super Bowl without a "bell cow" running back. Ron Springs was pretty good, but Dorsett was a difference maker.

Dorsett was not a bell cow when we won SB 12.

 

[Stash]

Dorsett was not a bell cow when we won SB 12.

In what way?

 

[jobberone]

Regardless, thank you for taking the time.

YW. Let me know if you run across GL numbers the last few years. Might be the same but again my eyeballs say different.