The Offensive Game Plan

[DanA]

There's going to be some major changes to the Cowboy's game plan. No doubt the offensive line will continue to be a key part of our success but, considering the new players in our offense, I think the offensive playbook will build upon several foundational plays.

Jet sweep actions: I look at the additions of C.Williams, Shultz and Austin along with Dak, Zeke and the rest of the O-line and can't help but be excited about the jet sweep and the plays we can build off of it. Take for instance the following play by the Rams:

You apply this play to us and it's still Austin running the sweep. But we've got Dak handing off to Zeke with Tyron pulling, Connor Williams blocking LB's on the second level, and one of our WR's blocking downfield...it's a devastating combination. Our team is made for this type of play and if we run the jet sweep with a variation of bootlegs, pitches, quick passes and runs from this type of setup I think we can have a lot of success.

21 personnel:
Last season we saw that the 49ers, Patriots and NFC South teams have a lot of success with 21 personnel and the Cowboys used Keith Smith to clear a path and get our running game going in that middle portion of the season when our run game was struggling. I expect we'll see a shift away from 12 personnel given the weakness of our TE's and no Witten Y-option route, and shift to more 21 personnel, using a fullback and plays built off power runs:

http://data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAUEBAAAACwAAAAAAQABAAACAkQBADs

In that respect, it's a shame we lost Keith Smith. But I do think the O-line can really make this kind of setup difficult to defend. But really we've got the O-line to use any combination of duo blocking, outside Zone runs with the line moving laterally, Power-O and Iso-Weak plays. It's something that could wear out a lot of defenses and if you keep them honest motioning out the backs and occasionally hitting Thompson, Hurns or Gallup on a deep ball off of play action it's not going to be fun for defenses.

RPO's: This is something Dak has had huge success in the RedZone and I think was so effective because teams would key so heavily into Zeke and the run that it made things extremely difficult to defend. Obviously, it required Dak to make good reads which he generally does but the throws themselves were generally low risk.

Looking at the concepts on this one play. Witten pulls leaving the LB in the trash, the Zeke fake draws the safety down into the box selling out the run, then Dak holds the safety with his eye on Dez whose on an island with the CB running a back shoulder fade, all this leaves Beasley wide open on the slant for the low-risk TD. We'll have to change it up with no Witten but we're still going to have a quality WR on an island and we'll still have Zeke, Beasley, and Dak in the play. Maybe Brown or Hurns play the Witten role or use Rico to keep the receiving threat, regardless I think we have options.

But I think the most important thing is to keep the pocket clean for Dak. If he has time to set things up, to access the field then he generally makes good low risk throws. He's not a gunslinger but he is a bit of a magician with a knack for disguising the ball. There's plenty of stuff we can and it looks like have done to make this more dak friendly.

 

[CowboyRoy]

There's going to be some major changes to the Cowboy's game plan. No doubt the offensive line will continue to be a key part of our success but, considering the new players in our offense, I think the offensive playbook will build upon several foundational plays.

Jet sweep actions: I look at the additions of C.Williams, Shultz and Austin along with Dak, Zeke and the rest of the O-line and can't help but be excited about the jet sweep and the plays we can build off of it. Take for instance the following play by the Rams:

You apply this play to us and it's still Austin running the sweep. But we've got Dak handing off to Zeke with Tyron pulling, Connor Williams blocking LB's on the second level, and one of our WR's blocking downfield...it's a devastating combination. Our team is made for this type of play and if we run the jet sweep with a variation of bootlegs, pitches, quick passes and runs from this type of setup I think we can have a lot of success.

21 personnel:
Last season we saw that the 49ers, Patriots and NFC South teams have a lot of success with 21 personnel and the Cowboys used Keith Smith to clear a path and get our running game going in that middle portion of the season when our run game was struggling. I expect we'll see a shift away from 12 personnel given the weakness of our TE's and no Witten Y-option route, and shift to more 21 personnel, using a fullback and plays built off power runs:

http://data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAUEBAAAACwAAAAAAQABAAACAkQBADs

In that respect, it's a shame we lost Keith Smith. But I do think the O-line can really make this kind of setup difficult to defend. But really we've got the O-line to use any combination of duo blocking, outside Zone runs with the line moving laterally, Power-O and Iso-Weak plays. It's something that could wear out a lot of defenses and if you keep them honest motioning out the backs and occasionally hitting Thompson, Hurns or Gallup on a deep ball off of play action it's not going to be fun for defenses.

RPO's: This is something Dak has had huge success in the RedZone and I think was so effective because teams would key so heavily into Zeke and the run that it made things extremely difficult to defend. Obviously, it required Dak to make good reads which he generally does but the throws themselves were generally low risk.

Looking at the concepts on this one play. Witten pulls leaving the LB in the trash, the Zeke fake draws the safety down into the box selling out the run, then Dak holds the safety with his eye on Dez whose on an island with the CB running a back shoulder fade, all this leaves Beasley wide open on the slant for the low-risk TD. We'll have to change it up with no Witten but we're still going to have a quality WR on an island and we'll still have Zeke, Beasley, and Dak in the play. Maybe Brown or Hurns play the Witten role or use Rico to keep the receiving threat, regardless I think we have options.

But I think the most important thing is to keep the pocket clean for Dak. If he has time to set things up, to access the field then he generally makes good low risk throws. He's not a gunslinger but he is a bit of a magician with a knack for disguising the ball. There's plenty of stuff we can and it looks like have done to make this more dak friendly.

Nicely done. RPOs should be a staple. But I’d rather see those jet sweeps with zeke.

 

[beware_d-ware]

I think we need to get the passing game back in sync more than anything. When Dak is struggling, then it just becomes too easy to stop us. Just load the box and take away the easy short throws, and force him to throw outside -right now we don't make teams pay for doing that. Zeke is going to get his raw yardage, but if you can keep a lid on him and hold him to around 4.0 YPC, then you have a pretty good shot at winning.

OTOH, when things are clicking with the play action and we hit a few downfield throws, then you just don't have the resources to both shut down Zeke and contain the passing game.

Basically, I think in general we just need to stay unpredictable to make life easier on Dak. The jet sweep was a really neat wrinkle in 2016 that definitely caught teams off guard, but it became a non-factor when we ran it with Switzer. Austin's got the speed to run it again. Make easy throws on pick plays or trips-screens, that kind of cheap stuff that the Rams, Packers, and Patriots do, to get defenses on their heels. You're right that RPOs can be a killer with this offense, and I bet we're going to start seeing a ton more of them with the league as a whole with everyone copying the Eagles.

I honestly don't like the 21 type looks, because IMO we just get way too predictable with it. Everyone in the stadium knew that when Keith Smith or Hanna was coming on, it was going to be a Zeke gut run.

 

[cern]

Stephen has mandated a change of schemes on both sides of the ball. It will be interesting to see what our coordinators will come up with. Looking forward to it.

 

[PAPPYDOG]

There's going to be some major changes to the Cowboy's game plan. No doubt the offensive line will continue to be a key part of our success but, considering the new players in our offense, I think the offensive playbook will build upon several foundational plays.

Jet sweep actions: I look at the additions of C.Williams, Shultz and Austin along with Dak, Zeke and the rest of the O-line and can't help but be excited about the jet sweep and the plays we can build off of it. Take for instance the following play by the Rams:

You apply this play to us and it's still Austin running the sweep. But we've got Dak handing off to Zeke with Tyron pulling, Connor Williams blocking LB's on the second level, and one of our WR's blocking downfield...it's a devastating combination. Our team is made for this type of play and if we run the jet sweep with a variation of bootlegs, pitches, quick passes and runs from this type of setup I think we can have a lot of success.

21 personnel:
Last season we saw that the 49ers, Patriots and NFC South teams have a lot of success with 21 personnel and the Cowboys used Keith Smith to clear a path and get our running game going in that middle portion of the season when our run game was struggling. I expect we'll see a shift away from 12 personnel given the weakness of our TE's and no Witten Y-option route, and shift to more 21 personnel, using a fullback and plays built off power runs:

http://data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAUEBAAAACwAAAAAAQABAAACAkQBADs

In that respect, it's a shame we lost Keith Smith. But I do think the O-line can really make this kind of setup difficult to defend. But really we've got the O-line to use any combination of duo blocking, outside Zone runs with the line moving laterally, Power-O and Iso-Weak plays. It's something that could wear out a lot of defenses and if you keep them honest motioning out the backs and occasionally hitting Thompson, Hurns or Gallup on a deep ball off of play action it's not going to be fun for defenses.

RPO's: This is something Dak has had huge success in the RedZone and I think was so effective because teams would key so heavily into Zeke and the run that it made things extremely difficult to defend. Obviously, it required Dak to make good reads which he generally does but the throws themselves were generally low risk.

Looking at the concepts on this one play. Witten pulls leaving the LB in the trash, the Zeke fake draws the safety down into the box selling out the run, then Dak holds the safety with his eye on Dez whose on an island with the CB running a back shoulder fade, all this leaves Beasley wide open on the slant for the low-risk TD. We'll have to change it up with no Witten but we're still going to have a quality WR on an island and we'll still have Zeke, Beasley, and Dak in the play. Maybe Brown or Hurns play the Witten role or use Rico to keep the receiving threat, regardless I think we have options.

But I think the most important thing is to keep the pocket clean for Dak. If he has time to set things up, to access the field then he generally makes good low risk throws. He's not a gunslinger but he is a bit of a magician with a knack for disguising the ball. There's plenty of stuff we can and it looks like have done to make this more dak friendly.

ZEKE,ZEKE,ZEKE, and more ZEKE, our offense will go as Zeke and our Offline will go, beyond that expect very little offensively!!!!

P.S. Even that pass to Beasley is a "High" one.......lol....

 

[DanA]

ZEKE,ZEKE,ZEKE, and more ZEKE, our offense will go as Zeke and our Offline will go, beyond that expect very little offensively!!!!

P.S. Even that pass to Beasley is a "High" one.......lol....

I agree Zeke is the catalystic player on this offense but I still think Dak and the receivers are better than some give him credit for.

I guess we’ll see this season as without any “security blanket” type options and a good O-line a fair bit will be on him to offer a threat other than Zeke.

I think if the offense performs like 2016 we’ll be contenders because IMO the defense is a hell of a lot better.

 

[cnuball21]

All sounds good, we’re just really going to need a TE and WR to step up as chain movers.

 

[Mr_437]

Not expecting much difference n th offense here. Waiting to be pleasantly surprised. I see them calling th same tired offense just adding concepts that worked n th past like jet sweep action. Tavon just gets Dunbar's old plays. New WRs getting th same old WRs route concepts, but again...waiting to pleasantly surprised.

My hope is having a longtime OL coach on th staff improves blocking schemes n creativity an overall execution. Alexander is th key addition to this offensive staff.

 

[Ranching]

There's going to be some major changes to the Cowboy's game plan. No doubt the offensive line will continue to be a key part of our success but, considering the new players in our offense, I think the offensive playbook will build upon several foundational plays.

Jet sweep actions: I look at the additions of C.Williams, Shultz and Austin along with Dak, Zeke and the rest of the O-line and can't help but be excited about the jet sweep and the plays we can build off of it. Take for instance the following play by the Rams:

You apply this play to us and it's still Austin running the sweep. But we've got Dak handing off to Zeke with Tyron pulling, Connor Williams blocking LB's on the second level, and one of our WR's blocking downfield...it's a devastating combination. Our team is made for this type of play and if we run the jet sweep with a variation of bootlegs, pitches, quick passes and runs from this type of setup I think we can have a lot of success.

21 personnel:
Last season we saw that the 49ers, Patriots and NFC South teams have a lot of success with 21 personnel and the Cowboys used Keith Smith to clear a path and get our running game going in that middle portion of the season when our run game was struggling. I expect we'll see a shift away from 12 personnel given the weakness of our TE's and no Witten Y-option route, and shift to more 21 personnel, using a fullback and plays built off power runs:

http://data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAUEBAAAACwAAAAAAQABAAACAkQBADs

In that respect, it's a shame we lost Keith Smith. But I do think the O-line can really make this kind of setup difficult to defend. But really we've got the O-line to use any combination of duo blocking, outside Zone runs with the line moving laterally, Power-O and Iso-Weak plays. It's something that could wear out a lot of defenses and if you keep them honest motioning out the backs and occasionally hitting Thompson, Hurns or Gallup on a deep ball off of play action it's not going to be fun for defenses.

RPO's: This is something Dak has had huge success in the RedZone and I think was so effective because teams would key so heavily into Zeke and the run that it made things extremely difficult to defend. Obviously, it required Dak to make good reads which he generally does but the throws themselves were generally low risk.

Looking at the concepts on this one play. Witten pulls leaving the LB in the trash, the Zeke fake draws the safety down into the box selling out the run, then Dak holds the safety with his eye on Dez whose on an island with the CB running a back shoulder fade, all this leaves Beasley wide open on the slant for the low-risk TD. We'll have to change it up with no Witten but we're still going to have a quality WR on an island and we'll still have Zeke, Beasley, and Dak in the play. Maybe Brown or Hurns play the Witten role or use Rico to keep the receiving threat, regardless I think we have options.

But I think the most important thing is to keep the pocket clean for Dak. If he has time to set things up, to access the field then he generally makes good low risk throws. He's not a gunslinger but he is a bit of a magician with a knack for disguising the ball. There's plenty of stuff we can and it looks like have done to make this more dak friendly.

I didn't realize our offense had a game plan!

 

[jday]

Not expecting much difference n th offense here. Waiting to be pleasantly surprised. I see them calling th same tired offense just adding concepts that worked n th past like jet sweep action. Tavon just gets Dunbar's old plays. New WRs getting th same old WRs route concepts, but again...waiting to pleasantly surprised.

My hope is having a longtime OL coach on th staff improves blocking schemes n creativity an overall execution. Alexander is th key addition to this offensive staff.

Ordinarily I'd agree in regards to this coaching staff. But the Jones' publically delivered an edict and backed it up with roster additions both in Free Agency and the draft. At this point Garrett and Linehan's jobs depend on them diversifying offensively and that likely means using the cubbard of weapons effectively and efficiently. If they don't, they won't last the season as a coaching staff.

 

[bud914]

 

[SoupcanSam]

Not expecting much difference n th offense here. Waiting to be pleasantly surprised. I see them calling th same tired offense just adding concepts that worked n th past like jet sweep action. Tavon just gets Dunbar's old plays. New WRs getting th same old WRs route concepts, but again...waiting to pleasantly surprised.

My hope is having a longtime OL coach on th staff improves blocking schemes n creativity an overall execution. Alexander is th key addition to this offensive staff.

I don't see it that way. You have to take into account that they let Dez go so it's not a Dez based passing attack anymore. Dak friendly is also an indicator that Dallas is definitly going in another direction.