The Running Game Is Broke

[gbrittain]

I truly believe that the sky is the limit for Cowboys version 2006. However, there is one aspect of the game that is truly worrisome. The running game is broke.

Dallas has ran the ball more than all but two teams, the Falcons and the Steelers. However the Falcons and the Steelers have a 5.2 and 4.0 yards per carry respectively.

Dallas is sitting at a 3.4 yards per carry which is only three slots removed from last place in the NFL. I truly believe that the offense would start clicking if Dallas could develop some kind of running game.

When you take into account that Dallas is a conservative team that likes to take advantage of the play action pass, having a 3.4 average yards per carry can not be a good thing.

 

[TheHustler]

Well, at least 3.4 x 3 = 10.2

 

[Bob Sacamano]

one word:

DRAFT

we look there for some Oline help, we need some athletic guys who can get out there and block

 

[gbrittain]

Well, at least 3.4 x 3 = 10.2

You laugh, but that is about the only bright side I see in their running game. :bang2:

 

[Eskimo]

The biggest problem with the running game right now is Rivera - he is terrible. He whiffs or gets stuffed on an alarming number of run plays. I have no idea how this guy made the Pro Bowl because he is probably the worst OL we got right now - even Pettiti and Tucker are better in the run game than this fellow.

The worst part of it is we should have known better after we had already given one old, injured OG a massive contract and then constantly worried about whether we would have to release him and take a massive cap hit.

I seriously wonder if we wouldn't be better off with Gurode in there on the running downs.

 

[ghst187]

The running game is "broken", meaning not working rather than broke meaning lacking in money.

 

[gbrittain]

The running game is "broken", meaning not working rather than broke meaning lacking in money.

Are you serious?

That is all you have to add?

 

[kojak]

I truly believe that the sky is the limit for Cowboys version 2006. However, there is one aspect of the game that is truly worrisome. The running game is broke.

Dallas has ran the ball more than all but two teams, the Falcons and the Steelers. However the Falcons and the Steelers have a 5.2 and 4.0 yards per carry respectively.

Dallas is sitting at a 3.4 yards per carry which is only three slots removed from last place in the NFL. I truly believe that the offense would start clicking if Dallas could develop some kind of running game.

When you take into account that Dallas is a conservative team that likes to take advantage of the play action pass, having a 3.4 average yards per carry can not be a good thing.

And were still 6-3 with a broken running game. But I think some of the problems are that our running game is so predictable and teams have caught on to it. Try mixing it up a little, maybe try some sweeps. Anything but pounding it up the middle most of the time. That isn't working

 

[gbrittain]

And were still 6-3 with a broken running game. But I think some of the problems are that our running game is so predictable and teams have caught on to it. Try mixing it up a little, maybe try some sweeps. Anything but pounding it up the middle most of the time. That isn't working

I don't pretend to have all the answers as to why the running game is "broken" but whether it is the runners, blocking, playcalling or a combination of all the above, it is a problem that could prove to be costly.

 

[Billy Bullocks]

I wouldn't really put it on the backs, as some people seem to be doing. Talking about getting a guy like Adrian Peterson, etc. I think it has more to do with the line. With a healthy Adams, and a good center, I think this line can be real good. Pettiti has been above average, and beside the Arizona game, he hasn't had a bad day out really.

 

[gbrittain]

I wouldn't really put it on the backs, as some people seem to be doing. Talking about getting a guy like Adrian Peterson, etc. I think it has more to do with the line. With a healthy Adams, and a good center, I think this line can be real good. Pettiti has been above average, and beside the Arizona game, he hasn't had a bad day out really.

BTW I am not down on JJ. I do think if JJ had been healthy all year that our running game would be at least somewhat better.

 

[ghst187]

Are you serious?

That is all you have to add?

oh yeah yeah, and also....
1) we simply have to pass to set up the run. Don't see any way around it. Our OL isn't good enough to line it up and run down people's throats
2) We have to stop telegraphing our running plays. It's painfully obvious when we're going to run the ball based on our formations.
3) In order to do #1 and #2, we can't give our OTs as much help. Maybe we need to use more quick routes from different formations?

 

[jazzcat22]

Not Broken, just needs some TLC and some duct tape. Rig it, put it back on the field.
Let JJ, MB, TT have their own TRIPLET coming out party starting this week. A little 3 in 1 oil, loosen it up, and start working like a well oiled machine for the stretch run. BP can kick the OL right in their rusty bu(tt)ckets, get them in gear to lead the way.

Now are we ready for some mechanical drilling of teams into the ground all the way to the SB.

 

[gbrittain]

oh yeah yeah, and also....
1) we simply have to pass to set up the run. Don't see any way around it. Our OL isn't good enough to line it up and run down people's throats
2) We have to stop telegraphing our running plays. It's painfully obvious when we're going to run the ball based on our formations.
3) In order to do #1 and #2, we can't give our OTs as much help. Maybe we need to use more quick routes from different formations?

Whewww...I was getting worried about you. All is good though. :

What just kills me are the times when Dallas runs on first down for no gain or a small loss, so in turn they run again on second down and bring up a obvious passing down.

I agree with your #1, 2, and 3 sentiments BTW.

 

[Hostile]

Adrian Peterson of Oklahoma would be a nice fix when he comes out.

 

[burmafrd]

We have the backs already. We don't have the line to block for them.
By the way, LA got his contract the year before the ankle injuries. At the time he got the contract, he was considered by many the best O lineman in the game. And he was under 30; many O linemen can play at a pro bowl level to the age of 36, even 37. UNFORTUNATELY right after that he got injured and has never really been the same.
Our center can pull and move, but is unable to hold his ground against the bigger D linemen, and cannot move them. Our RG had that injury and apparently has not recovered, or is unable to power block as well as we thought. Our RG can still do it; but does not do it consistently. And our young tackles are so busy learning to pass block that the run blocking is being shortchanged. Add it all together and it is no suprise our running game pretty much sucks. IT SEEMED to be getting better from the first Philthy game and the next 2; but it badly regressed on Monday. Perhaps that is a one off- we shall see against Detroit.

 

[gbrittain]

We have the backs already. We don't have the line to block for them.
By the way, LA got his contract the year before the ankle injuries. At the time he got the contract, he was considered by many the best O lineman in the game. And he was under 30; many O linemen can play at a pro bowl level to the age of 36, even 37. UNFORTUNATELY right after that he got injured and has never really been the same.
Our center can pull and move, but is unable to hold his ground against the bigger D linemen, and cannot move them. Our RG had that injury and apparently has not recovered, or is unable to power block as well as we thought. Our RG can still do it; but does not do it consistently. And our young tackles are so busy learning to pass block that the run blocking is being shortchanged. Add it all together and it is no suprise our running game pretty much sucks. IT SEEMED to be getting better from the first Philthy game and the next 2; but it badly regressed on Monday. Perhaps that is a one off- we shall see against Detroit.

It does appear that our OL can pass block better than they can run block. It just kills me to see this, because I can see Dallas contending for something serious at the end of the year, but I can see this problem rearing its ugly head and costings Dallas big time.

 

[Chuck 54]

I truly believe that the sky is the limit for Cowboys version 2006. However, there is one aspect of the game that is truly worrisome. The running game is broke.

Dallas has ran the ball more than all but two teams, the Falcons and the Steelers. However the Falcons and the Steelers have a 5.2 and 4.0 yards per carry respectively.

Dallas is sitting at a 3.4 yards per carry which is only three slots removed from last place in the NFL. I truly believe that the offense would start clicking if Dallas could develop some kind of running game.

When you take into account that Dallas is a conservative team that likes to take advantage of the play action pass, having a 3.4 average yards per carry can not be a good thing.

Some weeks it's broken...Some weeks it's not.

I think sometimes you have to give credit to the defensive team, to the DC, and to the scheme. Good defense does stop a running game. WE controlled LT and stopped Portis, among others...are going to suggest something is wrong with their running games?

Look back over Emmitt's stats in the years we had an OL with 3 guys going to the ProBowl. It's not like he ran crazy every week. Emmitt had plenty of 60 yard rushing performances. Some teams play better run defense and will stop any team's running game.

 

[gbrittain]

Some weeks it's broken...Some weeks it's not.

I think sometimes you have to give credit to the defensive team, to the DC, and to the scheme. Good defense does stop a running game. WE controlled LT and stopped Portis, among others...are going to suggest something is wrong with their running games?

Look back over Emmitt's stats in the years we had an OL with 3 guys going to the ProBowl. It's not like he ran crazy every week. Emmitt had plenty of 60 yard rushing performances. Some teams play better run defense and will stop any team's running game.

I understand that Wayne, I know not every week can be a great week or average week for that matter.

I am looking at the big picture, the one that says we run for an average of 3.4 yards per carry. Again, that is tied for third worst in the league. This is obviously not a case of good weeks vs bad weeks.

 

[followthestar]

JJ getting injured broke our continuity, and MB3 almost broke his foot in camp so he took a while to get up to speed. does that mean our continuity didn't have any money, or that MBs' bones had no cash on hand...?