They myth that Parcells never "opens up" the offenses

[TruBlueCowboy]

After reading Aaron Glenn's comments that the offense wasn't opened up, the players just executed better than previous weeks it got me to thinking, so I gathered up some numbers:

Here are the first 12 plays of each game and how many plays were passes or rushes. I've also listed how many passes ended up as receptions to a receiver, although I admit this isn't an accurate gauge. It would be safe to say, though, that if Parcells isn't opening up the offense before week 5, that there would be a lot less passing plays, and not as many receivers hit, right?

Wk 5 vs. Eagles

First 12 plays: 7 passes, 5 rushes
(7 pass attempts to receivers)

Wk 4 vs. Raiders

First 12 plays: 6 passes, 6 rushes
(4 pass attempts to receivers - not including the sack and scramble)

Wk 3 vs. 49ers
First 12 plays: 6 passes, 6 rushes
(1 pass attempt to receiver - not including a sack)

Wk 2 vs. Commanders

First 12 plays: 7 passes, 5 rushes
(5 pass attempts to receivers)

Wk 1 vs. Chargers

First 12 plays: 7 passes, 5 rushes
(2 pass attempts to receiver - not including sack, fumble, scrambling)

Plus, you gotta take into account that:

• In 1994, Parcells broke the record for most passing plays in a season with our same quarterback, Drew Bledsoe.
• Parcells was always quick to air it out with Testaverde on the Jets when they reached the AFC Championships.
• Parcells aired it out last year until Bryant was traded, Glenn was hurt, and we finally landed a legit starting running back in Julius Jones.

I really think most people still remember Parcells as that Giants Super Bowl coach who depended on one of the best defenses in NFL history, as well as a platoon of running backs for the slow ball control offense. He may have had the most success and television coverage with the Giants, but the numbers prove he has never been one to shy away from "opening up" the offense.

I think Glenn is right, the players simply executed. Looking at the play-by-play for the 1st quarter of each game, week 5 stands out to me because it's the first one where sacks, Bledsoe runnning for his life, and stupid penalties weren't mixed in. It's also the only one in which the Cowboys had 3 straight passes to begin the game which really isn't opening up the offense when you take into account the entire game.

I think "open up the offense" is just a key word with not much substance and means "just win" more than anything.

 

[joseephuss]

To me it was never about just throwing the ball. It was about utlizing multiple formations and mixing in different plays. They could be versatile on offense, yet still have the same run/pass ratio and maintain a conservative game plan.

I thought they did that this past Sunday. They pitched the ball back to Jones on the first 4th and 1 play. They had not pitched the ball to the tail back all season. Those are the kind of things that I was looking for from the offense.

 

[ravidubey]

The difference was subtle. For the first time, the pass consistently set up the run last Sunday. We had been leading with Julius almost exclusively until Sunday.

I agree with you, though, I think field position and the OL pass blocking had more to do with our "opening up" than the gameplan.