This offensive line is sorely missing Bill Callahan

[CowboyRoy]

The run blocking just isn't the same through two games. I see people calling for Michael to be activated. For what? He's not going to do anything with these non-existent running lanes.

Randle actually did GREAT today considering the blocking he got. There were more than a few runs where he turned what should have been a loss into a small gain.

Meanwhile, rookie Matt Jones goes off today for the Commanders, coached by Callahan.

I'm not saying Callahan was the sole reason for success last year, but I am saying that we don't seem to be getting the most out of our talent up front thus far.

Pass blocking is incredible.

run blocking, although I want to agree that the blocking hasnt been as good its really two reason:

-People are stacking to stop the run. That is the MO against the Cowboys and certainly with Dez out. And it will get worse with Romo out.
-Our RB's simply arent doing a great job. Plenty of people kept saying how we would be "just fine" with the backs we have. And although the backs have been "effective", this run game is nothing close to what we had last year, or good enough. We havent scored on goal line and short and they seem scared to run on third and short also.

McFadden is a complete joke of a back and that was evident, yet again. Michaels is really our only hope here. Like Randles versatility and he had some nifty runs, but he will never be a great back. Michaels may not either, but I would like to see more power in these runs.

 

[TonyRomo17]

Watch us run all over that soft Atlanta front, especially if they plan to give Vic Beasley a lot of snaps,

 

[ologan]

I think we'd look a bit better, but there are also other factors to consider. Murray was unreal last year. Two, Dez Bryant spaces things out, which helps out the run game. Since other teams aren't really worried about us launching it down the field with Dez out, they can focus on stopping the run. Philly also has a very talented defensive line.

Stop,stop....You're making too much sense!

 

[Frosty]

The run blocking was there in the Giants game. Part of the issue is that both the G-Men and Eagles are heavy blitzing teams. And whether people like it or not, we miss Murray's performance on the ground. Randle and McFadden are leaving a lot of yards on the field. I see our running game a lot like the Packers' before they got Lacy. It's not going to be a power game, but it's still serviceable and with their ability to catch the ball, it's productive overall.



YR

Whats your opinion on Christine Michael...can this guy bring the power game back to Dallas or just another serviceable RB?

 

[DCBoysfan]

We have also played two tough Div. teams. I liked Callahan, but I knew he wasn't coming back. I have seen the skins games they have improved run blocking and have two good backs, but the pass blocking still remains much to be seen.

 

[Future]

And whether people like it or not, we miss Murray's performance on the ground. Randle and McFadden are leaving a lot of yards on the field.

People keep saying this about Randle. None of those people have cited anything specific.

 

[Yakuza Rich]

Whats your opinion on Christine Michael...can this guy bring the power game back to Dallas or just another serviceable RB?

I watched him, I think it was 2 years ago, in preseason. I predicted him to win the rookie of the year award. I know it was preseason, but man...what an explosive tailback.

He's not like Murray in that Michael is more speed explosive and Murray is more power explosive.

I'm a little concerned that the Seahawks were willing to part ways with him, but they do use Lynch a ton and are paying him good money. But, it makes me wonder how good his blitz pickup is. Usually players that show that much speed and explosion that can't get any time are either lousy in blitz pickup or fumble a lot.




YR

 

[Yakuza Rich]

People keep saying this about Randle. None of those people have cited anything specific.

He's leaving a lot of yards on the ground because he can't break thru arm tackles like Murray can. Especially when we run that one play that's kind of like a counter stretch play. The blocking is there for 8 yards and he gets maybe 4 yards out of it.





YR

 

[Future]

He's leaving a lot of yards on the ground because he can't break thru arm tackles like Murray can. Especially when we run that one play that's kind of like a counter stretch play. The blocking is there for 8 yards and he gets maybe 4 yards out of it.

Show me where that has happened. There was one play in the Giants game where he got tripped up by a DL. Unless you can point to something specific, there is absolutely no validity to this line of thinking, from you or anyone else.

 

[burmafrd]

Martin is not 100%. Free is rusty. Leary is out. Why should anyone be surprised that the O line is not what it was? Add to all that the fact that they hardly had any game time playing as a unit so far and some gomers here need to take a chill pill.

 

[Yakuza Rich]

Show me where that has happened. There was one play in the Giants game where he got tripped up by a DL. Unless you can point to something specific, there is absolutely no validity to this line of thinking, from you or anyone else.

When Randle goes into the piles he doesn't push the pile forward. It's as simple as that. Obviously, you have your mind made up about the guy. But, he's leaving yards on the field and I don't have the time nor the interest in making screen shots to please you which you still won't buy into because your mind is already made up.




YR

 

[Future]

When Randle goes into the piles he doesn't push the pile forward. It's as simple as that. Obviously, you have your mind made up about the guy. But, he's leaving yards on the field and I don't have the time nor the interest in making screen shots to please you which you still won't buy into because your mind is already made up.

Show me a play that he left yards on the field.

You don't have the time or interest, fine. To me it just means you can't support your own argument with anything factual.

 

[TheCoolFan]

Maybe. They might just be going through growing pains too...it looks like Zack Martin is in for a sophomore slump this season.

 

[btcutter]

The run blocking just isn't the same through two games. I see people calling for Michael to be activated. For what? He's not going to do anything with these non-existent running lanes.

Randle actually did GREAT today considering the blocking he got. There were more than a few runs where he turned what should have been a loss into a small gain.

Meanwhile, rookie Matt Jones goes off today for the Commanders, coached by Callahan.

I'm not saying Callahan was the sole reason for success last year, but I am saying that we don't seem to be getting the most out of our talent up front thus far.

I think we miss him some but I honestly don't know how much. Let's not forget by the end of the season last year the running game wasn't exactly tearing it up. December and Playoffs were Romo time. It was the passing game that won most games in Dec and Playoffs.

This is the NFL. Once teams know you are running they will make you prove it with 8 man in the box. Now without Dex....8-9 in box.

 

[xwalker]

He's leaving a lot of yards on the ground because he can't break thru arm tackles like Murray can. Especially when we run that one play that's kind of like a counter stretch play. The blocking is there for 8 yards and he gets maybe 4 yards out of it.

YR

Show me a play that he left yards on the field.

You don't have the time or interest, fine. To me it just means you can't support your own argument with anything factual.

Yes, I want to know which plays in the Giants game that Randle was "arm tackled".

I have not reviewed the Eagles game yet, but Randle was solid in the Giants game. There was 1 play where I thought he could have broken the tackle and almost did.

 

[kramskoi]

Our offensive line really struggled last year against Philly. Their front 7 is just really, really good. I don't think their performance today (other than the penalties) was any worse than we saw in either matchup last year.

Yes...it was definitely tough sledding last year, even with the entire offense intact:

2014: game one 24 for 94 yds/ 3.9ypc
2014: game two 38 for 116 yds/ 3ypc
2015: game one 33 for 109 yds/ 3.3ypc

...considering that the 2014 offense had Bryant and Murray in the fold, yesterday's numbers don't look so bad...especially with Leary out.

 

[xwalker]

The run blocking just isn't the same through two games. I see people calling for Michael to be activated. For what? He's not going to do anything with these non-existent running lanes.

Randle actually did GREAT today considering the blocking he got. There were more than a few runs where he turned what should have been a loss into a small gain.

Meanwhile, rookie Matt Jones goes off today for the Commanders, coached by Callahan.

I'm not saying Callahan was the sole reason for success last year, but I am saying that we don't seem to be getting the most out of our talent up front thus far.

It's possible but I don't think Callahan being gone is the problem. All of the OLinemen except Collins have already been coached up by Callahan. They wouldn't just forget everything in 1 off-season. I'm sure the actual running plays have not changed.

1. Without Dez defenses have and extra defender against the run because they normally doubled Dez.

2. Defenses probably studied the Cowboys scheme all off-season to see if they could find ways to counter it.

3. Leary was out against the Eagles and part of the Giants game. Frederick says that Leary is the scariest guy on the team and that he intimidates people.

4. Free is not very good. He limits the run blocking scheme because they try to scheme to get him matched up on a smaller player which is more difficult against a 3-4 team because they basically have the equivalent of 3 DTs. That means they try to get Free is matched up against a 3-4 OLB and not a 3-4 DE.

5. Once Weeden was in the game they loaded up against the run.

6. I saw at least 1 run play that failed because of the new TE Swaim. Hanna was a very good run blocker last year, but was limited in game 1 and out in game 2 this year.

In regards to coaching, I will say that at times it appears that the defense knows what the play is going to be pre-snap. I've only noticed this with regards to some run plays.

 

[bodi]

I don't miss him

Without Dez defenses have and extra defender against the run because they normally doubled Dez

yup X

 

[conner01]

The run blocking just isn't the same through two games. I see people calling for Michael to be activated. For what? He's not going to do anything with these non-existent running lanes.

Randle actually did GREAT today considering the blocking he got. There were more than a few runs where he turned what should have been a loss into a small gain.

Meanwhile, rookie Matt Jones goes off today for the Commanders, coached by Callahan.

I'm not saying Callahan was the sole reason for success last year, but I am saying that we don't seem to be getting the most out of our talent up front thus far.

Maybe a bit too early to judge
We had a great run game last year but we didn't every single game
Patients

 

[CowboysFaninHouston]

The run blocking just isn't the same through two games. I see people calling for Michael to be activated. For what? He's not going to do anything with these non-existent running lanes.

Randle actually did GREAT today considering the blocking he got. There were more than a few runs where he turned what should have been a loss into a small gain.

Meanwhile, rookie Matt Jones goes off today for the Commanders, coached by Callahan.

I'm not saying Callahan was the sole reason for success last year, but I am saying that we don't seem to be getting the most out of our talent up front thus far.

or could it be that teams know our mentality, we played two division games and philly was a good team against the run. giants did a lot of run blitzed on defense and philly is got a pretty good front 7.

step off the ledge. there isn't enough evidence to suggest one way or the other.