Too much Pollard running up middle

[JohnBoy]

I also can't figure out why they don't do more designed roll-outs. Prescott seems to thrive on those, and since the O-line can't seem to hold up a pocket, just get #4 on the move. They only did this a couple times last night, I haven't seen it much this season. Why?

 

[OmerV]

I will check that....but if thats highlights....it is skewed data.

It's true highlights are skewed, but they are skewed to show success on all plays, not just certain types of plays. If his success was only or overwhelmingly on runs to the outside, that's what the highlights would show. But that's not what the highlights show.

I think the thing is to understand he isn't the bulldozer type running up the middle. He's not driving people back on their butts. But he has typically been very good at reading the blocks and finding the seams up the middle. Even in short yardage situations it seemed sometime he was as good a choice as Zeke - not because he was as strong or could drive tacklers back like Zeke, but because he found the seams where he didn't have to do that.

 

[Pass2Run]

Running Pollard up the middle set Dak up for his TD run. But I generally agree. If you're going to run up the middle, at least incorporate the play action.

 

[phildadon86]

I think the OL bears as much or more of the blame here.

Playcalling didnt help. There are more ways to run then straight.

 

[J12B]

It doesn't matter who runs up the middle.

The run blocking has been terrible this year.

Literally no lanes let alone gaps to run through.

 

[OmerV]

I also can't figure out why they don't do more designed roll-outs. Prescott seems to thrive on those, and since the O-line can't seem to hold up a pocket, just get #4 on the move. They only did this a couple times last night, I haven't seen it much this season. Why?

I was thinking that as I watched last night. Dak throws very well on the move, and the Chargers were bringing a lot of pressure, so throwing in an occassional roll out would seem to make sense.

 

[Pass2Run]

Hilarious this site is coming to the realization that their scapegoat wasn’t the problem

I've been saying it all along. That said, i was impressed with the overall game McCarthy called last night.

 

[OmerV]

It doesn't matter who runs up the middle.

The run blocking has been terrible this year.

Literally no lanes let alone gaps to run through.

I think that's the biggest difference from last year. There were seams to find last year that don't seem to be there this year.

That said, I'm not sure if Pollard is completely back to where he was before the injury. The burst and vision don't seem to be as noticeable, but at least some part of that could be a biproduct of the blocking not being as strong.

 

[quickccc]

Do you have the numbers that show otherwise? I'm going off what struck me as a fan watching games just like you are.

But I do have a video of him from last year. Watch this and tell me what you think.

First thing I saw and observed is what the OL scheme and blocking is in these videos..

And this was Joe Philibin and Kellen Moore regime run block designs and scheme.

Sure that these are " highlights" and not full film game session from start to end, but the high lights are displaying
creating lanes and angles for the edge, off tackle runs, getting Pollard into the secondary level of defenders.

We are not close to doing that now in this run scheme.

Up the middle gut for 2 yards, or yard loss ..or running out of shotgun formation again.

 

[SteveTheCowboy]

It's true highlights are skewed, but they are skewed to show success on all plays, not just certain types of plays. If his success was only or overwhelmingly on runs to the outside, that's what the highlights would show. But that's not what the highlights show.

I think the thing is to understand he isn't the bulldozer type running up the middle. He's not driving people back on their butts. But he has typically been very good at reading the blocks and finding the seams up the middle. Even in short yardage situations it seemed sometime he was as good a choice as Zeke - not because he was as strong or could drive tacklers back like Zeke, but because he found the seams where he didn't have to do that.

I stand by my original statement.

What if we only showed the lowlights....what would that prove.

We need the numbers.

 

[OmerV]

First thing I saw and observed is what the OL scheme and blocking is in these videos..

And this was Joe Philibin and Kellen Moore regime run block designs and scheme.

Sure that these are " highlights" and not full film game session from start to end, but the high lights are displaying
creating lanes and angles for the edge, off tackle runs, getting Pollard into the secondary level of defenders.

We are not close to doing that now in this run scheme.

Up the middle gut for 2 yards, or yard loss ..or running out of shotgun formation again.

I agree that the blocking hasn't been what it was last year.

 

[stiletto]

Supposedly MM spent 20 hrs a day at the Star last week and the runs up the middle are all he came up with apparently. LOL

 

[plasticman]

They miss Zeke. On short yardage and inside the 5 for sure.
Also miss him to soften up the DL's. And pass protection as well.
He lost a step, sure, but he was still valuable for many things.

Oh, and did anyone see him running pretty spry, on a screen, like over 60 yards, but called back for a hold.

His contract did not warrant keeping him. Wish they could have worked something out. It is obvious they miss him, for now. They need to get that fixed in the run game.

I agree but I think the worst part of it all is that they never made any serious attempt to replace him. Yes, they paid too much but you still have to pay someone something. You can't go in with a couple free agents and a 6th round pick. They have deliberately created a one dimensional offense and then blame Dak when they can't move the ball. I was one out of a small group of us that was concerned about almost the entire load going to Pollard. They desperately needed a second legitimate RB capable of getting the tough yards when needed.

I think Jerry has misinterpreted the RB market. Right now their contracts might not demand as much but you still need to have a legitimate weapon.

No defense is going to fear a RB with a 3.9 average yards per carry.

 

[quickccc]

I stand by my original statement.

What if we only showed the lowlights....what would that prove.

We need the numbers.

Will numbers show the run blocking schemes ?

 

[Croomraider]

This offense is a total snoozefest!

 

[john van brocklin]

They tried it twice I think, and Pollard got decent yardage both times. Why not keep doing that? At least until the opposing D figures out how to stop it?

Great Question !!!

 

[TwoDeep3]

If the line creates a hole, and then gets to the second level, Pollard has the wiggle to make long runs. But he is not the featured back . Never was, and it is painfully obvious never will be.

Fans screamed for long touchdown runs. Just like home runs. But those are rare compared to the consistent 4 yard gash. But that takes running lanes, and this line struggles with that.

What you are seeing about this offense is the line play, allowing defenders to harass the QB. And a lack of a real #1 receiver.

The team under Kellen Moore put up some astounding numbers. But during his time they had better skill players and a line that could win the individual match-ups.

McCarthy is running more. Primarily because of the Gulf Coast Offense©. But this team doesn't seem equipped to win the run game. As they weren't last season, for the most part.

So for the rest of this season, the team will create penalties, or allow the defense to move Dak off his spot, unless they are giving up sacks, all the while Cee Dee is carrying the passing game. Same song, same results as last year.

Cooks showed up last night, but he needs a stud WR who requires the double team, so Cooks can use his speed to get deep. He is not a possession receiver.
This shows up in every game. What shocks me is the fanbase ignores this problem, created by Jerry and Stephen, and picks out a whipping boy or two so the fan can feel better about the losses instead of realizing where the problem is and it will not be fixed this season.

Or perhaps ever since Jerry Jones appears he will live for eternity. Then Stephen with is calculator and online banking to check his daily worth will continue this until the end of the earth.

 

[nightrain]

Dowdle is the between the tackles guy right now.

 

[SteveTheCowboy]

Will numbers show the run blocking schemes ?

I don't know. If it were easy I'd already done it.

 

[Cmac]

Shotgun - handoff - pollard - middle - 1 yard... repeat 15x

....but Zeke was brutalized for having to endure that and OL flaws were overlooked. I'd suggest calling a play for TPollard as the center in a spread/gadget formation too. Only fair.