Trent Dilfer calls out the run-loving dinosaurs

[Sarge]

Consider these two teams with identical defenses --

A) A team great at passing but lousy at running

B) A team good at passing and great at running

You would claim that Team B can threaten with both the run and the pass, and therefore is better. I'm saying that Team A is better. Team B's "balance" is less important than Team A's superior ability to pass. And that's the bottom line -- passing and stopping the pass is the key to winning.

Especially nowadays.

 

[CATCH17]

All the rules make this a passing league.

The defense has no advantages.

The best part about running though is that if you can do it with success you can control the clock.

 

[Oldschool7]

Since there is growing consensus on this point then you ask...well what can the Cowboys team do to capitalize on these trends?

1. Fans and local mediots need to support pass-first offenses and get over silly calls for "balance." Red needs fan support to do what it is needed in the modern game.
2. Jerry needs to use the draft and free agency to become an even more superior passing team. Get WRs and O-linemen to make the team even more Romo friendly. Romo-friendly = Win friendly.
3. Let's go get more help in the secondary--particularly at safety. A backup at OLB who can pass rush is also important.

 

[khiladi]

In Winter in Chicago

594 out of 786 yards were via air tonight...76% of he yardage

If Adrian Peterson had been out of the game----the Vikings would have won. Minn wouldn't have been caught up trying to impose AP into the offense with an outdated style of game. And believe me I do respect AP as an elite talent.

And it was because Adrian Peterson had 94 yards rushing, meaning he was a threat... It's called keeping defenses off balance... You forget the last 3 or 4 games, the Vikings were struggling and part of it had to do with the fact that they weren't running well...

 

[28 Joker]

Hats off to Jason Garrett for playing it safe when backed up this year. Denver and Green Bay got us, but Garrett did much better protecting Romo when backed up this year.

I saw draws and screens and the ball out.

A-MEN!!

Run the football and stop the run.

It's the safest path to victory.

Cowboys 145
Saints 65

You want to beat high flying offenses, keep them on the sidelines and wear their defense down.

 

[AdamJT13]

Run the football and stop the run.

It's the safest path to victory.

It has very little correlation to winning in the NFL.

 

[tyke1doe]

Unbelievably ignorant IMO.

When Favre has been free to play his way this season the Vikings are undefeated. He led a monumental comeback tonight----only sabotaged by an AP fumble.

That came on a pass play.

 

[TwoSteppinJJ]

I actually think Dilfer is one of the better TV turkey football experts. Hard to disagree with what he has to say on this.

 

[T-RO]

And it was because Adrian Peterson had 94 yards rushing, meaning he was a threat... It's called keeping defenses off balance... You forget the last 3 or 4 games, the Vikings were struggling and part of it had to do with the fact that they weren't running well...

That team is carried by an exceptional defense and by Brett Favre. If Favre is off that team is off.

The Vikings lost their first game because Kurt Warner was just better. Neither team could run a lick (running AP was a lost cause, 19 yards on 13 carries).

The Vikings lost their second game because Matt Moore was better (QB rating +110)

Their third loss was on the conservative first half coaching of Brad Childress. Once the offense opened up the Vikings dominated.

 

[T-RO]

That came on a pass play.

Yes it did, but my point is that AP is not the star of that team. He may be amazing to watch, a freak of nature---but it's on Favre's shoulders and the success of the passing team.

Sidney Rice is as important or more to that team as AP because of his value in the passing game

 

[Rampage]

Originally Posted by T-RO
Unbelievably ignorant IMO.

When Favre has been free to play his way this season the Vikings are undefeated. He led a monumental comeback tonight----only sabotaged by an AP fumble.

what happened against the Cardinals?

 

[tyke1doe]

Consider these two teams with identical defenses --

A) A team great at passing but lousy at running (New England)

B) A team good at passing and great at running (New York Giants)

You would claim that Team B can threaten with both the run and the pass, and therefore is better. I'm saying that Team A is better. Team B's "balance" is less important than Team A's superior ability to pass. And that's the bottom line -- passing and stopping the pass is the key to winning.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but Wasn't Team A the Patriots of 2007 and Team B the Giants of 2007?

2007 NFL INDEX STATS
Passing offense:
1. New England - 586 403 68.8 4731
21. NY Giants - 544 302 55.5 3154

Rushing offense:
4. NY Giants - 469 2148
13. New England - 451 1849

The Patriots were clearly the more superior passing team. The Giants were clearly the better rushing team. Conversely, the Patriots had an average rushing team and the Giants had a below average passing team.

Oh, and for good measure ...

The Pats had the No. 4 ranked defense overall, the Giants had the No. 7 ranked defense overall.

Remind me who won the Super Bowl again?

 

[tyke1doe]

Yes it did, but my point is that AP is not the star of that team. He may be amazing to watch, a freak of nature---but it's on Favre's shoulders and the success of the passing team.

Sidney Rice is as important or more to that team as AP because of his value in the passing game

Well, we'll see come playoffs who the Vikings rely on more - Favre or AP.

In the past when Favre's teams have relied on him, they have fallen short more often than not. We'll see what happens if the Vikings lean more on him.

 

[tyke1doe]

I actually think Dilfer is one of the better TV turkey football experts. Hard to disagree with what he has to say on this.

Remember, Dilfer is a quarterback. Of course, he's going to have a bias toward the passing game.

 

[T-RO]

what happened against the Cardinals?

Easy. Favre was outplayed by hall-of-fame Kurt Warner
22/32 285 yards 3 tds, 0 ints

The running games for both teams was benign and the game was decided in the air. Warner played better. The better passing team on that day won. Exactly as Adam and i have been saying.

 

[T-RO]

Remember, Dilfer is a quarterback. Of course, he's going to have a bias toward the passing game.

And when Cowher and Dungee and Bilichick talk about the ascendancy of the passing game...what exactly is their bias?

 

[tyke1doe]

And when Cowher and Dungee and Bilichick talk about the ascendancy of the passing game...what exactly is their bias?

The rules favor the passing game more. That doesn't mean that running the ball isn't as important.

Still, there's an inherent/perceived bias when a quarterback props the passing game over the running game.

 

[tyke1doe]

Easy. Favre was outplayed by hall-of-fame Kurt Warner
22/32 285 yards 3 tds, 0 ints

The running games for both teams was benign and the game was decided in the air. Warner played better. The better passing team on that day won. Exactly as Adam and i have been saying.

Uh, this was a poor example to use to make your point. Definitely not apples to apples.

Neither team had a great running display so this doesn't exactly help your argument.

Your argument is passing game > running game

not

better passing game > passing game (which was more the example of the Cardinals and Vikings.)

 

[T-RO]

Well, we'll see come playoffs who the Vikings rely on more - Favre or AP.

In the past when Favre's teams have relied on him, they have fallen short more often than not. We'll see what happens if the Vikings lean more on him.

Sure Favre has only won 12 playoff games and is only 2nd all-time in playoff yardage. Remind me again...How many playoff games have the Vikes won relying on Mr. Super Man? Hmmm. Telling. Great abs, though!

Insert Next Coin and Try Again.

 

[tyke1doe]

Sure Favre has only won 12 playoff games and is only 2nd all-time in playoff yardage. Remind me again...How many playoff games have the Vikes won relying on Mr. Super Man? Hmmm. Telling. Great abs, though!

Insert Next Coin and Try Again.

You changed the topic. When I offered that Warner's passing stats were better than Favre's, instead of focusing on the running games of both teams (which would have been true to your argument), you shift to talk about Favre's playoff record.

Wow.

But let me play along.

Who was Favre playing against?

You can't just offer up Favre's stats without putting them in context.

Who was he playing?
What was his opponent's run-pass ratio?
What was their defensive ranking?
Who was their quarterback?
Who was their running back?
What was their rushing ranking?
What was their passing ranking?
How many playoff games did Favre lose?
What were those teams run-pass ratio?
Their rushing ranking?
Their passing ranking?
Etc.

Your argument has no context. Next you'll be telling me that Vinny Testeverde and Drew Bledsoe won multiple Super Bowls because they rank near the top in terms of passing yards.

Stop.