One of the after shocks of the rams loss for me was what I saw when I went back and watched the game again. I usually record all the Cowboys games so I can go back and look at the game when I’m not just into the moment live.
My impression after watching that game again after a couple of weeks of letting it stew, was how badly our team got outcoached. The effort was there. Our guys played hard for a full 60 minutes. Effort wasn’t the problem at all.
DEFENSE
Here’s the obvious kicker- on defense everyone was constantly out of position. They simply used our aggression from our front 7 against us. They DID NOT physically whip us. They just hatched a game plan that took advantage of our tendencies on defense. They came up with a great game plan that didn’t require physical dominance. Let’s call it a “modern” game plan. A 2019 game plan. Lots of deception and finesse.
OFFENSE
Us on offense, it was the exact opposite. Garrett and Linehan offer no wrinkles other than an occasional three TE formation or using Noah Brown as a blocker in short yardage situations. Our offensive game plan was simple- run the ball, physically dominate them. Pass when you’re behind the chains.
Problem is what are you gonna do when Connor Williams and Joe Looney can’t block Aaron Donald? Garret’s Answer: Keep doing it anyway. In fact our game plan looked it was devised for a game in ‘93 when our Cowboys could physically dominate anyone. But it’s 2019 and no team in this league can physically dominate anyone else.
CONCLUSION
We have a lot of talent now on this roster. We aren’t that far away from anyone in this league in the talent dept. But we are way behind in the coaching dept but Jerry apparently isn’t bothered enough by that. We got beat in the film room and rams coaches offices- not on the turf. We rolled out a ‘93 game plan against the best game planner in 2019.
And If we’re ever going to compete for a championship in my lifetime again our 76 year old owner has to understand that Garrett isn’t going to get us to the promised land without a major offensive philosophy change. I’m not holding my breath. His only coaching move appears to hinge on our ability to physically dominate everyone.
SMDH.
Offense
actually the problem I see with the O i the time it took to implement, it's as if they were still putting in aspects of the O in week 16 ... while at the same time working in personnel, due to injury. And bad OL coaching and of course the brilliant FO that didn't resign Cooper.
Whoever the new OC is Colombo is on short leash. BTW, add a LG in FA and this OL is fixed, assuming a healthy Frederick.
Dak friendly means extending plays and getting the ball u field to Zeke, Cooper, Gallup, Austin, Hurns, and IMO Jarwin. Notice, the play speed of the Zeke, Cooper, Gallup, and Austin.This is a big play O in development. Not a simple ball control system.
this is headed away from a 50/50 run / pass to more like 45/55
even at that Zeke needs a play making back up
also don't be surprised if Kellen is the OC
Defense
no TOs from a system that's supposed to produce TOs in exchange fora gambling run D that some times stops people in the back field or gets gashed.
a health Rams OL mashed our sup par and injured DT rotation (notice how different that game would be with Irving, or any above average DT added) ... most every observer of this team screamed for a DT last off season ... the FO did basically nothing - huge area of need
the other huge need unaddressed last year was FS - a true ball hawk
BTW, we watched Kris call plays in Rod's 4.2 system ... the Ram's game is evidence he may not be the next great DC in the NFL, we shall see
Conclusion - a dumb FO can trump their own good talent choices with glaring weak spots ... the Boys season ended because they were manhandled by a healthy OL and DL, units they failed to build in the off season
football is won and lost in the pit