We have to pass the ball early, and on first, on Sunday

[JD_KaPow]

1) When your QB is second in the league in completion % and YPA, it might be an identification that it is okay to pass the ball on first down and early. That yes, it might lead to a second and 10, but A) the chance of that are low, and B) it really isn't that much different than 2nd and 8.

None of this supports your argument that we lost the Philadelphia game because we ran.

2) I actually forgot that run, thanks. That leaves him below 3 YPC over the first 3 drives. Not exactly the best stats if you want to win a game.

Wow. You seriously just argued that a one-yard TD run is bad because it lowers the runner's ypc.

3) The other drives are a counter example to that counter example. Fact is, if you score on 1 of 4 drives, you aren't going to win many games against good offensive teams.

Which, again, doesn't support your argument at all. We failed to convert on two 3rd-and-3 situations, one with an incomplete pass and the other with a sack. Please explain why the running game was at fault there.

4) Yes totally ignore all the yards through the air we had that put us in the red zone

Once again, nobody is arguing that passing is bad. You're trying to argue that running is bad. This doesn't support that argument.

For years people have said Garrett was way too predictable. It seems to me that we are just as predictable this year, but we don't want to change things up because we are 9-4, even against a team that crushed us 2 weeks ago.

People have said a lot of things over the years. They're often not right. For example, people have said that "we pass 95% of the time on 2nd and 8" as an argument that we're too predictable.

 

[endersdragon]

None of this supports your argument that we lost the Philadelphia game because we ran.Wow. You seriously just argued that a one-yard TD run is bad because it lowers the runner's ypc.Which, again, doesn't support your argument at all. We failed to convert on two 3rd-and-3 situations, one with an incomplete pass and the other with a sack. Please explain why the running game was at fault there.Once again, nobody is arguing that passing is bad. You're trying to argue that running is bad. This doesn't support that argument.

People have said a lot of things over the years. They're often not right. For example, people have said that "we pass 95% of the time on 2nd and 8" as an argument that we're too predictable.

"No we can't agree! Romo for years audibled out 8 man fronts for passes and it got us nowhere. Last year, I think broke the camel's back. Teammates became frustrated as well as coaches, not to mention FANS. So no, throwing just because they show an 8 man front doesn't mean success. Run first regardless. Romo had his time to prove what his arm can do, now it's the Oline and Murray's turn." Yes someone is arguing that passing is bad. Keep in mind that I am debating two people here. No a 1 yard carry for a TD isn't bad...but averaging exactly 3 YPC over 3 drives before that is bad. I am ONLY arguing that mixing things up is good... and this team doesn't mix it up at all on first down where we run it the highest % of the time in the league (yes, with a decent amount of success). Name me one time where I said running is bad? I have said that running when everyone knows you are going to run is bad, especially when you are playing a team that is 8th in the league in defensive yards per carry despite giving the other team a lot more drives (and thus a lot more chances to wear down their D). I have said scoring 3 or fewer points in the 1st quarter is bad. But I have never said straight up running is bad.

 

[Fmart322]

I agree with the OP. I don't think it will take the Cowboys out of their normal run first run heavy ways. Just a little change in the system to keep the eagles off balance.

 

[endersdragon]

P.S. If it helps I think we should be less predictable with our passing on 3rd and short, but it is harder to complain there when we are first in the league in 3rd down %.

 

[MRV52]

Stick to the game plan and run the ball down there throats. We just didn't execute against them the first game and I know that OL will come to play this time around.

 

[waving monkey]

what happened to the "Run the football mantra"
AROUND HERE

 

[Undisputed]

I think we do need to mix things up. Not necessarily with more passing, but within the running game itself. I'd like to see us run to the outside more and it appears that we're quite effective when we do it, regardless of who is touching the football. Who knows, we could be leaving some long rushing TDs on the field. Manageable 3rd downs are nice, but you put a lot of pressure on yourself to convert time and time again without the threat of a big play.

 

[TheFinisher]

Just admit, that your strategy is part of the reason we lost 2 weeks ago. It is plain to everyone, why not just admit it.

Our offense was bad two weeks ago because Romo looked horrible and not physically capable of playing.

 

[JoeKing]

Do not abandon the run heavy attack that gave us so much success this year. Make it clear to them we are committed to who we are this year and that's a run it down your throat team. Our O line must establish it's dominance (something it didn't do last game). The battle in the trenches is were this game will be won or lost.

 

[Oh_Canada]

I agree with the OP, at least make them respect the pass. If Romo can complete a few big plays early on first down the Eagles will have to back off. The run will always be there, but if the team falls behind early it allows the Eagles to be far more aggressive on defense.

 

[Coy]

Play action on first down should be golden in this game, specially in the first half.

 

[nablives]

Partially agree with the OP. The Cowboys are ridiculously predictable, but on 1st down, it's almost like they're telling a bad joke. When they don't run, it's shocking. They should try to be just a little more shocking this Sunday. I'd like to see them coming out trying to be a little more 50/50 when it comes to passing on 1st down this Sunday. I'd like to see them be aggressive on 4th and short yardage too. I mean insanely aggressive. It could backfire, but trying the same thing they did last time would be the definition of insanity. Any time Dallas gets past the 50,and they're facing 4th and 3 or less, just go for it. The Cowboys defense is weak, so if they really want to protect it, ignore the football know-it-alls that would have come out calling the same game on Thanksgiving, and attack that Philly secondary allowing the pass to set-up the run. I mean, assuming Romo is healthy enough to do it.

Then again, they could just be stubborn, and be run heavy until they're down by 3 touchdowns, and we could see how that works out.

 

[endersdragon]

Our offense was bad two weeks ago because Romo looked horrible and not physically capable of playing.

By the time we were down 30-7 he was 9 of 12 for I believe 128. How is it Romo's fault again.

 

[TheFinisher]

By the time we were down 30-7 he was 9 of 12 for I believe 128. How is it Romo's fault again.

First off, we were never down 30-7. So there goes that.

Secondly, everyone and their grandmother saw that Romo was incapable of putting much of anything on his passes that day and was erratic with his accuracy.

 

[LatinMind]

The problem is it seems we run the ball like 98% of the time on first down in the first quarter. This has lead to teams knowing exactly what we are going to do, which in turn has lead to slow starts for us in several games. If we have a slow start against the Eagles, the game is over just like it was last time.

Ok and is the run game bieng stopped? Pound that ball, thats whats gotten Dallas the record hey have now. Dallas ran the ball how they wanted to early. But if you didnt notice it wasnt the running that stopped drives it was errant passes by Romo. All you people talk about the media driven garbage but you eat it up and repeat what you hear from them like its holy water. Mix in some pass but run that ball allday long.

 

[endersdragon]

Ok and is the run game bieng stopped? Pound that ball, thats whats gotten Dallas the record hey have now. Dallas ran the ball how they wanted to early. But if you didnt notice it wasnt the running that stopped drives it was errant passes by Romo. All you people talk about the media driven garbage but you eat it up and repeat what you hear from them like its holy water. Mix in some pass but run that ball allday long.

2 weeks ago, yes we were stopped. Last week we were mostly stopped up until the last drive of the first half where Romo made the Bears fear our passing game. Romo was 9/12 for 128 yards before we were down 30-7 2 weeks ago. Murray was averaging 3 YPC in our first 3 drives 2 weeks ago (and the 4th and 5th drive brought that up to 3.75... respectable maybe but still really low). Once again, 8 games this year we have scored 3 or fewer points in the first quarter... I am just arguing that if we make them fear the pass early, we might do better.

 

[endersdragon]

First off, we were never down 30-7. So there goes that.

Secondly, everyone and their grandmother saw that Romo was incapable of putting much of anything on his passes that day and was erratic with his accuracy.

Sorry my bad, 30-10.