What can be done about field position?

[Boyzmamacita]

I realize that a lot of things go into field position: special teams play, defensive turnovers or lack thereof, offensive turnovers or lack thereof, etc. The Cowboys routinely start deep in their own territory. When they score it's because they drove the whole field, 75 yards, 85 yards, 95 yards, etc. I guess the bright side is that they've shown that they can do it, but it's a recipe for an unsuccessful season. What can the Cowboys do, if anything, to fix the field position problem?

 

[Fizziksman]

getting more three and outs.

 

[Hagman]

Punt, instead failing time and time again on 4th down/fake punts.

 

[Oz-of-Cowboy-Country]

1) Stop returning kickoffs.
2) Defense needs to get off the field on third down.
3) Quit making boneheaded plays on defense (too many flags).
4) Stop trying to block punts and put on the return.

 

[Jake]

I realize that a lot of things go into field position: special teams play, defensive turnovers or lack thereof, offensive turnovers or lack thereof, etc. The Cowboys routinely start deep in their own territory. When they score it's because they drove the whole field, 75 yards, 85 yards, 95 yards, etc. I guess the bright side is that they've shown that they can do it, but it's a recipe for an unsuccessful season. What can the Cowboys do, if anything, to fix the field position problem?

The Cowboys are allowing 7.3 third down conversions per game. Only the Giants allow more.

So even when they do force a punt it's happening at midfield and they get pinned deep.

 

[fansince68]

I realize that a lot of things go into field position: special teams play, defensive turnovers or lack thereof, offensive turnovers or lack thereof, etc. The Cowboys routinely start deep in their own territory. When they score it's because they drove the whole field, 75 yards, 85 yards, 95 yards, etc. I guess the bright side is that they've shown that they can do it, but it's a recipe for an unsuccessful season. What can the Cowboys do, if anything, to fix the field position problem?

Tell dumb dumb "Pollard" to stay in the end zone. He's not a dynamic returner at all. I think 75 yrd drives are quite doable. But we get stuck with 80 and 90 yard drives when Pollard brings it out, followed by the obligatory penalty on our return team.

 

[J817]

Punt, instead failing time and time again on 4th down/fake punts.

Tell dumb dumb "Pollard" to stay in the end zone. He's not a dynamic returner at all. I think 75 yrd drives are quite doable. But we get stuck with 80 and 90 yard drives when Pollard brings it out, followed by the obligatory penalty on our return team.

I don’t think anything else can be said here tbh. This is pretty much the answers.

 

[Aviano90]

Reduce turnovers and increase takeaways. Quit being a disaster on special teams. Quit allowing the offense to drive the field every possession.

 

[Boyzmamacita]

These are some great answers. One big problem is our lack of takeaways by the defense. If we could miraculously start forcing turnovers it would make a huge difference in where our drives start. I want pass rush, coverage and turnovers so bad it hurts but, alas, we lack all three. I'm not saying the offense is perfect, but they're our strength while the special teams and defense put us in holes.

 

[Chuck 54]

For years starting field position sucked due to a bend but don’t break philosophy. Now it sucks, well, because the defense itself sucks.

 

[Cmac]

Remove Pollard as a KR.