What happened to our offense?

[rcaldw]

I know I'm going to get killed the moment I post this, but it is my opinion, so here goes. I think our dysfunction is at the very top. It is Jerry Jones. What happens in Dallas is the classic response to not knowing what is wrong with something.... you just start changing things. The problem with this team has not been offensive scheme or play calling (this is the part that gets me killed). The problem was talent on the offensive line so that we couldn't run the ball. The problem was also a defense that couldn't get key stops and couldn't get people off the field. So, when we finally get the offensive line addressed, and we get a defensive group of coaches that can get the most out of our renewed talent (they have done a good job of drafting these past 3 years), we go and change the play caller. So, now we have the tools to do better and the whole offense is having to adjust to a new play caller that I DON'T THINK IS BETTER THAN THE ONE WE HAD. Personally, I would like to see all things stay the same except have Garrett take play calling duties back. I know my opinion is in the minority and that is ok with me. It is my honest view.

 

[rcaldw]

Yeah, I have. But it gets old when people complain when he has the audacity to throw to a receiver other than Dez or Witten and others complain when he doesn't. There literally were people in the game thread bashing him for throwing the ball to Williams and not forcing it to Dez.

I agree with you on that. I think a lot of the complaining is silly. I actually think Romo has played well this season. The turnovers are WAY down and I am glad to see it.

 

[big dog cowboy]

Witten being targetted 10 times is nonsense. It's time for Romo to get over his love affair with #82.

The biggest problem I saw with that is JWit wasn't open and Romo was forcing the ball on some throws.

 

[Idgit]

I know I'm going to get killed the moment I post this, but it is my opinion, so here goes. I think our dysfunction is at the very top. It is Jerry Jones. What happens in Dallas is the classic response to not knowing what is wrong with something.... you just start changing things. The problem with this team has not been offensive scheme or play calling (this is the part that gets me killed). The problem was talent on the offensive line so that we couldn't run the ball. The problem was also a defense that couldn't get key stops and couldn't get people off the field. So, when we finally get the offensive line addressed, and we get a defensive group of coaches that can get the most out of our renewed talent (they have done a good job of drafting these past 3 years), we go and change the play caller. So, now we have the tools to do better and the whole offense is having to adjust to a new play caller that I DON'T THINK IS BETTER THAN THE ONE WE HAD. Personally, I would like to see all things stay the same except have Garrett take play calling duties back. I know my opinion is in the minority and that is ok with me. It is my honest view.

I'm with you that the problem wasn't with the play calling. Though, I think the change of play callers had more to do with Jerry wanting JG to focus on actual problem areas and less with fixing the offensive play calling.

Until we play consistently better pass defense, we're going to get beat by teams with good QBs. What's frustrating is that this is something we've really tried to fix in recent years, devoting salary cap space, multiple high picks, changing defensive coordinators and schemes, retooling the S position, and rolling over our ILB/LB personnel. It's still not a strength of ours, and it's getting us beat.

 

[egn22]

Garrett's system is garbage and has been for all but one year that he had Sparano holding his hand. Until we finally install a system that plays to the strength of our players we're dead in the water. Sure we may make the playoffs one year, but any confidence we can actually win?

this. i'm convinced its the offense. its not Romo, not the line, not Murray, its the inability of this offense to play to the strength of some of our best playmakers.

 

[BourbonBalz]

Once again, when your offense can only manage to put up 14 points (only 7 more than our defense scored) against the worst defense in the league, you're going to lose. It's really just that simple. Zero points in the second half = LOSS!!!!!

 

[Vintage]

For years, people cried that Romo took too many chances. He is in full ball control mode now, and people are complaining. Interesting.

 

[BourbonBalz]

For years, people cried that Romo took too many chances. He is in full ball control mode now, and people are complaining. Interesting.

I was not one of those complaining. Romo is what he is. He's a dynamic QB that has to be allowed to "wing it" at times. It's when he's at his best. Sometimes it backfires, but I can live with it. What I'm seeing this year isn't Romo. He's being forced to play with one hand behind his back and it's not working. Taking care of the ball doesn't matter if you can't score.

 

[SDCowboy]

For years, people cried that Romo took too many chances. He is in full ball control mode now, and people are complaining. Interesting.

What's more is Romo is still on pace to meet or exceed his career highs in every major area except yards. The only difference is Romo isn't turning the ball over and people are complaining about it...

 

[rcaldw]

I'm not with the "just go wing it Tony" crowd. That is a sure recipe for .500 football or below. I actually think their approach is right at the moment. It is the execution of it that is very inconsistent and wanting. Turnovers determine football games for the most part. That is a stat you can trust. But we have to score points if we are going to emerge as a playoff team this year.

 

[Ring Leader]

We had 10 drives on offense. 3 were stopped with what would have been 3rd down conversions but the receivers dropped very catchable throws. 1 imploded with Leary's holding penalty on a converted 3rd down. 1 was terminated with a goal line fumble. 1 was a missed field goal. 1 was with almost no time left and no timeouts starting from our own 8. That leaves us with 3 drives ( 4 if you count the field goal miss drive) to put up 14 points. Also, we only had 7 offensive plays in the 3rd Quarter.

That's what "happened" to our offense.

 

[Gameover]

I still think room is the biggest problem

 

[Crown Royal]

How to play the Cowboys offense.

• Play lots of quarters coverage with underneath buzz. Don't let them throw deep.
• Blitz sparingly, but if you do, do it in the A and B gaps.
• Show 8 in the box - a LOT, to continue to discourage running.

How to beat what I just described - run the ball effectively.

 

[CyberB0b]

How to play the Cowboys offense.

• Play lots of quarters coverage with underneath buzz. Don't let them throw deep.
• Blitz sparingly, but if you do, do it in the A and B gaps.
• Show 8 in the box - a LOT, to continue to discourage running.

How to beat what I just described - run the ball effectively.

You can also blitz them to death.

 

[hairic]

It cuts both ways. Our offense couldn't keep our defense off the field either. Our defense was on the field too much and got worn down because our offense had way too many short possessions. Our offense could only manage 14 points against the 32nd ranked defense in the entire league??? Yea, that's clearly on our defense. LOL They sucked too, but I put far more blame on the offense.

No.

In the 2nd half, Dallas had drives of 7 plays, 7 plays, 11 plays, and 4 plays as time expired. What is a short drive to you, because 7 plays isn't short to me? 7 plays means at least two first downs unless there's a 4th down conversion. Went for 30 yards, 33 yards, 75 yards, 30+ yards. http://www.footballoutsiders.com/stats/drivestatsoff2013 has our average yards/drive at 29.76 for weeks 1-3, so it was way better than our average (which is average compared to the NFL). Also look at the plays per drive that is leading the NFL, it's just under 7 for IND.

Keeping Denver to their average 2013 performance next week will represent progress for the defense compared to what was just allowed in the 2nd half vs San Diego.

 

[BAT]

The biggest problem I saw with that is JWit wasn't open and Romo was forcing the ball on some throws.

Witten was open. Witten was just not having one of his better days. Not sure why Dallas always has the the receivers run come backs, but if Romo tosses that one 3rd and 8 pass over Witten's shoulder that is a long gainer and a sure first down. Instead Romo fires it right into Witten's numbers (Witten actually has to turn completely around while he is running up the field). I noticed that Witten always turns to look for the ball over his inside shoulder, even when he has a defender shading him on that side. That is too tight of a window, even for Romo, who then has to compensate by throwing a back shoulder pass.

And this is not even a Romo complaint. Romo is playing the new offense perfectly. He is accurate, no turnover and very little audibles - what many fans and media love to harp on him for. However, this new offense has the look of a west coast offense without any explosive plays (except the seam route up the middle). What is the point of an Air Coryell offense without the vertical routes? And Bill Walsh insisted that every pass be at least a foot in front of the receiver so the receiver maximizes YAC opportunities. Cowboys' coaches need to pick one offense and stick to it instead of cannibalizing the worst (but safest) elements of multiple offensive schemes.

But the Romo complainers got their wish, they wanted Romo to be less of a gunslinger and now you have him. He is still a very good QB, just not one of the most exciting anymore.

 

[Clove]

The play calling sucked and the receivers were drop-machines.

So how did New England win? I saw a ton of drops from Brady's receivers. You will make any excuse for Romo, you can't reason with the unreasonable. It's pointless debating with you.

 

[BourbonBalz]

No.

In the 2nd half, Dallas had drives of 7 plays, 7 plays, 11 plays, and 4 plays as time expired. What is a short drive to you, because 7 plays isn't short to me? 7 plays means at least two first downs unless there's a 4th down conversion. Went for 30 yards, 33 yards, 75 yards, 30+ yards. http://www.footballoutsiders.com/stats/drivestatsoff2013 has our average yards/drive at 29.76 for weeks 1-3, so it was way better than our average (which is average compared to the NFL). Also look at the plays per drive that is leading the NFL, it's just under 7 for IND.

Keeping Denver to their average 2013 performance next week will represent progress for the defense compared to what was just allowed in the 2nd half vs San Diego.

And just how many points did those "drives" produce????? The bottom line is our offense failed to produce any way you slice it up. As I said before, I'm certainly not giving the defense a pass. They sucked as well, particularly in the second half, but you've got to score points to win. The defense scored half as much as the offense. That's a HUGE problem.

 

[Ring Leader]

And just how many points did those "drives" produce????? The bottom line is our offense failed to produce any way you slice it up. As I said before, I'm certainly not giving the defense a pass. They sucked as well, particularly in the second half, but you've got to score points to win. The defense scored half as much as the offense. That's a HUGE problem.

Let's assess the suckiness by position group.
1. Linebackers
2. Receivers
3. Secondary.
4. D Line
5. Rinse & repeat

Items 3 & 4 are interchangeable. Notice a pattern here? 3 of our 4 worst position groups were on defense and we made Rivers look better than Peyton Manning, in his prime, on HGH.

 

[SDCowboy]

So how did New England win? I saw a ton of drops from Brady's receivers. You will make any excuse for Romo, you can't reason with the unreasonable. It's pointless debating with you.

Are you really comparing the Patriots to this team?