What is wrong with our running game!

[campbellman]

It is the same reason that we cant run a good screen play. It takes too long for the running play to develope. You need Jones to run towards the ball and meet Drew half way so Jones can hit the hole with a full head of steam. From what i have been seeing. Jones waits for the nimble Drew to bring the ball to him in the backfield which in turn allows the defense to get penetration. Our line is not a fast line, its a hit you in the mouth line. You have to hit the hole quick or get thrown for a lose.

 

[Doomsday]

It also seems like Al Johnson is getting pushed around a bit to me.

 

[RoysAHitta]

julius looks slow this year, he needs to shed some muscle. hes to bulky.

 

[blindzebra]

I question the stretch play we run wide, it takes too long, and if one blocker breaks down it kills the play. I'd love to see us use more of the pro set with a pitch.

Jones has had over 50 yards called back because of penalties so far, and is still on pace for 1400 yards and 16 TDs.

 

[bobtheflob]

We've also played against two of the best run defenses in the league and a third game in which we were behind most of the game. Everyone expects us to base our offense around the run game and game plan accordingly. Once teams start to pay more attention to our passig game JJ will have some good games

 

[Da Hammer]

Doesnt it seem that J.Jones is running more cautiously with the ball trying not to fumble instead of just going through the hole. BTW i'm new to the forums and its koo to talk about America's team with all the fellow Cowboys fans

 

[SALADIN]

It also seems like Al Johnson is getting pushed around a bit to me.

Ya think Dooms?

I like AJ's skill, his footwork and technique but he's just not strong enough or powerfull enough to play at the NFL level right now.

 

[Novacek84]

The running game is not the problem with this team. Julius is fine. The first time we get a sizable working margin in a game, you'll see Bill grind it out with Julius & others.

 

[Nors]

Teams are loading up on the run. Bledsoe is starting to make them pay. If that continues JJ will be free again.....

Remember in JJ's burst last year we were under .500 -

He's going to get his 1500 yards - no worry here and the Al Johnson bashing is funny! He's now getting 100?% snaps. Gurode fans deal with that! Its over.

 

[NorTex]

Let's see, we score 4 TDs in one game, 5 TDs in another game and we've discussing what's wrong with our running game?

I'm confused. But, whatever is wrong, I hope it gets worse. LOL

 

[ghst187]

It also seems like Al Johnson is getting pushed around a bit to me.

(QUOTE) Doesnt it seem that J.Jones is running more cautiously with the ball trying not to fumble instead of just going through the hole. BTW i'm new to the forums and its koo to talk about America's team with all the fellow Cowboys fans (QUOTE)

I know I saw replays where Al Johnson couldn't get his block and his man made the tackle, that happened on at least two plays that I can think of. On those two particular plays, everyone else had their blocks, JJ would've gone for a big gain but for Johnson's man.

It does seem JJ has lost some zip. He doesn't look as quick to me, and thus less lethal. If you can't run against the 69er's, who can you run against? LA and Flo are bulldozing people so I don't think you can put the blame entirely on the OL. Our OL should be better than last year, so far...IMO they have been. And JJ was tearing it up last year with a lesser OL.
Maybe JJ is being more cautious, maybe he bulked up too much. He just doesn't look as elusive to me. I have noticed that he waits for his blocks and sets them up better, but I liked the way he busted through the hole last year better. That really scares a defense.

Nors, I realize you're trying to make it an issue where everyone takes sides but I really don't care who is playing center, Gurode or Johnson, I just don't want them to miss their blocks or botch the snaps. So far, Johnson is missing some key blocks while Gurode is botching some snaps. Apparently, missing an occasional block is better than botching a few snaps and IMO that's why Johnson is starting over Gurode. I will say that I like Gurode in the run blocking game, he is much more powerful but whatever. Solid C play should be a given. It's been the weak link in our OL so far this year. It needs to get better.

on a tangent....I heard an announcer say that Jeff Faine was about to be benched or worse. He lost a bunch of weight and was having problems or something to that effect. I remember wanting us to draft him but we got Johnson instead. Interesting, well at least to me.

 

[fancow]

It is the same reason that we cant run a good screen play. It takes too long for the running play to develope. You need Jones to run towards the ball and meet Drew half way so Jones can hit the hole with a full head of steam. From what i have been seeing. Jones waits for the nimble Drew to bring the ball to him in the backfield which in turn allows the defense to get penetration. Our line is not a fast line, its a hit you in the mouth line. You have to hit the hole quick or get thrown for a lose.

Julius looks slow this year......

 

[stilltheguru]

and what does clinton portis look like?a overrated rb that doesnt put up touchdowns?



lol@ champ havin more tds then clinton.ok buddy

 

[BledsoetoWittenfortheTD]

whats wrong with the running game? Um how about Drew Bledsoe and the passing offense hogging the spotlight...might have something to do with it, but as long as were winning i could care less right now.

 

[Parcells]

Our problem is the offensive line!!

 

[Justis]

JJ still lead the game in rushing, as long as he stays with a 80 or so ypg average, while the "onus" is on Bledsoe, he's fine.

 

[DallasDW00ds0n]

Julius looks slow this year......

why would you even want to post at a Dallas forum?

 

[CanadianCowboysFan]

why would you even want to post at a Dallas forum?

When you beat your alleged rival twice in eight years, you have to enjoy it for awhile so he will hang around until December then disappear forever.

 

[31hammer]

The one thing I have noticed more then anything else is the lack of a true FB. Julius is usually running out of a single back formation or with the TE playing Fullback. ***? There's always someone coming free from the Defense it's usually the guy a fullback would block

 

[Kendo]

I agree with some of the posters here that Julius looks slow this year. It was something that I even mentioned to a friend of mine who I was watching the game with (who hates the Cowboys, but has the NFL ticket) and he agreed. I don't think that I am all that worried about it but it seems like he is lacking some explosiveness, getting through the line and sometimes seems slow to get the play going. Last year it seemed like he was hitting holes quickly and was upfield before anyone touched him more so than this year. Still pretty early though. My guess is that we will be alright in the long run.