What would you do as a coach to improve the running game?

[PhillyCowboysFan]

It’s absolutely one of these two things. Our run blocking isn’t good (consistent) or (this is the one I believe), there is something that is tipping the opposing defense that it is a run play.

 

[Bigrandrn]

Last year when Dalton Schultz was here, much was pointed at the in-line TE blocking, as RBs
had difficult capturing the outside edges too often.

- Schultz bounced to FA, and the club sought to upgrade the TE blocking more so with Schoon,..to add
to Ferguson and McKeon.

- In '22, Martin was All pro, Tyler B even made the alternative replacement Pro Bowl, Tyler Smith filled in well for Tyron,
and even McGovern played adequately enuff at LG (an spot role he initially struggled early in his career)
and Steele was even playing at near a pro bowl level (only one sack) before his tragic ACL injury.

- Pollard was hitting the creases and lanes to showcase his sprinter speed that made him a 1st time Pro Bowler
to earn him a franchise tag deal. But the way he's being ran and pounded as a bell cow, he's not likely to have
much of a chance at recovering to his '22 form.

- Now it's not just no holes or lanes, or blockers able to pull and get to the 2nd level, or in space at RB screens
we are witnessing our backs constantly being popped and tackled into the backfield.
It wasn't near this bad last year under OL coach Joe Philibin.
we did not take a step forward - we've taken 2 steps backwards in OL play.

Totally agree, it’s not JUST the players, it feels like coaching and the change has played an obvious role.

 

[big dog cowboy]

- Pollard was hitting the creases and lanes to showcase his sprinter speed that made him a 1st time Pro Bowler
to earn him a franchise tag deal. But the way he's being ran and pounded as a bell cow,

Pounded as a bell cow? He had 193 carries (11.35 per game) and we all screamed to give him the ball more because Zeke was so ineffective.

So far this year he has 235 carries (14.69 per game) and suddenly he is pounded as bell cow?

 

[SexyDexy52]

I'd try short passes to the RBs and screens. Isn't that one of the tenants of the WCO. Isn't that also how a running back like Marshall Faulk worked in the Rams offense? Remember all the talking heads talking about long hand-offs which were short passes to the RBs? I for sure thought we would be seeing much more of that stuff in the Tex-Coast offense especially because of Pollards receiving ability....

 

[SexyDexy52]

I'd try short passes to the RBs and screens. Isn't that one of the tenants of the WCO. Isn't that also how a running back like Marshall Faulk worked in the Rams offense? Remember all the talking heads talking about long hand-offs which were short passes to the RBs? I for sure thought we would be seeing much more of that stuff in the Tex-Coast offense especially because of Pollards receiving ability....

Quick screens to the RBs, FBs and TEs

 

[3rdEyewarrior]

If you could implement a change or two going forward, what would you do to improve our lethargic running game?

For me, I'm doing everything I can to make sure the defense doesn't know when Pollard is getting it and where he's going. More misdirection. Designed rollouts to move the pocket. I would spread that defense out a little and run Dak just enough that they have to consider it.

But, I'd probably get Dak killed and certainly would not do any better at play calling.

What would you do? And do you do it this week? Or wait until the playoffs?

id use a fullback on every run. id require the receivers to block.

 

[rambo2]

If you could implement a change or two going forward, what would you do to improve our lethargic running game?

For me, I'm doing everything I can to make sure the defense doesn't know when Pollard is getting it and where he's going. More misdirection. Designed rollouts to move the pocket. I would spread that defense out a little and run Dak just enough that they have to consider it.

But, I'd probably get Dak killed and certainly would not do any better at play calling.

What would you do? And do you do it this week? Or wait until the playoffs?

The Miami technique of tackling linebackers seems to work.

 

[coult44]

Turpin gets 2/3 a game. Cooks 3-3 per game. Ceedee 2/3 per game, pollard 14/15 per game and almost none on first down.

 

[AKATheRake]

With Pollard we should be running more hitches and having him come out the backfield and enter the passing game a bit more as he is great catching the ball as a back.

Just that outside and option of him coming out the backfield will help him with room on inside runs. There’s literally no imagination when using this guy anymore and that was his strength. He was a WR in college.

Dowdle was never a legit answer as a complimentary run between the tackles back. 3rd string RB at best and Pollard is best suited as used last season. We draft next season. Pollard will be a FA next season, maybe we sign him but not as the #1 back he’ll want to be paid like.

 

[Starforever]

It was clicking for a while, but maybe passes to the backs out in the flat. Seems like other teams are pinning their ears back
'cause they know we are running.

On the flat passes, the blocking is not adequate. Dallas offensive players need to work on blocking as a whole unit.

 

[Starforever]

With Pollard we should be running more hitches and having him come out the backfield and enter the passing game a bit more as he is great catching the ball as a back.

Just that outside and option of him coming out the backfield will help him with room on inside runs. There’s literally no imagination when using this guy anymore and that was his strength. He was a WR in college.

Dowdle was never a legit answer as a complimentary run between the tackles back. 3rd string RB at best and Pollard is best suited as used last season. We draft next season. Pollard will be a FA next season, maybe we sign him but not as the #1 back he’ll want to be paid like.

This year, his catching out of the backfield has been so-so.

 

[Starforever]

Get a better center that can move the pile,someone like fredbeard is what this team is missing

It begins with the guy in the middle.

 

[cowboyed]

Jab the blockers if front of me in the butt with a sharp object.

 

[CCBoy]

it works on everyone

ive been a defensive tackle before and in practice my center decided to bust out the cut block which we usually werent allowed to in practice and if i wouldve dodo'd while i got cut block it wouldve went right into my dreadlocks

i was hesitant off the snap the rest of practice

And the old bull in a china closet built the desire to survive at all costs.

 

[CCBoy]

This is unfortunately probably the most realistic answer. And they've been trying a lot of this throughout the year.

Other answer.. Sit Tyron Smith, Zack Martin and Tyler Smith this weekend and let them heal. Not sure if that's possible with it being a must win game, and our limited depth, but a bye week would help tremendously with that line right now.

Steele is what he is. Unlike players like Jourdan Lewis, he's not getting better fast enough. I saw on PFF he was almost the worst rated OT in the league. Doh!

Biadasz is what he is too. A decent center, but no Travis Frederick or Andre Gurode or pick some of the good centers we've had. When Tyler and Zack are healthy, he is the obvious weak link in the middle. But he still has to be re-signed next year because we're in huge trouble with this lack of depth and older linemen if we go down at center. Center is one of those positions you don't realize how important it is until you get a bad player at the position.

Any way to lure Tony Sparano Jr from Colts to be our OL Coach next year? Always liked his old man and he's got the Colts now as one of the best O-Lines in NFL. And going to have to spend some draft picks and FA money or we're in trouble.

I fail to see a continuous run to excuses at this point. It is also not a non-stop blame it on the Jones family now. Let 'em live and fail on their own merits now...and leave the drum of failure instead of seeing how it plays out. The Cowboys know fully what they have. That no where depends on the weekly excuse and complaint of the day.

To listen to the two sentence solve all problems group it's just all futile. Sorry to that group, one thinks he can explain away all and returned to one's own view in two sentences. Get a life of one's own or just allow fans who are just trying to show respect, sacrifice, and faith.

Lord, Jerry and the Cowboys need your assistance for their many sacrifices and showing you heart...amen, or shalom.

 

[CCBoy]

Schoolers still learn this: (voluntarily applied)

The Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag: "I pledge allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America, and to the Republic for which it stands, one Nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all,"

That standard can apply to Dallas fans as well...loyalty, faith, and respect.

 

[Diehardblues]

Pollard is gone ,nice complimentary back but not #1 back.

Will be a priority in draft.

 

[Cowboyny]

If you could implement a change or two going forward, what would you do to improve our lethargic running game?

For me, I'm doing everything I can to make sure the defense doesn't know when Pollard is getting it and where he's going. More misdirection. Designed rollouts to move the pocket. I would spread that defense out a little and run Dak just enough that they have to consider it.

But, I'd probably get Dak killed and certainly would not do any better at play calling.

What would you do? And do you do it this week? Or wait until the playoffs?

You use a short passing game as the extension of the run. Team cannot be consistent facing 3rd and longs against the better defenses. I would also consider giving the likes of Lamb, Turpin some carries as well.

 

[noshame]

Fire OL coach

 

[Whirlwin]

If you could implement a change or two going forward, what would you do to improve our lethargic running game?

For me, I'm doing everything I can to make sure the defense doesn't know when Pollard is getting it and where he's going. More misdirection. Designed rollouts to move the pocket. I would spread that defense out a little and run Dak just enough that they have to consider it.

But, I'd probably get Dak killed and certainly would not do any better at play calling.

What would you do? And do you do it this week? Or wait until the playoffs?

With the same exact players, we have right now. I would have more place called with the full back in the backfield. But not running please so they don’t get used to him being there and know it’s running play , . I would run more of the outside.