Which philosophy do you adhere to?

[ABQCOWBOY]

Neither sets up the other. A defense is susceptible to the run, or to the pass, or to both depending personnel, scheme, down and distance, and game situation. But it's the passing game that can do the most damage, regardless.

I actually think that the running game helps the OL and the Defense more then anything in most cases.

 

[YosemiteSam]

Does it matter. Cause and effect.

 

[Doomsday101]

Do you believe the run sets up the pass, or does the pass set up the run? Explain why you feel that way.

I ask this because there are many varying opinions on which does which. Personally, I think that you run to set up the pass. I know this may seem like an "old school" way of thinking, but that's how I played football (and how I coach it) and I have been very successful sticking to that thought process. This also varies on the team you're playing against. If the team has a very strong front 7 but a weak secondary, obviously you will pass more. If you look at teams who consistently are competing for state/national titles, they are typically considered "pro style" offenses. The run and shoot, spread, and up tempo offenses which rely more on the pass are just a good way to hide lack of ability and talent in certain areas. The same could be said for the option based offenses too, just look at Georgia Tech and Navy. The teams that strictly run the option are few and far between compared to teams that run the spread. If you look at Ohio State vs Oregon for the national title in 2015 Oregon couldn't compete with Ohio State running the ball down their throat. Oregon's defense was exhausted by the end of the game where Ohio State's was pretty fresh because they weren't out on the field as much.

Also, if using the spread, and you're up by 21 (for example) very early in the game because of the quick hitting offense, it gives the other team time to catch up. Especially if they start to key on certain plays you run and force you into a bunch of three and outs. In addition when you get up by that many points you attempt to run the ball to drain the clock, only your team isn't built for that, so you struggle to gain any yards (leading to more 3 and outs) and the opposing team has a chance catch up. Whereas if you primarily run the ball (and are successful) you drain the clock, wear down the opposing defense, and keep your defense fresher. This translates to big success late in the game, and even in close games, where if you're driving down the field at will there is nothing the other team can do to score while you are on the field.

I am curious to see what is everyone's thoughts on this. Keep it civil, defend your argument and lets have a good debate.

I have always believed if you want to take the fight out of a team and impose your will on them, then shoving the ball down their throat is a good way to do that. In pass protection the OL is pretty much defending the QB but in run blocking you are attacking the DL and I think it also helps in slowing down the pass rush. Having said that to me the key is always balance and it is not always about run 1st, the opponent and how they come out looking to defend in my view clearly pays a big part. If a defense comes out crowding the line to shut down the run then it is foolish to bang your head against a brink wall so you attack them down the field until they back off.

 

[DFWJC]

How our team is built it's the run that sets up the pass. Look at what happened in all those seasons when we couldn't run and had no OL. Romo who?

4-12 last year due to not being able to pass says otherwise.

Anyway, I think they work hand in hand...either way.

 

[plasticman]

I think it depends on how opponent defenses pereive your offense.

If you are genetally known as a passing team then that aspect of your offense will get considerably more attention.

Therefore you must run to set up the pass. You must make them respect the run enough to where they cannot focus exlusively on the pass defense.

A successful running game creates hesistancy in the pass rush. There more room in the mid to deep range because the safties must move up closer to defend the run.

If you are a running team you will start out with 8, perhaps even 9 defendera in the box.

Therfore you must pass to set up the run. You have to complete passes so the defense will be forced stop crowding the line and provide more help deep.

 

[Yakuza Rich]

Neither. If you can throw the ball well, it has no correlation to running it well and vice versa. So it depends more on the particular team, schematics and the QB.

I'm a believer in trying to have a long term goal in balancing out the offensive playcalling. Defensive players are more than twice than likely to get injured than offensive players. So the issue with pass happy offenses that score in bunches is that come playoff time, their defense may be depleted. Then if they get in a poor weather game or a windy game, they're in trouble because they can't pass the ball effectively and have no defense to stop the other team.

With the Cowboys, we have a longer passing scheme..the probability of having an incomplete pass is higher. We also have a QB that isn't effective on underneath passes. He's a great intermediate passer and has a great play action. He's also a QB who loses his effectiveness on pass attempts 36+ and is most effective on pass attempts 20-35. There's roughly 60 plays in a game...so if you throw it 35 times a game, you're running it 25 times (60:40 ratio). So unless we are down by a lot of points in the first half, there's little reason to keep throwing the ball too much. Keep the running game in mind and try to balance out the play calling.








YR

 

[Floatyworm]

How about good players make plays.....and we need more of them.

 

[HellCrowe]

4-12 last year due to not being able to pass says otherwise.

Anyway, I think they work hand in hand...either way.

2014 - 15 games - 435 passing att : 12- 4 record

2010 - 6 games - 213 passing att : 6-10 record
2009 - 16 games - 550 passing att :11-5 record

Looking at those stats, like I said how we are built it should be the run heavy mentality that sets up the pass. Of course the pass leads to bigger yards and both run and pass go hand in hand (hence setting up eachother) but if you want to talk about "our" team philosophy and time management you run to setup the pass. You want to talk about protecting your qb, use the run to setup the pass. Of course it changes from game to game and also different team philosophies. However, how we are built (big OL that have said they love to run block) and our need to keep our qb upright (seeing we definitely need the qb to even have a chance) we need to use the run heavily to setup the pass.

I'd like to also point out that in 2009 by 6 games Romo has already almost passed his attempts compared to 2014. Yes they go hand in hand but how we should play is to try to get the run game, whether by screens/runs/or dinking it to the RB to help open up the long pass. Why? It protects romo.