Who is the short yardage back?

[big dog cowboy]

They all can make a yard.

It's this simple.

Or just have Parsons throw Deuce over the line.

 

[big dog cowboy]

You could go watch some video of KState and actually see what he does.

I can't speak about his high school days but I suspect he could there also.

He just needs a small crack not a hole to run through. If the OL can't provide that, the Cowboys need the entire draft of nothing but OL next April.

 

[Big_D]

They all can make a yard.

And they will all be called upon in that situation!

 

[gimmesix]

Micah Parsons. Tell me it wouldn’t work (not saying we should)

Think bigger ... Mazi Smith.

 

[gimmesix]

You line up in that rugby position that the eagles did last year and get the yard. Dak doesn't even need to take the snap. Could be any of the backs. I'm sure most the league will have a version of that play this year

I agree with that. The tush push should be the short-yardage package for every team until the NFL either outlaws it or defenses show they can stop it.

 

[AbeBeta]

I was listening to the Break today and Eatman seems to think Deuce could do it. He said something to the effect of, "Near the goal line, It's going to take the 2nd level of the defense 2-3 seconds to even locate Deuce due to his height." Sounded like a joke but I don't think it was meant to be.

Yeah - a different approach for sure but I did see that advantage he had on college film. Could be even more of an advantage with taller guys on the OL

 

[Bagman]

I am more concerned with getting a push from the Oline in short yardage situations. All the RBs are capable of converting if properly blocked

 

[CowboysLakerBamaFan]

If we get into a 3rd down situation....we should just punt.

That will eliminate half of Dak's picks....and it's not like we have a RB over 180lbs....so seems like the safe Marty thing to do.

Just a suggestch

 

[Mannix]

Hunter Luepke is probably the guy. Big boy.

Did Luepke even get in last week? I've heard zero buzz about him.

 

[jaythecowboy]

I was listening to the Break today and Eatman seems to think Deuce could do it. He said something to the effect of, "Near the goal line, It's going to take the 2nd level of the defense 2-3 seconds to even locate Deuce due to his height." Sounded like a joke but I don't think it was meant to be.

Deuce scored on the goal line in the preseason

 

[CowboyRoy]

I'm almost as worried about this fine detail, as I am about PK. Do you think for one second that Jimmy would have entered a promising season like this one with two (2) obvious loose ends? I still believe that the kicking situation is going to cost us the division and/or critical playoff seeding.

Never heard anyone ask that question.

 

[Kingofholland]

I'm really worried about the RB position. It reminds me of the WR by committee they tried to run with in 2018 I think it was. I don't know exactly what the solution is but we need to really look at this position more closely

If Pollard wasnt here I would share your sentiment. However, even so... many teams employ a committee approach.

Lets see how the rest of the preseason plays out. If the Cowboys arent happy with their options there will probably be some guysbout there to pickup.

 

[quickccc]

I'm almost as worried about this fine detail, as I am about PK. Do you think for one second that Jimmy would have entered a promising season like this one with two (2) obvious loose ends? I still believe that the kicking situation is going to cost us the division and/or critical playoff seeding.

Jimmy ? .... LOL ...Why da heck are we reflecting as far as almost 30 years and three decades to make a point about short yardage/goal line runner ?

......

 

[ksadler1]

Did Luepke even get in last week? I've heard zero buzz about him.

I was hoping to see him play last week. There was some hype about him after the draft. I'm starting to wonder if they're going to try and sneak him on the PS. I'd really like to see the guy on short yardage situations.

 

[_sturt_]

I still believe that the kicking situation is going to cost us the division and/or critical playoff seeding.

I don't. Kicking is kicking. Aubrey was among the best in the USFL in 2022, but he got better and ascended to the top in 2023.

Only concern I have is whether there might be something like the arm tiredness that 200-inning starting pitchers sometimes have gotten in the playoffs... and it's at least plausible that not having much of a break between spring/summer and fall/winter football could become an issue. No one can legitimately predict yea or nay on that because he's really the first ever to try to pull that off as far as I'm aware.

But as said in another post in another thread, it's not as-if the next best option is on the street right now waiting to be signed anyway... no, that next best option is currently on the Chargers roster. They have two of the 2022 season's best. LAC's not keeping two Ks.

Who is the short yardage back

No one's going to say it. I just listened to Schottenheimer talk confidently as-if it's really all on the O-line, and you shouldn't have to expect the torque the RB is capable of generating to matter that much. That's just happy talk, tho.

Have to agree with those who say we have only one short yardage back who will definitely make the 53, and that is Dak. But who wants to go 17 games exposing your QB to that much regular punishment? I know I don't. Luepke may still yet break through. Fant did it at UTK, but he's not turned any heads either. I look for Will McClay to be actively assessing the options that are cut from their current teams.

 

[McMicah]

Anyone questioning short yardage didn’t really pay attention last year. Pollard was excellent on short yardage plays, and was better than even Zeke. Zeke has turned into late career Marion Barber, where he starts falling as he hits the hole even if no one touches him.

Also, Deuce is scary in short yardage because you can go shotgun and call an inside run, outside toss, draw, screen, or legit pass. How can a defense decide what to do if they can’t even see what the RB does post snap?

 

[Playmaker3128]

How about what we do to teams what they've done to us. We use all that pre snap motion to get them to react a split second late, and then we take advantage.

I'm a big advocate that dak should run more, he's capable of doing it. At least to pick up a key first down here or there on a drive.

 

[_sturt_]

Pollard was excellent on short yardage plays, and was better than even Zeke. Zeke has turned into late career Marion Barber, where he starts falling as he hits the hole even if no one touches him.

When the O-line has things blocked up well, Pollard can get it done, I agree.

It's when they don't, or when they're outnumbered that I do not agree.

And the Zeke criticism so typically is misplaced. Forgive me if you've heard this before, but facts are facts. Both of the last two seasons, there was a before and after version of Zeke... before the CAR knee injury (2021) and before the DET knee injury (2022), Zeke was pretty much Zeke like we've always known Zeke. But he gets crucified by some, and it's the after version they cite... they disregard those knee injuries, and in so doing, disregard his integrity. A lesser human being doesn't come back until he's 100%. Zeke played a lot of games, though, with a knee brace b/c he was a team-first guy.

"Before" Zeke was among the best at short yardage because he had both the instinct/vision and the torque to get it done. "After" Zeke didn't have the same torque, but he still got it done more often than not.

If nothing changes, Dak's going to be the only sensible option. Problem's going to be, defensive coordinators are going to readily understand that. This was the great thing about having a QB and an RB both being a lot for a linebacker to handle. They almost had to commit to stopping one or the other... as was illustrated by that 2nd (?) TD in the playoff game vs Tampa Bay. And the other problem's going to be, you really don't want to subject you QB to any more potential for... cheap shots or getting bent backwards or getting a knee or ankle twisted from stepping wrong, etc.... than you have to.

 

[quickccc]

If Pollard wasnt here I would share your sentiment. However, even so... many teams employ a committee approach.

Lets see how the rest of the preseason plays out. If the Cowboys arent happy with their options there will probably be some guysbout there to pickup.

Niners are one of the better rushing attacks, and I can't recall any of their past and current RBs being elite power running backs

 

[CowboyoWales]

Short answer: Whoever has the ball in short yardage situations and can pick up the yards. The days of having a bruising Larry Czonka or Mike Allstott type back are in the past.

Just my opinion. But the days of a “short yardage” back are fading. Most NFL RBs these days have to be multi-dimensional.

Yep.....we'll give the ball to Variety, Flexibility and Scheme.