One of the most common questions we have as fans centers around the idea, “What happened to our offense?”, especially if it started strong and then has a fade. Or the common misconception that most “bad plays” are just “bad play calling”.
The Cowboys offense started out the year on a tear, averaging over 30 points a game and with our bad defense, the offense carried the team’s chances to win and compete for a playoff spot.
But in the last two games vs the broncos and cards, the offense has averaged 21 points per game and the defense averaged giving up 35 points per game. The offense has seemingly been unable to maintain their ability to out score people, and the defense has been bad all year.
Why is this offense struggling?
Well despite the easy targeting of the HC and his play calling, the QB, or the injuries we’ve had, it really boils down to these common issues most NFL teams face:
- Defenses are catching up. As the season progresses, most defensive coordinators are able to get a better handle on how to stop your offense. They learn through film study what an offense does well, doesn’t do as well, then tries to take away what you do well.
- Execution matters more than anything in playcalling. Quite simply, if one or more offensive players blow a block or run the wrong route, the play will likely not work. Sure there are bad calls but many calls don’t work because of a blown assignment more than just a poor play selection.
- The Cowboys OL has struggled lately. The OL has had several injuries and done well at times, struggled in others. Even the great Tyler Smith has struggled lately with a nagging injury and he has a whopping 7 penalties called. Terance Steele has allowed 25 pressures and 4 sacks. Tyler Guyton has given up 29 pressures, 2 sacks and 5 penalties.
The Cowboys still have a good offense. Pretty obvious that defensive coordinators have sold out trying to take away Javonte Williams and the running game. Dak MUST play better when defenses take away the run game.
It’s not uncommon for offenses to struggle more at midseason once DCs have had time to study tendencies and adjust. Now it’s time for our offense to make some adjustments.
Great point as always my friend.
I think #2 is underrated at times. Pre snap penalties are just lazy. I'm amazed at how many I see in the NFL (all teams, not just us).
You know how in Baseball they analyze every little stat, like how %s change with each pitch? Like how less likely it becomes to get a hit on 0-2 vs. 2-0.
I'd like to see how a pre snap penalty affects the chance of getting a first down. Like 1st and 10 teams have a 50% chance of getting a first down, but at 1st and 15 it drops to 30%. (I'm making those numbers up, but you understand my point). I bet it's a sizable difference, just like taking a sack or a big negative play is. Teams that do it over and over shoot themselves in the foot, and we have our share of them (and penalties in general).
I think your point on the OL is also valid. I just don't think our OL is that good, despite the investment (3 firsts, a 3rd and an UDFA).
I think the line needs an injection of proven talent.
There is actually a guy out there who I believe could elevate our entire unit, and the entire Offense (and even help the D).
He's a guy I wanted in the draft, but we passed over (for T Smith, so not like you can complain about that).
But he is set to become a FA as his team did not pick up his 5th year option (for pure financial reasons).
If I were running the team (which I'm clearly not lol) I'd do everything I could to get this guy, even overpay for him.
Many believe C is not an important position. Overall, the lowest paid on the OL. But a great C IMO can elevate an entire unit/team. (Think TFred, Kelce etc). I think a great C is as big as having a great LT, and there's one set to become a FA.
I'm speaking of Tyler Linderbaum of course. I believe he is really special. He's also young so we could do a long term deal to lower the effect of his cap hit.
The Ravens want him back, just didn't exercise his 5th year as the number involved is not C specific, but takes into account all OL positions (so Lindy's 5th year was like a 23 mil hit, and they believe he is worth 18, what Humphrey got). I'd go much higher for him, like 4/80. Let it be know to his agent that if he does hit FA, he will reset the C market and then some. Convince him to let TL hit FA, and then snatch him up with an above market offer.
I'd move some guys around. I think Tyler Smith should be our LT. He was a LT in college, and was drafted to be our LT. We moved him inside and he is amazing, I just think he'd be an amazing LT too, he has the tools.
I'd then move Booker to LG, also where he played at Alabama. To me, a Smith/Booker left side of the line could be like another Shell/Upshaw tandem (you young guys may need to look that up), but I'm sure Bob remembers. Just a dominant side of the line we run behind for a decade. Lindy at C, the Beebe moves to RG. I'd try Guyton at RT (also where he played in College). (I release Steele for cap savings).
I think the left side would be so solid, that our all Pro C, would be able to shepherd the right side. I think that line would be great at the running game, and would give Dak the protection he needs to excel in the passing game.
I have a different take on the cap than many here. The cap is exploding, and will continue to. Next years Cap is almost 300 mil, and will eclipse 400 in just a few short years. Also, I'd argue, that giving a player 4/80 doesn't necessarily mean he makes 20 mil per year. Osa, for example, signed for 4/80 this season. He's not going to collect that (unless he balls out). His contract is very easy for the Cowboys to exit next season if they wish. Guaranteed money is the key (Osa is just 39 guaranteed).
We can easily clear the space this year to sign Linderbaum, keep Pickens and Williams, and build out the Defense, Jerry has just been unwilling the last 30 years to spend in FA and to manipulate the cap the way other teams do.
I'm hoping maybe Jerry's ego is so hurt from the Micah fiasco that he finally decides to go all in to spite Micah, though I seriously doubt he will.
