Will Dallas Rely On "11" Personnel In '14?

[RS12]

In the news recap Friday, OCC included a link to a Football Outsiders articleabout how the 11 personnel package has now become the most common and most effective group of players used by offenses throughout the NFL. The Dallas Cowboys were right in the middle of this trend as the 11 became the grouping of choice last season.

Dallas has a new offensive playcaller in Scott Linehan, but Jason Garrett is still the head coach and Tony Romo is still the quarterback. I expect that Dallas will continue to run the majority of its offensive plays with 11 personnel this season. That should be a good thing.

Before I go on, let me put up a picture here, because not everyone is well versed in the terminology and knows that the first number in designating personnel groups refers to running backs and the second to tight ends. 11 means one of each, which also means that there are three wide receivers (plus, of course, one quarterback and five linemen). It does not refer to formation or alignment, just who is on the field. Here is one typical play using 11 personnel in a shotgun formation. The names are not who is in the picture, obviously, but who I think will be the primary group this season.



http://www.bloggingtheboys.com/2014...t-terrance-williams-devin-street-cole-beasley

 

[Wolfpack]

What was the season % of snaps out of shotgun? Anyone know this?

I bet its about 65% which is WAY too high.

 

[JoeyBoy718]

11 offense = WRs Dez, Terrance, Devin + RB Murray + TE Witten
12 offense = WRs Dez, Terrance + RB Murray + TEs Witten, Escobar
13 offense = WR Dez + RB Murray + TEs Witten, Escobar, Hanna

 

[Hoofbite]

I dunno if they'll rely on it if they don't have to.

Obviously they'd rather go with 12 but depending on the need to score in order to make up for the defense they may be forced to go 11 often.

 

[Hoofbite]

What was the season % of snaps out of shotgun? Anyone know this?

I bet its about 65% which is WAY too high.

Sturm has tracked it. Think it's around 55%.

 

[junk]

Interesting. I always thought a three WR set was more effective than a two TE set, but it is nice to see analysis that reflects that.

I'd rather spend high resources on #2 and #3 WRs than a #2 TE. You can find one effective enough to run your subpackages on the street or late in the draft.

 

[Hoofbite]

Interesting. I always thought a three WR set was more effective than a two TE set, but it is nice to see analysis that reflects that.

I'd rather spend high resources on #2 and #3 WRs than a #2 TE. You can find one effective enough to run your subpackages on the street or late in the draft.

I wonder how much is a result of playing catchup.

Nobody's runnin 2TE sets down 2 scores in the 4th.

I agree though on finding a TE with lesser resources.

Jordan Cameron
Jordan Reed
Joseph Fauria
Julius Thomas

All young guys who we're taken 4th or below. Think Cameron was the highest pick if the group. All were productive in their roles.

Typically won't get a WR as good (relative to WRs) in the 4th or lower.

 

[Chocolate Lab]

Oh Magical 12, we barely knew ye.

 

[Hoofbite]

Oh Magical 12, we barely knew ye.

11 was what carried the team in 2012, prior to using another premium pick on trying to get 12 to pan out.