They didnt have much of a chance to really "establish" the run in games v the Saints, Ravens, Lions, Niners, Eagles or even the Texans.
It also doesnt do them any good to call more runs if they cant open any holes. The blocking scheme is terrible and of course they hurt themselves by having called 55 runs for #15. He shouldnt have half that total.
I think back to when Parcells had Joe Morris and later OJ Anderson. I recall Parcells running a lot, especially when the game was on the line. I'd say it was 60/40 run/pass.
But the reason they were able to do that is because they developed a run first mentality. It didn't happen in one game, or two games, or three. Their OL became good at run blocking because they ran the ball. What I am saying is it's hard to run block with the necessary demeanor if the OL is dropping backwards to pass block so much.
It's like Jimmy said, you need to be stubborn and work on establishing it even if it is not working. Even if you lose the game (even if you lose more than one game), you're developing the mentality needed for the next game and next season.
I really believe that when you are trying to create a culture, an identity, you have to be willing to risk losing to establish the type of identity you want. Eventually it breaks your way, assuming you continue to add the right pieces. It won't break if the drafts suck.
Like the "Great Wall" sucked at first. Tuinei, Nate, Gogan were once considered jokes (if my memory is right).
I looked up the stats for the rushing yard in Moose's rookie year (before they got Emmitt). Jimmy's first year as HC.
Tommie Agee: 309 yards
Daryl Johnston: 212 yards
Paul Palmer: 446 yards (acquired mid-season)
Even with those backs, Jimmy ran 300 times and passed 513 times. This would be with Troy and Walsh as rookie QBs. This would be a 3:5 ratio.
I did the math, so far, for the 2024 season, the Cowboys are passing 66% of the time. So it's 2 passes for every 1 run. This would be fine if our QB play was on par with Troy's.
In short, we are passing far too much! It's okay to lose. As long as you're building toward something. But it is not okay to lose when you have no philosophy, you're just trying whatever you think will work to win the game, and you still lose.
