C
Cr122
Guest
Cowboys need to run, too
By Brandon George The Dallas Morning News
First Posted: September 16, 2011 - 6:22 pm
Last Updated: September 16, 2011 - 6:22 pm
IRVING, Texas — Quarterback Tony Romo has been the target of much criticism this week after his fourth-quarter mistakes cost the Cowboys a win Sunday night at the Jets.
But like Romo’s mental lapses, there is another glaring problem that continues to plague the offense: The Cowboys still can’t run the football when they need to the most.
Not being able to chew up the clock by moving the chains with a fourth-quarter lead and an inept short-yardage rushing game are eyesores for the offense. Those deficiencies certainly don’t help Romo.
With the lead in the fourth quarter Sunday, the Cowboys ran the ball five times for 1 yard.
“It’s critical,” Cowboys coach Jason Garrett said. “You need to be able to do that.”
Garrett points out that the Jets didn’t make it easy, often stacking the line of scrimmage with eight or nine players. In the end, however, it’s still all about winning one-on-one battles and gaining leverage at the line of scrimmage.
San Francisco certainly won’t be a pushover Sunday afternoon. The 49ers have not allowed a running back to gain more than 100 yards in 23 consecutive games, the NFL’s longest active streak.
“Everything works together. The more you get first downs and keep drives going, the better your run game is going to be and vice versa,” Cowboys tight end Jason Witten said. “We need to do a better job there.”
The Cowboys ran 11 plays Sunday where they needed three yards or less. Of the five running plays called (not counting the Romo fumble) in short-yardage situations, the Cowboys gained eight yards and only one first down.
The Cowboys showed little confidence with their short-yardage run game in goal-to-go situations. Of the seven times they needed three yards or less to score a touchdown, they called five passing plays.
In the off-season, the Cowboys changed their offensive line philosophy. They now have a much-younger group that’s quicker and more agile instead of physical maulers up front.
Nonetheless, Marion Barber struggled in short-yardage situations a year ago. He was cut before training camp.
Now the Cowboys are left with three running backs cut from the same cloth: Felix Jones, Tashard Choice and rookie DeMarco Murray are smaller, speedy backs instead of ones who are better suited for power running.
Additionally, the Cowboys decided to play their first game without a true fullback.
Running backs coach Skip Peete and offensive line coach Hudson Houck said they weren’t pleased with the short-yardage run game Sunday.
“We have to do a better job in that area,” Houck said. “We have to make the third-and-1.”
Peete said Jones is his first option in short-yardage running situations, but there’s more to it than that.
“A lot of things factor into running the ball. The play first of all has to be blocked correctly. People have to block their men. You have to create movement at the point of attack so you can get a surge and get the momentum to go. Obviously, we need to get better in short yardage and goal line.”
The Cowboys recognize the issue. They’ve addressed it this week by re-signing fullback Tony Fiammetta and have veteran Derrick Dockery (6-6, 325) at first-team left guard instead of injured seventh-round pick Bill Nagy (6-3, 303).
“At the end of the day, it’s 11 men on the field, and everyone has to do their job to make the yardage,” Murray said. “It’s very important to seal a game and that just takes the air out of the defense.”
And pressure off the quarterback.
By Brandon George The Dallas Morning News
First Posted: September 16, 2011 - 6:22 pm
Last Updated: September 16, 2011 - 6:22 pm
IRVING, Texas — Quarterback Tony Romo has been the target of much criticism this week after his fourth-quarter mistakes cost the Cowboys a win Sunday night at the Jets.
But like Romo’s mental lapses, there is another glaring problem that continues to plague the offense: The Cowboys still can’t run the football when they need to the most.
Not being able to chew up the clock by moving the chains with a fourth-quarter lead and an inept short-yardage rushing game are eyesores for the offense. Those deficiencies certainly don’t help Romo.
With the lead in the fourth quarter Sunday, the Cowboys ran the ball five times for 1 yard.
“It’s critical,” Cowboys coach Jason Garrett said. “You need to be able to do that.”
Garrett points out that the Jets didn’t make it easy, often stacking the line of scrimmage with eight or nine players. In the end, however, it’s still all about winning one-on-one battles and gaining leverage at the line of scrimmage.
San Francisco certainly won’t be a pushover Sunday afternoon. The 49ers have not allowed a running back to gain more than 100 yards in 23 consecutive games, the NFL’s longest active streak.
“Everything works together. The more you get first downs and keep drives going, the better your run game is going to be and vice versa,” Cowboys tight end Jason Witten said. “We need to do a better job there.”
The Cowboys ran 11 plays Sunday where they needed three yards or less. Of the five running plays called (not counting the Romo fumble) in short-yardage situations, the Cowboys gained eight yards and only one first down.
The Cowboys showed little confidence with their short-yardage run game in goal-to-go situations. Of the seven times they needed three yards or less to score a touchdown, they called five passing plays.
In the off-season, the Cowboys changed their offensive line philosophy. They now have a much-younger group that’s quicker and more agile instead of physical maulers up front.
Nonetheless, Marion Barber struggled in short-yardage situations a year ago. He was cut before training camp.
Now the Cowboys are left with three running backs cut from the same cloth: Felix Jones, Tashard Choice and rookie DeMarco Murray are smaller, speedy backs instead of ones who are better suited for power running.
Additionally, the Cowboys decided to play their first game without a true fullback.
Running backs coach Skip Peete and offensive line coach Hudson Houck said they weren’t pleased with the short-yardage run game Sunday.
“We have to do a better job in that area,” Houck said. “We have to make the third-and-1.”
Peete said Jones is his first option in short-yardage running situations, but there’s more to it than that.
“A lot of things factor into running the ball. The play first of all has to be blocked correctly. People have to block their men. You have to create movement at the point of attack so you can get a surge and get the momentum to go. Obviously, we need to get better in short yardage and goal line.”
The Cowboys recognize the issue. They’ve addressed it this week by re-signing fullback Tony Fiammetta and have veteran Derrick Dockery (6-6, 325) at first-team left guard instead of injured seventh-round pick Bill Nagy (6-3, 303).
“At the end of the day, it’s 11 men on the field, and everyone has to do their job to make the yardage,” Murray said. “It’s very important to seal a game and that just takes the air out of the defense.”
And pressure off the quarterback.