Gosselin: Why I'd give Alfred Morris more playing time

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Question: What are some of the things the coaching staff can do to get [Ezekiel] Elliott going? Doesn't he have good pass-catching skills? Never once did they attempt to get him going in the passing game. No pitch-outs. Why not try to call some outside runs with him? All of his runs were straight up the middle and it obviously wasn't working.

Gosselin: When you go into a game with what you consider the best offensive line in football, you expect to create holes wherever you choose to run the ball. That didn't happen. His two long gainers, both eight yards, were a sweep of right end and a blast off right tackle (for a touchdown). I'd give [Alfred] Morris more time. Let Elliott watch and see how it's done. He barely played in the preseason and now the game has sped up on him. The Cowboys ought to make Elliott earn his carries. But that's not the Cowboys way.

Question: Should the Cowboys start or give more carries to Alfred Morris?

Gosselin: When Elliott was struggling -- and he was struggling -- the Cowboys should have gone to Morris sooner and stuck with him. He's a veteran who has played in these games. Morris rushed six times for 38 yards. Eight of Elliott's carries went for 1 yard or less. He didn't gain his 38th yard until his 12th carry. When you've got a back averaging 2.6 yards per carry, try to find another combination that works. The Cowboys found that combination that worked in Morris but gave him just two of the nine offensive series in the game. Again, like the inability to find a way to free up Bryant, that's a coaching issue.

Question: Did the play of Dallas' O-line concern you? It sure didn't dominate, it seemed. Is that Giants D-line as good as the paychecks suggest?

Gosselin: Yes, it was a concern. Defenses stacked the box in the fourth quarter against Emmitt Smith in the 1990s and the Cowboys still found ways to run the ball. If this is the best blocking front in the NFL, it needs to start acting like it. Or at least start blocking like it. I also was concerned with the two holding calls and the false start. The two holding calls killed possessions and the false start forced the Cowboys to gain five extra yards on the final possession when the clock was not their friend. The Giants made an investment in their defensive line this offseason and it paid off. They signed the best pass rusher (Olivier Vernon) and best run defender (Damon Harrison) in free agency. But I don't care who's across the line -- if your swagger says you're the best blocking front in football, then block whoever it is you have to block to make the running game go.

 

[Bob Sacamano]

I'm not really worried about Zeke. I don't buy heavily into the idea that backs need carries to get into a groove during games, but they sure as shit need to carry the ball somewhat consistently. Zeke had a few practices and one preseason game (more like half really) carrying the football. I'd just give it time till stella finds her groove.

 

[Doomsday]

I don't buy heavily into the idea that backs need carries to get into a groove during games

The actual idea is, the back and the line get into a "groove" when there's lots of carries. A synergy develops that can propel the entire team, and deflate the spirit and will to win, of the opponent.

I believe we need to see more zone running plays instead of the straight-up blocking they were sticking with last week. We also need to showcase Zeke's speed more, doing some tosses and pitchouts - and also, where was the pass receiving? Does Dallas know we can throw to the RB?