Jason Garrett takes us on a trip to the way-back machine from time to time, to staples of a Cowboys championship offense. In his first game as head coach last season, Garrett threw a double 8 combo at the New York Giants, post patterns (8 routes) by his tight end Jason Witten and his flanker Miles Austin, which ripped the top off of New York's cover two shells. They demonstrate the big-play capabilities of the old Don Coryell, Norv Turner, Ernie Zampese system when the three primary receiving threats (the split end in this case was played by Dez Bryant) can get down the field.
Let's begin in the 1st quarter. The Cowboys have a first down just shy of mid-field and an early 6-3 lead. They deploy in a standard off-set I, with Austin motioning from the left slot to the flanker spot outside of Witten, who is parked outside of RT Marc Colombo:
At the snap, Bryant runs a go route, keeping Antrell Rolle, the safety on his side, backpedaling to maintain deep contain. Witten runs his post, releasing outside the linebacker playing over him and breaking towards the center of the field at 12 yards. This takes him directly at the other safety, Kenny Phillips. Meanwhile, Austin is running a deep post inside of LCB Corey Webster.
The double posts bring a high-low challenge at Phillips. Does he drop to contain Austin, and concede the middle to a streaking Witten, who is a behind his linebacker? Or, does Phillips bracket Witten and leave Webster alone? As this still shows, he breaks on Witten, prompting Jon Kitna to heave it deep for Austin:
Austin is almost even with Phillips when he's making his cut and is deeper in a couple of steps, as Phillips is moving forwards. Kitna leads Austin to the center of the field and away from Webster, and Austin grabs the ball at the Giants 15. Rolle, who is not even visible in the second still, has to race over from the left-side numbers to make a touchdown-saving tackle:
Bryant's deep speed and Witten's deep speed meant that both Giants safeties had to respect them, and a pattern like this, which presses three deep patterns at two deep safeties, will get somebody free.
Sitting in middle of a lockout, Garrett is surely working on the possibilities a rehabbed Bryant offers, when combined with the veterans Witten and Austin. The addition of more backfield speed, and a healthy young offensive tackle only confirms that even faster fast-break football will be Garrett's objective going forward.
Let's begin in the 1st quarter. The Cowboys have a first down just shy of mid-field and an early 6-3 lead. They deploy in a standard off-set I, with Austin motioning from the left slot to the flanker spot outside of Witten, who is parked outside of RT Marc Colombo:
At the snap, Bryant runs a go route, keeping Antrell Rolle, the safety on his side, backpedaling to maintain deep contain. Witten runs his post, releasing outside the linebacker playing over him and breaking towards the center of the field at 12 yards. This takes him directly at the other safety, Kenny Phillips. Meanwhile, Austin is running a deep post inside of LCB Corey Webster.
The double posts bring a high-low challenge at Phillips. Does he drop to contain Austin, and concede the middle to a streaking Witten, who is a behind his linebacker? Or, does Phillips bracket Witten and leave Webster alone? As this still shows, he breaks on Witten, prompting Jon Kitna to heave it deep for Austin:
Austin is almost even with Phillips when he's making his cut and is deeper in a couple of steps, as Phillips is moving forwards. Kitna leads Austin to the center of the field and away from Webster, and Austin grabs the ball at the Giants 15. Rolle, who is not even visible in the second still, has to race over from the left-side numbers to make a touchdown-saving tackle:
Bryant's deep speed and Witten's deep speed meant that both Giants safeties had to respect them, and a pattern like this, which presses three deep patterns at two deep safeties, will get somebody free.
Sitting in middle of a lockout, Garrett is surely working on the possibilities a rehabbed Bryant offers, when combined with the veterans Witten and Austin. The addition of more backfield speed, and a healthy young offensive tackle only confirms that even faster fast-break football will be Garrett's objective going forward.