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COLUMN By JEAN-JACQUES TAYLOR / The Dallas Morning News
jjtaylor@dallasnews.com
It's interesting that Jason Garrett has found comfort with the running game as a head coach that he never did as the Cowboys' offensive coordinator.
In the four games he's been the head coach, the Cowboys have run the ball an average of 34 times per game for 148.7 yards. In the eight games before he ascended to the throne, the Cowboys ran the ball an average of 21 times for 75.6 yards per game.
Hmmmm.
Now, Garrett would tell you that it's the result of not playing from behind like the Cowboys did during their 1-7 start. They trailed by at least 10 points in all but one of their losses.
During their 3-1 stretch under Garrett, they've trailed only one game by 10 points – 17-0 to New Orleans – and they nearly came back to win it because Garrett didn't give up on the running game.
It's also helped the Cowboys that Garrett has the players wearing pads on Wednesdays, the day when the team puts in much of the running game. It allows them to be more physical in practice because the players don't have to worry about getting hurt since they're wearing pads.
Dallas has rushed at least 30 times each of the last three games. It has rushed for at least 134 yards each of the last three games, including for 217 yards against the Colts.
Maybe Garrett finally understands the running game is not always about pure production.
Sometimes it's about giving the defense a rest. Sometimes it's about trying to force a team to use a safety against the run to open up the passing game. Sometimes it's about wearing down the opponents' defense and keeping their offense off the field.
The Cowboys are no longer among the worst running teams in the NFL. It's coincided with their best stretch of football this season.
It's no coincidence.
Surely, Garrett understands that.
jjtaylor@dallasnews.com
It's interesting that Jason Garrett has found comfort with the running game as a head coach that he never did as the Cowboys' offensive coordinator.
In the four games he's been the head coach, the Cowboys have run the ball an average of 34 times per game for 148.7 yards. In the eight games before he ascended to the throne, the Cowboys ran the ball an average of 21 times for 75.6 yards per game.
Hmmmm.
Now, Garrett would tell you that it's the result of not playing from behind like the Cowboys did during their 1-7 start. They trailed by at least 10 points in all but one of their losses.
During their 3-1 stretch under Garrett, they've trailed only one game by 10 points – 17-0 to New Orleans – and they nearly came back to win it because Garrett didn't give up on the running game.
It's also helped the Cowboys that Garrett has the players wearing pads on Wednesdays, the day when the team puts in much of the running game. It allows them to be more physical in practice because the players don't have to worry about getting hurt since they're wearing pads.
Dallas has rushed at least 30 times each of the last three games. It has rushed for at least 134 yards each of the last three games, including for 217 yards against the Colts.
Maybe Garrett finally understands the running game is not always about pure production.
Sometimes it's about giving the defense a rest. Sometimes it's about trying to force a team to use a safety against the run to open up the passing game. Sometimes it's about wearing down the opponents' defense and keeping their offense off the field.
The Cowboys are no longer among the worst running teams in the NFL. It's coincided with their best stretch of football this season.
It's no coincidence.
Surely, Garrett understands that.
