- Joined
- Apr 7, 2013
- Messages
- 120,266
Halftime adjustment pays off late for Cowboys' run game
October, 13, 2014
By Todd Archer | ESPNDallas.com
SEATTLE -- Sometimes halftime adjustments can be overrated. Other times they can win you games.
At halftime of Sunday’s 30-23 win against the Seattle Seahawks, offensive line coach Bill Callahan and assistant offensive line coach Frank Pollack thought the Dallas Cowboys’ running game could exploit the defense with “22” personnel, featuring two tight ends in Jason Witten and Gavin Escobar and fullback Tyler Clutts.
It is the ultimate tough-guy personnel group with teams all but saying they are going to run and don’t care what you will do.
On the Cowboys’ go-ahead drive, playcaller Scott Linehan called 22 personnel three straight times after Terrance Williams’ 23-yard third-down catch. DeMarco Murray picked up 46 yards with the last 15 leading to a touchdown and 27-23 lead.
The Cowboys ran the same play on back-to-back snaps with Murray picking up 31 yards.
“We found a play that worked and really ran it until they stopped it,” right guard Zack Martin said.
It’s not often Tony Romo calls the same play over and over.
“But’s pretty cool hearing it over and over,” Martin said.
On the touchdown run, with Jermey Parnell filling in for an injured Doug Free, Escobar motioned to the left. Murray started to his right, cut up the middle, found some space and carried Richard Sherman into the end zone.
“Bill and Frank work really hard at those personnel groups,” Linehan said. “At halftime we talked about that and fortunately we never used it yet. That was a good time to use it. We had a couple of plays we liked and so as soon as Terrance makes the catch, it’s a good time to get in it. We’re in good field position and they were good plays. The guys executed them great.”
When the Cowboys got the ball back, they stuck with the same personnel group and were able to get a cushion with a Dan Bailey field goal with 1:09 to play.
October, 13, 2014
By Todd Archer | ESPNDallas.com
SEATTLE -- Sometimes halftime adjustments can be overrated. Other times they can win you games.
At halftime of Sunday’s 30-23 win against the Seattle Seahawks, offensive line coach Bill Callahan and assistant offensive line coach Frank Pollack thought the Dallas Cowboys’ running game could exploit the defense with “22” personnel, featuring two tight ends in Jason Witten and Gavin Escobar and fullback Tyler Clutts.
It is the ultimate tough-guy personnel group with teams all but saying they are going to run and don’t care what you will do.
On the Cowboys’ go-ahead drive, playcaller Scott Linehan called 22 personnel three straight times after Terrance Williams’ 23-yard third-down catch. DeMarco Murray picked up 46 yards with the last 15 leading to a touchdown and 27-23 lead.
The Cowboys ran the same play on back-to-back snaps with Murray picking up 31 yards.
“We found a play that worked and really ran it until they stopped it,” right guard Zack Martin said.
It’s not often Tony Romo calls the same play over and over.
“But’s pretty cool hearing it over and over,” Martin said.
On the touchdown run, with Jermey Parnell filling in for an injured Doug Free, Escobar motioned to the left. Murray started to his right, cut up the middle, found some space and carried Richard Sherman into the end zone.
“Bill and Frank work really hard at those personnel groups,” Linehan said. “At halftime we talked about that and fortunately we never used it yet. That was a good time to use it. We had a couple of plays we liked and so as soon as Terrance makes the catch, it’s a good time to get in it. We’re in good field position and they were good plays. The guys executed them great.”
When the Cowboys got the ball back, they stuck with the same personnel group and were able to get a cushion with a Dan Bailey field goal with 1:09 to play.
