MacMahon: Jerry on offense - 'I don't think we're far away'

[Cotton]

Jerry on offense: 'I don't think we're far away'
November, 15, 2013

By Tim MacMahon | ESPNDallas.com

A few tweaks here and a couple of adjustments there, and the Dallas Cowboys’ offense should be just fine, according to Jerry Jones.

That unit is averaging an underwhelming 278.4 yards per game in the five weeks since an explosive performance in the Cowboys’ 51-48 loss to the Denver Broncos. Dallas’ offense bottomed out with 193 total yards in last week’s loss to the New Orleans Saints, when the Cowboys were 0-of-9 on third-down conversions.

“The real way to look at it is, how far off the mark are we?” Jones said Friday on KRLD-FM. “We know that you can’t have a game where you don’t make third-down conversions. How far are we from being acceptable in that area, hopefully better than acceptable? I don’t think we’re far away.

“I think we’re an adjustment here, an adjustment there, and I know firsthand that our quarterback, our offensive coordinator, our head coach, our entire offensive staff are looking, evaluating and making adjustments. And I think they’re making the kind of adjustments that are called for – not dramatic, but the kinds that can make a difference in a route, how we bunch them up, how we do things to have a lot more production and keep that defense off the field. It needs some help, to say the least.”

How far off the mark are the Cowboys on third downs? Judging just by the numbers, quarterback Tony Romo and the Cowboys might as well be miles away.

The painful proof:

*The Cowboys rank 30th in the NFL in third-down conversion rate (32.8 percent, 38 of 116).

*Romo’s third-down QBR (19.8) ranks 29th in the NFL.

*Romo’s ranks 30th in the NFL in average yards per attempt on third downs (5.74).

*Romo’s third-down passer rating (57.6) ranks 32nd in the NFL.

*Romo’s third-down completion percentage (47.1) ranks 34th in the NFL.

That kind of production might call for some pretty dramatic adjustments.

 

[boozeman]

Jerry Jones hasn't recovered from Saints blowout, as it got his attention but playoffs still the focus





Cowboys owner Jerry Jones admitted Friday on his radio show that he still hasn't recovered from last Sunday's 49-17 blowout loss to the Saints.

"That was a rough one in New Orleans," Jones said with a sigh as he opened his radio show on KRLD-FM. "We have not (recovered). That was one that should and will hang with us a little while. Unlike those one or two point losses, it's one that should get your attention."

Jones has his eyes wide open but also doesn't the Saints game is truly representative of the Cowboys this year.

He said the Cowboys were severely impacted in that game by the injuries on defense and feels they will play better when some of the players return.

He also said the offense is much better than it showed against the Saints when quarterback Tony Romo passed for just 128 yards and the Cowboys were 0-9 on third downs.

"What is representative of our team is some of the early games we had than this past Sunday," Jones said.

The Cowboys' always optimistic owner acknowledges however that work must be done during this week's bye if he hopes for a happy ending to the 2013 season.



He said coach Jason Garrett, offensive coordinator Bill Callahan and Romo are hard at work evaluating and making adjustments to improve the slumping offense, namely fixing their problems on third down and finding ways to get receiver Dez Bryant and tight Jason Witten the ball and away from double teams.

"I don't think we are far away, an adjustment here and an adjustment there," Jones said. "I think they are making adjustments that are called for."

Jones acknowledges the defense will still be challenged because the loss of middle linebacker Sean Lee for next two or three games and the offense must pick up the slack to "keep the defense off the field. It needs some help."

Jones said he will spend the bye week watching football, particularly the NFC East games. He will play close attention to the battle between the Redskins (3-6) and Eagles (5-5), who are tied with the Cowboys atop thee division. The Giants (3-6) also have a winnable game against Packers, who playing without their quarterback Aaron Rodgers, and could be one game back when the Cowboys face them Nov. 24 following the bye.


And as much as he's disappointed in the team's play against Saints, he said the season-long goals are still out there for the Cowboys to achieve: win the division, make the playoffs and go from there.

"We got six more games," Jones said. "It's before us if we want to take it. That's the way we should look at it. It would be wrong to look at the past weekend and count it out and say 'that's the way we are'."

Clarence Hill

 

[chevycowboys]

"What is representative of our team is some of the early games we had than this past Sunday," Jones said.

Yeah, like the earlier games gave you so much confidence in the offense. They were shit then and will continue to be shit till a legit offensive coordinator with a real offense is hired!!

 

[Genghis Khan]