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Checkdown Leftovers: What’s Still Eating This Offense?
BY ROB PHILLIPS on NOVEMBER 29, 2013
On paper, 24 unanswered points in the second half and a comfortable 31-24 win over the bumbling Raiders is what most expected from the Cowboys at home on Thanksgiving, where they’ve won 6 of their last 8. But the offense still concerns me a little, especially because injuries aren’t an issue/excuse on this side of the ball. Nevermind that Tony Romo probably would’ve been more effective had he been flu-free. I’m not referring to health or execution; I’m talking about pace.
Yes, the Cowboys did strike a nice balance on the ground in the second half with DeMarco Murray and Lance Dunbar. But it’s disconcerting to watch the offense – yet again – stuck in mud until they fall behind two scores, go no-huddle, and then actually move the ball with ease. In just 1:46, Romo drove them 73 yards in 8 plays to cut Oakland’s lead to 21-14 just before halftime. Prior to that, they had gained 54 total yards and scored one touchdown off a Raiders turnover inside the 5-yard line.
Folks wonder why every week the Cowboys can’t look as explosive as they did against Denver. Well, they let loose in that game because they had no choice but to keep up with Peyton Manning.
I understand that Jason Garrett wants to keep his ravaged defense off the field. It’s a quandary for the head coach. My rebuttal: how about establishing a rhythm with a faster pace, and doing it without your back to the wall? A quick early lead can give the defense something to work with, and it sure helped them in the second half on Thursday. The hurry-up has been proven asset to this offense — not every drive, but in spots — and by the way, there’s no rule against running out of a no-huddle. Balance is still possible.
Lance Dunbar didn’t make anyone miss on this particular first-quarter play, but his 12-yard screen on 3rd-and-16 was a sight for sore eyes. The Cowboys have a younger, more athletic line than the days of Flozell Adams, Leonard Davis and Marc Colombo. Dunbar makes them a little quicker, a little more versatile out of the backfield. Unfortunately, he’s out for the year with a knee injury suffered in the fourth quarter against Oakland, and I’m just not sure Murray or Joseph Randle offer the same element.
Tyron Smith got plenty of post-game love from Jerry Jones for leading the Cowboys’ offensive line. Compared to the Packers, I’ll take the Cowboys’ starting five all day long. The line struggled in Week 8 against Detroit, allowing 0 sacks, 4 big hits and countless hurries on Romo. But Green Bay almost got Matt Flynn broken in half by Ndamukong Suh and Nick Fairley in a 40-10 blowout loss on Thursday: 7 sacks, 11 hits and one severely bruised quarterback ego.
Speaking of Detroit, here’s a marketing idea for Commissioner Goodell: how about Cowboys vs. Lions on Thanksgiving when they’re on each other’s schedule like this year? It opens up a fresh matchup in the 11:30 a.m. timeslot, and there’s a built-in storyline with Matthew Stafford playing his hometown Cowboys. The league office should know I’m always available — for a reasonable consulting fee.
Really good effort from the Cowboys’ defense in the second half. No sacks on Matt McLovin McGloin, but Jason Hatcher and a clearly healthier, more active DeMarcus Ware fortified the defensive line. Oakland was committed to quick throws to neutralize the pass rush on their undrafted rookie quarterback. McGloin may have a little something, though; a few times in the first half he showed very good pocket presence under duress and bought himself an extra half-second to hit some tight throws downfield. It was Eli-esque at times. The good Eli.
The Kiffinelli gameplan was clear: stuff the box, stop the run and force McGloin to throw. Depending on the weather, they may want to deploy a similar defensive strategy Dec. 9 against Jay Cutler or Josh McCown. The AccuWeather forecast in Chicago includes a chance for snow during the day, with a low of 15 that evening.
BY ROB PHILLIPS on NOVEMBER 29, 2013
On paper, 24 unanswered points in the second half and a comfortable 31-24 win over the bumbling Raiders is what most expected from the Cowboys at home on Thanksgiving, where they’ve won 6 of their last 8. But the offense still concerns me a little, especially because injuries aren’t an issue/excuse on this side of the ball. Nevermind that Tony Romo probably would’ve been more effective had he been flu-free. I’m not referring to health or execution; I’m talking about pace.
Yes, the Cowboys did strike a nice balance on the ground in the second half with DeMarco Murray and Lance Dunbar. But it’s disconcerting to watch the offense – yet again – stuck in mud until they fall behind two scores, go no-huddle, and then actually move the ball with ease. In just 1:46, Romo drove them 73 yards in 8 plays to cut Oakland’s lead to 21-14 just before halftime. Prior to that, they had gained 54 total yards and scored one touchdown off a Raiders turnover inside the 5-yard line.
Folks wonder why every week the Cowboys can’t look as explosive as they did against Denver. Well, they let loose in that game because they had no choice but to keep up with Peyton Manning.
I understand that Jason Garrett wants to keep his ravaged defense off the field. It’s a quandary for the head coach. My rebuttal: how about establishing a rhythm with a faster pace, and doing it without your back to the wall? A quick early lead can give the defense something to work with, and it sure helped them in the second half on Thursday. The hurry-up has been proven asset to this offense — not every drive, but in spots — and by the way, there’s no rule against running out of a no-huddle. Balance is still possible.
Lance Dunbar didn’t make anyone miss on this particular first-quarter play, but his 12-yard screen on 3rd-and-16 was a sight for sore eyes. The Cowboys have a younger, more athletic line than the days of Flozell Adams, Leonard Davis and Marc Colombo. Dunbar makes them a little quicker, a little more versatile out of the backfield. Unfortunately, he’s out for the year with a knee injury suffered in the fourth quarter against Oakland, and I’m just not sure Murray or Joseph Randle offer the same element.
Tyron Smith got plenty of post-game love from Jerry Jones for leading the Cowboys’ offensive line. Compared to the Packers, I’ll take the Cowboys’ starting five all day long. The line struggled in Week 8 against Detroit, allowing 0 sacks, 4 big hits and countless hurries on Romo. But Green Bay almost got Matt Flynn broken in half by Ndamukong Suh and Nick Fairley in a 40-10 blowout loss on Thursday: 7 sacks, 11 hits and one severely bruised quarterback ego.
Speaking of Detroit, here’s a marketing idea for Commissioner Goodell: how about Cowboys vs. Lions on Thanksgiving when they’re on each other’s schedule like this year? It opens up a fresh matchup in the 11:30 a.m. timeslot, and there’s a built-in storyline with Matthew Stafford playing his hometown Cowboys. The league office should know I’m always available — for a reasonable consulting fee.
Really good effort from the Cowboys’ defense in the second half. No sacks on Matt McLovin McGloin, but Jason Hatcher and a clearly healthier, more active DeMarcus Ware fortified the defensive line. Oakland was committed to quick throws to neutralize the pass rush on their undrafted rookie quarterback. McGloin may have a little something, though; a few times in the first half he showed very good pocket presence under duress and bought himself an extra half-second to hit some tight throws downfield. It was Eli-esque at times. The good Eli.
The Kiffinelli gameplan was clear: stuff the box, stop the run and force McGloin to throw. Depending on the weather, they may want to deploy a similar defensive strategy Dec. 9 against Jay Cutler or Josh McCown. The AccuWeather forecast in Chicago includes a chance for snow during the day, with a low of 15 that evening.
