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- Apr 7, 2013
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I keep hearing Cowboys fans on the radio, on social media, and a few here at DCC still complaining about the lack of a rush attempts in the 2nd half. It’s like all they’re seeing are the 5 rushing attempts and not understanding the circumstances that prevented us from running it more.
Anyone who watched the game objectively would agree that 5 rush attempts is about right given the circumstances.
Here’s the link to the Cowboys drive charts to prove that the Cowboys didn’t *abandon* the run.
Link to Cowboys vs Falcons drive chart
First possession of the 2nd half Witten False starts so it’s now 1st and 15 yet the Cowboys still run on first down and lose a yard. It’s now 2nd and 16. Very next play there’s a holding penalty so now it’s 2nd and 26. Are we supposed to run it on 2nd and 26 just for the sake of running the ball? Cowboys go 3 and out.
Second possession we run on 1st down resulting in -4 yards. It’s now 2nd and 14. So are we supposed to run it again on an obvious passing down? The drive gets extended thanks to a roughing the passer penalty. After the new set of downs we run for 2 yards on 1st down. Weeden completes a pass to Witten for a first down. On the ensuing set of downs we run again on 1st down, this time for a 2 yard loss setting up 2nd and 12. So we’re behind the sticks again. So again I ask, are we supposed to keeping slamming it in there on 2nd and 3rd and longs just for the sake of running? Cowboys end up punting.
Third possession We open with another run play, this time gaining a single yard setting up 2nd and 9. We go three and out on this series with the 1st down run being our only run play.
Fourth possession the Cowboys were down 2 possessions with approx. 3 minutes to play so running the ball made no sense in that situation.
So considering all that, I don’t see how anyone can complain about the Cowboys only having 5 rush attempts in the 2nd half. They didn’t abandon the run. As the facts clearly show, they tried to stick with the run, it wasn’t working so they had to pass on 2nd and 3rd down because their rush attempts were repeatedly putting them in 2nd and 3rd and long situations.
There is plenty to gripe about regarding Sunday’s loss but not running the ball more in the second half should not be on anyone’s list of complaints.
Anyone who watched the game objectively would agree that 5 rush attempts is about right given the circumstances.
Here’s the link to the Cowboys drive charts to prove that the Cowboys didn’t *abandon* the run.
Link to Cowboys vs Falcons drive chart
First possession of the 2nd half Witten False starts so it’s now 1st and 15 yet the Cowboys still run on first down and lose a yard. It’s now 2nd and 16. Very next play there’s a holding penalty so now it’s 2nd and 26. Are we supposed to run it on 2nd and 26 just for the sake of running the ball? Cowboys go 3 and out.
Second possession we run on 1st down resulting in -4 yards. It’s now 2nd and 14. So are we supposed to run it again on an obvious passing down? The drive gets extended thanks to a roughing the passer penalty. After the new set of downs we run for 2 yards on 1st down. Weeden completes a pass to Witten for a first down. On the ensuing set of downs we run again on 1st down, this time for a 2 yard loss setting up 2nd and 12. So we’re behind the sticks again. So again I ask, are we supposed to keeping slamming it in there on 2nd and 3rd and longs just for the sake of running? Cowboys end up punting.
Third possession We open with another run play, this time gaining a single yard setting up 2nd and 9. We go three and out on this series with the 1st down run being our only run play.
Fourth possession the Cowboys were down 2 possessions with approx. 3 minutes to play so running the ball made no sense in that situation.
So considering all that, I don’t see how anyone can complain about the Cowboys only having 5 rush attempts in the 2nd half. They didn’t abandon the run. As the facts clearly show, they tried to stick with the run, it wasn’t working so they had to pass on 2nd and 3rd down because their rush attempts were repeatedly putting them in 2nd and 3rd and long situations.
There is plenty to gripe about regarding Sunday’s loss but not running the ball more in the second half should not be on anyone’s list of complaints.