2024 Random Cowboys Stuff Thread

[Chocolate Lab]

That's a directive sent down from the very top though.

 

[Genghis Khan]

I think it's more Stephen. I remember he was pretty pretty vocal about explaining the diminishing returns RBs give you back when they let Murray go.

But it's definitely true that analytics hate RBs, which is one of the many flaws of advanced analytics.

 

[mcnuttz]

I think it's more Stephen. I remember he was pretty pretty vocal about explaining the diminishing returns RBs give you back when they let Murray go.

But it's definitely true that analytics hate RBs, which is one of the many flaws of advanced analytics.

And he's right, in that they have a short shelf life.

That only reinforces how often you need to be filling the position, though, it's certainly not a reason to ignore it.

 

[mcnuttz]

Dak would look a helluva lot more like a $60million QB with an honest effort put into getting a young talented RB in the draft or FA.

 

[Rev]

Dak would look a helluva lot more like a $60million QB with an honest effort put into getting a young talented RB in the draft or FA.

and an all pro RT, TE, #2 WR, and #3 WR,

 

[Chocolate Lab]

Another couple:

 

[Chocolate Lab]

On the bright side, at least this makes our OL run blocking look better.

 

[Genghis Khan]

And he's right, in that they have a short shelf life.

That only reinforces how often you need to be filling the position, though, it's certainly not a reason to ignore it.

Exactly. There's nothing wrong with being cautious about investing in aging runners.

But that doesn't mean they're all the same. There's something very very wrong with thinking that any old scrub can do it.

There's a definite and real difference between good running backs and the spare ham and eggers. It's stupid to ignore the position entirely and think it'll be fine.

 

[NoDak]

How in the hell are you supposed to project what a running back should be averaging per carry? Each and every play is fluid. You can't predict how a block will go, or how a defender will react.

 

[Genghis Khan]

Another couple:

This actually makes our RBs look better, especially Dowdle, unless I'm looking at it wrong.

 

[Genghis Khan]

How in the hell are you supposed to project what a running back should be averaging per carry? Each and every play is fluid. You can't predict how a block will go, or how a defender will react.

Yeah ultimately I think this kind of stuff is nonsense.

 

[bbgun]

 

[Genghis Khan]

That's a perfect case in point why EPA or whatever it is, is nonsense. It's absurd to assume this should have gotten 5 yards, and completely subjective.

Yes, a better might have gotten more - might have - but this doesn't look well blocked to me. Zeke was hit in the backfield and had to sidestep the defender, which blew the whole thing up.

 

[Cowboysrock55]

Yeah terrible run. There was a beautiful lane slightly to the right of where he went, danced and fell. It's not rocket science to say our RBs have been shit.

 

[Genghis Khan]

Yeah terrible run. There was a beautiful lane slightly to the right of where he went, danced and fell. It's not rocket science to say our RBs have been shit.

He danced because he was hit in the backfield. We're lucky this wasn't a loss.

 

[Chocolate Lab]

Yeah terrible run. There was a beautiful lane slightly to the right of where he went, danced and fell. It's not rocket science to say our RBs have been shit.

Exactly, he should have gone right and been one-on-one with that corner (or safety) out there. Sad.

Side note, Steele and Luepke have great blocks there.

 

[Simpleton]

While this is all very subjective there's the old adage of "can a RB only get what's blocked? or can they get more than what's blocked" and I can guarantee you we don't have a single RB on the roster who can consistently get more than what's blocked, and it's arguable that we even have anybody who can consistently get what's blocked.

Basically we have the worst RB group in the league and the idea of hanging our hat on some schlub like Dowdle is just amazingly ridiculous. I don't mind bringing Elliott back to be a short-yardage/8-10 carry type, and I also don't mind a platoon with a guy like Dowdle getting touches, but you need to pair those guys with someone who has actual talent and can make a few plays a game.

Because without that you're left just trying to grind out 4-5 yards at a time with absolutely no hope for any sort of big plays.

 

[data]

That's a perfect case in point why EPA or whatever it is, is nonsense. It's absurd to assume this should have gotten 5 yards, and completely subjective.

Yes, a better might have gotten more - might have - but this doesn't look well blocked to me. Zeke was hit in the backfield and had to sidestep the defender, which blew the whole thing up.

During his record breaking INT year, I recall PFF calling Trevon Diggs their #31st or #57th something absurd best CB in the NFL because they didn’t reward him performance points, saying his interceptions could’ve been expected to be made by the average CB. So they penalized Diggs for the yards given up without balancing it out with the INTs.

 

[data]

While NextGenStats method can be questionable, how much do you disagree with 31st worst ranking?

Major point of analytics is to provide better insight than the traditional stats like YPG that got printed every Wednesdays newspaper. According to YPG, Cowboys rushing offense ranks #26

 

[data]

This actually makes our RBs look better, especially Dowdle, unless I'm looking at it wrong.

Makes Dowdle individually look pretty good combined with the potential to be more influential since it’s combo’d with above average run blocking.

However, this chart measures rate, not volume. Dowdle ranks #45 for carries. So, now you’re in the Tony Pollard quandary where giving Dowdle more carries may not translate to same per play effectiveness.

What I get most out of this chart is that Ezekiel Elliott is costing us $2M for the same production we could get out of a cheaper JAG. We’re not losing out on yardage per rush, but we’re paying too much for nothing extra.

With Elliott ranking #42 in carries, these charts suggest we should consider changing our 50/50 distribution in favor of more Dowdle Duty