Red-Hot Red Zone Play has Dallas in the Black

by Rafael Vela on Oct 1, 2005 2:48 PM CDT in Dallas Cowboys General

A hallmark of the great '90s Cowboys was the ability of its offense to dictate games. When that offense got into the red zone it was merciless. It had Emmitt Smith running behind the most physical line in the game. If opponents overcommitted to shutting Emmitt down, Troy Aikman had two big, crafty receiving targets with velcro hands in Jay Novacek and Michael Irvin. Those Cowboys rarely settled for field goals. When they got inside your 20, they closed the sale. This ability was the difference in winning close games and championships.

The 2005 Cowboys are looking positively retro. After three games, they have a startingly good and telling statistic:

Red zone production: 11 trips, 9 touchdowns, 2 field goals, 81% TD efficiency.

Those numbers look like the '95 Cowboys. The offense is scoring a touchdown four out of every five trips into the red zone. Last week, it was a perfect five of five. What's more, the offense has needed every bit of that efficiency to eke out late wins against San Diego and San Francisco.

As surprising as that line might be, it's not a fluke. The Cowboys finally have some balance in the running attack. For all his inexperience, Rob Petitti has been very effective as a run blocker and Marco Rivera has been the invisible man, the hallmark of an effective guard. They have given Dallas the option of running right in short yardage and goalline situations. And this has made all the difference in the world. The Cowboys have been a notoriously left -handed team for years and defenses would stack and slant their fronts towards Flozell Adams and Larry Allen anytime Dallas needed critical short yards.

Julius Jones also shows some toughness in getting short yards. As a result, third-and-ones through third-and-three, situations that used to cause headaches for coaches and fans alike, are now becoming routine. Last week Jones scored on first-and-goal twice. In years past, Dallas might take two to three plunges to get those yards, if it got them at all.

When teams do stop Jones, as the Chargers did late in week one, Drew Bledsoe has been very effective in the air. One obvious reason is Jason Witten, who has all of Novacek's red zone ability. However, he has not been as effective as fans might expect, because he's a known entity now. Every opponent thus far has tried to doubleteam him inside their 20. He has just one touchdown, because he commands the utmost respect.

That's why Keyshawn Johnson's re-emergence has been so criticial. Johnson evokes Michael Irvin's early '90s game. He's fearless running crossing routes in close. He even has that Michael Irvin quality of managing to get the ball to the one. It must have irked Irvin to no end that he could regularly move the ball to the edge of a score, only to see Smith claim many of "his" scores. Last week, with Dallas facing a first-and-ten at the 49ers fourteen, Keyshawn took a Drew Bledsoe pass to the one. Later in the game, with Dallas in another first-and-ten at the fourteen, he again took a crossing route reception to the one.

Johnson has incredible body control that allows him to catch balls that are behind him or low. He also has better hands than Irvin. What's most important is his size. Defenses play a lot more zone coverage in close, figuring they can manage the smaller holes it present on a short field. Receivers have to be ready to accept punishment as their route lanes are that much tighter. Johnson's 6'4" height and thick frame make him ideal in this part of the field. While Terry Glenn and Witten were Bledsoe's favorites during the preseason, the quarterback has formed a fast friendship with Keyshawn during the season, to the benefit of all.

Maintaining red zone efficiency will be key tomorrow. The Raiders have an explosive offense, and the Dallas' secondary is still finding its way. Settling for field goals instead of touchdowns could be the difference between losing and winning. If the short-field power can be maintained long term, it will likely be the difference between an improved season and a playoff run.

Tweet Comment 34 comments | 0 recs |

Do you like this story?

Comments

Great analysis again, Rafael. I am pleasantly surprised how efficient our red zone offense has been this year. I hope they keep up all season long. Touchdowns are the answer to beating any team, especially the Raiders. We all remember what Washington did when we kept settling for FG. Defenses will eventually adjust to Witten and Johnson in the rz, that should open things up for draw plays to JJ and perhaps quick slants to Crayton.

by Joe on Oct 1, 2005 4:37 PM CDT reply actions

imagine if those rookies in the front seven and all that money in the secondary actually both get into full gear also………..Red Zone Efficiency and a great defense………oh la la!

by Jon on Oct 1, 2005 4:47 PM CDT reply actions

Rafael,

Now that is what I am talking about!!

Keyshawn was tough as #$%* last week!! … I think Parcells kissed his forehead, looked him in the eyes, and said, “Anything you need ..” You know in his God-fatherly way.

by EricR on Oct 1, 2005 5:39 PM CDT reply actions

I think we’re overrating this JJ thing a little too much. Last year the guy was a 2nd round pick and a huge question mark, and he just ran over some teams. This year, with our so called statue back there, and BP’s philosophy of run first, teams have done everything possible to stop JJ. And Witten. Everyone knew we were a playoff team with JJ healthy last year, so this year teams must have said, Stop JJ and we stop the Boys.

Any defense in the NFL, even the worst, can stop a RB. LT was stopped by us because we put soo much emphasis on him. JJ is still on pace for 1400 yards and he hasnt broken out just yet. Hes still our long term RB.

And just for our dreamers, I just watched the USC game. Think if we could draft Reggie Bush. There’s your freak WR and a guy that can move to the backfield and become a change of pace back that can break a really long one. And hes not a bad return man neither.

by lou on Oct 1, 2005 7:40 PM CDT reply actions

Lou,

Yeah, you are right Reggie Bush will solve all our offensive problems. It’s just horrid averaging 25 points per game!! …. Jones is one of the best young RBs in the NFL! Why draft another?

by EricR on Oct 1, 2005 8:09 PM CDT reply actions

EricR,

He’s not going to be a pure RB in the NFL. He will be a WR/RB. The guy can catch and is fast as hell. Hes got the running game down and can learn alot more in the recieving game. Some call Jones the best young runner, other on this blog call him a bust. KJ and Terry are getting old, and KJ is in his last year I think. Draft a WR and he’s got the most potential in the NFL. All the man does is score, whether its punt returns, kick returns, out as a WR, or in the backfield. We run a full house anyway. I know we need Defense, but if he fell into our laps, you wouldnt take him?

by lou on Oct 1, 2005 8:49 PM CDT reply actions

Raf,

You hit the nail on the head when you compared Witten’s presence to Novacheck’s as being a key ingredient to Red Zone efficiency. Note any loss to the Cowboys of the 90’s as a reason for thier decline and unless you cite the loss of Novacheck you’d be wrong.

by Cash on Oct 1, 2005 10:19 PM CDT reply actions

Lou,

What makes you think Bush will drop out of the top 5 for us to draft anyway?

by AlanTdot on Oct 1, 2005 11:56 PM CDT reply actions

“ThatÃ¢â‚¬â"¢s why Keyshawn JohnsonÃ¢â‚¬â"¢s re-emergence has been so criticial. Johnson evokes Michael IrvinÃ¢â‚¬â"¢s early Ã¢â‚¬â"¢90s game.”

I’ve got to disagree here. I don’t think Key is re-emerging, because I don’t think he went anywhere in the first place.

by Will on Oct 2, 2005 12:44 AM CDT reply actions

Will,

He was suspended for a good chunk of his last season in Tampa and played hurt a lot last year. He was effective, but not like this. A lot of people wrote him off when Gruden put him on ice. I’m not one of them, but when Tampa acquired him, he was on the cover of Sports Illustrated. He was the missing piece, referred to in the same way as T.O. is now. When he joined Dallas he was tarred with the “possession receiver” brush. What we’re seeing now is not the work of a possession receiver.

by Rafael Vela on Oct 2, 2005 1:45 AM CDT reply actions

Bledsoe has said in the SA paper that this is the most powerful offense he’s been associated with since entering the NFL……he commented that he’s never had this many weapons!

by Sharkz on Oct 2, 2005 3:17 AM CDT reply actions

Speaking of the draft next year, I am trying to figure out what we do need to draft. Before the season, I would have said that we draft Offense, offense, offense, but I think the defense has more holes than the offense right now. I guess the good thing about that is that Bill gets to go into the draft with an eye more for best available player rather than for need.

If I had to rank needs I would place them in this order – big linebacker, ball hawking free safety, future QB, Oline help, and stud wide receiver. Although, I would love to see them get Ngata from Oregon in the first and that doesn’t address a need.

by Kevin on Oct 2, 2005 10:39 AM CDT reply actions

Kevin,
I think that NT is a need, with only ferguson the only true NT and Glover will probably be gone via free agency, I would love to have Ngata too, he’s a monster and having him learn under ferguson and spelling him on series would only help keep ferguson fresh. Gurode is a free agent after this year, so He’ll probably leave to be a starter somewhere else, thats an area that will have to be addressed. Free safety is a definite need, guard is also a need, Allen and Rivera are not spring chickens, so I’d like to get another guard to be ready to take over the reigns in a couple of years for Rivera, Peterman, I think is a keeper for the other side behind Allen. Another big inside linebacker would be a good pick, pretty deep in the draft next year.Another offensive tackle Tackle would be another area I would like to add some depth along with a another young reciever.Certainly alot less holes to fill compared to coming into last offseason, More depth and the future than immediate needs, thats good for a change. AT some point the QB position has to be addressed for the long haul, Bledsoe will be the starter for atleast two years, I think. if he continues the way he thus far.

by Derrick on Oct 2, 2005 11:04 AM CDT reply actions

Derrick,

You think Glover will be gone next year? That would be a pretty big loss. I didn’t even know his contract was gonna be up.

You mention Glover and Gurode. Do you know of any other Cowboy players who are free agents next year?

Does ANYBODY know all the Cowboys players who are set to leave via free-agency next year?

by rich on Oct 2, 2005 11:20 AM CDT reply actions

Off topic…..Chiefs over the Eagles………and……….Seahawks over Washington…

by Sharkz on Oct 2, 2005 11:50 AM CDT reply actions

i like both your picks, sharkz. but what is the likelyhood that philly looses 2 in a row? that’s what’ll have to happen if they loose today, and we beat ’em next week….

by rich on Oct 2, 2005 11:55 AM CDT reply actions

… and we WILL beat the eagles next week.

by rich on Oct 2, 2005 12:01 PM CDT reply actions

I like the Chiefs this week also, especially after that horrible display on monday night against the Broncos. Phillys run defense hasn’t been very good so far this year, looking for the chiefs running game to come up big this afternoon. I dont think Mcnabb makes it throught the game.

Rich, just think that Glover would really like a big payday and play tackle in the 4-3, cant see the cowboys giving him a big contract either.

by Derrick on Oct 2, 2005 12:33 PM CDT reply actions

Hey Guys Im trying to get ready for the game here and of coarse they arent televising in Alaska. This is killing me! I cant seem to get that KHOY to work anyone have the time to explain how to get it to work. I have tryed looking for in radio search engine engine in windows media and it wont come up?? HELP

by Rick on Oct 2, 2005 12:43 PM CDT reply actions

Derrick you seem to be the guru here on how to get the game. Can you help me?

by Rick on Oct 2, 2005 12:45 PM CDT reply actions

Rick
KICKS 99 Country says they will air it…but they did not have the sf game on last wk

by Jim Goddard on Oct 2, 2005 1:15 PM CDT reply actions

pre game on at 2 cst

by Jim Goddard on Oct 2, 2005 1:15 PM CDT reply actions

rick, when you click on the khoy link, http://www.khoy.org/ and when you click on the Blue logo and the next page opens, and you click again on the blue logo, does your windows media player open and tries to connect at all.

by Derrick on Oct 2, 2005 1:18 PM CDT reply actions

Thanx Jim, I have kicks in my favorites but the SanDiego game they teased us with the first half and then shut it down. Have you used that KHOY at all?

by Rick on Oct 2, 2005 1:19 PM CDT reply actions

For some reason the last two weeks they have not been airing it on the net.

by Rick on Oct 2, 2005 1:22 PM CDT reply actions

KSFO 560 is the oakland flagship station also

by Jim Goddard on Oct 2, 2005 1:23 PM CDT reply actions

havnt used khoy…but will try…tx….ksfo is broadcasting pre game now

by Jim Goddard on Oct 2, 2005 1:24 PM CDT reply actions

can you give me the links to them two stations if you have them? Thanx for all your help Jim

by Rick on Oct 2, 2005 2:16 PM CDT reply actions

http://www.ksfo560.com/article.asp?id=53139

by Jim Goddard on Oct 2, 2005 2:18 PM CDT reply actions

thats the one thats on now…and it seem they will have the game on….kiks is offf as of now

by Jim Goddard on Oct 2, 2005 2:19 PM CDT reply actions

cool, thanx Jim! I am sure we will here a very biased game but it is better than not hearing it at all. Thanx

by Rick on Oct 2, 2005 2:24 PM CDT reply actions

i know…but if i miss one more game im gonna scream…..LOL

by Jim Goddard on Oct 2, 2005 2:25 PM CDT reply actions

P. Price is inactive for today’s game

by Norm on Oct 2, 2005 2:38 PM CDT reply actions

If Keyshawn was tagged as “the” possession receiver and a wash-up after last year, those who did so weren’t paying attention… he was short of his career-best YPC numbers by .3 yards.

by Will on Oct 2, 2005 2:56 PM CDT reply actions