Garrett needs to get Barber going
by Raul Villaronga on Nov 14, 2008 2:00 PM CST
in News
35 comments
Much has been made about the loss of Tony Romo and how that coincides with the losses that the Dallas Cowboys have garnered over the past month. But this team was having issues before Romo went down after the Cardinals game.
When Shawn Springs made a comment of how the Redskins exposed how to defeat the Cowboys, I decided to go back and take a look at the game.
What I found were situations that did not bode well for the Cowboys, especially when you compound each with the other.
Do-Run-Run-Run-a-Do-Run-Run
Dallas ran 59 plays from scrimmage. 10 of them were designed run plays (Tony Romo scrambled for 7 yards on a pass play so I won't count that). Barber was 8 for 26 yards and Terrell Owens was 2 for 11 yards.
That's it.
The Cowboys must establish the run for a couple of reasons, the biggest of which is to prevent the offense from becoming one-dimensional. If Dallas cannot run with any effectiveness, the play-action won't be a threat.
The other side of the token is passing to set up the run. Dallas did a lot of this last year and were very successful with it. The only problem is that they had a solid offensive line to pass and run block.
The return of Kyle Kosier should help a little. And, if Flozell Adams is also healthy after the bye week, that line could potentially play well.
The Redskins have been pretty good in shutting down the Dallas rushing game. Even in last year's game at Texas Stadium, Barber was just shy of 3 yards per carry and Julius Jones was 9 for 27. The difference was that Romo hit Terrell Owens 4 times for touchdowns. If they can get that kind of pass production, Washington will back out of the box and that should open lanes for the running game.
Balance is what makes an effective offense hum. Go lopsided to either side and the team will struggle.
Time Isn't On My Side
Look at the drive charts for the game. Dallas had 11 drives. The went-3-and-out on 4 of them and 4-and-out on one, ending in an interception. Of all drives, the longest duration of possession was a paultry 3:26.
And that was the first drive.
That's a total of just under 22 minutes of possession.
Contrast that with the drives of the Redskins - of their 10 drives, they had 4 under 3 minutes (the 11th drive was a 1:42 minute kneel-down at the end of the game). Only one drive was under 3 minutes in the 2nd half.
Urgency shouldn't be Necessary
The Cowboys has a 10-play drive at the end of the first half and an 8-play drive at the end of the game. Exclude those, which were exclusively passes (1 run in the 10-play drive) and they had one other extended drive, another 8-play drive in the 3rd quarter that netted 21 yards.
These issues amplify why the Cowboys need to get the running game going. If they cannot sustain drives, they cannot take time off of the clock. If they cannot dominate the time of possession, the defense will get gassed and break down later in the game.
We've read hints of a hurry-up offense in Sunday night's game as a change of pace, but if they do not consistently run the ball, the defense will get no rest.
And that could spell danger for a win this week.
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Raul - beyond emoticons
Wow man, give a guy a fancy blog merger, and his inner voice is unleashed … you go Raul!
by Elberraco on Nov 14, 2008 2:24 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
Off topic but . . .
Has anyone heard if Tex’s mansion is surviving the ravaging fires in Montecito? I hope the fires didn’t hurt the golf course.
by Blammo on Nov 14, 2008 2:35 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
I googled Montecito to see what you were talking about, and the second hit under NEWS is titled " Montecito Fires: What About the Celebrities?" – and I thought LIKE TEX!
by Elberraco on Nov 14, 2008 2:43 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Not to make light of it but...
I think the lawn he mows is still intact.
by CounterEMF on Nov 14, 2008 6:42 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
On the running game...
I see several factors pointing to a better running attack for us this week. First off, having Kosier back, the only game he played in this season (GB) was the best running day we’ve seen so far, and just getting him back helps. Second, we’ve been seeing a lot of 8 man fronts, even before Romo got hurt. The game plan was out there, mug TO at the line to slow him down, and put everyone else up front to stop Barber. Well, Romo’s back, and RW11 is starting this week. If I’m game planning defense against this offense, moving a safety into the box with TO & Rw11 on the field, becomes a very bad idea. You don’t really want to have your safeties in a position where they can’t help over the top on those guys. So I believe we will see a lot less of 8 guys in the box this time around from the Skins.
As has been discussed the Boys pass to set up the run. I expect to see them come out throwing and throwing deep. Get the passing game rolling and safeties playing deep, it opens up some room for the Barbarian to get rolling and Witten/Crayton to work underneath. They should also look to spread out the Skins D with 3,4 and even 5 wide packages. With the injuries in their secondary I don’t see how they can cover everyone. We should get some good matchups to exploit.
And let’s make sure to get both our top WR’s lined up on Hall whenever we can. He’s not going to stop either RW11 or TO.
Here’s to dropping 40+ on the Deadskins, and serving notice to the rest of the teams on our schedule that the Boys are back in town!
by TLCM on Nov 14, 2008 3:02 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
Oh and Redball...
Just a thought, but how about incorporating getting TO in motion before the snap just for a laugh? Seems like I heard somewhere that it works….
by TLCM on Nov 14, 2008 3:05 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
TLCM
from your fingers to Gods ears.
Don't believe everything you think.
by stoproyce on Nov 14, 2008 3:05 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
The Redskins Met Him on a Sunday and They Stopped Him Cold
Don’t forget that out of Barber’s measly 26 yards rushing, 15 came on one carry in the 2nd half. That means he stunk it up even more on his remaining seven carries.
When Felix Jones didn’t get one single offensive touch, that’s when I started thinking, “Wtf Red Jesus?” And he’s done nothing in the subsequent five games to make me feel any better.
by DavidH22 on Nov 14, 2008 3:06 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
Raul!
Nice write up! Seems like its been ages since we got an article from you! Feel free to share with the group…
by TLCM on Nov 14, 2008 3:06 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
felix is out officially. WTF is the deal with Tashard?
He looked like a beast in preseason and has impressed me every chance he’s been given i understand maybe his blitz pick up isn’t the best but if he’s actually rushing that shouldn’t matter much,no? This is confounding we are running our pro bowl rb into the ground.
Don't believe everything you think.
by stoproyce on Nov 14, 2008 3:14 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
I guess the problem there is that if the opposition knows he isn’t much of a pass protector they can key on the run when he’s in. Although in reading draft reports on him, he has good hands out of the backfield, so i dont see why he can’t at least occasionally be used in passing situations out on routes.
"When it's third and ten, you can take the milk drinkers and I'll take the whiskey drinkers every time." -Max McGee (I know he wasn't a Cowboy, but that's gotta be my favorite football quote)
by BigDinSC on Nov 14, 2008 3:18 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Maybe a couple screens?
If the Defense wants to key on the run if Choice is in…a quick screen or pass to the flat might be the key
by TLCM on Nov 14, 2008 3:34 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Where did you hear that?
I’m reading that he didn’t practice again and he probably won’t play, but when did it become official? Also, I read Stanback’s shoulder popped again and Barbie Carpenter won’t play after he pulled his groin getting out of the pink convertible…
by AikmanNailedMySis on Nov 14, 2008 3:44 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
You're right
latest from DMN is that uncle felix is listed as out.
Ignore the Mainstream Media, EMBRACE THE HATE!!!!
by cowboy78 on Nov 14, 2008 3:49 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Yeh, I'll make him mine..
I think the Skins will still put 8 in the box and challenge Romo to beat them with the pass..TO and RW11 notwithstanding.
To me, that’s the best bet if I were their D-coordinator. You can’t let a running game get on track, it’s certain death for a defense. It eats up, time, energy, space and eventually the scoreboard. If you can’t stop the run, you don’t need to worry about the pass because any O-coordinator worth his salt is going to keep force feeding you the run till you die.
Some football sage from long ago said something to the effect of.."There’s only three things that can happen when you pass, and two of them are bad!’
I expect the Skins to try take away the run, jam the receivers hard, and challenge Romo to beat them. Romo won’t be as game ready, he wasn’t as crisp before he went out, and the Skins are gonna bank that he’s going to make the two bad things happen with his passes. It’s the safe bet.
Now, if RedJesus gets our receivers off the line and Romo connects early, then the Skins will have to pull that safety out of there and have him help downfield. Then the running game can start delivering the body punches.
If our D does to them, what they will try to do to us..game over.
Raul, nice work!
"Trust me, we're going to kick these Redskin's asses!" - George Armstrong Custer
by Jim Vance on Nov 14, 2008 3:47 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
Motion
I would hope that Red would being T.O. in motion to get him in matchup problems. And just because he’s coming out of the slot doesn’t mean he can’t go deep – he had some nice long TD passes against the Eagles from that position.
Stop the Madness - Enshrine Bob Hayes
"I played for the world's greatest professional sports team in history. Once a Dallas Cowboy, always a Dallas Cowboy." - Bob Hayes
by Raul Villaronga on Nov 14, 2008 4:02 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
I used to know a Jim Vance
You don’t live in the bay area do you?
by sublimezg on Nov 15, 2008 12:02 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Right on
We need to execute its as simple as that. Everything Raul pointed out is right. Time to run the ball and sustain drives. One thing he didn’t mention was about us forcing it to TO last game. We must not throw the ball to him one-third of the offensive plays. If he’s getting open, sure feed it to him but if not, let Witten, Barber or RW2 take control of the game
by Burt88 on Nov 14, 2008 4:18 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
T.O.
I didn’t mention force-feeding the ball to him because I didn’t think that had anything to do with establishing the run. If they can get a running game going and sustain drives, I wouldn’t care if the ONLY receiver to get the ball is Owens! As long as we’re balanced and can do what we need to do …
… And we kick their butts!!
Stop the Madness - Enshrine Bob Hayes
"I played for the world's greatest professional sports team in history. Once a Dallas Cowboy, always a Dallas Cowboy." - Bob Hayes
by Raul Villaronga on Nov 14, 2008 4:26 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Raul
Would you mind explaining how to use the pictures? (diewas.gif)
They are awesome, and can they be used anywhere else?
by CounterEMF on Nov 14, 2008 6:38 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
He linked it back to a graphic that is on the old site
While very cool the first time seen, you do not want to see threads full of GIF files.
Raul, are you going to move the old library over to a image library on the new site.
by Trey, on Nov 14, 2008 7:24 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Nice Trey!
I have the index of graphics but I don’t know how to make them work. If you tell me how to use them I promise not to abuse it ,you have my word.
If you don’t want to make it public please email info to me at: shencz@mcn.org.
by CounterEMF on Nov 14, 2008 8:02 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
This is how you do it...
When you want to post a pic in your comment, hit the little “tree” icon next to the BOLD, Italics, etc just above where you type. Then put in the URL of the picture you want to insert.
by Brandon Worley on Nov 15, 2008 7:35 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Thank You
You can't teach an old dogma new tricks.
-Dorothy Parker
by CounterEMF on Nov 15, 2008 11:50 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Migration
I hadn’t made up my mind on that just yet … I’ll email off board to discuss…
Stop the Madness - Enshrine Bob Hayes
"I played for the world's greatest professional sports team in history. Once a Dallas Cowboy, always a Dallas Cowboy." - Bob Hayes
by Raul Villaronga on Nov 15, 2008 10:18 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Pass to set up the Run...
is what we have to do. I would expect Washington to come out with the line stacked and 8 in the box, expecting that Romo will be less than sharp. I saw we go deep early and often. If the Skins play 8 in the box, either Roy or TO are going to be single-covered. If we can’t make them pay for stacking the line with those two WRs out there, then we need to shut the season down.
I don’t see any sense in trying to force the run when Washington is loading up to stop it. We haven’t shown that we can still run on teams when they do that. Sure, you have to have balance, but if we throw enough on first down and are successful with it, they’ll have to adjust, and then we can shove the Barbarian down their throats. We have enough talent on offense that we can simply take what the defense gives us. If they want to stop the run, fine. We’ll pass. Once they back off, run the ball.
by DannyWhite on Nov 14, 2008 5:11 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
i agree....
maybe some slants….spread em out and hit witten on the seem route….go to the hurry-up……the occasional draw from the shotgun formation….and then after hitting them with a dose of that for a quarter and a half ……bludgeon them to death with MB3….worked last eyar…..i’d love to see it tried now…
"They need security in the world, Craig!"
by Tuna Helper on Nov 14, 2008 6:02 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Line Splits
We have to run the ball more. We are far from balanced on the run-pass ratio. One of the the things I noticed in earlier games is how wide our splits are between linemen. These smaller quicker guys are beating us to the punch. It doesnt make sense to me having these huge guys and not closing the splits and mauing these guys.
We will not win in playoffs up north in Jan. if we cant run the ball. There is not a switch we magically turn on when we want to run. We need to refine our running game now. We seemed to have gotten too cute looking for the 15-20 yard completion instead of smash mouth ball control. When is the last time you saw Crayton or Witten catch a 5-10 yard pass. Steve Smith does it all say long and they control the clock and pick up1st downs
by squidlo97 on Nov 14, 2008 6:53 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
Cant catch a break
Sorry for talking about running and then throwing in short passes to Witten and Crayton but My girlfriend is ready to go to the movies. My point was shorten up some parts of the passing game and quit looking for the home run as well. The short passing game(not check downs either) needs lot of refinement as well. We have become to enamored with the quick strike. My examples of this are Steve Smith for the Giants and the TE for the Jets last night and Novacek of yesteryear. These guys moved the chains and do the dirty work. Who does the dirty work for us.
by squidlo97 on Nov 14, 2008 7:01 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
Barber's history against the Redskins
is not very good, to put it mildly…177 yards on 54 carries,in six games, for a less-than-sterling 3.2 yards per attempt. And of course who can forget the season finale last year, when Barber needed just 19 yards to get 1000 for the year. Well, he didn’t quite get his 57 feet; no, he lost six yards on six carries. If we are expecting Barber to have a stat line something like 20-80-1, then we might be let down if recent history is any guide.
And to put it in perspective, over the last nine games the Cowboys have averaged about 78 yards rushing, and the last Dallas player to rush for over 100 yards against the Redskins was…Troy Hambrick (!) in 2003.
by DavidH22 on Nov 14, 2008 7:37 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
Sustain the Drive
I think the penalties have hindered this team’s ability to sustain drives as they just haven’t shown the ability to overcome them and keep the drive alive. When your 3rd and 2 becomes a 3rd and 12, the running game takes the hit. In my opinion, this team has to do a much better job on 1st downs. The teams that beat us seem to start out with 2nd and 2 or 3. Pretty hard to NOT get a 1st down in that scenario.
by Teacher on Nov 14, 2008 10:46 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
I have another suggestion for Garrett
Run to the right a lot more. Bigg and Colombo are run blocking beasts, stop being cute and take advantage of that fact.
T-New, shutting down WR's for Dallas since 2003
by APerfectStar on Nov 14, 2008 11:29 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
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