Scheme

by sduncan24 on Mar 3, 2008 3:17 PM CST

This time of year, as it has been referred to as the "silly season" is all about players. We are concentrating on free agency and the draft has consumed us all. So I wanted to start this diary about scheme. What sort of things do you look for the Cowboys to do more of next year, with the players we currently have. No talking about draft picks or free agents, only what do you want to see more or less of this upcoming season.

I for one would love to see Dallas implement more screens into the offense. The playoff game against the Giants sparked this. With their pass rush killing us through the second half we could have used their aggressive defense against them by throwing in a few simple screens. And I have seen the Eagles use the screen so well in the recent past that I would love for us to develop this skill. Also, in the Tuna years I always looked forward to a good flea flicker once in a while, I would like to see a few more trick or gadget plays thrown in for good fun.

Defensively I want to see that aggressive Phillips 34. I want to see a few more corner blitz and such, I know it takes a better secondary to send the corner on a blitz, but it worked pretty well in the Green Bay game, but I didn't see it too much else during the season.

Oh well, thats all I could think of for the moment. So get away from draft picks and free agents for a few minutes, and let us know what do you want to see more of"Scheme Wise" during our Superbowl Run next year?

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If we can pick up a really fast back

in the draft, I can see how using more screens would benefit our offense.

In Romo we Trust

by Terry on Mar 3, 2008 3:28 PM CST reply actions

Screens wont stop opposing WR

I agree to a certain extent. If they get a guy like Warrick Dunn or Tatum Bell, I could see them implementing the screens. MBIII is a solid receiver out of the back field and the more that guy gets the ball in his hands the better.

I dont think the Cowboys had any problems on offense last season, with the exception of Patrick Crayton dropping two for sure TD.

I dont think it is going to matter how many screens we use if we dont generate some pass rush and get a solid couple of corners since we only have two on our roster with any type of experience.

by Texasmouth on Mar 3, 2008 3:35 PM CST reply actions

JJ

was good enough in the open field, enough speed, to run the screen last year. In fact I think we would all agree that screens with JJ would have been the best use of his talent, where he could run in the open field in the second level and not get tripped by a field mouse.

First to six!!!

by sduncan24 on Mar 3, 2008 3:50 PM CST up reply actions

More QB pressure/sacks

We did pretty good in that department last season (except for the Detroit game), but I'd like to see us take it to another level.

NYG's pass rush is what made the ultimate difference for them during their SB run.

There are two Adrian Petersons, but there is only one Marion Barber.

by Nelson @ Blogging The Boys on Mar 3, 2008 3:37 PM CST reply actions

First off

lets all stop talking about the superbowl, this team hasn't even won a playoff game, let alone asuperbowl.

less offensive line penalties
more toss sweeps
more consistant rushing yards on first and second down, stay out of all these third and over six yards to go on third down.
More focus and better play in December, killer instinct and put teams away when they're suppose too.
more blitzes up the middles by the linebackers
better strong safety play----wishfull thinking on my part.
more man press coverage on the outside, stop the ten yard cushions
more balance on offense, too pass happy at times
Better starts in games, too inconsistant starting games.
more demanding in your face coaching by the duffus head coach.
NO vacation trips for players
and when the headcoach holds press conferences, have some clue of what the injury status is of your players..

Trade up a few spots to get ahead of Houston and draft Jonathan Stewart, thee best all around Back in the draft.

by Deke on Mar 3, 2008 3:38 PM CST reply actions

and Dictator Deke has spoken. lol

NO vacation trips for players

wow, last time I checked this was America. How many of you out there has a boss who tells you what you can and can't do on your days off? show of hands please.

In Romo we Trust

by Terry on Mar 3, 2008 3:42 PM CST up reply actions

insubordination!!!!

Terry, drop and give me one hundred pushups!!!!

You sir, take a long vacation from this blog, thats an order!!!!!!!! LOL!!

Trade up a few spots to get ahead of Houston and draft Jonathan Stewart, thee best all around Back in the draft.

by Deke on Mar 3, 2008 3:54 PM CST up reply actions

Deke

don't sound so angry with your posts, you don't even sound like a "fan" of this team. We talk about the Superbowl because we all, well most of us, believe that the Dallas Cowboys have the talent to get there. I agree with a lot of what you just said in that post and think that it is some really good insight, but I also think you need to lighten up a little and be a fan for just a few minutes.

First to six!!!

by sduncan24 on Mar 3, 2008 3:48 PM CST up reply actions

MOi, angry--never!!!!

I just answered your question of what I'd like to see the cowboys do more next year....

as you can see I have laundry list!!!

Trade up a few spots to get ahead of Houston and draft Jonathan Stewart, thee best all around Back in the draft.

by Deke on Mar 3, 2008 3:56 PM CST up reply actions

Safeties

We can't blitz corners until we get a strong safety who can cover someone for more than 3 seconds. Roy Williams is holding our defense back.

Staggolee

by Staggolee87 on Mar 3, 2008 4:11 PM CST reply actions

We did blitz corners

Nate Jones blitzed on most of them.

Corner blitzes are extremely risky. I'd rather see Ware, Ellis, Spencer, Canty, Ratliff, Hatcher, and Bowen get more sacks and pressures.

I purposely left Spears out because I'm hoping Miami trades for him.

"On my signal...unleash Hell." Demarcus Maximus Decimus Ware

by APerfectStar on Mar 3, 2008 7:50 PM CST up reply actions

After watching NE

I'm definitely in favor of more screens. It's just another option when teams play good cover 2 and manage to pressure routinely.

And I can sign up for about 90% of Deke's list.

But...

The vacations and not getting in people's face didn't hurt the team. Parcells was on the players like white on rice and they performed worse than they did for Phillips. If everything thing has changed except the players and the results are the same... anyone know where I'm going with this?

Yeah. Exactly. It's got to be some of the players. They're young (among the youngest in the league) and still figuring their world out. Hopefully they'll learn to focus a bit better as they mature.

by dunkman on Mar 3, 2008 5:09 PM CST reply actions

to pull off screen plays...right personal.

that's why it's imperative that we grab (Felix Jones) in the first, and a (Caldwell,Royal) slot type WR in the 3rd. You need guys that are explosive out in space and turn a 5 yard screen pass into an 80 yard TD....wooo hooo...

bring on the draft already.

True Cowboys diehard since 1975.

by BoyzRback07 on Mar 3, 2008 5:18 PM CST up reply actions

Exotic formations

I wouldn't mind seeing some formations that catch people off guard. Maybe a four or five receiver set or a wishbone.

by BigE on Mar 3, 2008 5:13 PM CST reply actions

I would like to see a few more screens as well

I really like the T.O. WR screens, it seems that everytime he touches the ball he aint going down till he gets 8 more yards. The problem is that you don't have someone on the other side to throw to for screens. I also think that if Dunn came to Dallas the screen would almost have to be utilized. I don't see why Barber can't get more screes either, you don't necessarily have to be a burner, Barber is still going to get his yards whether on a pass play or a run play.

by Romo9 on Mar 3, 2008 6:05 PM CST reply actions

If we are going to consistently abandon the...

running game, we have to improve on the screen play....and not just RB screen, but WR and TE also.

That's the difference between Dallas and the Packers/Patriots. They can and do successfully run screen plays, in their pass happy offense.

We were fortunate that Romo wasn't injured last year. Our line played great when you consider the fact that we never did enough to keep opponents pass rush honest. The only time our offensive line got a break was when we had games under control.

by Fargo Cowboys on Mar 3, 2008 6:37 PM CST reply actions

i agree Fargo....

We haven't had a decent screen game since Tom Landry....I have no clue why...has alot to do with the mountain men we have up from, got to be a little more nimble on your feet to get alligned properly. I agree with the wr screens...too many people focus on Witten for him to get open looks that close to the line, sneak a slot guy behind our lineman would work great.

True Cowboys diehard since 1975.

by BoyzRback07 on Mar 3, 2008 7:23 PM CST up reply actions

Maybe Coach Houck can get the line to

sell screens better as well as run block better.

"On my signal...unleash Hell." Demarcus Maximus Decimus Ware

by APerfectStar on Mar 3, 2008 7:52 PM CST up reply actions

Personnel Issue with regards to WR screens??

We could use a "slot machine" on offense. Glenn rarely lines up in the slot, and Crayton lacks the quickness to quickly separate. TO is probably our best slot receiver, but we need him on the outside.

I think teams are going to be looking for the next Wes Welker in the draft this year. As everyone knows, it's a copy-cat league and Welker was unstoppable in the slot this season. Maybe Jeremy Urban was our slot guy, and we let him go last year. We'll have to watch him closely in Arizona this season as he assumes the #3 WR, and plays a major role as their slot guy.

I know that I've said it before, but Eddie Royal and Dexter Jackson are a couple of intriguing talents that I think could be incredible "slot machines" in the NFL.

by Fargo Cowboys on Mar 3, 2008 9:47 PM CST up reply actions

Good point Fargo...

My son's a Miami fan (I know, traitor!) so when the Cowboys aren't playing I watch Miama games with him on NFL Ticket. I was high on Welker during the 2006 season in Miami and was hoping that Dallas would show some interest but, unfortunately, we didn't.

Welker has shown what a quick receiver with good hands can do in the slot position. We need to find someone with those talents. If Terry Glenn was a few years younger you might try using him the way the Pats use Welker but with his knees and age we need to find a younger guy for this role.

I like Eddie Royal and Dexter Jackson as well. Not sure where they will fall in the draft, but I'd love to see us pick up one of those guys.

The Red Ball Express will be rolling this year!

by BulletBob on Mar 4, 2008 8:05 AM CST up reply actions

a healthy glenn...

with T.O. could make this offence that much better...he's very hard to cover on those quick slats and i like those better than the wr screens..but i do like rb screens. also i like those rb draws we used to run with emmitt, it wasn't a delayed draw, it worked well...to get back to scheme's i'm excited to see how spencer improves i think he's going to be a stud...one more thing, i remember seeing ware trying a few spin moves late last year if he adds that move to his list watch out...

"I guess I'm gonna fade into Bolivian." Mike tyson.

by hashishkabob on Mar 4, 2008 4:03 PM CST reply actions