Bring Back The "Landry Shift"...Just Once More

by NateMac on Sep 19, 2008 12:46 PM CDT

I was watching the movie "Invinceable" last night and there was a scene where Philly played Dallas which included the "Landry Shift". It didn't last long but it was enough to get me thinking. As we say goodbye to Texas Stadium this season. Goodbye to the place where the Dallas Cowboys transformed into America's Team. Wouldn't it be great to see the "Landry Shift" just one more time?

For you young fans, the Landry Shift was when the entire offensive line stood straight up before dropping into their 3 point stance. As cool as the big men looked moving in unison, there was a purpose behind the shift. The idea was to briefly shield the defense from seeing the formation shifts going on in the backfield. Take a look at these highlights from Super Bowl XII and you'll see the Landry Shift...notice how the backfield changes formation while the offensive line is standing straight up.

The Landry Shift was uniquely Cowboys. No one else in the league did it and no one's done it since. And seeing it in the movie last night was like seeing an old friend you hadn't seen for a long time.

On Sunday, 12/14 we play the Giants at Texas Stadium in a nationally televised Sunday night game. Man, wouldn't it give you goose bumps to see Adams, Kosier, Gurode, Davis and Columbo give us a Landry Shift just one more time?

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Landry shift was awesome

He was the first coach to invent that as well as multiple formation movements pre-snap, it was truly a thing of beauty watching those ’70s games as a kid, really brings back memories.

The problem I see with having our current line do it is that I think they’re too big and would get exhausted by halftime. Keep in mind OL back then weighed only 250-265 lbs and that was considered big. We don’t want to overwork our big heavies too much.

In Romo we Trust

by Terry on Sep 19, 2008 1:19 PM CDT reply actions

We'd get penalized...

With our luck they’d flag us for illegal motion or a false start.

The Red Ball Express will be rolling this year!

by BulletBob on Sep 19, 2008 1:37 PM CDT reply actions

At least Flozell would have some company.....

Hell they’d probably call illegal motion on the whole offensive line!
But I’d still love to see it!

You'll never get in a traffic jam,while going the extra mile. -Roger staubach

by TrueBlue24 on Sep 19, 2008 6:29 PM CDT up reply actions

Let me ask you this...?

Coming from a young, but what I consider an informed fan…WHAT WERE YOU DOING WATCHING A MOVIE ABOUT THE EAGLES, U TRAITOR!!! haha just kidding

by AikmanNailedMySis on Sep 19, 2008 1:48 PM CDT reply actions

that would be cool

but our dudes too BIG for all that extra movement, refs licking their chops to through flags, gotta keep it simple these days.

by bleedn blu on Sep 19, 2008 2:26 PM CDT reply actions

damn NatMac.....great find with those old videos.....your absolutely right on ...

We don’t really need the shift of lineman( As Terry explained, too exhaustive, and may lead to penalties), but movement in the backfield is something i’ve always welcomed…..You guys will notice the many split backfield sets(As I’ve posted several times to be an advocate of)…..that’s exactly the way Garrett should be running this offense, opens up so many more options………MBIII (Newhouse) lined up to the right (strong side) and Felix Jones (Tony Dorsett) split to the left (weak side) , It is like going back in a time capsule….they’re mirror images of each other…..I could watch those old tapes over and over….and Garrett should too…..PLEASE run the split backfield !!!!!!

A true diehard Cowboys fan since 1975.

"If you don’t take him off the field as a coach, he will just about die out there," Jerry Jones said. "That impacted my decision. It’s a Michael Irvin-type work ethic. That’s what we are talking about with Felix Jones."
- Owner/G.M of the Dallas Cowboys , Jerry Jones

by BoyzRback on Sep 19, 2008 7:06 PM CDT reply actions

I for one, hate split backs...

I don’t know why, I just instinctively don’t like it. I formation, Power I and Weak I, with a motion TE is plenty. I don’t see the advantage of split backs.

by SmittyCityMo on Sep 20, 2008 12:44 AM CDT up reply actions

It give you the opportunity to play two playmaking halfbacks, as opposed to wasting a spot on a lead blocker..

MBIII doesn’t need a lead blocker…TE in motion is plenty…like you said….It allows allows a chip blocker or outlet dump off receiver on each side of the QB in passing situations…I could go on and on……..there is a reason we only kept one FB….the position has all but become obsolete in todays pass happy game….we’re not an inside running team, and if anything, the FB clogs up the middle when we try to go that route…As you can see by MBIII’s weak production early in the Philly game…We’re an off tackle running team…..with our only success up the middle is on delayed counter runs, which doesn’t require a FB….plus the fact that I want to see Felix Jones on that field as much as possible…

A true diehard Cowboys fan since 1975.

by BoyzRback on Sep 20, 2008 5:34 PM CDT reply actions

Invincible is a good movie

Inspirational story and the Cowboys STILL beat the Eagles.

by Billito on Sep 20, 2008 8:13 PM CDT reply actions

i've been e-mailing.....

dallascowboys.com since parcells second year about this same thing……no responce…..it was the best and there wouldn’t be any flag’s thrown if the ref’s knew in advance. it would be great to see again….if we could get everyone to e-mail them we might get it on……wade just might go for it……

I don't need a compass to know which way the wind shines....

by hashishkabob on Sep 21, 2008 1:04 PM CDT reply actions