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April 2009
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There has been a lot of talk since the release of Terrell Owens about the production the Cowboys will need to get from their wide receivers. It goes something along the lines of: the Cowboys have to get 1,000 yards and 10 touchdowns from their No. 1 receiver. No they don't. What the Cowboys need to do is become a more balanced offense. And they're lucky because they have three very good NFL running backs. In 2008, 58 percent of the Cowboys offensive plays were passes (547 of 948). In other words, they passed the ball 146 more times than they rushed it (which they did 401 times). First, take a look at the production of the running backs: Marion Barber had 885 yards at 3.7 yards per carry with seven touchdowns, Tashard Choice had 472 yards for 5.1 per carry and two touchdowns, and Felix Jones rushed for 266 yards, a whopping 8.9 per attempt and three touchdowns. Remember, Barber missed three starts and Jones 10 games due to injuries. The Cowboys also changed Barber's role last year, from closer to starter. Barber is still the featured back, but there are lots of opportunities to get all three involved. My plan would still to have Barber as the "starter," but to save most of his carries for later in the game, when he is most effective. Choice gets the early carries. Jones is the change of pace. Choice proved last year he is very valuable and is much more than a traditional third-string runner. Filling in for Barber and Jones against three of the NFL's top defenses (Steelers, Giants and Ravens) he rushed for 88, 91 and 90 yards, respectively. He also totaled 157 receiving yards in those games. Receiving is something all three backs can do, too. Barber was the team's third leading receiver in '08 with 52 catches for 417 yards and two touchdowns. Just try tackling him in the open field. Choice ended as the team's fifth leading receiver with 21 catches. But Jones provides the most promise in the passing game. He has the size (6-0, 212) to be an effective receiver, maybe in the slot. He's too fast and elusive for a linebacker to cover, too powerful for a corner and too athletic for most safeties. Offensive coordinator Jason Garrett's focus should be utilizing the talented trio. The team also has one of the best tight ends in the game, Jason Witten, who was the Cowboys leading receiver last year (81, 12 more receptions than Owens). Backup Martellus Bennett is athletic and would start for many NFL teams. The point? Roy Williams, Miles Austin (if he doesn't go to the Jets), Patrick Crayton and Sam Hurd don't have to make up T.O.'s on the field production all by themselves. And more running will help Tony Romo, by taking off some of the pressure on him. The offensive line with Big Leonard Davis, Flozell Adams and Andre Gurode is better suited for pounding than pass protection, anyways. Run. Run. Run. 3 CommentsLeave a comment |
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The Boys won't make the playoffs until Jenny Jones
gets some football people to run the team.
Parcels left Jerry and superbowl quality team.
Jones will have it destroyed by the end of next
year. Hey!!! Anybody up for supporting his
new palace? Did they mention that he has
a suite 25 times the size of the average house?
Who Cares!!! This is still months away. They haven't even gone through the draft process yet. They need to quit talking about the Superbowl until they get the team working together like a team. Until then they will not win another Superbowl. Lets concentrate on more important things like the Mavericks and the Rangers.
Yes, they do need a running game, but they also need a good passing game. One without the other isn't going to make it. With that being said, a good offense without a good defense won't make it either. For most of the games last year the defense did a good job, but the whole team let down at the end, and that has to end. They have to get that "fight" back.