Star Blog

Dallas Cowboys: One Thing Fans Aren’t Understanding

Published

3 years ago

December 13, 2015

Cowboys Blog - Cowboys: One Thing Fans Aren't Understanding

It's 3rd & 1 and the Dallas Cowboys need a short push to get a much-needed first down. Behind the best offensive line in football, this looks to be easy for Darren McFadden and the Cowboys. The ball is hiked to Matt Cassel, Cassel proceeds to hand the ball off to McFadden, and McFadden is stuffed at the line. The Cowboys are then forced to punt. How many times have you witnessed that happening this season?

Well, it's actually happened a lot. According to 105.3 The Fan's Shan Shariff, the Cowboys are 7-18 on 3rd & 1. For all of you math majors out there, that's a 39% success rate. Yikes.

Unbelievable stat: #Cowboys are worst 3rd & 1 team in league, now 7-18.......with the "best" offensive line in football.

— Shan Shariff (@1053SS) December 13, 2015

Behind All-Pros like Tyron Smith, Travis Frederick, and Zack Martin, as well as an up-and-coming player in La'el Collins, and a guy who isn't so bad himself in Doug Free, the Cowboys should be converting easily, but really, the problems lie all on the coaching staff. On short-yardage plays, the Cowboys bring in jumbo personnel, meaning two more tight ends for extra blocking. In theory, this sounds like more blocking, but it attracts more defenders which means more clutter and less space for the offensive line to do what they're best at. Here's a picture of what I'm talking about:

In this picture, because the Cowboys come out in their jumbo personnel, the Packers basically have all 11 of their guys within five yards of ball. Robert Turbin is seven yards from the ball. Once the ball is snapped, and it's determined it's a running play, it's honestly easy to see why the Cowboys aren't having success on short-yardage plays.

Let's take a look at two plays where the offensive line opened up huge holes:

On this play, notice how Free is sealing the edge, Martin is blowing out the "backup" man and how James Hanna is sealing the outside linebacker. This leads to a hole like this:

This leads to a 50-yard gain for McFadden. Let's take a look at another play:

Notice on this pitch to McFadden how Jason Witten comes underneath to seal the defensive end, allowing Collins and Smith to use their athleticism get to the outside. The outside-man, Smith, blows the cornerback off the football.

We then see an absolutely huge hole for McFadden. Shortly after this image, we see Collins absolutely destroy Ha Ha Clinton-Dix and then continue running another 30 yards to block another defender.

These two plays are prime examples why the narrative of 'the Cowboys' offensive line isn't nearly as good as it was last year' is simply a joke. The other bad one is 'maybe DeMarco Murray helped the offensive line more than the offensive line helped him'. Dallas' offensive line is still the best in football. Over the next few years, this unit will only continue to get better.

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Ryan Ratty

An online sports writer for about three years now, Ryan is a die-hard Dallas Cowboys fan. He writes about his favorite team on Inside The Star. Ryan also writes for other publications like Roster Watch, Rant Sports, and Cuse Nation. Ryan is a freshman at Syracuse University majoring in Information Management and Technology. You can follow him on Twitter @RyanRattyNFL.

6 Comments

Keith

This year team the whole organization is horrible, does jerry jones want to win? First of all we need a good backup QB not a bargain also take a look a some of the DB'S. The Cowboys should be in a league with the Patriots you know they always make the playoffs, we made the playoffs two times in 20 yrs thats unheard of.Jerry wake up and make some decisions.
https://insidethestar.com Freddie Suave

The coaching staff are just plain DUMB & STUPID. They will NEVER get it. Don't even know how to manage a game. Bring on Sean Peyton, at least he knows how to build a team and how to be UNPREDICTABLE. Garrett IS NOT a coach with any experience. Jerry Jones just likes to use Garrett as his scapegoat. As long as Jerry Jones controls him, they will NEVER win a Superbowl. CowboysNation continues to suffer for their STUPIDITY. THANK Jerry Jones & Family!!
http://google Ellen

The play calling is so predictable that a high school defense could recognize the offense when you're at the goal line trying to score on a run play why not a sweep because Linehan! U see up the middle is gonna be jammed up. Common sense!!!!!
http://PigskinHub.com Zac Fields

Thanks for a great article, Ryan!

I think the idea that the Cowboys offensive line isn't very good is ridiculous. Do they have flaws that maybe we didn't know about (or chose to ignore) heading into the season? Sure. If the belief was that Joseph Randle was going to be a 1,500 yard back behind this offensive line, then surely you're disappointed right now.

With that said, they are indeed one of the top 3 offensive lines in football, at least. They're young and they do have a pretty weak link in Doug Free, so they're not perfect but they're VERY GOOD.

My main gripe about yesterday's game: McFadden's two stellar runs came on similar types of plays. Both pitch-out plays where McFadden was running outside trying to get the edge. Why did they only run that play twice? Zack Martin and La'ell Collins are SPECTACULAR running that play. The best blocks I've seen in several years have come this season on those exact plays where one of those guys pulls to the outside and functions as a lead blocker.

I understand minimizing it because you can't have your offensive line running all over the field on every play, but only twice? When it yielded a 40+ yard gain both times? I really don't think we're giving enough credibility to the idea that maybe Scott Linehan just really isn't that good of an OC unless he's got perfect talent (like last year) at pretty much every position.
http://www.facebook.com/DallasCowboyBooksBlog Fred Goodwin

Yes fans are so stupid. Thank God for so-called "experts" like Ryan to explain it all to us mindless dumb@$$es!
maxdallasfan

Teams don't fear our passing game. Haven't since Romo went down.

Star Blog

Where In The World Is DE Taco Charlton?

Published

2 days ago

December 14, 2018

Kevin Brady

Sean's Scout: Defense Comes Alive In Loss At LA Rams 2

Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images

Over pretty much the last decade, the Dallas Cowboys have been rock solid with their first round picks. With selections of Ezekiel Elliott, Travis Frederick, Byron Jones, Tyron Smith, Zack Martin, and Leighton Vander Esch (just to name a handful), Dallas has rebuilt the core of their roster through the NFL Draft.

It's nearly impossible to bat .1000 in any round of the draft, however, and this appears to be the current case with the Cowboys' 2017 first round pick.

Defensive end Taco Charlton has not had the sophomore season that he, or anyone, had hoped for. A healthy scratch last Sunday, Charlton has only been active for 1 of the Cowboys' last 5 games, and has not recorded a sack or tackle since week 9.

Prior to disappearing with injuries and "attitude issues," Charlton had only recorded 1 sack on the season and was beginning to fall behind his Hot Boy-brethren. Defensive end Randy Gregory has reached his form over the last few weeks, Tyrone Crawford is having arguably a career year, and DeMarcus Lawrence is one of the best ends in all of football.

This doesn't leave much room for Charlton, who's now having issues even getting on the gameday roster. Rod Marinelli dodged questions about Taco Charlton earlier this week, vaguely saying they are "moving forward" and that he'd like to talk about other players on his defensive line who are performing.

Calvin Watkins on Twitter

Rod Marinelli on Taco Charlton's benching and being inactive last week: "We just keep moving along keep going forward. It's kinda been out there I'd leave it at that. I'd rather talk about our two tackles.

Charlton has not been quiet about his displeasure as of late, either. He's taken to Twitter to voice his frustrations, saying that not only is his shoulder fine but that the Dallas media is making up stories about his absence. He's also posted some cryptic tweets such as this one, with a picture of Allen Iverson and a caption reading "Every players needs that one coach to believe in them."

https://twitter.com/TheSupremeTaco/status/1072203745868554240

Maybe Taco is right. Maybe he just needs increased opportunity and a support system/coach that believes in him whole-heartedly. After all, Charlton has faced nothing but doubters and detractors since the second he was drafted by the Dallas Cowboys.

But in the NFL, the ultimate "what have you done for me lately" sport, it's hard to imagine he'll get that unwavering support anywhere in the league. He's going to have to "earn" his playing time, as head coach Jason Garrett spoke to earlier in the week. But with the plethora of talent the Cowboys are already putting out there on the defensive line, it's becoming difficult to see exactly where Taco Charlton can fit in on this defense.

It's possible, and fine, if it is simply not a fit between Charlton and the Cowboys at this point. But I'd also be wary of giving up on your first round pick in just his second NFL season. Another offseason with the team, working on his craft and getting fully healthy, should do Charlton wonders, and hopefully allow us to get a better read on his future with the Cowboys going forward.

Until then, we are all left to scratch out heads and wonder what in the world is going on with the Cowboys and Taco Charlton, and if the former first round pick will have a future in Dallas at all.

Star Blog

Cowboys, Bears Proving Defense Can Win the NFC

Published

2 days ago

December 14, 2018

Mauricio Rodriguez

Cowboys, Bears Proving Defense Can Win the NFC

2018 has seen the emergence of high-powered offenses in both NFL conferences. The Kansas City Chiefs sit atop the AFC and the NFC is spearheaded by the New Orleans Saints and Los Angeles Rams. Through 14 weeks, these three teams are the top three offenses in the NFL, each averaging over 30 points per game. This year, for the first time in NFL history, two teams scored more than 50 in the same game.

Thanks to this consistent impressive offensive performances, you would think "offense" is the name of the game for the 2018 NFL season. Well, not so fast, my friend. Despite sitting atop the NFC, the Saints and the Rams have recently suffered losses that indicate hope is anything but lost for defensive teams in the league.

The Chicago Bears were able to bring down the Rams last Sunday Night 15-6. The same offense that averages 33 points per game was limited to six points. Sean McVay's remarkable offense went home with no touchdowns to talk about on the plane back home. Instead, they probably discussed Jared Goff's four interceptions.

Weeks earlier, the Dallas Cowboys shocked the world when they brought down the Saints. Drew Brees, Alvin Kamara and Michael Thomas simply couldn't move the ball against Leighton Vander Esch, DeMarcus Lawrence and Byron Jones. 13 points were all the Cowboys needed to score to beat an offense that was averaging 37 per game heading into week 13 but was only able to put up 10 in Dallas.

The Cowboys are the #4 seed with the Bears slightly ahead of them as the #3 seed in the NFC. Together, these teams have defeated the top two in the conference. Now granted, playoffs will definitely be different.

For starters, if they are to advance to the divisional round, they'll be on the road. Chicago was surely benefited by playing in such a cold weather versus a Los Angeles team. As far as the Cowboys are concerned, few times has AT&T Stadium been as loud as when they beat the Saints.

Hopefully, we'll get to see both of these elite defenses advance to the Divisional Round to square off against this couple of high-powered offenses again. We will not only be witnessing amazing football games, but a great discussion regarding the everlasting debate between offense and defense.

For years, "defense wins championships" has been a widely accepted statement in football. The Cowboys and Bears have made that same statement resound recently with their impressive wins.

Can they do it again in January football? Can they do it on the road?

Tell me what you think about "Cowboys, Bears Proving Defense Can Win the NFC" in the comments below, or tweet me @MauNFL and let’s talk football! If you like football and are looking for a Dallas Cowboys show in Spanish, don’t miss my weekly Facebook Live! show, Primero Cowboys!

Star Blog

Cowboys en Español: Los Colts No Son Cualquier Rival

Published

2 days ago

December 14, 2018

Mauricio Rodriguez

Fantasy Football - Fantasy Football Quarterback Rankings - Week 2 2

Andy Lyons / Getty Images

Al igual que el resto de la afición de los Dallas Cowboys, parte de mí se siente confiada respecto a este equipo visitando a Indianapolis Colts y resultando victoriosos. ¿El problema? Los Colts no son un rival sencillo de vencer. Si crees que la racha de los Cowboys los intimidará, piensa de nuevo. Los Houston Texans llevaban nueve victorias al hilo antes de enfrentarse a este equipo.

Siendo objetivos, este puede ser el partido que evite que los Cowboys cierren su temporada con ocho victorias al hilo para terminar el año con un récord de 11-5. Ni los Tampa Bay Buccaneers ni los New York Giants deberían presentar amenaza alguna contra Dallas. Lo mismo no se puede decir de Indianapolis.

Por primera vez en mucho tiempo, Andrew Luck está realmente de vuelta. Gracias a una reconstrucción de su línea ofensiva, su nivel de juego a regresado al nivel que conocíamos de él desde que llegó a la NFL. Afortunadamente para los Colts, Luck se ha mantenido sano toda la temporada y no se ve rastro alguno de sus lesiones anteriores en el emparrillado.

T.Y. Hilton está teniendo un muy buen año y sin duda alguna presentará un reto para Byron Jones y el resto de la secundaria de los Cowboys. Eric Ebron en la posición de tight end también será un dolor de cabeza para la defensiva.

Lo más interesante se dará en las trincheras. Los Cowboys han hecho un muy buen trabajo presionando quarterbacks opuestos en la temporada, pero si el centro de los Colts, Ryan Kelly está sano el domingo, se enfrentarán al mejor duo de centro-guardia en la liga actualmente. Con Quenton Nelson al lado, Luck estará muy bien protegido.

Sin embargo, Kelly no ha jugado debido a una lesión y aún está por verse si tomará el campo el domingo por la mañana. Los Cowboys hicieron un muy buen trabajo a la entonces ofensiva #1 de la liga, los New Orleans Saints, pero eso no significa que la ofensiva #8 que tienen los Colts no los retará.

Promediando 27 puntos por juego, la defensiva necesitará ayuda de Dak Prescott y compañía para ganar el partido. Dallas continúa moviendo el balón efectivamente, pero es tiempo de anotar touchdowns y no goles de campo.

Ezekiel Elliott será, una vez más, clave para la victoria. Enfrentándose a una defensiva Top 10 contra el juego terrestre, mover las cadenas con Zeke no será tan fácil. El novato Darius Leonard como linebacker ha sido algo espectacular otra temporada al igual que Leighton Vander Esch. Liderando a toda la NFL en tackleadas, estará listo para recibir a los Cowboys al Lucas Oil Stadium.