Regression and injuries can be seen across many position groups of the Dallas Cowboys. The most significant regression is in a group once considered one of the best in the NFL.
As fans look up and down the roster holes, a lack of talent can be seen at every level. This coaching staff’s inability to adapt to the players on the roster is a significant issue.
The offensive line’s inability to adapt has been ever-present. The offensive line affects every skill position on the offensive side of the ball, and the product from this group can be seen every week.
Mike Solari’s Inability to Adapt has Destroyed the Offense
Mike Solari is, by all accounts, a well-regarded offensive line coach in the NFL, but his best days may be behind him.
Fans have watched this offensive line be shuffled around to find the right combination. Maybe it’s not the players but the scheme and the coach.
The offensive line has been up and down the last few years, and in the running game, the inside zone scheme and power scheme could be causing issues.
The running game in 2024 is ranked 31st at 81.7 yards per carry. Part of this is the running backs and the failure to keep Ezekiel Elliott off the field, but the scheme also plays a big part.
In 2023, the running game with the same scheme ranked 15th. 2022 saw the running game ranked 9th, and in 2021, the running game was ranked 9th.
2021 was also the first year that Mike Solari took over the offensive line. Two years in the top ten was great, but the offensive line players fit the molds of inside zone and power schemes.
The regression can be seen in the running game, and the rookies on the offensive line are less powerful and more agile. Running an outside zone scheme could get the athletic linemen in space and allow them to use their strength, which is athletic ability.
In 2024, the passing game saw the quarterback get sacked 2.9 times a game. In 2023, the quarterback was sacked 2.4 times a game; in 2022, the sacks given up per game were 1.5.
The sacks are piling up year after year. Again, the scheme and possibly the technique are just not working.
Is it the scheme, technique, or players? The scheme seems terrible if you are a stat person, and the defenses know how to overcome the techniques.
Adapting Isn’t a Bad Thing
Mike Solari has been around the league long enough to know the NFL is a copycat league.
It is not difficult to look around the NFL at other offensive lines with the same type of personnel. He has been an offensive line coach long enough to see what other teams are doing and break it down to fit his players.
One thing is for sure: the front office may take the coaches’ opinion on players drafted into account, but Jerry Jones and the company are going to draft who they think fits the team.
This may be one of the most significant issues with the entire team, not just the offensive line, but we are talking about the line.
Would it not be fruitful to play to your players’ strengths to get the most out of them? Yes, the answer is yes, but this coaching staff seems allergic to change.
Tyler Guyton, for example. His draft profile said his strengths and weaknesses are:
Strengths:
This player showcases strong athleticism, making him a candidate for both left and right tackle positions. He excels at pulling and getting into space as a lead blocker, with precise hand techniques that help him gain an edge.
His pass protection is fundamentally sound, featuring good balance and quickness, while his awareness protects the B-gap against twists. Though he has limited starting experience, he possesses valuable traits that stand out.
Weaknesses
The player is tall but tends to play even taller, limiting his ability to sustain blocks. Despite his athleticism, he often misses open targets and needs to strengthen his balance in the run game. He struggles to move defenders effectively and may have trouble anchoring against a bull rush.
Clearly, Tyler Guyton is a very athletic tackle who can do damage in space, but when was the last time we saw him out in space?
This is just one example of not adapting to the personnel.
Mike Solari may be one of the most well-regarded offensive line coaches in the NFL, but that does not mean he is still good at his job.
A change in this area could pay dividends for numerous areas of the offense. Get the lineman outside and allow them to use the athleticism that got them drafted.
The offensive line’s lack of adaptation has caused serious regression. Do better, coaches; you’re being paid millions to figure this out.