How bout Dem Cowboys!!!! It’s
been an up and down start for the Dallas Cowboys in 2017. The season is still
early and they have plenty of time to get everything in order. Monday nights
win against the Arizona Cardinals was a really good win because the Cowboys
didn’t play their “A” game but were still able to come out with the win. One of
my keys for victory against the Cardinals was to get creative with the
offensive play calling. While the offense wasn’t as explosive as we all know
they can be, we got a glimpse into some of the things the Cowboys want to do on
offense.
Did anyone else notice Dez Bryant line up in the slot at
times? Did you also notice them motion Bryant across the formation? In that
last game against the Cardinals it didn’t help Bryant have a big impact on the
game but the concept is the same, move you playmakers around to give them an opportunity
to make plays. Dez Bryant showed on that touchdown catch that he can still make
big plays, I mean, he did carry five guys into the endzone. The Cowboys even tried
to get the ball to Dez on a wide receiver screen pass. Going forward the
Cowboys will need to find creative ways to get Dez involved in the offense and
I like that they want to get it to him short and let him do the rest of the
work.
The Cowboy also had a few plays where they put Ryan
Switzer in the backfield and they even handed him the ball. I’m looking for
that creativity. This Cowboys offense has too many weapons for it to stall as
much as it has this season. They still have a great offensive line, Collins
included. This is his first season at the right tackle position. He has gone
against the Giant’s JPP, Bronco’s Von Miller, and the Cardinal’s Markus Golden.
All three of these guys are great pass rushers and Collins is getting some on the
job training.
This offensive line is still great! It will get better as
the season progress. The run game will become more effective as teams realize
they can’t stack the box because they risk allowing Dak outside the pocket. Even
if Dak isn’t beating teams with his arm, he can make plays with his legs. More
teams will have to either spy Prescott or force the ends to keep containment
and not rush up field. However, you want to view it, defenses will not be able
to continue to commit six players to stopping the Cowboys run game. This Rams
team presents a few different challenges, but here are my keys to beating them.
Get Dez Bryant the ball!!!!
After the first three weeks, I didn’t know that I would
ever use this as a key anymore. Dez wasn’t looking like himself, he was
dropping passes, and struggling to get open. After seeing him drag five grown
men into the endzone, and make Patrick Peterson miss in the open field, get him
the ball. Dez needs the ball in his hands to get going. I like that they are
starting to move him around. That is creating one on one matchups for Brice
Butler and Terrace Williams, which should ignite this passing offense.
Regardless of how you view Dez Bryant, he is still a playmaker and an asset for
the Dallas Cowboys. This offense will need Dez this week, and for the reminder
of the season. Continue working on the Dak to Dez connection, they’re going to
need it come January!
Open up the passing offense even more
Wade Phillips is having a hard time piecing together this
Rams defensive personnel. I think they need to go back to a 4-3 base front because
Quinn Jr is a liability in coverage. Until he is able to figure that out, the
Cowboys have to take advantage of this confusion. Brian Hoyer and the San Francisco
49ers almost put up 40 point on this Rams team. They don’t have Tryon Smith,
Travis Fredrick, and Zack Martin on their offensive line. They have a Dez
Bryant or Zeke Elliot. Dak Prescott is head and shoulders above Brain Hoyer. I
know this Rams offense looks improved but this defense is suspect and it’s time
to let the ball fly.
Dak should have a field day against the Rams defense if
they decide to stack the box like Arizona did. Brice Butler and Terrace
Williams have both earned more balls thrown their way. Last week Cole Beasley
and Jason Witten were non factors in the passing game. Spread LA out, let’s see
some four wide receiver sets, some three wide receiver two tight end sets.
Allow Dak to use his mobility to buy time for the down field throws. If there is any game to get right on offense
it’s this one and the Cowboys have to take advantage of that before their week
five matchup against Green Bay.
Run the ball
I put this key third because by now everybody knows the
Cowboys want to run the ball. The Rams are ranked 31st against the
run and are allowing 4.7 yards per carry. This shouldn’t even be a key because
the Cowboys should have their way with the Rams on the ground. Since the
Cowboys offense as a whole has been struggling it think it’s a key worth mentioning.
Is it me or does it appear that all the off the field
stuff is getting to Zeke. He doesn’t appear to be the same player he was last
year. No, I don’t mean from a physical standpoint, because he is still making
great cuts, and moving the chains, when there is room. I mean as far as having
fun. Last year we saw him jump into a Salvation Army collection pot. This year
he is sitting on the bench away from players. He isn’t high fiving guys, or
doing his feed me celebration as much anymore. I could be making a big deal out
of nothing. I want to see that excited Zeke this week. The Rams have a
struggling defense and Zeke should have plenty of real estate to run on. Let’s
feed Zeke and get our workhorse running back; back please!
Give me more Jourdan Lewis!!!!
Jourdan Lewis was a breath of fresh air last week against
the Cardinals. Can you believe that a Dallas Cowboys cornerback was able to
come up in run support and make a one on one tackle for a short gain? Morris Claiborne
never did that! I’m not going to anoint Lewis as the next great Cowboys
cornerback but I do want to see what the rookie has. Last year the Cowboys
found Anthony Brown in the fifth round. Lewis was a third round pick this season.
If he continues to develop, the Cowboys will have two really good cornerbacks
on the outside for years to come. Put Scandrick back inside and let’s take a
chance with Brown and Lewis on the outside.
Account for Todd Gurley
I watched that Rams vs Redskins game and Todd Gurley was
a beast. He did everything for that Rams offense. He caught passes on wheel
routes 10-15 yards down field. When Geoff checked the ball down to Gurley in
the flats he picked up 7-10 yards. He had an amazing game against the Redskins.
The Cowboys can’t allow Gurley to beat them. They may
have to put a safety on him if Lee isn’t able to play. I don’t know if Jaylon
Smith is physically ready to pick up a running back like Gurley. The Cowboys
also fell in love with the three man fronts against the Cardinals. Gurley will
run all over that three-man front. Stopping Gurley is the key to beating the
Rams. I know Goff if looking decent this season. I still don’t trust him to
win a game. Force Goff to throw the ball and it should be a good day for the
Cowboys defense. Allow Gurley to get going in the run or passing game and it
will be a long ass day for this Cowboys defense.
I
expect the Cowboys to go out and handle business this Sunday against the Rams.
If this pass rush is improved, then getting to Geoff won’t be any trouble. This
secondary is still a work in progress but Brown and Lewis appear to be the best
options at cornerback. Scandrick is great in the slot and putting him there
will allow him to make plays from inside. If Lee is hurt and can’t play that
will be a huge loss for the Cowboys defense but they will probably have to drop
a safety in the box. Maybe Jeff Heath can be a good linebacker, because he sure
isn’t doing shit at safety. I’m taking the Cowboys 27-17!
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