Cowboys Need to Run First for Balance Attack

Cowboys Need to Lean Toward Run but Stay Balanced

Having an identity is crucial to success in the NFL. 

Look at the franchises who have declared a decade of dominance and you are able to quickly describe that team’s identity.

The ‘70s Steelers played a rough, physical brand of defense that carried them to three Super Bowl Championships. Even recently, the Steelers have not strayed from their blue collar, smash-mouth defensive identity and their organization has been rewarded with two more Super Bowl Championships.

Pittsburgh's team identity is the Steel Curtain defense just like it was in the ‘70s.   

The 49ers in the 80’s were a pass first finesse team who used quick decision making, precise route running, and overall athletic ability to win three Lombardi trophies in their decade of dominance. 

Their Championship teams were easily identified as offensive purists with wide receivers who could outrun corners and running backs who caught like receivers. Not to say that ‘80s Niners team didn’t play defense, but their identity was offense. 

Any player who touched the ball for the 49ers could score from anywhere on the field and no defense matched up well against them.

When the Cowboys won three Super Bowls in the ‘90s, the key to their offensive success was balance. The Cowboys looked to run first with Emmitt Smith, but could throw over any run blitzes with Troy Aikman to Michael Irvin or Jay Novacek. 

Yes, we are talking about hall of fame talents here, but stay with me. 

The Cowboys had an identity and that was balance.

Consider the Cowboys last Super Bowl season in 1995. 

The Cowboys finished that '95 regular season with a modest ranking of 13th in passing at 226.4 yards per game. Their rushing attack was the second best in the league, averaging 137.6 yards per game. 

Fast forward to the Cowboys' last season, in which the offense averaged 236.8 yards per game passing. That was good for ninth best in the NFL. 

The dropoff in the comparison is in the ground game.  In 2008, the Cowboys ranked 21st in rushing, averaging 107.7 yards per game. 

Comparing the Super Bowl season of ’95 to last season, you can see the passing offense was 10 yards better last year, but the rushing attack trailed by a distant 30 yards per game.

This is where the Cowboys must improve next year if they are going to win their first playoff game since 1996. 

We make this declaration, not because that is how the '95 Cowboys did it, but because they have the personnel in place to establish a power running game and play action pass-type offense as their identity.

With the departure of Terrell Owens, this will be the first start to a season that Tony Romo does not have Owens as his primary receiver. This is the perfect season for the Cowboys to think run first, play action pass second and develop a ball control-type offensive identity.

Personnel Matched Move to Power Run Game

In 2007, tight end Jason Witten led the team with 96 catches for 1,145 yards.  He caught 81 more passes for 952 yards in 2008 to again lead the team in catches.  His numbers may have dropped from last year, but he battled through broken ribs last season and will finally be healthy to start the 2009 season.

A tight end is the most difficult cover on the field for linebackers that are also tasked with stuffing the run.  Witten has made a career out of either outrunning a linebacker or using his size (6’5” and 262 lbs.) to shield the defender from the ball.

Rookie tight end Marcellus Bennett had a breakout season last year when lining up in dual tight end formations. He showed both an ability to sustain blocks as well as great hands, and the ability to make big plays on third downs. 

In his first season as a professional, Bennett enjoyed a healthy 14.2 yards per catch and scored four touchdowns.

You can’t just up and declare your new identity is a power running team without having the force and experience on the offensive line to support the strategy. The Cowboys offensive line is loaded with big fellas who have years of NFL experience. 

On the right side of the line alone, the Cowboys have 17 years of experience and 781 lbs. of men ready to block. 

Add Witten’s seven years and 262 pounds, and it just makes sense to run Marion Barber off right tackle, doesn’t it?

Felix Jones Healthy Again

Probably the biggest reason to run the ball more often (besides the loss of Owens) is to get second year running back Felix Jones more touches. Jones flashed game breaking speed and ability early in his rookie season, before pulling his hamstring, then enduring a freak toe injury that cost him the rest of the season.

During his career at Arkansas, Jones averaged 6.6 yards per carry running the football for a team that couldn’t pass, and he did it in the South Eastern Conference no less. 

The Cowboys insisted they covet Jones’ combination of top end speed and lower body strength.  They promised it had nothing to do with his name being Jones and playing football for Arkansas.

Jones' speed and power translated in the NFL as did his gaudy yards per touch average.  In six games before the injuries, Jones had 30 carries for 266 yards and three scores. 

That means he averaged 8.9 yards per carry, which is unheard of in the NFL even for limited carries. 

Jones also returned kicks, averaging 27.1 yards per return including a 98 yard kickoff return touchdown.  All last year, Jones had 48 touches for 710 yards and averaged 14.8 yards per touch. 

The Cowboys have won Super Bowls in the past with balanced offensive football teams.  

With a massive veteran offensive line, two quality running backs, and two capable tight ends to keep the linebackers guessing, Dallas needs to establish the run then play action pass behind it and keep defenses off balance. 

The Cowboys identity as a winning organization is at stake.