Look to the Past: The Cowboys' Focus Should Be on the Ground

(Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

Back in the early 1990s, when the Cowboys were the most dominating team in the NFL, the offense was led by the "triplets"—Troy Aikman, Michael Irvin, and Emmitt Smith.

While all three contributed much to the success the Cowboys enjoyed, the driving factor behind the team’s three Super Bowl victories was the running attack led by Smith—if the Cowboys are going to make a run this season at getting back to the Super Bowl, then they are going to have to return to the philosophy of running the football.

As hard as it is to believe with Tony Romo and Jason Witten on the offensive side of the ball, the strength of the Cowboys’ offensive unit is at the running back position.

The Cowboys have a new set of "triplets"—three running backs 26 years old or younger Marion Barber, Felix Jones, and Tashard Choice.

Last season this trio combined for over 1,600 yards and a 4.5 yard per carry average while scoring 12 touchdowns.  Yet they only carried the ball 360 times compared to 578 passing attempts.

Doesn’t one of the deepest and most talented groups of running backs in the game deserve more than 37 percent of the offensive snaps?

In 2008, the Cowboys ranked 21st in the NFL in rushing offense.  Their 401 rushing attempts ranked 25th in the league and last in the NFC East.

Last year, seven teams rushed the ball more than 500 times, led by the Baltimore Ravens with 592 attempts.  These seven teams had a combined won-lost record of 80-32; that’s a .714 winning percentage.

Of the 12 teams that made the playoffs, only Indianapolis with Peyton Manning and Arizona with Kurt Warner, ran the ball fewer times than the Cowboys.  In addition, the Cowboys only rushed for 12 touchdowns last season, ranking 22nd in the league.

But there are signs of promise in the Cowboys' ground game.

Last year, they had 12 runs of 20 yards or more, which ranked 10th in the league, demonstrating the team has playmakers at the position.  Over 25 percent of their rushing attempts—102 of the 401—resulted in first downs.

The Cowboys can run the ball, they just choose not to.

The Cowboys must change their offensive mindset and make a concerted effort to balance the offense and make the running attack a more important focus of their game plans.

The talent is there starting with Marion Barber III; Barber, entering his fifth season, is coming off a dislocated toe on his right foot that he hobbled on during the last four games of the season.

Prior to his injury, Barber had three 100 yard games including a season high 142-yard performance in week three against Green Bay.  He then finished the year with 885 yards on 238 carries and rushed for seven touchdowns.

You're currently logged into Facebook

Do you want to share your Bleacher Report activity on Facebook?