Dallas Cowboys Playbook: Why Tony Romo Succeeds in Two Tight End Sets

We recently detailed the Cowboys success running and passing out of every formation they ran in 2009.  Today, we will briefly explain why the Cowboys prospered in some formations, yet failed in others. You can see diagrams of ever formation listed below by clicking here.

Note:  To be listed, a formation had to have a sample size of at least 10 runs/passes.

Best Running Formations

1.  I Left/Right (18 runs for 124 yards–6.89 YPC)

The Cowboys had a ton of success out of the standard I-formation (including passing the ball as well).  This could be because the position of the fullback (directly behind center) makes running weakside quite easy.

2.  Wildcat (16 runs for 108 yards–6.75 YPC)

We absolutely love the Wildcat (or Razorback, as the Cowboys call it).  The formation is particularly useful in goal line and other short-yardage situations because its largest weakness, the lack of big-play potential due to the absence of a legitimate pass-thrower, is limited.

3.  Double Tight I (31 runs for 208 yards–6.71 YPC)

The only difference between “Double Tight I” and a standard I-formation is personnel—an extra tight end is substituted for a wide receiver.  This version of Double Tight was much more successful than the Double Tight Strong variety (again likely due to the ease with which the team can run weak side).

4.  Gun Tight End Spread (27 runs for 166 yards–6.15 YPC)

We detailed the effectiveness of Gun TE Spread a few days ago.  The Cowboys do a tremendous job of running out of this “passing” formation—something they don’t do out of Gun Trips.

Worst Running Formations

1.  Weak Left/Right (11 runs for 29 yards–2.64YPC)

We admit 11 carries is not a huge sample size, so we must take this particular statistic with a grain of salt.  In theory, “weak” should be a useful running formation for Dallas as there is no true “strong side," and thus the offense can run easily in any direction.

2.  Tight End Trips Left/Right (15 runs for 46 yards–3.07 YPC)

This formation is similar to Gun Tight End Spread, with the exception of an extra wide receiver lined up on the strong side.

3.  Double Tight Left/Right Ace (22 runs for 72 yards–3.27 YPC)

The primary reason for the lack of success running out of this formation, we believe, is the absence of fullback Deon Anderson.  If Anderson is off the field, it might be a good idea for the Cowboys to run out of formations, which spread the field to a greater degree than Double Tight.

4.  Strong Left/Right (49 runs for 196 yards–4.00 YPC)

The Cowboys simply had little success running out of any Strong formation, whether it employed two tight ends or not.  We think the reason for this is due to the unbalanced nature of the formation.  With the fullback lined up all the way behind the tackle on the same side as the tight end, it is extremely difficult to run weak side.

Best Passing Formations

1.  Tight End Spread (17 passes for 239 yards–14.06 YPA)

Tight End Spread is the same as Gun Tight End Spread, just with Tony Romo under center.  We've already discussed both formations and why they are successful for Dallas.

2.  Ace (24 passes for 275 yards–11.46 YPA)

The numbers from the Ace formation surprised us more than any.  It is typically a running formation, yet the Cowboys found tremendous success when implementing it in the passing game (they averaged just 2.0 YPC out of it).

3.  Gun Tight End Trips Left/Right (68 passes for 666 yards–9.79 YPA)

The Cowboys used this formation a lot when in hurry-up mode, meaning the results could be slightly skewed.  Nonetheless, we are seeing a trend of success in the passing game when Jason Witten is lined up in the traditional tight end spot.

4.  Gun Tight End Spread (141 passes for 1246 yards–8.84 YPA)

The Cowboys threw 141 passes from their most fruitful formation, including 16 plays of 20+ yards.

Worst Passing Formations

1.  Gun 3 Wide Pro (52 passes for 210 yards–4.04 YPA)

Dallas continually struggled when passing out of Gun 3 Wide Pro.  The reason?  In our estimation, it has everything to do with Witten being lined up in the backfield (see left).  Don’t forget the Cowboys averaged nearly two more YPA with Witten out in a route as compared to when he stayed in to block.

2.  Weak Left/Right (10 passes for 41 yards–4.10 YPA)

The “Weak” formation was, well, weak for Dallas in 2009.  It was also the team’s worst running formation.

3.  3 Wide I (12 passes for 63 yards–5.25 YPA)

Not only did the Cowboys have a poor YPA out of 3 Wide I, but they also allowed a sack on 25 percent of all dropbacks from the formation.

4.  Gun Spread (34 passes for 189 yards–5.56 YPA)

Does lining up Witten at tight end (as opposed to in the backfield or split out wide) really lead to such a dramatic difference in passing efficiency?  We think so.

Conclusions

There are some obvious trends here.  First, the Cowboys seem to have more success running the football in more balanced formations (I-Right as opposed to Strong Right, for example).  Dallas rarely ran weak side in 2009, so perhaps defenses were able to stack up defenders on the strong side to limit Barber, Jones, and Choice.

In the passing game, it is obvious the Cowboys are much more efficient with Witten in a route. Specifically, the offense flourishes when he lines up in the traditional tight end position.  All four of the top passing formations employ Witten in this manner, while only one of the bottom four does the same.

In 2010, we would love to see Dallas run the ball out of “passing” formations a bit more, particularly those which are balanced. This will give the defense no indication as to the play-side and will create pre-snap running lanes—ideal for Felix Jones, in particular.

We’d also like to see Jason Garrett send Witten out on more routes (Witten went out in a route on 77.1 percent of passes last season), particularly from the traditional in-line tight end position.

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