The Cowboys Need to Remember The Running Game In 2009

For the last three seasons, the Dallas Cowboys have focused their playbook around the passing game. Statistically, the results look great, as the Cowboys finished fifth (239.8 passing yards per game), fourth (256.6), and ninth (236.8) in the NFL respectively.

But the results in terms of wins and losses?

Dallas posted records of 9-7, 13-3, and 9-7 while going 0-2 in the playoffs. With that saying, the Cowboys need to make some major changes if they want to win their first playoff game in 13 years, let alone a Super Bowl.

A Quarterback's Best Friend

The Cowboys have put the offense in the hands of quarterback Tony Romo for the last two years. They have seen what the two-time Pro Bowl selection can do when he is on the field.

In fact, the Cowboys have seen Romo break single-season franchise records in passing yards (4,211), touchdown passes (36), completions (335), and 300-yard games (seven).

Even though Romo has performed great, the Cowboys have forgotten about running game.

Dallas has three solid runners in Marion Barber II, Felix Jones, and Tashard Choice, all of which bring different aspects to the game.

Barber carries the ball between the tackles, punishing defenders with his brute strength while having enough speed to bust through them for a big gain. Jones is a home run waiting to happen, as he flashes and dashes outside the box so he can go the distance for a touchdown. Choice is a combination of Barber and Jones in the fact he can be a workhorse while at the same time be a speedy runner.

The three running backs combined for 360 rushes for 1,623 yards, averaging just 101.4 yards per game while scoring 12 touchdowns.

However, the most staggering statistic was the three runners made up only 38 percent of Dallas' plays in 2008, resulting in the team relying too much on the passing offense to win football games.

For the talent these three players have, they should receive more touches.

In fact, former Cowboys running back Emmitt Smith said in The Dallas Morning News that he feels these three runners can provide a tough three-headed rushing attack for Dallas.

"For Jason (Garrett) to have those kind of weapons in his backfield, to come up with packages for all three of them is going to be challenging," Smith said. "But I tell you, if you've got all three guys-- if Felix comes back healthy and is able to remain healthy for the entire season-- it could be a great thing for the Dallas Cowboys."

Smith made a good point in the fact it will be tough for Garrett to make plays for Barber, Jones, and Choice since his offense relies on the passing game first.

But if he and head coach Wade Phillips want to make Romo and the passing game better in 2009, they have to start looking behind Romo more often.

E is for Efficient

Roy E. Williams has made many names for himself throughout his football career.

In high school, he was named a Texas All-State football honoree in his junior and senior seasons at Permian High (Odessa, Texas).

When he went to the University of Texas, Williams received the name "All-American" in 2003 after recording 70 receptions for 1,079 yards and nine touchdowns as a senior.

In the NFL, Williams was given the title "Pro Bowler" after hauling in 63 passes for 836 yards and five touchdowns for the Detroit Lions in 2007.

But in 2009, the wideout may be called by another name this season.

Efficient.

The Cowboys are giving Williams a shot to be the team's top wideout after they released drama-filled wide receiver Terrell Owens in March.

Now, most experts are not sold on Williams being one of the top targets in Big D because of his production in 2008. Williams had a down year after being traded to Dallas, as he made only 19 receptions for 198 yards and one touchdown.

But the Cowboys and Williams have focused on getting everything "exactly right," according to Phillips.

Williams has showed in organized team activities that he wants to be efficient on every play. After missing a completion from Romo in individual drills, Williams and Romo both ran back to the line of scrimmage before Garrett told them to do so, according to The Dallas Morning News.

This kind of work ethic is good news for Romo and company to see and hear.

If the Cowboys continue to rely on the passing game, they will need Williams to make the plays when they call his number.

Luckily for Dallas, Williams wants to step up to the challenge.

"I've been a No. 1 since I was 1," Williams said in The Dallas Morning News. "But I can't really talk about it. I just got to continue getting in shape and proving it September whatever the day it is in Tampa."

Defensive Change

For the last few seasons, the Cowboys have stuck with in-house defensive players in hopes they could form a top-notch defense.

Dallas has produced a number of star-studded athletes from its defensive unit such as DeMarcus Ware, Bradie James, and Terrance Newman.

But when it comes to being a top defense in the league, the Cowboys have not been able to put it all together.

In terms of total yardage, Dallas' defense has given up 322.8, 307.6, and 294.3 yards per game in the last three seasons, ranking 13th, ninth, and eighth in the NFL respectively.

However, its defense hasn't been able to stop teams from scoring, as Dallas has allowed 350, 325, and 365 points to finish 20th, 13th, and 20th in the league.

So, the Cowboys have decided to sign veteran defensive players such as linebacker Keith Brooking, safety Gerald Sensabaugh and defensive end Igor Olshansky in hopes of helping establish a top-five unit.

Brooking, a long-time Pro Bowl linebacker for the Atlanta Falcons, comes into 2009 riding an 8-year streak of having 100+ tackles in a single season.

Even though he has had a history of injuries, Brooking will provide leadership and experience to an already touted linebacker corps.

Sensabaugh arrives in Big D coming off his best season as a pro. The former Jacksonville Jaguars safety finished the 2008 season with 70 tackles and four interceptions, matching Newman, the Cowboys leader in interceptions last season.

Sensabaugh will provide youth and better passing coverage to a secondary that ranked fifth in the NFL in passing yards allowed a year ago.

Even though he may not have produced Pro Bowl type numbers, Olshansky brings 70 games worth of starting experience at defensive end to a Cowboys unit that lost Chris Canty and Tank Johnson to free agency.

Olshansky racked up 176 tackles and 11 sacks in his five seasons with the San Diego Chargers. The benefit with Olshanksy is he has played in Phillips' 3-4 system, which will make the transition to Dallas even more easier for him.

If these three defensemen can play their game and try to not do too much, they will help make the Cowboys stop opposing offense from scoring in 2009.