Dallas Cowboys: Jason Garret Must Run The Ball

As we reach the quarter pole of the NFL season, it seems that making the playoffs will not be an easy task for the Cowboys. 

One of the most disturbing trends so far has been the lack of any consistency from the offense.  Jason Garret, a.k.a the red-headed genius, has to be held accountable for most of the offensive misfiring.  His play calling this year has been dismal at times and he has to do a much better job if this team is going to be an offensive threat. 

It is very obvious that the Cowboys strength is their running game, yet Garret continues to try and push the passing game at inopportune times. For instance, in the last game against Denver, the Cowboys led 10-0 midway through the second quarter. 

They had complete control of the game, the Cowboys were moving the ball effectively, mostly through the run and the defense was holding the Bronco offense to very minimal gains. The Cowboys had the ball at their own 21-yard line facing a 3rd-and-14. 

Garret called a pass play and Romo was blitzed and hit from his weak side, resulting in a fumble and eventually a Bronco touchdown on their subsequent offensive series.  The Broncos were back in business. 

The Cowboys were running the ball very effectively up to this point, and Garret should have called a run play.  Even if they did not make the first down, they would have had a chance to punt the ball and the Broncos more than likely would be pushed back into their own territory rather than at the Dallas 15.  This was definitely the turning point in the ball game.

I will also take you back to the game against Carolina, where the Cowboys were literally shredding the Panther defense with the running game. 

Facing a 2nd-and-1 at the Panther one-yard line in the fourth quarter, Garret chose to call two pass plays instead of staying with the run.  Both pass plays failed and the Cowboys had to settle for a field goal.  There was no reason to call anything other than the run as the Panther defense had no answer for it.

Garret had a tremendous year calling plays in 2007, but his star is rapidly fading.  There were many questionable play calls during the 2008 season, and it has continued into the 2009 season. 

Garret must play to the strength of this team and that means making use of the formidable offensive line and running backs.  

The Cowboys can impose their will on opponent defenses if they stick to running the ball because they will wear down defenses as the game goes on. Hopefully the red-headed genius will figure this out sooner than later.