Dallas Cowboys: Kill the Three-Headed Monster

After last Sunday's loss to the Bears, I emailed Dallas Radio stations because someone needed to talk about the very easy solution that would fix the Cowboys' problems.  I don't think they ever mentioned it though.  So, I'm going to say it again here.  The Cowboys need to kill the three-headed monster!

How many elite, Super Bowl winners can you think of that used a 3-running back system where there wasn't one primary back that got the bulk of the carries?  In the last 20 years, there might have been 2 teams that got it done with 2 running backs carrying somewhat equal loads:  last year's Saints and the1991 Giants.  Otherwise, you could go back to the 1975 Steelers and not find a team that used a multi-running back system. 

There's a very good reason for not using multiple running backs.  It doesn't allow the offense to establish a rhythm.  This is especially true for the Dallas Cowboys.  Marion Barber starts, but is getting only about 10 carries per game in the 1st two games.  He splits time primarily with Felix Jones who's getting 7 carries per game so far, and Tashard Choice has gotten 3 carries per game.  1st of all, that's only 20 carries per game by Cowboys half backs.  Comparatively, they've attempted to throw the ball 49 times per game in the 1st two games.  So, not only are they not establishing an offensive rhythm with the running game, but they are also passing 71% of the time.  And, that's probably because of not being able to establish a ground attack.

They seem to have this idea that changing up the running backs makes it harder for defenses to game plan or adjust during the game to the Cowboys offense.  Really?  I don't think so.  The Cowboys' offense is actually very predictable.  Everyone knows that Barber and Jones are going to split carries and Choice is going to run the Wild Cat.  Everyone also knows that Barber is going to pound on you every chance he gets and that Choice is supposed to be the change-up, deep-threat back.  By the way, thru 2 games, Felix Jones has averaged 3 yards per carry with a long of 11 yards.  That's just not going to get it done.  Barber's average is 3.7 with a long of 12.  Now to his credit, Jones has also caught 4 passes for 9.5 yards each, but given the chance Barber could be a productive receiver out of the back field as well.

So, Kill the Three-Headed Monster!  Barber should get 20 carries per game and be the feature back.  He's a brute that's going to average at least 4 yards per carry and wear down a defense.  He also fires up his offense.  I would think that offensive lines would like to block for a guy like that.  Create an offensive rhythm based on pounding a defense up front and hitting them deep with Austin and the other receivers.  This isn't Emmitt and Moose, but it could be similarly effective.  Barber won't lead the world in rushing, but 4 yards per carry is a first down every 3 plays.  1st downs wear down defenses and lead to scoring.  This type of running attack will also take pressure off of Romo and cause defenses to put more guys up to protect against the run.  Then guess what?  The passing game will open up.  Also, running the ball effectively will prevent you from having to overload the passing game with a 71% mark.  That's just not working!

So, what about Felix Jones?  What can I say?  Trade him.  If he can't get at least a 2nd and late round pick, then what are we doing with him anyways?  Pick up another offensive lineman.  AND DUMP THAT PENALTY MACHINE ALEX BARRON!!!  Dallas could also use another safety.  Whatever - just make a move to improve the team.

And Tashard Choice?  Welcome to 2nd string buddy.  He should get 5 to 10 carries per game, depending on the situation.  He would be a very good back-up to Barber.  Then, the Cowboys offense would be like just about every other teams' offense that has won a Super Bowl in the last 3 decades.

Jason Garrett, what are you doing?  Stop tricking up the offense and get back to the dominant running game that you should know very well about already.  Kill the Three-Headed Monster.

Dallas Cowboys 2010 Season Prediction

I just reviewed the Dallas Cowboys 2010 regular season schedule and I think the best they could do is 14-2.  The worst they could do is 11-5.  The NFC East is going to be a relatively weak conference with the Giants being the only serious competition this year.  Their complete regular season schedule is listed below.

@ WAS
CHI
@ HOU
BYE
TEN
@ MIN
NYG
JAX
@ GB
@ NYG
DET
NO
@ IND
PHI
WAS
@ ARI
@ PHI

The most likely losses would be to Green Bay and New Orleans.  Other possible losses could be to Tennessee, Indianapolis, and the Giants (@ NYG).  Green Bay will have a strong passing attack and it's at Lambeau Field.  New Orleans will have the momentum of just winning the Super Bowl, and as long as Brees is healthy, they'll be tough.  Tennessee has the best running back in football and Vince Young could be dangerous and unpredictable.  Indianapolis has a genius quarterback that could beat any team on any given Sunday.  Going to New York to play the Giants is always tough.  I think the Cowboys can win there, but if a loss is going to come, it could just be at New York.

What do you think about my prediction?  If you're a Redskins or Eagles fan, I'm sure you wrongly disagree.  So, aside from those guys, if you have a different opinion, leave a comment.

NFL Teams That Nobody Likes

This one's easy.  Here are the teams that NOBODY likes.

1.  Washington Redskins
2.  Philadelphia Eagles
3.  New York Giants

My 9-year old son calls these (very unaffectionately):

1.  The dead skins
2.  The dirty little birdies
3.  The dirty little midgets

When I ask him, "Who likes the Redskins?"  His answer is quickly, "NOBODY!"  That's just how it is.

Of course I taught it to him like that, but he seems to like it quite a bit.

GO COWBOYS!

No, You Carry My Shoulder Pads Roy!

Roy Williams says it's a rookie tradition to carry the shoulder pads of veteran players.  Dez Bryant thinks he should carry his own pads.  I'm all for traditions and who knows - maybe Bryant should carry someone's pads.  Patrick Crayton was ranked #60 in 2009 among NFL wide receivers with 622 receiving yards.  Miles Austin was #3 with 1,320 yards and 11 touchdowns.  Maybe he could carry Austin's pads, but Roy Williams should maybe carry Bryant's pads after last season's #67 ranking and only 596 receiving yards.  Dude - shut up and catch the ball!

And that ends the shortest blog post I've ever written.  The End.

NFL Divisional Rankings Predictions

Today is the start of preseason in the NFL and I've put together my list of divisional ranking predictions for the end of the 2010/2011 NFL season.  First of all, I believe that the worst teams by the end of this NFL season will be (in order from worst to bad):  Rams, Raiders, Browns, Bills, Chiefs.  The best teams will be (in order from best to very good):  Cowboys, Saints, Colts, 49ers, Ravens.

With that said, these are my predictions for the NFL divisional rankings as of the end of the 2010/2011 NFL Season.

I think at this point, I'll hold off on giving playoff and Super Bowl predictions until I've seen at least a few games of the NFL regular season.