So many people are complaining about the Cowboys not drafting or not going after a famous running back. They did everything right.
The Cowboys have the best offensive line in the entire NFL. Travis Frederick can create holes by himself, Zach Martin was an All Pro in his first season (!!!). Romo's blind side is greatly protected by ROnald Leary and Tyron Smith. The Cowboys' o-line allowed the 2nd-fewest sacks in 2014. On top of that, they have stolen La'el Collins - an expected first rounder - as an undrafted free agent for the "maximum" of $1.65M over three years. And Collins won't even be the starter. So they now have got four first-round linemen since 2011. They also added OT Chaz Green in the third round for some depth.
They had to decide between DeMarco Murray and Dez Bryant. Why would you keep Murray if you have the best offensive line in the NFL that creates massive holes? That wouldn't make sense. First, this game is not won by running, but by passing the football. Same vice versa on defense. Second, there is a big difference between total yardage and the efficiency on a single attempt. You don't win games by collecting a lot of total yards, you win games because you are the more efficient team on a single down. Turnover-prone teams are an exception, logically. DeMarco Murray was the league's leading rusher because he attempted 393 rushes, that's 78 attempts more than any other RB in the league. Murray ran for 4.7 yards per carry behind the best o-line in the league. There were 9 (!!) running backs who ran for 4.7 or more yards per carry with atleast 100 attempts. Mathematically, Murray was the 8th-best running back last season per single down. So, if Jerick McKinnon would have run for a 393 times behind THIS o-line, he would probably have matched the same total number than Murray. Le'Veon Bell would have crushed 2,000 yards. That means the Eagles made Murray, who finished as the 8th-best RB behind the best o-line in the NFL, the fourth-highest paid player on their roster and they also have Sproles & Woodhead.
Behind that o-line, many running backs can run and put pressure off Romo. So will Darren McFadden and Joseph Randle. Tony Romo had such a good protection to throw the highest net-YPPA (7.5) last season along with Big Ben and Aaron. On top of that, Tony Romo had the 6th-best QBR in NFL history. So it is just a logical decision to keep a WR threat instead of DeMarco Murray. The Cowboys offense in 2014 was built to eat the clock, keep the opponents' defense busy and set up the passing game for Tony Romo. When it didn't work, they kept Murray unemployed and took care of business by relying on the passing game behind that phenomenal offensive line.
What did the Cowboys do on the ground during their biggest comeback win in team history vs. STL and in the playoffs in their comeback against DET? Almost nothing. Tony Romo led the comebacks through the air. How did the Cowboys win at Seattle? Because of DeMarco Murray's 6th 100-yard game in a row like ESPN was headlining? No, because Tony Romo threw 7.24 net-YPPA against maybe the best coverage defense. Without those two stupid turnovers, the Cowboys would have annihilated the Seahawks. They outgained them by almost 200 total yards and 1.5 yards per play. How did they manage their game-winning drive in the 2nd Giants game? Murray had one carry for 9 yards and Tony Romo was 6/6 and threw 11 YPPA along with a TD pass. I didn't look it up but I would guess that DeMarco Murray collected a MAJOR percentage of his league-leading total rushing yards when the Cowboys had a lead. The Cowboys don't need DeMarco Murray to be a successful team in 2015.
The biggest problem for the Cowboys was their defense, which was bottom-ten material. They ran so many times to eat the clock and keep their defense sidelined. They had no pass-rush aside some production from Jeremy Mincey and their secondary was a swiss cheese and their whole defense was prone with injuries. They plugged in like how many players on the d-line from 2013-2014? They improved their defense significantly:
CB: Remember, it will be the first year the number six pick of the 2012 draft, Morris Claiborne, will start the season with a full training camp and without an injury (if nothing happens until September). The Cowboys should feel like getting a new guy, a starter. Byron Jones shouldn't have been a first rounder IMO, but due to his freakish athleticism, he brings a new dimension into nickle packages and the CB depth. After pre-season we will know more about his game on the field.
DE: Jeremy Mincey played very good down the stretch in 2014 and the Cowboys just added Randy Gregory and Greg Hardy who will be missing four games. Starting in week 5, the Cowboys will have a very very dangerous front-seven with a DE-rotation of Mincey, Lawrence, Hardy & Gregory. Add to that: Ben Gardner & Chris Whaley return from their injuries. They didn't play a single snap in their rookie season. The Cowboys finally have roster competition on their d-line. It's new for them.
LB: McClain is suspended, but with the return of Sean Lee, their LB position will be much improved come week five. The return of Sean Lee will have a huge impact on the whole defense emotional- and motivational-wise.
Dallas got three possible first-rounders in the draft, adressed their defense significantly, upgraded their already stacked o-line and kept Dez Bryant instead of an overpaid DeMarco Murray - this was a great off-season. I expect great things from this team, starting in week one against the Giants. They are a better team than in 2014 when they won 12 games without a defense. Their only weakness is Safety and it can only be exploited when they face teams who can go vertical while having a good pass protection. There aren't many on their schedule.
The Cowboys have the best offensive line in the entire NFL. Travis Frederick can create holes by himself, Zach Martin was an All Pro in his first season (!!!). Romo's blind side is greatly protected by ROnald Leary and Tyron Smith. The Cowboys' o-line allowed the 2nd-fewest sacks in 2014. On top of that, they have stolen La'el Collins - an expected first rounder - as an undrafted free agent for the "maximum" of $1.65M over three years. And Collins won't even be the starter. So they now have got four first-round linemen since 2011. They also added OT Chaz Green in the third round for some depth.
They had to decide between DeMarco Murray and Dez Bryant. Why would you keep Murray if you have the best offensive line in the NFL that creates massive holes? That wouldn't make sense. First, this game is not won by running, but by passing the football. Same vice versa on defense. Second, there is a big difference between total yardage and the efficiency on a single attempt. You don't win games by collecting a lot of total yards, you win games because you are the more efficient team on a single down. Turnover-prone teams are an exception, logically. DeMarco Murray was the league's leading rusher because he attempted 393 rushes, that's 78 attempts more than any other RB in the league. Murray ran for 4.7 yards per carry behind the best o-line in the league. There were 9 (!!) running backs who ran for 4.7 or more yards per carry with atleast 100 attempts. Mathematically, Murray was the 8th-best running back last season per single down. So, if Jerick McKinnon would have run for a 393 times behind THIS o-line, he would probably have matched the same total number than Murray. Le'Veon Bell would have crushed 2,000 yards. That means the Eagles made Murray, who finished as the 8th-best RB behind the best o-line in the NFL, the fourth-highest paid player on their roster and they also have Sproles & Woodhead.
Behind that o-line, many running backs can run and put pressure off Romo. So will Darren McFadden and Joseph Randle. Tony Romo had such a good protection to throw the highest net-YPPA (7.5) last season along with Big Ben and Aaron. On top of that, Tony Romo had the 6th-best QBR in NFL history. So it is just a logical decision to keep a WR threat instead of DeMarco Murray. The Cowboys offense in 2014 was built to eat the clock, keep the opponents' defense busy and set up the passing game for Tony Romo. When it didn't work, they kept Murray unemployed and took care of business by relying on the passing game behind that phenomenal offensive line.
What did the Cowboys do on the ground during their biggest comeback win in team history vs. STL and in the playoffs in their comeback against DET? Almost nothing. Tony Romo led the comebacks through the air. How did the Cowboys win at Seattle? Because of DeMarco Murray's 6th 100-yard game in a row like ESPN was headlining? No, because Tony Romo threw 7.24 net-YPPA against maybe the best coverage defense. Without those two stupid turnovers, the Cowboys would have annihilated the Seahawks. They outgained them by almost 200 total yards and 1.5 yards per play. How did they manage their game-winning drive in the 2nd Giants game? Murray had one carry for 9 yards and Tony Romo was 6/6 and threw 11 YPPA along with a TD pass. I didn't look it up but I would guess that DeMarco Murray collected a MAJOR percentage of his league-leading total rushing yards when the Cowboys had a lead. The Cowboys don't need DeMarco Murray to be a successful team in 2015.
The biggest problem for the Cowboys was their defense, which was bottom-ten material. They ran so many times to eat the clock and keep their defense sidelined. They had no pass-rush aside some production from Jeremy Mincey and their secondary was a swiss cheese and their whole defense was prone with injuries. They plugged in like how many players on the d-line from 2013-2014? They improved their defense significantly:
CB: Remember, it will be the first year the number six pick of the 2012 draft, Morris Claiborne, will start the season with a full training camp and without an injury (if nothing happens until September). The Cowboys should feel like getting a new guy, a starter. Byron Jones shouldn't have been a first rounder IMO, but due to his freakish athleticism, he brings a new dimension into nickle packages and the CB depth. After pre-season we will know more about his game on the field.
DE: Jeremy Mincey played very good down the stretch in 2014 and the Cowboys just added Randy Gregory and Greg Hardy who will be missing four games. Starting in week 5, the Cowboys will have a very very dangerous front-seven with a DE-rotation of Mincey, Lawrence, Hardy & Gregory. Add to that: Ben Gardner & Chris Whaley return from their injuries. They didn't play a single snap in their rookie season. The Cowboys finally have roster competition on their d-line. It's new for them.
LB: McClain is suspended, but with the return of Sean Lee, their LB position will be much improved come week five. The return of Sean Lee will have a huge impact on the whole defense emotional- and motivational-wise.
Dallas got three possible first-rounders in the draft, adressed their defense significantly, upgraded their already stacked o-line and kept Dez Bryant instead of an overpaid DeMarco Murray - this was a great off-season. I expect great things from this team, starting in week one against the Giants. They are a better team than in 2014 when they won 12 games without a defense. Their only weakness is Safety and it can only be exploited when they face teams who can go vertical while having a good pass protection. There aren't many on their schedule.
