Post by prossman on Dec 23, 2008 20:52:35 GMT -7
DC.COM: Mailbag: Cowboys Offense Better With No Huddle?
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Mailbag: Cowboys Offense Better With No Huddle?
December 23, 2008 5;56 PM
(Editor's Note: Each day we will take the 2 best questions for our staff writers to answer from the Mailbag. "Click here" to email questions now.)
MARK HARRIS, SINGAPORE: Is it me, or does our offense look so much better when we go no huddle? Yes, I know we do this when we are down and opposition defenses are more or less in a prevent, but the last couple of games I have seen defenses get tired and don't put on as much heat when doing no huddle and our receivers seem to get open more. Why don't we try this more often when it isn't expected and see if this will start a rhythm, given our offensive line is not playing well to say the least?
Nick: I have no problems doing that a little more earlier in the game. I don't think you do it for the majority of the game. Just like you said about defenses getting tired - don't forget about your own defense. You go out there and do a three-and-out with no huddle and your defense is right back on the field again. So you have to pick your spots, but I'm all for doing that a little bit as a change-of-pace.
Josh: I'm with you. All season long the Cowboys have been excellent in the two-minute drill. For whatever reason, the offense hasn't been able to match that level of rhythm during the regular course of the game. You could do it on maybe the first possession of either half, when you have a good chance to script the plays, but it's probably risky in that your defense doesn't get much of a chance to rest, especially if you go three-and-out.
Mickey: You know, I'd support that idea. To me, it does seem the Cowboys offense is more efficient when it goes no-huddle. Not sure if it's just picking up the pace or what, but at the end of halves and the end of games, the Cowboys always seem better able to move the ball. Now you can't do it all the time because you would be hard-pressed to get in different personnel groups, but every once in a while, I say go for it.
MARK DANIELL, ALBUQUERQUE, NM: I've seen Marion Barber on the sideline a lot the last two games. He'll get five carries and maybe a catch and then stand around some more. Is he ready to go or not? We need him for the Philly game, and either he's healthy or he's not. Are we going to get 15 or 20 carries out of him Sunday?
Nick: Well, then he's not healthy. That doesn't mean he can't contribute in some way. We have yet to see him practice with full participation since the toe injury. Until he does that, I don't see him getting 15-20 carries. I'm not sure they need that kind of production from him.
They just need a few carries here and there. I like what Choice can do as the starter, but Barber could provide some relief at the position if he is healthy. That won't be determined until later in the week. But unlike the Cowboys' last trip to Pennsylvania, I would imagine Barber makes this trip.
Josh: Until we see anything different from Barber, like maybe practicing anywhere close to full speed, I don't think he should even be active. It doesn't do the Cowboys any good to have a running back on the bench who doesn't play special teams, and can't take more than a few carries a game to spell Tashard Choice, who is playing like he should be the starter the rest of the season, anyway. You might say Barber at 75 percent is a better option than a healthy Alonzo Coleman, but I disagree. Sure Barber is more proven, but over the last couple of games he just hasn't had it.
Mickey: I'd seriously doubt that. The guy is hurt, and really can't push off. I mean, that is why he only got two carries in Saturday night's game. They were hoping he would be able to do something more, but he couldn't. I'd be surprised if he got back into practice fulltime this week.
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Mailbag: Cowboys Offense Better With No Huddle?
December 23, 2008 5;56 PM
(Editor's Note: Each day we will take the 2 best questions for our staff writers to answer from the Mailbag. "Click here" to email questions now.)
MARK HARRIS, SINGAPORE: Is it me, or does our offense look so much better when we go no huddle? Yes, I know we do this when we are down and opposition defenses are more or less in a prevent, but the last couple of games I have seen defenses get tired and don't put on as much heat when doing no huddle and our receivers seem to get open more. Why don't we try this more often when it isn't expected and see if this will start a rhythm, given our offensive line is not playing well to say the least?
Nick: I have no problems doing that a little more earlier in the game. I don't think you do it for the majority of the game. Just like you said about defenses getting tired - don't forget about your own defense. You go out there and do a three-and-out with no huddle and your defense is right back on the field again. So you have to pick your spots, but I'm all for doing that a little bit as a change-of-pace.
Josh: I'm with you. All season long the Cowboys have been excellent in the two-minute drill. For whatever reason, the offense hasn't been able to match that level of rhythm during the regular course of the game. You could do it on maybe the first possession of either half, when you have a good chance to script the plays, but it's probably risky in that your defense doesn't get much of a chance to rest, especially if you go three-and-out.
Mickey: You know, I'd support that idea. To me, it does seem the Cowboys offense is more efficient when it goes no-huddle. Not sure if it's just picking up the pace or what, but at the end of halves and the end of games, the Cowboys always seem better able to move the ball. Now you can't do it all the time because you would be hard-pressed to get in different personnel groups, but every once in a while, I say go for it.
MARK DANIELL, ALBUQUERQUE, NM: I've seen Marion Barber on the sideline a lot the last two games. He'll get five carries and maybe a catch and then stand around some more. Is he ready to go or not? We need him for the Philly game, and either he's healthy or he's not. Are we going to get 15 or 20 carries out of him Sunday?
Nick: Well, then he's not healthy. That doesn't mean he can't contribute in some way. We have yet to see him practice with full participation since the toe injury. Until he does that, I don't see him getting 15-20 carries. I'm not sure they need that kind of production from him.
They just need a few carries here and there. I like what Choice can do as the starter, but Barber could provide some relief at the position if he is healthy. That won't be determined until later in the week. But unlike the Cowboys' last trip to Pennsylvania, I would imagine Barber makes this trip.
Josh: Until we see anything different from Barber, like maybe practicing anywhere close to full speed, I don't think he should even be active. It doesn't do the Cowboys any good to have a running back on the bench who doesn't play special teams, and can't take more than a few carries a game to spell Tashard Choice, who is playing like he should be the starter the rest of the season, anyway. You might say Barber at 75 percent is a better option than a healthy Alonzo Coleman, but I disagree. Sure Barber is more proven, but over the last couple of games he just hasn't had it.
Mickey: I'd seriously doubt that. The guy is hurt, and really can't push off. I mean, that is why he only got two carries in Saturday night's game. They were hoping he would be able to do something more, but he couldn't. I'd be surprised if he got back into practice fulltime this week.
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