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Go get him coach!

Key point to our struggles has been the absence of our TE’s in our passing schemes. If anyone listened to Nick Saban last night he discussed how involving athletic TE’s as an integral part of an offense makes things much more difficult for defenses. It can force your corners into more single coverages. It also creates the challenge of committing safety help vs LB’s athletic/quick enough  to cover the TE in man coverage.  I recently discussed the use of TE’s in the passing game with 3 of our former coaches and their opinions were all similar to Saban’s.    On a related note some of you may be surprised at the actual size of some of the defensive linemen  and LB’s in the draft. The idea that DL have to weigh 260lbs or more and LB’s need to be over 230lbs is not an opinion shared by those same coaches. (They all coached at the FBS level).  Speed, quickness, intelligence and athletic ability are more important that the extra 20-30 lbs, especially for LB’s and DE’s.  Slot receivers, athletic TE’s, running QB’s have put a premium on speed and quickness and athletic ability for LB’s and DL.  In looking at 40 times for WR I was surprised at how so many ran 4.45 or greater. We have and have had guys who can do that. I read a lot of comments about how our WR’s lack enough speed to be a deep threat. The majority of deep throws are 20-45yds. Most of the time the receiver is already open in the first 20-25yds from LOS and if they catch the ball when they break open a lot of the long pass plays are after the catch.   To me, the key to 2024 for us is the OL, accuracy of QB, and whether or not we are smart enough to scheme our TE’s into our offense and speed, quickness and intelligence on defense.  It starts with OL or else the other key components won’t be as effective.  On defense it is speed, strength, quickness and intelligence more than size.  Yes, a bigger guy with speed quickness and intelligence is preferable but it starts with speed strength and quickness. 

What is Oct 14, 2023 and the subsequent 365 days.

That is the point I was trying to make.

I think it’s more accurate to say “Jerry’s World” (stadium, practice facilities, golf course, post game amenities for players and their families) is flashy. The organization takes very good care of players and their families. There was nothing flashy about a number of there players that were drafted or signed as free agents over the years but the Cowboys and the stadium bring in a lot of fans in a FB crazy state who want to experience “Jerry’s World”.  He is all about winning, but  I believe his ego sometimes gets in the way of team success.