Run pass ratio. Its been a hot topic for the Cowboy nation this week, but the players I talked to in the locker room don't want any part of the debate about the Cowboys reluctance to run against the Packers Sunday. "I just hope we do whatever we can to win, that's it," said receiver Roy Williams, "whatever it may be."
Opinionated and often loquacious tight end Martellus Bennett sums it up like this, "No coach is gonna be like we got to run 36 run plays and 36 pass plays, you just go with the flow what you feel is best and go with what the coaches call."
Offensive coordinator Jason Garrett admits 14 runs versus 39 passes was "out of whack" against the Packers and says the offense needs to be more balanced than throwing it 3-out-of-every-4 plays. But don't expect a perfect 50-50 balance, and according to the numbers, that's perfectly O.K.
When the cowboys ripped off 4 straight wins and were playing their best football of the season, the ratio was 54 percent pass to 46 percent run. And with Garrett calling plays, that's about as balanced as you're ever going to get. As much as the Cowboys fed us in training camp that this team would like to utilize Marion Barber, Felix Jones, and Tashard Choice, or "Smash-Dash-and-Tash" more, the fact remains this offense will lean heavier on the pass than the run. That's not going to change as long as Romo's pulling the trigger. And I tend to agree. But there's more room for balance tha what we saw in Packer land. And the owner offered a gentle reminder of as much by the way. And although I may not like the means, the message makes sense.
While the Cowboys like to tout they can run and pass equally well, the team is 4-and-0 when quarterback Tony Room throws for 300 or more yards. And in their 3 losses, Room averages just 211 yards passing. Here's the bottom line: running the ball is complimentary for this offense; the ability to pass defines it.
So, a couple things you need to know about this situation, first of all no matter how much you call for the Cowboys to run the ball more, there's only so far offensive coordinator Jason Garrett will go, secondly, and more importantly, this team will only go as far as the guy passing the ball leads 'em.
And that's the undeniable truth about the Cowboys run pass ratio.
