DMN: Running on empty

[Irving Cowboy]

Running on empty: Cowboys record lowest 16-game rushing total in franchise history
By David Moore / Reporter
6:54 pm on January 1, 2013

The Cowboys set a club record this season.

It’s not one they wanted.

The team rushed for 1,265 yards. That is 144 yards less than the previous Cowboys low in a 16-game season and represents a drop of 542 yards from the 2011 season.

How bad is that total? It wouldn’t crack the top seven seasons produced by Hall of Fame running back Emmitt Smith.

DeMarco Murray led the way with 663 yards. That is the lowest output for the Cowboys leading rusher since Paul Palmer managed a paltry 446 yards 23 years ago.

“We have to do a better job running the football,’’ head coach Jason Garrett said. “DeMarco Murray was out for a large portion of this season, but having said that, you have to put the next guy in there and you have to be effective running it.

“It just helps your football team. It helps your offensive line, it helps your quarterback, it helps your defense. That’s something that we’ve tried to do and we weren’t as effective as we needed to be.

“We have to make a commitment to being better next year.’’

 

[Sheik]

Make a commitment to putting together an offensive line that's worth a shit.

Don't sign players that wouldn't or couldn't start on the teams that let them go.

Putting a star on a players helmet doesn't make them magically better at their job.

 

[Midswat]

I know the line sucks, but is that number so low because of lack of attemps, or reduced ypc?

 

[Jon88]

Make a commitment to putting together an offensive line that's worth a shit.

Don't sign players that wouldn't or couldn't start on the teams that let them go.

Putting a star on a players helmet doesn't make them magically better at their job.

That's what Jerry thinks. Give one of them number 73 too. That number makes anyone good.

 

[Mr.Po]

The line is lackluster but its hard to develop any continuity in the ground game when your consistently throwing ball around every play regardless of down and distance. It also doesn't help matters when your only running play is the lead/delayed draw.

 

[Irving Cowboy]

I know the line sucks, but is that number so low because of lack of attemps, or reduced ypc?

They were next to last in attempts and ypc.

It's because Garrett sees himself as the next Air Coryell.

 

[Bob Sacamano]

Were setting alot of dubious team records under Garrett.

 

[Bob Sacamano]

And these are coaching issues. Not owner issues.