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A discussion in the Fan Zone contrasting Romo and Cam Newton drew out this kind of argument: "What if Romo had Carolinas defense" which then prompted a "What if Cam had the 2014 Dallas running game and O-line...." type statement. But really my issue has been what happens if you gave Romo a Mike Shula as OC with his playbook? Knowing that at the very least Shula adapts his offense to his players I wanted to see what scheme Shula comes from. This led to this article:
The Erhardt-Perkins system (Part 2) - Baltimore Sports and Life
There are a number of important parts of the article but most relevant to Dallas is that Cam Cameron runs the exact same pass offense that Dallas has been handcuffed to for 8 years now (variation created only by running game plays, players and playcallers). "Handcuffed" means that no matter who the players are they all run the same pass plays - which means that slower players like Patrick Crayton end up running fly routes or Martellus Bennett runs a bubble screen while James Hanna who is the second fastest TE in the NFL stays in and blocks. The main issue is this: it's Jason Garretts offense and it his playbook. Linehan and Callahan both have been clear that they each only have creativity exclusively in the run play design and were each allowed to tweak the offense but it's a playbook that has been not allowed to be changed in scheme or philosophy for the passing game. The problem is just like article states about the Cam Cameron Offense, the Garrett offense truly requires certain kinds of personnel in order to work. Dez is an exception bc he can have blanket coverage and still rip the ball out of a sea of DB arms. But the WRs really need upper tier speed (at or faster than 4.45/40 which is the average speed of the starting CBs in the NFL) in order to get the timing and deep spaces (Mannings Colts and Warners Rams are the only two times in the last 17 years that the Garrett Coryell scheme won a Super Bowl and the slowest high target WR ran a 4.40/40. Dallas does not have that at all.
The article pleads for an offense that adjusts to personnel and that provides the element of surprise. The article also points out the similar inherent weakness that Dallas has in the Garrett "we take what the defense gives us" offense that the defense eventually controls or "calls out" the offense's tendencies. The Coryell offense calls for a strong running game to draw the DB attention to the LOS to open spaces downfield through play action. If the running game is not a threat so play action is useless, the Coryell scheme requires the O-line to hold blocks longer for the WRs to get position. This second notion is where the QB is at risk unless like 2013-2014 where Murray was a check down to the tune of 108 catches in two seasons. However, the Garrett commonly used empty set package disallows RB check downs and still puts your clavicle fragile QB at risk.
During Garrett years, the D-coordinator has changed 4 times with the scheme arguably changing 4 times as well. Why? Did not get the results necessary to contend. Yet despite the flexible Erhardt-Perkins and WCO systems routinely flooding the post season, Jason will not allow his scheme and pass philosophy to change like he has with the defense. Maybe it's Romo's mastery of the offense, maybe it's Jason pride or him knowing that any success of a new offense will point to failure all previous years, or maybe this is all he knows how to instruct.
But whatever it is, 2015 demonstrated a stark need to update and adapt the offense beyond Romo. The lack of speed was exposed, the lack of adaptability was embarrassing and especially that the antiquated philosophy of "take what the defense gives" needs to go the way of the Flat Earth Theory: seems right at first glance but as you really examine globally, it's a limited perception giving minimal options.
The Erhardt-Perkins system (Part 2) - Baltimore Sports and Life
There are a number of important parts of the article but most relevant to Dallas is that Cam Cameron runs the exact same pass offense that Dallas has been handcuffed to for 8 years now (variation created only by running game plays, players and playcallers). "Handcuffed" means that no matter who the players are they all run the same pass plays - which means that slower players like Patrick Crayton end up running fly routes or Martellus Bennett runs a bubble screen while James Hanna who is the second fastest TE in the NFL stays in and blocks. The main issue is this: it's Jason Garretts offense and it his playbook. Linehan and Callahan both have been clear that they each only have creativity exclusively in the run play design and were each allowed to tweak the offense but it's a playbook that has been not allowed to be changed in scheme or philosophy for the passing game. The problem is just like article states about the Cam Cameron Offense, the Garrett offense truly requires certain kinds of personnel in order to work. Dez is an exception bc he can have blanket coverage and still rip the ball out of a sea of DB arms. But the WRs really need upper tier speed (at or faster than 4.45/40 which is the average speed of the starting CBs in the NFL) in order to get the timing and deep spaces (Mannings Colts and Warners Rams are the only two times in the last 17 years that the Garrett Coryell scheme won a Super Bowl and the slowest high target WR ran a 4.40/40. Dallas does not have that at all.
The article pleads for an offense that adjusts to personnel and that provides the element of surprise. The article also points out the similar inherent weakness that Dallas has in the Garrett "we take what the defense gives us" offense that the defense eventually controls or "calls out" the offense's tendencies. The Coryell offense calls for a strong running game to draw the DB attention to the LOS to open spaces downfield through play action. If the running game is not a threat so play action is useless, the Coryell scheme requires the O-line to hold blocks longer for the WRs to get position. This second notion is where the QB is at risk unless like 2013-2014 where Murray was a check down to the tune of 108 catches in two seasons. However, the Garrett commonly used empty set package disallows RB check downs and still puts your clavicle fragile QB at risk.
During Garrett years, the D-coordinator has changed 4 times with the scheme arguably changing 4 times as well. Why? Did not get the results necessary to contend. Yet despite the flexible Erhardt-Perkins and WCO systems routinely flooding the post season, Jason will not allow his scheme and pass philosophy to change like he has with the defense. Maybe it's Romo's mastery of the offense, maybe it's Jason pride or him knowing that any success of a new offense will point to failure all previous years, or maybe this is all he knows how to instruct.
But whatever it is, 2015 demonstrated a stark need to update and adapt the offense beyond Romo. The lack of speed was exposed, the lack of adaptability was embarrassing and especially that the antiquated philosophy of "take what the defense gives" needs to go the way of the Flat Earth Theory: seems right at first glance but as you really examine globally, it's a limited perception giving minimal options.
