When Scott Linehan was hired as the play-caller in January, he was charged with fixing an offense that struggled to sustain drives and was too dependent on quarterback Tony Romo.
Through the first 10 games, Linehan has fixed both problems, as the Cowboys have formed a balanced attack able to dictate terms of the game.
For the first time since Jason Garrett returned to the organization as a coach in 2007, Dallas has made a strong commitment to its ground game.
The Cowboys have run the ball 49 percent of the time, and DeMarco Murray has emerged as the NFL’s leading rusher, gaining 1,233 yards on 244 carries. Murray’s production has transformed Dallas’ offense. The Cowboys are fifth in the league in average time of possession and have the highest third-down conversion rate in the NFL.
They also are less dependent on Romo, who entered the season under a cloud of uncertainty after undergoing surgery to repair a herniated disk last December.
Romo has surpassed expectations despite missing a game after re-injuring his back Oct. 27, when he suffered two small transverse process fractures. Romo has produced the fourth-highest passer rating in the league, and his yards per attempt is as high as it’s been since 2006, his first year as the team’s starter.
Romo has benefited from a versatile receiving corps. Dez Bryant and Terrance Williams have made significant contributions. So has tight end Jason Witten, who has been able to manage his dual role as dependable pass-catcher and expert run-blocker with aplomb.
Of course, the overall success of an offense ranked sixth in NFL in average yards and seventh in total points can be attributed to its offensive line. That unit has been instrumental in changing the Cowboys’ identity, helping them become the balanced outfit they weren’t in seasons past.
Through the first 10 games, Linehan has fixed both problems, as the Cowboys have formed a balanced attack able to dictate terms of the game.
For the first time since Jason Garrett returned to the organization as a coach in 2007, Dallas has made a strong commitment to its ground game.
The Cowboys have run the ball 49 percent of the time, and DeMarco Murray has emerged as the NFL’s leading rusher, gaining 1,233 yards on 244 carries. Murray’s production has transformed Dallas’ offense. The Cowboys are fifth in the league in average time of possession and have the highest third-down conversion rate in the NFL.
They also are less dependent on Romo, who entered the season under a cloud of uncertainty after undergoing surgery to repair a herniated disk last December.
Romo has surpassed expectations despite missing a game after re-injuring his back Oct. 27, when he suffered two small transverse process fractures. Romo has produced the fourth-highest passer rating in the league, and his yards per attempt is as high as it’s been since 2006, his first year as the team’s starter.
Romo has benefited from a versatile receiving corps. Dez Bryant and Terrance Williams have made significant contributions. So has tight end Jason Witten, who has been able to manage his dual role as dependable pass-catcher and expert run-blocker with aplomb.
Of course, the overall success of an offense ranked sixth in NFL in average yards and seventh in total points can be attributed to its offensive line. That unit has been instrumental in changing the Cowboys’ identity, helping them become the balanced outfit they weren’t in seasons past.
