Last Minute Plea To Jason Garrett For The No-Huddle Offense
By Joshua Huff
We are begging you Jason…the fans, the writers, even your players, we are all begging you to please not let this game get out of reach before giving our offense an opportunity to compete. We have watched one game after another slip away because we didn’t change our strategy soon enough, and now it is about to happen to the entire season.
Dec 24, 2011; Dallas, TX, USA; Dallas Cowboys head coach Jason Garrett on the sidelines against the Philadelphia Eagles at Cowboys Stadium. The Eagles beat the Cowboys 20-7. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports
There was a record 791 points scored in week one this year. This record coincides with the most the no-huddle offense has ever been run in week one….coincidence?
This offense is no longer limited in use to the two minute drill, and for many teams in the league, is no longer considered situational. There are more and more teams each year that are successfully implementing the no-huddle offensive into every game. It could very well be the offense of the future.
The no-huddle has been considered such an advantage that some coaches, including Alabama’s Nick Saban, claim that it is downright unfair. Saban was quoted as saying there is obviously a tremendous advantage for the offense when they are able to score 70 points a game.
There are many widely recognized advantages of the no huddle offense, such as allowing the quarterback a better look or assessment of the defense. ESPN analyst and former NFL quarterback Trent Dilfer, who saw a hand full of teams in his career (ending with San Francisco) stated, “There’s not a guy out there that doesn’t want to be in the no-huddle. You get defined looks. They have to let you read their mail to a certain degree. They just can’t do a whole lot of manipulation from a disguise standpoint. They’re stuck, and they don’t know when the ball is going to be snapped if you do the no-huddle right…”
Now I ask, are we so confident in our underperforming offense that we would pass on such an advantage? Can we really afford to say “no thanks” to a better read of our opponent’s defense?
Another benefit is controlling the pace of the game. Why do you think the Patriots have used this offense so much over the years? In affiliation, why do you think the Patriot’s offense has been so consistently strong? By controlling the pace you essentially force your opponent to play your game, clearly giving you the upper hand.
Nov 22, 2012; Arlington, TX, USA; Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo (9) calls to the sidelines against the Washington Redskins on Thanksgiving at Cowboys Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-US PRESSWIRE
Wouldn’t it be to our benefit to come out controlling the pace of a game, getting an early lead and working the clock towards the end? I just have to think that would be better than starting slow, and kicking our offense into high gear towards the end of the game in an attempt to overcome a deficit that we no longer have ample time for.
The no-huddle offense wears out the opponent’s pass rush. When running the no-huddle offense, the opposing defense does not have time to rest between snaps, and more importantly, does not have time to substitute. This will quickly wear down a defensive line, significantly reducing their ability to get to the quarterback.
Tony Romo has been sacked 26 times this year and thrown 15 interceptions. Are these not astonishing enough numbers to warrant a change in strategy? After so many losses with our current game plan, is it not worth trying something different and relying on the one offensive scheme that has consistently worked for us?
Sep 23, 2012; Arlington, TX, USA; Dallas Cowboys running back DeMarco Murray (29) dives into the end zone for a touchdown during the first quarter against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Cowboys Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-US PRESSWIRE
The no-huddle offense can be a great benefit to the running game too. With a better read of the defense, there is a strong advantage in knowing what plays to call, and what running lanes to exploit. This kind of information can mean the difference between “stopped for a loss” and “15 yard gain”.
The one aspect of our offense that has struggled the most over the last few years is the run game. How can we not utilize an offense that specifically addresses the problems that have plagued us all season?
I think it’s obvious what direction should be taken here. Ultimately it comes down to trust. Do you trust your players and your quarterback enough to run the no-huddle? If not, I hope you find that trust in them, before they lose their trust in you.