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Dallas Cowboys: Will new coaches mean different offensive approach?

By Shawn Walbert

PHILADELPHIA, PA - DECEMBER 31: Head coach Jason Garrett of the Dallas Cowboys reacts against the Philadelphia Eagles during the second half of the game at Lincoln Financial Field on December 31, 2017 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Dallas Cowboys won 6-0. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA - DECEMBER 31: Head coach Jason Garrett of the Dallas Cowboys reacts against the Philadelphia Eagles during the second half of the game at Lincoln Financial Field on December 31, 2017 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Dallas Cowboys won 6-0. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) /
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After the Dallas Cowboys offensive struggles in 2017, will their newly signed assistants force the team to find a new approach?

2017 was a season to forget for the Dallas Cowboys offense. Quarterback Dak Prescott saw a major regression from his success during his rookie year. Running back Ezekiel Elliott missed six games due to suspension.

The usually dominant offensive line was underwhelming at times and underachieved for most of the season. And wide receiver Dez Bryant once again failed to reach 1,000 yards receiving while accumulating only six touchdowns on the season.

Needless to say there has been a lot of finger pointing after another disappointing season, and for good reason. One explanation for their offensive struggles this year that has gained some attention since the year ended is the predictability of the offense.

Even players such as Bryant have hinted at problems such as scripted and predictable play calling, simple non-complex route trees for the receiving corp, and a genuine lack of creativity in the offensive game plan. A comment like that must have some merit coming from someone like Bryant who has never been an elite route runner in his career, but instead relies on his sheer physicality and ability to high point the football.

Since the season has ended it appears the Cowboys front office may have gotten the message. Majority of the assistant coaches from last year, both offensive and defensive, have since been dismissed or did not receive a contract extension. Recently two new offensive assistants have been hired; former Cincinnati Bengals offensive line coach Paul Alexander and former Indianapolis Colts wide receivers coach Sanjay Lal.

The hire of Alexander is the move that makes you think the Cowboys could be looking to alter some of their offensive philosophies next season. The Cowboys athletic offensive line has achieved it success while running a zone blocking style scheme while Alexander has coached a power style blocking scheme for the last 23 years in Cincinnati. Could Alexander be bringing a new blocking scheme with him to Dallas or simply be putting a new twist to Dallas’ already established zone style blocking?

While the Cowboys font office has decided to shake up the positional coaching staff, they will be retaining the main hierarchy of head coach Jason Garrett, offensive coordinator Scott Linehan, and defensive coordinator Rod Marinelli.

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How many changes can we expect to see with the head coach and both offensive and defensive play callers being brought back? With Garrett essentially coaching on a one year “show me” contract, it is hard to imagine he would be willing to make any drastic changes going into what could be the most important year of his coaching career.

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