Dallas Cowboys: The pros and cons of 10 personnel

The Dallas Cowboys are experimenting with a new offensive scheme in camp. So let’s look at the pros and cons of a 10 personnel scheme.

Over the years we have seen the Dallas Cowboys using the same offense much to the dismay of fans. An offense that at times couldn’t be stopped but also couldn’t score or move the ball when it needed too. Now with training camp ongoing, it looks like things are about to change.

Reports out of Cowboys training camp are that the team is experimenting with a new 10 personnel offensive scheme. Now for those who do not know what this is; it is an offense with one running back, no tight ends, and four receivers. It is an offense designed to spread a defense out creating easier running lanes for a running back.

It also gives the quarterback the ability to read the defense and change the play at the line of scrimmage. This offense forces defenses to either stop the run or play more of a nickel or dime defense to stop the pass. Either way, they go they may be at a disadvantage personnel wise against the offense.

Now that I have given a brief description of the Dallas Cowboys new scheme let’s take a look at some of the pros and cons of this offense.

Three Pros of the 10 Personnel Scheme

Speed on the field

Teams that normally play in this style of an offense tend to draft or sign receivers that had speed. That is exactly what the Dallas Cowboys did this offseason with the signings of Allen Hurns, Deonte Thompson and trading for Tavon Austin.

That speed is what will keep defenses honest. If a defense is set on stopping the run then that gives the receivers the ability to have more man to man matchups. If that receiver can consistently win those matchups you can create major headaches for teams.

Multiple receiver formations

Another benefit for the Dallas Cowboys would be their ability to move pieces around in this offense. They have the opportunity to play their receivers in more of a bunch or stacked formation. This will cause two possible outcomes.

The first is they will be in a position to block for the run and the second would be to create traffic for defenders to get through while in coverage.  It also forces the opposing teams to keep track of the formations and groupings which can’t be easy. Just imagine trying to cover Tavon Austin and Cole Beasley one on one and out of a bunched formation. Scary.

The running game

In this scheme, you will want a running back that has the ability to take over a game. Luckily for the Dallas Cowboys, they have Ezekiel Elliott and Dak Prescott. In this offense, both Zeke and Dak have the potential to see less eight men in the box trying to stop the run because of the spread formation of the receivers. This will give them more open running lanes and with an already dominant running game, it’s scary to think what they could do next season.

Three Cons of the 10 Personnel Scheme

Fewer blockers

One downfall to running this offense is that you have fewer blockers protecting Dak Prescott. You give up a tight end like Blake Jarwin to put Tavon Austin on the field. Defenses will see this and start blitzing more often. If the defense sends seven or eight defenders someone won’t be blocked and can get pressure or Prescott. Now the Dallas Cowboys have one of the best offensive lines in the league and a very good blocking running back in Ezekiel Elliott. But that is still a numbers game and would be a losing battle.

Receivers winning one on one

The scheme sounds great in theory but if the Cowboys receivers can’t win their one on one battle it means nothing. Out of the receivers from last season, Terrance Williams and Cole Beasley are the only two starters returning. Both had problems creating space to get open down the field. Hopefully, with Sanjay Lal now coaching this group he will give them the tools needed to get off of press man coverage and get open.

Quarterback play calling

Now Dak Prescott has shown in the past that he has the ability to read defenses. With this style of offense, the opposing defense will start to get creative with their coverages by dropping safeties into the box only to have them quickly drop into coverage. This will place a lot of pressure on Prescott’s shoulders. Recognizing a defense is now a sure thing. Hopefully, he is able to manage this and put the offense in good positions to succeed. If he can’t it’s going to be a long season.

What are your thoughts on the Cowboys using the 10 personnel scheme this season? Go with it or stick with what you know?

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