weapons.
Seriously. Put yourself in Garrett's shoes while he's trying to organize a game plan.
"OK, so we have to get Miles Austin and Roy Williams some catches here. They're both big-time receivers for us and we've got them involved. Maybe we can get Patrick Crayton a few looks in the slot, and I'm hoping to get Sam Hurd a few plays. Oh yeah, don't forget about Kevin Ogletree. He's fast and everyone wants me to get him a play or two. Gotta get that done. . . . Now I've got to make sure we get Jason Witten going. He's our money player so let's get him about 10 to 12 looks right off the bat. Oh, and Martellus Bennett needs to be unleashed. . . . And if that's not enough, I've got three running backs who all need the ball, too."
Sure, maybe an exaggeration here or there. The next time I sit down with Jason Garrett while he orchestrates the game plan will indeed be my first.
But you see what I'm saying here. There're too many "weapons" if you ask me. Especially considering some of them really aren't producing like weapons. We're 12 games into the season. If these guys were going to emerge, they would have by now.
Miles Austin didn't get his shot right away, but when it finally happened, he exploded. But that's not the case for everyone.
The Cowboys use a lot of two-tight end looks with Martellus and Jason Witten, but personally, I think it affects the running game. I understand that having two tight ends in the game allows the Cowboys to both run and pass and use a wider variety of play-calls. And, having those two tight ends allows them to give more blocking help, especially now with Doug Free on the right side.
I'm certainly not suggesting that Bennett doesn't have a role on this offense. But I think there are times when he takes away opportunities for Anderson. When it's time to run the ball, and I mean RUN THE BALL , then you should have your best personnel in there.
Sure, all the tight ends can line up in the backfield and lead-block occasionally. But you do that on a first down when you're trying to catch a defense off guard.
When it's third-and-one, get your best guys in there. Scrap the shotgun look or three-wides. Put your fullback in there and pick up the yard. If you think defenses are going to know it's coming, fine, see if they stop it.
Honestly, what's the difference when the Cowboys go to their Razorback formation? They split Romo out wide and line up Choice all by himself. Doesn't that scream run? Of course, but since they have an extra blocker now on the field, it's tough for defenses to really stop it. Now, you may not get a lot of huge runs from that formation, but it should pick up needed yards for a first down.
And that's why Deon needs to be in the game more. The Cowboys have wasted a few third-and-short plays because they're trying to get too cute, by either running the draw from the shotgun or some other delayed run that takes too long.
Maybe it handicaps the playbook a bit, and probably eliminates some of the check-offs at the line of scrimmage. But I'm not talking about every third-down play, mainly the ones when it's time to run the ball.
And when it's that time, the best players need to be in there. In short-yardages situations, Deon Anderson is one of the team's best players.
