|
|
|
|
|
|
Smith had 132 rushing
yards vs. New York.
|
|
Dallas
Needs Other Players To Step Up
Maybe
Emmitt Smith's 132 yard performance was good for Dallas, but Charles
knows that Gresham will be keying the Dallas run attack. Therefore
players like LaFluer, Billy Davis, and Chris Warren will have to
step up and contribute big. LaFluer did step up against the Jets,
catching four passes for 146 yards, and earning player of the game
honors. But the knock on LaFluer as well as Davis and Warren is
their inconsistency. Smith, Irvin and Sanders have proven they are
definitely clutch players this season. But in order to beat the
Bronco's, Charles will need his supporting cast to deliver big.
Look for Dallas to get these guys into the game early by going to
them on third down situations.
But
the Cowboys must place a special emphasis this week on the defensive
containment of Denver's offense. Aside from the Jets, Dallas has
not faced anyone with the scoring prowess of the Broncos. Dallas
will have to prove early they can contain the outside. The Broncos
love to run plays that feature the receivers attacking the seams
of the defense, while Davis floats outside into the flats giving
Gresham two options. This is what Charles must be ready for.
Offensively,
the Cowboys must be consistent with their attack. Look for Dallas
to implement a new game plan, primarily consisting of custom offensive
plays. "I remember Waymon noticing how I ran from the default sets
mostly, and how he complemented the offense when we scrimmaged in
Indiana," Charles stated at his mid week press conference. "We wanted
to tinker around with the offense just to add some explosiveness.
If it works for other teams, it should work for us as well."
Also,
sources close to the Cowboys say that when Chris Warren is in the
backfield, look for Dallas to move Emmitt Smith outside to the receiver
spot. This was effective against the Jets. "We don't want to become
predictable" Charles also stated. "In the past, we have allowed
our play calling to become overly aggressive to the point where
other teams know what we want to do. That is what happened in the
first game against the Jets. Early in the season we were getting
the ball outside using the Flanker In,and slot curls, and hitting
Irvin on deep outs. Everyone took notice to that, especially Baltimore
and Kansas City. When we played those teams, they knew what to expect
because we played them a couple of times in the preseason. I think
most of THE LEAGUE knew what to expect in our offense. That's why
it is important now to make sure we come with a different plan of
attack against Denver. We know that they have scouted us and will
be ready." Defensively, look for Dallas to put a lot a pressure
on Elway and not allow him to scramble and find the Denver receivers
deep.
Charles
0-2 vs. Gresham
Gresham
is the only coach in THE LEAGUE that Charles has never beaten in
the regular season. Gresham foiled Dallas' undefeated season in
1997, and last season Denver won a 9-3 defensive struggle. The two
teams are not similar at all in their attacks.
How
They Compare Statistically
|
|
Statistical Category
|
|
|
48.8
|
Rushing
Yards PG
|
10.0
|
|
210.1
|
Passing
Yards PG
|
376.3
|
|
273.1
|
Total
Yards PG
|
506.9
|
|
29.6
|
Rushing
Yards Allowed PG
|
1.3
|
|
177.6
|
Passing
Yards Allowed PG
|
287.4
|
|
16.5
|
Scoring
Offense
|
37.4
|
|
13.8
|
Scoring
Defense
|
24.7
|
The
Denver defensive stats are somewhat misleading. The Broncos run
defense numbers appear incredible because not very many teams can
afford to run against them. Most teams must pass early in the ball
game because they are behind 21-0 or more in the first quarter.
Therefore, lots of passing yards against the defense, and very little
rush attempts. The Key stat is scoring defense. The Cowboys pass
defense and scoring defense rank in the top three in THE LEAGUE.
This is where Dallas must be consistent with it's statistics.
| 
