Jerry Jones indicates a return to smashmouth football in Dallas

With a steady decline in play from an aging star running back, the Dallas Cowboys‘ focus has shifted more to their passing attack over the past few seasons. In fact, it’s been since 2018 that the Cowboys’ rushing offense outranked their passing game among their NFL peers.

Last season, the Cowboys were tied for the second best passing offense in the league averaging 282.4 yards per game. The only NFL team with a better average was the 13-4 Tampa Buccaneers (307.6), who just so happen to be the Cowboys’ Week One opponent when this upcoming season kicks off on Sunday, September 11.

The rushing attack in Dallas was no slouch comparatively. Dallas average a solid 124.6 yards on the ground per game in 2021, which was good enough to be ranked ninth best in the NFL. But team owner Jerry Jones believes the running game in Big D will be even better this year.

During an phone interview with 105.3 The Fan’s Shan & RJ on Tuesday, Jones was asked about the identity of this current version of America’s Team. And the answer points to a return of smashmouth football in Dallas.

“With our plan and our personnel, then we hope to be able to run that football more than we ran it, let’s say; in the last few years. And [Ezekiel Elliott] will be critical to that. But we’ll also need to be able to run block. We should be able to run block. Run block is more of a given than being able to protect if you are dealing with inexperienced linemen.”

via an interview with 105.3 The Fan on Tuesday

Jones also mentioned that the team has the players that can really play well in a play-action, get the ball out quick, passing offense.

The goal of returning to a more run-centric offense in Dallas makes sense once you consider the issues the team is currently dealing with along their offensive line. The loss of starting left tackle Tyron Smith to a leg injury this offseason will likely force the Cowboys to play rookie first-rounder Tyler Smith at the position.

Combined with Connor McGovern likely taking over the starting left guard role plus the cementing of Terence Steele at right tackle, this inexperienced group elicits grave concerns when it comes to pass protection. But what this young, athletic group of lineman can seemingly excel at is run blocking. And based on the Cowboys’ situation at wide receiver at the moment, running the football more might be the perfect remedy to cure those ills.