The Cowboys’ offense during the 2021 season was a disappointment. They never really found an identity and often shelled up into an unfruitful snooze fest in games they weren’t up big in. Perhaps I’m a little harsh for a team that finished as the number 1 scoring offense, but it never really seemed like the offense was that of one that was the best in the NFL. Branded as one of the most explosive offenses heading into the year, the Cowboys had huge expectations. Early on, the Cowboys lived up to expectations. They posted over 28 points in every game but one before their week seven bye and looked the part as the league’s best offense. But
after Dak’s week six calf strain, the offense sputtered. The Cowboys posted 28+ points only three times in their final 11 games.
Cowboy fans pointed the finger at many people; Dak’s lackluster play, Mike Mccarthy’s poor time management, and Zeke’s insistence to play while hampered by a knee injury. These were all real issues that hindered the Cowboys’ offense, but possibly the biggest problem was the lack of creativity in the ladder stages of the season. OC Kellen Moore had a lot to do with this, and I felt he shied away from using Tony Pollard, who I think is the Cowboy’s biggest game-breaker.
Pollard was extraordinary, averaging 5.5 yards per carry last year, which was good for 2nd in the NFL. He finished with 1,056 yards per scrimmage on 169 touches, and he constantly showed his ability breaking off big plays seemingly every time he touched the ball in the open field. Heading into the 2022 season, Kellen Moore needs to find ways to get the ball in TP’s hands. And with Zeke in the backfield as the RB1, Moore will have to find innovative ways to do it. So that begs the question, How should the Cowboys use Tony Pollard?
How should the Cowboys use Tony Pollard in 2022?
My dream usage of Tony Pollard has been similar to how the Saints used Alvin Kamara in his rookie year. The Saints used Mark Ingram in harmony with Kamara instead of using them individually with one on the sideline. The tandem worked so well because of the contrast in style between Ingram and Kamara. Ingram was the more downhill physical runner that could break a defense down with his power, while Kamara was the dual-threat guy who could run between the tackles when called upon but excelled in catching the ball in space and runs designed to the outside.
I see that same ideology working for the Cowboys this year. Zeke’s skillset presents you with someone you can establish your running game with, while Pollard is a complete wildcard that can change a game with one play. Putting Pollard in the slot, in addition to the usual touches he’ll get as a lone back, will go a long way to him having a more significant impact on the game. You can do things like bubble screens, reverses, and jet sweeps from the slot to get the ball in space where he’s so dangerous.
When Pollard is in the backfield alone, he provides an essential aspect that Zeke can’t. Pollard’s ability to blow by defenders on the edge is his most valuable skill. Last year Pollard was virtually unstoppable on runs outside the tackle, averaging 6.4 yards per carry. In an offense that’s mainly a zone running scheme, calling running plays to the outside is the best way to utilize him. Zeke is a more patient runner, while TP is a quick cutting back that loves to hit the edge with his blazing speed. This opens up things like RPOs, where the defense will be much more focused on stopping him from hitting the edge, opening up other options.
With the loss of Amari Cooper and the recurring theme of the Cowboys needing a running game to be successful, they need to find ways to maximize Tony Pollard. It’s up to Kellen Moore to figure it out, and if he’s going to get a head coaching job somewhere, this year will go a long way to proving it. Zeke will get his touches, but Pollard must have his fingerprints on games because the Cowboys need the spark he brings to the team. I believe that if Tony Pollard isn’t used adequately, it will substantially drag down the Cowboys’ offense.