Dallas Cowboys: 5 Things We Know

Nov 15, 2015; Tampa, FL, USA; Dallas Cowboys head coach

reacts during the fourth quarter at Raymond James Stadium. Tampa Bay Buccaneers defeated the Dallas Cowboys 10-6. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

Things we know about the Dallas Cowboys #3 Jason Garrett is not a good offensive mind.

Once upon a time, Jason Garrett was considered a bright, young offensive mind. Those days seem like forever ago. This season Jason Garrett has been unable to overcome the loss of their QB and has been resistant to ever look outside of the box (or even adapt for that matter).

The Dallas Cowboys run a special version of the Air Coryell offense under Garrett. In a nutshell, the Air Coryell is an offense that relies heavily on deep and intermediate passing. From there the short stuff and running game are spawned.

Receivers run complex route trees that utilize the sideline and tree off based on coverage. This isn’t a tricky or even misleading scheme. Much like Marinelli’s defense, it’s designed to beat you face up. And there’s nothing wrong with that.

What’s troubling is Jason Garrett’s inability (or unwillingness) to modify when things are not working. The Dallas Cowboys are the worst in the NFL in 3^rd and 1. They are almost the worst in overall 3^rd down conversion percentage as well. This simply isn’t working and Jason Garrett is doing nothing new or creative to overcome this critical shortcoming.

"Note: Scott Linehan may be the play-caller but this is Jason Garrett’s offense he’s calling."

Receiver pick routes, screens behind trips formation, misdirection, anything…would be a welcomed sight. Lucky Whitehead was creatively involved but if you watch his college film, they are all things he’s done before. So you could say, the most original part of the offense, isn’t all that original.

When the Cowboys are all healthy and everything is clicking like last season, Garrett will be fine. But it’s his inability under any other less-than-ideal circumstance that’s troubling.