Dallas Cowboys Rushing Attack vs. Buccaneers (21 Carries, 42 Yards)

3rd Quarter

Run #14

Situation: 2nd and 11 DAL 28
Description: Q3-(12:40) D. McFadden Right Guard to DAL 30 for 2 Yards (A. Spence)

Most of the blocks on this play are good, but a key block fails at the point of attack fails and the play goes nowhere. Martin (#70) and Frederick (#72) get good initial movement of Spence (#97) and help open up the hole for McFadden (#20). Once Frederick falls off the block to pick up a hard-charging Alexander (#58), Martin loses control of Spence. Spence is able to knock Martin’s hands off of him for a second and get into the hole where McFadden plans to run through. McFadden tries to cut behind Martin, but Martin can’t push Spence to the outside and Spence makes the tackle.

Run #15

Situation: 1st and 10 TB 48
Description: Q3-(11:16) D. McFadden Up the Middle to TB 48 for No Gain (L. David, H. Jones)

There are few things wrong on this play. First, Cassel (#16) needs to audible out of this play. McDougald (#30) rolls down into the box late and is the unblocked eight man in the box. He is in the middle of the formation and the delayed handoff to McFadden (#20) is going into the middle of the formation. Therefore, Cassel needs to check to a pass play. Instead, McDougald is unblocked and is sitting in the hole waiting for McFadden. Outside of this mind fart by Cassell, the combo block of Frederick (#72) and Martin (#70) fails again. Frederick and Martin get movement on Spence (#97) and Spence has been pushed onto Martin. But Spence has his hands on Frederick and slows down Frederick from getting up to the second level to block David (#54). Frederick has to be a defensive lineman for a second and rip through Spence’s arms to get up to David and make the block. Instead, David goes around the combo block and helps make the tackle.

Run #16

Situation: 1st and 10 DAL 24
Description: Q3-(6:02) D. McFadden Right Guard to DAL 28 for 4 Yards (K. Alexander, D. Lansanah)

McFadden’s (#20) cut in the backfield doesn’t help his offensive linemen, but the blocks at the second level have to happen. Free (#68) first responsibility is to chip Gholston (#92) to help Witten (#82) on his reach block. He does this well, but he does this block for too long and prevents him from getting to his second task. Free is responsible for blocking Alexander (#58) on this play but since he takes so long on his chip block, Alexander is able to follow McFadden to the hole and make the tackle. I also don’t understand what Frederick (#72) is doing. With DT Tony McDaniel (#77) stunting into the B-gap, Free has a clear path to Lansanah (#51) to make the block. Instead he hesitates, does an unnecessary chip on Melton (#90), and is late getting up to Lansanah. Lansanah runs right by him and is able to help make the tackle.

Run #17

Situation: 2nd and 5 50
Description: Q3-(4:01) D. McFadden Left Guard to TB 48 for 2 Yards (K. Alexander)

Free (#68) gets too cute on the play and tries to do too many things at once. Free’s responsibility is to get to the second level and block Alexander (#58) on this trap run. Before he does this, he takes a shot on McCoy (#93) and pushes him into the ground. While this does take McCoy out of the play and allow Collins (#71) to block Gholston (#92), it prevents him from getting in front of Alexander. Alexander beats Free to the spot and makes the tackle on McFadden (#20).

For the 4th Quarter, click on the next page