Blogging The Boys
Can the second-year coach improve in his second act with the team?
No.8) How does Schotty evolve in Year 2?
Patrik: Two words: red zone. This is an offense that could’ve been unstoppable in Schottenheimer’s first season calling plays, but their wall of kryptonite was always waiting for them at around the 20-yard line. Can they run the ball with Javonte Williams? Yep. Can they work the field underneath with Jake Ferguson and the wideouts? Yep. Can they stretch the field with CeeDee Lamb, George Pickens and Ryan Flournoy? Yep. Can they punch it into the end zone after doing all of those things, once they get into the red zone? Last year, the answer was, more often than not, a resounding “no”. I’m sure Schotteheimer and Klayton Adams have studied those failings this offseason until they’re blue in the face, and if they can flip that switch for the offense in 2026 … whoa buddy.
Tommy: Getting the running backs more involved in the passing game. Red zone is a good answer too, but one thing that could help with that is getting the ball into the hands of guys like Javonte Williams, and if he earns his stripes this offseason, Jaydon Blue. Last season, Javonte Williams had the lowest number of receptions and receiving yards of his career outside of the season he got injured in Denver with 35 receptions for 137 yards. In the other three seasons outside of that, Williams had averaged around 47 receptions and 296 yards in the receiving game. That’s not a huge difference, but there is more to take advantage of there especially when so much attention will go to CeeDee Lamb, George Pickens, Ryan Flournoy and Jake Ferguson.
Additionally, we’ve talked a lot about the RB2 spot, and the Cowboys have been high on Jaydon Blue this offseason. At Texas, one of his specialties was creating big plays as a pass catcher (42 receptions, 368 yards and six touchdowns in his final collegiate season). What’s a way for the second-year back to get on the field and the 53-man roster? Finding ways to make those explosive plays in the passing game again. Now, the big thing with Blue is he’ll have to improve on his ball security and prove he can be effective between the tackles. That said, his ability in the receiving game is a difference maker.
These things loom large over the Cowboys before they open training camp.
Training camp arrives at the end of the month for the Dallas Cowboys and the vibes around the team are good. There’s no drama surrounding the team, and no one has heard from owner Jerry Jones in quite some time. This is an unusual feeling for the Cowboys and...
