FRISCO, Texas – The Cowboys’ offense had a slow start against the Panthers in week 1 with a struggling passing game and a run game that could not find its rhythm from second and long and third and long situations.
After practice Ezekiel Elliott addressed the issues from Sunday’s game against Carolina after watching the tape “came down to not doing our job and being behind the chains. Did not give us the opportunity to get in a groove on offense. We left our defense hanging. We left them on the field too long. This week we have to make sure we get out there and sustain some drives and put points on the board. “
The Cowboys’ offense tends to take a few games to find their momentum and rhythm on the field, and this week’s practice is critical before facing the Giants’ 3-4 defensive front led by new defensive coordinator James Bettcher. His scheme specializes in heavy pressure and blitzing. The Cowboys defense will have to shut it down in order to protect Dak Prescott. The last thing the Cowboys’ need on the offensive side of the ball is to loose there starting quarterback. Prescott was sacked six times against the Panthers and the defense will have to do a better job this week.
Receiver Cole Beasley helped pick up some of the slack from the offense last week, having one of the highest reception rates in the league converting five of his seven receptions into first downs. His seven catches for 73 yards against Carolina are tied for the third-highest total in his career.
He discussed his role in the Cowboys’ offense and the mindset the core shares “ The strength is within the group. My job is to get open when I am called upon and when they give those looks I have to be open…We know what we are capable of and what we can do. “
That is exactly what the receivers will have to do better moving forward; getting open and breaking away from man-to-man coverage against corners in the backfield and creating an open target for Dak to throw to. For these young receivers, becoming more familiar with the routes will be essential in strengthening the passing game. Practice and more practice is what Prescott and the new receivers need in order to gauge speed on routes and the correct timing and force with which to release the ball for connections.
