With a run-game specialist as the new OC, it\u2019s no secret the Cowboys will focus on improving their ability to run the ball. Dallas finished as the third-worst rushing efficiency team last year with just 4.0 yards per attempt.<\/p>\n
During his time with the Cardinals, Adams\u2019 squad ranked second in the league with 5.0 yards per attempt in 2023 and 5.3 yards per attempt last year. Running the ball effectively is going to be priority one.<\/p>\n
It helps when you have a capable running back handling the workload and the Cardinals have had that in James Conner. Over his career, he\u2019s been a steady 700-yards-per-year type of runner, but during these past two seasons, we\u2019ve seen a jump in production.<\/p>\n
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- Since taking over the starting job in Pittsburgh (2018-2020) = average 719 yards\/season<\/li>\n
- His first two years in Arizona (2021-2022) = average 767 yards\/season<\/li>\n
- His last two years in Arizona (2023-2024) = average 1,067 yards\/season<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
That is a 300-yard-per-season jump for Conner since Adams started coaching the Cardinals offensive line. His only two 1,000-yard seasons have come with Adams and also include the two best yards-per-attempt years of his career.<\/p>\n
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<\/picture><\/span><\/span><\/figure>\nWhile Conner has been a good running back over the years, he\u2019s not one of those dynamic playmakers like Saquon Barkley or Jahmyr Gibbs. Instead, he\u2019s a straight line running with a bit of wiggle and enough physicality to punish arm tacklers. He\u2019s not electric, but he\u2019s effective. In a lot of ways, he\u2019s like Rico Dowdle. A lot of ways. Check out their 2024 rushing stats…<\/p>\n
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- Games played: Conner = 16, Dowdle = 16<\/li>\n
- Rushing attempts: Conner = 236, Dowdle = 235<\/li>\n
- Yards per carry: Conner = 4.6, Dowdle = 4.6<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
That is not to say the Cowboys will again be content with re-signing Dowdle and calling it good. Even with Conner playing well, the Cardinals drafted\u00a0Florida State\u2019s Trey Benson in the third round. He was the second running back taken in last year\u2019s draft. The Cowboys must take action to upgrade the running back position group, but it might not come in the form of using their 12th overall pick on Ashton Jeanty as many expect.<\/p>\n
2. Getting linemen into space<\/strong><\/h2>\n
The success the Cardinals had running the ball isn\u2019t predicated on having a star running back, but rather having all hands on deck when run blocking. Our own David Howman did a great job\u00a0breaking down what we should expect from Adams, highlighting several key elements of his blocking schemes.<\/p>\n
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The Cardinals have been one of the top gap-blocking teams in the league these past two years, using at least one pulling offensive lineman on just under two-thirds of their run plays this past year. In 2024, they found great success running counter, finishing second in the NFL in counter-run plays but showing a wide variation of formations they ran it from.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n
Adams will rely heavily on the athleticism of his offensive linemen. It wouldn\u2019t surprise us if Tyler Smith ends up the top left guard in the league under Adams\u2019 watch. Smith moves in space very well and could open up his own house of pancakes with the number of running starts he\u2019ll be getting.<\/p>\n
The stage is set for many of the team\u2019s young linemen to take a step forward. Cooper Beebe had a great rookie season and should be even better in year two. And while many are sour on Tyler Guyton, the athleticism is there and it will be interesting to see what he looks like with Adams.<\/p>\n
And even Terence Steele, the guy most believe will be a cap casualty this offseason, should flourish in this new system. Before his injury, Steele flashed some great moving run-blocking chops and could be in store for a career season this year.<\/p>\n
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