One thing the Dallas Cowboys struggled to do last season was run the ball effectively, and it is no secret that under new head coach Brian Schottenheimer, that will change.
Or ... well ... at least the intention is for it to change.
Miles Sanders, Javonte Williams, Jaydon Blue, Phil Mafah, and Deuce Vaughn will all be tasked with producing something in the run game to take some of the pressure off of Dak Prescott and the passing game.
And for those bullish on the run game, it is going to get a stern test out of the gate with the Philadelphia Eagles and New York Giants in the first two weeks, both harboring monstrous defensive fronts that can stop a run game dead in its tracks.
But Schottenheimer has a plan, and a serious plan at that.
“I think D-lines in this league are all now elite,” Schottenheimer said. "When we get to the game planning part of it, our system is flexible enough that we have all the tools that we need to be able to change things up. At the end of the day, the best thing you can do for any offensive line, any team offense when you're playing elite defensive linemen is pound the freaking football, man.
"Just to shove it up their [expletive]. That's what we're going to try to do. We're going to be physical.”
Well, that's one way to do it.
The Eagles were the fourth-best defense against the run last season, allowing just 101.8 yards per game, so the new-look Cowboys rushing attack and the offensive line will get a true test in Week 1.
Because if you can run the ball on the Eagles, you can run it on anyone.
Shove it up their [expletive]? Yeah, that's a good game plan Mr. Schottenheimer.
