Troy Aikman correctly pointed out the Dallas Cowboys’ imprecise route running, and Dan Orlovsky has utilized film to back this up.
During their bye week, the Cowboys’ offense has faced scrutiny, initially centered on their struggling running game, particularly after Derrick Henry’s performance on Monday Night Football. Although Henry expressed interest in playing for Dallas, Jerry Jones did not reach out.
Now, the focus has shifted back to the passing game. Aikman criticized the wide receivers, describing their route running as “lazy.” While Jones attempted to downplay Aikman’s remarks, former Pro Bowler Nate Newton supported Aikman’s view, labeling the receivers as “selfish.” Recently, analyst Dan Orlovsky, alongside Harry Douglas, analyzed three plays from the Cowboys’ loss to Detroit, reinforcing Aikman’s concerns.
The first play involved CeeDee Lamb, who was supposed to execute a slant route. With four defenders clustered on the opposite side, Lamb had ample space but failed to utilize it, instead engaging with the defender. Orlovsky and Douglas noted that the route should have been simple and quick, with no need for contact.
The second play showcased a communication breakdown between Dak Prescott and Lamb. On an option route, Lamb could have chosen an out route or a vertical go route but opted for the latter, which Orlovsky and Douglas agreed was incorrect given the coverage. Prescott threw to the spot where Lamb should have gone, leading to an incomplete pass and highlighting their misalignment on the field.
They also critiqued a fourth-and-two situation where Lamb was double-covered and Jake Ferguson was unable to create separation. Orlovsky pointed out that KaVontae Turpin became the primary target but failed to sell his return route. Douglas remarked that Turpin couldn’t “deceive the defender,” which would have left him open when returning to the quarterback. Orlovsky emphasized that the “one thing that needed to happen” in that play was exactly what Turpin neglected.
On a positive note, the Cowboys have stated they are focusing on improving communication, particularly between Prescott and Lamb. Hopefully, this effort will lead to better synchronization moving forward.
