Harry
ASFN Consultant and Senior Writer
I don’t know if he sees it this way but Drew Petzing used the power of paradigms to befuddle the Cowboys Sunday. If you’re not familiar with the word “paradigms” I strongly recommend Joel Barker’s writings or videos about Discovering the Future. Paradigms are a framework which impact the way we view the world.
Mostly paradigms are discussed because of paradigm shifts. Those occur when our framework changes. Before Darwin’s Theory of Evolution it was typically believed different species variations were created by divine provident. Now evolutionary mutation is widely accepted. It’s the new paradigm. Sometimes our framework becomes so rigid it blinds us to change; paradigm paralysis.
Knowingly or not it was this paralysis that made the Cards’ offense work so well Sunday. Petzing replaced Connor with Moore at RB and the Cowboys were oblivious to the change. When Moore got through the line of scrimmage, he just ran in a straight line and the Cowboys couldn’t wrap their mind around what they were seeing. Their paradigm was the Cards didn’t have a breakaway runner. That brief hesitation was all it took to result in a 45 yard TD. In a similar fashion, using a common Cardinal formation the Cards slipped Wilson in the spot normally occupied by a TE. When he ran a fly route no Cowboy picked him up as there wasn’t supposed to be a deep threat at TE. They couldn’t “picture” what was happening to them. By the time they adjusted they were victimized by a 40 yard pass.
I’m not certain but I think they used a similar strategy on defense. With their normal DL in position, they placed Thomas on the hip of the DE on the weak side of the offense. I’ve never seen that alignment with the second defender that tight to another player. The Cowboys seemed to see the two players as if they were one. The OT engaged the Cards’ DE, but no one seemed aware of Thomas. He simply looped around the O-line unblocked and made the stop.
These were not trick plays, but merely unorthodox formations. They were so subtle they eluded the Cowboys’ top of mind awareness, leaving the moves ignored.
As teams become aware of this, it will decline in effectiveness. Still it’s worth noting this may be the most out-of-the-box thinking coaching staff in recent years. Every week I get more impressed by this staff. They do make what I see as mistakes but even if I’m right, I’m confident they will adjust. I still believe this is one of the weakest rosters I’ve seen. However, when this staff gets better players, the Cards should be even more exciting to watch. This week’s win figures to cause the league to take notice. The staff certainly caught me off-guard. I honestly have no clue what they may be able to accomplish going forward. They’ve already done the impossible. Color me amazed!
Mostly paradigms are discussed because of paradigm shifts. Those occur when our framework changes. Before Darwin’s Theory of Evolution it was typically believed different species variations were created by divine provident. Now evolutionary mutation is widely accepted. It’s the new paradigm. Sometimes our framework becomes so rigid it blinds us to change; paradigm paralysis.
Knowingly or not it was this paralysis that made the Cards’ offense work so well Sunday. Petzing replaced Connor with Moore at RB and the Cowboys were oblivious to the change. When Moore got through the line of scrimmage, he just ran in a straight line and the Cowboys couldn’t wrap their mind around what they were seeing. Their paradigm was the Cards didn’t have a breakaway runner. That brief hesitation was all it took to result in a 45 yard TD. In a similar fashion, using a common Cardinal formation the Cards slipped Wilson in the spot normally occupied by a TE. When he ran a fly route no Cowboy picked him up as there wasn’t supposed to be a deep threat at TE. They couldn’t “picture” what was happening to them. By the time they adjusted they were victimized by a 40 yard pass.
I’m not certain but I think they used a similar strategy on defense. With their normal DL in position, they placed Thomas on the hip of the DE on the weak side of the offense. I’ve never seen that alignment with the second defender that tight to another player. The Cowboys seemed to see the two players as if they were one. The OT engaged the Cards’ DE, but no one seemed aware of Thomas. He simply looped around the O-line unblocked and made the stop.
These were not trick plays, but merely unorthodox formations. They were so subtle they eluded the Cowboys’ top of mind awareness, leaving the moves ignored.
As teams become aware of this, it will decline in effectiveness. Still it’s worth noting this may be the most out-of-the-box thinking coaching staff in recent years. Every week I get more impressed by this staff. They do make what I see as mistakes but even if I’m right, I’m confident they will adjust. I still believe this is one of the weakest rosters I’ve seen. However, when this staff gets better players, the Cards should be even more exciting to watch. This week’s win figures to cause the league to take notice. The staff certainly caught me off-guard. I honestly have no clue what they may be able to accomplish going forward. They’ve already done the impossible. Color me amazed!
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