Cowboys sign Darren McFadden - 2yr deal worth up to $5.85m (200k bonus)

[CyberB0b]

It's a no risk, high ceiling signing.

You might have a point if we had given more guaranteed money and it was a certainty he was getting a roster spot.

But he's not. The contract tells you he's guaranteed nothing. He's no different than any other camp fodder drek we and every other team will pick up between now and final cuts.

Where do you get the high ceiling part from? That's what I don't understand.

 

[MichaelWinicki]

RB is not a position you need to invest heavily in.

Right now you have 3 teams that didn't make the playoffs last season, that have $8 mil or more invested in the RB position:

-Buffalo
-Philly
-New Orleans

I think it's going to be interesting to see how things spin out with those clubs and their running games, not only next season, but 3 seasons from now, when all 3 still have big commitments on the table.

 

[jterrell]

I've watched a lot of Spiller. The guy has talent, but at 5'11, 195lbs you simply can't run him 20 times a game. And if you can't, can you justify that kind of coin?

Not if you are Dallas and pay the LT, TE, WR, QB all top of the league figures.
This OL gets paid well(Leary aside) to make average RBs look like stars.
I would have been fine with Spiller but RB is one position you don't guarantee money to.

I haven't watched McFadden much but I love the contract he signed. He bet on himself with incentives and nearly zero guarantee.
That 200k after fees and taxes is basically moving money. He has to win the job to earn a real paycheck.

 

[MichaelWinicki]

Not if you are Dallas and pay the LT, TE, WR, QB all top of the league figures.
This OL gets paid well(Leary aside) to make average RBs look like stars.
I would have been fine with Spiller but RB is one position you don't guarantee money to.

I haven't watched McFadden much but I love the contract he signed. He bet on himself with incentives and nearly zero guarantee.
That 200k after fees and taxes is basically moving money. He has to win the job to earn a real paycheck.

Agreed.

I'd rather keep the OL, than the backs.

A good offensive lineman will be around 10-12 years.

We know what the shelf life is on a good back.

We also know which is easier to find.

 

[ThreeandOut]

I don't get why people are freaking out. I'd take Mcfadden over Dunbar and it's hardly big money. People are acting like Dallas have said they are set at RB and he's the starter. Why is the sky always falling?

I wonder if that's going to end up being Mcfadden's role, as a 3rd down back rather than as a starter. They may want him more for his pass blocking and receiving.

 

[KJJ]

I am because I don't see how this gets us any closer to a real answer at running back.

He doesn't get us any closer to an answer but he gives us some insurance which is why he was signed. Randle's future is iffy with his off the field issues can't be depending on him and the Cowboys certainly aren't going to turn to Dunbar who the team appears to be fazing out. They surely aren't going to bank on Ryan Williams who didn't even suit up in 2014 and hasn't taken a regular season snap since the 2012 season.

 

[gimmesix]

I am because I don't see how this gets us any closer to a real answer at running back.

Hedging bets. If we got C.J. Spiller, can you guarantee that he would be healthy and effective next year? If we draft a first-round running back, can you guarantee that he won't be a bust?

The more players we throw at the position, the more shots we have at finding someone who can step in and be good enough to keep the run game going. That's why I'd see if I could sign Stevan Ridley or another back who has had past success to a similar deal. Put them all in a hat and see who pops out.

 

[Beast_from_East]

Just got home from work and saw the news.

Jerry is just punking us right now, no other explanation.

Darren freaking McFadden is Murray's replacement? This is just embarrassing

 

[TRUTH87]

I don't get why people are freaking out. I'd take Mcfadden over Dunbar and it's hardly big money. People are acting like Dallas have said they are set at RB and he's the starter. Why is the sky always falling?

my thoughts exactly. Skys always falling on here. never seen such negativity on a teams board. Mcfadden >our rbs on roster as of now

 

[NorthwestDallas40]

Just got home from work and saw the news.

Jerry is just punking us right now, no other explanation.

Darren freaking McFadden is Murray's replacement? This is just embarrassing

Sadly, I called this back in January...

http://cowboyszone.com/threads/do-n...t-rb-we-sign-is-mcfadden.313661/#post-5950623

 

[Sydla]

Just got home from work and saw the news.

Jerry is just punking us right now, no other explanation.

Darren freaking McFadden is Murray's replacement? This is just embarrassing

Oy.

 

[joseephuss]

Just got home from work and saw the news.

Jerry is just punking us right now, no other explanation.

Darren freaking McFadden is Murray's replacement? This is just embarrassing

McFadden isn't Murray's replacement. McFadden is just another running back on the current roster.

 

[Displaced Cowboy]

Just got home from work and saw the news.

Jerry is just punking us right now, no other explanation.

Darren freaking McFadden is Murray's replacement? This is just embarrassing

Darren McFadden is not Murray's replacement. I'm not sure why you think he is.

 

[jterrell]

I wonder if that's going to end up being Mcfadden's role, as a 3rd down back rather than as a starter. They may want him more for his pass blocking and receiving.

He can wear a lot of hats.
I could see it going like this:

RB1 Williams
RB2 McFadden
Nick: Dunbar
Kick Off Returner: McFadden

If Randle comes back from a suspension perhaps he pushes the worst performer out of a job. If it is McFadden we basically paid 200k to get through a few weeks until Randle is back.

But the right back in the draft can change things a good bit.
As can injuries in camp.

 

[jrumann59]

He can wear a lot of hats.
I could see it going like this:

RB1 Williams
RB2 McFadden
Nick: Dunbar
Kick Off Returner: McFadden

If Randle comes back from a suspension perhaps he pushes the worst performer out of a job. If it is McFadden we basically paid 200k to get through a few weeks until Randle is back.

But the right back in the draft can change things a good bit.
As can injuries in camp.

Assuming no injuries and no suspensions, I see it more like this Williams/Randle then McFadden or Dunbar or more likely Rookie/Williams McFadden or dunbar or randle.

 

[Boyz981]

Just got home from work and saw the news.

Jerry is just punking us right now, no other explanation.

Darren freaking McFadden is Murray's replacement? This is just embarrassing

What makes you think he is replacing Murray?... it must be the 200,000!

 

[jterrell]

Assuming no injuries and no suspensions, I see it more like this Williams/Randle then McFadden or Dunbar or more likely Rookie/Williams McFadden or dunbar or randle.

randle will be suspended for a few games in all likelihood.

 

[Stash]

Stop. They didn't decide not to blow $9M on Spiller because oh joy we have McFadden.

No, they made what I feel is a mistake signing McFadden and not looking at Spiller.

 

[Stash]

Signing McFadden had no impact on that at all. Would you still be this whiny if Dallas didn't sign McFadden today? They still wouldn't and shouldn't have ponied up over $4 million a year for Spiller whether they got McFadden or not.

Possibly not, but at least they wouldn't be wasting any time waiting for a shine from this turd.

 

[Stash]

The hilarious thing is Spiller and McFadden are essentially the same guy.
Both top 10 overall picks, both elite speed guys, both with one good season to their names, both oft-injured.

Spiller is younger and got paid a lot more.
But he is coming off a sub 4.0 ypc year and has started only 15 games in two years.

Except Spiller has been in the league 4 years to McFadden's 7 and went to the Pro Bowl, and Spiller had 1200 yards two seasons ago while Mc Fadden's was five years ago.