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

[Fredd]

I like 1, 2, 3

4 & 5 He may have something left for us

5 would love to hear from someone who has followed him

6 & 7 makes believe there is a good chance he can help us ALOT. Break away... Something DeMarco couldn't do.





I applaud the deal.
Jerry always wanted. That's gotta count for something in DM's mind. A second chance at life.

I applaud it as well...this is similar to the melton deal from last year where we got a decent enough name with a "show me" contract...that's what we have here...now, I just want the NEW DM to show me something

 

[montgod]

As many have probably said, it's no skin off our backs with the type of deal he signed. I don't think JJ sees him as a definite replacement or incoming starter reviewing his NFL career. The plan, especially from rumors (ie looking at Ridley..) is to probably bring in 1 more vet rb and draft a Rb. 2 biggest positives of this signing is he is a very good pass protection and has good hands. If he proves us all wrong and his speed/talent come to forefront, then Dallas benefits.

 

[LittleBoyBlue]

I applaud it as well...this is similar to the melton deal from last year where we got a decent enough name with a "show me" contract...that's what we have here...now, I just want the NEW DM to show me something

He can start with his career 4.1 yards per carry average

 

[Fredd]

He can start with his career 4.1 yards per carry average

and that was in Oak...yeah, I like this deal so far...let's see how camp goes...the FO hasn't made a ton of mistakes lately, so I will give them (Stephen) the benefit of the doubt for now

 

[joseephuss]

So how do you explain L Murray outplaying him by a wide margin?

Except he didn't. L Murray was the back up. He had the higher average yards per carry, but that really has little meaning when he hardly touched the ball. It is reminiscent of the people who said Troy Hambrick outplayed Emmitt Smith in 2001. Heck, there are a few people who think Joseph Randle was better than DeMarco Murray this season because Randle broke a couple of long runs late in games. When L. Murray was given the opportunity to carry the load for Oakland late in the season he didn't produce.

 

[joseephuss]

Do you think they passed on all the other RBs because they knew they had McFadden in the bag? It seems that this deal was done for awhile, given all the provisions. I think it may have affected the negotiations with Murray. I think they were pretty glad Murray left.

They could have had the deal in the bag. They could have been preparing to bring a backup for Murray if they could have retained him. Or back up Spiller if they could have met his price point. I don't think they are glad Murray left at all. They wanted him, but they just could not spend the money required to keep him. Same with Spiller. Both guys needed too much money.

 

[KJJ]

Do you think they passed on all the other RBs because they knew they had McFadden in the bag? It seems that this deal was done for awhile, given all the provisions. I think it may have affected the negotiations with Murray. I think they were pretty glad Murray left.

I feel sure they passed on all the other RB's because McFadden was a bargain in comparison and Jerry had his eye on him in the event they lost Murray. Jerry knew the chances of retaining Murray weren't going to be very good so he's been preparing and McFadden was probably at the top of his list. If money was an issue with Murray it was certainly going to be an issue with a FA RB. The small signing bonus the Cowboys gave McFadden clearly indicates they're not banking on him but are hopeful he can make up for at least some of the production the team will be losing by the departure of Murray.

Jerry will be looking for his next Murray in the draft. McFadden was a free agent at the end of the 2013 season and drew no interest forcing him to have to sign a one year deal to stay in Oakland. The Cowboys knew because of McFadden's injury history and him being a Cowboy fan growing up that he would jump at the opportunity to play in Dallas especially behind their OL which is why everything got done as quickly as it did.

 

[Dave_in-NC]

They could have had the deal in the bag. They could have been preparing to bring a backup for Murray if they could have retained him. Or back up Spiller if they could have met his price point. I don't think they are glad Murray left at all. They wanted him, but they just could not spend the money required to keep him. Same with Spiller. Both guys needed too much money.

I agree. When has Dallas ever felt the need to let a player down easy. They simply would have said good luck to Murray with out all the hoopla.

 

[KJJ]

We have beat this subject like a rented mule.

That's common place here especially during the offseason but at least this isn't a subject that will reappear every few months to be beaten like a rented mule all over again. Some topics here are like bad movie sequels and some of us keep showing up to see a repeat of what we just saw a few months earlier.

 

[KJJ]

I applaud it as well...this is similar to the melton deal from last year where we got a decent enough name with a "show me" contract...that's what we have here...now, I just want the NEW DM to show me something

The new DM isn't on the roster yet we'll have to wait for the draft to see if we can come up with him.

 

[Fredd]

The new DM isn't on the roster yet we'll have to wait for the draft to see if we can come up with him.

yeah, he is, (just check the initials)....I can still see a RB taken, I just hope not with our #27 pick

 

[Dave_in-NC]

yeah, he is, (just check the initials)....I can still see a RB taken, I just hope not with our #27 pick

I hope they are not relying on McFadden. Huge mistake if they are.

 

[wileedog]

yeah, he is, (just check the initials)....I can still see a RB taken, I just hope not with our #27 pick

If Gurley is there at 27 I would be fine using that pick for him.

If not go BPA (with a leaning toward a DE) and grab someone like Ajayi in the 2nd.

 

[wileedog]

I hope they are not relying on McFadden. Huge mistake if they are.

I really do think if he makes the team it is as a 3rd down back. He has the blocking and hands for it. Unless he really shocks the heck out of everyone at camp.

 

[Woods]

If Gurley is there at 27 I would be fine using that pick for him.

If not go BPA (with a leaning toward a DE) and grab someone like Ajayi in the 2nd.

I was thinking the same thing. Maybe Diggy in Round 1, and Ajayi in Round 2. If Ajayi is gone by the time we pick in Round 2, we can look at guys like Coleman and David Johnson, for example.

 

[KJJ]

yeah, he is, (just check the initials)....I can still see a RB taken, I just hope not with our #27 pick

In initials only has the new DM arrived. You can bet the farm and then some the Cowboys will draft an RB next month and it may very well be at #27. It's going to be unfortunate to have to use their top pick on a position that was the strongest position on the team in 2014 but they may have to. With Randle's future in doubt due to off the field concerns and with Dunbar clearly not being the answer along with the injury concerns with Ryan William's who hasn't had a regular season carry since 2012 and with McFadden's injury history the Cowboys have to draft an RB relatively high to increase their odds on finding their next Demarco. With Romo's back concerns it's a must the Cowboys maintain a solid running game they can't afford to gamble that any back can run as effectively as Murray did behind their OL. If the Cowboys enter the 2015 season without a solid RB situation and the OL gets hit with a rash of injuries the running game could suffer severely which could effect Romo and the defense.

 

[Nightman]

Except he didn't. L Murray was the back up. He had the higher average yards per carry, but that really has little meaning when he hardly touched the ball. It is reminiscent of the people who said Troy Hambrick outplayed Emmitt Smith in 2001. Heck, there are a few people who think Joseph Randle was better than DeMarco Murray this season because Randle broke a couple of long runs late in games. When L. Murray was given the opportunity to carry the load for Oakland late in the season he didn't produce.

That's not how it went at all. McFadden and MJD were on pace for one of the worst rushing seasons ever. When Denis Allen got fired the new Sparano regime wanted to get Murray a lot more carries after a few more weeks of poor results. When Murray was finally given the start he had 4 carry 100yd 2TD performance before leaving with a concussion. He missed a few weeks and never got his groove back, but McFadden did nothing with his carries before or after the switch.

 

[Beast_from_East]

You fail to understand that the season opener is 5+ months from now. What we actually have today could and likely will change well before then.

I forgot about this stud rookie we are going to draft to be our featured back and these 4 jags (Williams, Dunbar, Randle, McFadden) are all going to sit on the bench and watch him.

My bad.

 

[Fredd]

I don't think for a second that McFadden replaces what Murray brought...and, I don't see them using #27 on a RB, WR, TE or QB....there are so many quality backs this year that they can get one in the 2nd or 3rd round...I would think that they go BPA on the defensive side of the ball

 

[joseephuss]

That's not how it went at all. McFadden and MJD were on pace for one of the worst rushing seasons ever. When Denis Allen got fired the new Sparano regime wanted to get Murray a lot more carries after a few more weeks of poor results. When Murray was finally given the start he had 4 carry 100yd 2TD performance before leaving with a concussion. He missed a few weeks and never got his groove back, but McFadden did nothing with his carries before or after the switch.

Murray didn't start that game when he had the 90 yard run. Murray was the teams primary rusher during Oakland's final 4 games, starting 3 of them. He had the bulk of the carries over that time and averaged 3.79 yards per carry. McFadden only got a handful of carries during those 4 games and average 4.47 yards per carry. Funny how the back up RB in Oakland always seems to average more yards per carry than the starter.