Our o-line is amazing, but we still need a good RB

[EMMITTnROY]

Without a doubt, our incredible line can turn even a decent RB into a pretty good one. Which is what I think will happen if we roll with McFadden, Williams or even Randle.

But our incredible line can turn a very good RB into an elite one, just like DeMarco last year.

Now what if we had an elite RB, what would that line turn a guy like Peterson into? That's what I want to see.

Think back to how great our 90's line was. Now think back to the games that Emmitt missed and how ordinary the other RBs looked whenever Emmitt missed time, even with that dominant line. I think we've kinda fallen into a "our line is so great that we can plug and play any RB", which is kind of true. But there's still a difference in ordinary and special backs, with or without a great o-line.

This is why I really hope we end up with either Peterson, Gurley or Gordon. I think McFadden/Williams/Randle could get the job done, but we would see a drop off from DeMarco's production last season. If we get any of the former three, there will be no drop off, and at least in AD's case, there will be an upgrade.

 

[Tabascocat]

We just need a bruiser, someone to wear down the defense throughout the game. I will be happy with Gordon, don't have a good feeling about Gurley.

 

[CaptainCreed]

Joseph Randle 6.73 yards per carry last year. We might be able to get that guy an 8$ mill/year deal somewhere else too.

 

[JBell]

We need a guy who can grind out those "dirty" yards.

Seems like we were automatic on 3rd and short runs last season. OL had a ton to do with that, but Demarco was an ox who was good at finishing off runs.

 

[Tobal]

I think we need a grinder/workhorse like Murray is/was. I think it set the tone in some games (Seattle)

I can't say who that back is, but I don't think he's on our roster. I think several guys in the draft seem to have that ability.

 

[Super_Kazuya]

I'm pretty sure they feel that they don't have to rush for as many yards (2nd most in league) as they did last year. Top 10 rushing offense should be fine. Every year is different, you don't have to duplicate the same thing every year.

 

[jazzcat22]

TJ Yeldon in the 3rd could may be able to get those tough yards as Murray did. But how would he be otherwise.

 

[EMMITTnROY]

I'm pretty sure they feel that they don't have to rush for as many yards (2nd most in league) as they did last year. Top 10 rushing offense should be fine. Every year is different, you don't have to duplicate the same thing every year.

I think that would be a really silly attitude to take. The fact that our rushing offense was so good is what made the team so good last year. A downgrade in the running game will hurt.

 

[egn22]

I'm over AP and don't wanna use a 1st on RB. Times have changed since Emmitt was here and I don't believe an elite RB is necessary. I'm good w a committee approach so we can use more cap space on our def and keeping this Oline intact.

 

[AbeBeta]

We just need a bruiser, someone to wear down the defense throughout the game. I will be happy with Gordon, don't have a good feeling about Gurley.

If Gordon is there, he's a really good pick. He's the sort of guy who I see as having a pretty short career though as he's been used a ton in college already. But with 4 and out being our new normal, that shouldn't be a concern.

 

[Super_Kazuya]

I think that would be a really silly attitude to take. The fact that our rushing offense was so good is what made the team so good last year. A downgrade in the running game will hurt.

You're just speculating though. If we replaced 2013's "worst in franchise history" defense with the 2014 version I would be willing to bet we'd be almost if not as good. There seems to be this brain-dead idea that we "ran out the clock" on every team last year, and "kept the defense off the field" but there has never been any proven link between time of possession and winning. Winning causes time of possession. This team has a great offense for some time now, it has always been the defense falling down on the job. They'll be just fine running a bit less. Just don't take me back to the 2012 run/pass ratio.

 

[Apollo Creed]

Remember Terrell Davis? Mike Anderson? Olandis Gary?

A great o-line and a great scheme can make average players look good and good players look great (see Demarco).

 

[PJTHEDOORS]

Remember Terrell Davis? Mike Anderson? Olandis Gary?

A great o-line and a great scheme can make average players look good and good players look great (see Demarco).

Emmitt too? He played behind a great OL and had a great FB in Moose Johnson.

 

[jday]

Without a doubt, our incredible line can turn even a decent RB into a pretty good one. Which is what I think will happen if we roll with McFadden, Williams or even Randle.

But our incredible line can turn a very good RB into an elite one, just like DeMarco last year.

Now what if we had an elite RB, what would that line turn a guy like Peterson into? That's what I want to see.

Think back to how great our 90's line was. Now think back to the games that Emmitt missed and how ordinary the other RBs looked whenever Emmitt missed time, even with that dominant line. I think we've kinda fallen into a "our line is so great that we can plug and play any RB", which is kind of true. But there's still a difference in ordinary and special backs, with or without a great o-line.

This is why I really hope we end up with either Peterson, Gurley or Gordon. I think McFadden/Williams/Randle could get the job done, but we would see a drop off from DeMarco's production last season. If we get any of the former three, there will be no drop off, and at least in AD's case, there will be an upgrade.

This has been my contention for some time now. It's not about getting the sexy pick in the 1st; it's about what put the Cowboys in the playoffs last year. Sure the Cowboys could use more talent on the defensive side of the ball; namely at corner, defensive tackle and linebacker (if unable to reach an agreement w/Ro McClain), but the running game last year, made every unit on both sides of the ball better. And like you said, the Cowboys might be able to get the job done with average talent, but why take that gamble with what little time Romo has left in his career? I like Gurley and certainly wouldn't be disappointed by his addition, even if it meant using a valuable 1st round pick, but his ACL injury does concern me. There is no guarantee he will be the same guy after that type of injury and furthermore his susceptibility to injury is also in question now, as well. AP is also a gamble in my mind. He is over 30 and has been out of football for a year. AP 2 years ago might have been an upgrade over Murray, but I'm not so sure now. The safe bet in my mind is Melvin Gordon. Granted, he is not the speed-demon most clamor for but he still has elite potential, especially behind the Dallas oline.

 

[Idgit]

I think we need a grinder/workhorse like Murray is/was. I think it set the tone in some games (Seattle)

I can't say who that back is, but I don't think he's on our roster. I think several guys in the draft seem to have that ability.

Would it really matter if we had the same number of attempts, spread more evenly over two or three different guys? I'm not sure it does. Teams are going to respect our rushing game no matter what, and we'll still have one of the league's better passing attacks.

The key has always been improving the pass rush. We need to make it harder for good teams to throw the ball. Especially the Giants who are going to have Cruz, OBJ, and Randle now. The rush end helps. Improvement from Lawrence and, hopefully, Crawford will help, too. We need rush from the WIL and probably another coverage player and we ought to be fairly significantly improved on that side of the ball. Give me that and I can live with a rotation at RB as long as it's a rotation of guys who can hold onto the football.

 

[joseephuss]

We just need a bruiser, someone to wear down the defense throughout the game. I will be happy with Gordon, don't have a good feeling about Gurley.

I don't think Dallas just needs a bruiser. Of these two running backs Gurley is more of a bruiser. Gordon isn't a bruiser.

 

[Tabascocat]

I don't think Dallas just needs a bruiser. Of these two running backs Gurley is more of a bruiser. Gordon isn't a bruiser.

Yea, but I like Gordon...a lot.

 

[joseephuss]

If Gordon is there, he's a really good pick. He's the sort of guy who I see as having a pretty short career though as he's been used a ton in college already. But with 4 and out being our new normal, that shouldn't be a concern.

Melvin Gordon had 631 rushing attempts during his 4 year college career with 348 of those coming this past season. That total doesn't make the top 250 for rushing attempts according to the follow list:

http://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/leaders/rush-att-player-career.html

Emmitt Smith had 700 rushing attempts(#213) in 3 seasons. Tony Dorsett had 1163 rushing attempts(#3) in 4 years. DeMarco Murray had 759 rushing attempts(#146). Marion Barber III had 575 rushing attempts. Todd Gurley had 510 rushing attempts.

 

[The Quest for Six]

Patriots didn't need a 1000 yard running back to win their Superbowl...the fact is, the offensive line makes the running back, not the other way round..

 

[Risen Star]

We do. McFadden and Randle aren't going to cut it. Not if you want to maintain the running success of last year.

I doubt the team is content with such slop.