Perhaps the biggest concern with our RBs

[gimmesix]

Not trying to start a Murray vs. RBs thread, because I'm tired of those. I'm strictly looking at one of the things already cropping up that is a concern with some in this group: injuries.

Randle took the first-teams snaps on Wednesday with Darren McFadden working out on the side because of a hamstring strain and Ryan Williams out with a sore knee.

At least Randle hasn't struggled with injuries since he's been here, so that's a good thing. The situations with McFadden and Williams might not mean anything, but with their injury histories, it certainly bears watching.

If we're going to do the RB-by-committee thing, we need to make sure we have a reliable committee. Hopefully these guys can prove to be that instead of always fighting nagging injuries. Not saying the sky is falling. It's just OTAs, so there's plenty of time for them to get healthy before the season ... it would just be nice to see neither player being sidelined for any period of time by injury, so we can get a good look at which players we can rely on.

 

[JDSmith]

Not trying to start a Murray vs. RBs thread, because I'm tired of those. I'm strictly looking at one of the things already cropping up that is a concern with some in this group: injuries.



At least Randle hasn't struggled with injuries since he's been here, so that's a good thing. The situations with McFadden and Williams might not mean anything, but with their injury histories, it certainly bears watching.

If we're going to do the RB-by-committee thing, we need to make sure we have a reliable committee. Hopefully these guys can prove to be that instead of always fighting nagging injuries. Not saying the sky is falling. It's just OTAs, so there's plenty of time for them to get healthy before the season ... it would just be nice to see neither player being sidelined for any period of time by injury, so we can get a good look at which players we can rely on.

They are so cautious with these guys during OTAs that I just can't get too excited about it. Although it would be great to see everyone in there I won't really become concerned until they are well into training camp.

 

[Fletch]

Not trying to start a Murray vs. RBs thread, because I'm tired of those. I'm strictly looking at one of the things already cropping up that is a concern with some in this group: injuries.



At least Randle hasn't struggled with injuries since he's been here, so that's a good thing. The situations with McFadden and Williams might not mean anything, but with their injury histories, it certainly bears watching.

If we're going to do the RB-by-committee thing, we need to make sure we have a reliable committee. Hopefully these guys can prove to be that instead of always fighting nagging injuries. Not saying the sky is falling. It's just OTAs, so there's plenty of time for them to get healthy before the season ... it would just be nice to see neither player being sidelined for any period of time by injury, so we can get a good look at which players we can rely on.

I wouldn't start worrying just yet. It's merely voluntary OTA's. No need to go for broke when nothing is at stake. Merely precautionary stuff. It's all about trying to implement the playbook more than anything without getting hurt. No need to worry during the mandatory camp either.

You can begin crossing fingers and toes when TC and preseason games begin.

 

[AzorAhai]

When I hear they are sitting out TC with injuries I'll worry. They're not trying to push these guys yet so better safe than sorry.

 

[jday]

Not trying to start a Murray vs. RBs thread, because I'm tired of those. I'm strictly looking at one of the things already cropping up that is a concern with some in this group: injuries.



At least Randle hasn't struggled with injuries since he's been here, so that's a good thing. The situations with McFadden and Williams might not mean anything, but with their injury histories, it certainly bears watching.

If we're going to do the RB-by-committee thing, we need to make sure we have a reliable committee. Hopefully these guys can prove to be that instead of always fighting nagging injuries. Not saying the sky is falling. It's just OTAs, so there's plenty of time for them to get healthy before the season ... it would just be nice to see neither player being sidelined for any period of time by injury, so we can get a good look at which players we can rely on.

I'm preaching to the choir on this, I know, but way too early to make a judgement. I was a member of the draft-a-RB side of the board, so I don't really have high expectations. I'm just hoping this trend of the Cowboys looking-smarter-than-everyone-else trend continues.

 

[gimmesix]

I wouldn't start worrying just yet. It's merely voluntary OTA's. No need to go for broke when nothing is at stake. Merely precautionary stuff. It's all about trying to implement the playbook more than anything without getting hurt. No need to worry during the mandatory camp either.

You can begin crossing fingers and toes when TC and preseason games begin.

I agree that it could be precautionary, with both backs able to go if it was an actual game. I think it would be good, though, for McFadden especially to be getting reps since he hasn't been here and isn't as used to this blocking scheme. I don't know if mental reps are as valuable.

 

[gimmesix]

When I hear they are sitting out TC with injuries I'll worry. They're not trying to push these guys yet so better safe than sorry.

Oh, I wouldn't want them to push them. It just raises red flags when players with an injury history are sidelined, much as it would with Lee.

 

[gimmesix]

I'm preaching to the choir on this, I know, but way too early to make a judgement. I was a member of the draft-a-RB side of the board, so I don't really have high expectations. I'm just hoping this trend of the Cowboys looking-smarter-than-everyone-else trend continues.

I have high hopes, low expectations. I'd just hate for those hopes to be dashed because of health issues. Both of these players have had enough of that. It would be nice to see what they can do when healthy, rather than always having that what-if, especially about Williams.

 

[gimmesix]

I found this on McFadden's injury past:

McFadden is a high risk, unreliable running back due to his many injuries. He has never played more than 13 games in a season and missed 6 contests in 2013. Among other injuries, he has dealt with ankle, foot, and leg issues, often on his right side. As a result, he has only surpassed 1,000 rushing yards once despite being considered one of the game's top rushers.

This site http://sportsinjurypredictor.com/injury-predictor/player/8781 lists all of his injuries, including hamstring issues in 2013 and 2010.

 

[Aven8]

Randle is the only one that hasn't been hurt out of the bunch, and he plays ST's.

He's the starter IMO, but I'm looking at the waver wire daily!

 

[darthseinfeld]

Not trying to start a Murray vs. RBs thread, because I'm tired of those. I'm strictly looking at one of the things already cropping up that is a concern with some in this group: injuries.



At least Randle hasn't struggled with injuries since he's been here, so that's a good thing. The situations with McFadden and Williams might not mean anything, but with their injury histories, it certainly bears watching.

If we're going to do the RB-by-committee thing, we need to make sure we have a reliable committee. Hopefully these guys can prove to be that instead of always fighting nagging injuries. Not saying the sky is falling. It's just OTAs, so there's plenty of time for them to get healthy before the season ... it would just be nice to see neither player being sidelined for any period of time by injury, so we can get a good look at which players we can rely on.

I have the same concerns. On top of that our HB's lack certain things that would make a committee work, in particular power running ability. I still see a trade for HB down the line

 

[mattjames2010]

Sorry, but McFadden who is known for bad hammy's that take time to heal and Williams known for bad knees both being sat out is more than just a "precautionary" thing for me. The fact that neither of them can shake the two injuries that have hurt their careers is not something to sneeze at.

 

[Silver N Blue]

Anyone who thought Dmac or Williams were going to lead this team in carries were not looking at the facts. Randle is the lead horse unless someone else is brought in.

 

[Risen Star]

I worry more about talent.

 

[CF74]

I worry more about talent.

I thought u only worried about corners...

 

[DallasEast]

I found this on McFadden's injury past:



This site http://sportsinjurypredictor.com/injury-predictor/player/8781 lists all of his injuries, including hamstring issues in 2013 and 2010.

http://sportsinjurypredictor.com/injury-predictor/player/24858

Demarco Murray [PHI]
Medium Risk

Player overview:

Murray's brilliant rookie season in 2011 was cut short due to injury and since then he has missed games in each season he has played in. He clearly has potential to be a top rusher in the NFL if he can stay healthy. Murray did have a couple of years in college where he avoided injury, so hopefully with this year being a contract year he has the motivation to stay healthy. He has a high risk of injury for 2014

I'm a bit wary of the content maintenance supporting the site's advertised forecasting ability. Good guess on the contract year though.

EDIT: Full up-to-date injury list at the bottom of the page. Nice.

 

[dallasdave]

http://sportsinjurypredictor.com/injury-predictor/player/24858

Demarco Murray [PHI]
Medium Risk

Player overview: I'm a bit wary of the content maintenance supporting the site's advertised forecasting ability. Good guess on the contract year though.

EDIT: Full up-to-date injury list at the bottom of the page. Nice.

Thanks for posting that-good stuff.

 

[Stash]

Sorry, but McFadden who is known for bad hammy's that take time to heal and Williams known for bad knees both being sat out is more than just a "precautionary" thing for me. The fact that neither of them can shake the two injuries that have hurt their careers is not something to sneeze at.

I'm with you. While it's not 'sky is falling' stuff, it's not something to be completely disregarded either.

While I have never been a fan of the McFadden signing, I remain hopeful that I'm wrong about him and that he does well. But, thus far, in these OTA's - and I'm aware they are just that - he seems to have quickly settled into a second banana role rather than putting up more of a fight to be the lead back. Sure it's early, but I'm just going by the information I'm seeing to this point. I see a guy fading into the background from the get-go.

I'd hold another set of workouts and possibly bring in Chris Johnson or sign Ben Tate to a contract to compete. The team has moved quickly to add depth at linebacker when they've needed to and I think they should be doing more at what I feel is still the biggest question mark - running back.

 

[jazzcat22]

Not concerned with a sore hammy or knee at this point. It is the first weeks of off season team "practices" if that's what one wants to call it. Working out on their own doesn't simulate all the other things they go through now. But if they persist going into TC, then the trainers did not do their job. Though some of these things will still come up.

Remember, Emmitt always had issues with his hamstrings being tight, a little sore. But he hired his own trainer specifically for that too later on.

 

[jazzcat22]

I'm with you. While it's not 'sky is falling' stuff, it's not something to be completely disregarded either.

While I have never been a fan of the McFadden signing, I remain hopeful that I'm wrong about him and that he does well. But, thus far, in these OTA's - and I'm aware they are just that - he seems to have quickly settled into a second banana role rather than putting up more of a fight to be the lead back. Sure it's early, but I'm just going by the information I'm seeing to this point. I see a guy fading into the background from the get-go.

I'd hold another set of workouts and possibly bring in Chris Johnson or sign Ben Tate to a contract to compete. The team has moved quickly to add depth at linebacker when they've needed to and I think they should be doing more at what I feel is still the biggest question mark - running back.

very good point