4 Huge Concerns

[texbumthelife]

About the running backs, get ready to duck regularly until this thread has run its course.

Solid observations overall btw. I agree with every single viewpoint especially #3.

Quoting and responding to you, cause I trust your feedback and we have a history of banter...

Why are we doomed if we can't control the clock?

 

[Bleu Star]

Never heard of them. An injured player, a nobody, in love, seriously? lol

The Cowboys are going to have to let a lot of good football players go. They could make a trade with Minny?

You asked.... I know who they all are and hope one of them is on our radar.

 

[Derinyar]

I suspect what we will be looking for is a young guy with potential that gets cut to stash on the practice squad. I think we're starting the year with the three we have, barring injury, and see what that does. If one of them totally spits the bit or gets injured then we will have to get someone better then Gus Johnson or Ben Malena in if we can. Right now I'm not worried about the first string offense because we haven't seen it yet. I think we will still have good holes to run through because the offensive line will make some, and they could be bigger if teams decide to not respect our running game because we have Randle Et Al vs Murray primarily.

I think what should be an improved defense should make the massive TOP advantage that we had last year less necessary as a winning condition.

 

[5Stars]

You asked.... I know who they all are and hope one of them is on our radar.

lol

(stupid cowboy fans)

 

[TheMarathonContinues]

My only problem with these concerns is how do you accurately know our concerns when our starters haven't played? How can we accurately know how good or bad the running game is when 3 of our starting linemen are out?

 

[dogunwo]

My concern is the cost of beers at games here in the NYC area. It's getting outta control! I was at Yankee Stadium on Saturday. The standard price was $12 for a beer and if I wanted Becks, its was $15!

Why in the heck would you want a Becks?

 

[Bleu Star]

Quoting and responding to you, cause I trust your feedback and we have a history of banter...

Why are we doomed if we can't control the clock?

I wouldn't say we're exactly "doomed". We still have a very dynamic threat in Dez to compliment improvement in other areas of the passing game (namely TWill, Beastly, and even Street) All appear better this year which makes our passing game more lethal.

My primary concern is with blitz pickup and, from a time management perspective, having a back with the ability to get those tough yards on 3rd & 2 or even 4th & 2. Last year that was easily Demarco and it extended so many drives all the while keeping opposing offenses on the sidelines and basically asleep. That little portion of our offensive attack doesn't get the credit it deserves. Just having a back out there with the potential to get those yards increases our success rate whether we eventually run or pass.

I don't trust an oft injured calfless McFadden to assume that role and feel Randle is too slight in build to be that guy. Perhaps it's the FB. I don't know. I just worry about our ability to force our will on others given what I laid out here. We definitely imposed our will last year and it helped get us further than we've ever been in what seems like an eternity.

Perhaps the possibility of improvement on Defense will offset some of that. I still consider the defensive improvement angle a major question mark given the fact that rookies typically take at least a year to adjust.

I don't want to see Romo killed and I will worry until I see consistency from our new RBBC in a number of areas.

 

[Fla Cowpoke]

Bernadeau can play guard better than Weems can play tackle.

Collins isn't going to beat out Leary. No chance.

I hope they are going to start working Collins at tackle more...he certainly has more potential than Weems and at least played the position at an SEC school.

 

[conner01]

I think you always have questions before the season
Last year there was plenty of question as to whether Murray could play a full season for the first time
Some people's questions are already answered if they just accept the answer
Weeden is going to be the backup QB
Weems is going to be the swing tackle
I thinks those two are pretty obvious to me
Who will be the 3rd QB? Or will we even carry a 3rd QB
who will be the odd guys out on the dline and WR
Who is going to step up and and solidify the special teams

 

[Verdict]

1) Backup Quarterback - Weeden absolutely no good; bad decisions and can't really use the hes too young and hasnt played. Hes played even as a starter and still making same foolish plays. He needs to go. Dustin Vaughn may have potential strong armed and good size but simply not ready and makes too many mistakes at this time. Bottom line need to sign a Backup QB or if Romo goes down they don't have a prayer.

2) Punt/KIckoff returner/Special teams - been bad and they did not replace DeWayne Harris who left for the Giants. They need to be looking and looking fast.

3) Runningbacks - Big Concern if we cannot control the clock we are doomed. Right now its hard to judge since the Offensive Lineman or backups. But I honestly have a lot of doubts that McFadden/Randal can handle the workload they are not built for the pounding on the inside runs and if we have too constantly gain yards on the outside we are in trouble. We have to pound it inside or this offense want click.

4) Swing Offensive Tackle - Weems want get it done, something is going to have to be done here.

These are my observations only.

1. I concur. Although I originally thought acquiring Weeden was initially a low risk, high reward acquisition, that experiment has probably failed. He will occasionally flash some potential then looks like he can't play at all at other times. Unfortunately the bad shows up more often than the good, he is no spring chicken, he seems to have very little upside, and he really can't be depended on to improve. I was FOR the Weeden signing, but I would outright CUT him to save his roster spot. Vaughn hasn't shown me anything either. I don't see any promise in him. Quite honestly, Showers not only has the highest ceiling of the bunch, but he can also RUN, has a strong arm AND (DRUMROLL PLEASE) can play special teams. I know we probably won't go with two QBs unless it is just Romo and Weeden, but if we go based strictly on performance, I would go with two QB's only and keep Romo and Showers ONLY. I would also try to sign another developmental guy to put on the practice squad.

2. I like Whitehead's potential, but his ball security sucks. He may eventually turn out to be the greatest thing since sliced bread as a returner, but he has to catch the ball FIRST. I can see his lack of ball security costing us a game if he is thrust in to duty in the first game.

3. I'm not sold on anyone other than McFadden, assuming he still has the wheels to do it. He HAD the talent. The question if he still does is somewhat debatable, I guess, but he is the best bet to win the job IF he stays healthy. I will concede that it is hard to tell much about our running game without our starting OL in the game. The verdict is still out on this one.

4. Swing tackle. Weems didn't look very good last night. Overall our OL play hasn't been very good so far. We have an outstanding offensive line with all of our starters in the game ...... but take one of the pieces away ...... and maybe it isn't so dominant. If Tyron went down for the year, I doubt that this line would look much more than average. I hope that we don't have to deal with that at all this year. We might not have as much depth as we think we do on the OL. We probably have above average interior depth ...... but at tackle we are one snap away from mediocrity.

 

[PA Cowboy Fan]

We might've been the most predictable we have ever been last year.

Teams just couldn't stop our run game.

The guy everyone wants to hate on averaged 7 yards per carry and everyone knew he was getting the ball when he was in the game.

Reminded me of the old days. Oh well.

 

[PA Cowboy Fan]

And just when they think McFadden is in for a passing down, he will take a draw up the middle for a 70 yard td run.

We may be slightly more predictable then having one back, but anyone thinking we will BE predictable is just being paranoid. Both randle and McFadden can run the ball and catch the ball. If randle has blocking issues they can help him.

and probably injuring himself doing it.

 

[dallasdave]

1) Backup Quarterback - Weeden absolutely no good; bad decisions and can't really use the hes too young and hasnt played. Hes played even as a starter and still making same foolish plays. He needs to go. Dustin Vaughn may have potential strong armed and good size but simply not ready and makes too many mistakes at this time. Bottom line need to sign a Backup QB or if Romo goes down they don't have a prayer.

2) Punt/KIckoff returner/Special teams - been bad and they did not replace DeWayne Harris who left for the Giants. They need to be looking and looking fast.

3) Runningbacks - Big Concern if we cannot control the clock we are doomed. Right now its hard to judge since the Offensive Lineman or backups. But I honestly have a lot of doubts that McFadden/Randal can handle the workload they are not built for the pounding on the inside runs and if we have too constantly gain yards on the outside we are in trouble. We have to pound it inside or this offense want click.

4) Swing Offensive Tackle - Weems want get it done, something is going to have to be done here.

These are my observations only.

Good concerns if I may say so myself !

 

[Blackspider214]

Playing devil's advocate, last season, the Cowboys ran packages where they had 1 WR, with Dwayne Harris on the field, and two WR sets with Devin Street and Dwayne Harris together at WR. I can't recall a single time in those formations where the Cowboys threw the football.

If plays are executed correctly, it doesn't matter whether one RB who is a better pass protector is on the field or not. I do have some concerns over Randle's ability to pass protect effectively, and for McFadden to actually run effectively, but the opposition last season knew pretty well what the Cowboys would run from down to down, and they still had a hard time stopping it.

So you are saying last year teams knew exactly when we would run the ball? That could not be further from the truth. In fact, it was the exact opposite. We were not scripted and predictable like the years past. And defenses respected the run last year. Which opened up the pass game. Defenses will not respect this run game is Randle and McFadden are who many think they are, which are subpar. You can have a great OL but if the RB is not that good, well the running game will take a hit.

 

[dogunwo]

1. Ahmad Bradshaw (if healthy he's a beast)
2. Pierre Thomas
3. Tre Mason via trade (love this guy)
4. Jarryd Hayne (lol.. seriously though this guy has crazy potential and reminds me of Demarco the way he hits the hole)
5. Mike Davis (if San Fran doesn't keep him he should definitely be considered. Great former Gamecock. Tough, smart, great vision. Just what we need)

Go Gamecocks

Mike Davis is so unbelievably overrated. It would have been a travesty had we drafted him.

 

[Bleu Star]

Mike Davis is so unbelievably overrated. It would have been a travesty had we drafted him.

Pretty random response given we are talking about picking up a guy if he gets cut (which I possible for Mike Davis in a crowded SF backfield)... But anyway, I disagree with your assertion that he's overrated. I enjoyed every moment he carried the ball at USC and think he would fit our needs very well. Guess we'll just have to agree to disagree. Oh darn.

 

[dogunwo]

Pretty random response given we are talking about picking up a guy if he gets cut (which I possible for Mike Davis in a crowded SF backfield)... But anyway, I disagree with your assertion that he's overrated. I enjoyed every moment he carried the ball at USC and think he would fit our needs very well. Guess we'll just have to agree to disagree. Oh darn.

I thought you would check out my avatar and realize I was just messin with ya.

 

[Bleu Star]

I thought you would check out my avatar and realize I was just messin with ya.

Sorry man. My brain is usually not functioning properly after a usual Monday. Lol. Gotcha.

 

[dogunwo]

Sorry man. My brain is usually not functioning properly after a usual Monday. Lol. Gotcha.

Sadly, I think he is pretty good. But I am sure you thought CJ Spiller was pretty good. Man, we should have picked him up instead of McFadden.

 

[texbumthelife]

I wouldn't say we're exactly "doomed". We still have a very dynamic threat in Dez to compliment improvement in other areas of the passing game (namely TWill, Beastly, and even Street) All appear better this year which makes our passing game more lethal.

My primary concern is with blitz pickup and, from a time management perspective, having a back with the ability to get those tough yards on 3rd & 2 or even 4th & 2. Last year that was easily Demarco and it extended so many drives all the while keeping opposing offenses on the sidelines and basically asleep. That little portion of our offensive attack doesn't get the credit it deserves. Just having a back out there with the potential to get those yards increases our success rate whether we eventually run or pass.

I don't trust an oft injured calfless McFadden to assume that role and feel Randle is too slight in build to be that guy. Perhaps it's the FB. I don't know. I just worry about our ability to force our will on others given what I laid out here. We definitely imposed our will last year and it helped get us further than we've ever been in what seems like an eternity.

Perhaps the possibility of improvement on Defense will offset some of that. I still consider the defensive improvement angle a major question mark given the fact that rookies typically take at least a year to adjust.

I don't want to see Romo killed and I will worry until I see consistency from our new RBBC in a number of areas.

The defensive improvement is the biggest reason why I am not worried. We developed that mentality and style of play because our defense couldn't stop any one. That style of play, however, also adds significant mileage to offensive lineman. Don't get me wrong, I like old school smash mouth. I was one of the biggest voices screaming to run the ball more and I stick by that. I just don't think it's integral we control the clock this year or be doomed. We could see more dump offs and short zone work to Randle, Beas and Witten/Escobar to make up for some of that grind.

I agree that we don't have that guy who can put his head down and get those tough 1-2 yards, but I think Randle is a bigger long run threat and I absolutely love the versatility he and DMac bring. Murray was a baller for us for a year. He was not very highly regarded until then. That's the reason we drafted Randle. I trust these coaches and feel Randle has just as much potential to break out as Murray did. He's not as big, but even as soon as yesterday, he showed he could get tough yards.

I, for one, think the guy deserves a shot. People are writing him off with no evidence, just like many were doing to Murray.