Addressing The Running Back Position

[Zimmy Lives]

Bro, that argument makes zero sense.
Less than zero.

Offensive efficiency?
Try rushing if you want to discuss RB.
2 teams are left that were more effective rushing than Dallas.
Carolina whose rushing is bolstered largely by it's QB.
And Arizona who is very balanced with a retread RB and lowly drafted Rookie doing just fine.

The presumed SB favorite is god awful rushing the ball. NE ranked 30th. Dallas ranked 9th. They beat us by about 30.

So, yes, investing a top pick to go form 9th in rushing to even 1st would be rather stupid.

If you say so.

 

[jterrell]

If you say so.

Might try looking at the stats or using common sense. No need to take my word for it.

We were effective and efficient running the ball, awful passing it. There's zero opinion in that.

 

[Zimmy Lives]

Given the true needs this team has, I think running back is down the list a bit, don't you? Not that they don't need one at all, but that they don't have to use a Top 5 pick on one.

I do; Elliott is a personal preference. Unfortunately, some people on this board (and in this thread) are incapable of comprehending that thought.

Remaining thoughts on the draft:

• QB (Goff or Lynch) would be my 1st choice.
• Dropping down would be my second choice if both QBs (mentioned above) are not available. If this is possible, I would focus on DT, LB, safety, WR, or RB, not necessarily in that order.
• Third option would be to draft Elliott if the first two options are not possible. Why? He would have immediate impact and would lessen the dependency on Romo.

 

[JoeBoBBY]

Well, they way we approached the RB position last year worked out just fine. good enough. just good enough. And we saved a ton.......... it just makes all the sense in the world.

 

[gimmesix]

Offer Lamar Miller the same contract we were going to give Demarco and call it a day. A 1-2 punch of him and McFadden would be deadly. Miller was underused and doesn't have a lot of mileage compared to other backs coming into FA. He also has home run speed, can catch, great in pass protection and can grind out yards and tire out defenses. Hes literally a better version of Murray. Give him the 6 mil a year and don't look back.

I'm 100 percent with you. I don't think we should chance getting this position fixed by just drafting a running back in the later rounds to pair with McFadden or relying solely on Turbin to provide competition/relief. I believe we should add a back who has proven his ability like Miller or Chris Ivory.

We were fortunate this year that McFadden's injury history didn't show up and we can't expect that to get better with age. I don't want to go through another parade of running backs trying to find someone who can step in if that happens.

Get Miller. Start the best between him and McFadden. And let Dunbar, Turbin and a draft pick compete for the other one or two roster spots.

 

[Stash]

I do; Elliott is a personal preference. Unfortunately, some people on this board (and in this thread) are incapable of comprehending that thought.

Remaining thoughts on the draft:

• QB (Goff or Lynch) would be my 1st choice.
• Dropping down would be my second choice if both QBs (mentioned above) are not available. If this is possible, I would focus on DT, LB, safety, WR, or RB, not necessarily in that order.
• Third option would be to draft Elliott if the first two options are not possible. Why? He would have immediate impact and would lessen the dependency on Romo.

I see what you're saying, and while I like Elliott the player, even then I think I would take a defensive back like Ramsey over a RB, given this team's needs.

 

[Sydla]

I do; Elliott is a personal preference. Unfortunately, some people on this board (and in this thread) are incapable of comprehending that thought.

Remaining thoughts on the draft:

• QB (Goff or Lynch) would be my 1st choice.
• Dropping down would be my second choice if both QBs (mentioned above) are not available. If this is possible, I would focus on DT, LB, safety, WR, or RB, not necessarily in that order.
• Third option would be to draft Elliott if the first two options are not possible. Why? He would have immediate impact and would lessen the dependency on Romo.

We comprehended your point.

But many just disagree with you when it comes to taking Elliott with the 4th pick in the draft. That'd likely be a reach and Dallas wouldn't be getting true value at that pick if they took Elliott.

 

[ccb04]

I think they'll attempt to resign Dunbar. They've invested time & kept him around...finally figuring out a role for him. And he was developing into a pretty nice weapon. Against the Giants: 8 catches for 70 yards...against Philly: 3 catches for 45 yards & 1 carry for 8 yards...against Atlanta: 10 catches for 100 yards & 1 carry for 5 yards...and against the Saints: 3 carries for 54 yards. Shame he got hurt returning a kick.

McFadden will be there. In terms of the draft...they may be more apt to take a RB earlier if they attempt to acquire additional picks in rounds 2-4. Hard to say. There's guys I like in several rounds. The free agent route is of course an option...but don't see them going overboard.

Would definitely think they'll address it in some fashion. Much like the QB position...they cycled through a few different guys. Unlike the QB position, at least McFadden was able to step up a bit. Sustained durability is of course a concern with him though, and he's only under contract through the 2016 season.

 

[Zimmy Lives]

I see what you're saying, and while I like Elliott the player, even then I think I would take a defensive back like Ramsey over a RB, given this team's needs.

Thanks. I see your point as well.

My thought behind Elliot is he is an instant starter as long as he is diligent about his blocking assignments. I have not heard anything to give me hesitation concerning this aspect of his RB duties.

As for Ramsey, the question that must be asked is: Will he be a day-one starter if drafted at #4? I'm more certain about Elliot than I am about Ramsey. For me, the DT from Bama would be a close second to Elliott. He has to be better than Hayden. Right?

I also like the WR (Treadwell) and LB (Jack) but I would prefer them in a drop down.

 

[Stash]

Thanks. I see your point as well.

My thought behind Elliot is he is an instant starter as long as he is diligent about his blocking assignments. I have not heard anything to give me hesitation concerning this aspect of his RB duties.

As for Ramsey, the question that must be asked is: Will he be a day-one starter if drafted at #4? I'm am more certain about Elliot than I am about Ramsey. For me, the DT from Bama would be a close second to Elliott. He has to be better than Hayden. Right?

Given that he'd have to beat out guys like Carr, Claiborne, Church, and Wilcox? Yeah, I think it's a slam dunk that he would be a starter in 2016. Maybe even more so than Elliott starting over McFadden. While I'm all for insurance at running back, McFadden was #4 overall in the league and I don't think he needs to be immediately replaced.

I also like the WR (Treadwell) and LB (Jack) but I would prefer them in a drop down.

While I like Treadwell, I want a receiver different from Bryant, not the same guy. Give me a receiver with more speed to open up opposing defenses. And then throw it to him!

 

[Zimmy Lives]

Given that he'd have to beat out guys like Carr, Claiborne, Church, and Wilcox? Yeah, I think it's a slam dunk that he would be a starter in 2016.

Maybe if the DC was not Marinelli. Any other DC, yes. Probably.

I think Dallas will either keep Carr (even if he refuses to amend his contract) or re-sign Claiborne rather than draft a CB/safety high. This is not what I wish; this is what I think.

I still want the mammoth 1T in Robinson if Elliott and the QBs are not the pick.

 

[Cowboy4ever]

I'm not suggesting "wasting a high pick on a back". I'm saying the team needs to acquire a reliable option at some point in case McFadden gets hurt again. And by "reliable", I mean not Lance Dunbar who can't hold up to the rigors of the NFL.

This i agree with. I am not against drafting a back, not at all. I just would not even consider it until at least the 3rd round and may go even lower, depending on how the board is going.

 

[Tommy]

A healthy Romo is what our running game needs.

 

[JoeBoBBY]

that , or another RB that can compliment DMC. Sort of like a Hillman, Anderson combo. Maybe a C.Johnson/Rookie Johnson combo. Pattys HAD to sign Jackson. Deion and Blount both went down. But they have Brady and said the Heck with it, lets just pass.

Its a passing league, and teams are using all those rules to their advanatge. It makes sense.

but , If I could have my way. This Dallas Cowboys team would be stacked at RB and we would run the ball more then anybody else in the NFL.

 

[BHendri5]

Running the ball was such a huge part of our success in 2014 and I'm curious to see what everyone thinks we should do with the running back position heading into the offseason. The way I see it, these are our options...

-Re-sign Lance Dunbar and Robert Turbin and lean on McFadden as the lead back.

-Draft a RB early in the draft (1st or 2nd round) such as Derrick Henry or Ezekiel Elliott.

-Draft a RB in the mid-rounds (3rd/4th/5th) such as Alex Collins, Devontae Booker, Kenyan Drake, or others.

-Take a flyer on a RB late in the draft and hope he pans out.

-Go after an established veteran RB in free agency such as Matt Forte or Arian Foster (could cost a lot of $).

-Go after a smaller-name RB in free agency on a cheap deal such as Tim Hightower or James Starks.

Draft Elliot, Draft Elliot, Draft Elliot with the number 4 pick

 

[Hardline]

that , or another RB that can compliment DMC. Sort of like a Hillman, Anderson combo. Maybe a C.Johnson/Rookie Johnson combo. Pattys HAD to sign Jackson. Deion and Blount both went down. But they have Brady and said the Heck with it, lets just pass.

Its a passing league, and teams are using all those rules to their advanatge. It makes sense.

but , If I could have my way. This Dallas Cowboys team would be stacked at RB and we would run the ball more then anybody else in the NFL.

I like the way you think

 

[iceberg]

Running the ball was such a huge part of our success in 2014 and I'm curious to see what everyone thinks we should do with the running back position heading into the offseason. The way I see it, these are our options...

-Re-sign Lance Dunbar and Robert Turbin and lean on McFadden as the lead back.

-Draft a RB early in the draft (1st or 2nd round) such as Derrick Henry or Ezekiel Elliott.

-Draft a RB in the mid-rounds (3rd/4th/5th) such as Alex Collins, Devontae Booker, Kenyan Drake, or others.

-Take a flyer on a RB late in the draft and hope he pans out.

-Go after an established veteran RB in free agency such as Matt Forte or Arian Foster (could cost a lot of $).

-Go after a smaller-name RB in free agency on a cheap deal such as Tim Hightower or James Starks.

****, took me a bit cause i thought you were wanting to do all those...at once.

 

[dallasdave]

****, took me a bit cause i thought you were wanting to do all those...at once.

Good stuff !! I was just glad no one said to bail Captain Underpants out of jail. Let our Pro Bowl RB shoplift underwear for another team!!!

 

[vaturkey]

Draft Elliot, Draft Elliot, Draft Elliot with the number 4 pick

No way does the go near that high. I don't think he will be top 15.

 

[Vinnie2u]

Draft Elliot, Draft Elliot, Draft Elliot with the number 4 pick

I hope this a joke.