Albert Breer: On the Cowboys RB issues and draft tidbits

WoodysGirl

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4) On the Cowboys' running back issues. That the Cowboys rank 11th in rushing yards and ninth in per-carry average despite playing most of the year without quarterback Tony Romo or any steady, consistent tailback is a testament to the kind of offensive line they're putting out there each week. Losing Romo for all but four games was a stroke of horrible luck, for sure. But the running back situation didn't have to turn out this way, and it might not have, if things had fallen differently in late April or early May. According to multiple club sources, the team was prepared to take Todd Gurley with the 27th overall pick (which wound up being used on Byron Jones). That seemed realistic at the beginning of the process, but it quickly became a pipe dream. Taking that into account, Dallas targeted T.J. Yeldon as a potential second-round pick, and the team would've wrestled with taking him over Randy Gregory (whom they were surprised to see available at 60) had he not gone to the Jaguars at No. 36. Dallas also looked hard at drafting Thomas Rawls in the seventh round before trying, in vain, to sign him as a college free agent. Would having Gurley, Yeldon or Rawls have changed everything? No. And Dallas isn't under the illusion it would've. But this situation does illustrate that while some positions may be fungible to some degree (the Eagles went through this with their guards), you can't just get by with anyone in most spots. One thing the Cowboys aren't exactly showing regret for is the decision to let DeMarco Murray walk. Yes, he was a great fit for the Dallas offense. But the Murray-related drama of the last two weeks didn't exactly shock his old co-workers. "The guy is a pro in his preparation and toughness and competitiveness," said one club source. "But he's also entitled, selfish and condescending. He's a great 'team' guy when he's the guy." Murray's reputation in Dallas was of a player who'd mope at times when things didn't go his way, which is part of what the Eagles have dealt with of late.

More: http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap30...-jay-grudens-Commanders-rolling-without-drama
 
Idgit

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Man, I can't express with English words how tired I am over the angst over the Dallas Cowboys RB position. It's almost completely a non-issue. Yes, they could have drafted a player who'd be an upgrade to the current DMC lead back. Yes, there are things they could and should be doing better on third-and-ones. But RB is so far down the list of problems for this team this year, it's not even funny. And it would be even further down the list if a guy they'd tabbed early to carry a large part of the load--Dunbar--hadn't been lost after 3 games.

The Murray Situation in PHI, though, is hilarious. I love that he's been marginalized about half way through his first season, and I love that he's handling that by going over the coach and to the owner. I hope that situation becomes a huge disaster for both parties, and I'm going to love it when it does.
 
Sportsbabe

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WoodysGirl said:
4) On the Cowboys' running back issues. That the Cowboys rank 11th in rushing yards and ninth in per-carry average despite playing most of the year without quarterback Tony Romo or any steady, consistent tailback is a testament to the kind of offensive line they're putting out there each week. Losing Romo for all but four games was a stroke of horrible luck, for sure. But the running back situation didn't have to turn out this way, and it might not have, if things had fallen differently in late April or early May. According to multiple club sources, the team was prepared to take Todd Gurley with the 27th overall pick (which wound up being used on Byron Jones). That seemed realistic at the beginning of the process, but it quickly became a pipe dream. Taking that into account, Dallas targeted T.J. Yeldon as a potential second-round pick, and the team would've wrestled with taking him over Randy Gregory (whom they were surprised to see available at 60) had he not gone to the Jaguars at No. 36. Dallas also looked hard at drafting Thomas Rawls in the seventh round before trying, in vain, to sign him as a college free agent. Would having Gurley, Yeldon or Rawls have changed everything? No. And Dallas isn't under the illusion it would've. But this situation does illustrate that while some positions may be fungible to some degree (the Eagles went through this with their guards), you can't just get by with anyone in most spots. One thing the Cowboys aren't exactly showing regret for is the decision to let DeMarco Murray walk. Yes, he was a great fit for the Dallas offense. But the Murray-related drama of the last two weeks didn't exactly shock his old co-workers. "The guy is a pro in his preparation and toughness and competitiveness," said one club source. "But he's also entitled, selfish and condescending. He's a great 'team' guy when he's the guy." Murray's reputation in Dallas was of a player who'd mope at times when things didn't go his way, which is part of what the Eagles have dealt with of late.

More: http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap30...-jay-grudens-Commanders-rolling-without-drama
Click to expand...

I don't believe we have RB issues.
 
Sportsbabe

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Idgit said:
Man, I can't express with English words how tired I am over the angst over the Dallas Cowboys RB position. It's almost completely a non-issue. Yes, they could have drafted a player who'd be an upgrade to the current DMC lead back. Yes, there are things they could and should be doing better on third-and-ones. But RB is so far down the list of problems for this team this year, it's not even funny. And it would be even further down the list if a guy they'd tabbed early to carry a large part of the load--Dunbar--hadn't been lost after 3 games.

The Murray Situation in PHI, though, is hilarious. I love that he's been marginalized about half way through his first season, and I love that he's handling that by going over the coach and to the owner. I hope that situation becomes a huge disaster for both parties, and I'm going to love it when it does.
Click to expand...

It already is a disaster. I'm satisfied. Great post.
 
LucaBrasi

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I had and still have no problem letting Murray walk. RB is not worth his asking price. The problem was the Cowboys solution. McFadden, Randle, Dunbar wasn't close to an answer.

They can put out the Gurley, Yeldon, Rawls conjecture, but they failed to pull the trigger on any. Heck they traded back in to the 7th, to take the inactive for nearly every game Swaim. Rawls was there, but nope, they felt fine at RB.


Further, Langford and the kid from USC the Ravens took where available mid draft and they didn't bite. DUMB.
 
waving monkey

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Idgit said:
Man, I can't express with English words how tired I am over the angst over the Dallas Cowboys RB position. It's almost completely a non-issue. Yes, they could have drafted a player who'd be an upgrade to the current DMC lead back. Yes, there are things they could and should be doing better on third-and-ones. But RB is so far down the list of problems for this team this year, it's not even funny. And it would be even further down the list if a guy they'd tabbed early to carry a large part of the load--Dunbar--hadn't been lost after 3 games.

The Murray Situation in PHI, though, is hilarious. I love that he's been marginalized about half way through his first season, and I love that he's handling that by going over the coach and to the owner. I hope that situation becomes a huge disaster for both parties, and I'm going to love it when it does.
Click to expand...

Boy do we agree, of course, there is the woe is the FO crowd because we did not gift him an outlandish contract but that is typical of the laundry washes around here
 
phildadon86

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garrett316 said:
I had and still have no problem letting Murray walk. RB is not worth his asking price. The problem was the Cowboys solution. McFadden, Randle, Dunbar wasn't close to an answer.

They can put out the Gurley, Yeldon, Rawls conjecture, but they failed to pull the trigger on any. Heck they traded back in to the 7th, to take the inactive for nearly every game Swaim. Rawls was there, but nope, they felt fine at RB.


Further, Langford and the kid from USC the Ravens took where available mid draft and they didn't bite. DUMB.
Click to expand...

Not getting Langford really bothered me
 
WPBCowboysFan

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Idgit said:
The Murray Situation in PHI, though, is hilarious. I love that he's been marginalized about half way through his first season, and I love that he's handling that by going over the coach and to the owner. I hope that situation becomes a huge disaster for both parties, and I'm going to love it when it does.
Click to expand...

Its great isnt it? I really dont think it could have gone any better than it has. I couldnt have scripted it any better.
 

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This team may not have running back issues but the position is far from settled.the current state of the running game is nowhere near where it could be.
I still take Elliot with a trade down of Henry in the 2nd round.
I want an elite RB that is capable of leading the league in rushing every year .
This team needs to have the most dominant running game in the league.
 
waving monkey

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Right, this FO is like Red and can do no wrong.

Its all been bad luck, misfortune, and absolutely nothing could have been done any better.
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I'll forgive your hyperbole because your taste in avatars is excellent. This FO took so much heat over Murray
it was ridiculous. We all know the fans know more then the FO.
 
ringmaster

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Idgit said:
I'd like just a little more disaster, please.

But, if I can't have it, I'll settle for what we've got. It'll be fun to see what he does when they let Bradford go in the offseason, too.
Click to expand...
The Eagles and DeMarco got what they both paid for and DeMarco knew he wasn't a fit in Chip Kelly's sideline to sideline offense and the ultimate lie he told when he signed that contract "it wasn't about the money", he and we all knew it was about the money he got what he wanted and more power to him.
 
WPBCowboysFan

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waving monkey said:
I'll forgive your hyperbole because your taste in avatars is excellent. This FO took so much heat over Murray
it was ridiculous. We all know the fans know more then the FO.
Click to expand...

I thot we should have kept Murray but I also understood not paying him a ridiculous amount of money.
 
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