Another RB we are going to need

[CowboyRoy]

I dont see any way we can go into the season with these 3 RB's. McFadden and Dunbar are simply too injury prone to count on. If Randle were to get hurt, we would be in big trouble. And I am not sure I would give Randle more than 250 carries anyway.

All signs point to the Cowboys buying time until cut downs. When a solid veteran RB can be scooped up.

 

[Cowboy4ever]

All signs point to us heading into the season with those 3 backs. That back from last year couldn't be counted on either, injured all the time. Then a contract year and he stays healthy, weird huh. The point is, everyone would be perfectly fine with the same backs we had last year but 2 out of the 3 were injured at about the same rate as 2 out of 3 are this year.. same situation. We don't need another back unless someone sustains a serious injury and is out for multiple games.

 

[CATCH17]

Someone will go on the practice squad regardless.

Either Johnson, Seastrunk, or another rookie.

 

[DallasDW00ds0n]

I just can't read another article about Ray Rice, Jackson, or CJ becoming a cowboy. It will never happen. Stephen seems intent using younger legs ... Its going to be a no name guy who went undrafted and were going to hear every analyst on TV say how baffled they are.

Its driving me nuts!

 

[Nightman]

 

[SilverStarCowboy]

Stephen Jackson has less in the tank than Rice or CJ but not sure which turd about to be flushed will go down first. Do we want to watch more toilet vision, since we already have a throne of ablutions.

 

[Idgit]

There are going to be some capable RBs available at cut downs. I'm not too concerned with either Dunbar or McFadden just yet as far as injuries go. At least Randle is showing up.

We might end up adding another back at some point, if only to the practice squad. As long as we can pass protect, we'll be ok for a season with what we've got.

 

[big dog cowboy]

I dont see any way we can go into the season with these 3 RB's.

All signs point to the Cowboys buying time until cut downs.

Here we go again. First it was 'we have to sign a vet in FA' then it was 'we have to draft a RB early' finally 'we have to trade for AP' and so I guess it's only natural we get to this point.

BTW what are all the signs you are talking about. I must have missed them.

 

[jday]

There are going to be some capable RBs available at cut downs. I'm not too concerned with either Dunbar or McFadden just yet as far as injuries go. At least Randle is showing up.

We might end up adding another back at some point, if only to the practice squad. As long as we can pass protect, we'll be ok for a season with what we've got.

I really, really hope your right. At the moment, my gut tells me the Cowboys struggle early on in the season as they relentlessly try to run the ball...only, it will not be as effective as it needs to be. Randle may be able to get more yards than Murray in certain clean situations, but Murray was good for at least a yard when he was met behind the line. Those runs are critical.

The defense will be hamstringed to a certain degree by the lack of Hardy and McClain. Granted, the Cowboys have good talent behind these guys, but there will still be a drop-off in talent.

I think this Cowboys team will find a way as the season progresses, but we may not see domination like the whole of 2014 until towards the end of the season, when they find their stride.

 

[jday]

Here we go again. First it was 'we have to sign a vet in FA' then it was 'we have to draft a RB early' finally 'we have to trade for AP' and so I guess it's only natural we get to this point.

BTW what are all the signs you are talking about. I must have missed them.

I think he may be referring to the injuries that have a crazy way of lingering with certain players. McFadden more than Dunbar, but he has had his struggles in that area, as well.

 

[jday]

I just can't read another article about Ray Rice, Jackson, or CJ becoming a cowboy. It will never happen. Stephen seems intent using younger legs ... Its going to be a no name guy who went undrafted and were going to hear every analyst on TV say how baffled they are.

Its driving me nuts!

This prediction actually has merit. It wouldn't be the first time a no-name made a name for himself donning a Cowboys jersey.

 

[Alexander]

A month ago, quite a few around here was pretty smug that we would be fine.

Now?

 

[Alexander]

There are going to be some capable RBs available at cut downs. I'm not too concerned with either Dunbar or McFadden just yet as far as injuries go. At least Randle is showing up.

We might end up adding another back at some point, if only to the practice squad. As long as we can pass protect, we'll be ok for a season with what we've got.

The backs available at cut downs are going to be flotsam.

 

[Idgit]

I really, really hope your right. At the moment, my gut tells me the Cowboys struggle early on in the season as they relentlessly try to run the ball...only, it will not be as effective as it needs to be. Randle may be able to get more yards than Murray in certain clean situations, but Murray was good for at least a yard when he was met behind the line. Those runs are critical.

The defense will be hamstringed to a certain degree by the lack of Hardy and McClain. Granted, the Cowboys have good talent behind these guys, but there will still be a drop-off in talent.

I think this Cowboys team will find a way as the season progresses, but we may not see domination like the whole of 2014 until towards the end of the season, when they find their stride.

Here's the thing: we were still pretty effective offensively prior to 2014, and Randle, at the very least, is a reasonably capable NFL RB if you look at just his effecitveness last season and know that he's running behind a very good run blocking OL. I think we at least get the running game effectiveness we had prior to last year. Plus, we're going to finally (famous last words) incorporate more screen games and plays in space (I say this because Randle and Dunbar and DMC are all good receivers, and the team keeps saying they want to use Dunbar more, and he's basically primarily a weapon in the screen game). McFadden can pass block, at the very least. And we've got Beasley and the two TE set options.

We're just too solid a passing team for us to be shut down offensively. They have to play the pass, and we've got very good run blockers. No matter what happens, I just can't see it being all that bad.

On defense, we'll start the season with Lee replacing Ro. McClain. That's still an upgrade. And we'll have Demarcus Lawrence, who we didn't have to start the season the year before. Plus we'll have Byron Jones. We won't start as good as we're going to be, but we won't be much behind where we started last season when Hitchens was a rookie and McClain came in late to camp and Mo went down relatively early putting Sterling Moore in the lineup.

But, yeah, I'm talking more about the whole season, anyway. I think we'll end up with a lot deeper/more effective front 7, and that's going to help us offensively, too. We'll play with more leads as a result, and put up points in the passing game and run the ball more, late. We may have to convert more on third and 2-5 yards than we did last season, because you're right that Demarco was great at getting positive yardage when the play wasn't there. But Romo can do that for you pretty well. Big plays from defense and playing with more leads (if we're lucky) is going to more than make up for some of those series where we're making it harder on ourselves on 3rd downs.

 

[panchucko]

So which position should we go short on, so we can carry more backs. Is 5 or 6 enough we just never know when they are going to get hurt

 

[Idgit]

A month ago, quite a few around here was pretty smug that we would be fine.

Now?

None of the people who were 'smug' are the people who are screaming a few weeks into training camp. We're in the same boat we were in then, minus Ryan Williams.

The backs available at cut downs are going to be flotsam.

We'll see. Normally, there are some decent role players available after cut downs. We're not talking starters. We're talking guys you put on the practice squad so you have them familiar with protections if you need them during the season. Or maybe, if the guy has ST ability, guys you add to replace a ST LB if you think the guy has enough potential to carry it a few times/game in a pinch. As always gets pointed out, NE had a different leading rusher each month of the season last year, and did it mostly with players many here would consider flotsam. What we need is healthy players who are smart enough to know what to do in our offense. Getting them so late in camp is not ideal, but at least physically, it's possible to do it at a position like RB.

 

[Idgit]

So which position should we go short on, so we can carry more backs. Is 5 or 6 enough we just never know when they are going to get hurt

Fans always want to go long at positions where we don't have talent in the first place. It makes no sense. Double down where you have too many guys in case you need them. If you're existing backs aren't much better (or any better) than backs available on the street, then go light at RB and add one if you need one later.

 

[Alexander]

None of the people who were 'smug' are the people who are screaming a few weeks into training camp. We're in the same boat we were in then, minus Ryan Williams.

With exactly the same crew, minus Williams, who are doing what they have always done.

No screaming here. I knew the die was cast after the draft. Once they were not able to get any help at all, then the bed was made.

These are three unreliable players that will have to suddenly become reliable for this team to have a chance.

 

[jday]

Here's the thing: we were still pretty effective offensively prior to 2014, and Randle, at the very least, is a reasonably capable NFL RB if you look at just his effecitveness last season and know that he's running behind a very good run blocking OL. I think we at least get the running game effectiveness we had prior to last year. Plus, we're going to finally (famous last words) incorporate more screen games and plays in space (I say this because Randle and Dunbar and DMC are all good receivers, and the team keeps saying they want to use Dunbar more, and he's basically primarily a weapon in the screen game). McFadden can pass block, at the very least. And we've got Beasley and the two TE set options.

I am not looking at just last year's production. I do think there may be something to him enjoying a defense that had already been exhausted by Demarco's punishing style. I honestly don't believe he's as good as his highlights might suggest.

We're just too solid a passing team for us to be shut down offensively. They have to play the pass, and we've got very good run blockers. No matter what happens, I just can't see it being all that bad.

I will happily eat crowpie if I'm wrong...but in the words of JJeezy, the runningback matters.

On defense, we'll start the season with Lee replacing Ro. McClain. That's still an upgrade. And we'll have Demarcus Lawrence, who we didn't have to start the season the year before. Plus we'll have Byron Jones. We won't start as good as we're going to be, but we won't be much behind where we started last season when Hitchens was a rookie and McClain came in late to camp and Mo went down relatively early putting Sterling Moore in the lineup.

An important consideration before falling in love with what is being reported: When these rookies and young players face other teams, it won't be playing against the same offense, with the same playbook, players and tendencies. In fact, the offense will be designed to take advantage of their lack of experience and exploit their weaknesses.

But, yeah, I'm talking more about the whole season, anyway. I think we'll end up with a lot deeper/more effective front 7, and that's going to help us offensively, too. We'll play with more leads as a result, and put up points in the passing game and run the ball more, late. We may have to convert more on third and 2-5 yards than we did last season, because you're right that Demarco was great at getting positive yardage when the play wasn't there. But Romo can do that for you pretty well. Big plays from defense and playing with more leads (if we're lucky) is going to more than make up for some of those series where we're making it harder on ourselves on 3rd downs.

For the most part I agree with you here. I just don't want the onus to fall on Romo's shoulder's alone...I don't think that put's the Cowboys in the best of situations.

 

[Toruk_Makto]

Another rb thread.

Cute.