Are Cowboys Planning A Complete Remake Of The Running Back Corps?

[waving monkey]

The team has set the table to part ways with both Joseph Randle and Lance Dunbar in favor of Darren McFadden and Ryan Williams.

I get some of my best ideas on Twitter. In the discussions there with a variety of people, questions are raised, ideas are tossed out, and critiques flow in from a variety of sources both knowledgeable and not so well informed. The rapid fire exchanges are a great way to shake up thoughts and make you take a look at things from a different angle as well as get valuable input that had not occurred to you.

Now that I've completed my self-serving and heavy-handed hint to you to follow my Twitter account, here are some thoughts I have had lately.

The Cowboys went through the 2014 season with DeMarco Murray, Joseph Randle and Lance Dunbar as their running back corps, with Tyler Clutts as fullback. We are all quite aware of what happened with Murray. Either as a result of his dominating performance, or a major contributing factor to it, neither Randle nor Dunbar played much of a role during the season. There are claims that the team has a severe lack of trust in Randle, compounded by the investigation by both law enforcement and the NFL into the domestic violence incident still hanging over his head. Dunbar just seems to inspire little confidence from either the coaches or Tony Romo on the field.

LINK/http://www.bloggingtheboys.com/2015...-demarco-murray-darren-mcfadden-joseph-randle

 

[windward]

I can see it. Murray's a goner already, we don't trust Randle and Dunbar has been merely ok. At some point we need to know what Ryan Williams can give us in real game situations. McFadden is signed but we don't really want to put all our hopes and dreams on an untested back and one who has underachieved. So a draft pic seems likely in the first few rounds as well.

 

[jazzcat22]

Possibly, because of the faith in the OL and a strong and proven one at that. In their limited play, Randle and Dunbar had some decent runs at times. But also some nice moves downfield of their own that helped those long runs. But the coaches know most decent RB's can run with success behind this OL.

But I think they are doing what they do, getting as many options as they can to create th best competition. This year by more necessity than by choice. Murray leaves, Randle and his off field stupidness, rather if just a bad situation or not. Dunbar as the 3rd RB for any team, is always ready to be churned.

Williams shown more as a runner IMO but needed some other work and now McFadden to compete. An early draft pick now is a given once Murray left. We needed FB competition anyway, and now we have it so it seems.
I wonder if Clutts will still be signed or a draft pick in the late rounds or a UFDA. At least to start TC to compete. Have 3 this year and not just 2 in TC. Depending need at other position though.

 

[mahoneybill]

Good to see the new mix. Agree that we draft RB.

Will miss Murray, but have faith that our line can open holes for one of these guys to produce 1000 to 1300 yards for us, and hopefully improve on pass protection when needed for Tony.

 

[jazzcat22]

Good to see the new mix. Agree that we draft RB.

Will miss Murray, but have faith that our line can open holes for one of these guys to produce 1000 to 1300 yards for us, and hopefully improve on pass protection when needed for Tony.

I think any RB getting 1200 plus yards will be very good, and the back ups will contribute more than last year. As they will get more opportunities this year.
Murray if still here would not duplicate last year. As for one he would not get as many carries. And also as history shown, it doesn't happen.

NFLN said, but shown no stats, that in the past 25 years, no RB with 390 plus carries had over a 1000 yards the next year.

 

[big dog cowboy]

If Randle gets this newest legal issue behind him I can see how he still makes the final 53. We've had knuckleheads before but he has shown enough that it's clear he can play in this league in a RB2 and special teams role.

 

[Teague31]

Who is Lance Dunbar?

 

[The Natural]

I feel like Dunbar hasn't gotten enough touches

 

[PA Cowboy Fan]

There is no way to know until McFadden shows us what he's got.

 

[ThreeandOut]

I think any RB getting 1200 plus yards will be very good, and the back ups will contribute more than last year. As they will get more opportunities this year.
Murray if still here would not duplicate last year. As for one he would not get as many carries. And also as history shown, it doesn't happen.

NFLN said, but shown no stats, that in the past 25 years, no RB with 390 plus carries had over a 1000 yards the next year.

I don't think the the coaching staff wanted Murray to have as many carries as he did last year. But they didn't have enough faith in the backups for them to have a more expanded role. This year you will see the backups getting more playing time.

 

[CF74]

This could very well be Randles breakout year, or he might get cut.. Smh

 

[tm1119]

If Randle is gone it will be for his off the field stuff. There's no other reason to get rid of him and his 6.7 ypc last year. Yes, it was in very limited carries, but there's no doubt he showed a very good burst when hitting the hole last year.

I think realistically we will draft someone and McFadden, Williams, Dunbar, and Randle will fight for 2 spots. Don't count McFadden and his $200K guaranteed as an automatic to make the roster.

 

[Hardline]

Randle and Dunbar have a roll on this team. And they do it well.

 

[MRV52]

I can not understand why some of you want to get rid of Randle. I think that Demarco getting so many touches was really a detriment to this team in terms of scoring on some of his runs. Randle has the breakaway speed and would have scored more touchdowns on some of the carries that Demarco had. This guy just needs a chance and to carry the ball more. He ain't going anywhere imo, but I can see Dunbar getting released.

 

[Fredd]

If Williams can play (none of know that yet), then McFadden is the 4th RB (not counting FB's)...we likely have the corp for 2015...Randle is an unknown because of his potential legal issues but he has shown enough to be the guy that spells the starter for a series or two per game...Dunbar just needs to get some passes out of the backfield to see if he can do anything

 

[Blast From The Past]

I feel like Dunbar hasn't gotten enough touches

Not only that but he really hasn't been used in a manner in which his strengths would be able to be showcased in order to show exactly what he is capable of doing. I say use him or lose him and let another team figure it out.

 

[Risen Star]

This question had to be asked? We just let go of the league's leading rusher. The guy who nearly carried the ball for the Cowboys 400 times last year. Yeah. They are remaking the RB corps.

 

[xwalker]

I don't think the the coaching staff wanted Murray to have as many carries as he did last year. But they didn't have enough faith in the backups for them to have a more expanded role. This year you will see the backups getting more playing time.

I disagree. Murray pushed to get all of the carries and Garrett obliges the veteran leaders on the team. Witten plays 100% of the snaps which is often not necessary. How long did it take for Garrett to stop Romo from doing whatever he wanted and inaudibling out of run plays. Think about the final game of the season where the starters played deep into a blowout win and was a meaningless game. That happened because guys like Murray and Witten didn't want to come out of the game.

 

[reddyuta]

Dunbar is the first one to get cut if we draft a new RB,he is not worth the money.

 

[ThreeandOut]

I disagree. Murray pushed to get all of the carries and Garrett obliges the veteran leaders on the team. Witten plays 100% of the snaps which is often not necessary. How long did it take for Garrett to stop Romo from doing whatever he wanted and inaudibling out of run plays. Think about the final game of the season where the starters played deep into a blowout win and was a meaningless game. That happened because guys like Murray and Witten didn't want to come out of the game.

I don't think you'll ever see a Cowboys back get as many carries as Murray did this past year. Going forward, the backups will either get a higher percentage of the carries or they'll be replaced.