Backup Running Back

Typhus said:
Current Depth behind Zeke
Rod Smith
Trey Williams

Smith has shown flashes, but we all know he is not the ideal fit, a pounder maybe, but that could easily be a FB role, should be.

Williams,, fill free to comment.

Not sure exactly where this team stands on addressing RB2/3 leading up to this draft, but considering that its an obvious area of weakness, it will be addressed.

This draft will provide excellent values at RB, its actually a pretty deep class, especially where we need to shop, rounds 3-5.

Curious if we will address that need with a draft pick, or let other teams draft them, and then shop for a vet cut that can feel that role.
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Thought we still had another year of Alfred Morris
 
ABQCOWBOY said:
Hines is fast but he's also 5'9 and 195 lbs. This guy is not an every down back and I think we need that in a backup. I like Jaylon Samuels much, much better.
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Can he contribute on Special Teams?

Hines is your new punt/kick returner, if drafted.
 
jobberone said:
The knock on Williams is that he is small but I disagree. He's 5-8 and E Smith was 5-9. He's 190 and Smith was 205. Williams has good sized thighs. He can run inside although outside is best for him. I did not see him block. I think he could play 10-15 snaps although I doubt he'd need to.

I'd be tempted to have only 3 RBs with Smith a RB/FB. If there is an injury to EE or Smith then you call in a Morris type back. You're not going to find a better back unless you draft one.....which is possible. In which case you run Smith and the draftee as the #2 RB.
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I honestly have paid no attention to RB’s other than the big stars
I think adding a RB that brings a little demention is a good idea
Dunbar kinda did that a few years ago but couldn’t stay healthy
I think smith Zeke and a rookie is plenty at RB
 
If Rod Smith was a 4th round pick folks would say "we're set."

I think played very well backing up Zeke; he brings a physical aspect to the game, catches the ball well out of the backfield and plays special teams.

I think the Nyheim Hines kid would be a perfect compliment to these guys as he truly has wheels, returns kicks & punts, and the catches the ball well.

 
TheCount said:
Seems like we draft a guy to be the new returner every year .
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Be that as it may, I don't see Switzer maintaining his role with Hines on the team. The kid is electric as a returner and could be the best change of pace back we've seen in quite awhile.

But the question is legitimate. As a 3rd RB, whomever that ends up being, they have to contribute on Special Teams. If the guy can contribute to teams, he's not going to make the final cut.
 
jday said:
Can he contribute on Special Teams?

Hines is your new punt/kick returner, if drafted.
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I don't know that Hines is a punt returner. He has only returned 12 punts in three years at NCSt. All in 2017.

Samuels did not return, so far as I know. He was pretty much a starter the last three years so not used on Special Teams much. I don't think he would be your best bet there, IDK.
 
ABQCOWBOY said:
I don't know that Hines is a punt returner. He has only returned 12 punts in three years at NCSt. All in 2017.

Samuels did not return, so far as I know. He was pretty much a starter the last three years so not used on Special Teams much. I don't think he would be your best bet there, IDK.
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Even if he can carve out a role as a kick returner, it would be worth it...I think...
 
jday said:
Even if he can carve out a role as a kick returner, it would be worth it...I think...
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Yeah, I don't know that he can't do it, I just know that he was used as a starter primarily. The primary reason I like Samuels better then I do Nyheim is because I feel as if Samuels can be used in our offense much more effectively. This guy can catch and not just wheel routes or leak out passes. You can actually line him up as a receiver and he can run routes. He brings a really unique skill set to the offense, to me. One of the things I see him being capable of is eventually being a guy who can potentially pick up the load for Witt. I see Witten hanging it up soon. With this guy, you can use him in the slot or split out or out of the backfield and he can be the guy that moves the chains for you. That way, you don't have to find another TE that can both catch and block. I mean, those guys are kinda hard to find but if you have a guy like Samuels, then maybe you can live with a really good Blocking TE that maybe doesn't have what Witt has. IDK, just kind of what was running through my head with this player.
 
ABQCOWBOY said:
Yeah, I don't know that he can't do it, I just know that he was used as a starter primarily. The primary reason I like Samuels better then I do Nyheim is because I feel as if Samuels can be used in our offense much more effectively. This guy can catch and not just wheel routes or leak out passes. You can actually line him up as a receiver and he can run routes. He brings a really unique skill set to the offense, to me. One of the things I see him being capable of is eventually being a guy who can potentially pick up the load for Witt. I see Witten hanging it up soon. With this guy, you can use him in the slot or split out or out of the backfield and he can be the guy that moves the chains for you. That way, you don't have to find another TE that can both catch and block. I mean, those guys are kinda hard to find but if you have a guy like Samuels, then maybe you can live with a really good Blocking TE that maybe doesn't have what Witt has. IDK, just kind of what was running through my head with this player.
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So, I looked into him and I gotta say I like what I saw/read provided the Cowboys can wait until around the bottom of the fourth to snag him, if not later. That said, I do have concerns about whether or not he could be counted on to cover kicks (which he should be doing as the likely 3rd rb on the roster) and the Cowboys coaches to this point have not shown the creativity to use a guy like this to his strengths. Furthermore, he looks to be a poor mans Zeke, which is what you want for the backup, but I suspect the Cowboys have Rod Smith penciled into that role. Based on their visits, it appears they are looking for a change of pace back. That is Hines defined.
 
jday said:
So, I looked into him and I gotta say I like what I saw/read provided the Cowboys can wait until around the bottom of the fourth to snag him, if not later. That said, I do have concerns about whether or not he could be counted on to cover kicks (which he should be doing as the likely 3rd rb on the roster) and the Cowboys coaches to this point have not shown the creativity to use a guy like this to his strengths. Furthermore, he looks to be a poor mans Zeke, which is what you want for the backup, but I suspect the Cowboys have Rod Smith penciled into that role. Based on their visits, it appears they are looking for a change of pace back. That is Hines defined.
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I can't say I disagree. Part of the problem with our staff is that they do not put players with unique skill sets in the best positions to make plays, within our Offense. I agree with you there. I actually don't see this player (if actually used right) as a special teams guy. I see him as a part of the offense so even if he could be a kick returner/punt returner, I doubt we would use him there. But again, that gets back to actually using him the right way. I actually agree with you that the team is probably looking for a speed guy to be that back out of the backfield but honestly, I think Samuels would be more effective. Nyheim is really fast but I am not really sure he is a guy who you can really do more with, then just throw to him on the wheel routes etc. I don't know if he can really be a big threat downfield. In three seasons, he only has 89 receptions, 1 TD. In the those same three seasons, Samuels in the same offense/same team, has 200 catches with 18 TDs. So obviously, NCSt. believed in using the backs as a primary part of their passing game but they primarily used Samuels as the receiver and they used Nyheim as the ball carrier. In the NFL, I don't know that you can use Nyheim in that role. He's to small to hold up I think.

IDK.
 
ABQCOWBOY said:
I can't say I disagree. Part of the problem with our staff is that they do not put players with unique skill sets in the best positions to make plays, within our Offense. I agree with you there. I actually don't see this player (if actually used right) as a special teams guy. I see him as a part of the offense so even if he could be a kick returner/punt returner, I doubt we would use him there. But again, that gets back to actually using him the right way. I actually agree with you that the team is probably looking for a speed guy to be that back out of the backfield but honestly, I think Samuels would be more effective. Nyheim is really fast but I am not really sure he is a guy who you can really do more with, then just throw to him on the wheel routes etc. I don't know if he can really be a big threat downfield. In three seasons, he only has 89 receptions, 1 TD. In the those same three seasons, Samuels in the same offense/same team, has 200 catches with 18 TDs. So obviously, NCSt. believed in using the backs as a primary part of their passing game but they primarily used Samuels as the receiver and they used Nyheim as the ball carrier. In the NFL, I don't know that you can use Nyheim in that role. He's to small to hold up I think.

IDK.
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I think the role they have in mind for him would be the Lance Dunbar role and they would absolutely at the very least try him at punt returner, though Switzer may still end up retaining that role. As a kick returner, this kid (Hines) could be electric. But to be honest, I'd be thrilled to see either Hines or Samuels...so long as they don't reach for them. Bottom of the fourth or later for both, in my opinion.
 
jday said:
I think the role they have in mind for him would be the Lance Dunbar role and they would absolutely at the very least try him at punt returner, though Switzer may still end up retaining that role. As a kick returner, this kid (Hines) could be electric. But to be honest, I'd be thrilled to see either Hines or Samuels...so long as they don't reach for them. Bottom of the fourth or later for both, in my opinion.
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The difference in Dunbar and Hyheim, to me, is Dunbar's ability to do more then just be a safety valve. If you could teach Nyheim how to run routes, that would be different. Then, I could really get behind that guy because he has the speed and quickness to make a defense pay but, I don't know if you can do that. I mean, he played at NCSt. They use the RBs in the passing game so you would think that if he were going to learn how to run routes, they would have taught him already. On the kick return thing, yeah, I would love to see us have somebody who could be a positive there. If Hyheim could provide that, that would be a huge benefit for us. I agree there.
 
conner01 said:
The 3rd RB needs to be able to catch and run between the tackles, block as well as contribute on ST
If he can do that with his speed, sign me up
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The only thing I have a question about is blocking, dont think I seen that from him.
 
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