News: BTB: Can Rod Smith break into the Cowboys running back rotation?

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Rod Smith is not only making his case to make the 53-man roster, but to also make an impact in the backfield.

The Ezekiel Elliott suspension put the Cowboys running back situation into flux. Elliott is currently appealing the league’s decision, but for now the Cowboys are forced to plan for life without him until the week after Dallas’ week seven bye. Other players will have to pick up those carries.

Darren McFadden is an option. The Arkansas legend rushed for over one thousand yards during the dreadful 2015 season. He showed that he is capable of carrying the load and running behind the Cowboys’ Great Wall of Dallas. But, McFadden only found the end zone three times on the ground. He is the veteran of the group, but he’s suffered with injuries throughout his career. Can he stay healthy long enough to carry the Cowboys’ backfield? McFadden looked good against the Colts on Saturday night with his 59 yards on nine carries, but he had a costly fumble in the red zone. That can’t happen on Sundays.

Alfred Morris is another candidate to take over the load. The former Washington Commanders back eclipsed the 1k mark each of his first three seasons in the National Football League. He has showed that he can find his groove as the lead guy, but can he still be effective if he doesn’t get a chance to build a consistent rhythm? Morris rushed for 49 yards on nine carries, including a big 18-yard run, against the Colts in the Cowboys third preseason game. The veteran back hasn’t rushed for 1,000 yards since the 2014 season, but he is a nice candidate to fill Zeke’s void during his suspension.

What about Rod Smith, though?

Smith, the brother of phenom linebacker Jaylon Smith, has made a big impression during fall camp for the Cowboys. The Ohio State product has impressed during training camp and is making a big case to make the 53-man roster this season and have a larger role in the Cowboys’ backfield than previously expected.

Cowboys 247’s Sam Quinn wrote on the emerging RB3 battle between Alfred Morris and Rod Smith. Quinn notes that Smith brings an element in the receiving game that Morris does not.


First, he offers something as a receiver. He caught three passes for 27 yards in the Colts game. Morris has never caught more than 17 passes in a season. The Cowboys are not the Patriots, they don't use their running backs as receivers all that often. But it's an important skill to have, one that Smith offers slightly more so than Morris.
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HankC

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NewsBot said:
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Rod Smith is not only making his case to make the 53-man roster, but to also make an impact in the backfield.

The Ezekiel Elliott suspension put the Cowboys running back situation into flux. Elliott is currently appealing the league’s decision, but for now the Cowboys are forced to plan for life without him until the week after Dallas’ week seven bye. Other players will have to pick up those carries.

Darren McFadden is an option. The Arkansas legend rushed for over one thousand yards during the dreadful 2015 season. He showed that he is capable of carrying the load and running behind the Cowboys’ Great Wall of Dallas. But, McFadden only found the end zone three times on the ground. He is the veteran of the group, but he’s suffered with injuries throughout his career. Can he stay healthy long enough to carry the Cowboys’ backfield? McFadden looked good against the Colts on Saturday night with his 59 yards on nine carries, but he had a costly fumble in the red zone. That can’t happen on Sundays.

Alfred Morris is another candidate to take over the load. The former Washington Commanders back eclipsed the 1k mark each of his first three seasons in the National Football League. He has showed that he can find his groove as the lead guy, but can he still be effective if he doesn’t get a chance to build a consistent rhythm? Morris rushed for 49 yards on nine carries, including a big 18-yard run, against the Colts in the Cowboys third preseason game. The veteran back hasn’t rushed for 1,000 yards since the 2014 season, but he is a nice candidate to fill Zeke’s void during his suspension.

What about Rod Smith, though?

Smith, the brother of phenom linebacker Jaylon Smith, has made a big impression during fall camp for the Cowboys. The Ohio State product has impressed during training camp and is making a big case to make the 53-man roster this season and have a larger role in the Cowboys’ backfield than previously expected.

Cowboys 247’s Sam Quinn wrote on the emerging RB3 battle between Alfred Morris and Rod Smith. Quinn notes that Smith brings an element in the receiving game that Morris does not.


First, he offers something as a receiver. He caught three passes for 27 yards in the Colts game. Morris has never caught more than 17 passes in a season. The Cowboys are not the Patriots, they don't use their running backs as receivers all that often. But it's an important skill to have, one that Smith offers slightly more so than Morris.
​

***SNIP***

Continue reading...
Click to expand...
 
HankC

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He makes the 53 and replaces Morris when Zeke returns. If D-Mac or Morris is injured when Elliot is still out, he is active and plays a number of snaps.
 
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Idgit

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Doomsday said:
Sadly they won't have to make that decision til after week 7.
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I think it works out worse than that for us. Elliott probably loses the appeal, or doesn't get the suspension cut enough, and takes it to court. Which means we'll have to make the RB decision coming out of camp with Elliott on the active roster. So, do you keep Smith and cut Morris, knowing you might need Morris down the road if Zeke's suspension kids in later in the year? Or do you cut Smith to keep Morris even though he'll be inactive and gives you nothing on special teams?
 
ConstantReboot

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jazzcat22 said:
No , you keep DMC, he ran hard and finished off his runs against the Colts. Keep Smith, and if needed Morris if Zeke misses any games.
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Well we can keep DMC if Zeke is suspended I think he's good in place of Zeke. However, if Zeke returns, I'd rather let DMC go.

Everyone is waiting for DMC speed to make a difference. However, I've never seen him break a big run yet. Morris can make those big runs that DMC can. He's also has better vision and shiftier.
 
Cmac

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Can't understand the underestimation of Alfred Morris....at all. Like Rod Smith, but everybody needs to slow down. Like him on the 53, especially if he can play ST. Have we seen his pass blocking?....to cast all these kudos so fast.
 
Bullflop

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Based upon Rod Smith's performance in preseason games, he certainly deserves to win a spot in our RB rotation. His versatility and strong performances in every preseason game speak for themselves. He's an extremely forceful runner, a fine receiver and blocker as well.
 

windjc

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I never get excited about "that RB guy" that shows potential but is 4th string. But Rod looks like an NFL starter or at least a 3rd down back.

He isn't a fluke. And he could legitimately help another team in this league right now. And I think he will if we cut him.

You could say the same thing about Morris. But the place we suffered with McFadden was short yardage. This could be the reason to keep Smith.
 
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