Can we really go into the season with two change of pace backs as our top two runningbacks

[MyFairLady]

Too bad we don't have a big strong mobile QB who can pick up a first down when needed.

 

[thunderpimp91]

So defensive coordinators will not see that Dallas struggles with moving the chains in short yardage situations and move their pieces to stifle getting outside while beating the weakest link on the Dallas line to stop progress? As it stands, this team is relying on a less than 100% Steele, and Tyron, who hasn't played a full season of games since 2015, per his stats.

I agree it's an issue, it's just an issue that comes with realistic solutions.

If the Cowboys get to week 3 and realize they need that bigger body in the backfield it won't be nearly as tough to replace as a starting caliber WR was a year ago. Them gambling on Gallup/Washington to be quality receivers and combine for 50 snaps per game was not a good bet and honestly may have been a reason they couldn't get past the 49ers last year. Them finding a bigger back for 5-10 snaps per game either via trade or FA is very reasonable to do and shouldn't require a massive price tag unless they wait until the trade deadline for a bigger name.

 

[TwoDeep3]

Do they have them? No.

Therefore, you don't need them.

Your assessment is predicated that all teams play the same and results are the same. Therefore players are merely plug and play. If for no other reason seeing the four year debate on Dal alone should tell you this theory of yours is flawed. If all teams did exactly the same then the results would be the same and there would be 32 Super Bowl winners each year.

Your proof is flawed. Not all results are the same.

 

[Motorola]

This is an excellent observation. Dallas doesn't have the three yard, move the chains back. And behind this line, Larry Csonka would struggle.

'TwoDeep3: Man, you referred to one tough hombre, who ran hard -through and over defenders.
Larry Csonka, Jim Kiick (aka "Butch and Sundance"), and Mercury Morris.

Could the current Cowboys RB group come together and become as poductive as that dynamic Dolphins backfield trio?

 

[Adiba1977]

Pollard
Dowdle
Deuce

That’s the 3 rb. Don’t need anyone else. Davis and big white dude to practice squad.

 

[TwoDeep3]

I agree it's an issue, it's just an issue that comes with realistic solutions.

If the Cowboys get to week 3 and realize they need that bigger body in the backfield it won't be nearly as tough to replace as a starting caliber WR was a year ago. Them gambling on Gallup/Washington to be quality receivers and combine for 50 snaps per game was not a good bet and honestly may have been a reason they couldn't get past the 49ers last year. Them finding a bigger back for 5-10 snaps per game either via trade or FA is very reasonable to do and shouldn't require a massive price tag unless they wait until the trade deadline for a bigger name.

At what cost? Not salary cap but those first three games:

@ NY Giants
Jets
@Cardinals

At this point what game out of those are you CERTAIN Dallas can win? I am not saying they will be under .500, but away games are tougher than home games. Can this franchise, with this schedule, afford to go 1-2 out of the gate? Not saying this issue will cause that. But I also believe the bigger back has more to it than just the player carrying the ball. I believe it's foundation is a make-shift offensive line with serious questions about two of the starters.

Thunder, there is no definitive answer here and this is merely debate. But I have a feeling that Jerry is playing the same game this year he played last year with the wide receivers. Poor-boying that squad. Jerry doesn't seem to me he can fix issues on both sides of the ball in the same season. I believe in this defense. But defenses need offenses to score points.

 

[Big_D]

We currently have a legit competition and two of the backs that are competing didn’t perform very well. A lot of backs could be on the radar after next week if Davis and Dowdle don’t step up. Both backs are being given a great opportunity.

Yeah so let's see what they can do with a line that will actually be on the roster when the season starts. Dowdle did a good job in short yardage. You're still clamoring for Zeke after seeing 10 carries. Yet the last 3 years wasn't enough for you? Zero home run ability. None at all and his time in Dallas should be done no matter what you think of the RBs here.

 

[conner01]

Heres the rub. You want to play your best players. Those players are your highest paid players. The more you sit them, the more the backups play. And if, lets take our situation, you pay Pollard 10+ mil a year, then we pay our backups peanuts. RJ was penciled in as RB2 and he signed for only a mil.
Flip side is you dont pay 1 guy 10mil. You have two guys each at 5mil. But now you dont have that true, elite type back.
Theres a reason why Robinson and Gibbs went in the first.

I think the RB by committee is where the league is going. I don’t think we will sign pollard after this season
But for this roster I think RB is fine
Just use pollard like SF uses CMC
Get him 15 or so rushes and involve him in the passing game. He’s a playmaker like CMC and the idea is get the ball in their hands but not just by pounding it up the middle. Pollard can turn a dump off pass into a sizable gain. Just get him involved. And having him underneath helps the WR’s down the field. A LB can’t cover pollard so it makes doubling up on a WR down the field much harder, or forces them to play extra DB which helps the run game

 

[KJJ]

Yeah so let's see what they can do with a line that will actually be on the roster when the season starts. Dowdle did a good job in short yardage. You're still clamoring for Zeke after seeing 10 carries. Yet the last 3 years wasn't enough for you? Zero home run ability. None at all and his time in Dallas should be done no matter what you think of the RBs here.

They may never see that line until the season starts. They’re going to have to show something with the line they have in preseason. By the way where am I clamoring for Zeke? I’m just saying, I would rather have him than Davis and Dowdle. I also brought up Leonard Fournette as an option. If the Cowboys go into the season with what they have at RB, Pollard will be their only proven back and he’s coming off a serious injury.

 

[Havic]

Too bad we don't have a big strong mobile QB who can pick up a first down when needed.

Shattering an ankle will change the way you can play lol

 

[OmerV]

Zeke was 225
Pollard is 218
Dowdle is 218
Davis is 205
RJ is 210

We have backs with size. Pollard has no issue running between the tackles. Same for Dowdle and Davis. Are they Henry type power backs, no. But between the three of them, we have guys who can pick up tough yards.

I dont think Luepke makes it. PS.
Same for Duece.

Dowdle is 218. Pollard is 218. They are the exact same size. Not sure why everybody thinks Pollard is small. Hes probably right up there size wise with other starting backs across the league.

Maybe he's gained weight, but Cowboys list Pollard at 209.

 

[plasticman]

I wouldn't describe the other two RB's besides Pollard as both "change of pace".

It's simply that you cannot give Pollard the ball 30 times a game. In theory, if you give it to him 18-20 times a game then you need to give someone else 10-12.

However,

Look at it from a "role" point of view. One comes in to rest Pollard and must show some level of productivity. Another might be your short yardage guy who also comes in the 4th quarter to finish off games, when appropriate, a la Marion Barber.

Just as an example, Deuce comes in to relieve Pollard, Dowdle is your physical power back.

 

[thunderpimp91]

At what cost? Not salary cap but those first three games:

@ NY Giants
Jets
@Cardinals

At this point what game out of those are you CERTAIN Dallas can win? I am not saying they will be under .500, but away games are tougher than home games. Can this franchise, with this schedule, afford to go 1-2 out of the gate? Not saying this issue will cause that. But I also believe the bigger back has more to it than just the player carrying the ball. I believe it's foundation is a make-shift offensive line with serious questions about two of the starters.

Thunder, there is no definitive answer here and this is merely debate. But I have a feeling that Jerry is playing the same game this year he played last year with the wide receivers. Poor-boying that squad. Jerry doesn't seem to me he can fix issues on both sides of the ball in the same season. I believe in this defense. But defenses need offenses to score points.

Not just score points, but if you're going to be a defense-first team you need an offense that can convert the 3rd and 1s consistently to keep that defense fresh. Personally, I wouldn't have been upset at all if Jerry decided to go grab Derrick Henry and do a semi all in on 2023 type of move.

I agree with the majority of what you're saying I'm just not sure I hit the panic button yet. Maybe they do end up making a move, even if its bringing Zeke back in a limited role. Maybe two/three TE sets with better blocking TEs can help the run game get to the next level. I'm not sure, but you're right the Cowboys are gambling on a lot falling their way on offense this year.

 

[Majic]

Going into week 1 I would keep and use all 4 backs. Split carries as follows:

Dowdle 40%
Pollard 40%
Davis 10%
Vaughn 10%

Priority to keep Pollard and Vaughn healthy for December. I'm using Dowdle heavily.
No interest in signing a veteran back.

 

[TwoDeep3]

'TwoDeep3: Man, you referred to one tough hombre, who ran hard -through and over defenders.
Larry Csonka, Jim Kiick (aka "Butch and Sundance"), and Mercury Morris.

Could the current Cowboys RB group come together and become as poductive as that dynamic Dolphins backfield trio?

I don't see the bruiser in that bunch.

 

[coult44]

We need a grinder to get the tough yards and goalline carries. I love Duece and Pollard but they are smaller backs. Can we give Luepke some more opportunities to see what we have.

Look folks another guy not afraid to tell us his age. Lol…
2023 football man.

 

[Big_D]

They may never see that line until the season starts. They’re going to have to show something with the line they have in preseason. By the way where am I clamoring for Zeke? I’m just saying, I would rather have him than Davis and Dowdle. I also brought up Leonard Fournette as an option. If the Cowboys go into the season with what they have at RB, Pollard will be their only proven back and he’s coming off a serious injury.

I think there's enough here with Pollard, Dowdle, Jones, Vaughn, Davis and Luepke. I at least think they deserve the opportunity besides playing with backups. Not just gonna jump the gun that they suck and start reaching for any vet who would likely not look very good in that same scenario with the caliber of linemen on the field. That 3rd game with the starters will be a much better gauge on the situation.

 

[CowboysFaninHouston]

We need a grinder to get the tough yards and goalline carries. I love Duece and Pollard but they are smaller backs. Can we give Luepke some more opportunities to see what we have.

Dowdle?

 

[aikemirv]

We need a grinder to get the tough yards and goalline carries. I love Duece and Pollard but they are smaller backs. Can we give Luepke some more opportunities to see what we have.

It is not about strength, it is about vision. Emmitt was a small guy but had no problem at the goal line. It is about making yourself small and angles. Power is not the main factor here.

 

[RandyOh]

Pollard, Dowdle, Duece is my prediction for RB rotation to start the season