Change of Pace RB overated.

[aikemirv]

I really think this change of pace idea is really not the factor that people make it seem. I really think the key is fresh legs. If you look at Jax with Jones Drew and Fred Taylor there is really not a change of pace or style but they are very effective.

Chester Taylor and Adrian Peterson are the same type of runner also.

I think the idea that some speed demon in the backfield to compliment Barber is going to produce great results is a bit flawed and not necessarily true. I just think you want a guy who is going to produce and be effective.

 

[theogt]

I agree. The idea of drafting a RB in the 1st two rounds that couldn't be a full-time back is pretty stupid.

 

[big dog cowboy]

The idea of drafting a RB in the 1st two rounds that couldn't be a full-time back is pretty stupid.

There you go making perfect sense again.

 

[Chocolate Lab]

Exactly. We just need the best back, not any particular style of back.

Besides, great backs come in all different styles anyway... Look at Earl Campbell and Barry Sanders.

 

[Yakuza Rich]

Change of pace was overrated with Dallas because Marion Barber was getting more long runs than Julius. I do think there's a little bit of change between Jones-Drew and Taylor, mainly because Jones-Drew is a little more shiftier. Taylor is still extremely fast and weighs about 235 pounds as well, making him not a fun guy to try and tackle.

I pretty much agree with your assertion about fresh legs, but I also think it's important to have at least one tailback who is a threat out of the backfield catching passes. Most of those types are pretty fast, that's where the "change of pace" theory comes in.





YAKUZA

 

[InmanRoshi]

I definitely agree we just need the best football player. As I said in another thread, drafting a player in the first two rounds just to back up and fill a role is very Jerry circa 1996 (Kendall Watkins). Besides, MB3 is not not Larry Johnson or LT where you can just mark him down for 275 carries a season. He's never carried the ball more than 205 carries a season. We don't know if he can physically hold up to the workload. We need someone who can step in at a moment's notice and carry the ball 20 times a game if MB3 gets injured.

 

[Redball Express]

We've been forced into doing it over the last 5 years because BP chose to use FAs and 2nd and 3rd and 4th rd picks to make it work.

It really never has come close to being a dominating running attack like that and it never will.

We need a primary back to get this offense consistently playing well and stop the substitution with sending in MBIII in obvious situations in which everybody knows he's going to get the ball.

If we stay with this 2 back system, we are going to get less and less results, IMO. We are going to have to pass the ball more and more as the season goes on and that's not going to win any SBs.

I'd go all out at this point and try to find a dominant RB in this draft, a workhorse that has the skills to take the rushing attack and take it to the next level with the All Pro OL we have.

MBIII is not that back, sorry.

He doesn't have the speed, he is't a great pass receiving HB out of the backfield and he only plays half the snaps and telegraphs to the defense what the play selection is going to be when he enters a game.

This is not what is needed. An every down back who can deal with the various carries and passing offense responsibilities is needed so we don't have to always substitute to get the right player in there..like we do with MBIII now.

We need to consider trading for the slot to get DMAC, let MBIII go in a trade if needed or taken by another team making him an offer and us taking a #1 and #3 for him and then find the backup guy later in the draft or in FA still or look at cutdowns in TC to find the backup.

Or maybe even that dreaded word, make a 'trade' for a RB later as backup after the draft when other teams draft their new RB and let some vet go.

I'd really like to see the 2 back system just leave and let it revive down in Miami if BP wants MBIII and Ronnie Brown to do it for him there.

And DMAC run us all the way to the SB in 2008.

:starspin ReDBaLL ExPreSS:starspin

 

[AbeBeta]

Fresh legs are more important than a change of pace -- if we could get another guy who was exactly like Barber that wouldn't be a change of pace but we would end up with a RB combo that could each approach 1000 yards and stay fresh enough to last a 19 game season.

 

[InmanRoshi]

29 teams in the NFL are using multiple back systems. To say it's a "BP thing" is utterly ridiculous.

 

[Redball Express]

29 teams in the NFL are using multiple back systems. To say it's a "BP thing" is utterly ridiculous.

And 29 other teams might use some form of it, but that doesn't mean if we have the opportunity to change that and get one stud RB..

..why would you stay a 2-RB offense when it was strictly out of past necessity because of past HC-ing philosophies from a former HC who is now gone..?

That's not to say we can't have a second RB to share carries, absolutely.

But not as a defined offense.

Just as a breather for the lead RB.

I still think even if we were able to somehow draft a DMAC, we'd still find a servicaeble 2nd RB before the opener to help the running game.

Even in the 2nd thru 5th rds of this draft if required.

According to the draftnics..they will be there, If we had to lose MBIII and he wouldn't be here to do his thing.

And if MBIII should get scooped up and we had 3 #1's to deal, absolutely we'd have the ability to still address all our needs in this draft, RB, CB and WR and still..have DMAC.

All possibilities.

:starspin ReDBaLL ExPreSS:starspin

 

[Sasquatch]

Fresh legs are more important than a change of pace -- if we could get another guy who was exactly like Barber that wouldn't be a change of pace but we would end up with a RB combo that could each approach 1000 yards and stay fresh enough to last a 19 game season.

Agreed. I would only draft a change of pace guy in the latter rounds. If we take an RB early, he better be able to carry the load.

 

[Hoofbite]

I agree. The idea of drafting a RB in the 1st two rounds that couldn't be a full-time back is pretty stupid.

I don't think it is. I actually hope Dallas uses one of their 1st 3 picks on a RB. Its one of the bigger holes to fill, why not fill it? There aren't too many other positions that would present more playing time for the rookie. In fact, I'd say there may only be 1 and that is CB.

And its not like Dallas has been drafting guys who are contributing more then a split-carry back would. The team has the luxury of an extra pick this year, use it.

 

[DaBoys4Life]

I agree. The idea of drafting a RB in the 1st two rounds and expect him to be able to carry the load when our pro-bowl RB can't do that is stupid.

Fixed.

 

[joseephuss]

I don't think it is over rated only because I don't see people constantly saying that a change of pace back is a necessity for a team. It is preached that teams need quality back up running backs and often that teams need to use a two back system. That has been true for a long time for the majority of teams. There really have been very few running backs that are true every down backs. Not every team has had the luxury of having one of those backs.

I look at the Cowboys history. Dallas has had some great running backs, but very rarely did they rely on a single back to be the every down back. Emmitt was for the majority of his career. I always thought that Chan Gaily made a mistake by taking him out of that role and using Chris Warren as a 3rd down back.

Landry liked to use a lot of different backs. There were some primary backs that got the most carries, but Landry tended to have a pretty good rotation going on with the backs. He never really let Dorsett be the every down back. He let Herschel play that role during his last season and that is probably was more because there really was no other quality back on that team in 1988.

 

[CATCH17]

I agree 100% but at the same time we need a guy who can also do a lot with limited touches.

There are guys who can do a lot with a little and there are guys who need 20 carries to be effective.

We need the guy who can do more with less.

 

[DFWJC]

Agreed. Find the best player that will help your team the most and brings value based on where he is chosen in the draft.....then see what happens.

If both a high value WR and CB are avail in Round 1, I take them over a RB....unless maybe J Stewart drops to the bottom of Rd1 due to his toe surgery. Then it would be a tough call.

I would NOT pick a player in Rd 1 or 2 if he could only be used as a change of pace back. The player would have to have the potential to play at least 20-30 offensive plays.

 

[Carlito]

MBIII just isnt going to be the guy that can handle the majority of the carries and be an "all purpose back" this is why we need another running back to combine with him, or take over if he cant produce as the starter. I would prefer a back with very good speed and the abliliy to catch the ball out of the backfield. This would just give our offense more options.

As far as the draft I feel getting a second back may be our most important need, but since RB is very deep it shouldnt be our 1st pick. Cornerback should be our 1st pick as they will go quickly in this draft where there will still be some very good RB in the second rd or end of the 1st.

 

[mmillman]

I disagree. When you have a runner like Barber that is a banger between the tackles it allows the defense to adjust like NY did in the playoffs. If you can throw a back in to keep your other one fresh and in particular to bring a different dimension for the defense to account for it can be very effective.

To the guy who started the thread. Peterson and Moore are not even close to the same runners. Taylor and Jones Drew are not even close to the same runners. Maroney and Faulk are not the same runners. Jacobs and their other two are different as night and day. Portis and Betts are different etc........

Barber and the Dallas offense need another back that can stretch the field horizontally and vertically. Barber will never be able to do that.

 

[AbeBeta]

I disagree. When you have a runner like Barber that is a banger between the tackles it allows the defense to adjust like NY did in the playoffs.

Did the D adjust or is Barber an SUV*?


*Lots of Horsepower but poor Mileage

 

[big dog cowboy]

We need to consider trading for the slot to get DMAC

Not really.

Waaaaaaaaaaay too expensive.