Could Ronald Jones be primary backup RB?

CowboyFrog

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Well on the bright side (for those that dont still believe we need to emmitt smith our way to a SB, you know because thats not happening this era of NFL) if what we are worried about going into TC is backup RB and Kicker...I'm happy as those to positions are filled by people who literally walk off the street almost every year....
 

KJJ

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He will be our RB1 until TonyP heals.
I wouldn’t bet on it but we’ll be pretty screwed if that’s the case because he’s a total jag. His last two seasons, he has less than 500 yards rushing and 5 TDs. It’s pretty laughable some of the fans that are trying to talk up Jones. There’s some fans that seem to be excited about him. Lol Everyone acts like Zeke was horrible last season despite the fact he gained almost 900 yards rushing in 15 games and had 12 TDs. Jones had one season three years ago that was comparable to that and it was with a Bucs team that ended up winning the Super Bowl. Practically every time fans try talking up average players it leads to huge problems during the season. Ronald Jones might not even make the team. We better hope Pollard is ready to go at the start of the season because if we get off to a rough start with the brutal schedule we have coming up in 2023 we’re going to be in serious trouble!
 

blueblood70

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Pollard has only missed 2 games in four years.

And as usual, I’ll keep reiterating that with an all purpose type back, it’s more important about “touches” than it is carries.
It’s the combination of run/catch that should present the biggest danger to defenses, and the overall effectiveness and impact of a back like Pollard.
Kellen did not fully exploit the talents of Pollard.

Kellen did not utilize Pollard’s full skill set as a receiver. Moore was even subpar when it came to using RB screens
That should change mightily under McCarthy/Schottenheimer now.
right got lucky the season ender was in the season ender but, its bad injury.. he would have missed 3 months if we needed him but that rest of the game without him was effected by his injury so it mattered more than 1 season game.
 

blueblood70

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I think my definition of a JAG is different than that. I consider a JAG as a player who shouldn't be out there in a key role.
I dont see him as aag key role or role because if they go RBBC it is key role as they all have different skill set and deepening on the game, opponent, and situation they all could be KEY week to week. hes ben vey on few SB teams has he now..if hes good enough to back up Fournette and kc backs why not here?? stil this fanbase claled players like heath a Jag and he was a key player but not a star,
 

blueblood70

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So you're saying Hunter, Davis or Dowdle and Vaughn are all locks to make it?

So who doesnt make it then?

We carry only 3TEs? That frees up a spot for Hunter.

If RJ is RB2 and Davis is RB3, then whos spot does Vaughn take? Turpin? So Vaughn replaces our probowl return guy. Even though hes never returned punts and only a handful of mediocre kick returns.

Or are you guaranteeing Vaughns spot by him being RB3? Where he most likely contributes nothing on ST and will be used as a gadget guy for 3 plays a game. Or you think Vaughn will justify this lock of a roster spot by taking away plays from either Pollard or Jones? Hes a complete liability in blocking. He may have some slot value, but so may Turpin. And Turpin is an experienced, pro bowl returner.
NO i just all are locks not way unless they are just flat terrible would they be cut ,NOTE Tolbert they kept him, if anyone was candidate, he was But between the Dowdle vs Malik for the last spot. IMHO
 

KJJ

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So you're saying Hunter, Davis or Dowdle and Vaughn are all locks to make it?
I think Vaughn is a lock, because Jerry will see to it that he makes the team regardless how he looks in camp. There was far too much emotion drafting him to turn around and cut him. They’ll find a role for him as a returner and have a few gadget plays for him. They may put him in the slot to give him some receiving opportunities. He’ll be here for at least one season.
 

TwistedL0g1k

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IMO, Jones is currently the only conceivable RB on the roster you could go into the season *planning* to start if Pollard goes down.
This is absolutely correct. As the roster stands right now, Jones is the #2 RB. That could change of course.
 

Big_D

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1-Pollard
2-Vaughn. You have to give a guy like this some time. No way he's part of an open competition for a roster spot. Plus you can design a few plays to get him involved early.

-Jones
-Davis
-Dowdle
-Luepke
-possible free agents etc.


This is your open competition for whatever spots remain. I think Jones will surprise..obviously an opinion in the minority! lol
 

quickccc

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right got lucky the season ender was in the season ender but, its bad injury.. he would have missed 3 months if we needed him but that rest of the game without him was effected by his injury so it mattered more than 1 season game.
Compared 3 months vs what could have been an ACL or Achilles tendon.

Pollard injury did not come up until that point. And he's not Thanos, he can be physically hurt like any other RB, even the very well regarded RBs that have their
share of injuries.

But what is important now that Pollard is the clear front runner starter, is that we do everything in our very power not to contribute matters that could lead to potential injuries,
..meaning how to best distribute and rationalize touches and reps among our RB unit to lessen the wear 'n tear toll on Pollard.

And BTW, since you're hypothetically mentioning the " what if he missed 3 months if we needed him " ... that is exactly why you really need the reserve backs to be very
capable of filling in and have some kind of effectiveness to be factors in a game.

Of course, the reserves will not be on the same level of skill set as Pollard, but do they anything in their own skill set to where they have something to where they can be effective
enough on some sort ?

Other backup reserve examples:
- if Nick Chubb out … could Browns resort to Kareem Hunt or D’Earnest Johnson
- If Packers Aaron jones is out … AJ Dillion ?
- If Chiefs Isiah Pacheco is out, .. could backup Jerick McKinnon ?
- If Ravens JK Robbins out ,,, Gus Edwards ?
- If Davin Cook is out .. Alexander Mattison ?
- Exit Miles Sanders ('22) ,,,, enter Kenneth Gainwell or Boston Scott ?
- When RB McCaffrey was out (per Panther final dayz) .. enter D’Fonta Foreman
- Ditto David Montgomery out … enter Khali Herbert
 

eromeopolk

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This maybe knee jerk reaction this soon before the OTAs and training camp summer, but not only could i see new vet RB Ronald Jones as the Cowboys primary No.2 backup RB .. but I could also see him as our specialty short yd/goal line back.

Hs may not be as flashy splashy and electrifying speedy as Pollard and Deuce, but he maybe more workman like and present a stronger, more physical presence among the current RBs

Despite all the talk of we need a FB (ala Hunter Luepke) and normally when they give a player a guarantee to sign on as undrafted- they usually stick on
the practice squad...or Cowboys possibly re-signing Zeke..... or exploring a regard back that offers a power game

No. He has not been a viable back up in 3 years.
 

Rayman70

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Can he? WILL HE? Sure, but its May. We will see. The staff is making a huge leap of faith if they are counting on him for alot.
 

CowboyFrog

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We also have no idea what the offense is planning.. they may bring 4 RB's (including the big kid as a FB/TE) and use them all..now wouldnt that be something! if they do this and win I am willing to tolerate the "You cant win without an Emmitt Smith bell cow RB" threads here.
 

eromeopolk

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they have 5 RB's on the roster now... how many would you say they need in camp?
A starter that can play all 3 downs including short yardage and pass block, A back up to that, a 3rd down specialist that can also block and catch, 2 Fullbacks that can block, catch, run and score TDs. I guess that is 5. They may have the Fullbacks. But, I would not put my hopes on a RB off of injury (see Gallup last year), and a 5-5-175 change of pace back.
 

CowboyFrog

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A starter that can play all 3 downs including short yardage and pass block, A back up to that, a 3rd down specialist that can also block and catch, 2 Fullbacks that can block, catch, run and score TDs. I guess that is 5. They may have the Fullbacks. But, I would not put my hopes on a RB off of injury (see Gallup last year), and a 5-5-175 change of pace back.
The 5-5 change of pace back had more carries in College than any RB we have on the roster probably combined... but i get the concern as he is short but not small at all.. they brought in the top rated FB prospect in college and a SB winning "Starting RB" plus TP..this forums wrings its hands over the wierdest thing sometimes.. last year there was good concern at WR because you know Noah Brown...
 

_sturt_

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I'd be surprised if we make any other moves
Players signed by DAL between 5/22/2021 and first preseason game, 8/5/2021
  • Johnnie Dixon, WR
  • Reggie Davis, WR
  • Kyron Brown, CB
  • Malik Hooker, S

Players signed by DAL between 5/22/2022 and first preseason game, 8/13/2022
  • Lirim Hajrullahu, K
  • Christian Sam, ILB
  • Malik Jefferson, OLB
  • Kavontae Turpin, KR/WR
  • Anthony Barr, OLB
  • Brett Maher, K
 

Big_D

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Players signed by DAL between 5/22/2021 and first preseason game, 8/5/2021
  • Johnnie Dixon, WR
  • Reggie Davis, WR
  • Kyron Brown, CB
  • Malik Hooker, S

Players signed by DAL between 5/22/2022 and first preseason game, 8/13/2022
  • Lirim Hajrullahu, K
  • Christian Sam, ILB
  • Malik Jefferson, OLB
  • Kavontae Turpin, KR/WR
  • Anthony Barr, OLB
  • Brett Maher, K
Nice research on this, I could definitely see a few moves before camp. Try to solidify a few areas.
 

gimmesix

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Players signed by DAL between 5/22/2021 and first preseason game, 8/5/2021
  • Johnnie Dixon, WR
  • Reggie Davis, WR
  • Kyron Brown, CB
  • Malik Hooker, S

Players signed by DAL between 5/22/2022 and first preseason game, 8/13/2022
  • Lirim Hajrullahu, K
  • Christian Sam, ILB
  • Malik Jefferson, OLB
  • Kavontae Turpin, KR/WR
  • Anthony Barr, OLB
  • Brett Maher, K
I think we had been trying to sign Hooker before that but he couldn't pass his physical. The rest, other than Barr and Turpin, are primarily camp bodies. There most likely will be some camp bodies cut and replaced between OTAs and camp because as we get into more organized activities, it will become apparent for whatever reason some players aren't worth keeping or get injured and we need another body. Kicker became a necessity because the rookie wasn't looking good.

But you did successfully show that we have made multiple moves from this point to the first preseason game, so I don't want to take away from that. The reasons for those moves is important, though. The ones that could give us some hope concerning the running back position are Barr and Turpin. Barr was signed because the coaching staff did not have faith in Cox to be one of the primary linebackers while Clark was sidelined. The same lack of confidence could develop in who we have at RB, leading to us seeking a veteran. Turpin was signed coming off his USFL MVP season, so he was a little later to the game than normal signees. Maybe that will happen again.

The team has shown that it isn't afraid to make moves if something isn't working. I'm just not expecting it to be done at running back until there is a clear need, which I don't think will happen before camp. Of course, it could happen before that first preseason game. Again, though, I'll be surprised. We franchised our No. 1 back, went out and added a veteran and spent a draft pick on one. I think they'll let it play out. (Of course, if Pollard isn't ready at the start of camp, that could prompt us to add someone.)
 
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