News: Cowboys might not activate Christine Michael until injury befalls RB

[CCBoy]

Cowboys might not activate Christine Michael until injury befalls RB
by Michael Hurcomb | CBSSports.com

While running back Christine Michael was inactive for Sunday's season opener against the Giants, Cowboys coach Jason Garrett said the newcomer has "made a lot of progress in a short period of time" since his acquisition from the Seahawks.

Although, it seems it would take an injury to the running back trio of Joseph Randle, Lance Dunbar and Darren McFadden before Michael gets his chance to make an impact.

"I do think if any time one of them has an injury or isn't 110 percent, then we'll see what Christine Michael has to bring to the table as well," Cowboys executive vice president Stephen Jones said Monday during a radio interview, per The Dallas Morning News...

http://fantasynews.cbssports.com/fantasyfootball/update/25302792/cowboys-might-not-activate-christine-michael-until-injury-befalls-rb

 

[Nightman]

I would bring him if ready.

He brings some thump to the RBBC.

 

[guag]

Not complaining, but we traded for a guy who's going to be 4th on our RB depth chart? Maybe the team just wasn't expecting all 3 of our RBs to show that they can contribute and remain healthy after week 1 lol.

 

[Idgit]

Not complaining, but we traded for a guy who's going to be 4th on our RB depth chart? Maybe the team just wasn't expecting all 3 of our RBs to show that they can contribute and remain healthy after week 1 lol.

It was a conditional pick. I think we'll bring him along and just see if he can displace somebody. With his ability, he might. But he was never going to just walk in and become the starter like some suggested. They'll at least give him a few weeks to learn the playbook before they start the clock on him. And somebody is going to go down with a hammy or an ankle before too long, no matter what.

 

[theogt]

Unless our other guys are just blowing it out of the water, it makes no sense to me not to give him a shot to carry the load in a game just to see what happens after he's fully acclimated to the system. You can't ever get the full picture of a player's talents until they're in a live game. And it would be a huge waste if he turned out to be the second coming and we had him inactive all year.

 

[Bay10]

I hate this.

 

[Idgit]

Unless our other guys are just blowing it out of the water, it makes no sense to me not to give him a shot to carry the load in a game just to see what happens after he's fully acclimated to the system. You can't ever get the full picture of a player's talents until they're in a live game. And it would be a huge waste if he turned out to be the second coming and we had him inactive all year.

Until he shows in practice that he can hold onto the ball and protect the QB, it doesn't matter. And that stuff takes some time. It's better PR to just say you're waiting for an injury opening. If the guy proves he's both ready and better than McFadden or Randle, they can just change their story at that point and move him up.

 

[pugilist]

he needs to be evaluated vs. Randle and McFadden and the only way to do that is to activate him and give him some carries, this makes no sense to me. For all we know he could be light years better than both

 

[StylisticS]

Don't get this. See what he's got out there on the field.

 

[kevm3]

terrible decision. get him out there and see what he can do.

 

[rd26]

The downgrade from Romo to Weeden is >>>>> than any upgrade CM offers.

Let him learn the protections then see if he can carry the mail.

 

[KingLerxst]

he needs to be evaluated vs. Randle and McFadden and the only way to do that is to activate him and give him some carries, this makes no sense to me. For all we know he could be light years better than both

For all we know he's no better than the seventh round pick given up for him and the 4th spot on the bench.
The coaching staff can evaluate him every day in practice. They also have a lot more insight to players then a couple of YouTube videos and college game day highlights. I'm sure if they see something during practice that warrants giving him some actual game time. He'll get some carries. And if he's truly the beast so many seem to think he is. That'll show up and he'll get the playing time he earns. In the mean time. I think the coaching staff has more than earned the trust from the fan base to be pretty good at deciding who needs to be on the field.

 

[esloan]

I think he will, ultimately, be better than Randle or McFadden. I think he will be the starter here at some point this season. However, I see no reason to rush it. I want him to have the offense down and especially the blocking assignments. Protecting Romo is more important than the upgrade that I think he will give. Once he has those down, then bring him out.

 

[sureletsrace]

I think he will, ultimately, be better than Randle or McFadden. I think he will be the starter here at some point this season. However, I see no reason to rush it. I want him to have the offense down and especially the blocking assignments. Protecting Romo is more important than the upgrade that I think he will give. Once he has those down, then bring him out.

Agreed. I don't think the question on him is whether he can run the ball or not. It's pretty obvious he's a good runner. He probably needs to work on rounding out his game by becoming a better pass protector, as well as learn the playbook.

 

[windjc]

Good grief guys. Just because Jones says this today doesn't mean anything. If Michael is blowing up in practice, he will get a shot. Unless the RBs we are using blow it up in games, then he may not.

So its a bit of both. But Garrett and crew are going to go with the best talent in their opinion. So if Michael shows that in practice and the other RBs don't kill it on game days, we will most likely see Michael play. But the Rbs had 200 YARDS FROM SCRIMMAGE in game #1. We can argue about meat on the bone, but 200 yards from scrimmage is always a good showing.

 

[AmericanCowboy]

By week 6 one of our Rbs will be hurt- Michael steps in and will have a good game. The guy has too much natural talent.

 

[Bullflop]

I won't argue with the staff. If they conclude it's best to get CM fully acclimated before sending him into the fray, they are probably right. Playing him minus the benefit of being totally prepared to succeed would be foolhardy. Let's trust 'em. These folks are experienced at knowing when to put someone into battle and when not to. I feel confident that they're most likely qualified to know what's necessary to succeed. Romo must be safe in his pass protection. CM can't be turned loose in live action until such time as that is reasonably assured.

 

[Idgit]

By week 6 one of our Rbs will be hurt- Michael steps in and will have a good game. The guy has too much natural talent.

This is almost definitely going to be true.

For my part, I don't want him there until we're sure he knows the protections. I don't care about the risk of a premature fumble or two (well, I do, but I'd be comfortable risking it), but losing Tony Romo potentially over a player that's only going to represent some marginal upgrade in the run game is completely out of the question. The guy needs to be better at protection than one of the three guys we've already got to crack the lineup.

 

[AzorAhai]

This will sort itself out. Probably sooner rather than later. After seeing Dunbar being utilized properly as a receiving threat, DMC better step up or he could be the one not dressing on Sundays.

 

[vaturkey]

It's a long long season. He will get his chance. Someone will get dinged and previous history indicates it will be the former Oakland RB who has bird legs. I'd say once CM gets in the line up he will indeed be our thumper. Two of our last four games are in cold weather climates and we will need his physicality then for sure.