Cowboys need a tough running RB

[Calvin2Tony2Emmitt2Julius]

Overshown smacked the heck out of him on a 3rd and short and put him down at the LOS.

Dude couldn’t truck a S/LB hybrid, not very Barber-like.

I know it’s just one play lol just chattin

Overshown is different, He brings more to the fight than it looks like. I don't expect much trucking when he comes down hill

 

[America's Cowboy]

Not going to get into a peeing contest.

Like some, the running back position is a concern until we see if Pollard can repeat last year's production coming off a bad injury and the depth behind him being a guy suspended and who seemed to lose production (Jones) and a few guys like Dowdle and Davis. While Vaughn did show well in the game vs. JAX, I would like to see how he performs going against defensive starters.
I am interested to see how the running back group performs in the next game as Davis, once thought of as the #2, did not show up well against JAX whereas Dowdle and Vaughn did....so will their performance continue to improve?

Many of us have been doing the "this is the season" hope ride for the past 27 seasons only to be met with disappointment. While excited to see how the young talent does on both sides of the ball, I am simply saying let's see how things progress.

Well said. 100% agree. Pretty sure most of us feel the same way. I created this thread simply just to prop up Deuce, but overall, want to see him keep showing up as he is most likely going to be given more reps with the 1s and 2s. The opposing opponents do get tougher as one faces their 1s and 2s, opposed to their 3s, but it also means Deuce should have better blocking around to help him keep showing up.

For instance, on this play, had Simi made any kind of effort to block or slow down his opposing defender, Deuce would have ran 46 yards for a TD after he himself had just made 3 defenders miss from tackling him.



Maybe with starting WRs, that downfield block on the last DB gets made and allows Deuce to break it 46 yards for a TD.

Same thing with the QB. 3rd string QB, Will Grier, threw behind a wide open Deuce. Had he thrown the football accurately, that's an easy pitch and catch for a TD. Go to the 8:00 minute mark in the video below...



The talent is there. Just like it's normal to have some caution concerning Deuce and wonder if he would be able to perform as good against 1st and 2nd stringers, compared to 3rds, I feel Deuce would be able to produce as well since he would have better blockers around him, along with a better and more accurate QB.

Time will tell, but it sure feels good to see Deuce tearing it up regardless of the competition.

 

[TequilaCowboy]

At the combine, he measured in at 6' 3" and 229 pounds; would not be surprised if he added a few pounds so he could be in the 235-pound range which, for a guy running the 40 in 4.56 and coming downhill, could be a train wreck every week.

As a UT fan, followed his career there and he plays bigger than he is. Tough hombre. Ain't afraid of hitting people and hurting feelings. Tickled to death to be a Cowboy. I still have visions of him wearing 0 once the regular season starts. Can't get used to him wearing 35.

 

[KJJ]

Imagine Deuce with 20 lbs added. Little ball of hate right there. Could be done

He would look like a bowling ball with legs if he added another 20 pounds. That’s not going to work on a 5‘5“ frame. He would look like he’s rolling down the field.

 

[KingCorcoran]

Imagine Deuce with 20 lbs added. Little ball of hate right there. Could be done

An 8% increase in weight? Speed and elusiveness are his only physical advantage. I don’t believe weight gain will serve him.

 

[endersdragon]

Dowdle is being listed between 5'11-6' and 215-218 pounds.....similar to what Barber was listed at...but not sure what Dowdle's true weight is right now

Maybe, I suppose time will tell if he is comfortable running like that.

 

[DuncanIso]

Imagine playing RB in the NFL at 5’5”. Deuce is very tough.

A gap blitzes should be interesting.

he's little.

 

[CowboysFaninHouston]

...Who can run tough between the Tackles, pick up short 2nd, 3rd or 4th & 1s, make tacklers miss while picking up extra yards, catch a quick dump off pass for positive yards and be able to punch it in inside the 5 yard line for a TD.

Cowboys need someone like Zeke.

Answer:

well that tough RB to get those tough yards up the middle needs to first get to the LOS....Zeke couldn't even make it to LOS. so why is he in this conversation?
instead if you said, we need a FB to be lead blocker, then maybe you had a chance with this thread.

 

[America's Cowboy]

well that tough RB to get those tough yards up the middle needs to first get to the LOS....Zeke couldn't even make it to LOS. so why is he in this conversation?
instead if you said, we need a FB to be lead blocker, then maybe you had a chance with this thread.

You just made my point.

If Zeke at his size couldn't get to the line of scrimmage with the horrible short yardage blocking inside in recent years, how can one expect a smaller RB be able to? The key falls on the Oline and their blocking.

One thing is for sure, Deuce is lightning speed quicker, faster and more agile than Zeke ever was, so one can expect Deuce to be able to juke and burst in the opposite direction and make something out of nothing better than the much heavier and bulkier Zeke could.

 

[starfan1]

I think were going to be ok in fact I think the RB is better than last year. We were lucky to have Pollard as a back up not every RB room has a tony pollard and a #4 pick in the draft. Even if he was a bit on the downside of things or hurt. I like the RB room and have no concerns of Pollard.
I think Dowdle ends up being the #2 unless he puts in on the ground more in pre season and then Duece will be the 3. If they just blitz pick up half *** I think just in athletism alone the RB room is better than last year

 

[Brooksey]

Roll with Pollard and Deuce and bring in a Vet backup.

Malik and Dowdle belong on the practice squad

 

[AsthmaField]

A gap blitzes should be interesting.

he's little.

Short

 

[kskboys]

Rico, Deuce, and Pollard are fine.

I don't care that they're handsome.

 

[kskboys]

He believes he's special. I mean, look at the moniker.

That is uncalled for.

 

[kskboys]

We do need a tough yards RB, beyond any doubt.

 

[Hardline]

If only Bijan Robinson fell 26 spots.

 

[USArmyVet]

You just made my point.

If Zeke at his size couldn't get to the line of scrimmage with the horrible short yardage blocking inside in recent years, how can one expect a smaller RB be able to? The key falls on the Oline and their blocking.

One thing is for sure, Deuce is lightning speed quicker, faster and more agile than Zeke ever was, so one can expect Deuce to be able to juke and burst in the opposite direction and make something out of nothing better than the much heavier and bulkier Zeke could.

Deuce never ran the 40 at the combine and supposedly has a self-clocked 4.44 time in the 40 so not sure what is true but he runs like a water bug.

 

[glimmerman]

Isn’t there a Luepke or someone like that. Supposed to be a tough runner. Someone got a rep but 2 people were standing there waiting for the handoff..

 

[diamonddelts]

Anything is better than one blade of grass per carry like last year.

 

[CowboysFaninHouston]

You just made my point.

If Zeke at his size couldn't get to the line of scrimmage with the horrible short yardage blocking inside in recent years, how can one expect a smaller RB be able to? The key falls on the Oline and their blocking.

One thing is for sure, Deuce is lightning speed quicker, faster and more agile than Zeke ever was, so one can expect Deuce to be able to juke and burst in the opposite direction and make something out of nothing better than the much heavier and bulkier Zeke could.

the point is Zeke is way to slow. on those short yardage situations, you have to be bang bang. everybody bunched up and the holes small and the RB has to get to the hole, bang bang and get through and get some tough yards. Zeke was good at leaning forward and getting yards, but he started to struggle really bad towards the end just to get to the LOS even on a regular play. holes came and went and he was still dancing behind the line.

its not necessarily about being a big back to push the pile. its about getting there right at the snap and get through a small crease and gaining a yard or two.

Dowdle is about 215, with more speed.

Luepke is about 235.

no need to panic for Zeke or something lesser.