Cowlishaw: Cowboys trying something new; might work, might get Romo beat up

[TwoDeep3]

http://www.***BANNED-URL***/incoming/20150429-randy.jpg.ece/BINARY/w940/randy.jpg

FILE - In this Nov. 10, 2013, file photo, Dallas Cowboys running back Joseph Randle (21) warms up before an NFL football game against the New Orleans Saints in New Orleans. Early into 2015, there have been more than a half-dozen players arrested, a star suspended, an agent indicted, and a popular player entering rehab. In Kansas, police are investigating a domestic abuse claim against Randle made by an ex-girlfriend a day after his arrest at a Kansas hotel on a drug charge that's been dropped. The probe continues. (AP Photo/Dave Martin, File)

By TIM COWLISHAW wtcowlishaw@***BANNED-URL***
Staff Writer

Published: 10 May 2015 08:57 PM
Updated: 10 May 2015 08:57 PM

Jerry Jones has the ill-conceived belief that his quartet of RBs equates the Pats success of last season with their RBs; problem is, Jason Garrett (whom I like as a head coach) is NOT Belicheck and co-head coach Jerry Jones is NO Robert Kraft. Oh, Romo is no Tom Brady -- whether inflated or deflated.

Agree with all the above and also think the Cowboys should have paid more attention to the fact they had success last year following the route of the other Super Bowl team -- let Beast Mode show the way. They're going to try something new in 2015. Might work. Might get Romo beat up. Will see.



Why not roll the dice on Ajayi in round 4? Cheap price to make a mistake if the guy's injury issue slows him down early, but seems like a kid who could have been a nice 3 year player.

http://www.***BANNED-URL***/sports/...2015-it-might-work-might-get-romo-beat-up.ece

 

[iceberg]

first of all, "beast mode" didn't win the superbowl, "who are those guys" did. granted it was the defense that got them there but the point is that there simply isn't ONE WAY to succeed and win in the NFL. you make your pieces better than the other teams pieces and you outplay / outcoach them during the game.

pretty simple really.

for all those bonewads saying you need a primary back (i refuse to use cliches and overplugged "clever" terms) they just are not paying attention. yes we did well with one last year, but that wasn't our only reason for success.

also, randle stat for stat is a better blocker, so another case of a reporter "abusing" stats to tell a "placating" story.

journalism, like so many others things these days, needs an enema.

 

[DallasEast]

Why not roll the dice on Ajayi in round 4? Cheap price to make a mistake if the guy's injury issue slows him down early, but seems like a kid who could have been a nice 3 year player.

I think the Cowboys honestly believe -- right or wrong -- that they are set at running back with Randle, McFadden, Williams and Dunbar. And I can see how that can work in a committee sort of way. Just won't be as productive a running game as they had last year, will need more from Romo.

Mr. Cowlishaw, why didn't the Bills use one of their two picks on Ajayi before the Dolphins selected him as the 149 overall pick?

Must have been too much work to call Buffalo and ask what were their concerns about the player.

Or contacting the Chargers, Eagles, Panthers, and Texans, who had three picks in the selection phase?

Too much work.

Or discovering why the Seahawks, Cardinals, Colts, Lions, Dolphins, Steelers, Jets, Broncos, Buccaneers, Giants (and Cowboys) didn't use one of their four picks?

Exhausting.

Or how come the Packers, Rams, Raiders, Falcons, Chiefs, Jaguars, and Bears didn't extend him one of their five picks?

Oh man. That would have been tiresome.

Or perhaps finding out why the Patriots, Bengals, Ravens, Commanders, Saints, Titans, Vikings, and 49ers wouldn't gamble one of their six picks on Ajayi?

whoa. That would eat up your... excuse me... would eat up all your cell's DMN minutes.

Or maybe inquiring why the Browns, who didn't have an overwhelming pre-draft need at the running back position, nabbed Duke Johnson in the third round instead of Ajayi?

whew. You must not be tired.

Instead, you offer a lazy explanation why the team you cover didn't do what other teams didn't do too. Perhaps Ajayi was on the team's board but rated below Byron Jones, Randy Gregory, Chaz Green, and Damien Wilson? Who knows? Maybe the team thought to select him with their fifth round pick but he was snatched off the board too soon. You know, that happens. Didn't Ayaji fall to the fifth round?

Your readers don't know the team's reasons. Why would you care to find out for them?

Wait? What IS your job again?

 

[Zekeats]

And that is the idiot that people want to be the last line of defense as a blitzer goes towards Romo

 

[Alexander]

It does not take a lot of thought to understand that Ajayi's knee scared teams off, including Dallas.

Cowlishaw's primitive explanation is probably right. They really and truly believe this committee of backs on the team can get the job done.

They had better be right. If not, that is a definite step backwards.

 

[DallasEast]

It does not take a lot of thought to understand that Ajayi's knee scared teams off, including Dallas.

Cowlishaw's primitive explanation is probably right. They really and truly believe this committee of backs on the team can get the job done.

They had better be right. If not, that is a definite step backwards.

"Primitive?" Perhaps. "Explanation?" An uneducated guess would be a better descriptor.

Edit: I should have used that phrase in my original post, lol.

 

[robjay04]

Backs around the league will be watching us closely. If Jerry is right and we can just plug a back in and still be successful(which we will with this line) it would further diminish the running back market. Let us remember, Murray had a tough time getting the money he felt he deserved, nobody was lining up to pay the offensive player of the league at the start of free agency.

 

[waving monkey]

this story is not finished

 

[mattjames2010]

first of all, "beast mode" didn't win the superbowl, "who are those guys" did. granted it was the defense that got them there but the point is that there simply isn't ONE WAY to succeed and win in the NFL. you make your pieces better than the other teams pieces and you outplay / outcoach them during the game.

pretty simple really.

for all those bonewads saying you need a primary back (i refuse to use cliches and overplugged "clever" terms) they just are not paying attention. yes we did well with one last year, but that wasn't our only reason for success.

also, randle stat for stat is a better blocker, so another case of a reporter "abusing" stats to tell a "placating" story.

journalism, like so many others things these days, needs an enema.

Well yeah, it is a team sport. There are always other factors, but what was the biggest factor? It was, without a doubt, the running game. It benefited Romo and it benefited our defense.

And I'm still waiting for a decent argument why us "bonewads" should believe this group of nobodies and busts will get the job done.

 

[iceberg]

Well yeah, it is a team sport. There are always other factors, but what was the biggest factor? It was, without a doubt, the running game. It benefited Romo and it benefited our defense.

And I'm still waiting for a decent argument why us "bonewads" should believe this group of nobodies and busts will get the job done.

well, you're bonewads, so you don't get it already.

why should you believe a 4th round pick would?
why should you believe murray, who only had one REALLY good year, would repeat?
why would ANY OTHER FA RB (than peterson, of course) make a difference/
why should you believe that only MURRAY or a ROOKIE DRAFT PICK would do better than the "nobodies and busts" we have now?

oh. cause ya wants to.

have fun.

 

[robjay04]

Well yeah, it is a team sport. There are always other factors, but what was the biggest factor? It was, without a doubt, the running game. It benefited Romo and it benefited our defense.

And I'm still waiting for a decent argument why us "bonewads" should believe this group of nobodies and busts will get the job done.

But what made the running game so successful? An established and successful passing game that forced teams not to stack the box along with an elite OL? I'm not taking anything from Murray but a lot of backs in the league would kill for what he had.

 

[gmoney112]

Well yeah, it is a team sport. There are always other factors, but what was the biggest factor? It was, without a doubt, the running game. It benefited Romo and it benefited our defense.

And I'm still waiting for a decent argument why us "bonewads" should believe this group of nobodies and busts will get the job done.

One could also argue that a few reasons like...

1) Zach Martin, All-Pro
2) Development of Tyron into a 2nd team all-pro, and Frederick into a pro-bowler.
3) Offensive Coordinator emphasizing run game (compare rushing attempts in 2013 and 2014)
4) Much more efficient defense
5) Dez becoming All-Pro.

.were much bigger reasons for the success of the run game than DeMarco Murray. Yes, he toted the rock admirably, but let's be real.

And you'll be waiting on a decent argument when those of us on the other side of the fence should believe that they won't get it done. When the games start.

 

[mattjames2010]

well, you're bonewads, so you don't get it already.

why should you believe a 4th round pick would?
why should you believe murray, who only had one REALLY good year, would repeat?
why would ANY OTHER FA RB (than peterson, of course) make a difference/
why should you believe that only MURRAY or a ROOKIE DRAFT PICK would do better than the "nobodies and busts" we have now?

oh. cause ya wants to.

have fun.

You call an RB getting 1,800 rushing yards and nearly 500 receiving yards a "really good" year? That's a great year, it was nearing historic levels and he broke team records. His "good year" came in 2013.

And the worst argument that continues to come out of this is, "Why believe in a rookie RB" - Rookies don't have a history in the NFL, it's about potential, it's about cheap contracts while being rewarded highly. Yes, there is a chance that Ajayi would come in and do nothing, the simple fact is is that his story in the NFL isn't written yet. He was a guy who slipped in the draft and was good value in the 4th, instead, we go with ANOTHER LB? McFadden has enough years in this league for us to know what the most likely outcome for him will be. We already know what Dunbar is, and Williams is a PS guy who may not even make the team...again.

I don't care if we go the committee approach, I care about the fact that this staff believes you can take any 3 RBS. slap them together, and you'll have a threatening committee. That's not how it works.

 

[iceberg]

You call an RB getting 1,800 rushing yards and nearly 500 receiving yards a "really good" year? That's a great year, it was nearing historic levels and he broke team records. His "good year" came in 2013.

And the worst argument that continues to come out of this is, "Why believe in a rookie RB" - Rookies don't have a history in the NFL, it's about potential, it's about cheap contracts while being rewarded highly. Yes, there is a chance that Ajayi would come in and do nothing, the simple fact is is that his story in the NFL isn't written yet. He was a guy who slipped in the draft and was good value in the 4th, instead, we go with ANOTHER LB? McFadden has enough years in this league for us to know what the most likely outcome for him will be. We already know what Dunbar is, and Williams is a PS guy who may not even make the team...again.

I don't care if we go the committee approach, I care about the fact that this staff believes you can take any 3 RBS. slap them together, and you'll have a threatening committee. That's not how it works.

so are you mad we:

1) went after ANOTHER LB?
2) didn't get this RB with said potential who in 3 years may pan out and help us in his contract year (and in case you missed it we're gearing up to win THIS year, not when the RB comes around)
3) still wanna slap "This staff and their ******** beliefs" when they've done all they have done so far this offseason where it would seem that scoring 3 first round draft picks still upsets you cause we didn't get a vaunted RB to not help us this year, but years down the line.
4) maybe.

got it. and you wonder where the name came from.

 

[ConstantReboot]

I would have taken a chance on Ayaji in the 3rd round. We could have taken Chaz Green a lot later and quite possibly use a 5th or even 6th rounder on him. Sure people are scared about his knee - similar to Ronald Leary. But when all said in done Chaz Green is nothing more than a backup this year. Possibly won't ever start and possibly never play throughout his career. So he is just as bad as a risk than Ajayi.

But Ajayi would have been the starter this year and thus we would have had more value with Ajayi than Green. Ajayi is even better than Randle and Dunbar - who would have complimented McFadden.

If Ajayi would have been drafted by Dallas there would have been no RB controversy and that position would have been solidified by Ajayi being the starter and McFadden coming in as the change of pace back. Dallas would have looked even smarter with the selection of Ajayi even bordering on genius - and nobody would be criticizing Dallas for taking Ajayi.

As of now, people are concerned about McFadden not being able to handle the load and worried a bit about his production. We also have Green looking god awful in training camp and even labeling him a bust. Some things you can't change. But I sure did wish Dallas could have taken Ajayi. It would have been an almost perfect draft if they did.

 

[Fletch]

Just Say No to Peterson!

 

[mattjames2010]

One could also argue that a few reasons like...

1) Zach Martin, All-Pro
2) Development of Tyron into a 2nd team all-pro, and Frederick into a pro-bowler.
3) Offensive Coordinator emphasizing run game (compare rushing attempts in 2013 and 2014)
4) Much more efficient defense
5) Dez becoming All-Pro.

.were much bigger reasons for the success of the run game than DeMarco Murray. Yes, he toted the rock admirably, but let's be real.

And you'll be waiting on a decent argument when those of us on the other side of the fence should believe that they won't get it done. When the games start.

We already know this offensive line is great and that they played a part in our success on offense. That doesn't take away the fact that a good chunk of yards we gained on offense came from Murray's yards after contact and receiving abilities.

As for Linehan and his play calling, I agree, he was a welcome addition. However, that really isn't an argument that these RBs will have success; that just means he'll call running plays if he sees it is working, unlike in 2013 when we abandoned it for no reason.

The defense is up in the air. They improved last year due to our offense and it's time of possession, their best friend was the running game. On paper, our defense this year should be better than last since we added Greg Hardy, Lawrence should improve (Even if only slightly), and Crawford seemed to be on the brink of being a great player. Getting Lee and McClain back doesn't hurt either. I still think we are a year away from this defense being a big threat and they'll still need help while these young players grow into their potential.

 

[CATCH17]

http://www.***BANNED-URL***/incoming/20150429-randy.jpg.ece/BINARY/w940/randy.jpg

FILE - In this Nov. 10, 2013, file photo, Dallas Cowboys running back Joseph Randle (21) warms up before an NFL football game against the New Orleans Saints in New Orleans. Early into 2015, there have been more than a half-dozen players arrested, a star suspended, an agent indicted, and a popular player entering rehab. In Kansas, police are investigating a domestic abuse claim against Randle made by an ex-girlfriend a day after his arrest at a Kansas hotel on a drug charge that's been dropped. The probe continues. (AP Photo/Dave Martin, File)

By TIM COWLISHAW wtcowlishaw@***BANNED-URL***
Staff Writer

Published: 10 May 2015 08:57 PM
Updated: 10 May 2015 08:57 PM

Jerry Jones has the ill-conceived belief that his quartet of RBs equates the Pats success of last season with their RBs; problem is, Jason Garrett (whom I like as a head coach) is NOT Belicheck and co-head coach Jerry Jones is NO Robert Kraft. Oh, Romo is no Tom Brady -- whether inflated or deflated.

Agree with all the above and also think the Cowboys should have paid more attention to the fact they had success last year following the route of the other Super Bowl team -- let Beast Mode show the way. They're going to try something new in 2015. Might work. Might get Romo beat up. Will see.



Why not roll the dice on Ajayi in round 4? Cheap price to make a mistake if the guy's injury issue slows him down early, but seems like a kid who could have been a nice 3 year player.

http://www.***BANNED-URL***/sports/...2015-it-might-work-might-get-romo-beat-up.ece

Romo may be no Brady but I would LOOOOOVE to see Romo and Dez play in a uptempo offense that still runs the ball but involves a lot of quick screens.

 

[TheRomoSexual]

I'm not sure the Cowboys are as comfortable at RB as Cowlishaw implies considering they brought in a ton of RBs for visits -- there just wasn't great RB value when the Cowboys picked, and they stuck to their board.

 

[ConstantReboot]

Backs around the league will be watching us closely. If Jerry is right and we can just plug a back in and still be successful(which we will with this line) it would further diminish the running back market. Let us remember, Murray had a tough time getting the money he felt he deserved, nobody was lining up to pay the offensive player of the league at the start of free agency.

Nobody was lining up? But Murray got paid and got paid well. Not only that Beastmode also got a raise. And when everyone was devaluing runningbacks Minny decides to keep AP and swallow that 13 million price tag rather than trade him for a first rounder.

The runningback market is not as diminished as it seems. I think its a bit underrated because its a passing league. But those that run the ball usually end up in the playoffs. Just take a look at Dallas last season as an example.