Current RB outlook

[FuzzyLumpkins]

Randle is shiftier and quicker and looked faster due to his fresh legs last season. Murray didn't have much speed left by week 10 which prompted many here to complain about his speed. On his 91 yard run his rookie year vs the Rams he looked like he was shot out of a gun because he had fresh legs. He looked slow as molasses later in that game and actually gave himself up on a long run because he ran out of gas. We'll just have to see if any of the backs emerge but Dunbar will never be used as the lead back he's not big enough.

Murray has been taking dives on runs and not finishing them his whole career. It's weird and somewhat inexplicable but he will have wide open space and he will pull up and go down. I used to think he was hurt but he would keep on trucking. Well kinda because he ended up breaking his leg that year. He had multiple hamstring issues the next two years. He broke his hand last year.

I responded to the comment "every team knew what Murray was about and how to defend him. Now, with 3 or 4 different backs, and a different game plan, they will not know what is coming......." No one referenced a decline in production due to injury or I would agree with you.

ANd you applied your "Murray is the greatest an only hope while everyone else sucks' logic to the statement. I'm trying to add nuance to your binary thinking. Not surprised you would resist.

 

[FuzzyLumpkins]

If everyone moves up one and you have questions about Randle you do much more than grab a retread. Our approach makes it clear the staff liked what Randle brought. Signing a retread for almost no guaranteed money is far more consistent with my interpretation than yours.

That's called Occam's Razor *****.

He likes making up motivation and just to make it up he goes along.

 

[KJJ]

If everyone moves up one and you have questions about Randle you do much more than grab a retread. Our approach makes it clear the staff liked what Randle brought. Signing a retread for almost no guaranteed money is far more consistent with my interpretation than yours.

That's called Occam's Razor *****.

The Cowboys have done more than grab McFadden they signed Lache Seastrunk in early June did you forget about him? Prior to Seastrunk they added and cut Synjyn Days so they're looking at different backs but Jerry has made it clear he's not going to invest a lot of money in an RB. Do you still not get that? He let the best RB he's had since Emmitt walk and he didn't go after Peterson. What does that tell you? What, that he thinks Randle who was facing all kinds of off the field issues is a stud he can depend on? LOL If you expected the Cowboys to sign Spiller or Mathews who've had injury issues and aren't close to elite runners and pay them more than what McFadden got you were kidding yourself. Jerry wasn't about to pay an aging Frank Gore who's about to hit the wall. If you were expecting something better than McFadden then you haven't been paying attention to Jerry's comments and what's been going on this offseason.

He's going cheap at RB in hopes he can hit on a decent back who his talented young OL can make even better. He took cheap fliers on QB's for years until he struck gold with Romo. He found Murray in the 3rd round so he's acquiring a handful of dice and will roll them on the field in 2015 and see what he comes up with. My interpretation that Jerry is banking more on the talent he has on the OL than he is on the talent he has at RB is right on the mark...BULLSEYE! I've given you comments he's made along with the move he made for Collins as solid evidence. Keep bringing it and I'll keep shooting your comments down. This has been like target practice for me....yawn!

 

[FuzzyLumpkins]

We're going to be worse at the RB position than we were last year. We were going to be worse no matter what we did short of moving up in the first round or trading for a back like Peterson. Since those things weren't going to happen, there's no point in worrying about it.

I do think we overused Murray a bit last year--because we could--and it caught up a tiny bit late in the season. I do think Murray was going to decline in terms of his production now matter what we did with him this season. And I do think Randle is on whatever upward swing his career is going to have. I also don't think it's going to matter all that much at the end of the day.

We've got the OL, and it's just the RB we're talking about here. We didn't win more games because we specifically had Demarco Murray running the ball more frequently last season. We stayed out of unfavorable passing situations and played better defense. It's not that hard a blueprint to copy. No matter who the RB is, teams aren't going to make a living stuffing the run against us with our other offensive weapons. We can beat teams too many different ways. That is, assuming, we eventually figure out how to really pressure the passer.

Worse or better compared to what? Will no one guy get 1800 yards? Probably? Will we not get over 2k as a team or beat last years averages and turnovers? I'm not sure we strike out on all of that unless our guys all break down like Murray did in Decemeber. I think the number of big plays will actually go up. RBBC can outperform the bell cow system.

Remember he was on pace to destroy the single season rushing record and ended up about 300 yards short. Health is key.

 

[5Stars]

You're delirious. Teams couldn't defend Murray all year and if it was that simple we wouldn't have gone 12 and 4 in the regular season. I can see it now, D coordinators game planning for Lance Dunbar. Pass the pipe......

You need a pipe! If you think that Murray did all that running by himself without the oline doing their thing and the play calling and scheme....yeah, you need a pipe, boy.

 

[AbeBeta]

The Cowboys have done more than grab McFadden they signed Lache Seastrunk in early June did you forget about him? Prior to Seastrunk they added and cut Synjyn Days so they're looking at different backs but Jerry has made it clear he's not going to invest a lot of money in an RB. Do you still not get that? He let the best RB he's had since Emmitt walk and he didn't go after Peterson. What does that tell you? What, that he thinks Randle who was facing all kinds of off the field issues is a stud he can depend on? LOL If you expected the Cowboys to sign Spiller or Mathews who've had injury issues and aren't close to elite runners and pay them more than what McFadden got you were kidding yourself. Jerry wasn't about to pay an aging Frank Gore who's about to hit the wall. If you were expecting something better than McFadden then you haven't been paying attention to Jerry's comments and what's been going on this offseason.

He's going cheap at RB in hopes he can hit on a decent back who his talented young OL can make even better. He took cheap fliers on QB's for years until he struck gold with Romo. He found Murray in the 3rd round so he's acquiring a handful of dice and will roll them on the field in 2015 and see what he comes up with. My interpretation that Jerry is banking more on the talent he has on the OL than he is on the talent he has at RB is right on the mark...BULLSEYE! I've given you comments he's made along with the move he made for Collins as solid evidence. Keep bringing it and I'll keep shooting your comments down. This has been like target practice for me....yawn!

Wow! Seastrunk and Days! Total camp bodies.

Like I said, the lack of any real acquisitions at RB are a pretty clear indication that the staff has faith in Randle

 

[Idgit]

Worse or better compared to what? Will no one guy get 1800 yards? Probably? Will we not get over 2k as a team or beat last years averages and turnovers? I'm not sure we strike out on all of that unless our guys all break down like Murray did in Decemeber. I think the number of big plays will actually go up. RBBC can outperform the bell cow system.

Remember he was on pace to destroy the single season rushing record and ended up about 300 yards short. Health is key.

Honestly, I really don't care about the rushing production. I like the group with last year's Murray better than the group with McFadden in it. My guess is that position group will have less yardage and be less effective in pass protection (DMC might be better than Murray for his snaps, but the other backs are not as good) and in short yardage overall. But I think our offensive production will be fine, so I don't really care all that much.

 

[Dodger12]

ANd you applied your "Murray is the greatest an only hope while everyone else sucks' logic to the statement. I'm trying to add nuance to your binary thinking. Not surprised you would resist.

How about you not put words in my mouth and create strawmen. Just stick with what I said and the point I was making. You disagree? Fine. But I don't think you want to defend every stupid comment on the board even though you're well on your way.

 

[FuzzyLumpkins]

Honestly, I really don't care about the rushing production. I like the group with last year's Murray better than the group with McFadden in it. My guess is that position group will have less yardage and be less effective in pass protection (DMC might be better than Murray for his snaps, but the other backs are not as good) and in short yardage overall. But I think our offensive production will be fine, so I don't really care all that much.

Running in the red zone. Yardage on first and second down and ten or less. Short yardage. Big plays. But yeah I'm with you that the aggregates not being worth all that much.

When OL/DL is stalemated at the line can he push through. Can he finish runs. Can he hold onto the ball. Can he be a physical blocker. Can they stay on the field. Can they handle reads and assignments down in and down out. Can they improvise when there is penetration. Can they make people miss? Can they stay on their feet through contact.

I think we have the tools to get done what needs to be done if Dunbar on the nickel concerns me. Almost think you have to have 2 TE in those spread sets to make it work. Escobar is pretty good at pass protection. He has done better on isolations against guys like Conner Barwin. Used to freak me out when Smith would pass guys off to him but he is pretty good at it.

My darkhorse is Escobar. Listening to Garrett talk about him I got the impression that they felt he was efficient enough to warrant more opportunities. I think he gets a good shot this year.

 

[FuzzyLumpkins]

How about you not put words in my mouth and create strawmen. Just stick with what I said and the point I was making. You disagree? Fine. But I don't think you want to defend every stupid comment on the board even though you're well on your way.

I'm characterizing your approach. I was not quoting you. I stand by the binary characterization and the overcompensating rueage characterizations despite your protests.

Satire probably frustrates you. We have been beating around the same innuendo and valuation bush for a couple days at this point. Sorry if I cannot stand the literal anymore.

 

[KJJ]

Wow! Seastrunk and Days! Total camp bodies.

Like I said, the lack of any real acquisitions at RB are a pretty clear indication that the staff has faith in Randle

Yes Seastrunk and Days which plays to the theme most have been singing here even before Murray left that just about any back can run behind the Cowboys talented young OL. Most of the FANS believe it, many in the media believe it and everything Jerry has said and done points to him believing it. How could the Cowboys have faith in Randle after 2 arrests one for shoplifting the other for drug possession and a possible felony domestic violence charge that loomed for 3 months? Dude, Randle's shoplifting arrest happened in Oct and his drug possession arrest along with an investigation for domestic violence happened in Feb. He was facing a 6 game suspension by the league if domestic violence charges were filed and you think the team had faith in him? LOL Randle and the Cowboys had to wait out a 3 month investigation that wasn't completed until April 29th and even with a 6 game suspension hanging over Randle's head the Cowboys made no significant moves at RB because the RB they're counting on is McFadden.

I told you Jerry loves McFadden they have an Arkansas connection and reports were Jerry tried moving up in the draft for him in 08. He's given McFadden and opportunity to pocket almost $6M the next 2 seasons if he meets all the incentives. Jerry had McFadden in his cross hairs when the season ended which is why the deal went down so quick after Murray signed with Philly. Jerry had McFadden targeted he likes him which is why no significant moves were made went Randle's future was up in the air until late April. Randle is walking on thin ice with the Cowboys one more screw up and he'll be gone. You're making this way too easy for me.

 

[AbeBeta]

Yes Seastrunk and Days which plays to the theme most have been singing here even before Murray left that just about any back can run behind the Cowboys talented young OL. Most of the FANS believe it, many in the media believe it and everything Jerry has said and done points to him believing it. How could the Cowboys have faith in Randle after 2 arrests one for shoplifting the other for drug possession and a possible felony domestic violence charge that loomed for 3 months? Dude, Randle's shoplifting arrest happened in Oct and his drug possession arrest along with an investigation for domestic violence happened in Feb. He was facing a 6 game suspension by the league if domestic violence charges were filed and you think the team had faith in him? LOL Randle and the Cowboys had to wait out a 3 month investigation that wasn't completed until April 29th and even with a 6 game suspension hanging over Randle's head the Cowboys made no significant moves at RB because the RB they're counting on is McFadden.

I told you Jerry loves McFadden they have an Arkansas connection and reports were Jerry tried moving up in the draft for him in 08. He's given McFadden and opportunity to pocket almost $6M the next 2 seasons if he meets all the incentives. Jerry had McFadden in his cross hairs when the season ended which is why the deal went down so quick after Murray signed with Philly. Jerry had McFadden targeted he likes him which is why no significant moves were made went Randle's future was up in the air until late April. Randle is walking on thin ice with the Cowboys one more screw up and he'll be gone. You're making this way too easy for me.

Those signings address nothing more than the question of who will Vaugn hand off to late in pre-season games.

 

[KJJ]

Those signings address nothing more than the question of who will Vaugn hand off to late in pre-season games.

McFadden will play unless he's injured he wasn't signed to be a camp body and if you haven't figured that out by now you're hopeless.

 

[5Stars]

McFadden will play unless he's injured.

How insightful of you.

smh

 

[ConstantReboot]

Still not believing that the Cowboys FO would be happy going into the season with this bunch. If they seriously want to make it to the big dance were gonna need better than what we have. Its a concern we should all share and right now I wish they had drafted someone that can run the ball.

 

[Dodger12]

I'm characterizing your approach. I was not quoting you. I stand by the binary characterization and the overcompensating rueage characterizations despite your protests.

Satire probably frustrates you. We have been beating around the same innuendo and valuation bush for a couple days at this point. Sorry if I cannot stand the literal anymore.

I don't think you have any clue what you're typing or why you're typing it. If you did, you'd respond to my post and not my "approach." If you can't discuss the substance of one's opinion or statement, then question the person who made it and their motives. It's a common tactic for someone who has nothing.

I'll be interested to read your thoughts on how D coordinators are going to lose sleep trying to game plan and defend DMac, Randle and Dunbar since that's the premise that motivated you to be the board enforcer.

 

[KJJ]

Still not believing that the Cowboys FO would be happy going into the season with this bunch. If they seriously want to make it to the big dance were gonna need better than what we have. Its a concern we should all share and right now I wish they had drafted someone that can run the ball.

I'm sure the FO isn't completely happy with this bunch but they made the decision or at least Jerry did to go cheap at RB and bank on the OL in 2015. Only a trade is going to improve the situation at this point so barring that we're stuck with what we have and whatever cuts become available during camp and preseason.

 

[AbeBeta]

McFadden will play unless he's injured he wasn't signed to be a camp body and if you haven't figured that out by now you're hopeless.

McFadden will play if healthy - but he's not getting more snaps than Randle. He's here to replace Murray's pass protection - that's an area where he is actually pretty good.

 

[KJJ]

McFadden will play if healthy - but he's not getting more snaps than Randle. He's here to replace Murray's pass protection - that's an area where he is actually pretty good.

The back that will receive the most snaps will be the one who steps up and performs the most consistently. McFadden is here to be part of what is very likely to be a committee. If healthy he's going to get plenty of carries none of the backs that have been added are here to be camp bodies they're here to try and win a job that's been vacated by the departure of Murray. There's a golden opportunity for everyone of these backs with situation the Cowboys find themselves in. The Cowboys are likely to go long at RB finding roles for each one. They could rotate a couple of backs between series keeping one relatively fresh for the second half along with someone who could maybe be their short yardage/goal line specialist. Finding a back who can move the chains on 3rd and 1, 2 and 3 is going to be critical because that's where the Cowboys excelled last season. One advantage to having a committee is being able to have a back with fresh legs entering the 4th quarter.

A back with some lively legs going up against a tiring defense as a closer could give the Cowboys an advantage they didn't have last season with Murray carrying most of the load. You could tell Murray was wearing down at the end of last season by his lack of speed. To think bringing in what appears to be scrubs like Seastrunk just to be camp bodies for Vaughn to hand off to in preseason is a waste of time it's not because we might hit on a player like that. Seastrunk is an unknown commodity who's run a 10.33 100 meters so he can fly and he did show some flashes as a rookie in preseason for Washington. You put a back with blazing speed behind this OL they could exploit a hole for a huge play. He could provide a big play threat coming out of the backfield so he's worth a look.

 

[5Stars]

The back that will receive the most snaps will be the one who steps up and performs the most consistently. McFadden is here to be part of what is very likely to be a committee. If healthy he's going to get plenty of carries none of the backs that have been added are here to be camp bodies they're here to try and win a job that's been vacated by the departure of Murray. There's a golden opportunity for everyone of these backs with situation the Cowboys find themselves in. The Cowboys are likely to go long at RB finding roles for each one. They could rotate a couple of backs between series keeping one relatively fresh for the second half along with someone who could maybe be their short yardage/goal line specialist. Finding a back who can move the chains on 3rd and 1, 2 and 3 is going to be critical because that's where the Cowboys excelled last season. One advantage to having a committee is being able to have a back with fresh legs entering the 4th quarter.

Really? Wow, you are a book of knowledge! (as if anyone that knows football does not know that).

But, it's a moot point anyway...Romo is the QB.