texbumthelife
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I will break down all of Darren McFadden's runs here in the same way I broke down Randle's. I will try to include pics to make a better argument, whether I am right or wrong in my previous assessments of DMac.
Let me also preface by saying, I would love to see McFadden become the guy. His explosion and speed is exciting for me too. If he earns the spot, I will root for him.
Here we go:
2nd Quarter
10:53 McFadden off LT for 8 yards: There is a gaping hole and McFadden is quickly to the second level.
His speed and explosion allow him to the second level before the defense can react. He isn't even touched until he hits the 45.
This is the same play Randle popped off his big gains. This was our best designed running play in the game. McFadden flashes here so well, it's easy to understand excitement.
10:07 McFadden off LG for 3 yards: There is a gaping hole pre-snap. This looks like it was actually an audible by Romo when he saw the hole over the LG.
Unfortunately, for whatever reason, McFadden hesitates for a step or two which enables the linebacker to get to the hole before him. This should have been a hitter, but McFadden's hesitation slowed it down.
8:34 McFadden off RT for 3 yards: There is another gaping hole for McFadden to the right side. Again, this should be a big hitter.
Instead, McFadden for some reason pauses and take a few stutter steps, giving the Giants time to converge and close the hole.
7:17 McFadden of RG for 3 yards: This is the same play the Cowboys ran the first snap of the game. McFadden makes a decisive cut this time and, although the backside defender is there, he is able to pick up 3 yards. This is a good, hard and decisive run. This is the dirty work. This is what he needs to do more of.
3rd Quarter
4:53 McFadden off LT pushed out of bounds after 1 yard gain: He does so many things wrong on this run I don't know where to start.
First hole he passes up is a gaping cutback that would have netted atleast 3-4 yards, or hit the burners to the outside, but instead he pauses and stutter steps again
The same moment from another angle shows how indecisive he was. Anything was better than stuttering. Cut and go, or hit the outside with speed.
He finally commits to going outside. Once he does, he has another opportunity to either turn on the jets or cut back, he hesitates again...
At this point, Beasley has been blocking for several second and loses his man. McFadden doesn't lower his shoulder and try to run through the smaller DB, he's pushed out of bounds... This is the run where he lost me.
4th Quarter
9:05 McFadden up the middle for -2 yards: He has no shot here.
Whitehead is beat to the insdie by Collins and pops McFadden in the backfield. As X and I have pointed out in several other threads, the blocking at the next level as well as by the TE/WRs in the game was horrendous. If Whitehead can just chip Colling, McFadden may go the distance.
My analysis:
As I have said in a plethora of threads now, McFadden shows liveliness. He is fluid, quick and fast. He has prototypical size and looks as though he could/should be able to break tackles. The unfortunate truth is, just like in Oakland, he doesn't have the patience, confidence or vision needed to take full advantage of his gifts. The holes he missed were gaping and he literally either ran away from them, or waited for them to close.
I want him to show up on the field. I want to see that home run ability in a feature back. The unfortunate truth is, McFadden doesn't have the most important tools (as Emmitt showed us) to be a feature back: The vision, the confidence and the patience. If you are mad that Randle is leaving yards on the field, McFadden should be maddening for you. Will he hit a big shot here and there? Yes. But he is going to strike out far more often. That's why he's a change of pace guy. That's why I prefer Randle.
Now, a caveat to all of this is, he missed some training camp and is on a new team. Could he gain the confidence and understand the scheme better? Certainly! Could that lead to better decision making and less busted runs? Absolutely. Does history show that will be the case? No.
Let me also preface by saying, I would love to see McFadden become the guy. His explosion and speed is exciting for me too. If he earns the spot, I will root for him.
Here we go:
2nd Quarter
10:53 McFadden off LT for 8 yards: There is a gaping hole and McFadden is quickly to the second level.
His speed and explosion allow him to the second level before the defense can react. He isn't even touched until he hits the 45.
This is the same play Randle popped off his big gains. This was our best designed running play in the game. McFadden flashes here so well, it's easy to understand excitement.
10:07 McFadden off LG for 3 yards: There is a gaping hole pre-snap. This looks like it was actually an audible by Romo when he saw the hole over the LG.
Unfortunately, for whatever reason, McFadden hesitates for a step or two which enables the linebacker to get to the hole before him. This should have been a hitter, but McFadden's hesitation slowed it down.
8:34 McFadden off RT for 3 yards: There is another gaping hole for McFadden to the right side. Again, this should be a big hitter.
Instead, McFadden for some reason pauses and take a few stutter steps, giving the Giants time to converge and close the hole.
7:17 McFadden of RG for 3 yards: This is the same play the Cowboys ran the first snap of the game. McFadden makes a decisive cut this time and, although the backside defender is there, he is able to pick up 3 yards. This is a good, hard and decisive run. This is the dirty work. This is what he needs to do more of.
3rd Quarter
4:53 McFadden off LT pushed out of bounds after 1 yard gain: He does so many things wrong on this run I don't know where to start.
First hole he passes up is a gaping cutback that would have netted atleast 3-4 yards, or hit the burners to the outside, but instead he pauses and stutter steps again
The same moment from another angle shows how indecisive he was. Anything was better than stuttering. Cut and go, or hit the outside with speed.
He finally commits to going outside. Once he does, he has another opportunity to either turn on the jets or cut back, he hesitates again...
At this point, Beasley has been blocking for several second and loses his man. McFadden doesn't lower his shoulder and try to run through the smaller DB, he's pushed out of bounds... This is the run where he lost me.
4th Quarter
9:05 McFadden up the middle for -2 yards: He has no shot here.
Whitehead is beat to the insdie by Collins and pops McFadden in the backfield. As X and I have pointed out in several other threads, the blocking at the next level as well as by the TE/WRs in the game was horrendous. If Whitehead can just chip Colling, McFadden may go the distance.
My analysis:
As I have said in a plethora of threads now, McFadden shows liveliness. He is fluid, quick and fast. He has prototypical size and looks as though he could/should be able to break tackles. The unfortunate truth is, just like in Oakland, he doesn't have the patience, confidence or vision needed to take full advantage of his gifts. The holes he missed were gaping and he literally either ran away from them, or waited for them to close.
I want him to show up on the field. I want to see that home run ability in a feature back. The unfortunate truth is, McFadden doesn't have the most important tools (as Emmitt showed us) to be a feature back: The vision, the confidence and the patience. If you are mad that Randle is leaving yards on the field, McFadden should be maddening for you. Will he hit a big shot here and there? Yes. But he is going to strike out far more often. That's why he's a change of pace guy. That's why I prefer Randle.
Now, a caveat to all of this is, he missed some training camp and is on a new team. Could he gain the confidence and understand the scheme better? Certainly! Could that lead to better decision making and less busted runs? Absolutely. Does history show that will be the case? No.
