Darren McFadden (All22) Rushing Review

[speedkilz88]

Could the hesitations be the plays that he was looking for the first down in short yardage plays? No mention of those first downs.

 

[DogFace]

What does this thread even have to do with Randle? I didn't mention Randle once. I have said in every Randle thread that he needed to be better as well. I also said numerous times, I didn't think we had a feature back on the roster. Essentially, Randle is the lesser of all evils. If you're drawing parallels and looking for an agenda, you may need a mirror.

We can all hope McFadden isn't the guy he was in Oakland. I have just as much hope about that as anyone. I am just being realistic. Yes, it is a tiny sample size but, at this point it's the only sample we have. If I am going to draw conclusions, which is pretty much what a message board is for, then that all I have to go on.

Your conclusions are your opinions based on what you've seen so far. How they can't be valid is beyond me. I'm sure as more carries occur your opinions about what you've seen could change too.

I agree with your assessments so far and thank you for your work.

 

[texbumthelife]

Could the hesitations be the plays that he was looking for the first down in short yardage plays? No mention of those first downs.

While that could be the case (sorry for not including down and distance, it's only the second time I have done this for a forum) I did include images to show that there was no need for the hesitation, particularly on third down, and it cost him considerable yardage.

I will say this, if McFadden had been as decisive in his cuts as Randle, this wouldn't even be a conversation and I would be eating crow about who should be starting. That's one reason I added the caveat that his hesitancy is one thing that could change with his comfort level.

 

[BAZ]

DMC had 7 carries in the preseason and 6 carries in the opener. Drawing conclusions at this point is..... pointless.

Yeah? Makes me think they just don't trust him.

 

[Staubacher]

Good stuff you did your homework. I think DMac will get better with this offense in time. He has what it takes he just never had an offense like this. He'll see these replays too and realize he needs to improve.

I for one think we are better off now with the diversity of the guys we have than last year with all Murray

 

[LittleBoyBlue]

Good stuff you did your homework. I think DMac will get better with this offense in time. He has what it takes he just never had an offense like this. He'll see these replays too and realize he needs to improve.

I for one think we are better off now with the diversity of the guys we have than last year with all Murray

This was me when ran either the ball

 

[CowboyRoy]

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.

DMC had 7 carries in the preseason and 6 carries in the opener. Drawing conclusions at this point is..... pointless.

McFadden doesnt have what it takes to be a feature back, those are just the facts. One more year isnt going to change that. His biggest thing is a lack of vision and an inability to make moves or change the directions. That cut back option is the perfect example. He stutters his way into a 1 yard gain. speed and size are great, but if you cant find the holes, cut back to the open field, and the moves to make it all work, what good is it. He will be better in the passing game and may hit a big run or two if he hits a gaping hole once in a while.

Randle is the real RB on this team and the more he gets up to speed and the line gets in tune, we will see some big days from him.

 

[Future]

I'm glad I'm not the only one who though McFadden looked terrible on Sunday.

 

[Gaede]

Good post. Confirmed what most ppl saw on GameDay.


Indecisive runner. Maybe that's a product of his first few years and not having this kind of daylight, but to me, looks like an instincts-thing.

 

[CowboyRoy]

Good stuff you did your homework. I think DMac will get better with this offense in time. He has what it takes he just never had an offense like this. He'll see these replays too and realize he needs to improve.

I for one think we are better off now with the diversity of the guys we have than last year with all Murray

Disagree. He absolutely does NOT have what it takes. He is the complete opposite of Emmitt Smith.

 

[Kaiser]

Yeah? Makes me think they just don't trust him.

I think they are going to mix and match throughout the season depending on opponent, health, etc. These threads about who is better are going to go on until draft day next year when they spend a high pick on a RB.

12 Months ago all the threads were about the blowout loss to the 49ers and "Is this the worst team of the last 30 years". I'll take a RB discussion any day.

 

[CowboyRoy]

DMC had 7 carries in the preseason and 6 carries in the opener. Drawing conclusions at this point is..... pointless.

Sadly enough, the Cowboys might be better off once Mcbrittle goes down and Michael can take his place.

 

[texbumthelife]

I think they are going to mix and match throughout the season depending on opponent, health, etc. These threads about who is better are going to go on until draft day next year when they spend a high pick on a RB.

12 Months ago all the threads were about the blowout loss to the 49ers and "Is this the worst team of the last 30 years". I'll take a RB discussion any day.

If McFadden's history prevails, we may not be having this discussion much longer. He's due for an injury....


I keed I keed

 

[Kaiser]

Yeah? Makes me think they just don't trust him.

BTW, Randle only got 13 carries this preseason, I don't read that into it at all.

 

[RunDMC]

DMC had 7 carries in the preseason and 6 carries in the opener. Drawing conclusions at this point is..... pointless.

Exactly. Not sure the point of this thread. There were clearly some missed opportunities for McFadden, but it's not like Randle was perfect either. Continues to try to go low on his blocks, struggled to keep his balance, and couldn't make anyone miss when he was one on one in the open field.

McFadden only had six carries. No chance to really establish a rhythm. This was his first ever real game as a Dallas Cowboy and we know he didn't get much work in the pre-season. There is little to no continuity with the offensive line.

It's really mind boggling. He didn't have a great game with a limited amount of carries in Week 1 of the season. Not all hope is lost. McFadden will get better just as Randle will. These are both solid backs. People always overreact to the first game of the season. Hell you had people saying D-Law hadn't improved at all because he didn't have a sack when the Giants were getting the ball out within two seconds.

 

[LittleBoyBlue]

McFadden doesnt have what it takes to be a feature back, those are just the facts. One more year isnt going to change that.

Argumentative!

 

[Luther]

Tex, appreciate you taking the time to post the stills and the comments. I don't normally take the time to watch the all-22 and I really appreciate threads like this that give me a quick look at things I would not otherwise see.

Thanks!

Opinions and conclusions are fun. Hey it's the NFL ... most opinions get , uhm, "adjusted" each week!

 

[gimmesix]

This sort of confirms my feeling( strum has mentioned this too) that Dmac is a bad fit for zone scheme.good job OP.

He could be. He has to see it, hit it and go. We'll see if he can adjust to doing that. There were definitely plays where he would have gotten more yardage if he would have ran the ball up in there.

 

[Bullet22]

DMC is still learning how the line blocks..and the play changes at the line...He has less than 20 carries in live action and you judge him on that....he is the still the best back on the team.....lets see a critical breakdown of Randle now to be far....

 

[Zekeats]

DMC is still learning how the line blocks..and the play changes at the line...He has less than 20 carries in live action and you judge him on that....he is the still the best back on the team.....lets see a critical breakdown of Randle now to be far....

Couldn't be any further from the truth. DMC is no where near the best back on this team and he has 7 years in the NFL that prove that. Yes, he looks like a stud when everything is blocked perfect and he gets to run through a 4 yard hole. Any RB in the NFL would. It is more about when the line only gives a little crease or doesn't have it perfectly blocked. A good RB like Murray will still give you 3 yards or so. McFadden gives you 0. He will be effective in spot duty but not as a starter. It is that simple. He does not have the quickness, the wiggle or the ability to become small when needed.