Darren McFadden as the starting running back

[Longboysfan]

First play of the regular season for Cowboys - screen underneath to McFadden.

 

[mrmojo]

Just an observation, but wasn't it just a couple of years ago that fans, media, etc. were saying the running back was becoming extinct in the new NFL because of the pass happy offenses? Don't know if that is still true, but I think the Cowboys have a chance this year to make a dominant run this year with the upgrades on the defensive side of the ball IF we can continue to run the ball like we did last year. I just want a running back who can get the tough yards, not turn the ball over and be able to handle the work load through the 4th qtr....I don't know if that back is on our roster....yet..

 

[JoeKing]

Let's not lose the fact that the Jones' are from Arkansas and therefore are huge McFadden fans. His stellar collegiate career was followed closely by the Jones's and they belief that player is still within McFadden despite his years of abuse on the field in Oakland. I'm not saying this belief is correct. just that it does exist within the Jones's and therefore gives McFadden a huge step up from the other RBs on this team. It is totally believable that the starting job is his to lose.

 

[phildadon86]

Here's to hoping, but it's hard to have too much faith in a guy who's only made it through one 16 game season.

You mean the same amount as Murray? Lol

 

[LittleBoyBlue]

Just an observation, but wasn't it just a couple of years ago that fans, media, etc. were saying the running back was becoming extinct in the new NFL because of the pass happy offenses? Don't know if that is still true, but I think the Cowboys have a chance this year to make a dominant run this year with the upgrades on the defensive side of the ball IF we can continue to run the ball like we did last year. I just want a running back who can get the tough yards, not turn the ball over and be able to handle the work load through the 4th qtr....I don't know if that back is on our roster....yet..

I think it's mostly true. The Cowboys were/are somewhat of an anomaly though. (90s style and dominance)
By being that anomaly we were able to win a few extra games. We were able to handle some teams pretty easy. Ie. Seattle, Eagles second time around.

Let's not lose the fact that the Jones' are from Arkansas and therefore are huge McFadden fans. His stellar collegiate career was followed closely by the Jones's and they belief that player is still within McFadden despite his years of abuse on the field in Oakland. I'm not saying this belief is correct. just that it does exist within the Jones's and therefore gives McFadden a huge step up from the other RBs on this team. It is totally believable that the starting job is his to lose.

Great point.
Even though some won't see it. I agree.

 

[LittleBoyBlue]

QFT, but I would require two fiddies!

There are people at CZ that would complain is you gave the a $100 bill because they wanted it in twenties.

Welllllll..... ATMs give out $10 now.... So the complainers have a point!














Joke

 

[Redball Express]

I couldn't disagree more.

I think you will be proven to be wrong in that comparison.

Eddie George looked like he needed a walker. It was embarrassing.

He contributed nothing, didn't even earn playing time.
That's not the case with DMF.

Actually..

I clearly hope you are right.

I know how much Dallas wanted him when he came out but we had no chance to move up and get him.

And frankly, until the last couple of seasons where we invested so heavily in the OL with #1 picks there...

Our OL was hardly the equal of Oaklands.

So given that..McFadden would be just as beat up as he is now.

He would not have prospered with us either.

Things have changed now.

So I hope you are right.

My reference to Eddie George was more about name recognition at the time.

Like it is now with McFadden.

I just don't know what to expect with him.

 

[LittleBoyBlue]

Actually..

I clearly hope you are right.

I know how much Dallas wanted him when he came out but we had no chance to move up and get him.

And frankly, until the last couple of seasons where we invested so heavily in the OL with #1 picks there...

Our OL was hardly the equal of Oaklands.

So given that..McFadden would be just as beat up as he is now.

He would not have prospered with us either.

Things have changed now.

So I hope you are right.

My reference to Eddie George was more about name recognition at the time.

Like it is now with McFadden.

I just don't know what to expect with him.

Fair enough, I understand.

Let's hope he can help !

 

[Merlin]

I wouldn't be surprised if Ryan Williams is the starter. He looked real good in preseason last year. They basically redshirted him.

 

[NextGenBoys]

The one key point that has been overlooked in most discussions is that a big part of the physical, smash-mouth running game is now gone from this team. I was not in favor of keeping Murray, but I assumed that the team would find a decent replacement in the draft or free agency. Without a physical RB, this team is not going to be as effective.

Exactly.

Randle can't handle it. Our short yardage will be DMac or Ryan WIlliams unless we make a major move.

 

[Redball Express]

No, McFadden still has terrific speed. George could bare run by the time he got to the Cowboys.

McFadden is only 27.

Like I said to RedRevolution..

I hope you guys are right.

Me..I love the guy and I take the high road here and wish we still had Felix Jones and we could bring back the old duet.

Hahahahaha..

 

[LittleBoyBlue]

If we get AD that is going to some 1-2 punch!!

 

[Denim Chicken]

See how the RBs look in camp. If not acceptable, try and trade for Mason or some other back. Pretty simple.

 

[xwalker]

Like I said to RedRevolution..

I hope you guys are right.

Me..I love the guy and I take the high road here and wish we still had Felix Jones and we could bring back the old duet.

Hahahahaha..

Felix would be good if you had a team for winning eating contests or maybe if you wanted a new OLineman.

 

[BoysWin]

From a pure numbers perspective, Eddie George averaged 3.0, 3.4, and 3.3 yards per carry in the three seasons before joining the Cowboys, where he averaged 3.3 ypc during his one season with us before he retired.

Darren McFadden averaged 3.3, 3.3, and 3.4 ypc in the three years before joining the Cowboys, but he still has enough speed for Garrett to have him in the mix for kick returns. (Presumably his ypc will go up running behind our line.) I would feel a lot more comfortable if Jason had him replacing Lance Dunbar (3.4 ypc) instead of DeMarco. He could do that job well, with the added bonus of bringing his ability to protect the QB, and the stability of his veteran presence to the running backs group specifically, as well as in the locker room. If it does turn out that he ends up replacing Dunbar, I think it improves our running game in the backup/complimentary back area because he has all of the tools needed to start, and I don't think Dunbar is there right now. I've wanted a vet backup running back for a long time, and I'm glad we have McFadden on the Cowboys.

DMAC will have 300 attempts and 1,500 yards in 2015-16.

 

[BlindFaith]

McFadden is a high cut, taller back. That makes it harder for him to be as effective moving laterally. He's a "downhill" runner. He's best when he knows where the hole is supposed to be and he can just burst straight ahead, make a cut and go. A power running scheme fits him best.

It'll be interesting to see how we adapt on offense. We had been trending to a more zone scheme, but I feel we will see a more power, man on man scheme. Working the FB more into the mix. Probably why we have signed a couple of them. See which one fits best with McFadden.

Our best chance with this guy is to tailor the offense to him. If not, he won't work here.

http://www.rotoworld.com/articles/nfl/43031/352/what-went-wrong-mcfadden?pg=1

 

[Idgit]

McFadden is a high cut, taller back. That makes it harder for him to be as effective moving laterally. He's a "downhill" runner. He's best when he knows where the hole is supposed to be and he can just burst straight ahead, make a cut and go. A power running scheme fits him best.

It'll be interesting to see how we adapt on offense. We had been trending to a more zone scheme, but I feel we will see a more power, man on man scheme. Working the FB more into the mix. Probably why we have signed a couple of them. See which one fits best with McFadden.

Our best chance with this guy is to tailor the offense to him. If not, he won't work here.

http://www.rotoworld.com/articles/nfl/43031/352/what-went-wrong-mcfadden?pg=1

We're not going to change the blocking scheme, but you're right. This is one of the reasons I'm not high on the McFadden pick, given that he struggled so much with Knapp's zone blocking move in Oakland. Waiting for the blocking to get set nullifies DMF's biggest backfield asset in getting to the edge quickly. I'm sure that's not lost on the team or on McFadden when he decided to come here, so there's probably some obvious plan to take those plays into account, but it just seems on the surface to not be a great fit for him here with the blocking scheme we prefer to use.

 

[ConstantReboot]

Ok. I know some will jump on this pro and con.

I would like to take a different approach though.

Reply to this thread as if you were one of the offensive coaches .... In a WW(insert coaches initials here)do?

It could even be an offensive coach from a different team.

We have enough fan opinion....

What do you think an offensive coach can plan or scheme to not only make DMF successful but to resurrect a career that started in the dumps?

Having better offensive minds, a better organization and a better supporting cast has to give Darren some sort of chance to be the player many believed he could be coming out of the draft yes?

Think about this... If we drafted him in 2008, he would be our 6-7th year starter.

I would not put all of my eggs in the McFadden basket. I would bring in more runningbacks here to compete. I will allow all 4 of the backs we have to compete, including Randle.

I would also sign a few free agents off the streets. The more competition the better.

McFadden should not be handed the starting job just like that. He needs to earn it. Just like everyone else.