DC: Stephen Jones: Looking At Veteran Free Agent RBs Not A Priority Right Now

[jobberone]

Stephen Jones: Looking At Veteran Free Agent RBs Not A Priority Right Now
Wednesday, May 06, 2015 4:01 PM CDT

By David Helman DallasCowboys.com Staff Writer @HelmanDC

IRVING, Texas – As if it wasn’t obvious, the Cowboys’ future at running back is a popular topic of conversation this week – a fact that was heavily emphasized by the team’s season ticket holders.

Cowboys executive vice president Stephen Jones held a conference call with season ticket holders on Wednesday, four days removed from the 2015 NFL Draft, and handled a bevy of questions about the running back position.

As has been well-documented, Dallas shocked draftniks during the weekend by making eight different selections during the draft without adding a running back.

“We didn’t put the priority on taking a back that a lot of people may have thought we might,” Jones said.

Instead, the Cowboys are expected to turn to the foursome of backs currently on the roster to find a replacement for NFL Offensive Player of the Year DeMarco Murray. The Cowboys signed veteran Darren McFadden to lead the position, but Jones singled out Joseph Randle, Lance Dunbar and Ryan Williams as capable options, as well.

“At the end of the day this league, more and more, is becoming a league where teams use multiple running backs. Last year I think was inordinate, starting with the fact that DeMarco had an amazing season, an All-Pro season,” he said. “It very well could be that this year you’ll see a lot more of whatever three combinations of backs that we keep – you certainly could see a lot more of the second and third running back than you did last year.”

Jones also threw in a line he’s used several times since the draft concluded on Saturday evening – “player acquisition is 365 days a year.” The Cowboys have pointed out New England’s late-season pickup of LaGarrette Blount during last season’s Super Bowl run, and Jones allowed that they could add another back in the coming months.

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http://www.dallascowboys.com/news/2...veteran-free-agent-rbs-not-priority-right-now

 

[StarBoyz83]

Only guy worth a look is johnson so this isnt surprising. They'll make sure ap is 100% out of the question before they spend more money.

 

[MichaelWinicki]

He didn't say anything I didn't expect. It makes total sense. They'll evaluate the guys they have and if there's an issue changes will be made.

 

[Silver N Blue]

Sounds like All Day will be here eventually

 

[DTown214]

Stephen Jones: Looking At Veteran Free Agent RBs Not A Priority Right Now

...AP isn't a free agent. The dream is still alive.

 

[cowboyfan4life_mark]

Guess he doesn't agree with Baldinger.

 

[Fletch]

Guess he doesn't agree with Baldinger.

Crooked Pinky hasn't a clue.

 

[Boyzmamacita]

Stephen Jones: Looking At Veteran Free Agent RBs Not A Priority Right Now

...AP isn't a free agent. The dream is still alive.

Ha ha. That's actually what I thought when I read it.

 

[Risen Star]

“At the end of the day this league, more and more, is becoming a league where teams use multiple running backs. Last year I think was inordinate, starting with the fact that DeMarco had an amazing season, an All-Pro season,” he said. “It very well could be that this year you’ll see a lot more of whatever three combinations of backs that we keep – you certainly could see a lot more of the second and third running back than you did last year.”

Well that went swimmingly. That really worked out well. Let's change it next year.

Jerry Jones, you ARE the father.

 

[mattjames2010]

I guess i just don't see the harm in bringing Johnson in to kick the tires on a cheap contract. If it doesn't work out, it doesn't work out. Is Johnson not a better option than Dunbar? Do we really value this guy that much?

 

[big dog cowboy]

I guess i just don't see the harm in bringing Johnson in to kick the tires on a cheap contract. If it doesn't work out, it doesn't work out. Is Johnson not a better option than Dunbar? Do we really value this guy that much?

Johnson probably would be better than Dunbar. But there is more to consider in a salary cap world.

 

[DFWJC]

I understand why it wouldn't be.
They signed the vet FA they wanted already.
My guess is that they want to see more closely what they already have.

 

[DFWJC]

I guess i just don't see the harm in bringing Johnson in to kick the tires on a cheap contract. If it doesn't work out, it doesn't work out. Is Johnson not a better option than Dunbar? Do we really value this guy that much?

Pretty sure it wouldn't be that simple.
CJ will get some guarantees at some point and we may only keep three, so it may be both Dunbar and Williams out if they add someone.

 

[jobberone]

Well that went swimmingly. That really worked out well. Let's change it next year.

Jerry Jones, you ARE the father.

I'd go in a different way with that. I see both sides of that equation and time will tell. My guess is either way will be effective. Difficult to lay this at the feet of one person in a committee.

 

[mattjames2010]

Pretty sure it wouldn't be that simple.
CJ will get some guarantees at some point and we may only keep three, so it may be both Dunbar and Williams out if they add someone.

I'm sure CJ would, but anything that would kill us cap wise? Doubtful. And I'm not saying bring him in on an unreasonable contract, I'm saying found out what he wants; if we can get him for something similar to what we're giving McFadden, I'd be all for it.

 

[jobberone]

I guess i just don't see the harm in bringing Johnson in to kick the tires on a cheap contract. If it doesn't work out, it doesn't work out. Is Johnson not a better option than Dunbar? Do we really value this guy that much?

Johnson will cost more and you have to be careful using up roster spots as well. Injuries might force a different direction.

 

[Silver Surfer]

Stephen Jones: Looking At Veteran Free Agent RBs Not A Priority Right Now

...AP isn't a free agent. The dream is still alive.

http://i636.***BLOCKED***/albums/uu87/jdjohnston1960/So-Youre-Telling-Me-Theres-a-Chance-In-Dumb-and-Dumber-Gif.gif

 

[AsthmaField]

Geeze... talk about over-analyzed. The running game will be fine this year as long as Dallas has Romo throwing to Dez, Witten, etc., and as long as they have that OL.

It was a combination of a devastating OL coupled with a passing game that teams absolutely had to commit a lot of resources to in order to slow it down.

Just look at the Arizona game. Had DeMarco. Had the OL. The Cardinals didn't have to worry about Romo though and with Weeden playing... they could commit to stop the run and, viola... stopped the run with no problem.

With Romo and the passing game though, teams have to drop back so often and they can't mush-rush to stop the run game (because Romo will kill them with no pass rush), there were wide lanes on almost every play.

That is what killed teams... not DeMarco. Like many have said: Murray was hitting 5 foot wide lanes getting to the second level before being touched. McFadden can do that just fine. Randle has already shown he can do that just fine, and Williams just might do it better than either of those two.

The hand ringing over the running game really needs to stop.

 

[DFWJC]

I'm sure CJ would, but anything that would kill us cap wise? Doubtful. And I'm not saying bring him in on an unreasonable contract, I'm saying found out what he wants; if we can get him for something similar to what we're giving McFadden, I'd be all for it.

Yeah. Me too

In the end, I'm not one that's overly concerned right now...could be wrong though

 

[big dog cowboy]

The hand ringing over the running game really needs to stop.

It won't for a long long time. Well into the regular season.