Hos, think I am kind of surprised at your comment here. Of all the people who have ever posted on this board, you are one of the originals who believes in consistency. Not to mention your other post where you expect a drop off from Murray. I admit it will be difficult to post 1800 plus, but the kid has the moves, the line will be one more year together, and Linehan will have another year of tweaking a running game that he is still growing accustomed to.
I see nothing in AD at 31, still the property of a Vikings team with lots of cap space, and his off field baggage.
But most of all I have always seen you as a don't fix what ain't broke kind of guy.
However, I do take issue with a RB in the draft for two reasons. To get a premier back you will need to use number 27. And that means any defender at that spot is passed on. And there is the pesky pass blocking issue with rookie backs. And Randall and whomever haven't shown they can handle that part of the game as yet.
This team has no answer for after Romo. So it is win with Tony now, or build a team by drafting and wait for the rooks to get up to speed. And that flies dangerously close to the sun if Romo's skill set deteriorates at the speed of Aikman.
Win now and let the rest take care of itself.
I do preach for consistency more than most. You are correct there. And I would still be preaching it if I felt Murray's asking price was great. The thing is, he is not our only option, and some options are going to be a whole lot cheaper. Look, I was very down on Joseph Randle after 2013. He was awful. I gave him an F. I'm not afraid of the Cowboys using a combination of him and Ryan Williams whom I have liked for a long time. If you recall I liked him in that Draft. I really like his loyalty to Dallas, and I thought he was really solid for us in pre-season. I think there is something there. I really do.
I would prefer Murray over any other option. But not at a cap crippling price. I am leery of what kind of drop off we will see in 2015. First of all, let's admit, teams are going to focus 2015 on stopping him. They have to, and while we're being honest let's admit, they will. Not every game. He's going to still have some magnificent games, but he's not going to replicate 2014. 1200 to 1300 yards is about where I see him in 2015, and that's still a fantastic season. Is that type of season worth $8 to $9 million a year? Not for me. Not if I can have Peterson for $5 or 6$ million. Even at 31, he doesn't have old legs. I probably don't want him for much more than a year, but I'd take him at the right price if Murray's price is too high. That's the business side of football that we all hate but have to accept.
I like a lot of draft picks in this coming Draft too, and let's face it they are all going to be cheaper than either Peterson or Murray. I don't think they would be as good, but do think they could be good enough. The 2 RBs I really am intrigued with are Ameer Abdullah and Tevin Coleman. I see Coleman as a Jamaal Charles type Back who has such jaw dropping speed that if he gets a hole and a step he's gone. I can't lie, with a line like ours, that could be bigger than many would like to admit. He reminds me a bit of Tony Dorsett with that speed. I'd take that. Abdullah fits the mold of a RKG. He is supposed to be a really fantastic team leader, top quality person, and in my opinion, one hell of a football player.
I wouldn't take any RB in round 1. Maybe never again. Unless of course he is a Bo Jackson, Herschel Walker, or Earl Campbell. You know how I like those bruising RBs. That to me is Todd Gurley. I love that kid. He reminds me of Marshawn Lynch the way he punishes as he runs. With a homonym of girlie for a name you also know that he's probably the toughest SOB on the field. The old "Boy Named Sue" reality. If he had not torn his ACL I probably would want him in round 1. I know for a fact Dallas is very high on him. If he's there in the 2nd round, I'll be shocked if we pass on him. If you tell me we can have Coleman or Gurley in round 2 I am going to tell you I am not against it at all. I prefer young legs at RB to old legs, I prefer lower price to higher price.
I am a huge fan of Murray. I loved that Draft pick if you recall. I had some battles with forum members who disliked that pick. They had some skins on the wall from those battles with his injuries. I won't deny that. I now have my skin on the wall with his rushing title and league leading rushing TDs. Bring him back? Yeah, I'm all for it. I prefer it to be for a price that doesn't make the same people turn every thread into a pissing contest. If he gets $9 million per year and has a bad game or heaven forbid he does what all RBs do and fumbles, it's going to suck hearing about how he wasn't worth it and Jerry has resorted to his old self giving outrageous contracts. I'd like to avoid those whine fests.
Hope that makes sense.