DMN: Bob Sturm: Why I don’t think Lance Dunbar is a given to make Cowboys’ roster coming out of camp

[jobberone]

Bob Sturm: Why I don’t think Lance Dunbar is a given to make Cowboys’ roster coming out of camp
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Bob Sturm Follow @sportssturm Email sturm1310@me.com
Published: June 5, 2015 6:26 pm
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Dallas Cowboys running back Lance Dunbar (25) attempts to get by San Francisco 49ers defensive back Perrish Cox (20) during the first half of play in the home opener at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, on Sunday, September 7, 2014. (Vernon Bryant/The Dallas Morning News)

Special Contributor Bob Sturm answered questions in a chat Thursday. Here are some highlights.

Question: When people talk about the Cowboys RB situation, it seems it’s always a given that Dunbar will make the team. Should that be the case (no offense Jub) but if it came down to Williams and Dunbar, wouldn’t you rather have Williams? I know Dunbar has the speed but he’s kind of limited isn’t he due to his size?

Bob Sturm: I don’t think Dunbar is a given to make the team. But, he does have experience and special teams ability as a coverage guy. I think that is why he got the nod over Ryan Williams last season. It will be interesting who gets that RB3 job this year. They want Dunbar to work, but his skill-set is too limited for me.

Question: I read yesterday where the Cowboys worked Brandon Carr at RCB yesterday. Is there a big difference between playing the left or right side and do QB’s traditionally throw more to their right since they are right handed mostly?

Bob Sturm: I think you hit on it there. Most QBs do throw more to their strong side although I have not run the numbers recently. Romo actually is pretty balanced, though, with the way he spreads the ball all over the field. As for corners, some don’t care, but some are trained to know one side of the field better. They just are comfortable with the landmarks and the way they see the field from that side. Also, schemes do affect how they treat each side, although more-so in college ball with the wide hash marks. In the NFL, it varies, but most corners are comfortable playing either, but fewer guys “travel” with a match-up anymore. Teams like to get them on one side and leave them there.

CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE FULL CHAT

Bob Sturm: Can Joseph Randle be counted on as Cowboys' lead back?

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• Bob Sturm: Seems there's a great divide between Dez, Cowboys ... but why?

 

[Idgit]

Not sure Dunbar's ever really been a given to make the roster. The presence of McFadden this year makes things tougher for him. There are other players with return ability, and Randle's getting removed from coverage teams and will have to be replaced. A back who can catch passes and contribute in the return game isn't as valuable with McFadden on the roster. If Williams establishes himself as a short-yardage option and can play some on coverage teams, he's got a good shot at that RB3 job.

 

[AzorAhai]

Not sure Dunbar's ever really been a given to make the roster. The presence of McFadden this year makes things tougher for him. There are other players with return ability, and Randle's getting removed from coverage teams and will have to be replaced. A back who can catch passes and contribute in the return game isn't as valuable with McFadden on the roster. If Williams establishes himself as a short-yardage option and can play some on coverage teams, he's got a good shot at that RB3 job.

Dunbar is pretty redundant if McFadden makes the roster, which is incredibly likely. If McFadden gets the ball in space on screens or over the middle, he can take it to the house. He also adds the benefit of being able to pass block, and run the ball when he's in. He can do everything Dunbar can. Maybe not as explosive in the pass game, but he makes up for it with his pass blocking.

Dunbars biggest downfall is teams know theres a 90% chance its either a screen play, or pass play with Dunbar going out on a route. Its this predictably that limits his effectiveness imo. If he could be good enough in pass blocking or running the ball to make defenses stay on their toes, he could be a real weapon. Since he can't, I think he's cut unless he makes the team as a return man.

 

[BAZ]

I went to look up his stats just to see how nonexistent they were and came across this:http://www.star-telegram.com/sports/nfl/dallas-cowboys/cowboys-corner-blog/article23095593.html

Says he will be the 3rd down back. Who to believe.

 

[jobberone]

Dunbar can run off tackle and even between the tackles. He's stronger than most think. He's 5-8 and 195. I think his problem has been health a little bit and his YPC is not that impressive. He's protected the ball much better than most think having given up 2 fumbles in his career. And his Y/R is 10 which is above avg for a RB albeit not elite.

I agree with @Idgit that he has some difficulties making the roster. My guess is either McFadden goes or Williams. Neither of them have the speed, quicks and elusiveness of Dunbar and don't fill his niche. I do think both McFadden and Williams are fast enough to take it to the house though. I worry Williams will have trouble with his knee. If both McFadden and Williams stay healthy it won't be an easy decision to keep Dunbar over either.

But while I hate it, injury/health is likely to determine this.

 

[dallasdave]

Dunbar can run off tackle and even between the tackles. He's stronger than most think. He's 5-8 and 195. I think his problem has been health a little bit and his YPC is not that impressive. He's protected the ball much better than most think having given up 2 fumbles in his career. And his Y/R is 10 which is above avg for a RB albeit not elite.

I agree with @Idgit that he has some difficulties making the roster. My guess is either McFadden goes or Williams. Neither of them have the speed, quicks and elusiveness of Dunbar and don't fill his niche. I do think both McFadden and Williams are fast enough to take it to the house though. I worry Williams will have trouble with his knee. If both McFadden and Williams stay healthy it won't be an easy decision to keep Dunbar over either.

But while I hate it, injury/health is likely to determine this.

Dunbar has a little Tony D in him. (I said a little, before someone attacks me).

 

[MichaelWinicki]

But while I hate it, injury/health is likely to determine this.

I think that's going to be the case for all of the running backs. Once they hit training camp any sort of injury that's going to keep them out more than a couple weeks is probably going to signal their doom.

The revolving door we saw for the DL two years ago could surface again at RB during this training camp.

 

[dallasdave]

Bob Sturm: Why I don’t think Lance Dunbar is a given to make Cowboys’ roster coming out of camp
http://0.gravatar.com/avatar/286352bc9856fe9417829a62da61e5b9?s=52&d=http%3A%2F%2Fres.***BANNED-URL***%2Fresources%2Fimages%2FSD-logo-50.jpg%3Fs%3D52&r=G
Bob Sturm Follow @sportssturm Email sturm1310@me.com
Published: June 5, 2015 6:26 pm
http://cowboysblog.***BANNED-URL***/files/2015/05/NS_07COWSNINERS9_39660113.jpg
Dallas Cowboys running back Lance Dunbar (25) attempts to get by San Francisco 49ers defensive back Perrish Cox (20) during the first half of play in the home opener at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, on Sunday, September 7, 2014. (Vernon Bryant/The Dallas Morning News)

Special Contributor Bob Sturm answered questions in a chat Thursday. Here are some highlights.

Question: When people talk about the Cowboys RB situation, it seems it’s always a given that Dunbar will make the team. Should that be the case (no offense Jub) but if it came down to Williams and Dunbar, wouldn’t you rather have Williams? I know Dunbar has the speed but he’s kind of limited isn’t he due to his size?

Bob Sturm: I don’t think Dunbar is a given to make the team. But, he does have experience and special teams ability as a coverage guy. I think that is why he got the nod over Ryan Williams last season. It will be interesting who gets that RB3 job this year. They want Dunbar to work, but his skill-set is too limited for me.

Question: I read yesterday where the Cowboys worked Brandon Carr at RCB yesterday. Is there a big difference between playing the left or right side and do QB’s traditionally throw more to their right since they are right handed mostly?

Bob Sturm: I think you hit on it there. Most QBs do throw more to their strong side although I have not run the numbers recently. Romo actually is pretty balanced, though, with the way he spreads the ball all over the field. As for corners, some don’t care, but some are trained to know one side of the field better. They just are comfortable with the landmarks and the way they see the field from that side. Also, schemes do affect how they treat each side, although more-so in college ball with the wide hash marks. In the NFL, it varies, but most corners are comfortable playing either, but fewer guys “travel” with a match-up anymore. Teams like to get them on one side and leave them there.

CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE FULL CHAT

Bob Sturm: Can Joseph Randle be counted on as Cowboys' lead back?

• Bob Sturm: Best Cowboys player at his position? Here's my pick ...

• Bob Sturm: Seems there's a great divide between Dez, Cowboys ... but why?

Hey, Dunbar is now one of our veteran RB"s

 

[Galian Beast]

I absolutely see Dunbar as our 3rd down running back going forward. We've been waiting to see his role expand with the team, and there are reports that the team is looking to do just that.

I think he is a lock to make the team.

As much as I want Ryan Williams to make the team, I think he is the long shot. He has issues staying healthy and I don't see what he offers that Randle and McFadden don't. I also don't know if McFadden makes this roster if he isn't the starter over Randle, but then again, can you just trust Randle? I don't know. I think there is an outside chance we go with 4 running backs. Traditionally there used to be 3 halfbacks and 2 fullbacks, but that group has gotten smaller with the advent of the tight end, of which we might be keeping 3 of as well..

A lot of tough decisions will need to be made.

 

[dallasdave]

I absolutely see Dunbar as our 3rd down running back going forward. We've been waiting to see his role expand with the team, and there are reports that the team is looking to do just that.

I think he is a lock to make the team.

As much as I want Ryan Williams to make the team, I think he is the long shot. He has issues staying healthy and I don't see what he offers that Randle and McFadden don't. I also don't know if McFadden makes this roster if he isn't the starter over Randle, but then again, can you just trust Randle? I don't know. I think there is an outside chance we go with 4 running backs. Traditionally there used to be 3 running backs and 2 fullbacks, but that group has gotten smaller with the advent of the tight end, of which we might be keeping 3 of as well..

A lot of tough decisions will need to be made.

Dunbar is a breakaway threat and I think our OL will be better this year so he can get some big holes to go through to work his magic.

 

[JohnsKey19]

I think only 2 of the current RBs on the roster make the final 53 roster. The 3rd RB will come from a trade/cut late in preseason. As noted above, if McFadden works out as the team expects, I think this makes Dunbar very expendable. Ryan Williams is an unknown, so we will see. But there will be PLENTY of RB talent available as other teams start trimming down their rosters late in August. That's who Williams and Dunbar are competing against IMO. I believe there will be similar talent yet better roster fits available.

 

[Bullflop]

I think with a good TC, Synjyn Days could conceivably be the one who's likely to displace Dunbar. The Cowboys need physicality at the position more than anything else right now and he's the one most likely to have the ability to provide it. It's certainly far from being a given it'll happen but the opportunity is there for the taking.

 

[jobberone]

Barring injury I see:

#1 Randle
#2 Williams/McFadden
#3 Dunbar

I think McFadden was signed in case Williams can't go and to push Randle as well as provide insurance for injury and in case Randle runs off the tracks. His cap hit is 1.15 with a 100k signing bonus and 150k roster bonus. So he is almost as expendable as Randle and Williams. Dunbar has a cap hit of 1.542M so he's the most 'expensive' of the bunch. We have very little tied up with our RBs. There is very little dead space associated with any of them.

If any RB goes down we will need further depth and competition.

 

[jobberone]

I absolutely see Dunbar as our 3rd down running back going forward. We've been waiting to see his role expand with the team, and there are reports that the team is looking to do just that.

I think he is a lock to make the team.

As much as I want Ryan Williams to make the team, I think he is the long shot. He has issues staying healthy and I don't see what he offers that Randle and McFadden don't. I also don't know if McFadden makes this roster if he isn't the starter over Randle, but then again, can you just trust Randle? I don't know. I think there is an outside chance we go with 4 running backs. Traditionally there used to be 3 halfbacks and 2 fullbacks, but that group has gotten smaller with the advent of the tight end, of which we might be keeping 3 of as well..

A lot of tough decisions will need to be made.

I don't think we will keep 4 RBs. I do think we could keep 4 TEs. I really like the TE out of TX whom I think will learn the pro game this year as a TE while giving insurance and more importantly STs.

 

[DandyDon52]

It is too early to day who the keep, and I think they will want to look at them all in PS action.
DunbAr did good last year when he was in the game, which wasnt much.

 

[jday]

I absolutely see Dunbar as our 3rd down running back going forward. We've been waiting to see his role expand with the team, and there are reports that the team is looking to do just that.

I think he is a lock to make the team.

As much as I want Ryan Williams to make the team, I think he is the long shot. He has issues staying healthy and I don't see what he offers that Randle and McFadden don't. I also don't know if McFadden makes this roster if he isn't the starter over Randle, but then again, can you just trust Randle? I don't know. I think there is an outside chance we go with 4 running backs. Traditionally there used to be 3 halfbacks and 2 fullbacks, but that group has gotten smaller with the advent of the tight end, of which we might be keeping 3 of as well..

A lot of tough decisions will need to be made.

I think they may go 4 long, as well. Considering the potential for injuries with their present cast of characters at running back, I suspect they may at the very least try to make that work. The key will be rather or not both the 3rd and 4th Rb can contribute in another way such as Special Teams, returning or coverage. If not, they will be forced to cut to 3. For me, the Rb hierarchy is the toughest position to place in order. Granted, Dunbar is not the starter, but after that I could honestly see any combination of the other 3. And like Jobberone said above, health is probably going to be the decision-maker.

 

[Galian Beast]

I don't think we will keep 4 RBs. I do think we could keep 4 TEs. I really like the TE out of TX whom I think will learn the pro game this year as a TE while giving insurance and more importantly STs.

I'd like to see Swaim develop into a nice TE2. This will be Hanna last year here, and hopefully Escobar develops and is integrated to eventually replace Witten when retires. You then have Escobar - Swaim. They key is having time to develop these guys and getting them under contract at value.

 

[JoeKing]

I think in this case Sturm is wrong. The Boys are going 4 long at the RB position.

 

[Idgit]

Dunbar can run off tackle and even between the tackles. He's stronger than most think. He's 5-8 and 195. I think his problem has been health a little bit and his YPC is not that impressive. He's protected the ball much better than most think having given up 2 fumbles in his career. And his Y/R is 10 which is above avg for a RB albeit not elite.

I agree with @Idgit that he has some difficulties making the roster. My guess is either McFadden goes or Williams. Neither of them have the speed, quicks and elusiveness of Dunbar and don't fill his niche. I do think both McFadden and Williams are fast enough to take it to the house though. I worry Williams will have trouble with his knee. If both McFadden and Williams stay healthy it won't be an easy decision to keep Dunbar over either.

But while I hate it, injury/health is likely to determine this.

The coaches do seem to really like him, too. So that's in his favor.

I like him. Just think he's a bit of a roster luxury if you're not going to really use him.

 

[conner01]

Hard to keep 4 RB when none are much on special teams
To me it's a toss up between Williams and Dunbar
Williams ran with good power in camp last year and I think he might be a bit higher because of that but Dunbar is a better blocker and receiver
Barring another RB entering the picture which is unlikely I think only one of those two make the team and what they do in camp is going to be very big in that decision