DMN: Laufenberg: What the Cowboys' running back situation is likely to look like next season

[jobberone]

Laufenberg: What the Cowboys' running back situation is likely to look like next season

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Published: 02 December 2015 07:20 PM
Updated: 02 December 2015 11:50 PM

Babe Laufenberg, Dallas Cowboys radio color analyst and former NFL quarterback, answered your questions about the team in a live chat Wednesday. Here are some highlights.

Question: What do you envision the Cowboys' backfield will look like next season? McFadden, Dunbar and a rookie to be named later?

Babe Laufenberg: That sounds about right. We will have to see how Dunbar's knee responds. No given that he will be 100%. And unlike the QB position, where good players do not hit free agency, there will always be veteran running backs out there in the off-season. But there should also be a sense of urgency about drafting one.

http://www.***BANNED-URL***/sports/...uation-is-likely-to-look-like-next-season.ece

 

[Junglist]

Multiple next surgeries? Proofread much?

 

[EST_1986]

I think we over compensate at the position next year in the offseason

 

[CowboyManDan]

Turbin could play himself into a role for next season yet too.

Babe said:

Jimmy Johnson was faced with a similar scenario in 1991. The Cowboys were 6-5 when Troy Aikman got injured. Steve Beuerlein came in and won 5 straight. When Aikman was ready to play in the playoffs, Jimmy went with Beuerlein.

I seem to recall Jimmy putting Aikman in for the 2nd half, but maybe that was a different game. And the only reason he didn't start was he wasn't fully 100% IIRC. Eitherway, we did have some good backups for Aikman for a period there...they made it a priority. Initially it was Steve Walsh, then Steve Beuerlein, then Rodney Peete, then Randall Cunningham.

 

[KalEl]

Turbin could play himself into a role for next season yet too.

Babe said:

I seem to recall Jimmy putting Aikman in for the 2nd half, but maybe that was a different game. And the only reason he didn't start was he wasn't fully 100% IIRC. .

That's exactly right.

 

[Alexander]

McFadden, Dunbar and a rookie to be named later?

If so, it would be smart to get a good rookie. I think McFadden is maxed out. What you see at his best and worst this year is exactly what you get.

I do not even waste a lot of time counitng on Dunbar. He is coming off of injury and despite some excitement for him earlier in the year, I don't see any reason to simply hold open a job for him in 2016.

 

[JoeBoBBY]

I want to see what Turbin has;

But would be estatic. Estatic I tell ya, if they over compensate at the position....!!!

 

[jazzcat22]

Babe must read this forum.
He said he keeps hearing Stafford's name coming up for a future QB. The only place I seen this was on this site.

 

[jwitten82]

Anybody can run behind this line......lol

 

[Doomsay]

Hopefully, we get a good all around back in the draft, not somebody that "complements" McFadden & Dunbar.

Excited to see what Turbin can do.

 

[jobberone]

If so, it would be smart to get a good rookie. I think McFadden is maxed out. What you see at his best and worst this year is exactly what you get.

I do not even waste a lot of time counitng on Dunbar. He is coming off of injury and despite some excitement for him earlier in the year, I don't see any reason to simply hold open a job for him in 2016.

While I didn't write the article you quoted I agree with you. I still think we should get a vet like Tolbert, draft a workhorse after the first round, and get a scatback like Dunbar, Sproles etc. Let McF compete with another workhorse and the rest can compete for their niche. I still think we don't need a traditional FB but a hybrid RB/FB and even add hybrid TE to that role or FBack if you wish to call it that.

 

[Alexander]

While I didn't write the article you quoted I agree with you. I still think we should get a vet like Tolbert, draft a workhorse after the first round, and get a scatback like Dunbar, Sproles etc. Let McF compete with another workhorse and the rest can compete for their niche. I still think we don't need a traditional FB but a hybrid RB/FB and even add hybrid TE to that role or FBack if you wish to call it that.

Say that reminds me.

Remember when Lawrence Vickers was going to be all that?

I do.

Same offseason that Livings and Bernadeau were OL solutions.

Quit wasting time with the fullback position.

Or better yet, make up your mind. Fiammetta. Great. Look at that. No. Let's go single back. Wait. Let's sign Vickers. Eh. Hey, this try hard kid Clutts kid worked out. Nah. Let's sign Jed Collins. Hello again, Tyler.

Just more proof, like the failed dreaded double TE two pronged attack we have been trying for the last decade, that our offensive mind here, namely Garrett has no plan.

 

[unionjack8]

Turbin could play himself into a role for next season yet too.

Babe said:

I seem to recall Jimmy putting Aikman in for the 2nd half, but maybe that was a different game. And the only reason he didn't start was he wasn't fully 100% IIRC. Eitherway, we did have some good backups for Aikman for a period there...they made it a priority. Initially it was Steve Walsh, then Steve Beuerlein, then Rodney Peete, then Randall Cunningham.

and bernie kosar

 

[jobberone]

Say that reminds me.

Remember when Lawrence Vickers was going to be all that?

I do.

Same offseason that Livings and Bernadeau were OL solutions.

Quit wasting time with the fullback position.

Or better yet, make up your mind. Fiammetta. Great. Look at that. No. Let's go single back. Wait. Let's sign Vickers. Eh. Hey, this try hard kid Clutts kid worked out. Nah. Let's sign Jed Collins. Hello again, Tyler.

Just more proof, like the failed dreaded double TE two pronged attack we have been trying for the last decade, that our offensive mind here, namely Garrett has no plan.

C'mon now. Name two (don't look it up) complete FBs off the top of your head. You aren't going to find blockers better than a FBack who can also run and catch the football. It's got nothing to do with the scheme or anyone's wishes or coaching ability.

And bringing up Livings and Bernie isn't fair. Those guys were leased because we didn't have the money to buy better and were busy filling other holes in the draft. If they had drafted there then some would be complaining about a LB, DL or DB etc who we leased. We're still digging out from that hole that Jerry dug over the years.

You want to criticize Garrett then you'll have to take a different tack IMO. I think if you don't have a complete FB then you need to go in another direction. And that may change from season to season but even within a season. That's coaching. Using your personnel to their strengths rather than plugging the wrong guy into a scheme.

 

[Alexander]

C'mon now. Name two (don't look it up) complete FBs off the top of your head. You aren't going to find blockers better than a FBack who can also run and catch the football. It's got nothing to do with the scheme or anyone's wishes or coaching ability.

And bringing up Livings and Bernie isn't fair. Those guys were leased because we didn't have the money to buy better and were busy filling other holes in the draft. If they had drafted there then some would be complaining about a LB, DL or DB etc who we leased. We're still digging out from that hole that Jerry dug over the years.

You want to criticize Garrett then you'll have to take a different tack IMO. I think if you don't have a complete FB then you need to go in another direction. And that may change from season to season but even within a season. That's coaching. Using your personnel to their strengths rather than plugging the wrong guy into a scheme.

Bringing up Livings and Bernadeau is plenty fair. We "loaded up" and "went all in" that year. Do you not remember the mindset? Jones indulged every single coach wish. And it got us nothing in return. That's the issue. Jones doesn't know what he is doing and pays attention to who cries the most.

Who cries most this April? I bet you money is not Garrett for a QB. He will just pout about not getting another little piece he thinks will complete his vision which is flawed.

Point being, we wasted good money on a fullback. Not a lot, sure. But still significant if you have enough of those dumb moves in volume.

Jerry Jones "listens". He wants to win!

 

[Nightman]

Zeke-Turbin-RSmith-FA or UDFA speedster

or

Lamar Miller- Turbin- Draft4-Dunbar

 

[WPBCowboysFan]

Babe must read this forum.
He said he keeps hearing Stafford's name coming up for a future QB. The only place I seen this was on this site.

With some of the stuff he says . . . . . . . . . well, he'd fit right in around here

 

[mrmojo]

I think Babe is really Amy...

 

[Don Corleone]

Anybody can run behind this line......lol

Meat on that bone...

 

[Zekeats]

Zeke!