News: DMN: Sturm: Breaking Down RB Ryan Williams

[xwalker]

I'm not very sure about Randle's pass protecting abilities. I know McFadden can do it, but I didn't think it was a strength for Randle. I'd have to go back and look, though.

Randle did well in Pass Pro in 2014 and that includes the preseason where he got more opportunities. He struggled with in in 2013.

 

[tyke1doe]

Another Sturm gem

Are you being sarcastic?

 

[Idgit]

I'm not very sure about Randle's pass protecting abilities. I know McFadden can do it, but I didn't think it was a strength for Randle. I'd have to go back and look, though.

It was a strength of his coming out, anyway. From the relatively small sample we've seen in the pros, he knows where he's supposed to be and at least gets in the way. The biggest knock on Randle was the less than ideal speed.

In any event, they're both better at it than Williams is, which I guess is the point here. I still think that pass protection is the primary reason we picked up McFadden in the first place.

 

[JohnsKey19]

Well, there's still that pass protection thing. McFadden and Randle are both pretty good at it, but it's the thing we're really missing out on when we let a complete back like Murray walk--one guy who can do it all. Of the backs on the roster, Randle actually comes closest to filling that bill.

If Williams can get it down, though, he'd be a complete player and we'd just need to worry then about his ability to stay healthy.

yes pass-pro is a factor as well. I would have to think he busted his tail to improve in that area since last preseason given that is probably the only notable "hole" in his physical game. He needs to at least be adequate in that area.

 

[gimmesix]

Randle did well in Pass Pro in 2014 and that includes the preseason where he got more opportunities. He struggled with in in 2013.

OK, thanks. Like I said, I hadn't really studied him in that area.

 

[Fritsch_the_cat]

Dude runs to daylight, which I like. Murray made me crazy at times, seemed to look for someone to hit instead.

 

[gimmesix]

It was a strength of his coming out, anyway. From the relatively small sample we've seen in the pros, he knows where he's supposed to be and at least gets in the way. The biggest knock on Randle was the less than ideal speed.

In any event, they're both better at it than Williams is, which I guess is the point here. I still think that pass protection is the primary reason we picked up McFadden in the first place.

I agree that Williams is/was bad at it.

Figuring out what's expected of McFadden is difficult. Did Dallas bring him in to compete for the starting role or as a better third-down option because of his pass protection, receiving ability, etc.?

I think the Cowboys' view him as a veteran fallback if Randle and Williams fail who can be the primary backup/third-down back. However, it's possible with so many questions about the position that they view him as the front-runner to start.

 

[jterrell]

It's funny that people are so excited about the OL draft picks, but for the 2015 season, those picks probably won't make the OL any better than last season. If Collins replaces Leary that's probably a break even trade-off with Collins being a rookie. Green is doubtful to be as good as Parnell as the backup swing Tackle in his rookie season.

The OL will likely be better largely because TFred and Martin are young ascending players while Tyron is at the least in his prime if not still ascending.

Green is likely not ready to start or play heavy snaps next year (he is a swing OT and long-term Free replacement by design).
Collins is probably as good as either Free or Leary and will only get better.
Worst case he is an enormously talented insurance policy.

What's more important is Parnell was never gonna get his money here so was always gonna be gone.
It made no sense to get all fired up over that. The tea leaves weren't hard to read.

So over the off-season Dallas got cheaper with Collins and Green on rookie deals and got better and got younger.
That's a really good thing and should be enough to assuage your broken heart.

In another words it's like Halle Berry dumped you but ScarJo moved right in.

This, my friend, is the good life.

 

[Idgit]

yes pass-pro is a factor as well. I would have to think he busted his tail to improve in that area since last preseason given that is probably the only notable "hole" in his physical game. He needs to at least be adequate in that area.

I'm sure he's been working on it like crazy. It was the major reason given when he was released in AZ, too, so he knows it's a problem. But, yeah, it's a pretty important hole in his game. If he gets better at it, he's got a real shot at making the roster, and if he makes the roster, I think he's going to be stealing carries. He's a good runner and just about everything you want with the ball in his hands. And even though he doesn't have a lot of catches, he's a natural receiver, too.

 

[Crown Royal]

I'm sure he's been working on it like crazy. It was the major reason given when he was released in AZ, too, so he knows it's a problem. But, yeah, it's a pretty important hole in his game. If he gets better at it, he's got a real shot at making the roster, and if he makes the roster, I think he's going to be stealing carries. He's a good runner and just about everything you want with the ball in his hands. And even though he doesn't have a lot of catches, he's a natural receiver, too.

The catches are important. I feel like last year I saw Romo dump off more than I've ever seen before to RBs and it worked really, really well.

 

[jterrell]

I'm not very sure about Randle's pass protecting abilities. I know McFadden can do it, but I didn't think it was a strength for Randle. I'd have to go back and look, though.

Randle was better than Murray IMHO. Now obviously Murray had a ton more carries and was worn down but he seemed to be fairly poor last year in pass blocking.

 

[erod]

Randle was better than Murray IMHO. Now obviously Murray had a ton more carries and was worn down but he seemed to be fairly poor last year in pass blocking.

Randle greatly benefitted from coming in after Murray wore teams down, but there's no doubt, Randle could finish runs that Murray couldn't.

 

[tyke1doe]

I'm excited about Williams' potential behind this offensive line. He just has to stay healthy. I think the Cowboys invested one more year in him on the practice squad so he could continue to strengthen his body. I think they knew DeMarco Murray was going to walk and wanted to groom RW at a patient pace.

I think he'll be on the 53-man roster, and I think the Cowboys won't run him to death. They'll sprinkle in RW, Randle and McFadden with a dash of Days to wear down defenses in the fourth quarter.

Mount Rushmore indeed.

 

[Idgit]

I agree that Williams is/was bad at it.

Figuring out what's expected of McFadden is difficult. Did Dallas bring him in to compete for the starting role or as a better third-down option because of his pass protection, receiving ability, etc.?

I think the Cowboys' view him as a veteran fallback if Randle and Williams fail who can be the primary backup/third-down back. However, it's possible with so many questions about the position that they view him as the front-runner to start.

They gave McFadden less guaranteed money than they gave Williams. My guess is that they think Randle has got a shot as a fairly complete RB but they worry about an injury to him. If he's lost of the year, you had Dunbar--willing, but physically unable to pass block--and Willaims--not good at pass blocking. They added a veteran who was dirt cheap, no risk, and who they knew could protect Tony and that passing game we rely on if it came to it. Anything he gives you in terms of speed or recaptured elusiveness in the running game or in the short passing game is a plus.

If it turned out that we ended up with a more complete all-around back through the draft, or if it turns out that Williams has figured out how to pass block (and I think that's unlikely that he could demonstrate that sufficiently in the coming preseason), McFadden might not even be a lock for the roster. They basically didn't give him anything more than a no-risk tryout. If he does stick, it's at the expense of Dunbar (who I think they really like), Williams (who's lack of ST makes him vulnerable if he can't show he can hold up in protection), or we roll without a HB again (which is distinctly possible).

 

[ThreeandOut]

It's going to be interesting to see how this all shakes out. I could see Randall as the starter, McFadden the 3rd down back, and Williams as the short yardage/goal line back.

 

[jterrell]

Randle greatly benefitted from coming in after Murray wore teams down, but there's no doubt, Randle could finish runs that Murray couldn't.

I was just referencing as a pass pro guy to be clear.
Not knocking what Murray did with the ball.
I think fans overrate him (based upon expectations going forward) but his season was historic for a reason.

 

[erod]

I was just referencing as a pass pro guy to be clear.
Not knocking what Murray did with the ball.
I think fans overrate him (based upon expectations going forward) but his season was historic for a reason.

Yes, he is being overrated. And that beating he took might mean he'll never be the same again anyway.

 

[Stash]

It's funny that people are so excited about the OL draft picks, but for the 2015 season, those picks probably won't make the OL any better than last season. If Collins replaces Leary that's probably a break even trade-off with Collins being a rookie. Green is doubtful to be as good as Parnell as the backup swing Tackle in his rookie season.

And it's sad that a 'fan' is apparently rooting for these things to happen so he can give everyone a "told ya so!"

 

[xwalker]

The OL will likely be better largely because TFred and Martin are young ascending players while Tyron is at the least in his prime if not still ascending.

Green is likely not ready to start or play heavy snaps next year (he is a swing OT and long-term Free replacement by design).
Collins is probably as good as either Free or Leary and will only get better.
Worst case he is an enormously talented insurance policy.

What's more important is Parnell was never gonna get his money here so was always gonna be gone.
It made no sense to get all fired up over that. The tea leaves weren't hard to read.

So over the off-season Dallas got cheaper with Collins and Green on rookie deals and got better and got younger.
That's a really good thing and should be enough to assuage your broken heart.

In another words it's like Halle Berry dumped you but ScarJo moved right in.

This, my friend, is the good life.

I'm not complaining. I'm a big fan of Collins and Green, but they are about the future. The 2015 OL is doubtful to be better than the 2014 OL.

 

[DeaconMoss]

the juke move on the swing pass on the dolphins defender is the best. He shook the guy to the ground, LOL.