News: DMN: Sturm: Breaking Down RB Ryan Williams

[Plankton]

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.

Williams has two factors working against him in pass protection. Size is one.

The other is a lack of experience. Between his time at Virginia Tech and the NFL, he has 500 total touches. He doesn't have that many more snaps logged - that's since 2009. He just hasn't been exposed to the responsibilities enough to have developed a skill at it. Missing the last 2.5 years doesn't help that any.

 

[Alexander]

That's interesting. I didn't realize he had return experience, but that probably just wasn't an option b/c that job wasn't open last season. I just remember him saying he had to work on the coverage teams to make the roster last camp. So much the better for him, though, if that changed.

It was not extensive, but it sounded good, albeit nearly six years ago.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/08/18/AR2009081803319.html

Coverages are where I cannot find anything to validate his experience other than Sturm's mentions in the article. Honestly, if that is a deal breaker, we have a problem. The pass pro, yes, I understand that.

 

[Alexander]

Williams has two factors working against him in pass protection. Size is one.

The other is a lack of experience. Between his time at Virginia Tech and the NFL, he has 500 total touches. He doesn't have that many more snaps logged - that's since 2009. He just hasn't been exposed to the responsibilities enough to have developed a skill at it. Missing the last 2.5 years doesn't help that any.

He basically is a low mileage sports car that has had a broken axle. Tough to evaluate.

 

[Plankton]

Collins might be better than Leary this year, but even if he is, it will be a minimal difference this year.

The issue that I'm pointing out is that probably less than 1 in 100 fans actually studied Collins college game footage and also studied Leary's game footage from 2014. The vast majority just assume a player rated as a 1st rounder will be an immediate upgrade over a guy that was a udfa. That's fan logic. The media didn't build up Leary's success so fans generally need somebody telling them what to think.

The reason I posted as much as I have about Parnell was really not about the player per se, but the fact that he fit the profile of a player that I wanted to make a point about. That point being the fan-logic concept whereby most fans can't really evaluate players for themselves and make assumptions based on factors like media opinions, draft status, time on the team without starting, etc..

Fans definitely have problems with any player that does not fit a standard profile. It was inevitably going to take a long time for a player lime Parnell to develop based on not really playing college football, but that is too much logic for most fans to deal with. For many if Broaddus is not hyping a player, then that player must not be any good. Most fans won't spend time studying OLinemen but will remember if they ever see them make a mistake.

It's interesting that you consistently elevate yourself to a certain level as a "fan" and one who studies film, and knock others as being, for lack of a better word(s), ignorant and uninformed.

Yet, for all of your studying, you indicated prior to last year's draft that Zack Martin was overrated, and that David Yankey and Xavier S'ua-Filo had higher upside than him.

With that opinion, why should anyone view what you have to say as being more informed? If you gleaned that from studying film, then I would argue you don't know what you are watching. Or, at least you didn't when it came to Zack Martin.

 

[Alexander]

It's interesting that you consistently elevate yourself to a certain level as a "fan" and one who studies film, and knock others as being, for lack of a better word(s), ignorant and uninformed.

Yet, for all of your studying, you indicated prior to last year's draft that Zack Martin was overrated, and that David Yankey and Xavier S'ua-Filo had higher upside than him.

With that opinion, why should anyone view what you have to say as being more informed? If you gleaned that from studying film, then I would argue you don't know what you are watching. Or, at least you didn't when it came to Zack Martin.

Too bad there is only one like allowed.

 

[ConstantReboot]

The Cowboys RB situation is murky at the moment and I am trying to sort out which of the quartet they currently have in their stable is the most likely to emerge as their leading rusher in 2015. Darren McFadden has the largest body of work in the NFL and there are two others that we know quite well as Lance Dunbar and Joseph Randle have played their entire careers in Dallas.

Personally, I don’t believe McFadden is a #1 anymore, based on his 3 year streak of averaging less than 3.4 yards … [visit site to read more]

Continue reading...

Sturn is the man.

I'm really hoping that the issues with his health and his blocking can be resolved. But there is no question that this is a talented back that I feel is the best to be our starter among all of the 4.

I watched enough film of him to probably say if he had remained healthy he could have been better than Mark Ingram. He seems to me to have more wiggle and vision than Ingram. Surprisingly, he is also a tough runner and breaks tackles - which some of his films shown on Sturns post.

Among the 4 we have he excites me the most and I'm hoping that he can stay healthy all year and become a force in our running game.

 

[superonyx]

He was a beast on those preseason games, against future car salesmen. What about his 58 carries for 164 yards in real NFL games?

Also he was a beast in his 1 college season but in his next season he averaged only 4.3 ypc. For college football that's not impressive at all. I'm pretty sure last preseason he averaged less than 4 YPC also.

I really hope he turns into something special. The truth is he hasn't produced since 2009. Every other season since this one year has not been impressive.

 

[rynochop]

He was a beast on those preseason games, against future car salesmen. What about his 58 carries for 164 yards in real NFL games?

Exactly...everyone loves the rookie and the backup. Any other team could have had him at any point last year and passed. Yeah, like he refused the supposed offers from other teams to be on a roster.

 

[ConstantReboot]

Reminds me of a young Marion Barber.

Ah good point. He also has that wiggle that Randle doesn't possess. I also like his vision.

 

[Alexander]

Exactly...everyone loves the rookie and the backup. Any other team could have had him at any point last year and passed. Yeah, like he refused the supposed offers from other teams to be on a roster.

If he somehow took the starting job or even played a significant role, it would be quite a story. He would be a very special and unique outlier in a sea of players with hard luck cases just like his.

 

[ConstantReboot]

Exactly...everyone loves the rookie and the backup. Any other team could have had him at any point last year and passed. Yeah, like he refused the supposed offers from other teams to be on a roster.

He did have offers from 10 other teams. He refused them all so that he can have a chance to start here in Dallas.

Sometimes players forego money for glory.

 

[Crown Royal]

He was a beast on those preseason games, against future car salesmen. What about his 58 carries for 164 yards in real NFL games?

I'm not a guy who believes you can get by with just-any-back, but until other teams invest in OL the way the Cowboys have, I'm willing to give RBs the benefit of the doubt.

 

[rynochop]

He did have offers from 10 other teams. He refused them all so that he can have a chance to start here in Dallas.

Sometimes players forego money for glory.

It was on the internet, it must be true

 

[rynochop]

If he somehow took the starting job or even played a significant role, it would be quite a story. He would be a very special and unique outlier in a sea of players with hard luck cases just like his.

That would be cool..i hope he comes in and dominates or even jhst contributes on special teams.

 

[BIGDen]

Parnell was kicking arse in all of those preseason gifs.

What was the name of that song from the movie "Frozen" again?

 

[lwehlers]

I do not see Williams making the team. his injury history is not on his side. we need randle to be the starter or look for someone else.

 

[TheDude]

I hate to say it but any RB who is on 1st or 2nd down and has already gotten 5 yards should lean the way of "business decision" when it comes to contact. No reason to sacrifice for an extra 2-3 yards in those situations.

3rd down and playing behind are different of course.

Flame suit on.

well it would be nice to minimize 3rd downs.

 

[speedkilz88]

It was on the internet, it must be true

It wasn't some random person claiming this. Many media guys, some with close ties to the organization have said it.

 

[FuzzyLumpkins]

Starting out, rotate series for 3 quarters and then ride the one with the hot hand to pay dirt in the fourth quarter. After some games are resolved if someone is consistently underperforming then reduce the rotation to 2. Bellcow is a false promise as evidenced by Murray breaking down at the end of the season. We need to keep a rotation to sustain performance.

 

[FuzzyLumpkins]

It wasn't some random person claiming this. Many media guys, some with close ties to the organization have said it.

It's better than that. Williams himself said it. Said he had offers to make the roster from 10 other teams and turned them down because he wanted to be here.