Finding a Spot for Rod Smith

[CalPolyTechnique]

I was really impressed with the overall performance Rod Smith put together last night; he carried his great play in camp into the game.

He had obvious burst and ran with power throughout the game and showed good hands catching the ball on the move.

With an offense predicated so heavily on the run do we keep four RBs (+ a FB)? Or, do we go three deep at RB along with a FB?

Frankly, I'm partial to the 6'-3" 240 lbs Rod Smith over the Dunbar'esque Ronnie Hillman.

 

[JohnsKey19]

I was really impressed with the overall performance Rod Smith put together last night; he carried his great play in camp into the game.

He had obvious burst and ran with power throughout the game and showed good hands catching the ball on the move.

With an offense predicated so heavily on the run do we keep four RBs (+ a FB)? Or, do we go three deep at RB along with a FB?

Frankly, I'm partial to the 6'-3" 240 lbs Rod Smith over the Dunbar'esque Ronnie Hillman.

He's a younger Richie Anderson, who Parcells loved as that do-it-all bigger nickel RB. Honestly I'd roll with Smith and Zeke splitting the nickel RB duties and keep Morris as the backup RB. Plus Smith can even block as a FB if needed.With Smith on the roster providing the versatility, I think this makes Morris a viable option now as RB #2.

 

[Setackin]

Rod>Hill

 

[Yakuza Rich]

It's pretty normal to start the season with 25 Offensive Players, 25 Defensive Players and 3 specialists.

So, we could go:

QB - 2 (Prescott, Moore)
RB - 4 (Elliott, Morris, DMC, R. Smith)
WR - 6 (Dez, T-Will, Beasley, Switzer, Butler, A. Jones)
TE - 4 (Witten, Hanna, Swaim, Gaithers)
OL - 9 (starters, Green, Looney, Cleary and Bell).

I don't see needing 6 WR's as a lock. I don't see DMC as a lock either. Where DMC may get the advantage is with kickoff returns. And a lot depends on what happens with Switzer in the return game. So there's potential room there.




YR

 

[Silver N Blue]

Let's not leave out Morris; who got the ball before Smith.

 

[The Quest for Six]

It's pretty normal to start the season with 25 Offensive Players, 25 Defensive Players and 3 specialists.

So, we could go:

QB - 2 (Prescott, Moore)
RB - 4 (Elliott, Morris, DMC, R. Smith)
WR - 6 (Dez, T-Will, Beasley, Switzer, Butler, A. Jones)
TE - 4 (Witten, Hanna, Swaim, Gaithers)
OL - 9 (starters, Green, Looney, Cleary and Bell).

I don't see needing 6 WR's as a lock. I don't see DMC as a lock either. Where DMC may get the advantage is with kickoff returns. And a lot depends on what happens with Switzer in the return game. So there's potential room there.




YR

I personally don't see the Cowboys keeping four running backs and four tight ends on the roster, the last two roster spots might come down to Morris, Gathers or Smith, and if that's the decision, Special teams is the key, Morris doesn't give you anything on special teams so he may be the odd man out..

 

[casmith07]

He also can lead block as a fullback. He'll be a fullback who can carry the ball.

 

[reddyuta]

It's pretty normal to start the season with 25 Offensive Players, 25 Defensive Players and 3 specialists.

So, we could go:

QB - 2 (Prescott, Moore)
RB - 4 (Elliott, Morris, DMC, R. Smith)
WR - 6 (Dez, T-Will, Beasley, Switzer, Butler, A. Jones)
TE - 4 (Witten, Hanna, Swaim, Gaithers)
OL - 9 (starters, Green, Looney, Cleary and Bell).

I don't see needing 6 WR's as a lock. I don't see DMC as a lock either. Where DMC may get the advantage is with kickoff returns. And a lot depends on what happens with Switzer in the return game. So there's potential room there.




YR

I am not a fan of Looney,surely we can do better.

 

[UDcowboysfan]

I have a hard time with the RBs. DMC is a more complete runner which is needed for our system, while morris is a better pure runner.

 

[Teague31]

It's all about position flex. Morris can only help at RB. Rod plays RB, FB and contributes on all of the ST units. Barring injury I think he's a lock for the 53

 

[jazzcat22]

It's pretty normal to start the season with 25 Offensive Players, 25 Defensive Players and 3 specialists.

So, we could go:

QB - 2 (Prescott, Moore)
RB - 4 (Elliott, Morris, DMC, R. Smith)
WR - 6 (Dez, T-Will, Beasley, Switzer, Butler, A. Jones)
TE - 4 (Witten, Hanna, Swaim, Gaithers)
OL - 9 (starters, Green, Looney, Cleary and Bell).

I don't see needing 6 WR's as a lock. I don't see DMC as a lock either. Where DMC may get the advantage is with kickoff returns. And a lot depends on what happens with Switzer in the return game. So there's potential room there.




YR

I can seeing them keeping a 6th WR, if they only go 8 OL, Bell being the OL out there. Thing is, would they keep Andy Jones or Noah Brown. I give Jones that nod for now, and Noah Brown is my pet cat, so really want him on the team. But he has a few things to learn.

 

[jazzcat22]

Right now, Zeke, Rod, Al for RB's, and keep a 6th WR over a 4th RB. But let us see how DMC plays in the next few games though too.

 

[Bullflop]

I'd be amazed of Rod Smith doesn't find a spot on the active roster.

It seems quite obvious that the staff thinks much the same, as well.

He's likely getting all of this preseason attention for a good reason.

 

[Sydla]

It's pretty normal to start the season with 25 Offensive Players, 25 Defensive Players and 3 specialists.

So, we could go:

QB - 2 (Prescott, Moore)
RB - 4 (Elliott, Morris, DMC, R. Smith)
WR - 6 (Dez, T-Will, Beasley, Switzer, Butler, A. Jones)
TE - 4 (Witten, Hanna, Swaim, Gaithers)
OL - 9 (starters, Green, Looney, Cleary and Bell).

I don't see needing 6 WR's as a lock. I don't see DMC as a lock either. Where DMC may get the advantage is with kickoff returns. And a lot depends on what happens with Switzer in the return game. So there's potential room there.




YR

McFadden, unless he totally sucks in camp is a lock IMO.

 

[Hawkeye19]

I just don't see how Morris makes this roster. If Zeke gets suspended, Hillman would get the nod b/c he plays ST.

If Zeke isn't suspended, I think we roll with Elliott, DMC, and Rod. Keep Hillman on speed dial if someone gets hurt.

 

[NorthTexan95]

It's pretty normal to start the season with 25 Offensive Players, 25 Defensive Players and 3 specialists.

So, we could go:

QB - 2 (Prescott, Moore)
RB - 4 (Elliott, Morris, DMC, R. Smith)
WR - 6 (Dez, T-Will, Beasley, Switzer, Butler, A. Jones)
TE - 4 (Witten, Hanna, Swaim, Gaithers)
OL - 9 (starters, Green, Looney, Cleary and Bell).

I don't see needing 6 WR's as a lock. I don't see DMC as a lock either. Where DMC may get the advantage is with kickoff returns. And a lot depends on what happens with Switzer in the return game. So there's potential room there.




YR

Yep. I could easily see us keeping 4 RB's to start the season even if Elliot doesn't get suspended.

 

[Oh_Canada]

I'd be amazed of Rod Smith doesn't find a spot on the active roster.

It seems quite obvious that the staff thinks much the same, as well.

He's likely getting all of this preseason attention for a good reason.

The fact he can play special teams makes him an almost lock.

He runs with very good patience too.

 

[erod]

He was on the team last year, so it's more about keeping his spot than finding one.

The guy is a good special teamer. He can play fullback and tailback. That's a valuable guy.

He's on the team.

 

[Yakuza Rich]

I personally don't see the Cowboys keeping four running backs and four tight ends on the roster, the last two roster spots might come down to Morris, Gathers or Smith, and if that's the decision, Special teams is the key, Morris doesn't give you anything on special teams so he may be the odd man out..

I agree, but with the EE suspension we may need to keep Morris if that comes out.

The problem with McFadden is that he only gives you something on inside zone runs or the occasional play where you can get him out into space (pitch plays). We really don't have much in the way of kick returners and that may help DMC win his spot.



YR

 

[Yakuza Rich]

I am not a fan of Looney,surely we can do better.

He stunk last night. I don't see anybody on the current roster so we would probably have to bring somebody in.



YR