Fix the running back room

[Sydla]

He will be a free agent maybe next year

What’s his next contract look like?

That’s the important question.

 

[Sydla]

JUST REMEMBER we don't draft them in round one

We did. Didn’t win squat. Had to choke a bit on his contract.

Don’t make that mistake again.

 

[RustyBourneHorse]

They can go and sign Fournette off the Bills PS!

That'd be smart.

 

[RustyBourneHorse]

Where is this love fest for Henry coming from? What? Give up a top tier draft pick for a guy who'll last you half a season.

The guy is one step behind Zeke in the washed up category.

For me, it's more to do with the fact that I felt we needed an upgrade at RB. Considering how our second round picks go, I felt that it'd be the way to acquire him. As for the washed up bit, he's the sole offense for the Titans. With us, he could get back to form because we have much more on offense (including at QB) than the Titans. So, I figured he'd be the bruising back that we need. As it stands, I think we have to go oline round one and RB either rounds two or three.

 

[RustyBourneHorse]

Agreed!
So glad we did not sign Pollard to a long term deal.
He is clearly not the same back since the injury.

It's more of the fact that I don't think we are using him properly. Part of the reason he was so effective is because Zeke was a power back, and Pollard complimented that by being a more outside the tackles back. He can run up the middle, but that's not his bread and butter. I liked picking up Vaughn in the draft, but he's very similar to Pollard in what his skillsets are. That's fine if we have a lead or power back. It's not great if we're asking them to be the back through the middle and being our lead backs.

 

[Chasing6]

I thought that the running game before the season would be our biggest concern prior to the season, and it seems to be. Because Jerry wasn't willing to find a viable replacement for Zeke (including possibly trading for Derrick Henry), we are where we are now. For those wondering where the running game is, Mike tried to run the ball earlier this season. It became clear that we are deficient in that area, so that's when he started relying on Dak's arm more. As well as Dak has played this season, this doesn't bode well for playing on the road in the playoffs. This is because, especially when you're on the road in the playoffs, you must be able to run the ball effectively. I don't care who your QB is. You must run the ball. The Bills game was a prime example where running the ball is key in bad weather games. If you've ever thrown or caught a football, it's much harder to do so when the ball is wet than dry. You know what's easier when the weather is bad? Running the ball!

Jerry needs to fix the running back room if we are going to try to have success. Being one dimensional in the NFL makes it that much harder to win. Unfortunately, because of our lackluster running back room, we don't have the ability to run the ball as we would like.

If I were Mike McCarthy, I'd start by seeing what Vaughn can do. At least with little screen plays, it's basically an extended handoff. Meanwhile, he needs to kick the tires on every running back currently available and see who can be viable. He and the FO should be bringing in running backs from now until the playoffs for workouts to see who can be a viable option to be a bandaid until the offseason. Then, start over with the running back room. Draft an olineman round one, sign Derrick Henry or Barkley, and then draft another back in round 3. At least then, we stand a reasonable chance of sustaining a run game. If we can do this, then our offense will be much more effective and efficient.

Is the running back room or the OLine???

 

[RustyBourneHorse]

Is the running back room or the OLine???

I think it's a bit of both. I think the oline needs revamping, but Pollard isn't exactly a lead back. We need a lead back to be able to run more effectively. I think a back like Barkley or DH (or a rookie with similar skillsets) would be able to help our oline, and they could give us a better running back room.

 

[EPL0c0]

OLine problem starts with C-Biadasz. Good C, but he's not a mauler. He doesn't push people around like Frederick did.

But still...I find it hard to believe that this OL can't open up more/bigger holes for the RBs.

 

[Beaker42]

RB room is fine, OL room is another story.

The RB room is NOT FINE.

 

[big dog cowboy]

I thought that the running game before the season would be our biggest concern prior to the season, and it seems to be.

Stopping the run has been a problem for years. It's the biggest problem with this team.

 

[big dog cowboy]

possibly trading for Derrick Henry

Henry 249 for 972 or 3.9 ypc. +214 rec yards
Pollard 219 fpr 886 or 4.0 ypc. -295 rec yards

Why do we need Henry?

Save the draft pick (thank goodness Jerry did) and use it on replacing Pollard or upgrading the OL. That's how you make the Dallas Cowboys a better team.

 

[CATCH17]

I’m down for another RB but OL is bad at run blocking.

 

[CATCH17]

Stopping the run has been a problem for years. It's the biggest problem with this team.

Because Dallas is built to play with a lead.

 

[jblaze2004]

Tony Pollard was better last season splitting carries with Zeke. This is Tony Pollards worst year so far as a RB, yards per carry wise.
Whether it be the blocking or etc.


Career stats

Year Year	Team Team	ATT Rushing attempts	YDS Rushing yards	AVG Average yards per carry	TD Rushing touchdowns	REC Total receptions
2023	Cowboys	219	886	4.0	5	52
2022	Cowboys	193	1,007	5.2	9	39
2021	Cowboys	130	719	5.5	2	39
2020	Cowboys	101	435	4.3	4	28
2019	Cowboys	86	455	5.3	2	15

 

[nalam]

RB room is fine, OL room is another story.

Running game starts with OL, experienced Old timers are good for pass blocking, but you need mauling young bucks for the run games. Martin , Tyron are getting up in age and slowed a bit, Steele is an enigma , dont know when he will regain complete confidence, Biadaz was never a mauler , Tyler S can be the one for Run game but he is playing multiple position in 2 years and need to get into groove. Draft picks havent paned out ( Ball and Waltlzy ) Bass and Asim are ok ,but need to take the Next steps.

 

[RustyBourneHorse]

I’m down for another RB but OL is bad at run blocking.

We can and should fix both.

 

[RustyBourneHorse]

Tony Pollard was better last season splitting carries with Zeke. This is Tony Pollards worst year so far as a RB, yards per carry wise.
Whether it be the blocking or etc.


Career stats

Year Year	Team Team	ATT Rushing attempts	YDS Rushing yards	AVG Average yards per carry	TD Rushing touchdowns	REC Total receptions
2023	Cowboys	219	886	4.0	5	52
2022	Cowboys	193	1,007	5.2	9	39
2021	Cowboys	130	719	5.5	2	39
2020	Cowboys	101	435	4.3	4	28
2019	Cowboys	86	455	5.3	2	15

Well, yes. That makes sense. Especially given that he's not the same back as Zeke. He's great in a secondary/complimentary role. But, hes not an every down runner.

 

[RustyBourneHorse]

Stopping the run has been a problem for years. It's the biggest problem with this team.

Yes, but im talking about our own running game being deficient. Maybe DH isn't the answer, but something has to be done. The oline needs upgrading, but the running back room isn't helping them.

 

[RustyBourneHorse]

OLine problem starts with C-Biadasz. Good C, but he's not a mauler. He doesn't push people around like Frederick did.

But still...I find it hard to believe that this OL can't open up more/bigger holes for the RBs.

I think it also has to do with the backs. The FO thought that Pollard was an every down back. He clearly isn't. They were wrong.

 

[Kwyn]

It's more of the fact that I don't think we are using him properly. Part of the reason he was so effective is because Zeke was a power back, and Pollard complimented that by being a more outside the tackles back. He can run up the middle, but that's not his bread and butter. I liked picking up Vaughn in the draft, but he's very similar to Pollard in what his skillsets are. That's fine if we have a lead or power back. It's not great if we're asking them to be the back through the middle and being our lead backs.

Not that Zeke was a “power back” but Zeke was a RB1, no matter how far down the list of RB1s he was (like bottom 10%, sorry Zeke)

But …

Pollard was, is, and will always be, an RB2. It’s just how some players are made.

Could Alvin Harper have been WR1? I’m sure someone could make an argument, but all of us know the real.

Pollard is a change of pace and that’s it. Period. It was a mistake to leave him as our only option.

I’m not even mad about the decision to give him the one year deal. That’s just money. But the RB depth chart needed someone better than Rico Dowdle.

From an offensive gameplan perspective, someone in the talent evaluation department missed the reality check.