Gosselin: "I would expect to see Christine Michael very soon."

[MrMom]

Don't know if he's basing this on any insider knowledge or just on his own observations. Take it FWIW.

http://beta.sportsdaydfw.com/dallas...l?hootPostID=7e565e622a164caf0d18c065c3903f90

Question: Do you anticipate any shakeup to the Cowboys RB rotation with the way the second half went against the Falcons?

Gosselin: I would expect to see Christine Michael very soon. The Cowboys needed a pounder between the tackles last weekend and that back isn't in the current stable of Randle, McFadden and Dunbar. They are all edge guys. Michael offers the Cowboys a chance to run between the tackles. That was DeMarco Murray's bread & butter last season. If the Cowboys can't run the ball better than they did in the second half against the Falcons, every quarterback the Cowboys trot out there will have problems -- including Tony Romo. The Cowboys need to find out what they have in Michael and they need to find out soon.

Fisher also seemed more open to the idea when posed the question, whereas in previous weeks he was quick to shut down the question, saying Michael would only get PT if an injury occurred.

 

[SHAMSzy]

If the Cowboys can't run the ball better than they did in the second half against the Falcons, every quarterback the Cowboys trot out there will have problems -- including Tony Romo.

This is an invalid statement, if Tony Romo was on the field it would open up the run because Atlanta couldn't afford to play single high. The complexity of the game completely changes with 9 on the field.

 

[jday]

If the Cowboys can't run the ball better than they did in the second half against the Falcons, every quarterback the Cowboys trot out there will have problems -- including Tony Romo.

This is an invalid statement, if Tony Romo was on the field it would open up the run because Atlanta couldn't afford to play single high. The complexity of the game completely changes with 9 on the field.

Good point.

 

[Chuck 54]

If the Cowboys can't run the ball better than they did in the second half against the Falcons, every quarterback the Cowboys trot out there will have problems -- including Tony Romo.

This is an invalid statement, if Tony Romo was on the field it would open up the run because Atlanta couldn't afford to play single high. The complexity of the game completely changes with 9 on the field.

That's easy to say, but both Aikman and Romo proved, late in one career and early in the other, that a QB doesn't have magical skills...he still has to have an open receiver or a one that will go get the ball if thrown to when not open. Most defenses will now play a single high safety to prevent TWilliams from getting deep. Without Dez, our receivers are pretty bad.

 

[JohnnyHopkins]

Murray was not worth the money philly paid him, even philly fans would probably agree with that now. BUT, Dallas needs their primary guy to finish off runs with more authority and I don't think Randle is the guy for that. Murray got those three and four yard gains by moving the pile. Randle can't do that consistently and DMC would get injured attempting to do that consistently. Michael has a better shot of being that guy than what we currently have.

 

[Cowboys22]

They don't need both Randle and McFadden. Randle, Michael, and Dunbar will do just fine. Michael needs to be active for short yardage and goal line. Then just keep increasing his workload until he proves he is a lead back or proves he isn't.

 

[Doomsday101]

I would say right now the run game is critical especially with a backup at QB. We must be able to keep the down and distance manageable. Putting these QB in 2nd and long or 3rd and long situation is going to be hard to overcome. Team wants them to be safe with the ball and that is hard to do when defense can put you in sure passing situation.

 

[AbeBeta]

If the Cowboys can't run the ball better than they did in the second half against the Falcons, every quarterback the Cowboys trot out there will have problems -- including Tony Romo.

This is an invalid statement, if Tony Romo was on the field it would open up the run because Atlanta couldn't afford to play single high. The complexity of the game completely changes with 9 on the field.

Weeden never went downfield and, as Garrett pointed out, he never threw outside. Jim Brown couldn't run behind this OL with that going on.

 

[Bleu Star]

Don't know if he's basing this on any insider knowledge or just on his own observations. Take it FWIW.

http://beta.sportsdaydfw.com/dallas...l?hootPostID=7e565e622a164caf0d18c065c3903f90



Fisher also seemed more open to the idea when posed the question, whereas in previous weeks he was quick to shut down the question, saying Michael would only get PT if an injury occurred.

HMMMM....

I'll believe it when I see it.. Until then, I'll just keep holding up my picket sign.

FREE CHRISTINE

 

[Alexander]

I would be surprised if they benched McFadden, which is what it would take.

 

[ajk23az]

I would be surprised if they benched McFadden, which is what it would take.

No kidding, sure he's had a couple runs stuffed but vs the Falcons he was very good. There really just isn't any room for CM right now.

 

[visionary]

We need a thinker workhorse
CM is the only real RB on this team

 

[erod]

3rd and 1

Michael is the only guy I feel good about.

McFadden might be the odd man out.

 

[RS12]

With Weeden playing Nerf ball, the spacing on field is such that the back seven on defense have to run much shorter distances in run support, since they dont respect the pass. Like one giant downward spiral. NFL is a game of spacing as well as mismatches. With Weeden playing small ball it all gets compressed and clogged.

 

[StylisticS]

I would be surprised if they benched anyone for that to happen. I've been wondering how in any way could they find a way to get Michael on the field.

 

[SilverStarCowboy]

With Weeden playing Nerf ball, the spacing on field is such that the back seven on defense have to run much shorter distances in run support, since they dont respect the pass. Like one giant downward spiral. NFL is a game of spacing as well as mismatches. With Weeden playing small ball it all gets compressed and clogged.

That said Cassel gives us a chance to change all of this into a more positive direction down the field. He's better than Weeden right now, why continue to wait on the most important aspect of football, the starting QB.

 

[65fastback2plus2]

Get rid of Clutts and solves our problems. Roll with 4 RB's

 

[Idgit]

If the Cowboys can't run the ball better than they did in the second half against the Falcons, every quarterback the Cowboys trot out there will have problems -- including Tony Romo.

This is an invalid statement, if Tony Romo was on the field it would open up the run because Atlanta couldn't afford to play single high. The complexity of the game completely changes with 9 on the field.

ATL would be playing single high on running downs, no matter what. That's what their scheme does.

But I agree with the sentiment that this is the first realistic week for a Michael sighting. He's been here long enough, and we've seen him in practice enough to know if he'll pass protect and hold onto the ball. Weeden needs more support than he got, and lighting a fire under both the OL and the RB corps from a competition perspective would be a smart move. This is a good week for a change up.

 

[VACowboy]

That's easy to say, but both Aikman and Romo proved, late in one career and early in the other, that a QB doesn't have magical skills...he still has to have an open receiver or a one that will go get the ball if thrown to when not open. Most defenses will now play a single high safety to prevent TWilliams from getting deep. Without Dez, our receivers are pretty bad.

Teams are going to pay a whole lot more attention to all receivers if Romo is under center instead of Weeden. They'd be even more careful with Dez in the game, but the idea that teams will game plan the same for Weeden as they would for Romo is flat wrong, IMHO. Romo isn't gonna throw three-yard check downs all game with eight defenders at the LOS and Romo isn't going to miss a wide open Jason Witten behind the defense down the hash. HUGE difference in the Dallas offense with #9 in the game, and there's not a DC in the league who doesn't know it.

 

[AbeBeta]

3rd and 1

Michael is the only guy I feel good about.

McFadden might be the odd man out.

I don't know, maybe we bench Clutts and use one of the TEs when we need a lead blocker. They couldn't be much worse.