How badly did we mess up the RB situation?

[Jenky]

First off, I'll admit, I wanted to let Murray go after the Eagles gave him that 8 million dollars a year offer. I would have signed him to a 6 million dollar per year contract. I think the previous low ball offer really affected Murray and offended him. It caused him to hold out in free agency, look for the best deal, and make an attempt to engage division rivals into a bidding war for his services.

I think the front office's arrogance completely botched that situation up. They wanted to emulate what the Patriots do, RBBC, and even though it's sound in theory, how often does it work in practice? It works for the Patriots cause they have Tom Brady. Their success always points back to Tom. The other deciding factor was probably based off the success of the o-line last year. "Anyone" can run behind that line. Say what you will, but Murray was the perfect back for this system. The only glaring deficiencies he had was the fumbling issue and his vision.

Last year Murray, Randle and Dunbar were all on the active roster. This year all 3 are gone (Dunbar to the IR). It's been a RB carousel this year with guys like Randle, McFadden, Michael, Rod Smith and probably Trey Williams soon. There's no consistency at all. It looks ugly, stagnate, and with hardly any upside.

Hindsight is 20/20 and I hate to say it, but I think things would have been tremendously different had we kept #29.

 

[CATCH17]

I think it would've been fine had Romo stayed healthy.

It's top 10 without him and we seem set on consistently running at defenses trying to take the run away.



I think 1 problem though was Will McClay and Co. believe that JAson Garrett knew how to operate a committee. He's proven time and time again that he has no feel how to keep 2 guys involved.

 

[tomsanders921]

Should have drafted one in the middle rounds. Never like signing free agent running backs.

 

[Alexander]

Fairly bad. Trusting Randle was bad enough. There were backs like Karlos Williams to be had in the draft.

 

[canters]

we will find out how badly this was handled come draft time...if we draft one early, then we messed it up pretty badly. If we draft a difference maker on defense, which is what we need badly to bring this defense up more, and then take a RB later on, then we did not mess up that badly.

 

[big dog cowboy]

I think the front office's arrogance completely botched that situation up. They wanted to emulate what the Patriots do, RBBC, and even though it's sound in theory, how often does it work in practice?

Hindsight is 20/20 and I hate to say it, but I think things would have been tremendously different had we kept #29.

There are a lot of teams that use RBBC not just the Pats.

RB isn't the reason we have lost 7 in a row. Keeping Murray wouldn't have helped any more than the RB's we have used in his absence.

 

[robjay04]

I think it would've been fine had Romo stayed healthy.

It's top 10 without him and we seem set on consistently running at defenses trying to take the run away.



I think 1 problem though was Will McClay and Co. believe that JAson Garrett knew how to operate a committee. He's proven time and time again that he has no feel how to keep 2 guys involved.

Funny thing is, he was pretty good at it earlier in his career with Jones/Barber.

I don't think we messed it, it may look bad now but it is a position that will take one offseason to add some upside to, it's not like DL or OL where it could take several offseasons to fix. We are good enough now to run the ball, add a draft pick and/or a Lamar Miller/Doug Martin to this group for a fraction of what Murray got paid and we will be fine.

 

[Aven8]

To quote Steve Dennis, "we lost our winning formula." We totally screwed the pooch in this deal, whether that was bringing back Murray, or getting a replacement. They actually got lucky with Dmac, at least so far. They almost screwed that up as well by only giving him a few touches early on.

It's obvious that we want a back to toat the load, and sprinkle in a guy for a few spots. The RBBC was a total BUST!

 

[JohnsKey19]

I think it would've been fine had Romo stayed healthy.

It's top 10 without him and we seem set on consistently running at defenses trying to take the run away.

.

Romo as we've seen masks a lot of foolishness going on in Valley Ranch. So yes, you're probably right. but to answer the OP's question. To me, they botched it terribly. As I said above, ironically it's McFadden's durability that has allowed them to avoid complete disaster at RB.

 

[robjay04]

To quote Steve Dennis, "we lost our winning formula." We totally screwed the pooch in this deal, whether that was bringing back Murray, or getting a replacement. They actually got lucky with Dmac, at least so far. They almost screwed that up as well by only giving him a few touches early on.

It's obvious that we want a back to toat the load, and sprinkle in a guy for a few spots. The RBBC was a total BUST!

We lost our winning formula once Romo went down.

It doesn't matter if Murray was back there, he wouldn't of been as successful as last season or anywhere close without a passing game to balance defenses.

 

[CATCH17]

To quote Steve Dennis, "we lost our winning formula." We totally screwed the pooch in this deal, whether that was bringing back Murray, or getting a replacement. They actually got lucky with Dmac, at least so far. They almost screwed that up as well by only giving him a few touches early on.

It's obvious that we want a back to toat the load, and sprinkle in a guy for a few spots. The RBBC was a total BUST!

We lost our winning formula win Romo went down.

We were 2-0 with Romo and these RB's.


I don't believe Murray has 1 win when Romo ever went out. We are Romo dependent. Not Murray dependent.

 

[Zimmy Lives]

I think it would've been fine had Romo stayed healthy.

It's top 10 without him and we seem set on consistently running at defenses trying to take the run away.



I think 1 problem though was Will McClay and Co. believe that JAson Garrett knew how to operate a committee. He's proven time and time again that he has no feel how to keep 2 guys involved.

This.

Jim Brown himself would have had a hard time running against 9-man fronts and no QB support.

 

[CATCH17]

Romo as we've seen masks a lot of foolishness going on in Valley Ranch. So yes, you're probably right. but to answer the OP's question. To me, they botched it terribly. As I said above, ironically it's McFadden's durability that has allowed them to avoid complete disaster at RB.

Where I think we messed up was not going for Peterson.

Had we acquired him I think he saves our season without Romo. He is truly a guy that can overcome having Garrett as a coach and no Romo on the field.


Anyone else available to us and I think we're still 0-7 without Romo.

 

[Aven8]

We lost our winning formula win Romo went down.

We were 2-0 with Romo and these RB's.


I don't believe Murray has 1 win when Romo ever went out. We are Romo dependent. Not Murray dependent.

Of course we did. But we are talking about the RB's here. Romo, and this team have never played better than what we had last year and we threw it down the drain!

 

[Hawkeye19]

They over-estimated what they had at RB (in Randle) and the ability of the OL to block for anyone they put back there. While you can't pay everyone a premium-- there is a LOT to be said for continuity, and letting Murray walk away was a calculated gamble.

To me though-- the bigger issue is not having adequate depth behind Romo and Dez. Our 3 big stars from last season's offense have not been on the field, and THAT has affected the overall quality of the product. It could have been offset somewhat if they picked up a shrewd vet WR and a better backup than Weeden. Trading for Cassel and having him learn the system on the fly was a recipe for disaster.

 

[JohnnyHopkins]

Dallas went overboard on their undervaluing of running backs this offseason, especially in the draft. I was head scratching when they passed on Langford in the third and thought Ajayi's leg must be close to amputation when they passed on him in the 4th. They have both looked pretty good for their teams these last few weeks and if DMC goes down then there will be much rueage.

 

[tyke1doe]

I think it would've been fine had Romo stayed healthy.

^This^

This year has to be graded on a curve with Romo being injured.
Teams don't have to worry about our passing game because Romo is out.
Be that as it may, we'll have a chance to draft a running back in the first or second round, either Ezekiel Elliott (cross fingers) or Derrick Henry (who would be perfect for his offense).
The Cowboys history and future isn't confined to this year.

 

[CATCH17]

Of course we did. But we are talking about the RB's here. Romo, and this team have never played better than what we had last year and we threw it down the drain!

Completely disagree.

We are sitting pretty and effectively running the ball with Romo here.

We're still top 10 in rushing and we couldn't have put our RB's in a worse situation with all of our tendencies, playcalls, and lack of first down.


Not paying Murray 8 mill a year was the definitely right move.


Where they messed up was not drafting a guy but I don't see a draft pick getting us past 0-7

 

[jazzcat22]

Should have drafted one in the middle rounds. Never like signing free agent running backs.

I don't think any RB's after the first 2 rounds could have done any better than what we had / have.
However, I do agree it wouldn't have hurt to draft one anyway, as you never know. As hindsight is 20/20.

If Gregory would not have fallen as he did, I believe they would have taken a RB. But a DE that could, or should have been a top 10 possibly, was the better pick at the time.

 

[Aven8]

Completely disagree.

We are sitting pretty and effectively running the ball with Romo here.

We're still top 10 in rushing and we couldn't have put our RB's in a worse situation with all of our tendencies, playcalls, and lack of first down.


Not paying Murray 8 mill a year was the definitely right move.


Where they messed up was not drafting a guy but I don't see a draft pick getting us past 0-7

Come on Catch, you know they had it right last year. I'm not saying pay DM 8 million. This year they are running it well average wise, but it's an inconsistent running game.

Don't be mad because you were wrong about Joe!