Impact of losing top RB

[jazzcat22]

And I always though the OL has more to do with wearing down a defense more so than a RB.
Nice to have a punishing style in a RB, but it's always not the case. A RB that somewhat has some power, but with speed and quickness can be just as good. Wearing them down by chasing him as opposed to hitting the defender time and time again.

Emmitt was not a bruising runner. But he did have some power and strong legs obviously. And I think this OL has the potential to be better than the OL Emmitt had.

Last year was a great combination of then OL and Murray. Many people give the argument anyone could have run behind the line Emmitt had, though I feel a lot was Emmitt himself.
Now they want to say Dallas will suck because we don't have Murray, but in fact our current OL did more for Murray, than Emmitt's OL did for him.

I like a RB with some size, but need speed also. I think we will be fine with who we have. Let them compete and see what happens. If another player comes available that may be better then look at that RB when and if it happens.

 

[Gameover]

How can Dallas be the second-best team in the league despite the loss ofDeMarco Murray?

Because the Cowboys are the most talented team in the entire league. Why is this so hard to comprehend!

I cant wait for the seaon!!!!!!!

 

[Derinyar]

RB is easier to fake then many other positions is the issue. You can't fake QB. You can't fake LT. You can't fake a real impact pass rushing DE. If you have a good enough line and enough pressure from the passing game you can fake a running game.

 

[Eskimo]

I'll respond the way I did the first time you posted it:

Now, we don't have him; which I am on record as saying I'm okay with. He wanted too much for too long and very well may lose a step as a result of how much the Cowboys leaned on him last season. With the crutch removed, though, you would think the Cowboys would attempt to either upgrade or at least maintain the status quo. Instead, they are ripping up that blue print and moving on to a new one; the by committee approach. It very well could work, but why after finally getting that identity back after years and years and years of straying from it and trying it a different away with very little success would you say, "to hell with it, let's try something new!?"

I think there a few different reasons we changed:

1. There is a long story of NFL leading rushers not leading their teams to SB wins. I think part of that reason is that QBs and passing attacks are more effective for generating points than running. I suspect another part is that RBs who are putting up huge years just get worn down by all the punishment they receive. I think everyone saw how Murray was not even close to the same player at the end of the year compared to the beginning of the year. The Murray we had weeks 1-8 takes that run to the house against GB and we go onto a rematch with Seattle in the NFCC game.

2. Thus the team will go a different approach this season. They will distribute the ball more evenly to a group of RBs with the hope that all of them are still running effectively by the end of the year.

3. The conclusion may be that special RBs will not create a big enough bump in wins to justify the cost of adding them to the roster. They had several chances to sign mid-tier RBs and draft a mid-tier RB yet they passed on them all probably believing none would move the needle much compared to DMac, Randle and Ryan Williams.

4. By fortifying the defense they may want to play like the Colts and Broncos of the recent past. Pass aggressively to get the lead and then rush the heck out of the opposing QB when the other team presses and goes unbalanced in their offense. We don't have to fear exposing the defense now with this strategy since we have the pass rushers and coverage players to make it work.

 

[ConstantReboot]

I think we need a bell cow, an every-down back, a physical runner who can establish a rhythm and wear defenses down. Murray punished tacklers whether he gained 1 yard or 10. He made defenses stack the box and still pushed through for positive yardage. Opponents knew our game plan, but could couldn't stop it. I worry about RBBC having the same effectiveness. I worry about us getting to cute draws and pitches and loose the straight power running that I believe opens up our passing game. I hope whoever the lead back end up being is getting at least 85% of the snaps.

Yes Murray made teams put an extra man in the box to stop him. Its not whether he will run for 10 yards a carry had blazing speed - its because he changes the defense to account for our run game. Right now, we don't have that dynamic. When we let Murray leave teams probably will not respect our run game enough to putting and extra man in the box. Without having to put account for that extra man defenses can focus in on stopping Romo and the passing attack.

The RBBC works with teams like the Patriots. But we should just do what works for us. We needed a bellcow and that time has passed. I'm concerned about what we got so far and I don't think they are going to force teams to put an extra man in the box.

 

[Zekeats]

The passing game and the offensive line simply have much more importance in the modern NFL.

Funny cause it seemed like the running game is what was more important for us in the modern NFL.

 

[dallasdave]

How can Dallas be the second-best team in the league despite the loss ofDeMarco Murray?

Because the Cowboys are the most talented team in the entire league. Why is this so hard to comprehend!

I cant wait for the seaon!!!!!!!

OH YEAH !!!!!!!!!!

 

[jnday]

It takes two parts to make a great running game. A good RB and a good line. I see a lot of post that that don't take that into consideration. The current line has not accomplished anything compared to the 90's lines, but even the 90's lines couldn't make chicken salad out of chicken manure. I was not a Murray fan, but he did bring a punishing style of running and toughness at the RB position. Two of the RBs on the roster will be injured again if they attempt that style of running. They will miss the physical running and the those two and three yards that are needed for a first down are going to be much harder to get.

 

[dallasdave]

It takes two parts to make a great running game. A good RB and a good line. I see a lot of post that that don't take that into consideration. The current line has not accomplished anything compared to the 90's lines, but even the 90's lines couldn't make chicken salad out of chicken manure. I was not a Murray fan, but he did bring a punishing style of running and toughness at the RB position. Two of the RBs on the roster will be injured again if they attempt that style of running. They will miss the physical running and the those two and three yards that are needed for a first down are going to be much harder to get.

Bring in AP

 

[Corso]

It takes two parts to make a great running game. A good RB and a good line. I see a lot of post that that don't take that into consideration. The current line has not accomplished anything compared to the 90's lines, but even the 90's lines couldn't make chicken salad out of chicken manure. I was not a Murray fan, but he did bring a punishing style of running and toughness at the RB position. Two of the RBs on the roster will be injured again if they attempt that style of running. They will miss the physical running and the those two and three yards that are needed for a first down are going to be much harder to get.

Your point is well taken. A tad on the cynical side, but you have a true right to think that way.
Thankfully Game 1 isn't this Sunday and there are a million things that can happen between now and then and like the La'el Collins signing, truly anything can happen.
And so we wait. Yes?

 

[Beast_from_East]

I've posted this before but I think it deserves its own thread.



I thought this was especially interesting with our own Michael Irvin predicting that the loss of Demarco will lead the Eagles over us in the NFCE. Afterall we are likely to have a better passing game and will undoubtedly have a better offensive line.

By now my position is fairly well established. I believe to my core that the line stirs the drink when it comes to effective rushing games moreso than the other way around.

Now with a respected analytics shop backing it up. What say you everyone?

I don't think you can just plug any jag into the lineup and expect big numbers.

You don't have to pay $8 million for a back but you may need better than jags also

Right now we have jags and that is why the running game is such an unknown right now

 

[erod]

Running backs are the most plentiful players on the planet. It's the easiest thing to do in football.

 

[Zman5]

Murray is a very good back and I wish we could have kept him somehow. But I also don't think most of our success last year was because of Murray. He was a part of it but mostly it was the commitment to the run.

I hope we don't abandon the run this year. I'm hoping JG will keep on running the ball and doesn't go back to his slinging ways.

Key is to get enough production out of the guys we keep where JG doesn't go into his panic mode. I think the current group can do it but we'll have better idea come August.

 

[big dog cowboy]

FWIW: Last season, we averaged more yards per rush when Murray was not on the field than when he was on the field. We also averaged more yards per pass when Murray was not on the field than when he was on the field.

Impossible. I've all but read Murray could walk on water.

 

[windjc]

Yes Murray made teams put an extra man in the box to stop him. Its not whether he will run for 10 yards a carry had blazing speed - its because he changes the defense to account for our run game. Right now, we don't have that dynamic. When we let Murray leave teams probably will not respect our run game enough to putting and extra man in the box. Without having to put account for that extra man defenses can focus in on stopping Romo and the passing attack.

Ok. So they don't put an extra man in the box. As long as we make them pay for not doing that, then they will put an extra guy in the box. That's the unknown right now. Until last year NO team put an extra guy in the box. Last year we started to make people pay. Was it Murray or the line or both? We will find out game 1.

 

[sureletsrace]

I don't understand the rueing over Murray.

He was a good back.

There are good backs out there that aren't even on a team.

Give the front office the benefit of the doubt.

They've earned it the past couple years.

 

[Redball Express]

I've posted this before but I think it deserves its own thread.



I thought this was especially interesting with our own Michael Irvin predicting that the loss of Demarco will lead the Eagles over us in the NFCE. Afterall we are likely to have a better passing game and will undoubtedly have a better offensive line.

By now my position is fairly well established. I believe to my core that the line stirs the drink when it comes to effective rushing games moreso than the other way around.

Now with a respected analytics shop backing it up. What say you everyone?

Irvin went on record saying they shouldnt have let DeMarco go..

we heard it.

So this is nothing more than trying to blow his own support horn.

And I dont ever remember Irvin say last year the Cowboys would beat the Eages and win the East.

Not when Romo was coming off his back surgery and all.

Its a team game.

It takes ALL 53 guys to make it happen.

Irvin makes too much of individual talent.

Individual offensive talent is important.

But collective defensive talent is just as important.

If we had not screwed up and gotten that penalty where we lost $10 mil of the cap..

..we could have afforded to keep DeMarco..

So while Jerrah deserves credit for making GM decisions that wins awards..

..he also deserves a swift kick in the butt for his arrogence.

So does Irvin for his.

 

[Toruk_Makto]

I don't think you can just plug any jag into the lineup and expect big numbers.

You don't have to pay $8 million for a back but you may need better than jags also

Right now we have jags and that is why the running game is such an unknown right now

It's funny. People would be through the moon if we drafted Ajayi in the 5th.

Randle was a 5th rounder.

Randle is a JAG.

Ajayi a savior.

It's madness.

 

[JoeBoBBY]

Yes Murray made teams put an extra man in the box to stop him. Its not whether he will run for 10 yards a carry had blazing speed - its because he changes the defense to account for our run game. Right now, we don't have that dynamic. When we let Murray leave teams probably will not respect our run game enough to putting and extra man in the box. Without having to put account for that extra man defenses can focus in on stopping Romo and the passing attack.

The RBBC works with teams like the Patriots. But we should just do what works for us. We needed a bellcow and that time has passed. I'm concerned about what we got so far and I don't think they are going to force teams to put an extra man in the box.

I agree. If I am a DC, I stop Romo/Dez/Witten. -- Let Randle/McFadden beat me.

I have hopes for both of them. Especially Randle. He is like a jitterbug out there. Can he do it all year against fresh Defenses, Defenses that will key on him? I think he breaks. And I think DMC will be good for a game or two;

But what I like about having a bellcow and a dominant running game is the tone it sets. The identity of being a run first team. Were going to run the ball. A lot. So just leave that extra guy in the box....If we cant make a 1st and 10, a 2nd and 6, and end up in 2nd and 10 more often then not.... I think there is going to be problems.

 

[ConstantReboot]

Ok. So they don't put an extra man in the box. As long as we make them pay for not doing that, then they will put an extra guy in the box. That's the unknown right now. Until last year NO team put an extra guy in the box. Last year we started to make people pay. Was it Murray or the line or both? We will find out game 1.

Thats the problem. Its all unknown. Especially with the runningback crew that we have. If we run with Murray the defense puts an extra man in the box. I'm not sure if anyone of our runningbacks is going to have that same effect on the defense this year.