Impact of losing top RB

[ConstantReboot]

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.

Exactly. The McFaddens and Randles I believe a good runningbacks. But the believe the defense is going to play them softer than Murray and will want proof that anyone of our backs can beat them.

The team did a disservice to Randle by not trying him out as the lead back for a few games. Maybe its their fear that his not as good as a passblocker as Murray. He was good coming in for Murray. I'm not sure how he will handle the starting role if ever.

I don't like the RBBC. I'd prefer one dominant back to carry the load - like what Murray, Smith and Dorsett did in the past. RBBC are for teams like the Patriots. Were a team like Seattle and we should have continued being like a "Seattle" team instead.

 

[windjc]

Exactly. The McFaddens and Randles I believe a good runningbacks. But the believe the defense is going to play them softer than Murray and will want proof that anyone of our backs can beat them.

The team did a disservice to Randle by not trying him out as the lead back for a few games. Maybe its their fear that his not as good as a passblocker as Murray. He was good coming in for Murray. I'm not sure how he will handle the starting role if ever.

I don't like the RBBC. I'd prefer one dominant back to carry the load - like what Murray, Smith and Dorsett did in the past. RBBC are for teams like the Patriots. Were a team like Seattle and we should have continued being like a "Seattle" team instead.

If Randle gets 100 yards a game, or we get it by multiple backs, they will put that man in the box. Most of Randle's runs last year were against a stacked box. Whats going to happen if they defend with 1 lesser man?

 

[ConstantReboot]

If Randle gets 100 yards a game, or we get it by multiple backs, they will put that man in the box. Most of Randle's runs last year were against a stacked box. Whats going to happen if they defend with 1 lesser man?

Thats a big IF. Like I said there are too many questions in the runningbacks we have now. No reason to experiment while we can bring someone else who is a sure thing.

 

[windjc]

Thats a big IF. Like I said there are too many questions in the runningbacks we have now. No reason to experiment while we can bring someone else who is a sure thing.

Who's the "real thing" we can bring in?

 

[ConstantReboot]

Who's the "real thing" we can bring in?

AP for one. Why not dangle a 3rd round pick and see if they bite? I'd also take CJ right now.

 

[windjc]

AP for one. Why not dangle a 3rd round pick and see if they bite? I'd also take CJ right now.

You think its as easy as "dangling a 3rd round pick?" Even if it is, how do you know Dallas hasn't done that? Or spoken to CJs agent?

 

[casmith07]

The patriots went 11-5 the yr Brady went down with a knee injury and missed the entire yr.
we should be able to compensate for the loss of a running back fellas

Seriously. I could pull up thread after thread where people are calling Murray injury prone and glass and all this other stuff.

It's a freaking running back.

 

[Alexander]

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.

The psychological impact of a dominant running game especially with a bell cow back like you described is very underrated. If you beat up opposing defenses this way, it is demoralizing, even more than having some home run big play. It helps control the game and manage the tempo. Nothing like knowing it is coming and you cannot do anything about it. That is what was so significant.

 

[jnday]

The psychological impact of a dominant running game especially with a bell cow back like you described is very underrated. If you beat up opposing defenses this way, it is demoralizing, even more than having some home run big play. It helps control the game and manage the tempo. Nothing like knowing it is coming and you cannot do anything about it. That is what was so significant.

This explains everything . RBs are undervalued by some because the media has told them the position is no longer important. Watching the Acowboy games last year should have opened some eyes, but some fans are convinced that all offenses has yo be just like those of the Pats and Broncos.

 

[Alexander]

This explains everything . RBs are undervalued by some because the media has told them the position is no longer important. Watching the Acowboy games last year should have opened some eyes, but some fans are convinced that all offenses has yo be just like those of the Pats and Broncos.

The best example of just beating someone up and taking their girlfriend was the game clinching drive in the first Giants game where Murray handled it 7 out of the 10 plays, ate up the last five minutes. That is something your next opponent can see and fear after that point.

 

[Zimmy Lives]

Emmitt was a great back.

Demarco is not. He has no vision.

Just because Demarco was solid all around doesn't mean he was our offensive savior last year because he might as well have been Stevie Wonder back there.

Joseph Randle having 1 less 30 yard run on 1/4 of the carries is proof of that.

It is not emphasized enough how good Emmitt was in his day. There is no comparison.

 

[Doomsday101]

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 think an OL is important no doubt I also know you could take another RB stick him behind the 90's OL and they failed to do the job and any time Emmitt missed we suffered for it and lost games. All teams are not built the same and while running may not be as big of a factor for some team it is downright critical. Seahawks are not going to win if they have to rely on their QB to carry the load, Lynch provides a big portion of their offense. How will Dallas fair this year? A lot will have to do with how much production we can get out of our running game. Dallas has tried this crud of 40 passes a game or more and it does not work we do not win we do not compete vs top teams. Last season we did and the run game was a very big part of it. Hell Dallas ran the ball more than they threw it that has not happened in a long time and it is not a coincidence that the running game played such a big role in that success

 

[Doomsday101]

It is not emphasized enough how good Emmitt was in his day. There is no comparison.

and Murray is a very good back that is how he broke Emmitt record. People can say well Murray ran behind a very good OL. SO DID EMMITT. All this vision BS is non sense. The guy lead the NFL in runs over 40 plus yards. No doubt he is not a speed RB but he did everything else asked of him.

 

[Toruk_Makto]

I think an OL is important no doubt I also know you could take another RB stick him behind the 90's OL and they failed to do the job and any time Emmitt missed we suffered for it and lost games. All teams are not built the same and while running may not be as big of a factor for some team it is downright critical. Seahawks are not going to win if they have to rely on their QB to carry the load, Lynch provides a big portion of their offense. How will Dallas fair this year? A lot will have to do with how much production we can get out of our running game. Dallas has tried this crud of 40 passes a game or more and it does not work we do not win we do not compete vs top teams. Last season we did and the run game was a very big part of it. Hell Dallas ran the ball more than they threw it that has not happened in a long time and it is not a coincidence that the running game played such a big role in that success

Emmitt was an all time great player. Hall of fame player and worker.

Bringing him up in any conversation discussing the impact of losing a Demarco type is negotiating in bad faith. And I'm like the US government.... I don't negotiate with terrorists.

Losing an Emmitt Smith type player is going to hurt whatever unit he is attached to. Let's now set him and others of his talent aside and discuss the issue at hand (as a side note AD is that type of talent).

Now the science shows that for most teams dealing with players of regular quality... The rb ranks low on year to year correlation between offensive success.

The only sane conclusion then is to assume our offense will improve from last year. Why? Our young offensive line should improve on its own merit.... Oh and we added a first and 3rd round talent to the mix. Check 1. Check 2? Our qb isn't going into the season unable to bend over. He should be better from week 1. Check 2.

Rb got worse no doubt. Rb is a sexy position. True. But unless your guy is special... A committee of NFL quality backs should get the job done for the Cowboys if not your fantasy team.

 

[Zimmy Lives]

and Murray is a very good back that is how he broke Emmitt record. People can say well Murray ran behind a very good OL. SO DID EMMITT. All this vision BS is non sense. The guy lead the NFL in runs over 40 plus yards. No doubt he is not a speed RB but he did everything else asked of him.

Yes, Murray is (or has been) a very good back! No argument here.

I don't care about his vision, or lack thereof, nor do I care about his presumed lack of speed. I also do not believe that his immediate success was solely due to the improvement of the o-line. However, having said all that, I do not believe he is irreplaceable, therefore, the Cowboys will not be as helpless in the running game as most fans fear.

 

[Doomsday101]

Emmitt was an all time great player. Hall of fame player and worker.

Bringing him up in any conversation discussing the impact of losing a Demarco type is negotiating in bad faith. And I'm like the US government.... I don't negotiate with terrorists.

Losing an Emmitt Smith type player is going to hurt whatever unit he is attached to. Let's now set him and others of his talent aside and discuss the issue at hand (as a side note AD is that type of talent).

Now the science shows that for most teams dealing with players of regular quality... The rb ranks low on year to year correlation between offensive success.

The only sane conclusion then is to assume our offense will improve from last year. Why? Our young offensive line should improve on its own merit.... Oh and we added a first and 3rd round talent to the mix. Check 1. Check 2? Our qb isn't going into the season unable to bend over. He should be better from week 1. Check 2.

Rb got worse no doubt. Rb is a sexy position. True. But unless your guy is special... A committee of NFL quality backs should get the job done for the Cowboys if not your fantasy team.

Yes Emmitt was a HOF RB and I bring Murray up because he was able to break Emmitt record. To say well Murray ran behind a great OL well so did Emmitt maybe the best in NFL history. Saying it is all OL is false, it is a big part no doubt it is a big part for any RB but fact is other RB behind that same Dallas line failed it is not a plug and play situation. Emmitt has said that, Garrett has said that as well Irvin and why? Because they lived it they saw 1st hand you can't take an avg back even behind a great line and get the same results. Not to mention being able to block and pick up the blitz and catch the ball out of the backfield

 

[jrumann59]

Can't blame the FO, though. Their really aren't that many RBs that run with Murray's style. Laveaon Bell is the closest I believe. People keep saying Murray wasn't special. I wholeheartedly disagree with this. Why he is not special in the sense of a scat-back, homerun hitter type; he was one of the few physical, punishing,lateral power backs in the league.

In response to the bolded. A special back does not leave as many yards on field as Demarco did. If we had the Demarco of 2013 he would broken the Rushing record by at least 100 yards. Demarco of 2014 decided that he wanted to be seen as a tough hard running RB so he would seek out contact after he gained yards for first down. He left probably 400 yards on the field last season looking to "punish" opposing defenses.

 

[gimmesix]

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 would be curious how "history" measures that because you would have to look at teams that lost a running back at his peak and didn't replace him with an equally strong running back. I'm not sure how often that happens.

 

[Toruk_Makto]

I would be curious how "history" measures that because you would have to look at teams that lost a running back at his peak and didn't replace him with an equally strong running back. I'm not sure how often that happens.

Probably not that often. Great rbs...or how this is defined as "top rb"....don't exactly grow on trees.

 

[Toruk_Makto]

Yes Emmitt was a HOF RB and I bring Murray up because he was able to break Emmitt record. To say well Murray ran behind a great OL well so did Emmitt maybe the best in NFL history. Saying it is all OL is false, it is a big part no doubt it is a big part for any RB but fact is other RB behind that same Dallas line failed it is not a plug and play situation. Emmitt has said that, Garrett has said that as well Irvin and why? Because they lived it they saw 1st hand you can't take an avg back even behind a great line and get the same results. Not to mention being able to block and pick up the blitz and catch the ball out of the backfield

Lebron is breaking some of MJ's records.

Is he better?

Murray broke Emmitt's record because he had the 6th most carries of all time. Not because they are comparable talents.

Also please stop saying I said things I didn't. I never once said it is all on the OL. I said a strong Oline correlates year to year to a strong offense much moreso than having an elite rb does.