Lance Dunbar

[Kaiser]

Can anyone explain what Showers has done that would make another team claim him?

Mobility, arm strength, athleticism and he has clearly improved with coaching. That is more to work with than a lot of QBs that will be on the waiver wire.

 

[Fla Cowpoke]

Mobility, arm strength, athleticism and he has clearly improved with coaching. That is more to work with than a lot of QBs that will be on the waiver wire.

But he still hasn't put anything on tape that makes him a threat to be pilfered.

 

[Kaiser]

But he still hasn't put anything on tape that makes him a threat to be pilfered.

3rd string OL and 3rd string WRs, Dak wouldn't look good in that situation either.

And for the record, I don't see Showers as a future starter but I do think he could end up being a good backup we get for free. I'd love to see him clear waivers and make the PS, but right now I'm thinking he is on the 53.

 

[Chuck 54]

Unless the FB sucks at blocking, don't make that mistake. In short yardage, and especially on the goal line, unless you want to run the spread all the time, a FB is critical, and no TE/HB can get the pad level down there when LBs and DBs stunt or a DL breaks through on the goal line. That FB is often the difference between a key loss of yardage and giving the RB a chance to make something happen.

It's the difference between 7 points or 3.....not to mention the FB is a Cowboys tradition on all past successful teams.

 

[Blackspider214]

No real need for the guy who was leading in receiving through 3 games last year? I'd say, yes, there is a need. Not sure the fascination people have here for scrubs like Jackson that you can find on any practice squad.

Dunbar is a scatback, someone you can line up on the outside and obviously knows the route trees well in this system. If he's healthy, I see no reason to keep him off the 53.

Nothing special at all about Dunbar. And add the fact you can't rely on him.
There is a Lance Dunbar on every team.

 

[The Natural]

Nothing special at all about Dunbar. And add the fact you can't rely on him.
There is a Lance Dunbar on every team.

this simply isn't true.

 

[Chuck 54]

If Showers has any potential at all, any confidence at all, he will sign elsewhere for a chance to play in the next couple of years. I like him, but those who think he will be Dak's future backup are deluding themselves. He won't be a backup QB in Dallas unless he first tries to earn a job elsewhere and is a failure at it. How many young QBs are anxious to back up Andrew Luck without even ever trying to start somewhere?

 

[Fla Cowpoke]

3rd string OL and 3rd string WRs, Dak wouldn't look good in that situation either.

And for the record, I don't see Showers as a future starter but I do think he could end up being a good backup we get for free. I'd love to see him clear waivers and make the PS, but right now I'm thinking he is on the 53.

I do hope we are able to keep him, I do see that he has improved. Dak has played against 1's basically with our 2's and still looked good. Let's not minimize his play in order to prop up Showers. It is unfortunate for Showers that he probably isn't going to get a chance with the best cast. It does make it easier for the team to keep him here though.

 

[Galian Beast]

I wish we had a legitimate FB instead of all these projects. For a team that wants to run the ball we haven't taken that position seriously, but I would say it is more of a man blocking position than a zone one.

 

[superonyx]

That might be but it might not. The Cowboys kept Dustin Vaughn because they didn't think he would clear waivers and Showers looks better than Vaughn did.

You are right.. You never really know I guess.
The problem Showers has is being the 4th QB on this team. The Cowboys thought enough of Kellen Moore to make him the number 2. They could decide to carry Showers and cut Moore lose...
Regardless I hope for the best. He seems like he could actually play in this league. To many guys floating around the league with no future like Weeden, or Cassell.

 

[JDSmith]

I wish we had a legitimate FB instead of all these projects. For a team that wants to run the ball we haven't taken that position seriously, but I would say it is more of a man blocking position than a zone one.

I have been thinking that as well. If you are zone blocking and try to use a FB it seems he'll just get in the way, since the RB doesn't have a set hole to run through and is looking for a crease. And since we want to zone block more than man block, a FB has less value. Murray was better as a single back.

 

[Kaiser]

The problem Showers has is being the 4th QB on this team. The Cowboys thought enough of Kellen Moore to make him the number 2. They could decide to carry Showers and cut Moore lose...

Can't they put Moore on the PUP and then the IR if he isn't ready by game 7? At this point I have to think Dak is way beyond the level of play in the backup QB spot that they expected from Moore.

 

[mattjames2010]

Nothing special at all about Dunbar. And add the fact you can't rely on him.
There is a Lance Dunbar on every team.

No, not there is not. Had this discussion with with Alexander the Contrarian in the past. Show me the amount of teams that have a scatback that plays on the level Dunbar was playing at least year. Sproles, Woodhead, Lewis, and Johnson are the big name scatbacks in this league (Johnson looks to be becoming more)

Can you give me a list of FA RBs that could replace the production Dunbar gave us in receiving last year?

 

[CCBoy]

That's the thing. He makes you make those decisions when he's in the game. Even if the ball doesn't go to him, he's a valuable matchup piece.

Plus he has some ST value, where not all the backs really do.

I think that when both he and Cole Beasley are on the field at the same time...there are some major problems for an opposing defense.

 

[ElGatoGrande]

Aside from the injury problems, the only thing I see as a negative with Dunbar is that he can't carry the load if pressed into service. He just isn't big enough.

 

[Irvin88_4life]

I think that when both he and Cole Beasley are on the field at the same time...there are some major problems for an opposing defense.

Could go small with Beasley, Whitehead and Dunbar on some situations

 

[JDSmith]

Aside from the injury problems, the only thing I see as a negative with Dunbar is that he can't carry the load if pressed into service. He just isn't big enough.

Exactly. He's a gadget player. He has a very small set of things he can do.

 

[Blackspider214]

No, not there is not. Had this discussion with with Alexander the Contrarian in the past. Show me the amount of teams that have a scatback that plays on the level Dunbar was playing at least year. Sproles, Woodhead, Lewis, and Johnson are the big name scatbacks in this league (Johnson looks to be becoming more)

Can you give me a list of FA RBs that could replace the production Dunbar gave us in receiving last year?

You realize he isn't reliable at all and has not progressed any in his career and is most likely on his way out in the next year or so? You are propping him up to be something he is not. Does not mean anything if you can't stay on the field.

He's not even close to what Sproles has been. No one even knows Dunbar besides our own fans.

 

[mattjames2010]

You realize he isn't reliable at all and has not progressed any in his career and is most likely on his way out in the next year or so? You are propping him up to be something he is not. Does not mean anything if you can't stay on the field.

He's not even close to what Sproles has been. No one even knows Dunbar besides our own fans.

Injuries are a concern, yes. He hasn't progressed? Everyone considers what he was doing last year as progress.

You want to discuss his injuries? That's fine. You attempting to downplay how he played last year before his injury and you'll be in a room alone with two of the boards most annoying members.

And you think I give a **** who knows Dunbar? I don't. I am asking you to provide me a list of scatbacks in the league. No one said Dunbar is "special", he plays a role that not many players fit in the league. So either give me that list or stop responding.

2015

Week 1 - 8 receptions, 70 yards (Set us up for the game winning drive in the 4th)
Week 2 - 3 catches, 45 yards (Big one came lined up like a receiver)
Week 3 - 10 catches, 100 yards
Week 4 - 3 carries, 50 yards

Please, before you attempt your mental gymnastics, just stop while you're ahead before you hurt yourself. You don't want to do this.

 

[TheMarathonContinues]

But he still hasn't put anything on tape that makes him a threat to be pilfered.

Most guys don't. THink about all of the players the Cowboys have picked up from someone else's practice squad. You rarely see guys that have contributed and are put on special teams.