News: Lance Dunbar's knee injury hurt Cowboys more than most realize

[CCBoy]

Lance Dunbar's knee injury hurt Cowboys more than most realize

http://espn.go.com/blog/dallas-cowb...ee-injury-hurt-cowboys-more-than-most-realize



...Lance Dunbar tore the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee on a kickoff return against the Saints. Already without Bryant’s big-play ability, the Cowboys saw the field shrink even more without Dunbar.

Earlier in the New Orleans game, Dunbar had a 45-yard run. In the first three games he had catches of 34, 39 and 21 yards.

The 45-yard run was the Cowboys’ longest until Dec. 3 when Darren McFadden ripped off a 50-yarder against the Packers. McFadden also had a 45-yarder against the Packers. No other running back had a catch as long as Dunbar’s 39-yarder against the Eagles.

The long-talked-about-but-rarely-implemented expanded role for Dunbar finally had seemed to be becoming a real thing...

 

[Doomsday101]

Losing Dunbar did hurt but then Dallas has not had a season with Dunbar that he was not hurt. Losing Romo and having Dez missing time and not playing at full strength made losing any player with play making ability that much harder. I think had we had Romo and Dez in the lineup losing Dunbar would have been a minimal loss

 

[Doomsay]

Another player like Mo where the risk reward balance has gone decidedly negative.

 

[Teague31]

Still can't believe he got hurt trying to return a kick from 9 yards deep. Just so so stupid

 

[davey999]

Still can't believe he got hurt trying to return a kick from 9 yards deep. Just so so stupid

I know. It was ridiculous.

 

[CCBoy]

Are we then saying that a receiver group of:

Dez Bryant
Laquon Treadwell
Williams
Beasley
Witten
Dunbar
McFadden

wouldn't completely change the aggressive game level provided for Tony Romo?

 

[jazzcat22]

I liked that they finally figured out how to use Dunbar.
I was ready to move on from him the past 2 years, but he had shown why they kept him.
Even now I am still ready to move on from him, injured too often, and season ending type.

Now there are no guarantees that someone can replace him, and would not get injured. Or it may take him a while to get into that same role. However, it took the coaches what, 4 years to figure it out.
So that tells me, they just need to find a similar player to use in that role.

Being an UFA coming off an injury, I can see him returning. And I am fine with that. But I want to see some competition there too. As it also depends on his recovery schedule.

 

[jazzcat22]

Come to think of it, drafting Braxton Miller in the 4th round would be perfect.
He can line up at WR, be the Dunbar RB type, and always a threat to throw the ball too.

 

[Zimmy Lives]

Are we then saying that a receiver group of:

Dez Bryant
Laquon Treadwell
Williams
Beasley
Witten
Dunbar The Drake
McFadden

wouldn't completely change the aggressive game level provided for Tony Romo?

Fixed it for you.

 

[Stash]

Sadly, I very much hope they move on from Dunbar. While he was great in his role and we finally got to see what everyone was so excited about, he once again clearly showed that he is physically unreliable. Add that to the fact that he is strictly a niche player and not a true running back, I don't want him back in 2016.

 

[Doomsday101]

Sadly, I very much hope they move on from Dunbar. While he was great in his role and we finally got to see what everyone was so excited about, he once again clearly showed that he is physically unreliable. Add that to the fact that he is strictly a niche player and not a true running back, I don't want him back in 2016.

I would say with him being a FA if he returned on a low end deal then great if not then see ya. He is clearly not a priority for the Cowboys

 

[Stash]

I would say with him being a FA if he returned on a low end deal then great if not then see ya. He is clearly not a priority for the Cowboys

I hope not. And for me, it's not even about the money. It's about making the mistake of relying on someone who has time and again proven to be unreliable. I feel bad for him, but unfortunately not all people are physically able to withstand the rigors of the NFL.

 

[Nova]

No one is going to give him big money. I wouldn't be opposed to bringing him back.

What I am and was opposed to is having him in KO return. He's quick, not fast. His skill set wasn't super well suited there anyway.

 

[DanteEXT]

Losing Dunbar did hurt but then Dallas has not had a season with Dunbar that he was not hurt. Losing Romo and having Dez missing time and not playing at full strength made losing any player with play making ability that much harder. I think had we had Romo and Dez in the lineup losing Dunbar would have been a minimal loss

So what you are saying is the Dez injury was like being kneecapped on the right leg, Romo injury being kneecapped on the left leg and Dunbar like being kicked in the jewels just for good measure? I would agree with that.

 

[Doomsday101]

So what you are saying is the Dez injury was like being kneecapped on the right leg, Romo injury being kneecapped on the left leg and Dunbar like being kicked in the jewels just for good measure? I would agree with that.

Pretty much.

 

[CATCH17]

I think we do need a back like Dunbar but I don't think im willing to rely on him after the knee injury unless he is our only option.

 

[BHendri5]

Dunbar does something once a blue moon but yet he is suppose to be this valuable piece to our team. That is hilarious. The guy is always injured

 

[dallasdave]

Lost 2 out of 3 RB's that we started with, better luck this season.

 

[LocimusPrime]

I like this thread, and i like the cowboys.
Im running low on likes so can you please hit that like button below. I need them and i want them

 

[conner01]

Still can't believe he got hurt trying to return a kick from 9 yards deep. Just so so stupid

I agree
Got hurt returning a kick that should never have been returned