Let's talk about Darren McFadden

[Don Corleone]

I wouldn't be surprised if DMC ends up in New England or GB next season. If Dallas don't try hard to sign him for next season, he'll end up with a playoff team who needs a quality RB to rotate in and play c.15-20 snaps a game. Looks fresh and could get another 5-6 years in the league as a role player.

I bet the Packers would love to have him.

 

[Bullflop]

He is like our refrigerator and can power thru for a few crucial yards when needed.

LOL -- he's a tad lean for a refrigerator but he definitely gets the job done when called upon. Gotta admire the old dude, tho!

 

[Yakuza Rich]

To me he shows how important consistency is at the RB position. He'll make some explosive plays, but if you give him too many carries he'll have a lot of carries for a loss and then break a 30-yarder and end up at 4.5 ypc. So it's good to have him as a backup because if you can get an explosive play here and there, it's worth it.

DMC has never had the greatest vision, but if you can get him a little bit of space he still has the explosiveness to make a big play that other RB's can't.




YR

 

[JohnsKey19]

Doesn't show the patience to the hole which hurts at times, but he always has that speed and acceleration. Very good 2nd RB.

 

[TheMarathonContinues]

Watching McFadden made me wish he was 23. Because at this age he still looks fresh. Might because he hasn't played all year.

 

[jazzcat22]

cant see any reason to carry 4 next year so wouldnt be surprised if we save 1.5 million and let Morris go but resign Dunbar who is cheaper, younger, and knows the system. As long as DMC learns how to hold his phone it should be Zeke, DMC, Dunbar.
We could replace Dunbar in draft but rb posn isnt a concern and see the top 3-4 picks as well as the draft in general going heavy defense

I bet some fans would trade Romo to the Browns to get Darius Jackson back.......

 

[THEHEREAFTER]

McFadden at 2 has us very potent. Notice how we marched right down the field while resting Zeke for a drive vs Detroit. I think it was the third score maybe. Also he looked great in the Romo drive. I love Alf also but DMAC has earned #2. Don't be shocked if he's streaking down the field often for us as Zeke is wearing defenses down.

 

[John813]

Like Zeke, he has a nice burst.

Definitely a nice #2 going into the playoffs. Still would want to ride the Zeke train all the way though

 

[big dog cowboy]

So, I was originally a little skeptical here about his return, and about cutting Darius Jackson in favor of him, but I want to say that this guy is playing really well in his limited touches.

He looks explosive through the gaps, has occasionally shown a one cut that I didn't think he had anymore. His speed and vision is still there, as evident yesterday when he received a pass in the flat and broke across the middle from what looked like a 2 or 3 yd gain with a LB and DB barreling down on him, turning it into an 11 yard play (Romo). He also had a 24 yd blazer (run to the outside) when Romo was in. He still has the speed to get around the edge. I'm surprised at his explosiveness, to be frank.

Good post. Agree with you on all points. I think we all suspected he wasn't a RB1 any more (stop laughing) but coming off the bench he clearly can be a suitable backup for Zeke.

 

[manster4ever]

He's a beast.....Looks super fast & ready

Yep, and if he isn't involved in the game plan more vs. the Giants then Linehan is crazy. DMC out of the backfield on swing passes to beat that annoying blitz (OR vs. Gbay who blitzes a lot to cover up their bad secondary) would be a killer. I'd put Zeke in the game at the same time and they won't know who to cover and when they do it will have to be with a LB. Total mismatch. We have more options by far with DMC this time around. NO Dunbar as another poster said.

 

[shabazz]

It's funny but all I can say about that is that it makes me laugh sometimes, imagining what the Raiders' fans must be thinking when they see how well DMC is doing with the Cowboys -- especially knowing how he did with them for several years before sending him packing.

What makes me laugh is recalling how many people on the Cowboys message boards were hammering Jerry before the draft and accusing him of wanting to draft DMC because of the Arkansas connection and not because of Darren's ability are now kissing his cleats.

No telling what DMC's career numbers would look like if we picked him.

 

[Bullflop]

He looked pretty good. Much better than Morris. Who I really thought Morris was going to be better than he ended up being. I know he had very limited chances, so maybe that's not fair.

I think perhaps Morris is getting older and possibly has lost a step or two in the process. He seemed to gradually have gotten less effective as the season progressed, while DMC doesn't seem to show the wear and tear quite as drastically. I think they've both been productive in their own way, though but I wouldn't be surprised if we drafted another RB at some point next year. Youth is normally a noticeable advantage at that position.

 

[erod]

McFadden is a good back if he has a great line and big holes. He's slow to the line, but he can scoot when he gets going. Almost no lateral quickness whatsoever.

 

[Trouty]

McFadden is a good back if he has a great line and big holes. He's slow to the line, but he can scoot when he gets going. Almost no lateral quickness whatsoever.

I disagree about his speed to the gap (line), he has very good initial burst, he just doesn't have great wiggle and ability to break defenders arms. That's what keeps him a number two, instead of an elite HB (starter on a good squad).

His lateral quickness (lack of quickness) is negated by his vision. And he has shown the ability to cut in the open field, Erod.

 

[xwalker]

I want McFadden as number 2. If we play the Giants again and Lance Dunbar sees the field, I will break my TV.

I don"t see a problem with Dunbar.

 

[Trouty]

I don"t see a problem with Dunbar.

I agree, X. It finally looks like Lance is finding his stride, and his place as a change of pace back. He had a very nice grab on a pass high and behind from Sanchez yesterday for a first down.

Zeke, McF, and Lance. A very nice trio.

Lance did miss a pickup block on (Jenkins?) yesterday, when he chose the "spy" rusher. But it's not his strong suit, so he gets a pass

 

[Hardline]

McFadden showed me why I laugh at all of you that call him a JAG.

 

[reddyuta]

I want McFadden as number 2. If we play the Giants again and Lance Dunbar sees the field, I will break my TV.

Dunbar is such a drive killer, it kills me the coaches don't see it.

 

[65fastback2plus2]

i like having him back and fresh...defenses are going to hate chasing him down with fresh legs after zeke has punished them and wore em out

 

[Don Corleone]

I don"t see a problem with Dunbar.

He was a major liability against NYG. He couldn't get out on pass routes because the Giants blitzed when they saw him, forcing him to stay in and block. Blocking is not his strong suit.