Let's talk about Darren McFadden

[haleyrules]

Same here. But I guess the Cowboys scouts and coaches thought do too

Very disappointing. He just got never it going at all! Maybe, he was mostly shot or just didn't get enough work to get him going.

 

[Sportsdude360]

Agree with everything you wrote. Also glad we rested Zeke yesterday because we're going to ride him hard in the playoffs.

Uh....Ok....

 

[chagus]

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 a great option reciver. He'll be utilized more in the playoffs imo.

 

[Doomsday101]

I'm fine with McFadden as a backup, just don't get the love some have for him.

I don't get the hate. He is not a poor RB, clearly he is not Zeke but then not many RB are

 

[KJJ]

I don't get the hate. He is not a poor RB, clearly he is not Zeke but then not many RB are

I'm not hating on him, I just don't get the love some have for him. He's not a poor RB but he's average. Put him behind a lesser OL and he wouldn't do much.

 

[Doomsday101]

I'm not hating on him, I just don't get the love some have for him. He's not a poor RB but he's average.

I think he is a bit more than avg considering the avg RB in the NFL is not as well rounded of a player in terms of all 3 phases. No doubt there are better runners, better back in receiving but getting RB who can be an asset in all 3 phases of the position I think is harder to come by.

 

[_sturt_]

Setting aside all of the analysis, DMac, if you're reading this, I'm just happy for ya... your first playoff appearance in 9 seasons. Good for you!

 

[Zekeats]

I still would have kept Jackson. Coulda cut a bum like the DB McFadden.

 

[JDSmith]

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.

I like Alf, but Alf has looked slow to the gaps, slow to the outside -- McFadden has looked the opposite to me.

What say you, Zoners? Thoughts on McFad?

McFadden is a bum. He's going to be cut for Jackson, he offers nothing even remotely special. I read it here, repeatedly for about a month straight, so it must be true.

Imagine how much more explosive McFadden will look if he gets carries after the defense has been trying to contain Zeke all game and they're feeling the wear and tear of him and the OL pounding on them.

 

[8FOR!3]

I think all the RB's have a solid niche on the team. McFadden's a good backup but he is historically pretty injury prone. Morris is good insurance bc he stays healthy and isn't a bonehead/doesn't do anything stupid to harm the team. Dunbar has his own role, not worried about Darius Jackson.

 

[KJJ]

I think he is a bit more than avg considering the avg RB in the NFL is not as well rounded of a player in terms of all 3 phases. No doubt there are better runners, better back in receiving but getting RB who can be an asset in all 3 phases of the position I think is harder to come by.

One issue that bothers me with McFadden is the negative carries. In 7 attempts he had two negative carries and on our first series he took a 4 yard loss which led to a 3rd and 14. Philly pinned their ears back and came after Dak forcing him to fling the ball away similar to what he was doing a lot in the second Giants game. We have enough trouble with penalties putting us behind the chains so we can't afford negative carries. Dak has struggled in 3rd and long situations. Last season McFadden had 3 negative carries in his first 7 attempts vs Carolina putting us behind the chains. He ended up missing the block that got Romo injured.

Against Tampa he took a 6 yard loss on a first down play late in the game with the Cowboys leading and it led to a punt. We weren't able to milk the clock which allowed the Bucs to win in the final seconds. During this season they had a stat on Zeke where he had the fewest negative plays of any back in the league. When McFadden bounces plays outside he looks stiff and defenders are able to penetrate and take him down for losses. Like I said I'm fine with him as a backup but he has to avoid these damn negative carries.

 

[Manster68]

I really like all of Dallas' running backs. I was sad to see Daruis Jackson get released. Obviously, the coaching staff must have seen some flaws that made them decide to cut the young buck over seasoned vets like Alfred Morris.

I like Morris - but he has some issues with speed. I do trust the fact that on 2nd or 3rd and short that Morris will get the job done.

Of course, all of this evolves around Ezekiel Elliott.

 

[T-RO]

my thoughts yesterday were what an embarrassment of riches at the position.

even Morris and Dunbar have skills of sorts. Wish the same could be said at RT

I don't think Morris is an NFL running back anymore. Seems very sluggish and I can't remember one play all year where he surprised me getting extra yards.

 

[T-RO]

Like I said I'm fine with him as a backup but he has to avoid these damn negative carries.

I don't understand you blaming him on those. I took a moment just now and looked at the losses you mention using NFL Game Pass.

Play 1-Malcom Jenkins the safety comes untouched up the middle on a run-blitz. Demarco was able to take maybe a step and half and the play was over. Hardly on him.

Play 2- Cowboys run a sweep to the left side. Remember they've got two backup linemen. There is absolutely nothing but 4 Eagles ready for him and he loses two yards.

I saw nothing to blame on McFadden on either of those plays.

 

[KJJ]

I don't understand you blaming him on those. I took a moment just now and looked at the losses you mention using NFL Game Pass.

Play 1-Malcom Jenkins the safety comes untouched up the middle on a run-blitz. Demarco was able to take maybe a step and half and the play was over. Hardly on him.

Play 2- Cowboys run a sweep to the left side. Remember they've got two backup linemen. There is absolutely nothing but 4 Eagles ready for him and he loses two yards.

I saw nothing to blame on McFadden on either of those plays.

He has quite a few negative carries, I pointed out a few he had last season. I'm not blaming him for every negative carry he has but he has too many. When he bounces plays outside he has trouble making defenders miss and they're able to take him down. Great backs find ways to make something out of nothing, we've seen that with Zeke. Just turn up field and try and avoid a loss.

 

[T-RO]

He has quite a few negative carries, I pointed out a few he had last season. I'm not blaming him for every negative carry he has but he has too many. When he bounces plays outside he has trouble making defenders miss and they're able to take him down. Great backs find ways to make something out of nothing, we've seen that with Zeke. Just turn up field and try and avoid a loss.

Maybe you are right...I'm not going to go back and look and footage from last year. I try to block it from all my memories as best I can.

 

[Irvin88_4life]

Mcfadden had 7 carries for 28 yards.......1 carry went for 24 yards which means he had 6 carries for 4 yards. I'm not impressed and like I said Dak and Zeke I much rather have then Romo and McFadden

 

[BigStar]

McFadden is great at pass protection as well. He should definitely be our main #2 and even 3rd down back over Dunbar for that reason. If Dunbar comes in, line him up in the slot/outwide; motion him out of the backfield like they do Witten at times. He's not Sproles no matter how much the FO wants it to be so.

 

[Doomsday101]

One issue that bothers me with McFadden is the negative carries. In 7 attempts he had two negative carries and on our first series he took a 4 yard loss which led to a 3rd and 14. Philly pinned their ears back and came after Dak forcing him to fling the ball away similar to what he was doing a lot in the second Giants game. We have enough trouble with penalties putting us behind the chains so we can't afford negative carries. Dak has struggled in 3rd and long situations. Last season McFadden had 3 negative carries in his first 7 attempts vs Carolina putting us behind the chains. He ended up missing the block that got Romo injured.

Against Tampa he took a 6 yard loss on a first down play late in the game with the Cowboys leading and it led to a punt. We weren't able to milk the clock which allowed the Bucs to win in the final seconds. During this season they had a stat on Zeke where he had the fewest negative plays of any back in the league. When McFadden bounces plays outside he looks stiff and defenders are able to penetrate and take him down for losses. Like I said I'm fine with him as a backup but he has to avoid these damn negative carries.

Negative yards will happen, heck we had 2 OL out of the game, hard to judge much out of that game. I'm not trying to make him out to be more than he is but in 10 starts last season he was able to go over 1,000 including 7 90 plus yard games . 1st 6 games he was not getting many touches something all RB need to be able to get into a grove. Add to that Cowboys had no help at QB. Again not trying to make him out to be a pro bowler but I think he is a good RB who can help this team.

 

[CowboyStar88]

I like what DMC is doing in his role. He brings so much more to the position than Morris. I like Morris and think he is a class act, but I don't think he is a good rb anymore.

I can see McFadden playing that Richie Anderson role, but with more speed. He is under contract next year right? God forbid anything were to happen to Zeke at least we have a legit back that can run for 1100-1200 yards in a season.