Linehan: Cowboys running game going 'back to the basics'

[Doomsday101]

The Dallas Cowboys running game is going "back to the basics."
Despite owner/GM Jerry Jones saying that the rushing attack is better than last year's, offensive coordinator Scott Linehan sees a lot of work cut out for his backfield. He addressed the media last week after organized team activities.
"We're going back to the basics." Linehan said. "Other guys are going to get more opportunities, obviously. Our expectation is the same as it was going into last year. We're going to work hard, put ourselves in as many advantageous situations we can, trust and believe in whosever on the field, whether the ball carrier or who's blocking for him or all those things."
The Cowboys have the scariest offensive line in the NFL. And it's believed that running back DeMarco Murray can be somewhat easily be replaced by the several backs the Cowboys have.
Joseph Randle recently praised Murray's 2014 season, but it was more of a back-handed compliment. He mentioned that Murray had "a lot of meat left on the bone." In other words, there were some runs that he thought Murray could have gained more yards on.
Even with that confidence, Linehan seems to know it's not going to be easy to replace Murray's 392 carries.
"We're not just picking up where we left off." Lineman said. "We're going right back to the basics and every year is a new year. Our identity is going to be what we created this time of year."

http://dal.247sports.com/Bolt/Linehan-Cowboys-running-game-going-back-to-the-basics-37539196

 

[Thefeelofcotton]

Only time will tell. Like I said in another thread, we can't have too many good RBs.

 

[gimmesix]

"We're not just picking up where we left off." Lineman said. "We're going right back to the basics and every year is a new year. Our identity is going to be what we created this time of year."

http://dal.247sports.com/Bolt/Linehan-Cowboys-running-game-going-back-to-the-basics-37539196

It would be quite difficult to pick up where we left off considering the one back who practically got all of the playing time is gone. We do not have another Murray type on the roster, so the key will be what we can do with the types we have.

 

[Doomsday101]

Only time will tell. Like I said in another thread, we can't have too many good RBs.

I think much of the concern is not having too many good RB as it is having good RB. Currently we have questionable RB. Each of these guys have much to prove

 

[Doomsday101]

It would be quite difficult to pick up where we left off considering the one back who practically got all of the playing time is gone. We do not have another Murray type on the roster, so the key will be what we can do with the types we have.

I fully agree, I feel overall pretty good about this team offense and defense my biggest question is the RB position and how they fair. Based on evidence of their play none have established themselves as quality RB's there is potential and there is failures but none have shown the can be a RB who is counted on to take over the position.

 

[Howboutdemcowboys31]

I think Mcfadden and Randle are capable backups and wouldn't mind either if a starter were to go down . Williams is my favorite but it's hard to trust him to stay healthy . I'm still on the trade for someone boat. Time will tell

 

[Toruk_Makto]

A lot of hang-wringing over the RB position is going to look silly in a few months.

 

[Doomsday101]

A lot of hang-wringing over the RB position is going to look silly in a few months.

I hope so, I hope what we have pans out but as of now none have done much of anything, McFadden and Williams thus far have failed, Randle has had 51 carries as a max in a season that is a max of 3.1 carries a game, not exactly prove of anything. If all we had at WR were guys who were hurt all the time, a guy who have little time playing would you consider the WR area ready to go?

These guys have much to prove I hope they can but right now I see it as a question mark and a concern, does not mean it will be a problem once the season starts but it is a questionable position at this stage

 

[Toruk_Makto]

I hope so, I hope what we have pans out but as of now none have done much of anything, McFadden and Williams thus far have failed, Randle has had 51 carries as a max in a season that is a max of 3.1 carries a game, not exactly prove of anything. If all we had at WR were guys who were hurt all the time, a guy who have little time playing would you consider the WR area ready to go?

These guys have much to prove I hope they can but right now I see it as a question mark and a concern, does not mean it will be a problem once the season starts but it is a questionable position at this stage

We have every criteria we need to have a successful ground game. Elite qb play. Elite wr play. Elite run blocking ability. A league average rb is all we need. I believe we have a group that can be better than league average.

This time last year nobody considered Murray to be an elite back and now suddenly the offense will fall apart without him? Just not buying it.

 

[Doomsday101]

We have every criteria we need to have a successful ground game. Elite qb play. Elite wr play. Elite run blocking ability. A league average rb is all we need. I believe we have a group that can be better than league average.

This time last year nobody considered Murray to be an elite back and now suddenly the offense will fall apart without him? Just not buying it.

Regardless if you felt he was elite or not he still produced at a high level when he was on the field, that is how he made the Pro Bowl in 2013 season as well as his franchise record season last year. If there was a question mark with Murray it would be health but in terms of being able to handle the carries he had shown that. 90's Cowboys had all the things you mentioned, great OL, great QB, Great WR and when Smith would miss any game they failed to win games. I have not said Dallas will fall apart I think if the RB spot does not pan out as we all hope they could struggle.

 

[VACowboy]

I think much of the concern is not having too many good RB as it is having good RB. Currently we have questionable RB. Each of these guys have much to prove

I agree, but so did Murray going into 2014.

 

[coult44]

I agree, but so did Murray going into 2014.

What's going to be awesome is when we see DM averaging 2.1 for the Eagles.

 

[VACowboy]

What's going to be awesome is when we see DM averaging 2.1 for the Eagles.

Murray just HAD to go somewhere in the division.

I hate hating him.

 

[Doomsday101]

I agree, but so did Murray going into 2014.

I did not feel Murray was a concern entering the 2014 season not after the season he had in 2013. 80 yards a game, 5.2 avg 9 rushing TD on 217 carries not to mention 53 receptions on the season. Murray proved quite a bit in 2013. Only question I can recall going into the season would Dallas actually run the ball? With Linehan coming to Dallas from Det many here did not think we would run any more than what we had done with Garrett. And what did Jason catch more flack for in 2013? Not giving it more often to Murray, people do not make those comments if the RB is failing to do the job.

 

[xwalker]

A lot of hang-wringing over the RB position is going to look silly in a few months.

This.

If they were counting on any 1 of the 3 only, then I might be worried; however, between the 3 the probability of getting good play from the RB position is high, IMO. One or two of them will step up and be quality RB(s).

 

[Toruk_Makto]

Regardless if you felt he was elite or not he still produced at a high level when he was on the field, that is how he made the Pro Bowl in 2013 season as well as his franchise record season last year. If there was a question mark with Murray it would be health but in terms of being able to handle the carries he had shown that. 90's Cowboys had all the things you mentioned, great OL, great QB, Great WR and when Smith would miss any game they failed to win games. I have not said Dallas will fall apart I think if the RB spot does not pan out as we all hope they could struggle.

Also, coming into the 2014 season we knew our line would be good....but nobody knew it'd be the best run blocking line in the NFL. They will only be better this year due to natural progression of our young guys and the addition of quality talent and depth.

Our ability to run the ball really shouldn't be a huge issue. Certainly not one that warrants a new rb thread every day.

 

[Doomsday101]

Also, coming into the 2014 season we knew our line would be good....but nobody knew it'd be the best run blocking line in the NFL. They will only be better this year due to natural progression of our young guys and the addition of quality talent and depth.

Our ability to run the ball really shouldn't be a huge issue. Certainly not one that warrants a new rb thread every day.

I could care less about the threads but I do have concerns about the RB, You are talking 40% of the offense directly attributed to Murray and now you have guys who to this point have done little to nothing. I could say it is no concern anyone could do it but then I don't believe that, I could say it is nothing to worry about but that would be a lie.

I still have high expectation for this team and much of those expectation will be meant or fail I think in large part of how effective we can be on the ground.

 

[DCBoysfan]

I liked Murray, but understand why he is no Longer here. I can see a RB by committee to have an effective running game. We won't get Murrays yards but can still pound out those ground yards need for a balanced offense.

 

[TheDude]

We have every criteria we need to have a successful ground game. Elite qb play. Elite wr play. Elite run blocking ability. A league average rb is all we need. I believe we have a group that can be better than league average.

This time last year nobody considered Murray to be an elite back and now suddenly the offense will fall apart without him? Just not buying it.

I think there is something to chemistry. I wouldnt be shocked to start slow in the running game, - which will be met with napalm. Then by game 4-6, things get better and better.

 

[Idgit]

It was the right decision to not pay the big money to Murphy with all those carries on him from last season. The rest doesn't matter all that much to me. I'm actually kind of getting bored with the RB debate.

I'd have liked for them to have added one of the top RBs in the draft in the 3rd or 4th rounds, but they didn't. And McFadden was not my top choice as a FA. But I don't think the season is going to hinge on either of those moves, one way or another. We've got some decent backs on the roster, and the position is just not all that important when it comes to winning games. I have every confidence that we're still going to be calling a relatively high percentage of rushing plays, no matter what.

It'll be interesting to see how they end up using the backs they've got this year, though. Randle had room to be used more. Dunbar brings a lot to the screen game and on the edge that we haven't really taken advantage of yet. Williams has a lot of potential as a runner if he can give us some decent pass protection. And McFadden is new to the position group. It'll be fun to watch Lineman tinker with things in camp and preseason.