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

[Staubacher]

Running to daylight and not fumblng are basics that I'm looking forward to going back to.

 

[Aven8]

Did Linny mean back to "basic" RB's?

 

[gimmesix]

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

I find it funny that some believe a back who has not averaged below 4 yards per carry in any season in the NFL, even when Dallas' line wasn't all that good, is suddenly going to be awful. The only thing that will stop Murray is what has stopped him in the past: injury.

 

[Fletch]

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.

That's easy to say at this point. But at the same time last year, we had no clue what Murray was bringing to the table either. Patience.

 

[FuzzyLumpkins]

This team is so young they have little choice but to start from the ground up. We have three rookies that are going to get significant snaps. Guys like Whaley are better prepared but are seeing practice for the first time.

 

[gimmesix]

That's easy to say at this point. But at the same time last year, we had no clue what Murray was bringing to the table either. Patience.

No, we knew what Murray could bring to the table based on his history. I don't understand why what he had accomplished before last season is downplayed.

The only real concern we had about him was health. Otherwise, he had already been a 1,000-yard back, (1,121 yard sin 2013). He had already shown that he could carry the ball 200-plus times. He had already shown that he could average at least 4.1 yards per carry while doing it (5.2 in 2013). And he had already shown he could score while doing it (9 TDs in 2013).

Dallas running the ball more in 2014 was built upon those facts. What is Dallas running the ball as much this season built on? It's offensive line ... because that's all we have to go by. Because if we look at the backs we have and what they've accomplished, there's no way anyone should be saying everything will be fine.

I hope for the best, and it is what it is, but Murray was proven as a runner entering last season. No one we have now is, unless you count McFadden from three years ago or Randle's 6.7 YPC last year in a table-scraps role (54 carries). I'm eager to see what these guys can accomplish, but I see no reason for this line of faith that so many are selling. Faith is blind unless it is based on evidence, and the evidence isn't very supportive of these runners.

 

[Szczepanik]

Murray was a top 5 RB when playing a healthy season whether we want to admit it or not. He was very good. Very high character. Brought a toughness to our running game. Did he leave yards on the field? Yes. Don't understand the hate for a guy that is all class, and continues to be such. Deserves more respect from our fanbase.

With that being said Ryan Williams is getting 1.2k this year. Going to find a sportsbook and put the odds on that one

 

[windjc]

Running to daylight and not fumblng are basics that I'm looking forward to going back to.

Lol. Well played.

 

[Bleu Star]

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

Best read yet regarding the RB situation. Of anyone speaking on it, I definitely trust Linehan more than the others. Thanks for sharing.

 

[Sportsbabe]

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 thought about something today, what if Ryan Williams asked Witt to work out with him like he did with DeMarco last year? That would put RW in the Pet House and give him some of that special sauce.

 

[Sportsbabe]

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.

I don't see how anyone can make that determination because we've just recently (in the past 3 years) restructured our offensive line. And during all those years Murray was our featured back. Randle or Dunbar have never been featured in our offense. I think they can do it behind this O-line. I want to give them the chance....including Williams.

 

[Sportsbabe]

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

Lol. The fumbles and running up the back of his blockers is what I'm looking forward to. There will be no Zach or Tyron bailouts next year.

 

[coult44]

I find it funny that some believe a back who has not averaged below 4 yards per carry in any season in the NFL, even when Dallas' line wasn't all that good, is suddenly going to be awful. The only thing that will stop Murray is what has stopped him in the past: injury.

Want a friendly wager on that one?

 

[CF74]

So their bringing back the ole pitch and the end sweep, well we do have edge speed to pull that off..

 

[DFWJC]

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

Unless he gets hurt, you know that ain't happenin with the line they have. Many think they're not too far off what we had last year.
We can hope though.

 

[Fletch]

No, we knew what Murray could bring to the table based on his history. I don't understand why what he had accomplished before last season is downplayed.

The only real concern we had about him was health. Otherwise, he had already been a 1,000-yard back, (1,121 yard sin 2013). He had already shown that he could carry the ball 200-plus times. He had already shown that he could average at least 4.1 yards per carry while doing it (5.2 in 2013). And he had already shown he could score while doing it (9 TDs in 2013).

Dallas running the ball more in 2014 was built upon those facts. What is Dallas running the ball as much this season built on? It's offensive line ... because that's all we have to go by. Because if we look at the backs we have and what they've accomplished, there's no way anyone should be saying everything will be fine.

I hope for the best, and it is what it is, but Murray was proven as a runner entering last season. No one we have now is, unless you count McFadden from three years ago or Randle's 6.7 YPC last year in a table-scraps role (54 carries). I'm eager to see what these guys can accomplish, but I see no reason for this line of faith that so many are selling. Faith is blind unless it is based on evidence, and the evidence isn't very supportive of these runners.

Not buying it because I can't see thru my agenda against Murray.

 

[JDSmith]

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.

It seems to me that Dunbar is the odd man out. McFadden can do the same things he can do, and he can protect the QB a lot better.

 

[skinsscalper]

What I REALLY can't wait for is when we go 0-4 in the pre-season (like last year) and watch the Trail of Tears Gang deem our season over and that our running game is a turd that will sink us to the bottom of the league, only to have that same group of MENSA Members setting their fingers on fire with "eat crow" threads by week 6.

 

[Redball Express]

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 think it's more than that.

I think Linehan is going to get more creative with the offense overall.

I see less reliance on the running game like last year and a more wide open passing attack like Linehan used in Detroit.

We have the guys to open up with Escobar and Street and maybe this guy Farmer.

We will still play action a lot with the running backs but I see more ball control with short to medium passing where the OL can dominate repeatedly effectively.

It's going to place more burden on Romo..

but without Murray..

he's the next fall back guy until somebody else steps up.

What else is new in Dallas.

If indeed the defense improves..it could be enough to get us back to the playoffs.

 

[Alexander]

"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."

This is the statement that concerns me. It is open ended.

So in the next few weeks of mini camp, what if they decide, none of the backs on the roster are capable? Do they go back to the previous philosophy?

We should know our identity. We run the ball consistently. At lot more than in 2013. Or 2012. Or 2011. It works. It protects Romo and keeps the game off of him to feel like he has to win it. Going 12-4 running the ball often was no accident.

Even Bill Parcells ran it with Hambrick, Aveion Cason and Adrian Murrell and it got Dallas to the playoffs, with Carter at QB.

The maintenance of sticking to the run game is vital, even if it is not nearly as wildly successful as last year. They have to maintain the idea to defenses, this is what we do. We are going to control the game and make your defense quit. If we turn into a passing offense again, at Romo's age and health, it is not going to work.

I just do not trust Garrett and/or Linehan to stick with it if they have trust issues. That alone is the only reason I even thought trying to retain Murray was even worth the thought.