Looking closer at McFadden

[theogt]

For me, he's just been sort of an afterthought. A guy that I didn't expect to have a real shot at the lead role. Kind of a joke, actually. You hear about the bad OLine play but that seemed to be more of an embarrassing excuse.

Well, I went and watched a few games from 2014 to see what was there. Let me just say, if you feel like you're taking our line for granted you can watch the Raiders and quickly realize how lucky we are. I didn't remember what it was like to see 3 guys in the backfield blowing up a run. And as bad as their line play was, the QB play was even worse, almost comical.

But when McFadden was able to get a crease, or heaven forbid, a hole, he knew what to do with it. Good vision and burst, with a decisive one cut and go style of play. He had surprisingly strong inside run ability as well.

I've been firmly in the Joseph Randle camp, thinking there's an outside shot at Ryan Williams surprising us too. But I have to say now that McFadden is the better player from what I can tell.

Just my $0.02.

 

[sureletsrace]

This, coming from you, gives me hope.

No offense intended by that. You're just typically skeptical.

 

[CyberB0b]

There are plenty of running backs who have had bad lines and QB play and have succeeded over the years. There's a reason why he was a bargain basement pickup. He just isn't very good at this point and he will have to earn a spot on this team. Hopefully, with a limited amount of snaps, he can produce.

 

[Idgit]

There are plenty of running backs who have had bad lines and QB play and have succeeded over the years. There's a reason why he was a bargain basement pickup. He just isn't very good at this point and he will have to earn a spot on this team. Hopefully, with a limited amount of snaps, he can produce.

I'm not a big fan of the McFadden pickup, mostly because he reportedly struggled so much with zone blocking when OAK tried it. That said, though, it's possible that one type of runner could have more trouble with shedding tacklers in the backfield than another type of runner might. I'm not saying that that's what went on in OAK, because I haven't bothered to look at their games at all, but I could definitely see a bad OL affecting one back more than it does another in one situation and it being a different story altogether in a better blocked scheme.

I hope for our sake DMF has a great season, even if I'm skeptical. He appears to be a good guy, too, and a hard worker. It'd be awesome of our proscouts were to deliver a rabbit out of a tiny hat yet again.

 

[windjc]

For me, he's just been sort of an afterthought. A guy that I didn't expect to have a real shot at the lead role. Kind of a joke, actually. You hear about the bad OLine play but that seemed to be more of an embarrassing excuse.

Well, I went and watched a few games from 2014 to see what was there. Let me just say, if you feel like you're taking our line for granted you can watch the Raiders and quickly realize how lucky we are. I didn't remember what it was like to see 3 guys in the backfield blowing up a run. And as bad as their line play was, the QB play was even worse, almost comical.

But when McFadden was able to get a crease, or heaven forbid, a hole, he knew what to do with it. Good vision and burst, with a decisive one cut and go style of play. He had surprisingly strong inside run ability as well.

I've been firmly in the Joseph Randle camp, thinking there's an outside shot at Ryan Williams surprising us too. But I have to say now that McFadden is the better player from what I can tell.

Just my $0.02.

Do have any of the links you watched? I couldn't find any game footage that weren't "highlights."

 

[Clove]

McFad was a stud in College, sucked in the pros -- Don't know squat about Williams -- Randle is a head case with burst at spurs of the game when the real threat leaves the field. That's all we know right now.

 

[speedkilz88]

Do have any of the links you watched? I couldn't find any game footage that weren't "highlights."

I think he pays for nfl replay stuff with all 22 coaches film.

 

[FuzzyLumpkins]

For me, he's just been sort of an afterthought. A guy that I didn't expect to have a real shot at the lead role. Kind of a joke, actually. You hear about the bad OLine play but that seemed to be more of an embarrassing excuse.

Well, I went and watched a few games from 2014 to see what was there. Let me just say, if you feel like you're taking our line for granted you can watch the Raiders and quickly realize how lucky we are. I didn't remember what it was like to see 3 guys in the backfield blowing up a run. And as bad as their line play was, the QB play was even worse, almost comical.

But when McFadden was able to get a crease, or heaven forbid, a hole, he knew what to do with it. Good vision and burst, with a decisive one cut and go style of play. He had surprisingly strong inside run ability as well.

I've been firmly in the Joseph Randle camp, thinking there's an outside shot at Ryan Williams surprising us too. But I have to say now that McFadden is the better player from what I can tell.

Just my $0.02.

Yup. Constant penetration and no push at the poa. Nobody could move in space. TE types were worse. Carr threw a lot of really bad picks especially early in the year. The run was often abandoned by half.

 

[windjc]

Yup. Constant penetration and no push at the poa. Nobody could move in space. TE types were worse. Carr threw a lot of really bad picks especially early in the year. The run was often abandoned by half.

The biggest question is why did McFadden lose his job to another runner?

 

[FuzzyLumpkins]

The biggest question is why did McFadden lose his job to another runner?

Sparano made a press conference after a November loss saying that they were going to stop trying to win and focus on developing players for next year. In his starts, Murray ran for 3.7 ypc. He also got to run behind their starting RT and RG who were hurt earlier in the year. The RT replacement was decidedly awful.

 

[brymatt94]

There's something about Williams, many might not put stock into what he did last pre-season but he ran with great vision and quickness behind lineman that aren't even on the team anymore. I hope he gets a real shot to make the 53. Randle did take advantage of his opportunities last season but of course there's the risk factor with him, maybe it's a maturity thing who knows. Dunbar is a role player with a skill set that is always nice to have. I think it'll be: McFadden-Williams-Dunbar.

 

[guag]

There's something about Williams, many might not put stock into what he did last pre-season but he ran with great vision and quickness behind lineman that aren't even on the team anymore. I hope he gets a real shot to make the 53. Randle did take advantage of his opportunities last season but of course there's the risk factor with him, maybe it's a maturity thing who knows. Dunbar is a role player with a skill set that is always nice to have. I think it'll be: McFadden-Williams-Dunbar.

So you don't think Randle makes the team?

 

[spook930]

You guys put a little too much into players performance vs looking at the situation. Players who preform bad on bad team are capable of doing good on other teams ie RoMac. It also works the other way around James jones was a stud in greenbay.... Look at him now. Systems and environments can bring a lot of of a player and I'm hoping we can revive DMF here in Dallas.

 

[brymatt94]

So you don't think Randle makes the team?

If Williams performs well, no I don't think so. I see Williams as his main competition. Dunbar is too unique with what he does. It's hard to say though, medically Randle is the safer bet.

 

[muck4doo]

You guys put a little too much into players performance vs looking at the situation. Players who preform bad on bad team are capable of doing good on other teams ie RoMac. It also works the other way around James jones was a stud in greenbay.... Look at him now. Systems and environments can bring a lot of of a player and I'm hoping we can revive DMF here in Dallas.

Yep. Look at what Alvin Harper did after he left, or Laurent Robinson arrived.

 

[superonyx]

There's something about Williams, many might not put stock into what he did last pre-season but he ran with great vision and quickness behind lineman that aren't even on the team anymore. I hope he gets a real shot to make the 53. Randle did take advantage of his opportunities last season but of course there's the risk factor with him, maybe it's a maturity thing who knows. Dunbar is a role player with a skill set that is always nice to have. I think it'll be: McFadden-Williams-Dunbar.

I'm pretty sure Williams still averaged less than 4 YPC last year in this preseason I have heard so many people reference as hope for him becoming the lead back. Didn't he have 1 run that gave him the majority of his yards and still managed less than 4 YPC? Not 100% sure.

 

[Deep_Freeze]

Well as soon as DMac breaks one for 60 yards everyone will be on his bandwagon.

And he will.......with his speed alot of runs we saw Murray looking around for someone to hit will be TDs.

 

[myslamsareolder]

Guys don't let this turn into an AD AP thing. McFadden's abbreviated nickname is DMC not DMF. hence the nickname RUN DMC...

 

[LittleBoyBlue]

I

Guys don't let this turn into an AD AP thing. McFadden's abbreviated nickname is DMC not DMF. hence the nickname RUN DMC...

I like DMF.

Well as soon as DMac breaks one for 60 yards everyone will be on his bandwagon.

And he will.......with his speed alot of runs we saw Murray looking around for someone to hit will be TDs.

"And you can take that to the bank... Yeah the blood bank" lol

 

[Bowdown27]

Truthfully I don't see Ryan Williams making the final roster. Everyone is discrediting the kid days udfa. Kid can do something. If we don't make a trade or sign another vet. I think we go McFadden Randle days and maybe Dunbar.