Looking closer at McFadden

[AdamJT13]

I got some stats too..................lets see who is breaking the most runs................since 2011 (Murray's rookie season), lets compare..........................


# of runs 40 yards or more......................Murray has 9.............................McFadden has 4

# of runs 20 yards or more......................Murray has 35 (WOW)...............McFadden has 17

# of TD runs...............................................Murray has 28...........................McFadden has 13

Anybody want to try to argue with a straight face that McFadden is in any way shape or form in Murray's league?.....................there is a reason one back is making $8 million a season and the other back was signed for a happy meal.

I don't believe anyone has said McFadden is "in Murray's league" or would even come close to his production. Most people are simply saying that McFadden might be able to do OK here -- better than he did for the Raiders.

The only thing he might be better at than Murray -- in the running game, that is -- could be breaking long runs for touchdowns. All of those long runs of 20 yards or more by Murray? Only two went for touchdowns. One was a 91-yarder in 2011, and one was a 28-yarder last season. Other than those, the next-longest TD run of his entire career is 15 yards. McFadden has four career TD runs of more than 50 yards (plus a 67-yard TD catch). Only five current players have more.

And those runs of 20-plus and 40-plus you mention above? McFadden's percentages of those runs are both above the league average. So he's been better than average at breaking long runs and better than most at taking it the distance when he does. Given our run blocking, maybe he will be more successful than some people think.

 

[Oh_Canada]

Love to have seen what Murray would have done running behind that abomination of a line in Oakland.

 

[JDSmith]

I'm really looking forward to seeing McFadden run behind our line. I don't know what to expect because I haven't broken down any film of him myself, but I can only imagine that it's a bit disheartening to be stuck in that black hole for 7 years, and it's bound to affect your preparation. One of the most interesting things I've seen was his comment on how hard everyone works here. I also think it's easier to get 'injured' when you play for a team that sucks. Murray would have missed games last year with the broken hand if he played on the Raiders, there would have been no reason to play through it (well, if it wasn't a contract year). Basically the only reason a player would have to play through anything on the Raiders would be if it could get him out of there.

So I'm willing to hold off judgement until I actually see him on our team, but at least based on the posts of people who've actually broken down his play there, I am optimistic.

 

[Fredd]

I like McFadden and if he stays injury free, he will get his 1,000+ with Dallas...

 

[xwalker]

The problem with this argument bro is that McFadden's teammates in Oakland were posting better numbers than he was with the same oline, same QB, same WRs, same TEs, ect.

The "it was Oakland excuse" has been debunked in multiple threads................nobody has been able to explain how McFadden's numbers are worse than the other RBs Oakland used if you are saying the lack of offensive talent is the reason he sucked.

Also, Chris Johnson is used as an example of how a RB can still post respectable numbers despite a horrible passing game. Chris Johnson was still able to post a 4.3 average despite playing with a Jr. High School level QB with the Jets last year.

2014
Randle 6.7 yards/carry
DeMarco Murray 4.7 yards/carry

Latavius Murray in Oakland didn't have many more carries than Randle.

 

[Deep_Freeze]

I don't believe anyone has said McFadden is "in Murray's league" or would even come close to his production. Most people are simply saying that McFadden might be able to do OK here -- better than he did for the Raiders.

The only thing he might be better at than Murray -- in the running game, that is -- could be breaking long runs for touchdowns. All of those long runs of 20 yards or more by Murray? Only two went for touchdowns. One was a 91-yarder in 2011, and one was a 28-yarder last season. Other than those, the next-longest TD run of his entire career is 15 yards. McFadden has four career TD runs of more than 50 yards (plus a 67-yard TD catch). Only five current players have more.

And those runs of 20-plus and 40-plus you mention above? McFadden's percentages of those runs are both above the league average. So he's been better than average at breaking long runs and better than most at taking it the distance when he does. Given our run blocking, maybe he will be more successful than some people think.

Great post. For the price we got him for, we should be doing backflips.

You give him a crease, and he's raising the referee's arms. I enjoyed Murray but he never brought that aspect, DMC will frustrate anyone watching him but he is a home run hitter. Sometimes you will wonder why in the heck are they handing him the ball, then he disappears and you know why.

 

[Beast_from_East]

I don't believe anyone has said McFadden is "in Murray's league" or would even come close to his production. Most people are simply saying that McFadden might be able to do OK here -- better than he did for the Raiders.

The only thing he might be better at than Murray -- in the running game, that is -- could be breaking long runs for touchdowns. All of those long runs of 20 yards or more by Murray? Only two went for touchdowns. One was a 91-yarder in 2011, and one was a 28-yarder last season. Other than those, the next-longest TD run of his entire career is 15 yards. McFadden has four career TD runs of more than 50 yards (plus a 67-yard TD catch). Only five current players have more.

And those runs of 20-plus and 40-plus you mention above? McFadden's percentages of those runs are both above the league average. So he's been better than average at breaking long runs and better than most at taking it the distance when he does. Given our run blocking, maybe he will be more successful than some people think.

I guess we will see opening night against the G-men if McFadden is as good as yall claim he is.

 

[big dog cowboy]

I guess we will see opening night against the G-men if McFadden is as good as yall claim he is.

That is the only real thing I fear about the football season getting started again. The instant evaluations of whoever is getting the carries is going to be almost as unbearable as the entire AP saga. I can guarantee you there will be multiple threads about this immediately after that game. I'm already predicting a mega-merge thread. And it won't stop there. It will continue every day for several months likely well into next off season even if we win the Super Bowl. The Cowboys have definately opened the door for the second guessers, naysayers and the I told you so crowds. Get your popcorn ready.

 

[AdamJT13]

I guess we will see opening night against the G-men if McFadden is as good as yall claim he is.

Because one game will prove everything.

 

[AdamJT13]

That is the only real thing I fear about the football season getting started again. The instant evaluations of whoever is getting the carries is going to be almost as unbearable as the entire AP saga. I can guarantee you there will be multiple threads about this immediately after that game. I'm already predicting a mega-merge thread. And it won't stop there. It will continue every day for several months likely well into next off season even if we win the Super Bowl. The Cowboys have definately opened the door for the second guessers, naysayers and the I told you so crowds. Get your popcorn ready.

"Yeah, we won but ... (insert complaint about running backs). ... If we do that against a real team, we'll lose by 80 touchdowns."

 

[Deep_Freeze]

Because one game will prove everything.

And thats really the point. DMC isn't the type of back to evaluate on one game, Murray is, DMC ain't.

This will be the most talked about thing for this season for us. Other teams are watching, if we are successful with this decision to go cheap at RB, it could decrease the value of RBs even more (its already pretty dang low as is). The leading rusher for the league changed teams to a division rival.

We can go ahead and start the Murray total yards vs our RBs right now.

 

[fortdick]

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.

Is his career finished like Sean Lee's?

 

[CyberB0b]

Is his career finished like Sean Lee's?

When did I say Sean Lee is finished? Please quote me.

 

[fivetwos]

McFadden isn't making this team if Randle, Williams and Dunbar are all healthy at the time of final cuts.

I like McFadden. I think he has something left and could do well here. There just isn't room. I cant cut any of the above guys in favor of him and I cant keep four RBs.

 

[Staubacher]

Because one game will prove everything.

Lol so true. Like last year Romo was done

 

[Staubacher]

McFadden isn't making this team if Randle, Williams and Dunbar are all healthy at the time of final cuts.

I like McFadden. I think he has something left and could do well here. There just isn't room. I cant cut any of the above guys in favor of him and I cant keep four RBs.

I'd cut Dunbar

 

[FiveTime]

I'd cut Dunbar

Yeah, there has been a lot of hype about Dunbar the last couple years but not much substance to back it up. Maybe he needs more touches. I just don't foresee his role expanding with the other options on offense.

 

[Mr Cowboy]

I think that when teams start game planning for Randle, he will show he is a below average RB. I also don't believe that you keep RBs strictly on their special teams play. It would be foolish, IMO, to keep 2 RBs of lesser value as pure RBs, because they play special teams. There's a reason we have so many LBs on the team.

 

[BrassCowboy]

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.

Wow... Some of us think Randle will be the guy while you think he won't even make the team. Goes to show you how much we are all in the gray about the RB position this year with no clear choice.

That being said, not sure what anyone sees in Dunbar. Quick but no power at all. Not that great of vision. He will easily be the guy out if they go only 3 rbs on roster

I actually am stuck between Williams and Randle as far as number one. I will play it wait and see with McFadden

 

[JohnsKey19]

This will never be a Randle vs 2014 Murray or McFadden vs 2014 Murray deal. That's simply not realistic given the historic year Murray had. All Dallas is looking for is a combination of 2 RBs, likely Randle/McFadden to produce somewhere around 1700-1900 yards rushing. Using both players and keeping them relatively "fresh", there is a strong likelihood they can achieve this goal in this current offensive system. If so, it's a huge win for the organization.