More looks at Darren McFadden

[DogFace]

And this criticism came from fans who have never played in the NFL, watch the game on TV where they can't see all of the players when the ball is snapped, and have a higher opinion of their own opinion than even former NFL players who say things that disagree with the fan's opinion.

Oh wait, and one RB that sat on the bench when he wasn't stealing underwear, or making comments about his teammates while being booked on shoplifting charges.

Criticism comes from many places in this world. In sports, it comes from predominately two locations. The press, and the fan.

One of those groups is close enough to speak with the principle and formed at least a minor educated opinion.

The other are filled with hubris.

Murray ran very hard. Made many tough runs. But it's hard to argue effectively that he did take go through the wrong hole and run to contact on several occasions. The one where Dez was going to lead the way for a td comes to mind. And others have been posted on here.

In some cases the press and or the fans are correct. They're an easy target to point to and say "they know nothing they're fans " but some fans and many on here pay very close attention to the games and the comments they make about the games.

In this site in particular the fans are correct in many cases. IMO.

 

[theogt]

I looked at his college highlights and his highlights when he was considered a top back in the nfl. It was the same thing. You can also look at his game logs. He doesn't have a great batting average, he is a home run hitter.

Yikes.

Pay the $20 to NFL.com and actually do some analysis. At this point, you haven't analyzed anything.

 

[Galian Beast]

Yikes.

Pay the $20 to NFL.com and actually do some analysis. At this point, you haven't analyzed anything.

The numbers don't lie. I didn't suggest that I did a ton of analysis to come to this conclusion, but if you look at the numbers you can see that he was feast or famine. When you look at his BEST running plays, you can see he didn't create anything by breaking tackles or even getting around people. You see a commonality, which is he hit the right seam and he is gone.

 

[JDSmith]

The numbers don't lie. I didn't suggest that I did a ton of analysis to come to this conclusion, but if you look at the numbers you can see that he was feast or famine. When you look at his BEST running plays, you can see he didn't create anything by breaking tackles or even getting around people. You see a commonality, which is he hit the right seam and he is gone.

You clearly didn't watch the same highlights I did. He makes a lot of people miss, or at least he did early in his career.

As for the numbers lying, you can't tell anything at all looking at the numbers. A 3 yard run where a guy has to juke 2 people in the backfield and plow through another because they are all in the backfield is completely different than a 3 yard run where the line pushes the D back 2 yards and the RB trips over his own feet.

 

[theogt]

The numbers don't lie. I didn't suggest that I did a ton of analysis to come to this conclusion, but if you look at the numbers you can see that he was feast or famine. When you look at his BEST running plays, you can see he didn't create anything by breaking tackles or even getting around people. You see a commonality, which is he hit the right seam and he is gone.

It's apparent you from these statements you haven't actually watched him closely. Again, like I said, don't waste your time watching highlight reels. There's almost nothing you can glean from them.

He has very good leg drive and appears to relish lowering his shoulder and taking on defenders, almost to the point where it's a flaw. But his lower body strength allows him to get those extra yards out of sheer will when he does.

I just pulled up one game to find an example of his leg drive up the middle. He does this a fair bit. Look at the blocking first. By the time McFadden gets to the line of scrimmage, there are two defenders facing him head up. But McFadden hits the closest defender so hard the guy doesn't have a chance, then drives with his legs right into the end zone.

Here's a better look at what he's facing when he makes it to the line of scrimmage. The blockers had not done their job and this play should have been stopped in its tracks. But McFadden is low and driving his legs and makes the push into the end zone. To be very clear, McFadden should be our best inside runner on the team by a large margin.

 

[Galian Beast]

It's apparent you from these statements you haven't actually watched him closely. Again, like I said, don't waste your time watching highlight reels. There's almost nothing you can glean from them.

He has very good leg drive and appears to relish lowering his shoulder and taking on defenders, almost to the point where it's a flaw. But his lower body strength allows him to get those extra yards out of sheer will when he does.

I just pulled up one game to find an example of his leg drive up the middle. He does this a fair bit. Look at the blocking first. By the time McFadden gets to the line of scrimmage, there are two defenders facing him head up. But McFadden hits the closest defender so hard the guy doesn't have a chance, then drives with his legs right into the end zone.

Here's a better look at what he's facing when he makes it to the line of scrimmage. The blockers had not done their job and this play should have been stopped in its tracks. But McFadden is low and driving his legs and makes the push into the end zone. To be very clear, McFadden should be our best inside runner on the team by a large margin.

Where did I say he hasn't never pushed a pile or broken a single tackle. I merely said this wasn't his forte. And the evidence backs that up.

 

[Jenky]

I'm expecting Randle to be the starter and lead back. Assuming he doesn't get into trouble or anything.

 

[Staubacher]

McFadden can do a lot of things. He was a smart pickup on the cheap to see if he can revitalize his career behind a great O line and QB.

Randle as a backup had some long runs and showed an ability to finish.

Dunbar didn't get a lot of action but can be sparingly used in the pass and run game.

Williams is a wild card healthwise but if healthy may be the best of the bunch.

For the umpteenth time, Murray was not going to produce anywhere near the carries or yards he did last year. The team made a decent offer knowing he'd probably leave. So he's gone. We lose some dirty yards - maybe - but gain the ability to run to daylight.

I'll take it.

This team has proven it has a plan but I guess boards are made for handwringing.

 

[waving monkey]

returning to the passing game? there has been zero indication of returning to what wasn't nearly productive as last years holes created for running.
with the best or one of the best offensive run blocking lines why would we. The currents backs can all
run and chew gum at the same time.

 

[xwalker]

I looked at his college highlights and his highlights when he was considered a top back in the nfl. It was the same thing. You can also look at his game logs. He doesn't have a great batting average, he is a home run hitter.

You can't properly evaluate a player looking at highlights. I've reviewed many of his NFL games and I don't see any issue with him in terms of style, talent or physical ability. He tried to run over defenders just like Murray in his early NFL seasons. In 2014 he seemed a little more conservative, but will run over defenders in critical situations.

Personally, I don't want him trying to be too physical. He needs to stay healthy which has been his only real problem in the NFL.

Other than injury, his biggest issue in Oakland was that he was often hit in the backfield. He is a bit of a long strider and needs a couple of clean steps to get going. He is not the type of RB that will function the best with a terrible OLine. With a bad OL you need a dancing type RB that can make multiple cuts and run for his life with multiple defenders in the backfield. The ultimate was Barry Sanders.

McFadden, just like Murray, is a 1 cut and get up-field type RB. You need decent blocking for that type of RB to be effective.

 

[PhillyCowboysFan]

Just a little off topic here.

There were several teams that needed a RB. So why did Murray have so few free agent visits or so few offers? I'm sorry, he only had one visit and one offer in the 2-weeks a was dangling in free agency.

 

[Galian Beast]

You can't properly evaluate a player looking at highlights. I've reviewed many of his NFL games and I don't see any issue with him in terms of style, talent or physical ability. He tried to run over defenders just like Murray in his early NFL seasons. In 2014 he seemed a little more conservative, but will run over defenders in critical situations.

Personally, I don't want him trying to be too physical. He needs to stay healthy which has been his only real problem in the NFL.

Other than injury, his biggest issue in Oakland was that he was often hit in the backfield. He is a bit of a long strider and needs a couple of clean steps to get going. He is not the type of RB that will function the best with a terrible OLine. With a bad OL you need a dancing type RB that can make multiple cuts and run for his life with multiple defenders in the backfield. The ultimate was Barry Sanders.

McFadden, just like Murray, is a 1 cut and get up-field type RB. You need decent blocking for that type of RB to be effective.

The fact that nothing has changed much in his style from college to the pros gives us a great indication of what he offers.

I don't want him to be too physical either, but I don't think he is a running back that can be relied on to move the chains consistently either.

 

[Galian Beast]

Just a little off topic here.

There were several teams that needed a RB. So why did Murray have so few free agent visits or so few offers? I'm sorry he had one visit and one offer in the 2-weeks a was dangling in free agency.

I think he gave Dallas a great opportunity to re-sign him. I also think that the market for his services was reduces to teams that wanted to spend a large amount on a running back, which drastically reduces the suitors.

You have teams that already have running backs, so let's say like 12-16 teams. Then you have teams that don't emphasize the run in their offenses, so let's say another 6 or so. And then you have teams that just don't want to pay a running back that much, and you probably have another 6-10 teams.

A lot of teams felt comfortable about getting running backs in this draft class.

What happens to Murray in Philly and what happens with the Cowboys with their running game will largely determine the future of the running back market I think.

 

[xwalker]

The fact that nothing has changed much in his style from college to the pros gives us a great indication of what he offers.

I don't want him to be too physical either, but I don't think he is a running back that can be relied on to move the chains consistently either.

You have to watch complete NFL games, not just highlights. He had plenty of short yardage conversions.

 

[Galian Beast]

You have to watch complete NFL games, not just highlights. He had plenty of short yardage conversions.

I'd suggest you look at his splits the past few years and you would see that he hasn't been good at it. How much of that is his fault versus his lines, we might be able to tell this year, but he absolutely hasn't been a chain mover.

 

[DFWJC]

My concern is returning to the passing game will put Romo in some situations where he forces the ball and that hasn't worked so well in the past. The offense don't need to change . Romo was at his best when he had a solid lead RB that could help shoulder the load. I hope another RB is traded for so that the offense can continue doing the same thing that they did last year.

I think most QBs would agree that having a strong running game--or at least one they (and coaches) have confidence in, and one the opposing defense finally fears--helps them greatly.
That applies to all QBs really.

Until last year, I don't think QB, the coaching staff, or the opposing teams trusted Dallas' run game. Finally, the oline had both Pro Bowlers Smith and Frederick playing their 2nd full seasons at their positions and they had a new Pro Bowl level Guard.
THAT is why they gained confidence in the run game.

Having a very good RB (and Murray was that) helped make that happen, but it was not the main driver by any means.

Also, having the highest rated QB in the league made life much easier to run too, btw.

 

[dfan32]

Romo threw 100 more passes in 2013 than he did last year. He threw 31 tds and 10 ints. He was better last year from an efficiency standpoint.... But he also led the league...

My point being Romo was plenty good in 2013 and this narrative that he's suddenly a problem. If he has to throw a ton is a joke.

I agree McFadden is a home run hitter. He and Felix both big play backs. Exciting to watch when they were together in college!

And Romo? Not all but most of his miscues that have garnered him an over abundance of criticism, took place at or near the end of games. When you're in the ninth, two outs and you have two strikes against you, you have to take a shot! It's the way this game works!

 

[TrailBlazer]

I met Darren McFadden when he was at UA and was shocked at how skinny his legs were. Hard to consistently get the dirty yards without tree trunk type legs. However he can run with power if he has a good running start and he definitely understands pad level. He does his best in space. When he doesn't have to deal with defenders in the backfield before he even gets going. I think he will be effective but hes not going to get all the dirty yards that DM29 was able to get. He won't

 

[JDSmith]

I'd suggest you look at his splits the past few years and you would see that he hasn't been good at it. How much of that is his fault versus his lines, we might be able to tell this year, but he absolutely hasn't been a chain mover.

Or you can go watch the all 22 right now and see it. The line was horrible. I'm watching the game vs the Texans right now and his line is in the backfield with him on almost every play. When they're not, and they do a half decent job, he's able to pick up some yardage. And he's not shying away from contact, he's driving forward and trying to churn for yardage.

 

[superonyx]

McFadden has also struck me as a WR playing running back. I don't dislike him and hope he does very well. I routed for him in Oakland also. He is a likable humble guy.
Watching him play makes me think this is what Dez would look like if they asked him to play RB. Fast, strong, but just built a bit too lean at the bottom. Not the type of thick legs you would expect to be able to withstand 300 lbs lineman to be diving at.