Next Man Up: Phil Mafah, ready for healthy RB 2 Battle

[rambo2]

I'd give Mafah a good shot ...I just hope they haven't made their mind up on Blue..they do that alot but other teams do too........

Blue is on thin ice. I don't think they trust him in qb protection or holding on to the ball.

 

[kskboys]

Blue is on thin ice. I don't think they trust him in qb protection or holding on to the ball.

Or playing NFL football.

 

[plasticman]

This is one of those positions where competition is the key. Draft a RB on day #3, sign an undrafted free agent.

Throw them in with Blue, Mahfa, and Davis.

Let's see what happens. Whoever "emerges" from the crowd becomes RB2.

A successful running attack is about rhythm. It's about the offensive line humming like a machine. When the running game is on all cylinders, you don't want to throw too many parts in there. Use your RB1. When he needs a rest, throw in RB2. Occasionally inject RB3, a specialist on 3rd downs and long yardage.

You don't really want to throw more RBs in because, I guarantee you, only RB1 and on some occasions RB2 get practice reps with the 1st team O-line. That is a critical element of the running game being in sync.

 

[McKDaddy]

Its only the talent ahead of him thats keeping him off the field.

BTW, did we ever settle on the RB duo nickname for Blue and Mafah?.....or are we just sticking with "Mo Mafah, Mo Betta"?

I call them the Blue Mafia

 

[McKDaddy]

He just didn’t show enough to the coaches to earn more time

The same staff that had Davis in the doghouse for years yet he always does pretty well when he gets in the game?

Sometimes our decisions to keep players on the bench is what convinces me the player should be playing. Bassackwards.

 

[McKDaddy]

I remember someone telling me Deuce was at least as good as Tony Pollard. He was stating it as a preordained fact, like I was stupid for not knowing.

Deuce was greatest RB in history according to at least one poster.

 

[blueblood70]

https://www.dallascowboys.com/news/next-man-up-phil-mafah-ready-for-healthy-rb2-battle

"Mafah's lone game played as a rookie was in the regular season finale, and given he had barely gotten any practice last season because of his long run on injured reserve, expectations had to be tempered. He flashed once or twice on his five handoffs, including getting his first NFL touchdown, and there's excitement for what he'll bring to the RB competition in Year 2. He'll need to hit the ground running though, because with Javonte Williams now the definitive RB1 in Dallas, Mafah will be pitted against Blue and Malik Davis, the latter coming off of a career year, to try and carve out a name for himself in the RB2/RB3 space."

Will they really have a #2 RB. Or will they use Blue, Mafah, Davis depending on the play, down and distance, and field position.

Will they draft a RB in the late rounds to compete with them, or even an UDFA RB.
Much there will be BPA, a RB or an OL, or another player on defense.

Actually, I think the running back room is just fine you know that same one that going into the season last year everyone said was gonna be the worst in the league They ranked it as 32nd... I think they're actually going to improve even if they just keep the same players No reason to make a big change you're right phil's ready to maybe take a few more snaps and I think Blue learned a lot last year and had to be a pro he's going to be even better I feel he can do what Tony Pollard did his first couple of years behind Zeke..

So, we had a good running back room last year but I think it's gonna even be better than that in Year 2 They know the system and should be better coming off a second off season..

That doesn't mean if somehow they're in the 5th round and a 3rd round grade on a running back just falls in there somehow Yeah I mean you gotta take him.

But if you really listen to Brian Schottenheimer he really likes his room a lot and they're going to install more stuff for Hunter as well the fullback they're going to run him more which they should He's actually a better runner than people think..

 

[blueblood70]

Blue is on thin ice. I don't think they trust him in qb protection or holding on to the ball.

People keep saying he’s not the guy, but I believe Brian Schottenheimer got through to him, and he’ll get a shot this year at a much bigger role. And by the way, you know who’s on thin ice? Tell Ferguson to hold on to the damn ball. In fact, tell all our players—because in just about every game, someone had a ball bounce off their hands into an interception or fumbled while running. I remember before he got hurt, Miles Sanders fumbled literally inside the 5-yard line in a big game against the Eagles. It didn’t take long—second half—and I remember Williams fumbling near the sideline in the Chicago game, which shifted the momentum. That alone gave the Bears a lot of confidence, and it just snowballed from there.

The only reason that play ended in a fumble was because it was a perfect helmet-on-ball hit with force, and that’ll make anyone cough it up. It was the perfect storm. So don’t act like he’s a chronic fumbler just because of his college days—he’s really not. I’ve watched him, and he’s working on it. But if he’s on thin ice, then so is the entire defense from last year and everyone else who kept coughing the ball up late in the season. There were way too many turnovers—or close calls. I don’t know how many Ferguson had, but it was insane.
I'm sure he will fix it but even Zeke had that off year in 2020 Everyone called him a fumbler but it was just one year that's it..

I think you’re off base—Blue is going to have a bigger role, and you’re going to have to get used to it. He could be the next Tony Pollard if he keeps his work ethic high in practice, stays focused, and listens to the coaches. I’m convinced they want him on the field; he’s the fastest guy on offense outside of TURP, and that speed isn’t just in a straight line.

Don’t dismiss it, or I’ll have to show you his college highlights—he can run the ball like any back in the league. He’s not a gadget player, and this isn’t Deuce Vaughn. I’ve seen the highlights—he can lower his shoulder, he’s physical, and he could be one of those true 50/50 backs. He has the potential to be used far beyond just third downs or special packages, as long as he keeps his head on straight and follows the coaches’ direction.

Not like Mr. Generational, Ashton Jeanty, and a whole bunch of other of those running backs the first half of last year didn't look great either and they were all picked really high...

So let's give the kid a break, I know an awful lot of rambling over a player who hardly saw the field last year, but I think the injuries set him back and I just don't think he was prepared mentally to know what was expected of him and he was a little immature and that happens..

 

[Rayman70]

Yeah, and I know Davis did well in spot duty....but he is getting to the point that he no longer can be considered the future. He will be 28 in November....usually backs start to slow down around 30. I don't know how much longer they will keep him around.

I would like to see Mafah get some extended looks in preseason....I don't expect Javonte to get much time if any.

Agreed

 

[rambo2]

Agreed

A car lasts a long time when you park it in the garage and don't use it much.

 

[ratkinson]

The same staff that had Davis in the doghouse for years yet he always does pretty well when he gets in the game?

Sometimes our decisions to keep players on the bench is what convinces me the player should be playing. Bassackwards.

 

[ratkinson]

Yeah I saw that a few times under Garrett

 

[TequilaCowboy]

Another thing the Cowboys seem to fail to do is develop running backs, generally speaking.......Zeke did it with his own talent, not really a product from great coaching. Had to get a back from the outside already established, Javonte Williams, ...all the others who happen to be possible greats, flamed out. Rico finally got it going and was bid adios. Derrick Brown is the current RB coach, better get to it.

Now we have misfits....Mafah, Davis, Blue...who the heck is gonna separate himself and be a good reliable number 2.

 

[StarW]

I heavily suspect Mafah was not hurt the entire time he was on IR, if ever. I think the report I'd heard was it was his shoulder that had him on IR — the injury he had sustained in college, yet he played the whole preseason.... Huh??

It's possible they saw serious damage in there and got him on stem cells, PRP, and all that regenerative stuff.

The games changed in regards to the available therapy options for joint health.

Your theory has wings. We had so many injuries on defense we couldn't give him a roster spot or risk stashing him on the PS, perhaps ?

 

[kskboys]

A car lasts a long time when you park it in the garage and don't use it much.

It's the opposite. Car's that hardly get driven often end up w/ problems.

 

[Ironicalicon]

It's possible they saw serious damage in there and got him on stem cells, PRP, and all that regenerative stuff.

The games changed in regards to the available therapy options for joint health.

Your theory has wings. We had so many injuries on defense we couldn't give him a roster spot or risk stashing him on the PS, perhaps ?

I hadn't considered that. I'd like to think that way though 'cause it didn't make any sense to me, him not getting a chance earlier.

 

[StarW]

I hadn't considered that. I'd like to think that way though 'cause it didn't make any sense to me.

Yep. I was wondering about it during the season. The reason I was thinking about the new regenerative stuff for joints is because I got a bum shoulder that's better now than when I was 20 (50 now).

 

[StarW]

The same staff that had Davis in the doghouse for years yet he always does pretty well when he gets in the game?

Sometimes our decisions to keep players on the bench is what convinces me the player should be playing. Bassackwards.

True. But in the case of Davis we had him and Dowdle. Dowdle was similar, but just 20 lbs bigger or so, like earring him the nod over Davis (in addition to what you mentioned).

 

[McKDaddy]

True. But in the case of Davis we had him and Dowdle. Dowdle was similar, but just 20 lbs bigger or so, like earring him the nod over Davis (in addition to what you mentioned).

We also kept Dowdle on the bench when he was our best option & let him leave when we had nothing else. Sometimes we do really silly things.

 

[Chocolate Lab]

Your theory has wings. We had so many injuries on defense we couldn't give him a roster spot or risk stashing him on the PS, perhaps ?

That's what I think it was. They were juggling so many injuries on an already bad defense, they didn't think they could expose any of those guys to waivers.

So stupid when most of those guys were so bad it wouldn't matter if you lost them anyway. Like Elam for instance. They just couldn't admit they were wrong on him until way too late.