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Nowhere To Run
Draft Series: Quality Rushing Depth Not An Issue
Rob Phillips - Email
DallasCowboys.com Staff Writer
April 7, 2010 5:32 PM Change Font Size A A A A
McCluster is the type of versatile back who can find a rookie role on a team.
Draft SeriesQuarterbacks
(Editor's Note: With the Cowboys heading into the April 22-24 NFL Draft with six picks, DallasCowboys.com's 10-part Draft Series will break down the team, analyzing what they have at each particular position, what their needs are and just who might be available, along with including some interesting draft nuggets. Part 2 will feature running backs.)
What They Have:
Three backs providing depth and overall talent most teams lack. Using primarily Marion Barber and Felix Jones, the Cowboys jumped from 21st in 2008 to seventh in total rushing, averaging 131.4 yards per game. They went 11-2 the 13 times (including the Wild-Card win over Philadelphia) they topped 100 yards.
Simply put, when the Cowboys ran effectively in 2009, they won.
Jones had a large hand in that trend. Recovered from a season-ending toe injury in 2008 and a sprained knee in the first half of the 2009 season, he averaged 13.2 carries and 79.2 yards over his last six games.
Past Jones and Barber, third-stringer Tashard Choice has proven with limited work that he could start for another NFL team. He and Barber have been the subject of trade rumors this off-season, but it appears likely that all three will be back in 2010.
What They Need:
Not much in terms of personnel. Any change would likely come through carry distribution.
Based on Jones' increased work late in the year, it's clear the Cowboys want him more involved when healthy. For durability's sake they'd prefer to keep him below the 20-carry limit, but 15 a game next season might be ideal.
Barber still figures to get his share, but Choice has been productive when needed. He only got 64 carries last year, mostly as a third-down or Razorback formation guy, so there's really no room for a fourth back unless he could find a game-day niche as a returner.
At fullback, Deon Anderson has started for the last three seasons but endangered his job security in February when he was arrested following an alleged altercation outside a suburban Dallas restaurant. The Cowboys also have begun to use more and more two- and three-tight end sets featuring Jason Witten, Martellus Bennett and John Phillips.
Who's Out There:
This is not a particularly deep running back class anyway. Clemson's C.J. Spiller is considered the best and perhaps only first-round prospect.
USC's Joe McKnight, who rose to the top of a crowded Trojans backfield, and Fresno State's Ryan Mathews - a big, physical, runner - also rank high.
Despite his small frame (5-8, 172) Ole Miss' Dexter McCluster has intrigued teams with his speed and return ability. Viewed as a change-of-pace runner and perhaps a slot receiver, he could go as high as the second round. California's Jahvid Best has a similar makeup.
SMU's Shawnbrey McNeal, a former track star with rushing and return skills, was invited to the Cowboys' "Dallas Day" workouts for local prospects, and Kentucky fullback John Conner was reportedly among the national visitors at Valley Ranch last week. Both are considered late-round to free-agent picks.
Look Back:
Who could forget Smith's loud polka-dot suit on April 22, 1990, the day the Cowboys traded up to 17th in the first round and drafted the last of the Triplets: the foundation for three Super Bowl titles in the 1990s.
As the story goes, the Cowboys initially coveted linebacker James Francis but turned their attention to Smith after the Bengals grabbed Francis at No. 12. Never considered an elite athlete, Smith retired in 2005 as the league record-holder for rushing yards (18,355), rushing touchdowns (164) and 100-yard games (78).
He's now the 12th man with Cowboys ties elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame. He will be formally inducted with the 2010 Class in an August ceremony in Canton, Ohio.
Draft Nuggets:
McCluster was among several draft hopefuls to work out at Michael Johnson Performance Center in nearby McKinney, Texas, before the NFL Scouting Combine . . . Georgia Tech's Jonathan Dwyer backed up Choice as a freshman in 2007. The following year, after the Cowboys drafted Choice in the fourth round, Dwyer led the ACC in rushing . . . N.C. State rusher Toney Baker's father, Tony, played for the Falcons, Cardinals and Browns from 1986-89 . . . USC's
Stafon Johnson, who's making a remarkable return from a serious throat injury suffered in a weightlifting accident, is a friend and former teammate of Cowboys kicker David Buehler.
Draft Series: Quality Rushing Depth Not An Issue
Rob Phillips - Email
DallasCowboys.com Staff Writer
April 7, 2010 5:32 PM Change Font Size A A A A
McCluster is the type of versatile back who can find a rookie role on a team.
Draft SeriesQuarterbacks
(Editor's Note: With the Cowboys heading into the April 22-24 NFL Draft with six picks, DallasCowboys.com's 10-part Draft Series will break down the team, analyzing what they have at each particular position, what their needs are and just who might be available, along with including some interesting draft nuggets. Part 2 will feature running backs.)
What They Have:
Three backs providing depth and overall talent most teams lack. Using primarily Marion Barber and Felix Jones, the Cowboys jumped from 21st in 2008 to seventh in total rushing, averaging 131.4 yards per game. They went 11-2 the 13 times (including the Wild-Card win over Philadelphia) they topped 100 yards.
Simply put, when the Cowboys ran effectively in 2009, they won.
Jones had a large hand in that trend. Recovered from a season-ending toe injury in 2008 and a sprained knee in the first half of the 2009 season, he averaged 13.2 carries and 79.2 yards over his last six games.
Past Jones and Barber, third-stringer Tashard Choice has proven with limited work that he could start for another NFL team. He and Barber have been the subject of trade rumors this off-season, but it appears likely that all three will be back in 2010.
What They Need:
Not much in terms of personnel. Any change would likely come through carry distribution.
Based on Jones' increased work late in the year, it's clear the Cowboys want him more involved when healthy. For durability's sake they'd prefer to keep him below the 20-carry limit, but 15 a game next season might be ideal.
Barber still figures to get his share, but Choice has been productive when needed. He only got 64 carries last year, mostly as a third-down or Razorback formation guy, so there's really no room for a fourth back unless he could find a game-day niche as a returner.
At fullback, Deon Anderson has started for the last three seasons but endangered his job security in February when he was arrested following an alleged altercation outside a suburban Dallas restaurant. The Cowboys also have begun to use more and more two- and three-tight end sets featuring Jason Witten, Martellus Bennett and John Phillips.
Who's Out There:
This is not a particularly deep running back class anyway. Clemson's C.J. Spiller is considered the best and perhaps only first-round prospect.
USC's Joe McKnight, who rose to the top of a crowded Trojans backfield, and Fresno State's Ryan Mathews - a big, physical, runner - also rank high.
Despite his small frame (5-8, 172) Ole Miss' Dexter McCluster has intrigued teams with his speed and return ability. Viewed as a change-of-pace runner and perhaps a slot receiver, he could go as high as the second round. California's Jahvid Best has a similar makeup.
SMU's Shawnbrey McNeal, a former track star with rushing and return skills, was invited to the Cowboys' "Dallas Day" workouts for local prospects, and Kentucky fullback John Conner was reportedly among the national visitors at Valley Ranch last week. Both are considered late-round to free-agent picks.
Look Back:
Who could forget Smith's loud polka-dot suit on April 22, 1990, the day the Cowboys traded up to 17th in the first round and drafted the last of the Triplets: the foundation for three Super Bowl titles in the 1990s.
As the story goes, the Cowboys initially coveted linebacker James Francis but turned their attention to Smith after the Bengals grabbed Francis at No. 12. Never considered an elite athlete, Smith retired in 2005 as the league record-holder for rushing yards (18,355), rushing touchdowns (164) and 100-yard games (78).
He's now the 12th man with Cowboys ties elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame. He will be formally inducted with the 2010 Class in an August ceremony in Canton, Ohio.
Draft Nuggets:
McCluster was among several draft hopefuls to work out at Michael Johnson Performance Center in nearby McKinney, Texas, before the NFL Scouting Combine . . . Georgia Tech's Jonathan Dwyer backed up Choice as a freshman in 2007. The following year, after the Cowboys drafted Choice in the fourth round, Dwyer led the ACC in rushing . . . N.C. State rusher Toney Baker's father, Tony, played for the Falcons, Cardinals and Browns from 1986-89 . . . USC's
Stafon Johnson, who's making a remarkable return from a serious throat injury suffered in a weightlifting accident, is a friend and former teammate of Cowboys kicker David Buehler.
