Our Runningbacks: What's your Overall view?

[CowboyMcCoy]

Is it me or is this the best overall group of RBs we've had in a decade or longer?

 

[sureletsrace]

It's the best group this team has had in a long time, but I wouldn't christen our RB corps as top5 in the NFL. We've been below average at this position for so long that I think we all might be overvaluing all these guys a bit. I think right now we are above average. I'd put them around 8-12 in the NFL.

 

[The Quest for Six]

I would say it's the deepest it's been in a long time but the key is whether Murray can stay healthy, Dunbar is a big step up from Felix Jones, Tanner has really improved from last year by getting in better shape and has shown a little more burst and Randall, although fourth on the depth chart has all the tools and great vision, given time to develop, could be a steal!!

 

[coult44]

I don't want a top five running team. Look at where all those groups have ended up the last 7 years...

 

[CowboyMcCoy]

I would say it's the deepest it's been in a long time but the key is whether Murray can stay healthy, Dunbar is a big step up from Felix Jones, Tanner has really improved from last year by getting in better shape and has shown a little more burst and Randall, although fourth on the depth chart has all the tools and great vision, given time to develop, could be a steal!!

I'm a huge Murray fan, but we're deep throughout the whole RB depth chart. Even when we get to #4, there is not that much of a drop off. And, yeah, Tanner has really turned it on this year. But I've always seen flashes of talent from him.

 

[DMAC]

Same as always. Murray gets hurt, Dunbar and Tanner middle of the pack back ups. Doesn't matter though, because as long as we think Romo is Brady, we will be a pass happy offense.

 

[cannonball44]

Ya know... im starting to become a believer in Dunbar. I think he'll grow into a dynamic back.

 

[CATCH17]

Ya know... im starting to become a believer in Dunbar. I think he'll grow into a dynamic back.

His acceleration is crazy.

 

[kevm3]

Dunbar is very quick and I think he'll be a solid back. To call him a significant step-up from felix jones is taking it a little too far. Felix averaged nearly 9 yards a carry his first season and over 5 his second. if Dunbar provides anywhere near that performance, I'll be happy.

 

[RS12]

Our Runningbacks: What's your Overall view?

My view is that Murray is a bad bet to stay healthy, so they may be forced to go heavy at RB on the 53.

 

[Cowboy_Shawn]

The 2009 Cowboys were pretty strong at running back. Those guys didn't have much staying power but MBIII, Felix, and Choice were money that year.

 

[Redball Express]

Same as always. Murray gets hurt, Dunbar and Tanner middle of the pack back ups. Doesn't matter though, because as long as we think Romo is Brady, we will be a pass happy offense.

I'm going to agree with you here.

The OL has to get anchored before we are going to see the RB's really dominate.

Until that happens..I'm for running Tanner and the others before we start trying to pop Murray.

I'm really leery of DeMarco's injury problems and I'd prefer to save him for special downs and big games.

I think Dunbar will hold up, too. Randle is a mystery. Another injury guy you just don't know.

We'll see.

 

[Derinyar]

I think there's a decent collection but lacking the real top end guy. Murray could be but he can't stay healthy. And as with any running game its frequently predicated on the ability of the OLine to block.

 

[CowboyMcCoy]

Ya know... im starting to become a believer in Dunbar. I think he'll grow into a dynamic back.

He reminds me of Warrick Dunn. And I agree with you. He's becoming a favorite of mine.

 

[CowboyMcCoy]

The 2009 Cowboys were pretty strong at running back. Those guys didn't have much staying power but MBIII, Felix, and Choice were money that year.

Good point.

 

[OhSnap]

Is it me or is this the best overall group of RBs we've had in a decade or longer?

Felix Jones played hurt allot the last 2 years so just about any healthy guy in his place is an upgrade but J.Jones and M.Barbar have been the best set in Dallas since 22.

 

[Staubacher]

Nothing against Randle and Tanner, but I've watched a lot of preseason games and most teams have 3rd or 4th RBs who come in and run hard and get a few yards. It's not that unusual. I think neither stand out from your average NFL backup RB. I'd keep randle on the 53 because of potential growth and upside. I like Tanner but we don't need 4RBs

 

[Yakuza Rich]

I think the 'splitting the carries' philosophy is much more difficult to pull off than people think. Particularly because you need a backup that is good in short yardage. If the starter needs a breather and it happens to be on 3rd and short, the backup needs to get that first down for you. And that's what worries me about the group...short yardage...particularly when DeMarco is out.

I think we would still work best with DeMarco getting the lion's share of the carries and having Dunbar to come in for some rest and hopefully on passing downs. I like Murray. I don't know if he's potentially a great tailback or potentially a good one. He's got more wiggle than I expected and is a tougher runner than I expected. He also goes *forward* when there is nothing there, which I really like. Dunbar seems to have some ability. I think Tanner is the backup they hope can handle the short yardage carries. Personally, I'd rather see a John Kuhn/Heath Evans/Jevorski Lane type that is not there for blocking, but is essentially a big full back with some burst that we can give the ball to about 5 times a game to get some valuable yardage.





YR

 

[Smith22]

The running game might actually be a threat this year, assuming the starting OL and the combo of Murray/Dunbar can stay healthy.

 

[Sasquatch]

I think the staff realizes that in order to be successful the team needs a reliably consistent runnng game. Hopefully, we will see a little more balance this year, and our depth at the position just might make that possible.