Preparing to be disappointed with RB pick

[MichaelWinicki]

Yep. Draft is a crap shoot, anyway. If we have to make personnel changes, let's do it where the bar isn't all that high to begin with. Better odds for success.
There's going to be a good RB there for us in round 3, anyway. They don't end up going all that quickly, and there are a lot of them available this year. I'm not sweating it. I just want front 7 players there for us in round one.

Look at the Jets, the had almost as many rushing yards as the Cowboys, and granted there were some QB rushing yards in there the Cowboys did not have, their two leading rushers had 800 yards and 600 yards.

And the Jet's oline isn't nearly as good as the Cowboys.

I could easily see the Cowboys have a running game distribution like this:

Back A 1,200 yards
Back B 500 yards
Back C 300 yards
And a couple hundred yards spread out here and there.

And the running game would be almost as potent as in '14.

 

[superonyx]

Look at the Jets, the had almost as many rushing yards as the Cowboys, and granted there were some QB rushing yards in there the Cowboys did not have, their two leading rushers had 800 yards and 600 yards.

And the Jet's oline isn't nearly as good as the Cowboys.

I could easily see the Cowboys have a running game distribution like this:

Back A 1,200 yards
Back B 500 yards
Back C 300 yards
And a couple hundred yards spread out here and there.

And the running game would be almost as potent as in '14.

Just looking at yards is over simplifying it some. While I agree with some of your points I also think just saying 3 guys getting 1800 yards makes our running game just as potent is leaving out the significance of when the runs happen and how the defenses react to the runs. Last year we had the ability to physically run the ball down a teams throat and that physical punishment would wear down the defenses. Also we kept running the ball deep into the 4th quarter. People knew Murray was coming and once it became obvious that we were not going to let some early bad runs force us into a one dimensional offense the defenses had to keep calling defensive plays that were balanced throughout the game. This is a large part why we so successful on 3rd down this year.

Now the possibility exist that a rookie can come in a be a game breaking threat and in a few months we could all be saying...."wow Murray was actually holding us back with his lack of top end speed".

Murray was very good and but none of us will really know how another back will do until we have one running behind our line.

 

[Hoov]

My gut says we will wait until 3rd or 4th round to draft a RB. I honestly think that is too late for a premier talent to replace Murray (who wasn't a premier talent but produced like one last year). The threat Murray provided caused defenses to have to account for the run on every play. I'm not so sure that Darren McFadden + Mike Davis/David Cobb/Buck Allen will provide the same threat. Unless we get a premier talent at RB, I think our offense takes a bit of step back. Just my opinion.

i hope we do wait until a 3rd or 4th to draft RB

 

[superonyx]

Also according to the thread about pre draft visits it looks like we have only brought the below backs in for visits. I think someone mentioned that most of our picks are players that we brought in for visits.
If you notice the backs they brought in were all Physically larger backs. Tevin Coleman was the smallest one and he is 5'11 206.
It appears they are looking for a big back who can get the hard yards. Assuming Gurley and Gordon are both gone they could be targeting Yeldon, Coleman or Allen.

14Todd GurleyRBGeorgia6'12221Official Visit
17Melvin GordonRBWisconsin6'12151Official Visit
53Tevin ColemanRBIndiana5'112062Official Visit
80T.J. YeldonRBAlabama6'12262-3Official Visit
93Javorius AllenRBSouthern Cal6'02213Official Visit

 

[gimmesix]

On the flip side, if we use the 1st two picks on defense and our defense takes a few steps forward, it would off-set the offense taking a step back.

I don't want to offset. I want to improve. IMO, if we improve the defense and the running game drops off, we're treading water.

 

[gimmesix]

Other than Gurley, I just see no reason to go too early at RB.

In fact, I'd bet that after the next 3-4 backs taken after Gurley, there will be 2-3 taken later still that will preform as well or better than that group.

Just a random example and not a prediction; would be no surprise if Mike Davis (or another back) taken in the 4th has a better career than Ajayi (or another back) in the 2nd. And I think this will be the case in several instances. The drop-offs are not that much if at all.

There's a very good chance of that, but picking the ones who do it is extremely hard.

 

[gimmesix]

How many RB's in this draft to you think there are that can keep us at that level that Murray provided?

There will possibly be three or four. Figuring out who they are is the hard part.

 

[MichaelWinicki]

Just looking at yards is over simplifying it some. While I agree with some of your points I also think just saying 3 guys getting 1800 yards makes our running game just as potent is leaving out the significance of when the runs happen and how the defenses react to the runs. Last year we had the ability to physically run the ball down a teams throat and that physical punishment would wear down the defenses. Also we kept running the ball deep into the 4th quarter. People knew Murray was coming and once it became obvious that we were not going to let some early bad runs force us into a one dimensional offense the defenses had to keep calling defensive plays that were balanced throughout the game. This is a large part why we so successful on 3rd down this year.

My personal opinion and it is only an opinion in that I do not have any stats to back it up is that I believe there was too much reliance on the running game last year at the determent of the passing game.

I think the Cowboy team this season could have 2,000 yards rushing on the season (as opposed to the 2,300 yards of last season) and have an offense that ranks even better in scoring than it did last season when it ranked 5th overall– why? Because the passing offense could be used just a little more frequently.

 

[gimmesix]

Also according to the thread about pre draft visits it looks like we have only brought the below backs in for visits. I think someone mentioned that most of our picks are players that we brought in for visits.
If you notice the backs they brought in were all Physically larger backs. Tevin Coleman was the smallest one and he is 5'11 206.
It appears they are looking for a big back who can get the hard yards. Assuming Gurley and Gordon are both gone they could be targeting Yeldon, Coleman or Allen.

14Todd GurleyRBGeorgia6'12221Official Visit
17Melvin GordonRBWisconsin6'12151Official Visit
53Tevin ColemanRBIndiana5'112062Official Visit
80T.J. YeldonRBAlabama6'12262-3Official Visit
93Javorius AllenRBSouthern Cal6'02213Official Visit

I went back and watched Buck Allen's highlights because I couldn't remember them. I wouldn't be opposed to picking him. I have more concerns about Gordon, Coleman and Yeldon at this point.

 

[Aven8]

Hopefully we draft Coleman and he rushes for 2,000 yards, wins the MVP and carries us to the SB.

 

[Crown Royal]

More young blood to rotate. I think depending on the McClains, Whaleys, Jack Crawfords and Gardners to blossom like butterflies is asking too much. A lot is made about getting an end for edge rushing, we have to protect the middle. Not only with a push for the pass rush but to disrupt the run because we are going to get a steady diet of it.

I agree completely. Not saying we're set by any stretch. But I think we're a lot closer than we give the team credit for as compared to 2013.

 

[VACowboy]

Well, I've said it before and I'll say it again: I'd like to see the defense improve to the point that we don't have to use the offense to cover for it. I'd like to see the offense with at least the option of being more aggressive.

 

[ceerrece]

The only way that I would feel disappointed is if we take Ajay, despite knowing about his bad knee.

 

[Fla Cowpoke]

I don't want to offset. I want to improve. IMO, if we improve the defense and the running game drops off, we're treading water.

Here is the problem. I don't think there is a single back in the draft that will improve our running game from a year ago. It's not gonna happen. Gurley is a big ? with the knee injury but might be the closest to an all around back like Murray. Murray could run inside or outside, could get the tough yard, could get yards in a hurry, could pass block and could catch passes. Not a single one of these backs in the draft will able to be able to match his performance as a rookie. No chance of it at all.

However, there are defensive improvements that can be made that will clearly improve the team and ultimately it was the defense that held us back a year ago.

 

[Zekeats]

My gut says we will wait until 3rd or 4th round to draft a RB. I honestly think that is too late for a premier talent to replace Murray (who wasn't a premier talent but produced like one last year). The threat Murray provided caused defenses to have to account for the run on every play. I'm not so sure that Darren McFadden + Mike Davis/David Cobb/Buck Allen will provide the same threat. Unless we get a premier talent at RB, I think our offense takes a bit of step back. Just my opinion.

I believe the same thing you are saying which is why I don't understand why so many fans on here think the way they do. Our running game was the biggest reason we finally had success and were able to break out of the 8-8 seasons. We need an every down back who can be counted on to carry the load each week. It seems that the front office is starting to make the right moves but this one will be the biggest decision that they will make.

I see this years draft much like last ones in the fact that we have a huge need at rb just like we did at de a year ago. Depending on who is available I seriously think we are looking at 2 players in the first 3 rounds again. I could see us going 2 in the first 45 again. I wouldn't doubt if we move up to 21 to get Gordon if he is still there and I really hope they just stay put and take Coleman if Gordon is long gone. I really hope the front office keeps on the right path and doesn't all of a sudden screw this thing up at the position that made us so important.

 

[Zekeats]

The only way that I would feel disappointed is if we take Ajay, despite knowing about his bad knee.

I really would feel disappointed if the took Ajay.

 

[thisiscowboyscountry]

My gut says we will wait until 3rd or 4th round to draft a RB. I honestly think that is too late for a premier talent to replace Murray (who wasn't a premier talent but produced like one last year). The threat Murray provided caused defenses to have to account for the run on every play. I'm not so sure that Darren McFadden + Mike Davis/David Cobb/Buck Allen will provide the same threat. Unless we get a premier talent at RB, I think our offense takes a bit of step back. Just my opinion.

If its not Gurley or Ingram, I dont think it will matter much, because carries will be heavily split with anyone else.

 

[Idgit]

I believe the same thing you are saying which is why I don't understand why so many fans on here think the way they do. Our running game was the biggest reason we finally had success and were able to break out of the 8-8 seasons. We need an every down back who can be counted on to carry the load each week. It seems that the front office is starting to make the right moves but this one will be the biggest decision that they will make.

I see this years draft much like last ones in the fact that we have a huge need at rb just like we did at de a year ago. Depending on who is available I seriously think we are looking at 2 players in the first 3 rounds again. I could see us going 2 in the first 45 again. I wouldn't doubt if we move up to 21 to get Gordon if he is still there and I really hope they just stay put and take Coleman if Gordon is long gone. I really hope the front office keeps on the right path and doesn't all of a sudden screw this thing up at the position that made us so important.

Staying on the right path--based off of what they've done recently at the position--would be not overspending resources in terms of picks or cap dollars on a RB.

Our offense was slightly better last season, and we controlled the ball better, but the real improvement came from the improved defense. Since the season ended, we've let Murray walk and spent money on a pass rusher. It's a safe bet we're going to see more of the same in the draft here this week. And people will be unhappy about it because they're going to mistakenly think a first round RB at 27 was the only possible option, until the games start and it turns out the problem really isn't the rushing offense, after all and that we're going to be fine on the ground.

 

[NorthwestDallas40]

Also according to the thread about pre draft visits it looks like we have only brought the below backs in for visits. I think someone mentioned that most of our picks are players that we brought in for visits.
If you notice the backs they brought in were all Physically larger backs. Tevin Coleman was the smallest one and he is 5'11 206.
It appears they are looking for a big back who can get the hard yards. Assuming Gurley and Gordon are both gone they could be targeting Yeldon, Coleman or Allen.

14Todd GurleyRBGeorgia6'12221Official Visit
17Melvin GordonRBWisconsin6'12151Official Visit
53Tevin ColemanRBIndiana5'112062Official Visit
80T.J. YeldonRBAlabama6'12262-3Official Visit
93Javorius AllenRBSouthern Cal6'02213Official Visit

I believe we also met personally with Ajayi and Abdullah.

 

[Zekeats]

http://www.dallascowboys.com/news/2...nking-top-50-prospects-year’s-nfl-draft-class

Apparently I am not the only one who sees Coleman in the top 20 of this draft.