RECAP: Mickey's Ranch Report on Dunham and Miller

[ddh33]

Some of you guys are just completely unrealistic and irrational.

As others have said, virtually every RB in this league is better off in a platoon system. Even if another player is only getting 5-10 carries, it helps lengthen careers and help your offense by giving different looks.

Whether anyone likes it or not, Felix Jones is a very good prospect. As far as teaming with Marion Barber, there isn't a much better fit.

You can worry about having a guy to carry the load if and when Barber goes down, but nobody has that. Dallas is going to need a third back anyway. Most likely, that #3 guy would steal some carries and take some of the load off the #2 guy in that scenario, and you just get by.

 

[RainMan]

Granted, we shouldn't rely on Pacman for any capacity, but I don't know that 'being a good return guy' would make me more likely to drafft someone (ie. Felix Jones) in the first round.

If Pacman can keep his head on straight at all, whoever we draft will never sniff the field as a return guy.

 

[RainMan]

Some of you guys are just completely unrealistic and irrational.

As others have said, virtually every RB in this league is better off in a platoon system. Even if another player is only getting 5-10 carries, it helps lengthen careers and help your offense by giving different looks.

Whether anyone likes it or not, Felix Jones is a very good prospect. As far as teaming with Marion Barber, there isn't a much better fit.

You can worry about having a guy to carry the load if and when Barber goes down, but nobody has that. Dallas is going to need a third back anyway. Most likely, that #3 guy would steal some carries and take some of the load off the #2 guy in that scenario, and you just get by.

I agree guys are better off in platoon systems.

But neither Adrian Peterson or Chester Taylor are situational guys. They're both starters who happen to share the load, thus lessening the wear and tear.

I still haven't made my mind up on Jones-Drew and whether he's a situational guy by nature or just by system right now. Fred Taylor, while on the downside, certainly never was a situational guy.

The old San Diego duo certainly appeared to have two starters.

I think the best way to have a dynamite 1-2 punch is by having two guys capable of starting. Felix Jones has talent, yes, but is he a potential starter? If we don't take him, is there ANY chance the team that does starts him and he becomes a 15-carry-a-game guy? I'm concerned there.

And I think if we settle for Barber and a part-time, scat-back type guy, our tandem will never be as good as the game's elite.

 

[theebs]

Granted, we shouldn't rely on Pacman for any capacity, but I don't know that 'being a good return guy' would make me more likely to drafft someone (ie. Felix Jones) in the first round.

If Pacman can keep his head on straight at all, whoever we draft will never sniff the field as a return guy.

return is in regards to kickoffs not punts.

Even then I am assuming felix jones will join an already outstanding return guy in miles austin. Without looking it up I believe austin was in the top 3 in returns. Throw in stanback who may do that too, I dont think kick returns is a big need for this team.

Punt returns yes, kick returns no.

now covering punts and kicks, we may be in big trouble there again.

 

[RainMan]

No book out there had Tony Romo as a starting QB in the NFL.

No book out there would have had Ahmad Bradshaw starting for the Giants.

No book out there would have said Jay Ratliff would be a better player than Marcus Spears.

You cannot predict when a player will simply get it.

Those players also weren't chosen in the first round.

I'd be fine with Felix in the seventh (like Ratliff), undrafted (like Romo) or wherever Bradshaw was taken.

 

[RainMan]

return is in regards to kickoffs not punts.

Even then I am assuming felix jones will join an already outstanding return guy in miles austin. Without looking it up I believe austin was in the top 3 in returns. Throw in stanback who may do that too, I dont think kick returns is a big need for this team.

Punt returns yes, kick returns no.

now covering punts and kicks, we may be in big trouble there again.

Didn't Pacman return kicks, too? I saw a YouTube video and it looked like several of his returns came on kickoffs. (Yeah, I know -- YouTube scouting. Woo hoo!)

If I'm mistaken, I apologize.

 

[theebs]

Didn't Pacman return kicks, too? I saw a YouTube video and it looked like several of his returns came on kickoffs. (Yeah, I know -- YouTube scouting. Woo hoo!)

If I'm mistaken, I apologize.

I believe so, I dont believe he will do that here though.

 

[RainMan]

I believe so, I dont believe he will do that here though.

Interesting. Why so?

 

[theebs]

Interesting. Why so?

Because Miles Austin is already outstanding at returning kicks. He is in the top 3 or 5 in return average.

he had some huge ones last year that helped us win alot of games.

 

[RainMan]

Gotcha, Theebs.

But is there a reason why Felix Jones could join Austin back there but not Pacman? Because the No. 2 guy needs blocking abilities?

 

[theebs]

Gotcha, Theebs.

But is there a reason why Felix Jones could join Austin back there but not Pacman? Because the No. 2 guy needs blocking abilities?

no reason. I think his duties will be limited this season.

the only hangup could be if austin is not active. then pacman would be part of that group.

and I guess if austin wasnt active there would be no reason to have him on the roster. his best asset to this team right now is special teams.

 

[Redball Express]

Thanks for the post, IR. The bit about Alexander is interesting. He could be the insurance the team would need -- and who knows, he might revert to his good years.

I would love to see Alexander come to Dallas and get some rehab and downtime to get better and let MBIII and a guy like Felix Jones carry the load for us.

Then I'd be real curious to see where a guy like Alexander would fit into the mix if MBIII doesn't get signed for his $40 mil deal after 2008.

Hmmmm...

:starspin RedBaLL ExPreSS:starspin

 

[Stash]

This conception that Felix Jones is not a first round worthy RB, really is stupid. Even Goose on his concensus top 100 board has Felix Jnes listed as the 21st best avaible player.

Yeah, my opinion is 'stupid' because it doesn't matche Goose's or yours.

Pure ignorance.

The only reason that team have Felix Jones going to Dallas at #22 is because the only other teams that are considered to be looking at RB before Dallas are Carolina and Detroit and one of them is getting Mendenhall. But, if Dallas doesn't take Felix Jones at #22, Seattle is a good bet a #25, San Diego at #27 is a good bet as well, there is talk that Tennesse could be looking at him possibily at #24 as well.

Please show me a reputable mock draft where this occurs. I haven't seen any. The only team I see linked to Felix Jones is Dallas. That says that he may not be 1st round worthy to the rest of the league to me.

But again, I guess my opinion is 'stupid'.

 

[Rockytop6]

I'll say this, I think Felix can be a much better inside runner than Reggie Bush, if only because he'll actually try to do it. He doesn't have that -- sorry -- soft attitude that Bush has, like he's too good to do it. Plus, Felix has bigger legs and with some pro weight weight training will play at 215 or so, while Bush is more like 200.

That's one reason I've warmed up to Felix more -- I think he has some untapped upside.



When I saw Henne on Goose's list at the mid-20s, I almost wondered if we might not trade the 22 to them.

CL, I am like you. I have had serious reservations about Felix in the first because of not being able to carry the full load should Marion go down. On NFLN these guys were talking and they said that Felix could carry the load that he could run inside and out. After listening to them I feel better about Felix. He still isn't my first choice but if JJ picks him I will feel better now than I would have a few days ago.

 

[Phrozen Phil]

I really don't know what Mickey's point was about "you're going to have to get another RB if you get Felix Jones." We're going to have to get another RB no matter who we draft. We only have one on the roster. We need two more.
As far as a "niche back" goes ... who isn't a "niche back" in today's NFL? Forget wondering if Felix Jones can be an every down back, we don't even know if Marion Barber can be an every down back. Brandon Jacobs is 6'4" 260 lbs and he splits carries. We're looking for a big play dynamic (I swore I'm not going to use "Wow" for the rest of the offseason ... but you get the idea). If you get a guy who can dynamically change the offense and keep opposing defense coordinators up at night, not to mention a threat to take it to the house every time he takes a kickoff, he's worth every bit of the #22 pick.

As usual, your point is bang-on. With the kind of RB depth this year, we could get two more backs who could contribute quickly. As for the "niche back", every player can fill a need. The only question is what niche? Felix Jones may be more versatile than people here give him credit for. I like the idea of taking him in round one (preferably at #28) and taking somebody like Steve Slayton (if he drops), Yvenson Bernard, or Matt Forte in round five.

I would also be happy if we could get Chris Johnson, Kevin Smith, or Jamaal Charles if they slid to round three. A good stable of backs behind this Oline could ultimately take pressure off the passing game and allow Romo more protection.

This , of course, is contingent on getting a WR at the end of round two. Too many to list at this point, which as Martha Stewart would say is "a good thing".

 

[CowboyChris]

Ok, help me with this. We draft a FIRST round RB and pay FIRST round $$, but the guy can't be a feature RB, so we still have to make sure we have another guy at the position.

Someone explain to me the logic of drafting that type of RB in the FIRST round.

i certaintly cant, and thats why im against us drafting one in the 1st or 2nd rounds. not to mention we already have a pro bowler at RB.

our biggest weakness is our secondary, we have too much invested in our front 7, we most solidify this defense once and for all. so we should be looking at mulitple corners and a safety as well, with our first 3 picks.

 

[ABQCOWBOY]

Nobodies asking me but if you have to say this kind of thing about a 1st round RB, then he shouldn't be taken in the 1st round IMO.

"I think he can carry the load."

I'd rather move down and take Rice or maybe even Forte and pick up Slaton. Would be much cheaper and would probably fit our offense better.

 

[Woods]

Nobodies asking me but if you have to say this kind of thing about a 1st round RB, then he shouldn't be taken in the 1st round IMO.

"I think he can carry the load."

I'd rather move down and take Rice or maybe even Forte and pick up Slaton. Would be much cheaper and would probably fit our offense better.

I agree with you,ABQ.

That said, we probably will draft F Jones at 22,IMO unless a top CB falls.

 

[Chocolate Lab]

Nobodies asking me but if you have to say this kind of thing about a 1st round RB, then he shouldn't be taken in the 1st round IMO.

"I think he can carry the load."

I'd rather move down and take Rice or maybe even Forte and pick up Slaton. Would be much cheaper and would probably fit our offense better.

How do we know Rice can in the pros, though? He's not even 200 lbs.

Yeah, Rice did it in college... But he didn't have McFadden in front of him, either.

 

[theogt]

How do we know Rice can in the pros, though? He's not even 200 lbs.

Yeah, Rice did it in college... But he didn't have McFadden in front of him, either.

We know that Rice can run between the tackles on an every down basis, albeit in college only.

We don't know that Jones can run between the tackles on an every down basis, even in college.