Running back candidates

[Bleu Star]

This thread makes me so excited that.... Well. I had better not go there. Includes a towel.

 

[RS12]

http://dfw.cbslocal.com/2015/05/21/cowboys-will-kick-tires-on-rb-ben-tate/

 

[Bleu Star]

If they sign Felix Jones I might commit a crime.

 

[remdak]

They are just trying to finally get more HB's than FB's on the training camp roster.

 

[speedkilz88]

Didn't he also run like a 4.9 forty at the veterans combine?

It was claimed 4.8 for Felix, but Broaddus said those were bogus times. He talked to a scout from another team that had a 4.57 on Felix. But he says that this is due diligence.

 

[gimmesix]

Internet will crash if they signed Felix "I'm to fat for camp" Jones.

Felix really went downhill. Before his last two years and then not playing last year, he was a better back than he's ever been given credit for ... and again sadly, has a better history than several of the backs we have on the roster. (Not saying I want him because I think he's done, just pointing out the potential problems with the situation we're in.)

Felix has more proven he can carry a fairly heavy load (185 carries in 2010) and averaged 4.3 YPC or better for four consecutive years (including that year), while Randle hasn't had more than 54 carries and has had one year with a poor average (3.3 YPC) and one with a great average (6.7). (Of course, not as great as Felix's average in a small role of 8.9 in 2008.)

Felix has played in at least six games in each of his six seasons, including 16 in three of those years, while Ryan Williams played in only five games the only year he has seen the field (and averaged 2.8 per carry that year.)

Felix has had poor averages the past two years he played (3.8 and 3.6) but it is still better than any of Darren McFadden's averages the past three years (3.3, 3.4, 3.3). McFadden's average was better than Jones' last year because Felix didn't play.

Now, Randle and Williams have upside where Jones has none, but I think we're fooling ourselves if we believe that means they'll turn out to be any better than even a fat, old Felix would be. We certainly hope that will be the case because we have no choice, but it's hard for me to laugh at any back we try out when I look at the flaws of the ones we have.

 

[DallasEast]

If they sign Felix Jones I might commit a crime.

Shut up. We can't testify against you at your bench trial in North Carolina if you don't tell us anything.

 

[Silver N Blue]

Yes, I'm sure the Vikings are really worried about Ben Tate...

He did play there last year but not the angle I was talking about.

 

[LittleD]

I hope you have your apology ready

I would like it to be more heartfelt than the bin apology you gave after we signed Hardy

I still think signing Hardy will turn out to be a mistake and even though it's not going to cost us
much if he's eventually allowed to play wasn't really necessary now that we have Gregory.
I'm not sure Hardy will be allowed to play much this year and Goodell is looking for any reason
whatsoever to keep him off the field. Hardy, with his tweets issue, is a disaster looking for a place and
time to happen. Now, with that said, I was wrong about him being signed and they obviously thought
the risk was worth it. We'll see!

 

[DFWJC]

I don't see where Chris Johnson is currently in a position to demand anything, and why would he try?

He'd come for the same bag 'o chips that it took to get McFadden.

Beggars can't be choosers.

I'm not pushing for us to land Chris Johnson, but...
Pretty sure he will end up getting a better deal than McFadden did.

There is no rush at all for CJ right now.
Plenty will happen between now and September and he knows it.

 

[erod]

Jerry trying to put the Felix-McFadden backfield back together. Where's Peyton Hillis? Let's get the all back together.

PIG SOOEY!

 

[Silver N Blue]

I still think signing Hardy will turn out to be a mistake and even though it's not going to cost us
much if he's eventually allowed to play wasn't really necessary now that we have Gregory.
I'm not sure Hardy will be allowed to play much this year and Goodell is looking for any reason
whatsoever to keep him off the field. Hardy, with his tweets issue, is a disaster looking for a place and
time to happen. Now, with that said, I was wrong about him being signed and they obviously thought
the risk was worth it. We'll see!

interesting take in the felix/tate thread

 

[xwalker]

He did play there last year but not the angle I was talking about.

Didn't you mean that the Vikings would be worried that the Cowboys would be out of the market to trade for Peterson if they signed Tate?

 

[TrailBlazer]

All that back & forth over whether or not our FO was satisfied with our bush league RBC potential.

Hope this opened some eyes today.

This doesn't mean they are concerned, either. It's a contingency plan. If someone gets hurt. They can call one of these 2 guys. If they were truly concerned about running back, then they would've drafted one.

 

[Stash]

I'm not pushing for us to land Chris Johnson, but...
Pretty sure he will end up getting a better deal than McFadden did.

Based on what? He's had zero interest from any team around the league. He's in no position to demand anything and it seems like people are mistakenly assuming he somehow would.

There is no rush at all for CJ right now.
Plenty will happen between now and September and he knows it.

Is that why he was campaigning for the Cowboys to give him a call? The fact is that Chris Johnson is out of work and needs a job before he's "former NFL running back Chris Johnson". And nobody is more aware of the total lack of interest being shown in him than both he and his agent.

But anybody who will take the time to actually look at the numbers will plainly see that Chris Johnson is far and away a more accomplished and more proven option than any of the other names on or around this roster.

 

[erod]

On a serious note, this tells me they aren't happy with at least one of the running backs they have.

I think it's either McFadden or Randle that concern them.

 

[xwalker]

I don't see where Chris Johnson is currently in a position to demand anything, and why would he try?

He'd come for the same bag 'o chips that it took to get McFadden.

Beggars can't be choosers.

When a player like Johnson has not been signed, it's almost always about money. Veterans don't like to go though all the rigors of training camp just to give a team a free look. Johnson has made millions so he is likely going to be picky about where he signs and for how much. Playing for the veterans minimum is basically playing for free for a guy that has made as much as he has in his career.

 

[CashMan]

On a serious note, this tells me they aren't happy with at least one of the running backs they have.

I think it's either McFadden or Randle that concern them.

Either that, or they are getting the feeling, they should of addressed RB with the draft. I think they are fine, I think McFadden or Randle can be the back.

 

[erod]

I still think signing Hardy will turn out to be a mistake and even though it's not going to cost us
much if he's eventually allowed to play wasn't really necessary now that we have Gregory.
I'm not sure Hardy will be allowed to play much this year and Goodell is looking for any reason
whatsoever to keep him off the field. Hardy, with his tweets issue, is a disaster looking for a place and
time to happen. Now, with that said, I was wrong about him being signed and they obviously thought
the risk was worth it. We'll see!

Hardy is a one-year rental and an incredible player to add to the pass rush before the playoffs. The length of suspension isn't as big a deal as everybody thinks, because he's like that ace pitcher that you add before the trade deadline.

 

[speedkilz88]

When a player like Johnson has not been signed, it's almost always about money. Veterans don't like to go though all the rigors of training camp just to give a team a free look. Johnson has made millions so he is likely going to be picky about where he signs and for how much. Playing for the veterans minimum is basically playing for free for a guy that has made as much as he has in his career.

That could be, but I don't think he has the best background and got shot recently. That could scare off teams too.