Running back market is flooded

[MichaelWinicki]

That is fair, if you want to look at it that way.

Personally, I favor one running back getting 20 and another getting 5 carries a game over 12 carries and 13 carries between the two. I think it hurts the running back by not allowing them to get into the flow of the game and messes with the cohesiveness of the offense.

I don't know if anyone has researched the "magic number" where a back gets into the "flow" of a game. I don't know if the number is 18 or 20 or 22 or 15 for that matter.

But regardless I do agree there needs to be a "lead dog" and another guy that get a handful of carries per game.

 

[MichaelWinicki]

Isn't durability an issue with him though? Seems to injured, or at least dinged up, a lot.

There is a little of that.

Also there were many "murmurs" out of Buffalo that accused him of not wanting to run between the tackles... that he's just an "edge" guy.

 

[CoCo]

The Cowboys would be making another Barber mistake by paying Murray, especially after his fumble helped us lose that playoff game. That shouldn't be rewarded. His fumbles have often set the tone for our games.

DeMarco Murray
CJ Spiller
Mark Ingram
Frank Gore
Ryan Matthews
Knowshon Moreno
Darren McFadden
Adrian Peterson*
Marshawn Lynch*
Todd Gurley
Melvin Gordon

Hold Murray accountable for his fumbles. Just make sure he gets credit for the franchise single season rushing record and a key role in one of our best seasons of the post-triplets era.

 

[Eddie]

I'd rather stick with Randle and get someone cheap to back him up.

I'd rather draft a bell cow in the 3rd round and let him share the load with Randle/Dunn/Ryan.

 

[xwalker]

Running back, which is a position that is easiest to find a player or players, the market is especially flooded for 2015.

The Cowboys would be making another Barber mistake by paying Murray, especially after his fumble helped us lose that playoff game. That shouldn't be rewarded. His fumbles have often set the tone for our games.

My prediction is a team without a running game will be attracted to Murray, but what they'll find is that they don't have a running game not because their running back isn't any good, but because they don't have an offensive line. It'll be a lot like the Laurent Robinson signing in Jacksonville. You're getting the player not the offense that allowed that player to thrive.

Unlike Robinson though, I believe when Murray signs somewhere next year and his production isn't the same, the league will finally let the ball drop on paying running backs big money.

DeMarco Murray
CJ Spiller
Mark Ingram
Frank Gore
Ryan Matthews
Knowshon Moreno
Darren McFadden
Adrian Peterson*
Marshawn Lynch*
Todd Gurley
Melvin Gordon

I'm don't think Gurley is an option for 2015 due to the blown ACL.

We'll see how many of the free agents actually make it to free agency.

My concern is more about the probability of the Cowboys #1 RB staying healthy than his exact talent level. That probability combined with cost is the biggest question, IMO.

 

[dragon_mikal]

This team isn't built for the running back by committee approach and if Randle is the starter next year I won't be expecting the team to do much...he isn't an every down back.

I'm all for letting Murray go as long as he is replaced with a good alternative but let's not pretend that losing him would be no big deal.

 

[dwreck27]

This team isn't built for the running back by committee approach and if Randle is the starter next year I won't be expecting the team to do much...he isn't an every down back.

I'm all for letting Murray go as long as he is replaced with a good alternative but let's not pretend that losing him would be no big deal.

How aren't we? I'm curious

 

[darthseinfeld]

Moreno's an interesting player. Well rounded and probably hasn't had his best year yet. I think he would have last year had he not gotten injured.

But I certainly wouldn't pay big money for him.

I think he is a one year deal guy the rest of his career. Good all around player who can be a very lead back. Even if he has a down year rushing teams will be interested in him because he can catch and block

 

[TheEnigma]

Isn't durability an issue with him though? Seems to injured, or at least dinged up, a lot.

Most of the guys on that list have injury concerns, including Murray.

I've warmed up to the idea of drafting our replacement running back. Especially since it looks like we are going to target an edge rusher in free agency. The value for running backs in the draft is the second and third round.

 

[dragon_mikal]

How aren't we? I'm curious

This team is dedicated to using a main back just like the 90s teams. That is what Garrett wants and worked pretty well. I don't believe in the running back by committee approach because when you're a run first team it messes with the offense's rhythm. We saw it multiple times this year when Randle came in for a series and the offense just didn't look right.

To be honest Murray is the perfect RB for this type of offense. No doubt he'll choose money over team quality and I don't blame him but I wish there was some way the Cowboys could keep him.

 

[dragon_mikal]

Most of the guys on that list have injury concerns, including Murray.

I've warmed up to the idea of drafting our replacement running back. Especially since it looks like we are going to target an edge rusher in free agency. The value for running backs in the draft is the second and third round.

The team is in win now mode so don't see how bringing in a rookie RB is going to help in that department. No the team needs to find a strong, veteran player that can pick up where Murray left off or at least get close to it.

 

[dwreck27]

This team is dedicated to using a main back just like the 90s teams. That is what Garrett wants and worked pretty well. I don't believe in the running back by committee approach because when you're a run first team it messes with the offense's rhythm. We saw it multiple times this year when Randle came in for a series and the offense just didn't look right.

To be honest Murray is the perfect RB for this type of offense. No doubt he'll choose money over team quality and I don't blame him but I wish there was some way the Cowboys could keep him.

As much as the 90s offense was successful you need to change to the times and grow....

All good teams implement a backs approach unless you have a beast mode who dosent fumble like Murray or keeps good health like frank gore something Murray hasn't done either

 

[TommyBoy21]

I'm more concerned with how any of these running backs pass protect. With this O-Line I'd bet any back we give 20 carries a game will finish the season around 1200-1400 rushing yards.

Pass blocking is something that gets overlooked and something Murray was good at. This offense still runs through Romo and I want a back who can pick up blitzes and keep him upright.

 

[dragon_mikal]

As much as the 90s offense was successful you need to change to the times and grow....

All good teams implement a backs approach unless you have a beast mode who dosent fumble like Murray or keeps good health like frank gore something Murray hasn't done either

The Cowboys went with the times and it didn't work.

Then they went old school and had their best season in 20 years.

New isn't always better.

 

[dwreck27]

The Cowboys went with the times and it didn't work.

Then they went old school and had their best season in 20 years.

New isn't always better.

I hear you trust me... But you can't deny Murray started to look worn down... There wasn't much pop at the end of the season

 

[dragon_mikal]

I have nothing against letting Murray walk. I just worry about finding a suitable replacement.

 

[Jenky]

Running back, which is a position that is easiest to find a player or players, the market is especially flooded for 2015.

The Cowboys would be making another Barber mistake by paying Murray, especially after his fumble helped us lose that playoff game. That shouldn't be rewarded. His fumbles have often set the tone for our games.

My prediction is a team without a running game will be attracted to Murray, but what they'll find is that they don't have a running game not because their running back isn't any good, but because they don't have an offensive line. It'll be a lot like the Laurent Robinson signing in Jacksonville. You're getting the player not the offense that allowed that player to thrive.

Unlike Robinson though, I believe when Murray signs somewhere next year and his production isn't the same, the league will finally let the ball drop on paying running backs big money.

DeMarco Murray
CJ Spiller
Mark Ingram
Frank Gore
Ryan Matthews
Knowshon Moreno
Darren McFadden
Adrian Peterson*
Marshawn Lynch*
Todd Gurley
Melvin Gordon

I'd take at reasonable rates:

AP
Ingram
The rookies

No to the rest.

 

[MrPeanutbutter]

It's a great time to be a serviceable running back. Not so good to be a serviceable quarterback.

Strike that. Reverse it.

 

[Mansta54]

And Hambrick was destined to be a star because one 80 yd run. We really need to be wary of guys who look good running 1-5 times a game.

This offense needs a workhorse, not a committee

Hambrick? What does he have to do with this?We didn't know that Murray was the workhorse that he turned out to be until he got the job done. You nor I knows what Randle or Williams can do until giving the opopportunity.

 

[Leadbelly]

If you listen to Stephen Jones last week he pretty much laid out the plan they have. Draft a RB and you have him for 4 yrs. Then draft another RB. This team isnt going to pay millions for a rb, when they can have one for thousands.

Somebody should mention to Stephen that draft picks don't all work out.

If he wants reasonable certainty of immediate contributions, then the pick is probably a Day 2 pick spent on RB every 4 years. Miss one year, now we're drafting one 2 years later to make up for it, not the planned 4. Say goodbye to depth. But we won't have a QB by then either, so no worries.

And let's hope that second RB drafted to make up for the first RB isn't also a bust.