Scott Linehan is looking to complete a trifecta at RB

[Hardline]

He's already hurt though...

Sorry, but I'm not relying on a 29 year old injury prone back that didn't look good in rotation last year at all. Get a runner behind Zeke (Morris) and a solid receiver (Dunbar), I don't want to be carrying 4 RBs going into the regular season.

He won't be hurt when the season starts and I ain't interested in getting rid of our second best RB.

 

[gimmesix]

Zeke
DMac
Morris
Dunbar

Jackson PS
No FB (Sorry Jaylon Smith)

Ready to go

After Dallas did not pick up a fullback in the offseason or draft, I had thought that the team finally would not carry one.

However, I don't see that being the plan at all. If the Cowboys did not want to carry one, they would not be converting Rod Smith and Keith Smith to the spot. Garrett likes having a fullback for certain situations, but it is a limited-use position for this team, which is the reason that an attempt is being made to convert special-teams players into a part-time lead blocker.

IMO, the Cowboys need to commit one way or the other. Either get serious about the fullback position and address it with a player on par with the tight ends or eliminate it entirely. That they have shown they are not interested in eliminating it entirely likely means that we'll carry one again this year although that fullback might not currently be on the roster.

 

[gimmesix]

He won't be hurt when the season starts and I ain't interested in getting rid of our second best RB.

I'm not sure based on his history that we can say he won't be hurt when the season starts. I'm very happy with what McFadden did last year and very surprised that he was able to stay healthy. We've got months for this position to shake out one way or the other.

 

[Chuck 54]

I wonder if the Cowboys have considered attacking the goal line and short yardage runs by putting Leary in at LG and lining Collins up as a FB.

 

[dfense]

At this point, I'd want something like this

- Zeke
- Morris
- Dunbar

I simply don't see McFadden staying healthy again and I value Dunbar as a receiver too much to worry about his injury history too much. Not a crap ton of Woodhead's and Sproles in the league.

I like McFadden as a closer like Barber was early on. When Dallas has a good lead, bring in McFadden. He showed he likes to run hard at people and in the 4th quarter after a big dose of Zeke all game, teams are going to hate having McFadden running straight at them.

 

[jazzcat22]

At this point, I'd want something like this

- Zeke
- Morris
- Dunbar

I simply don't see McFadden staying healthy again and I value Dunbar as a receiver too much to worry about his injury history too much. Not a crap ton of Woodhead's and Sproles in the league.

What makes you think Dunbar will stay healthy? I would bet he gets injured before McFadden.

 

[tyke1doe]

Zeke
DMac
Morris
Dunbar

Jackson PS
No FB (Sorry Jaylon Smith)

Ready to go

Another team can sign a player on the practice squad, correct?

 

[tyke1doe]

I like McFadden as a closer like Barber was early on. When Dallas has a good lead, bring in McFadden. He showed he likes to run hard at people and in the 4th quarter after a big dose of Zeke all game, teams are going to hate having McFadden running straight at them.

Morris is your closer. He or Zeke. McFadden is not a closer. You need to get him out in space. You don't want him pounding the hole repeatedly.

 

[jazzcat22]

After Dallas did not pick up a fullback in the offseason or draft, I had thought that the team finally would not carry one.

However, I don't see that being the plan at all. If the Cowboys did not want to carry one, they would not be converting Rod Smith and Keith Smith to the spot. Garrett likes having a fullback for certain situations, but it is a limited-use position for this team, which is the reason that an attempt is being made to convert special-teams players into a part-time lead blocker.

IMO, the Cowboys need to commit one way or the other. Either get serious about the fullback position and address it with a player on par with the tight ends or eliminate it entirely. That they have shown they are not interested in eliminating it entirely likely means that we'll carry one again this year although that fullback might not currently be on the roster.

Yes Garrett likes having a FB on the roster.
By converting Rod Smith, something I brought up last year toward the end of the season. And if he beats out Keith Smith, they essentially can have their 4 RB's on the roster.
Zeke to start, DMC & Morris as backup and situational plays. as well, Rod Smith can be used at RB at times. He has lined up as a WR and he plays ST's.

So with both Rod and Zeke in the back field, who gets the ball in some situations. Yes Zeke mostly, but show a few times rod can do damage to a d, then it gets more involved for a D to defend.

 

[tyke1doe]

And I'm saying I don't want McFadden to be one that is splitting carries. Where are you struggling?

 

[mattjames2010]

What makes you think Dunbar will stay healthy? I would bet he gets injured before McFadden.

Dunbar is injury prone, McFadden is an injury prone player. McFadden is 29 years old, he's not a bruiser, he a slight speed back that needs large holes and lanes to exploit. We have that in Zeke. Dunbar is a receiving back, and again, these are harder to find in this league. What would you rather have, a player that is capable of being a Darren Sproles/Woodhead type back or McFadden in a limited role once again....which he has never proved he is productive in doing. He wasn't great behind Murray and he wasn't great when he was backing up Randle. We have to change the blocking scheme for McFadden before he became consistent behind the line.

Give me Zeke, Morris, and Dunbar.

 

[jazzcat22]

Dunbar is injury prone, McFadden is an injury prone player. McFadden is 29 years old, he's not a bruiser, he a slight speed back that needs large holes and lanes to exploit. We have that in Zeke. Dunbar is a receiving back, and again, these are harder to find in this league. What would you rather have, a player that is capable of being a Darren Sproles/Woodhead type back or McFadden in a limited role once again....which he has never proved he is productive in doing. He wasn't great behind Murray and he wasn't great when he was backing up Randle. We have to change the blocking scheme for McFadden before he became consistent behind the line.

Give me Zeke, Morris, and Dunbar.

McFadden didn't play behind Murray, blows your entire post up there........McFadden should have started over Randle, and you know it, just won't admit it.
And tell that to a few players that DMC is not physical...did you even watch some of his runs last year punishing some players as well as getting some tough yards.

He has had 2 healthy seasons in a row now. Dunbar has not. His only healthy seasons were when he sat mostly on the bench. When his role was increased, he got injured.
Urban legend they changed the blocking scheme for DMC. This was written by a reporter and everyone ran with it. The team did not come out and say this. Matter of fact the OL said they liked blocking for DMC no matter what scheme they used, as they did both. Obviously that reporter doesn't know the schemes, like most fans don't either, but think they know better than the team does.
I would bet most can't look at plays from any team on any play and tell if they are zone or man blocking.

I believe DMC can take over Dunbar's role very easily. He is not limited as you think he is.

 

[Zekeats]

And then McFadden went on to be a starter for us last year. What is your point?

You're not providing anything to me. What makes Jackson better, McFadden and Morris could be "scrubs", that doesn't make Jackson anything more than a PS player at this point. Support your claim.

Says a lot. He couldn't even beat out uncle jail bird Joey for the starting spot.

 

[Zekeats]

High praise for a unproven 6th round draft pick.

I've seen enough to know that he'll be better than Mac and Morris.

 

[mattjames2010]

McFadden didn't play behind Murray, blows your entire post up there........McFadden should have started over Randle, and you know it, just won't admit it.
And tell that to a few players that DMC is not physical...did you even watch some of his runs last year punishing some players as well as getting some tough yards.

He has had 2 healthy seasons in a row now. Dunbar has not. His only healthy seasons were when he sat mostly on the bench. When his role was increased, he got injured.
Urban legend they changed the blocking scheme for DMC. This was written by a reporter and everyone ran with it. The team did not come out and say this. Matter of fact the OL said they liked blocking for DMC no matter what scheme they used, as they did both. Obviously that reporter doesn't know the schemes, like most fans don't either, but think they know better than the team does.
I would bet most can't look at plays from any team on any play and tell if they are zone or man blocking.

I believe DMC can take over Dunbar's role very easily. He is not limited as you think he is.

I'm not talking about DeMarco Murray, I'm talking about this guy

No, has one healthy season being a backup and a healthy season where he was a backup to start the year and only started 10 games. But that's not really the issue I am discussing, I'm asking you to show me when he has proven he is a good change of pace back, because I'm not seeing it.

As for the change in blocking: http://www.bloggingtheboys.com/2015...-demarco-murray-joseph-randle-darren-mcfadden

Lastly, please show me a year where McFadden looked like the receiver Dunbar was becoming last year? The closest was 2010, easily his best season in this league, which was 6 years ago.

 

[mattjames2010]

I've seen enough to know that he'll be better than Mac and Morris.

Haha, where? College game film where he was going up against scrubs weekly and you got goosebumps seeing him run over guys now flipping burgers?

 

[Cowboy06]

If Dunbar isn't ready for camp or the season opener, he has more issues than just an ACL. That has what, a 9 month healing time these days?

Good point. Remember when an ACL was at least a year to recover and another year to get back up to speed?

 

[gimmesix]

Yes Garrett likes having a FB on the roster.
By converting Rod Smith, something I brought up last year toward the end of the season. And if he beats out Keith Smith, they essentially can have their 4 RB's on the roster.
Zeke to start, DMC & Morris as backup and situational plays. as well, Rod Smith can be used at RB at times. He has lined up as a WR and he plays ST's.

So with both Rod and Zeke in the back field, who gets the ball in some situations. Yes Zeke mostly, but show a few times rod can do damage to a d, then it gets more involved for a D to defend.

I do like that Rod Smith can bring some versatility to the role ... if he has the ability to function as a lead blocker. The problem with the position since Moose is that the fullback has usually been the least-talented starter on our offense, even less-so than other subpackage players.

The problem we run into with keeping one this year is the number of running backs and tight ends in consideration for a roster spot.

Drafting two RBs, gives us five (Elliott, McFadden, Morris, Jackson and Dunbar) contending for three spots. They might could contend for four, but not if we keep four tight ends out of Witten, Hanna, Escobar, Swaim and Gathers. It seems likely to me that from that bunch, we do keep four TEs, so which two of the RBs do you cut?

I think Morris and McFadden are basically fighting for the same spot (veteran backup running back) but if Dallas likes both, Dunbar could be the odd man out and Jackson could go to the PS. However, if Jackson flashes starting-level talent, I would think we wouldn't want to try to get him to the PS, so either Morris or McFadden goes. I don't want to count out Dunbar, either; he was very good in a specialty role before getting hurt.

It's a good problem to have but someone will get cut who has shown ability to contribute to this team. I just hope we make the right choices.

 

[jazzcat22]

I'm not talking about DeMarco Murray, I'm talking about this guy

No, has one healthy season being a backup and a healthy season where he was a backup to start the year and only started 10 games. But that's not really the issue I am discussing, I'm asking you to show me when he has proven he is a good change of pace back, because I'm not seeing it.

As for the change in blocking: http://www.bloggingtheboys.com/2015...-demarco-murray-joseph-randle-darren-mcfadden

Lastly, please show me a year where McFadden looked like the receiver Dunbar was becoming last year? The closest was 2010, easily his best season in this league, which was 6 years ago.

as I said, that was from a reporter, as this was the one I referred to...not from the team....The OL themselves had said something different.

 

[YosemiteSam]

Zeke
DMac
Morris
Dunbar

Jackson PS
No FB (Sorry Jaylon Smith)

Ready to go

You put Jackson on the PS and you probably lose him.

IMO, the Cowboys are going to trade RBs. They almost have no choice or lose one for nothing.