Short and Sweet prediction

[DeaconMoss]

I could've swore you just dropped the mic and walked off stage after that one. Well done.

I think we need a new gif for the zone

 

[egn22]

Ramsey helps the secondary immensely.
That's my pick if he's there. If I need a RB I'll grab one later. Around round 4

 

[erod]

I'll be bummed if we wast the #4 on a RB, of all things.

True, but you could trade down to 6 or 7, pick up a third, draft Elliott, trade the 2nd and 3rd to get back into the first, and draft a defensive linemen, quarterback, or receiver.

Elliott and Doctson in the first round, and let's see somebody stop that.

 

[KJJ]

4 games is hardly a good sample size. And two of the games played, McFadden wasn't the starter, Randle was and I tend to agree the Cowboys whiffed in thinking he could be a starting TB.

In the two games McFadden started and played with Romo, one was against Carolina who was pretty much stifling any team's running game. So any belief that a guy like Elliott would have ran over Carolina is just silliness IMO. The other game McFadden and Romo started together, he ran for 130 yards with a 4.5 ypc average.

I am not really sure you are necessarily disagreeing though with my overall point. With a draft pick, Morris and McFadden, there's probably enough to have a competent running game along as Romo is healthy. Frankly, I wouldn't be surprised if Morris became the starter. I think he has something left in the tank.

It was a good enough sample size to see that Romo wasn't able to lean on the run the way he did in 2014. He found himself in a number of long down situations that he wasn't finding himself in as much in 2014. He was injured both times on long down situations where the defense could come after him. Against Carolina McFadden had 3 negative carries in his first 7 attempts putting the game on Romo's shoulders. McFadden doesn't scare anyone and the Panthers pinned their ears back and came after Romo putting an end to his season and any chances the Cowboys had. You can't just look at the games McFadden played with Romo you have to look at some of the other games such as the Tampa game where he stunk! He averaged only 1.9 a carry in 17 attempts.

With just over 5 minutes to play and the Cowboys leading McFadden took a 7 yard loss on a first down carry that put us in passing situations on 2nd and 3rd down which led to a punt. Had we been able to milk the clock that game was ours but the Bucs ended up winning with under a minute to play. As for Morris I think there's a good chance he will be the starter at least at some point because he's a better "runner" than McFadden. He's decisive and has great vision which enables him break away on some nice runs. I like him a lot better than McFadden. I believe if given the opportunity he'll end up being our best offseason pickup. I've watched a lot of tape on him and he's a good runner who can be very productive.

 

[Sydla]

It was a good enough sample size to see that Romo wasn't able to lean on the run the way he did in 2014. He found himself in a number of long down situations that he wasn't finding himself in as much in 2014. He was injured both times on long down situations where the defense could come after him. Against Carolina McFadden had 3 negative carries in his first 7 attempts putting the game on Romo's shoulders. McFadden doesn't scare anyone and the Panthers pinned their ears back and came after Romo putting an end to his season and any chances the Cowboys had. You can't just look at the games McFadden played with Romo you have to look at some of the other games such as the Tampa game where he stunk! He averaged only 1.9 a carry in 17 attempts.

With just over 5 minutes to play and the Cowboys leading McFadden took a 7 yard loss on a first down carry that put us in passing situations on 2nd and 3rd down which led to a punt. Had we been able to milk the clock that game was ours but the Bucs ended up winning with under a minute to play. As for Morris I think there's a good chance he will be the starter at least at some point because he's a better "runner" than McFadden. He's decisive and has great vision which enables him break away on some nice runs. I like him a lot better than McFadden. I believe if given the opportunity he'll end up being our best offseason pickup. I've watched a lot of tape on him and he's a good runner who can be very productive.

Again, you seem to ignore some pretty obvious issues that faced the team and Romo that you want to try pretend didn't exist.

This is not to say McFadden is Adrian Peterson out there. But he's better than you are willing to give him credit for.

 

[manster4ever]

OK, I'll bite.

I don't agree because I don't think last year has anything to do with next year. Last year was strange. Yes, Romo's injury is the highlight, but the schedule couldn't have been more brutal. Romo gets hurt, and the Cowboys face Ryan, Brees, Brady, Eli, and Wilson, followed by the Eagles. And all that is essentially without Dez Bryant, who by the way, was egregiously interfered with against Tampa that could have won that game. Romo then comes back in time to face must-wins against Carolina and Green Bay. Oh, gee, thanks.

This year looks like a DRASTICALLY easier schedule. With a modicum of luck on the injury front, I think we're in for a 11-5 type of season.

However, I share your hope for a big-time running back addition. Zeke would be fun, but I'd also be interested in what Henry could do behind this line, or the kid from Utah.

Great points all the way to Henry. I like Howard from IU or Prosise from ND and they can be had in the 3rd round more than likely. I'm INTRIGUED by Henry in the 2nd round but.....just leery because Bama just mauls people up front. Ingram has done well in N.Orleans and E.Lacy has done OK in G.Bay but a few of their RB's have simply been a product of that beastly Oline year in and year out. Henry is a straight line guy without great speed. No wiggle and not overly physical for a guy his size. Again...intriguing but not sold on him.

 

[KJJ]

You really can't though use those 4 games if one is truly honest with themselves. Two of those games played Romo was clearly out of his element given he came back, possibly too soon, from a significant broken bone. Further, another key piece of the puzzle - Bryant - was also a non factor with his injury.

So frankly, I think it's largely misguided to suggest that the 4 games Romo played last year without a doubt proves that our running game was pretty bad.

The opener is the best game to use because the team was as healthy as they were all season and had it not been for a huge clock management gaffe by the Giants in the closing minutes the Cowboys would have started the season 0-1. I said after the opener I didn't think the Giants were a good team and they ended up not being a good team. It took a huge mistake by the Giants and a last ditch drive by Romo to pull that game out. If you have a solid back with arguably the best OL in the entire league you should be able to run the ball consistently regardless of your QB situation.

Adrain Peterson never had a great QB situation during the prime of his career or as solid an OL as the Cowboys have to run behind but that hasn't stopped him. Eric Dickerson, Earl Campbell or Barry Sanders QB situations never stopped them from being very productive. Everyone here just makes excuses but there's no excuse for the lack of consistency with the running game and being the worst team in the league on 3rd and one having the best run blocking OL in football.

 

[KJJ]

Again, you seem to ignore some pretty obvious issues that faced the team and Romo that you want to try pretend didn't exist.

This is not to say McFadden is Adrian Peterson out there. But he's better than you are willing to give him credit for.

I know the issues that face the team they start with the coaching and end with the defense. I don't pretend things don't exist I live in a world of reality while the rest of you try and make everything associated with the Cowboys look a lot better than it is. McFadden had 8 games last season where he averaged under 4.0 a carry and it was the last few games of the season when the Cowboys were done that raised his average. Neither the Cowboys or most of their opponents had anything to play for the final 4 weeks and it helped McFadden's average. Put a great back behind our OL and they'll have 1500+ yards and 10+ TD's.

 

[Sydla]

The opener is the best game to use because the team was as healthy as they were all season and had it not been for a huge clock management gaffe by the Giants in the closing minutes the Cowboys would have started the season 0-1. I said after the opener I didn't think the Giants were a good team and they ended up not being a good team. It took a huge mistake by the Giants and a last ditch drive by Romo to pull that game out. If you have a solid back with arguably the best OL in the entire league you should be able to run the ball consistently regardless of your QB situation.

Adrain Peterson never had a great QB situation during the prime of his career or as solid an OL as the Cowboys have to run behind but that hasn't stopped him. Eric Dickerson, Earl Campbell or Barry Sanders QB situations never stopped them from being very productive. Everyone here just makes excuses but there's no excuse for the lack of consistency with the running game and being the worst team in the league on 3rd and one having the best run blocking OL in football.

The opening game of the season for any team is probably the worst game to try to make projections from. And again, McFadden wasn't the starter that Giants game. Randle was. I think McFadden had like 6 carries that entire game. So if you want to state that Randle was overmatched as a starter, I won't disagree with that.

Care to substantiate this claim? I am looking at a stat that shows first down conversions running the ball and the Cowboys were 11th in the league in 2015. So I struggle to figure out they could be that high in running for first downs but apparently be the worst team in the league on 3rd and one.

 

[gimmesix]

If the Cowboys draft Ezekiel Elliott, the Cowboys will go to the playoffs, but will likely fall short of going deep into the playoffs due to holes on defense.

If the Cowboys draft anywhere on defense with the 4th pick, they will be picking high again in 2017.

Discuss

McFadden proved last year that he's able to do enough in the running game for us to go to the playoffs without having to spend the No. 4 pick on a back. (That doesn't mean we don't need to draft a back at some point.) All that was missing was having Romo playing at a high level to carry the rest of this team. We won't be drafting high again in 2017 if Romo doesn't miss more than a few games.

I do agree that the holes on defense will keep us from going deep into the playoffs. We don't have the pass rushers right now that are needed for this defense to be effective enough.

 

[gimmesix]

I predict Alfred Morris will show he has a lot left in the tank behind this OL. Playoffs and beyond will come down to keeping Tony Romo upright.

I think you're right. I think Morris is a better fit for this offense than McFadden and both will benefit from splitting the carries.

 

[KJJ]

The opening game of the season for any team is probably the worst game to try to make projections from. And again, McFadden wasn't the starter that Giants game. Randle was. I think McFadden had like 6 carries that entire game. So if you want to state that Randle was overmatched as a starter, I won't disagree with that.

Care to substantiate this claim? I am looking at a stat that shows first down conversions running the ball and the Cowboys were 11th in the league in 2015. So I struggle to figure out they could be that high in running for first downs but apparently be the worst team in the league on 3rd and one.

The opener isn't a bad game to make a projection because it's the first game of the season and every team wants to get off to a good start. I made a projection that I didn't think the Giants would be any good based on the opener and they ended up not being any good. McFadden didn't start the opener because the Cowboys liked Randle better and that's based on the fact he started and got most of the carries. McFadden was given the same role Randle excelled at in 2014 and averaged only 2.7 a carry with the opportunities he was given.

Neither he or Randle was getting it done the first 2 weeks of the season which put the burden on Romo. As for substantiating a claim you're the one who made a claim so substantiate it yourself instead of trying to put words in my mouth to keep this going all day. You can continue to struggle to figure things out but no need to keep wasting my time while you're doing it.

 

[Manwiththeplan]

If the Cowboys draft Ezekiel Elliott, the Cowboys will go to the playoffs, but will likely fall short of going deep into the playoffs due to holes on defense.

If the Cowboys draft anywhere on defense with the 4th pick, they will be picking high again in 2017.

Discuss

Ezekiel Elliot won't be the difference between us going to the playoffs and picking 4th. That's just too wide a range to attribute to a rookie RB

 

[Doomsday101]

I think you're right. I think Morris is a better fit for this offense than McFadden and both will benefit from splitting the carries.

I think Morris is the more physical RB. I have to say I was happy with what I saw out of McFadden and I think he will be motivated coming into this season. So many had very low expectation about McFadden and talked about his inability to stay healthy yet I think he showed some good production and showed he could handle a decent about of carries. he did not get the opportunity until week 7 but managed to avg 23 carries a game in that span. I guess all in all I feel pretty good about these 2 RB,

 

[Manwiththeplan]

I think we need a new gif for the zone

that's actually is pretty funny. it would get over used and become annoying really fast, but the idea of it now is pretty funny

 

[garyv]

If the Cowboys draft Ezekiel Elliott, the Cowboys will go to the playoffs, but will likely fall short of going deep into the playoffs due to holes on defense.

If the Cowboys draft anywhere on defense with the 4th pick, they will be picking high again in 2017.

Discuss

Could very well be with Elliott and I don't have a problem if hes the one but if he is the one than 2nd and 3rd Rounds
we take best available Defensive Players available. I don't look QB until 4th Round.

P.S. Unless Paxton Lynch is there at #34

 

[fishspill]

If the Cowboys draft Ezekiel Elliott, the Cowboys will go to the playoffs, but will likely fall short of going deep into the playoffs due to holes on defense.

If the Cowboys draft anywhere on defense with the 4th pick, they will be picking high again in 2017.

Discuss

Well in your scenario I'm fine going defense because I am looking at the RBs in 2017 and rubbing my hands together.

 

[Sydla]

The opener isn't a bad game to make a projection because it's the first game of the season and every team wants to get off to a good start. I made a projection that I didn't think the Giants would be any good based on the opener and they ended up not being any good. McFadden didn't start the opener because the Cowboys liked Randle better and that's based on the fact he started and got most of the carries. McFadden was given the same role Randle excelled at in 2014 and averaged only 2.7 a carry with the opportunities he was given.

Neither he or Randle was getting it done the first 2 weeks of the season which put the burden on Romo. As for substantiating a claim you're the one who made a claim so substantiate it yourself instead of trying to put words in my mouth to keep this going all day. You can continue to struggle to figure things out but no need to keep wasting my time while you're doing it.

First of all, I did not put words in your mouth. You clearly said this:

being the worst team in the league on 3rd and one having the best run blocking OL in football.

So you claimed that the Cowboys were the worst team in the league on 3rd and one. I asked you to substantiate that claim. I can't quite find that specific stat but I've found others that would seem to refute your claim. Such as this stat that shows McFadden was 8th in the league in 3rd and short (3 yards or less). If we were the worst team in the NFL on 3rd and one, I figure McFadden wouldn't be rated so high:

http://stats.washingtonpost.com/fb/leaders.asp?year=&type=Rushing&range=NFL&rank=016

And the first game is probably the worst game to try to make longer term projections. Teams "want" to perform well in their opener but often times they don't. One large reason is that starters haven't played in a game in two weeks or more given that the last preseason game no starters really ever play. Further, if the first game is a real indicator of what's to come for a team, then the 2014 Cowboys should have sucked because they got mauled on opening day in Sept 2014 by San Fran in their own building.

 

[KJJ]

First of all, I did not put words in your mouth. You clearly said this:



So you claimed that the Cowboys were the worst team in the league on 3rd and one. I asked you to substantiate that claim. I can't quite find that specific stat but I've found others that would seem to refute your claim. Such as this stat that shows McFadden was 8th in the league in 3rd and short (3 yards or less). If we were the worst team in the NFL on 3rd and one, I figure McFadden wouldn't be rated so high:

It wasn't a claim it was a fact because as of the second week in Dec the Cowboys were the worst team in the league on 3rd and one according to reports. It was reported during a game and on NFL Network that the Cowboys were the worst team in the league on 3rd and one. They may not have finished as the worst team on 3rd and one but at least for most of the season no team was worse on 3rd and one than the Cowboys.

The Cowboys are currently the worst third-and-1 team in the NFL as they've converted a first down just seven-of-18 times in those situations.


http://dal.247sports.com/Bolt/Jerry-Jones-Cowboys-have-problems-beyond-loss-of-Tony-Romo-42013120

 

[Sydla]

It wasn't a claim it was a fact because as of the second week in Dec the Cowboys were the worst team in the league on 3rd and one according to reports. It was reported during a game and on NFL Network that the Cowboys were the worst team in the league on 3rd and one. They may not have finished as the worst team on 3rd and one but at least for most of the season no team was worse on 3rd and one than the Cowboys.

The Cowboys are currently the worst third-and-1 team in the NFL as they've converted a first down just seven-of-18 times in those situations.


http://dal.247sports.com/Bolt/Jerry-Jones-Cowboys-have-problems-beyond-loss-of-Tony-Romo-42013120

Interesting as some of the stats would run counter to each other. But the article in question also mentions play calling as a big factor in that stat. Also, if you read the article it talks about a key third and one they failed on in that Packer game. It wasn't McFadden who ran on that play. It was Turbin. The stats on McFadden I linked would suggest that if Dallas was having issues on 3rd and one, it probably wasn't McFadden who was at fault. I seem to remember they also would sub Michael in on some short down and distance situations. Maybe the staff should have let McFadden run more on 3rd and short situations. Further, I think it's easier to stop a TB on 3rd and short when you can sell out on the run when Weeden is under center or Cassel.

Again this isn't to suggest McFadden is a stud TB. He's serviceable, probably more than serviceable. Throw in Morris in the rotation and take a back in the mid rounds and I think that's more than adequate and the Cowboys don't need to spend the 4th pick on Elliott.