Sports Illustrated believes we should be in panic mode at RB

[Deep_South]

The issue with Randle (besides the off the field stuff) is that fact that he has never had more than 54 carries in a season.

Including playoffs, Murray had like 567 carries if I remember correctly. So even if you give Randle just half that load, can he tote the rock 250 times? That is 5 times higher than his career high. Does he have the stamina, resilience, and the health to handle that many carries?

And we are only talking about half of what Murray had...........if we are going to still be a running team and run the ball as much as last season, then after Randle gets 250 carries, we still have over 300 carries left for somebody. Can McFadden tote the rock for 300 carries? Ryan Williams hasn't played in forever, is he going to handle 300 carries? Even if we split those 300 carries up, that leaves 150 for McFadden and 150 for Williams and both guys are extreme injury risks.

Replacing a guy that had 567 carries is not going to be as easy as many seen to think..............or hope to think.

The biggest number I could come up with was 497 total touches by DeMarco last year in all 18 games.

In any case, while killing time waiting for the local high school graduation ceremony this evening, I ran through about 8 of the 30 minute versions of our games last year, starting with game 3 and watching only our offensive series. I think anyone who does that will see we have a big challenge in replacing DeMarco. He may have left yards on the field by not running to daylight from time to time, but I don't think he left a foot out there from lack of effort.

I think my favorite insight on this came from Michael Irvin a couple of days ago, who said something like, "If they believed just anyone could run behind that line, why did they hand the ball off to DeMarco 392 times?"

 

[AtlCB]

SI Video

SI Top 100
POTENTIAL Trades Options:
Matt Forte 4
Lamar Miller 28
Mark Ingram 29

Comparison..
Latavius Murray 42
Darren McFadden 76

Original write up..

The article you posted references an SI article of projected fantasy football value. SI ranked the Cowboys' running backs low, because they believe Dallas will be using the running back by committee approach. SI did write that if one of the RB's is able to get the bulk of the carries, the back would be a "fantasy monster." Also, Romo's ranking on this list was 61. I seriously doubt the SI is trying to make the claim that Romo is the 61st best offensive player in the NFL.

 

[AzorAhai]

People seriously need to calm down on this RB dread stuff. Last year 23 teams had over 1600 yds rushing. 21 Teams averaged 4.0 YPC or better. NONE of the other teams have the Cowboys OL who excel in run blocking.

We don't need 2300 yards rushing again this year. We need to stay committed to running the ball and continue to improve on defense. People complained for years now about pass rush, but when they dedicate resources to it, now it's the chicken little act for another position. This is not Madden or an All-Pro roster. You can't have superstars everywhere and theres a good chance your going to have a couple of average to subpar starters on EVERY team. The team decided defense was more important this offseason and I for one am inclined to agree.

 

[trickblue]

I'm really not to worried... Murray had a GREAT year, but those wholes were huge. I'm hoping McFadden still has it because he was three times the RB in college...

 

[trickblue]

We'll just have to wait and see...

 

[Sinister]

If, and a big if, Knowshon Moreno is available, he is the running back I would go after. I know he had the ACL injury last year so there is a huge probability that he won't be physically available for the first quarter to half the season, but I love the way he runs. I definitely think the Cowboys should put out a flier on him...

 

[Oh_Canada]

Panic mode? The Ravens started Justin Forsett who ran for 1300yds and they came within one drive of knocking off the Pats. Gimme a break.

 

[Bleu Star]

We'll just have to wait and see...

And THAT is the only constant here. Waiting and seeing will happen and no one knows whether or not they're trolling the phones. One thing I have noticed is a newly found shrewd decisiveness and low key approach to negotiation since Jerry has taken more of a back seat approach and let Stephen run things with the close advisory of Willie McClay. The way they're now running this team will bode well for many years to come.

That said, I too am very happy about the way the draft unfolded along with the fleecing of Collins. That was a present day Oceans 12 heist. No doubt we will be much improved on both sides of the trench where it matters most. We also need a reliable person to carry the rock and carry it well for the bulk of the season. Gone should be the days of relying on Romo's arm to get us to the promise land. He's a great QB but it has been proven year after year after year that the pass first approach does not equate to success in big D. We found our balance last year and we need to find it again. Just my strong humbled opinion.

& if a media rag feels we should be in panic mode at RB, while more extreme than how I feel, I still think it's worth discussion. Ahhh. The beauty of message boards.

 

[Sportsbabe]

SI Video

SI Top 100
POTENTIAL Trades Options:
Matt Forte 4
Lamar Miller 28
Mark Ingram 29

Comparison..
Latavius Murray 42
Darren McFadden 76

Original write up..

So let it be written, so let it be done.
Man .... I cannot wait, I cannot wait, I cannot wait

 

[Sportsbabe]

And THAT is the only constant here. Waiting and seeing will happen and no one knows whether or not they're trolling the phones. One thing I have noticed is a newly found shrewd decisiveness and low key approach to negotiation since Jerry has taken more of a back seat approach and let Stephen run things with the close advisory of Willie McClay. The way they're now running this team will bode well for many years to come.

That said, I too am very happy about the way the draft unfolded along with the fleecing of Collins. That was a present day Oceans 12 heist. No doubt we will be much improved on both sides of the trench where it matters most. We also need a reliable person to carry the rock and carry it well for the bulk of the season. Gone should be the days of relying on Romo's arm to get us to the promise land. He's a great QB but it has been proven year after year after year that the pass first approach does not equate to success in big D. We found our balance last year and we need to find it again. Just my strong humbled opinion.

& if a media rag feels we should be in panic mode at RB, while more extreme than how I feel, I still think it's worth discussion. Ahhh. The beauty of message boards.

29 Likes.
But one person's beauty is another person's "bored to death with it"

 

[ShiningStar]

People seriously need to calm down on this RB dread stuff. Last year 23 teams had over 1600 yds rushing. 21 Teams averaged 4.0 YPC or better. NONE of the other teams have the Cowboys OL who excel in run blocking.

We don't need 2300 yards rushing again this year. We need to stay committed to running the ball and continue to improve on defense. People complained for years now about pass rush, but when they dedicate resources to it, now it's the chicken little act for another position. This is not Madden or an All-Pro roster. You can't have superstars everywhere and theres a good chance your going to have a couple of average to subpar starters on EVERY team. The team decided defense was more important this offseason and I for one am inclined to agree.

i was on the bandwagon before it was cool

 

[Beast_from_East]

In 2011 and 2012 he had 482 carries for 2633 yards and 38 TD's and 71 rec's for 490 yards and 2 TD's. Granted all that was in college but he's capable of carrying the football far more than 54 times a year.

The NFL aint college bro.....................the wear and tear at the NFL level is in another stratosphere compared to college.

Whole different animal carrying the rock 200 times in the NFL vs. 50 times in the NFL.

 

[big dog cowboy]

People seriously need to calm down on this RB dread stuff. Last year 23 teams had over 1600 yds rushing. 21 Teams averaged 4.0 YPC or better. NONE of the other teams have the Cowboys OL who excel in run blocking.

We don't need 2300 yards rushing again this year. We need to stay committed to running the ball and continue to improve on defense. People complained for years now about pass rush, but when they dedicate resources to it, now it's the chicken little act for another position. This is not Madden or an All-Pro roster. You can't have superstars everywhere and theres a good chance your going to have a couple of average to subpar starters on EVERY team. The team decided defense was more important this offseason and I for one am inclined to agree.

 

[Bleu Star]

The NFL aint college bro.....................the wear and tear at the NFL level is in another stratosphere compared to college.

Whole different animal carrying the rock 200 times in the NFL vs. 50 times in the NFL.

& to add to that, horses that prove they can carry the rock that many times at the pro level are coveted for good reason. We don't currently have any of those proven horses on our roster.

 

[darthseinfeld]

I am just amazed that we get a top 20 or so player for next to nothing, yet he "hasn't proven anything".

If we simply took him in the regular draft, he would already be penciled in the starting lineup ahead of Leary and hailed as a starter.

I would give Leary's chances at beating out Collins at about 0. His only chance to start is if they want Collins at OT.

Leary is a good player, but it may be generous considering him even a top 30 OG

 

[DallasCowboysRule!]

I see no reason why I should be so concerned 4 months before the start of the season. They expect me to hit the panic button months before training camp begins and we even get a chance to see what our backs can do? We downgraded from Murray but this is just sensationalist media and chicken little attitude

 

[FuzzyLumpkins]

The biggest number I could come up with was 497 total touches by DeMarco last year in all 18 games.

In any case, while killing time waiting for the local high school graduation ceremony this evening, I ran through about 8 of the 30 minute versions of our games last year, starting with game 3 and watching only our offensive series. I think anyone who does that will see we have a big challenge in replacing DeMarco. He may have left yards on the field by not running to daylight from time to time, but I don't think he left a foot out there from lack of effort.

I think my favorite insight on this came from Michael Irvin a couple of days ago, who said something like, "If they believed just anyone could run behind that line, why did they hand the ball off to DeMarco 392 times?"

Because he was on pace to break an NFL record and Randle stole some underwear?

 

[DoctorChicken]

I'm in panic mode but that's just because I have a weird bug bite on my ankle and idk what it is.

But as far as RB goes, that will work itself out.

 

[BigD_95]

SI Video

SI Top 100
POTENTIAL Trades Options:
Matt Forte 4
Lamar Miller 28
Mark Ingram 29

Comparison..
Latavius Murray 42
Darren McFadden 76

Original write up..

I agree 100%

 

[Sydla]

Which means what exactly? This is not a zero sum game. I have seen the Positive Paulines around these parts predict amazing seasons year after year and last year they were right. But for years they were not.

So which is the norm for them? Should all the predictions now be cast in stone, or is it maybe sometimes you're right and sometimes your wrong?

Nothing suggests this team is better now than they were last year in the running game. Nor does going back to pass first bode well for a team that FINALLY figured out clock control and the run game is how you hide a poor defense.

And while people are giddy about the teams new toys, and I number in that group, the bell cow pass rush is suspended for ten games, and you are depending on a rookie, two line backers in Lee and McClain that seem to get injured, a pass defense of Carr - whoopee - and Scardrick - not a starter on many many teams, and a rookie in Jones to be a bandaid for a huge hole in pass defense until the Kracken gets back.

So the one saving grace last year packed his stuff and headed east and we have bench warmers and are betting on the come on an inside straight flush to keep continuity and balance on offense.

It's fun making funny retorts and killing the messenger. Less so when you face the truth about what is and what isn't.

They may be right. They may be wrong. But dismissing the possibility this team took a serious step back and outsmarted themselves isn't out of the question.

Stunning that you would have this outlook.