Strum-Mcfadden could struggle with zone blocking

[CATCH17]

And then you look at that OL and realize that it was as bad or worse than 2014. At least they have Gabe Jackson in 14.

My issue with this entire ZBS discussion is that you still need to execute the poa in a ZBS and Oakland couldn't move a potted plant. The 'piles' that he is running into were obviously the poa, there was tons of penetration, and they didn't cut off anyone.

Sure DMC is not going to improvise but I want to see what he can do with an OL that can execute and let's not pretend that any OL he had in the last 4 years has been able to do that.

Our OL is so good that he should be getting to the 2nd level a lot and with his size, speed, and vision it's just a recipe for a lot of big plays.

 

[superonyx]

And then you look at that OL and realize that it was as bad or worse than 2014. At least they have Gabe Jackson in 14.

My issue with this entire ZBS discussion is that you still need to execute the poa in a ZBS and Oakland couldn't move a potted plant. The 'piles' that he is running into were obviously the poa, there was tons of penetration, and they didn't cut off anyone.

Sure DMC is not going to improvise but I want to see what he can do with an OL that can execute and let's not pretend that any OL he had in the last 4 years has been able to do that.

I like McFadden as a person and want him to succeed with us this year. We all know he has the speed to hurt teams when the holes are there. He also has the ability to turn some of the dump off passes into big gains.

He has been the least successful RB on his team for the last 3 years. I am really hoping his troubles are something that was the result of his offensive line not being able to open the holes for him and not his vision and lack of ability to be successful in a zone blocking system.

 

[FuzzyLumpkins]

Our OL is so good that he should be getting to the 2nd level a lot and with his size, speed, and vision it's just a recipe for a lot of big plays.

Well what they are arguing is that he has no vision for a ZBS. The claim is he doesn't have the patience to allow the play to develop, runs into piles and misses cutbacks. Thing is that pile was where the power iso or stretch was supposed to go and I know for a fact that coaches like Parcells hated when their backs would improvise like people are calling on him to do.

I just want to see what he can do behind even semi-consistent execution up front.

 

[FuzzyLumpkins]

I like McFadden as a person and want him to succeed with us this year. We all know he has the speed to hurt teams when the holes are there. He also has the ability to turn some of the dump off passes into big gains.

He has been the least successful RB on his team for the last 3 years. I am really hoping his troubles are something that was the result of his offensive line not being able to open the holes for him and not his vision and lack of ability to be successful in a zone blocking system.

MJD was worse last year.

In the last several games when Murray started for them last year he averaged 3.7 YPC and he never had to run behind Bergstrom and Watson like DMC had to early in the year.

In 2012, Reese was their second leading carrier and he was the FB. There were no other HB that had more than 50 carries. 2013, he was injured.

 

[xwalker]

He may know the scheme but why does Sturn bring up points that he might not be a fit for the zone blocking scheme? Thus the concern that his 3.2 yard average over the last 3 years is may not be an anomaly but instead a pattern that might carry over to Dallas. Coupled that he is also injury prone making McFadden even more of a liability.

I have hopes for him being the featured back. But in all honesty, the Cowboys could do themselves a favor by not having to put all their eggs into the McFadden basket. There are better prospects out there like Lamar Miller and even Chris Johnson. McFadden has too many questions marks for a player thats going to try and fill in Murray's shoes. Yet people here think he's the answer. Sorry Im not buying it.

I think they like Ryan Williams and Randle way more than most fans do. I don't think McFadden is assured of being the starter at this point.

People cried about not drafting a RB, but the college game footage of Randle and Ryan Williams was better than many of the RBs in this draft.

 

[ConstantReboot]

I think they like Ryan Williams and Randle way more than most fans do. I don't think McFadden is assured of being the starter at this point.

People cried about not drafting a RB, but the college game footage of Randle and Ryan Williams was better than many of the RBs in this draft.

I'm cheering for Williams to make a full comeback and compete. I saw his college video footage and I agree....he's a very talented runningback. If he can remain healthy he might be the best among the 4 and I wouldn't mind him being our feature running back.

Williams reminds me a little bit of Mark Ingram with more wiggle and vision. I notice that he tends to wait for his blocks to happen and then he bursts thru holes. He may not have that speed that McFadden has. But he would be perfect for the type of running game that we run. I think his style would be the best fit among all the runningbacks we got now. But the question would be can he remain healthy? I hope so.

 

[superonyx]

I think they like Ryan Williams and Randle way more than most fans do. I don't think McFadden is assured of being the starter at this point.

People cried about not drafting a RB, but the college game footage of Randle and Ryan Williams was better than many of the RBs in this draft.

Maybe with Randle. But Ryan Williams college highlights were from 2009. His freshman year was the last season he was relevant to his team.
I hope we didn't pass on any of the guys in the draft because of Ryan Williams college highlight films.

 

[DallasDW00ds0n]

I actually think Randle is way more suited for zone blocking.he has shown that he can find those holes and cutbacks .

check out how bad Randle is at blocking

 

[xwalker]

check out how bad Randle is at blocking

That video was posted Oct 16, 2013.

Randle has significantly improved since then. His blocking was good last season.

 

[Bluestang]

Dallas doesn't run a pure zone scheme like others have pointed out.

Check out these plays, which shows both styles:

http://www.nfl.com/videos/mayocks-s...Mayock-s-Slant-Cowboys-running-game-vs-Saints

http://www.bloggingtheboys.com/2014...ys-breaking-down-why-they-are-working-so-well

And finally here is a link that shows good and bad of DeMarco Murray and also takes a look at Randle for 1 play:

http://nflbreakdowns.com/demarco-murray-cowboys-dominate-bears/

IMHO, the Cowboys won't know until the end of OTAs as far as what they got for RBs. They have a pretty good idea of what they have now, but once they get into pads and start the run period drills they won't have a full idea of what they truly have. Murray was a tough runner but he also had poor vision...the plays where that poor vision is broken down has been the subject of many threads on this forum in years past.

Murray is going to be tough to replace, but the Cowboys have successfully had a RBBC approach before. If anyone noticed in the Mayock link, he referenced how the "Cowboys ran the ball effectively" - that is what will win us games this year. This OL will be better especially with Collins in that group, so it's just a matter of time and finding the RB that can get downhill.

Plus, don't discount what SJ said that they aren't done with the RB position...

 

[Risen Star]

I disagree.

Zone blocking is a pretty basic thing to do unless your OL is a bunch of slugs.

You either try to hook the guy in your zone and if he beats you to the outside you use his momentum against him and drive him to the sideline.

That's about it.

Nope. It takes 3 years. Unless it doesn't. In that case, it was a copy and paste error.

 

[mahoneybill]

Williams hasn't juked anyone since 2009.

Know that, but just hope he has some left of whats shown on his college highlight videos where he routinely does a quick stutter cut, and is very elusive

 

[CATCH17]

Dallas doesn't run a pure zone scheme like others have pointed out. Check out these plays, which shows both styles: http://www.nfl.com/videos/mayocks-s...Mayock-s-Slant-Cowboys-running-game-vs-Saints http://www.bloggingtheboys.com/2014...ys-breaking-down-why-they-are-working-so-well And finally here is a link that shows good and bad of DeMarco Murray and also takes a look at Randle for 1 play: http://nflbreakdowns.com/demarco-murray-cowboys-dominate-bears/ IMHO, the Cowboys won't know until the end of OTAs as far as what they got for RBs. They have a pretty good idea of what they have now, but once they get into pads and start the run period drills they won't have a full idea of what they truly have. Murray was a tough runner but he also had poor vision...the plays where that poor vision is broken down has been the subject of many threads on this forum in years past. Murray is going to be tough to replace, but the Cowboys have successfully had a RBBC approach before. If anyone noticed in the Mayock link, he referenced how the "Cowboys ran the ball effectively" - that is what will win us games this year. This OL will be better especially with Collins in that group, so it's just a matter of time and finding the RB that can get downhill. Murray and also takes a look at Randle for 1 play: http://nflbreakdowns.com/demarco-murray-cowboys-dominate-bears/ IMHO, the Cowboys won't know until the end of OTAs as far as what they got for RBs. They have a pretty good idea of what they have now, but once they get into pads and start the run period drills they won't have a full idea of what they truly have. Murray was a tough runner but he also had poor vision...the plays where that poor vision is broken down has been the subject of many threads on this forum in years past. Murray is going to be tough to replace, but the Cowboys have successfully had a RBBC approach before. If anyone noticed in the Mayock link, he referenced how the "Cowboys ran the ball effectively" - that is what will win us games this year. This OL will be better especially with Collins in that group, so it's just a matter of time and finding the RB that can get downhill. Plus, don't discount what SJ said that they aren't done with the RB position...

Murrays vision.... It was so bad in that Bears game.

I can't believe we didn't give Randle the rock more last year. There is no telling how many big runs Murray just left out there for the entire season.

 

[Irvin88_4life]

People will say that it's because of his awful offensive line and no quarterback...

I took a look at 2012 and realized that Carson Palmer was actually pretty good that year for Oakland. He threw for over 4k yards and was sacked less times than Romo was last year.
I was not expecting to find this. So with a line good enough to protect Palmer as good as Romo was protected McFadden was still only able to run for 3.3ypc.

Not making me feel awesome inside..

Come on Joseph Randle..

Is Oakland man. Dallas has the best OL, multiple receiving threats and a defense that gets the ball back. Big difference

 

[Bluestang]

Nope. It takes 3 years. Unless it doesn't. In that case, it was a copy and paste error.

The Ravens managed the switch in one year back in 2012 and won a SB.

 

[Bluestang]

Murrays vision.... It was so bad in that Bears game.

I can't believe we didn't give Randle the rock more last year. There is no telling how many big runs Murray just left out there for the entire season.

I believe Murray's lack of vision is the lack of confidence in himself to make himself "skinny in the hole". Murray's big frame doesn't give him a favorable advantage when he turns his shoulders perpendicular to the LOS. He's a straight ahead, shoulders square type of runner, which also gives defenders a bigger target to get their hands on.

You see Randle able to do that in the breakdown, and he's fast as well. Ryan Williams is a smaller guy that could have similar results as Ray Rice where defenders have a hard time seeing him until he hits the hole and by then it's too late since they are at full speed. DMC is built like Murray but he's faster and can be used in the passing game as a WR.

We'll see what the reports are in OTAs and who is running with who.

 

[superonyx]

Is Oakland man. Dallas has the best OL, multiple receiving threats and a defense that gets the ball back. Big difference

It's Oakland isn't really enough. Who was the last player who looked as bad as he has for the last 3 years and came back to become good. I like the guy and really hope it gashes the league for some monster runs...I also don't think anyone will be held to 3.3 ypc on this team...

I am not a doom and gloomer. But I can't just dismiss having 3.3 YPC over 3 years and 500 carries as being because he played for Oakland.

In spite of the history of non production I am still strangely fascinated by him and very interested in seeing what he can do.

 

[speedkilz88]

It's Oakland isn't really enough. Who was the last player who looked as bad as he has for the last 3 years and came back to become good. I like the guy and really hope it gashes the league for some monster runs...I also don't think anyone will be held to 3.3 ypc on this team...

I am not a doom and gloomer. But I can't just dismiss having 3.3 YPC over 3 years and 500 carries as being because he played for Oakland.

In spite of the history of non production I am still strangely fascinated by him and very interested in seeing what he can do.

Rolando McClain was the last. There was also Randy Moss a while back. Charles Woodson got a 2nd life in GB years ago.

 

[superonyx]

Rolando McClain was the last. There was also Randy Moss a while back. Charles Woodson got a 2nd life in GB years ago.

Rolando McClain was a player in Oakland. He just got into trouble and didn't seem to want to play ball.
When did Randy Moss ever suck? The guy came out of college dominating defenses.

 

[Oh_Canada]

My only concern is health with this guy. If healthy, he runs for 1400+ yds on around 300 carries.