Sturm on McFadden

[DTown214]

If I was in charge my RB depth chart looks like this
1. Elliott
2. McFadden
3. Morris
with Dunbar on PUP

Have Elliott be the bell cow but to a lesser degree that Murray was in 2014. Use McFadden as the change of pace/receiving back (he looked great to me last year catching those screen passes) and use Morris when... ok, don't use Morris. But keep him around until McFadden inevitably gets injured and slide him as the RB2. When Dunbar comes back just use him as a kick/punt returner.

 

[Alohawg1]

i will take that bet.

last year the internet bloggers kept saying street would displace williams, randle would be better than murray, church would be cut, greg hardy was a swell guy who got accused of something he didn't do and would be a better pass rusher than ware ever was because he had "dog" in him.

they were all wrong.

now this year the same people are saying mcfadden will be cut, williams will lose his job to butler, church will be cut.

This team is in a position of strength at rb, its a long season and the team is going to be built around running the ball early and often and letting Romo be masterful on 3rd down. Zeke is a rookie and there is no evidence that shows Scott Lineman will over work a rookie back, he has had ronnie brown in his rookie year and he was taken at 2 and he only got about 17 touches a game if you add in catches.

I think all three all of these running backs are going to play, the only area that needs to be addressed is who makes up for those lost special teams plays? If we keep an extra safety or linebacker active on gamedays I imagine they make up for it. We have had special teams only players in the last few years in watson, spillman and mccray so I imagine we do again this year, maybe an extra one to make up for the 3 backs not playing on special teams.

Who knows maybe we get to the summer and mcfadden is returning kicks to find more ways to use him. I think he is a good locker room guy and can't see them cutting him. I think dunbar is the one in trouble.

I also do not think church will be cut or benched, I really like butler and think he will do well playing the x spot giving dez snaps off something that has not happened since he has been here really but I do not see him taking williams job. I think williams in a contract year is going to have his best season yet.

Good post, unpopular, but dang good and on point. The experts are never as expert as people give them credit for. It's May, wait until pads start popping before anointing a RB depth chart and making cuts. I mentioned it before and I'll say it again, Ezekiel Elliott is not the first highly regarded back from OSU to enter the NFL. There really is no such thing as a guarantee.

http://www.cincyjungle.com/2011/4/7/2096499/bengals-draft-bust-7-archie-griffin

 

[Maxmadden]

McFadden starts game 1.

Sorry to disappoint you.

 

[links18]

Yea, it's not, but I already don't see a way Dunbar is on the 53 unless someone goes down in preseason.

And someone almost certainly will.......

 

[Manwiththeplan]

McFadden starts game 1.

Sorry to disappoint you.

lmao, he won't

 

[Kaiser]

I don't get why people can't just be happy with DMC as a good backup at a low salary. Last year he got ripped until Randle was cut, then DMC played well as a starter. He won't start this year but he will be a quality backup at a low price.

Which is good value, unless everyone was completely overjoyed with Phillip Tanner or Tashard Choice.

 

[erod]

Before the season started, I made a bet with my friend that McFadden would rush for 1000+ yards. It was a 50 dollar bet.

He didn't exceed my expectations he barely met them. If he fit the scheme he would have been far more productive, but the fact is he doesn't.

He struggles in the zone scheme really badly and it results in poor down and distance. Makes no sense to move forward with him.

Still a good back on 3rd and 7, and injuries will occur.

 

[conner01]

McFadden gets no respect, even when he exceeds expectations. Maybe another fan base will get a chance to properly appreciate him.

It's not about respect, it's about numbers and fit. I like dmac but he doesn't fit the scheme and I don't see two vet backups on this team being active each week who don't contribute on special teams.i suspect he would rather not be inactive and would rather be somewhere else if he is going to be inactive. I liked dmac coming out of college and think he is a good RB just don't see the fit here with EE and Morris who do fit the scheme and a cheap rookie who may be able to contribute on coverage teams

 

[JoeKing]

Before the season started, I made a bet with my friend that McFadden would rush for 1000+ yards. It was a 50 dollar bet.

He didn't exceed my expectations he barely met them. If he fit the scheme he would have been far more productive, but the fact is he doesn't.

He struggles in the zone scheme really badly and it results in poor down and distance. Makes no sense to move forward with him.

So... like I said, no respect.

 

[JoeKing]

It's not about respect, it's about numbers and fit. I like dmac but he doesn't fit the scheme and I don't see two vet backups on this team being active each week who don't contribute on special teams.i suspect he would rather not be inactive and would rather be somewhere else if he is going to be inactive. I liked dmac coming out of college and think he is a good RB just don't see the fit here with EE and Morris who do fit the scheme and a cheap rookie who may be able to contribute on coverage teams

So we agree... he could be appreciated more somewhere else.

 

[unionjack8]

resdkins haven't produced quality offensive players since they got RG3 and Morris.. The QB play has been worse every year since RG3 was drafted and that has an impact on the running game.

And on the other hand they got the best OL coach in the game, invested in the OL and he lost playing time to Matt jones.

 

[Zman5]

It's going to be tough to carry 4RB this year because we are are going to be carrying 3 QBs as well.

 

[Bluefin]

It's going to be tough to carry 4RB this year because we are are going to be carrying 3 QBs as well.

True, but it's nonetheless doable depending on how the roster shakes out before September 11th.

The team probably wants 3 QBs to allow Dak Prescott a red-shirt year. 4 RBs is an option because veterans Darren McFadden and Alfred Morris don't play special teams while rookie Darius Jackson would. Lance Dunbar will likely open on PUP and not count against the roster.

4 TEs might also be on the table if rookie long shot Rico Gathers shows enough to suggest another club might claim him if exposed to waivers.

The Cowboys can keep 5 wideouts instead of 6, 8 OL instead of 9, 8 DBs instead of 9 or 10, etc.

Injuries will make some decisions, competition others, game day roster value any that get missed.

 

[Nightman]

I don't get why people can't just be happy with DMC as a good backup at a low salary. Last year he got ripped until Randle was cut, then DMC played well as a starter. He won't start this year but he will be a quality backup at a low price.

Which is good value, unless everyone was completely overjoyed with Phillip Tanner or Tashard Choice.

I think it is hilarious the whole board went from not paying Murray to wanting to pay our 3 RBs 10m total

2m is nowhere near a low salary for a non-starting RB, especially one that isn't a scheme fit

Morris is due 1.8m guaranteed so it is a no-brainer, you cut DMC and move on with the youth

You let Jackson battle it out with any number of UDFAs or scat back types, guys that play STs

 

[Nightman]

McFadden starts game 1.

Sorry to disappoint you.

You don't buy a Lambo and drive a Buick for nights on the town

 

[MichaelWinicki]

I think it is hilarious the whole board went from not paying Murray to wanting to pay our 3 RBs 10m total

2m is nowhere near a low salary for a non-starting RB, especially one that isn't a scheme fit

Morris is due 1.8m guaranteed so it is a no-brainer, you cut DMC and move on with the youth

You let Jackson battle it out with any number of UDFAs or scat back types, guys that play STs

You make a valid point.

The issue would be who's the 3rd down back who has experience in pass protection and is more than capable in the receiving department?

Are they going to trust Elliott right outta the shoot? Plus you're looking an even larger workload for a rookie...

I would almost guarantee they won't trust Jackson.

And Morris played little as a 3rd down back with the Commanders... not too mention he doesn't have a sterling reputation as pass receiver.

I think McFadden is kept by default.

In addition if Elliott was injured for any length of time I think a combination of McFadden/Morris could hold the fort and at least not let the running game crumble.

I don't like seeing them pay $10 mil for the position this season– but it is what it is.

 

[Kaiser]

2m is nowhere near a low salary for a non-starting RB, especially one that isn't a scheme fit

But DMC isn't a backup RB in that scenario, he is a starting caliber RB that isn't starting because we just drafted a RB we scouted as the best player in the draft.

DMC had the fourth most rushing yards in the NFL last year after only getting a few carries in the first five games. He isn't a Tashard Choice, he is a guy that is fully capable of starting on a playoff team. In 2015, the season tanked because of injuries at QB. In 2013 the season tanked because of injuries to the DL. We have the money to spend, I'd much rather have starting quality depth at a skill position than cut guys like DMC just to save money.

 

[Galian Beast]

So... like I said, no respect.

My friend is a patriots fan. And he thought Randle would be the starter. I had respect for McFadden since day 1.

I just don't think he is the answer nor do I think he fits here.

 

[Nightman]

But DMC isn't a backup RB in that scenario, he is a starting caliber RB that isn't starting because we just drafted a RB we scouted as the best player in the draft.

DMC had the fourth most rushing yards in the NFL last year after only getting a few carries in the first five games. He isn't a Tashard Choice, he is a guy that is fully capable of starting on a playoff team. In 2015, the season tanked because of injuries at QB. In 2013 the season tanked because of injuries to the DL. We have the money to spend, I'd much rather have starting quality depth at a skill position than cut guys like DMC just to save money.

Last year was a down year for RBs. DMC would not have been in the top 10 in 2014 or 2013. Most of his yards were in garbage time last year.

He is a pure back-up, period.

There is no scenario were he starts over EE. That would be a complete failure. Think of CMichael and that is DMC's role. Paying 2m for that is beyond a waste. 3 dozen guys can do it for the minimum and play STs.

Thanks for being a RB on a 4-12 team last year but we don't need you anymore. Just like Turbin, CMike, RSmith, JRandle, Malena......

 

[Kaiser]

Last year was a down year for RBs. DMC would not have been in the top 10 in 2014 or 2013. Most of his yards were in garbage time last year.

He is a pure back-up, period.

He is obviously a backup, but my point is that he has value on the roster. And you can say he got his yards in garbage time, but the flip side of that is that he got his yards on a team where opponents could ignore the Dallas passing game and defend against the run.