The most coveted job in the league, with countless applicants

[erod]

I'd venture to guess that 90 percent of the NFL's running backs would jump a plane within the hour to be the starting running back in Dallas.

Good gosh, the Cowboys have two backups that could start for most offensive lines. Not to mention a quarterback and receiving corps to pull safeties out of boxes and put a moment of hesitation in every linebacker on the schedule.

Darren McFadden knows that. Ryan Williams and Lance Dunbar know that. I want to think Joseph Randle knows that, but who knows what that loon is thinking because much of the time, he isn't.

And make no mistake, Will McClay and the fightin' Joneses know that, too. They can smell that hankerin' from miles away.

I have no idea what the blueprint plans look like, but I'm sure there is one, full of contingencies and what-ifs and hope-so's. No doubt McClay has a watchful eye on a carefully chosen list of distant training camps, waiting to pounce if need arises.

Definitely, the Cowboys hope the cast at hand can get it done. That's the hopeful Plan A in all this. But there are high-priced veterans at risk on current rosters. I haven't researched it, but I can imagine guys like Arian Foster or Matt Forte are ripe for replacement if a cheaper and younger option emerges. Invariably, players like that get cut every preseason.

The crop in tow in Oxnard had better understand that they're competing HEAVILY with every group of backs in every camp in the NFL. Their contracts certainly don't protect them. They've proven nothing that isn't offset by injury histories or Underoos.

There's simply no excuse for not showing up in prime condition next Thursday with such an opportunity in front of them. Overweight? Bye, what were you thinking? Not ready for every classroom discussion and practice? See ya, it obviously doesn't mean that much to you.

I know this. These cats are going to be running harder in camp than anywhere in the league. There's not just a roster spot up for grabs, but a STARTING roster spot. A career or two will be reinvigorated this season. Just matters who wants it and who can stay on the field.

That might not be somebody here right now. This is going to be one of the most stressfully long job interviews we've seen in a long time.

And it's going to make camp extra interesting to watch.

 

[MagicMan]

Actually thnk they are into Plan C now.........Plan A was an attempt to lure AP with at best a #3 pick; Plan B was taking either Gordon or Gurley if one of them fell to them at #27; Plan C is now waiting which RB rich team has to cut/trade a pretty good RB; Plan D as in "desperate" is going with one of these clowns on their roster. And let's not hope it gets to that.

So let's hope Plan C, as in "Championship" gets us one of these dudes.

 

[DogFace]

My prediction is Randle, despite his character flaws, comes out ready and surprises people.

 

[tyke1doe]

I'd venture to guess that 90 percent of the NFL's running backs would jump a plane within the hour to be the starting running back in Dallas.

Good gosh, the Cowboys have two backups that could start for most offensive lines. Not to mention a quarterback and receiving corps to pull safeties out of boxes and put a moment of hesitation in every linebacker on the schedule.

Darren McFadden knows that. Ryan Williams and Lance Dunbar know that. I want to think Joseph Randle knows that, but who knows what that loon is thinking because much of the time, he isn't.

And make no mistake, Will McClay and the fightin' Joneses know that, too. They can smell that hankerin' from miles away.

I have no idea what the blueprint plans look like, but I'm sure there is one, full of contingencies and what-ifs and hope-so's. No doubt McClay has a watchful eye on a carefully chosen list of distant training camps, waiting to pounce if need arises.

Definitely, the Cowboys hope the cast at hand can get it done. That's the hopeful Plan A in all this. But there are high-priced veterans at risk on current rosters. I haven't researched it, but I can imagine guys like Arian Foster or Matt Forte are ripe for replacement if a cheaper and younger option emerges. Invariably, players like that get cut every preseason.

The crop in tow in Oxnard had better understand that they're competing HEAVILY with every group of backs in every camp in the NFL. Their contracts certainly don't protect them. They've proven nothing that isn't offset by injury histories or Underoos.

There's simply no excuse for not showing up in prime condition next Thursday with such an opportunity in front of them. Overweight? Bye, what were you thinking? Not ready for every classroom discussion and practice? See ya, it obviously doesn't mean that much to you.

I know this. These cats are going to be running harder in camp than anywhere in the league. There's not just a roster spot up for grabs, but a STARTING roster spot. A career or two will be reinvigorated this season. Just matters who wants it and who can stay on the field.

That might not be somebody here right now. This is going to be one of the most stressfully long job interviews we've seen in a long time.

And it's going to make camp extra interesting to watch.

Erod, this is a very well-written piece. Should be on Blogging with the Boy or some similar website.

 

[Plumfool]

Think Randle get his shot at being number one but eventually the more rounded talents and experience of DMC will prevail. Especially considering you need Romo to stay healthy.

 

[TwoDeep3]

Actually thnk they are into Plan C now.........Plan A was an attempt to lure AP with at best a #3 pick; Plan B was taking either Gordon or Gurley if one of them fell to them at #27; Plan C is now waiting which RB rich team has to cut/trade a pretty good RB; Plan D as in "desperate" is going with one of these clowns on their roster. And let's not hope it gets to that.

So let's hope Plan C, as in "Championship" gets us one of these dudes.

This. Except they did make an offer of around 6 a year to Murray, so technically that could have been plan A.

I believe they thought it was nutted Peterson would break ties with Minnie. And thus they set their sail on what they think is still the best commodity going.

A bird in the hand applies here. And if this goes south on them, and these bench warmers and has beens don't fulfill the wishful thinking that just any back can run behind this line. The example of that old adage will be this Cowboy team.

 

[AbeBeta]

Actually thnk they are into Plan C now.........Plan A was an attempt to lure AP with at best a #3 pick; Plan B was taking either Gordon or Gurley if one of them fell to them at #27; Plan C is now waiting which RB rich team has to cut/trade a pretty good RB; Plan D as in "desperate" is going with one of these clowns on their roster. And let's not hope it gets to that.

So let's hope Plan C, as in "Championship" gets us one of these dudes.

No. Plan A was re-signing Murray. We'd have happily matched at around 6 million a year

 

[ShiningStar]

I think Randle proves hes better, but not as good as he thinks. This still brings me back to the Darren Hambrick days. I think Dunbar proves me wrong.

 

[DenCWBY]

The health of these guys may help with coaching decisions for the RBs. Would love to be a fly on the wall in some of the coaches meetings in TC about the RB situation. RB by committee can be tricky and prove fatal for the timing of the offense and I honestly think the OLine thrives and works harder depending on who's in the backfield running the rock.
Would like to see Dunbar gain a few lbs and take on a D Sproles role while DMc and JR carry the dirty yards.
Going to be fun to watch either way.

 

[Nightman]

No. Plan A was re-signing Murray. We'd have happily matched at around 6 million a year

I don't believe that. They made him an offer he had to refuse. They wanted no part of re-signing Murray.

 

[AbeBeta]

I don't believe that. They made him an offer he had to refuse. They wanted no part of re-signing Murray.

No. They wanted him to see what his market value was. The market had basically set at 4 mill for mediocre backs. Had Philly not gone overboard, we'd have had Murray back.

The idea that we didn't want him flies in the face of clear evidence that the staff wanted him

 

[Nightman]

No. They wanted him to see what his market value was. The market had basically set at 4 mill for mediocre backs. Had Philly not gone overboard, we'd have had Murray back.

The idea that we didn't want him flies in the face of clear evidence that the staff wanted him

I don't think they wanted any part of 15-20m guaranteed.

It was Garrett and Romo doing the recruiting, not the FO.

The Carr money is more than enough to cover Murray.

 

[Garrettop]

The evidence of letting Murray walk will be in how things look 2-3 years down the road, not even necessarily next year, regardless of how well the RBBC works out, or if one of the runners emerges. Murray is an above average RB, but he is not elite nor is he worth elite dollars, and definitely not for more than 3 more years.

 

[AbeBeta]

I don't think they wanted any part of 15-20m guaranteed.

It was Garrett and Romo doing the recruiting, not the FO.

The Carr money is more than enough to cover Murray.

They didn't want what the eagles offered. They blew up the market. With what mediocre and old backs got, it was clear that 4-24 with about half that guaranteed would be the right amount.

The idea that the FO, staff, and Romo don't communicate on the issues is pretty amusing though