The running game is already established

erod

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Much ado these days about where all of DeMarco Murray's yards will wind up. Who, how many times, and for how many they'll be divvied up among the running back remnants from Survivor: Oxnard Edition.

It doesn't matter. Doesn't matter who the "who" is. Doesn't matter who gets the most tries at it. Doesn't even really matter the tally of total yards by season's end. It just doesn't matter on this team.

Being able to run the ball effectively is 90 percent of the point. Dallas can and will, and everybody on the schedule is fully aware. That's success already, and we're six weeks from a real game.

The running threat is real, and it's spectacular.

This offensive line will force every team to respect every play fake. It'll require a safety to lurk most every play. It'll make every linebacker lean forward just a bit before every snap, and play a tad closer to the line. It'll make defensive linemen hesitate a bit every time before they go hunting for Romo.

There was a time when play fakes around here only worked because they made defensive players laugh out loud. Dallas' o-line got zero push, and Romo had to dance and spin his way into seemingly every throw. Backs sheepishly knew the hole would never be there for them. It was a solo act.

Today, it's an ominous site for a defender to see Dallas break the huddle. The possibilities are endless. "That quarterback is about to rip us apart. But that running back - whoever he is - is going to have a canyon to run through if we don't get up in there. There's that damn tight end again. Crap, Dez is over there, and watch that other dude that seems to only score touchdowns on the other side. Oh, and Peter Dinklage with his goldilocks is in motion. Son of a........"

I fully expect Dallas to throw it more this year, but not really. Screens and hitches are like long handoffs, and they'll be used as part of the running game. More will be on Romo than last year with his better health, and the offense will be more diverse for it. It'll be a nice balance from his previous seasons and last year.

Balance is why..."any running back could run behind that offensive line". We hear that phrase so often, but it's an unfinished sentence. It's not just that offensive line. It's that quarterback, and that receiving corps, too. Balance.

There are a lot of good running backs in the world. Most every team has a really good one or two of them. They're not hard to find or replace, and there's only a small handful that are truly special at it.

Until an elite back surfaces around here, I have no doubt that whoever is totin' it in the meantime will be just fine. It'll make for an interesting watch and conversation, but it's not the crisis we perceive.

They'll get it figured out just fine.
 

CATCH17

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Until an elite back surfaces around here, I have no doubt that whoever is totin' it in the meantime will be just fine. It'll make for an interesting watch and conversation, but it's not the crisis we perceive.

They'll get it figured out just fine.


If the RB isn't on the roster there is some team that will trade a quality back that is buried on their roster for almost nothing.

Guys like CJ Anderson from the Bronco's are a dime a dozen.

We'll find something and it will work if what we have doesn't pan out.
 

Cowboysfan1975

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I for one am not the least bit worried about the running game. Murray was great last year, but with this line we have, we will be ok in the run game. We won't have an 1800 yard rusher, but I think we will get it out of two or three guys combined.
 

conner01

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Much ado these days about where all of DeMarco Murray's yards will wind up. Who, how many times, and for how many they'll be divvied up among the running back remnants from Survivor: Oxnard Edition. It doesn't matter. Doesn't matter who the "who" is. Doesn't matter who gets the most tries at it. Doesn't even really matter the tally of total yards by season's end. It just doesn't matter on this team. Being able to run the ball effectively is 90 percent of the point. Dallas can and will, and everybody on the schedule is fully aware. That's success already, and we're six weeks from a real game. The running threat is real, and it's spectacular. This offensive line will force every team to respect every play fake. It'll require a safety to lurk most every play. It'll make every linebacker lean forward just a bit before every snap, and play a tad closer to the line. It'll make defensive linemen hesitate a bit every time before they go hunting for Romo. There was a time when play fakes around here only worked because they made defensive players laugh out loud. Dallas' o-line got zero push, and Romo had to dance and spin his way into seemingly every throw. Backs sheepishly knew the hole would never be there for them. It was a solo act. Today, it's an ominous site for a defender to see Dallas break the huddle. The possibilities are endless. "That quarterback is about to rip us apart. But that running back - whoever he is - is going to have a canyon to run through if we don't get up in there. There's that damn tight end again. Crap, Dez is over there, and watch that other dude that seems to only score touchdowns on the other side. Oh, and Peter Dinklage with his goldilocks is in motion. Son of a........" I fully expect Dallas to throw it more this year, but not really. Screens and hitches are like long handoffs, and they'll be used as part of the running game. More will be on Romo than last year with his better health, and the offense will be more diverse for it. It'll be a nice balance from his previous seasons and last year. Balance is why..."any running back could run behind that offensive line". We hear that phrase so often, but it's an unfinished sentence. It's not just that offensive line. It's that quarterback, and that receiving corps, too. Balance. There are a lot of good running backs in the world. Most every team has a really good one or two of them. They're not hard to find or replace, and there's only a small handful that are truly special at it. Until an elite back surfaces around here, I have no doubt that whoever is totin' it in the meantime will be just fine. It'll make for an interesting watch and conversation, but it's not the crisis we perceive. They'll get it figured out just fine.



Nice write up
I'm not concerned about the ability of the backs we have. I do have concerns about availability of the backs we have
 

Staubacher

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I think defenses will be more scared because a huge running lane can turn into a TD not just running to contact.

I predict right now we will have twice as many 25+ yard runs and long TD runs.
 

TheFinisher

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Despite popular opinion, Murray did have a hand in the dominant run game of last year. He was outstanding in turning negative runs into positive ones, and was just a fantastic chain mover. His tough style set the tone in many games.

We should be alright because the OL is really, really good (albeit a bit overhyped by some) but the ball carrier does matter. Hopefully the guys we have prove the FO right.
 

Stash

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Only because running back is probably the easiest position to fill on a football team. They're dripping from trees.

HOWEVER, I would love to see a truly elite back behind this line. Murray wasn't that.

Yet this team can't do it and is instead relying on a damaged goods disappointment.

I think it's a bit more difficult than your attempted dismissal wants to indicate.

Of the four options being discussed as a possible replacement for Murray, two can now be scratched from the list. That doesn't sound like the "easiest position to fill on a football team".
 

erod

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Yet this team can't do it and is instead relying on a damaged goods disappointment.

I think it's a bit more difficult than your attempted dismissal wants to indicate.

Of the four options being discussed as a possible replacement for Murray, two can now be scratched from the list. That doesn't sound like the "easiest position to fill on a football team".

The world is filled with guys that can run the football behind a good line. Sure, you want the best one you can get, but the mere reality of the ABILITY of a team to do so stymies a defense and gives Romo/Linehan limitless options.

When you don't have an offensive line, it's incredibly easy to defend you. When you do have one, it keeps defenses confused and on their heels.
 

Stash

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The world is filled with guys that can run the football behind a good line. Sure, you want the best one you can get, but the mere reality of the ABILITY of a team to do so stymies a defense and gives Romo/Linehan limitless options.

When you don't have an offensive line, it's incredibly easy to defend you. When you do have one, it keeps defenses confused and on their heels.

I won't dispute the importance of the offensive line. You're talking to one of the guys who's been screaming for an investment there for the past decade, you can look that up!

That said, it doesn't make the running back position fungible or inconsequential. Talent there matters too. And more importantly, availability does too.
 

jrumann59

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The Majority of the backs in the NFL are tier 3 runners. I honestly cannot think of 10 backs I want on this team that are true difference makers. Most of the NFL has been RBBC approach. Besides Seattle and Baltimore the most recent SB winners have been RBBC. Would it be nice to have a Murray or Lynch caliber runner here, oh yeah but those guys only have small window and huge price tag. If you can get the most out of "average" backs this team can be fine, all three backs do ahve slightly different skill sets
 

BotchedLobotomy

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Despite popular opinion, Murray did have a hand in the dominant run game of last year. He was outstanding in turning negative runs into positive ones, and was just a fantastic chain mover. His tough style set the tone in many games.

We should be alright because the OL is really, really good (albeit a bit overhyped by some) but the ball carrier does matter. Hopefully the guys we have prove the FO right.

How can something be overhyped when it's pretty much agreed upon by every NFL expert around that this OL is one of the best in the league?
 

jday

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Let me clarify my "like." I "like" your enthusiasm and unbridled optimism. I "like" your gift for conveying a message.

I'm just not so certain that you can throw anybody back there, regardless of the other 10 players on the field. But we will see and I absolutely cannot wait.
 

erod

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Let me clarify my "like." I "like" your enthusiasm and unbridled optimism. I "like" your gift for conveying a message.

I'm just not so certain that you can throw anybody back there, regardless of the other 10 players on the field. But we will see and I absolutely cannot wait.

I hear you. My point is, the threat and capability to run opens everything up, regardless.
 

jday

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I hear you. My point is, the threat and capability to run opens everything up, regardless.

But it only remains a threat if it is effective from game 1 out. If the Cowboys are forced to abandon it, no more threat.
 
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