The running game thread

[darthseinfeld]

But hey he had that 1000 yard season 5 years ago.... he must still have it right?

But it waz da Waiders!

 

[chicago JK]

There are a lot of problems now, but I just am fixated on the running back decisions. The arrogance and terrible evaluation entering the offseason by the team was just unbelievable. I do agree not resigning Murray was the right move. I thought it may hurt for the next year or two, but in the long run it was smart. Right now, it looks like Murray decline happened much faster. With that being said, Murray was a one cut, downhill runner who specialized in getting that extra yard or two. To think the guys we have could fill that role is really poor evaluation. We have guys who will get a few nice runs but then get literally nothing for 5,6,7 carries afterward. And they definitely not the backs who get better as the game goes on. IMO, McFadden and Randle should have competed for one spot. Dunbar is a specialty back but this team is really missing that one other guy. I said this after the first game, but I wouldn't be surprised if none of these guys are back next year.

 

[BoysWin]

Yea even Collinsworth said that was on Weeden.

I think Leary is still hurt, there were a few lays he got pushed back because it looked like he couldn't really plant his legs and hold his position.

Free was bad. Martin was OK. Frederick looked OK.

DOUG FREE has looked like a 6th grader this year --- playing pathetic......... and Leary is just a step ahead of FREE. Time to INSERT COLLINS FT and let us see what Charlie Brown can do at RT - hard to imagine anything worse than Doug Free

 

[Kevinicus]

I still get a good laugh from the sheep who said he'd be worth anything this year. Try watching football outside of the Cowboys and yous know that the guy is worthless.

I think all of those people were saying:

IF

OLine provides blocking like last year AND he stays healthy

THEN

McFadden can be very successful.

END IF

The first part of the IF is coming back false, so the THEN isn't execute.

Everyone keeps going RB, RB, RB, when it is so clearly OL, OL, OL.

 

[Frosty]

I'm not buying it. Callahan don't block. They need to get there act together. What, they forgot everything they've learned in one year....please.

The OL is not blocking either...IMO they are the biggest disappointment in 2015......... Is it coaching, lack of motivation, discipline, technique or continuity on the OL....Something has changed..... Guess losing the Coach that built the OL doesn't have any affect on the them..... This OL has 3 first round picks on it and after 4 games of piss poor blocking..I think other wise.

JAG OL Coach is getting JAG performance out of the OL.

 

[CATCH17]

It aint the RB's and it aint the OL coach.


You tell an NFL team where and when you're going to run the ball and guess what an NFL team will do?

We have no balance and we don't even try to take advantage of 1 on 1 coverage.

 

[CATCH17]

Everyone keeps going RB, RB, RB, when it is so clearly OL, OL, OL.

I don't even blame them. We only have 5 OL with a TE..

We're basically telling teams when and where we are going to run it.

I blame the playcaller for making games EASY for our opponents.

 

[Aven8]

But DMC is a physical speedster. His time says so. He can still run a 4.3, just listen to all the DMC backers. They just won't tell you that it takes him 4.3 seconds to get going too!

The only time he runs a 4.3 is when he's going to cash his paycheck he's stealing this year!

 

[ConstantReboot]

The OL is not blocking either...IMO they are the biggest disappointment in 2015......... Is it coaching, lack of motivation, discipline, technique or continuity on the OL....Something has changed..... Guess losing the Coach that built the OL doesn't have any affect on the them..... This OL has 3 first round picks on it and after 4 games of piss poor blocking..I think other wise.

JAG OL Coach is getting JAG performance out of the OL.

Yes something has changed. The major change is that we went with a RBBC approach. Having an effective run game takes timing. When we consistently change runningbacks all the time the oline can't get any traction and remains out of sync.

It kinda baffles me to think why couldn't we just stick to the same plan that made us successful in 2014? Why did we tinker with changing the running scheme? Whats even worst is that we didn't find a capable replacement for Murray. These are the decisions which I really shake my head. Cowboys FO once again snatching defeat in the mist of victory.

 

[Doomsday101]

Murray was avg better even before Dallas had the OL they have now. OL needs to do better but some of this is on the RB. This plug and play non sense people were spouting was ridicules or RB is the easiest position? Dallas gambled on the RB we have and thus far it has not worked as planned.

 

[Frosty]

Yes something has changed. The major change is that we went with a RBBC approach. Having an effective run game takes timing. When we consistently change runningbacks all the time the oline can't get any traction and remains out of sync.

It kinda baffles me to think why couldn't we just stick to the same plan that made us successful in 2014? Why did we tinker with changing the running scheme? Whats even worst is that we didn't find a capable replacement for Murray. These are the decisions which I really shake my head. Cowboys FO once again snatching defeat in the mist of victory.

Well said...

 

[jazzcat22]

We had over 100 yards and until the 4th quarter a 5 yard a carry average. Michael needs the ball he look quick and ran physical on his one carry, problem was everybody knew where the play was going and was hit in the backfield

....he looked hesitate and confused, he was not quick. If he was quick, he would have immediately bounced it outside. He was not physicsl at all, he didn't have a chance to be, and part because he hesitated.
Yes, everyone knew what the play was going to be. But I was not impressed. I am not saying he is a bust or wasted trade as we need to see more though either.

 

[Nexx]

....he looked hesitate and confused, he was not quick. If he was quick, he would have immediately bounced it outside. He was not physicsl at all, he didn't have a chance to be, and part because he hesitated.
Yes, everyone knew what the play was going to be. But I was not impressed. I am not saying he is a bust or wasted trade as we need to see more though either.

not sure what you were watching , he was met 3 yards behind the line, he no where to go. barry sanders wouldnt made that first down.

 

[jazzcat22]

It was defense and ST's losing this one, not so much the offense, though it didn't entirely help. But the D yet again got gassed.
Michael fan club members will get their wish, as Dunbar was injured, so the anti Dunbar crowd and the one who wanted a RB hammy tweak got their wish, yet again at the cost of key injuries.

 

[jazzcat22]

not sure what you were watching , he was met 3 yards behind the line, he no where to go. barry sanders wouldnt made that first down.

He took the handoff, started to run, hesitated, get started again, and got stuffed.

 

[TwoCentPlain]

Yep. I don't care what anybody says. You let Murray go then you better replace him.

The Murray who has 47 total rushing yards through 4 games with the Eagles so far. Are you referring to him?

 

[PA Cowboy Fan]

The Murray who has 47 total rushing yards through 4 games with the Eagles so far. Are you referring to him?

Yea the Murray who doesn't fit in Chip Kelly's system. The Murray who rejuvenated our running game. All off season all I heard was that anybody could run behind our line. Well it doesn't look like anybody can. Randle is a joke.

 

[CowboyGil]

For the four teams we've played, Randle and McFadden would not make any those teams and Dunbar would almost never see the field. Why do our RBs look like WRs and everyone else's RBs look like RBs?

Ours - narrow waisted, upright runners that go down on first contact, physically overmatched wimps.

Theirs - squatty, powerful builds, runs through contact, shakes off arm tackles, physically aggressive, runs low with power and velocity.

It's like nobody in our front office has seen a RB for the past 25 years. Every single team looks for an entirely different athlete at RB than Dallas.

Maybe not with the Aints or Falcons, but I think they could've made the Giants (over Jennings) or the Eagles (over Matthews).

 

[bigdnlaca]

The running game will not be as good as it was last year with or without Romo until they throw the ball.

If (a big if) Weeden (or coaching staff) would have opened the field with more intermediate and deep passes, we would of probably been able to run the ball better in the 2nd half.

I'm done with Randle. He has all the talent but he isn't a workhorse and isn't looking to finishing runs when the running game struggles. McFadden may not be much better, but he was moving the pile just a little bit.

 

[TwoCentPlain]

Yea the Murray who doesn't fit in Chip Kelly's system. The Murray who rejuvenated our running game. All off season all I heard was that anybody could run behind our line. Well it doesn't look like anybody can. Randle is a joke.

Our OL isn't playing as well as last year. Romo and Dez are out. And for some inexplicable reason, you think Murray here this year would have success running the ball. Even though Murray has done absolutely jack squat the first 4 games in Philly. Yeah, OK. Sorry, I'm not drinking that kool-aid.