Time to see more from our stable of running backs

[lane]

we got some good talent there.

i would prefer to use dunbar out in space...like sproles

let tanner run up the gut and pound people

randle in my opinion is a better, younger version of murray and has a lot better attitude than murray.

we need an oc who can use weapons.

 

[Vintage]

Dunbar is intriguing.

Tanner is JAG and it's likely he is out of the league in a few years. Randle has no special redeeming qualities. Just kind of mediocre all around.

 

[TrailBlazer]

Dunbar is intriguing.

Tanner is JAG and it's likely he is out of the league in a few years. Randle has no special redeeming qualities. Just kind of mediocre all around.

The cowboys had a 3rd round grade on Randle. He must've had some redeeming qualities.

 

[Hoov]

i would like to see randle, but this upcoming game is not one i would play him much. Cant make any mistakes against peyton, and players getting their first game live action are prone to mistakes.

 

[Fredd]

why haven't we seen randle at all? I suspect because he is the same back as Murray, but you don't red-shirt in the pro's...if the guy has a roster spot, give him a carry or two to see what he has...if nothing else, it spells murray for a series.

and, I would like to see little swing passes to Dunbar just to see if he can use his speed in a place other than practice

 

[goshan]

overall, our RBs are average at best.

 

[JohnnyHopkins]

Murray is currently fifth in the league in average yards from scrimmage and among the league leaders in broken tackles. He is third in rushing yards. Of the top ten backs in rushing yards he ranks third in average yards per attempt (4.9 yards per carry). He averaged five yards per carry in the last game.

It could be that they are not showing more from the other backs because they are nowhere near as good as Murray. He is not what is wrong with this team at the moment.

 

[CowboysLegend365]

Was wondering why we kept 4 to play 1 all game...I understand ST help but other needs could have been filled if that was the case. Wondering the same about keeping 4 TEs.

 

[dallasdave]

we got some good talent there.

i would prefer to use dunbar out in space...like sproles

let tanner run up the gut and pound people

randle in my opinion is a better, younger version of murray and has a lot better attitude than murray.

we need an oc who can use weapons.

Dunbar needs to hold onto the ball.

 

[dallasdave]

JG has done absolutely nothing in his entire career here to suggest that he is going to do anything different than what we have already seen this year.

You may be right , JG may have hit his ceiling.

 

[morasp]

Murray is currently fifth in the league in average yards from scrimmage and among the league leaders in broken tackles. He is third in rushing yards. Of the top ten backs in rushing yards he ranks third in average yards per attempt (4.9 yards per carry). He averaged five yards per carry in the last game.

It could be that they are not showing more from the other backs because they are nowhere near as good as Murray. He is not what is wrong with this team at the moment.

Do you know where we rank in terms of rushing attempts?

 

[JPM]

Do you know where we rank in terms of rushing attempts?

Unless I'm reading it wrong..tied for 23rd in the league.

http://www.nfl.com/stats/categoryst...NG&conference=ALL&d-447263-s=RUSHING_ATTEMPTS

 

[morasp]

Unless I'm reading it wrong..tied for 23rd in the league.

http://www.nfl.com/stats/categoryst...NG&conference=ALL&d-447263-s=RUSHING_ATTEMPTS

There's the problem. Murray is one of the top backs but he's underutilized. Granted, if a team is good and often has the lead they will have more rushes, but I doubt if that's the whole story. Just looking at the rushes per game, teams like the Seahawks, Colts, Patriots, and Chiefs run the ball a lot and teams like the Giants, Rams, Steelers, and Jaguars don't.

 

[RoyTheHammer]

we got some good talent there.

i would prefer to use dunbar out in space...like sproles

let tanner run up the gut and pound people

randle in my opinion is a better, younger version of murray and has a lot better attitude than murray.

we need an oc who can use weapons.

Hear, hear!

 

[1LoyalCowboyFan]

It is possible that Murray realized through watching film that he was leaving yards on the field. I think he has been running a lot better recently. He's being patience, timing cuts and hitting the hole hard when he needs to. He loves contact though. I agree with the notion he is not the problem. I love Randle. Guy falls forward always gets yard. Would love to utilize Dunbar the way Saints use Sproles. I'd use tanner to wear down defenses and nothing else, running only inside.

 

[BAT]

There's the problem. Murray is one of the top backs but he's underutilized. Granted, if a team is good and often has the lead they will have more rushes, but I doubt if that's the whole story. Just looking at the rushes per game, teams like the Seahawks, Colts, Patriots, and Chiefs run the ball a lot and teams like the Giants, Rams, Steelers, and Jaguars don't.

Murray is underutilized, Dez iz under targeted, Romo is held back by play calling, etc. There is still a lot of improvement for this team.

And that is a good thing people. Week 5 of a new defense and offensive philosophy. Those who want instant gratification are not being realistic. Cowboys were predicted to finish at bottom of NFCE this season.

 

[JD_KaPow]

This...

Just looking at the rushes per game, teams like the Seahawks, Colts, Patriots, and Chiefs run the ball a lot and teams like the Giants, Rams, Steelers, and Jaguars don't.

...is explained by this...

Granted, if a team is good and often has the lead they will have more rushes

...so I'm not sure why you say this:

but I doubt if that's the whole story.

Examples:

In the Broncos wins over the Eagles, Raiders and Giants, they ran a total of 46 plays in the 4th quarter, of which 36 were runs.
In the Seahawks win over the Jags, they ran 16 plays in the 4th quarter. Eleven of them were runs.
In the Seahawks win over the 49ers, their last 7 plays were runs.
In the Patriots win over the Bucs, 11 of their last 13 plays were runs.

 

[morasp]

This......is explained by this......so I'm not sure why you say this: Examples:

In the Broncos wins over the Eagles, Raiders and Giants, they ran a total of 46 plays in the 4th quarter, of which 36 were runs.
In the Seahawks win over the Jags, they ran 16 plays in the 4th quarter. Eleven of them were runs.
In the Seahawks win over the 49ers, their last 7 plays were runs.
In the Patriots win over the Bucs, 11 of their last 13 plays were runs.

That just backs up what I said. I'd bet that those good would be at the top of the first half rushing attempts list too.

 

[JD_KaPow]

That just backs up what I said. I'd bet that those good would be at the top of the first half rushing attempts list too.

I think you're missing the point. Let's compare:

Pass Play %, Quarters 1 through 3
Broncos: 66%
Patriots: 60%
Cowboys: 61%

4th Quarter:
Broncos: 28%
Patriots: 51%
Cowboys: 75% (92% in the two losses, 48% in the two wins)

The Seahawks do run more, but even they run a lot more in the 4th quarter (67% in their first 3 games - the last one went to OT so I didn't count that one) than they do in the rest of the game (49%).

The pass/run ratio is completely skewed by 4th-quarter numbers, which are determined largely by the score at the time. The reason the best teams are near the top in rushes is because they're ahead in the 4th quarter and running out the clock. Teams run because they're winning; they don't win because they're running.

 

[CowboyStar88]

I want to see more Dunbar because I believe he can be a difference maker and it's frustrating to see him not being used.