Why isn't Joseph Randle starter material?

[revospeed]

If Randle were drafted higher, fans would be clamoring for him to get more of an opportunity based on his performance last season. I'm not saying he will or will not succeed as a starter, but his play last season I believe merits a shot at a larger role. But maybe the coaches don't trust him, on/off the field or otherwise. We will see...

I feel the exact same way. I haven't seen someone run the same way he runs, with speed, vision, power and agility, in a Cowboys uniform in a while. He could succeed or he could fail, but it's not completely stupid to think he could be a bell cow back.

 

[PJTHEDOORS]

why do we have to get a back in round 1 or 2? makes no sense...

So if Girley or Gordon is there at #27, fans here don't want that 'cause we have Randle/McFadden.

 

[CowboysFaninHouston]

So if Girley or Gordon is there at #27, fans here don't want that 'cause we have Randle/McFadden.

that's what I don't get. would you rather have McFadden and a 1st round DT or Girly and Hayden?

 

[DFWJC]

I was really disappointed when we drafted Randle. But I'll admit he's a little better thanI thought he'd be.

I just didn't understand why,if we wanted a back there, we'd take him instead of Zac Stacy or Latavious Murray or Andre Ellington
They seemed better already and the upside seemed greater.
I mean, L Murray was way bigger and way, WAY faster, and also more powerful. Just weird.

I assume it was us being more familiar with the Big 12.

And now it turns out Randle is also a knucklehead to go with being fairly slow and fairly small...lol

 

[PJTHEDOORS]

that's what I don't get. would you rather have McFadden and a 1st round DT or Girly and Hayden?

We can get a good DT rounds 2-3 maybe round 4.

 

[Crad|e]

And now it turns out Randle is also a knucklehead to go with being fairly slow and fairly small...lol

You must not of watched him in college.. hes a speedy back w good vision. He still is at the pro level. The only real concern is off field. But speed is not an issue, quite the contrary.

 

[StarBoyz83]

I think he is starting material. Plus we have mcfadden who will start. Only thing they can think like a lot of people have said is they are worried about his off the field issues. That's why im not too worried about our rb situation.

 

[Eskimo]

I agree that he has great talent as a runner. In the limited opportunities who looks like a capable receiver. He has proven to be a great ST player thus far. I think people are nitpicking with the pass pro stuff as I don't recall it being an issue but the sample size has been small there.

I think part of the reason people are down on him as a starter is he didn't do well as a rookie when he had to start. However, I think he worked hard in the offseason and was physically a different player in his second season with more power, burst and better vision.

My biggest concern with him on the field is ball security. He had 2 fumbles last year on a small number of touches. That cannot continue or he'll become a ST player only.

I think there is a very good chance he is part of a RB by committee approach. With the loss of Harris I think Randle is almost a lock for the roster because of his ST ability. I think Williams is the one more at risk due to poor pass protection, inability to contribute on ST and a strong history of injury at a position where durability is a must.

It wouldn't surprise me if we add a scrap heap vet and a draft pick to Randle and go RB by committee next year.

 

[Silver N Blue]

You could have said the same thing about Murray coming out of school. Saying that he can't handle the rigors of being an NFL back with his scatback style and injury history.

Randle doesn't have near the injury history that Murray had. What makes you think he can't handle the rigors?

I just think he is a good backup nothing more. He doesn't appear to have the mental makeup to handle the full load and the he can't catch or pass block.

 

[revospeed]

I just think he is a good backup nothing more. He doesn't appear to have the mental makeup to handle the full load and the he can't catch or pass block.

Fair enough. I disagree, but only time will tell who is right.

 

[black label]

He can only be a backup because hes dumb,steal things and beats women

 

[fishspill]

I guess I'm a pessimist but as far as I can tell the backs we have consist of two draft busts, an off-field headache, and a little dude that we manage to craft 3 plays a year for. I'm not comfortable with that crew.

 

[DFWJC]

You must not of watched him in college.. hes a speedy back w good vision. He still is at the pro level. The only real concern is off field. But speed is not an issue, quite the contrary.

Don't see him as speedy at all.
4.55 to 4.65 range...combine and pro day was 4.63
Maybe quick occasionally, but he is not fast.

He does look improved. But for the most part I see him making some good cutback moves (after running through gaping holes)in the secondary because he has to...because he doesn't usually outrun them.

There've been several 4.6guys with good vision that have had great success. It's just, those guys are usually built a little thicker than Randle.
I wouldn't rule him out though.

 

[Bullflop]

I'm prone to thinking if Randle were actually starter material, he'd have been utilized considerably more than he was last season. As things stood at the time, the staff had much more confidence in Murray having more consistency to offer than Randle. Granted, he looked good being used sparingly but it's highly questionable whether or not he would have performed as efficiently if his number had been called significantly more. I can't help but believe the staff had seen enough of him to know what to do.

 

[jnday]

that's what I don't get. would you rather have McFadden and a 1st round DT or Girly and Hayden?

At 27, the DTs still on the board are not going to be top talent. Considering that the running game is the reason that this team had success last year, I would take Gurley every single time. If this team uses scrubs at RB and the running game declines , they are back to 8-8. There is not a quality RB on the roster that can carry the load this season and this team will only be as good as the running game allows.

 

[SultanOfSix]

Because stealing Starter underwear off the field doesn't make one a Starter on the field?

 

[jnday]

I guess I'm a pessimist but as far as I can tell the backs we have consist of two draft busts, an off-field headache, and a little dude that we manage to craft 3 plays a year for. I'm not comfortable with that crew.

That is the committee that some fans want to go with. They are willing to gamble on this hot mess to save using a top draft pick on a quality RB. If we go with that committee approach, it won't matter how many picks go to defense.

 

[LittleBoyBlue]

Right. We know he can start, but can he finish?

Will he get in trouble and leave us hanging? Will he get hurt trying to carry the ball too many times because he is too smallish?

I think he can start, but the better question is: Can he finish?

Partially agree.

He can start but I don't think he can handle load on the field. He can't finish.
Otherwise he would be the starter. Per your off field part of post. He blew that chance.

 

[VACowboy]

He was starter material at Oklahoma State....this is the NFL...not going to happen.

I'm not sure we know what Randle is, on the field.

 

[xwalker]

I'm prone to thinking if Randle were actually starter material, he'd have been utilized considerably more than he was last season. As things stood at the time, the staff had much more confidence in Murray having more consistency to offer than Randle. Granted, he looked good being used sparingly but it's highly questionable whether or not he would have performed as efficiently if his number had been called significantly more. I can't help but believe the staff had seen enough of him to know what to do.

I don't think it matter how good Randle was/is, Garrett was going to give Murray almost all of the carries either way. It seems to be the Garrett way to ride veteran players, especially the ones that are his buddies. Witten plays very close to 100% of the offensive snaps even in games with a lopsided score. He played the starters deep into the final game of the season which was meaningless in terms of making the playoffs and was a blowout win. It took years and a new Offensive Coordinator before the quit letting Romo consistently check out of running plays. Garrett brought back Free after his initial injury issues despite zero drop off with Parnell starting. Free was not ready and ended up re-injuring himself.

Garrett was going to let Murray play as many snaps as Murray wanted to play, IMO.