Why isn't Joseph Randle starter material?

[robjay04]

McFadden was signed to replace Randle, the boys were contemplating the McFadden signing BEFORE they lost Murray. Randle won't be on this team unless he comes back a different man, he's already burned bridges with teammates such as Josh Brent and Dez Bryant after his comments during his shoplifting theft and now this offseason he has only made bad press.

If the Boys address their running back position either by trade or early in the draft, I expect Randle to be traded for a low conditional pick. The writing is on the wall.

 

[Bullflop]

I don't think it matters 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.

Can't help but doubt Garrett utilized DeMarco simply due to his status as a veteran nor 'cause they were buds. Murray proved himself more capable than Randle well before 2014 came around. I also don't subscribe to the idea that there was no difference in performance between Free and Parnell. Free was the more consistent of the two, imho. As far as Witten is concerned, there is simply nobody in our TE arsenal to realistically compare with him.

 

[CowboysFaninHouston]

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.

was the success of running game due to Murray? or OL? is McFadden that much worse than Gurley? who also has injury history

so In your opinion, McFadden and Williams and Randle are scrubs?

I guess we have to agree to disagree. we may get to playoffs again. but until we address the defense, we will not get to the superbowl and the rushing game is not going to get us there. I rather focus on superbowl than playoffs.

 

[CowboysFaninHouston]

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

we can get good RBs in mid rounds just as well. there is a big drop off of talent for DT compared to RB. Murray was a 3rd rounder. history of 1st round RBs in the draft haven't been that good lately.

 

[robjay04]

Gurley is the only back you consider at 27 due to the fact that he is excellent value. I wouldn't be as happy though if we took Gordon though I can understand some interest considering the Jamaal Charles comparisons.

 

[d_dub88]

The thing I worry about with Randle, or any of the other backs that we have, is can they pick up blocks for Romo. I don't think I saw Randle in a game last season where he was in on a pass play.

 

[Jarv]

Hambrick part II. Good backup, off the field issues make him unreliable.

 

[CowboyChris]

Well as the OP, going by the consensus here.

1. off field concerns, seems to be the overwhelming concern.
2. not sure if he is a capable work horse type back
3. could be a pass blocking liabilty in passing situations.

My thoughts are, if we want to return last years offense with a workhouse back, i dont see him being that guy. If we run a rbbc approach than i think he is servicable enough for that system. Linehan ran one of those up in Detroit with Bell, and Bush.

I dont think we should take a RB in the 1st unless Gurley is there.

 

[CCBoy]

Could have something to do with the point of his own choosing...boys of the hood. (Randle)

 

[DFWJC]

was the success of running game due to Murray? or OL? is McFadden that much worse than Gurley? who also has injury history

so In your opinion, McFadden and Williams and Randle are scrubs?

I guess we have to agree to disagree. we may get to playoffs again. but until we address the defense, we will not get to the superbowl and the rushing game is not going to get us there. I rather focus on superbowl than playoffs.

Always a good question

2012

• Smith at RT
• Murray

2013

• move Smith to LT..upgrade
• add rookie Frederick..upgrade
• Murray

2014

• Smith 2nd year at LT..upgrade
• Frederick 2nd year at Center...upgrade
• add rookie Martin...upgrade
• Murray

As the line has evolved and added three 1st round pieces, the run game has gotten better.
The RB has been the same.
hmmmmm

This is not meant to degrade Murray's year, but I doubt see how anyone can say the line is not by far the main reason the run game has gotten better.

 

[CowboysFaninHouston]

Always a good question

2012

• Smith at RT
• Murray

2013

• move Smith to LT..upgrade
• add rookie Frederick..upgrade
• Murray

2014

• Smith 2nd year at LT..upgrade
• Frederick 2nd year at Center...upgrade
• add rookie Martin...upgrade
• Murray

As the line has evolved and added three 1st round pieces, the run game has gotten better.
The RB has been the same.
hmmmmm

This is not meant to degrade Murray's year, but I doubt see how anyone can say the line is not by far the main reason the run game has gotten better.

I grant that a good RB behind the same line would do better than an average one. the question is how far are the ones we have vs. Gurley and what's the difference between gurley and a 3rd round RB....

in today;s NFL is probably more about total # of carries as opposed to YPC. I think a good RB will get us to the playoffs. but a better defense will get us to the superbowl. and given the small window of opportunity with Romo, do we postpone adding defensive talent because we just want to make the playoffs....

now granted some will argue to make it to the superbowl we have to make the playoffs first, but again, not adding defensive talent last year is as far as we go..... unable to make stops when it counts...and marinelli can only do so much, he can't make rock bleed, he needs talent to take the defense over the top....even billicheck did the same and started to add defensive talent to make his defense better and take them over the top. there is no better defensive mind in the NFL than him and even he couldn't make rock bleed.

 

[DFWJC]

I grant that a good RB behind the same line would do better than an average one. the question is how far are the ones we have vs. Gurley and what's the difference between gurley and a 3rd round RB....

in today;s NFL is probably more about total # of carries as opposed to YPC. I think a good RB will get us to the playoffs. but a better defense will get us to the superbowl. and given the small window of opportunity with Romo, do we postpone adding defensive talent because we just want to make the playoffs....

now granted some will argue to make it to the superbowl we have to make the playoffs first, but again, not adding defensive talent last year is as far as we go..... unable to make stops when it counts...and marinelli can only do so much, he can't make rock bleed, he needs talent to take the defense over the top....even billicheck did the same and started to add defensive talent to make his defense better and take them over the top. there is no better defensive mind in the NFL than him and even he couldn't make rock bleed.

I agree that Murray is better than what we currently have...or at least I think he is.

 

[Bleu Star]

With all the talk about drafting a running back high, and the possibilty of trading for AD, why is it that Randle isnt starter material? at worst we could form a rbbc between him McFadden and Williams... do we absolutely have to a one bell cow type of back?

Randle will be in his 3rd year, so we have had time to develop and bring him along, last year he should some flashes with the limited opprotunities he had.

I see McFadden as a CJ Spiller type, good change of pace back. possible KR also

Williams, I'm not sure what he is, the FO seems to really like him, probably a good compliment to the other backs.

I think the team is looking for a guy who can carry the load.. you know.. Like underwear. Similar fashion but on the field not in the stores.

 

[darthseinfeld]

I grant that a good RB behind the same line would do better than an average one. the question is how far are the ones we have vs. Gurley and what's the difference between gurley and a 3rd round RB....

in today;s NFL is probably more about total # of carries as opposed to YPC. I think a good RB will get us to the playoffs. but a better defense will get us to the superbowl. and given the small window of opportunity with Romo, do we postpone adding defensive talent because we just want to make the playoffs....

now granted some will argue to make it to the superbowl we have to make the playoffs first, but again, not adding defensive talent last year is as far as we go..... unable to make stops when it counts...and marinelli can only do so much, he can't make rock bleed, he needs talent to take the defense over the top....even billicheck did the same and started to add defensive talent to make his defense better and take them over the top. there is no better defensive mind in the NFL than him and even he couldn't make rock bleed.

The draft is for the future much more then tbe present. Defensive improvement im 2015 will come from players we draft in previous years establishing themselves like Crawford, Lawrence, Hitchens, and Wilcox. Especially drafting where we draft, the odds of a defensive rookie making any monumental impact are slim. Not to say defense wouldnt be a wise way to go, it would. But odds are no defensive player we draft will even be a 2015 starter

 

[Clove]

Every stone will be turned. Every RB on this roster has a chance. Let the best man win.

 

[xwalker]

McFadden was signed to replace Randle, the boys were contemplating the McFadden signing BEFORE they lost Murray.

I believe that they had made a deal with McFadden before Murray signed with Phili but the Cowboys wanted to make it appear that it was Murray's choice to leave and that they tried hard to keep him. I know Garrett wanted to keep him but I don't think Stephen/McClay did.

 

[xwalker]

Can't help but doubt Garrett utilized DeMarco simply due to his status as a veteran nor 'cause they were buds. Murray proved himself more capable than Randle well before 2014 came around. I also don't subscribe to the idea that there was no difference in performance between Free and Parnell. Free was the more consistent of the two, imho. As far as Witten is concerned, there is simply nobody in our TE arsenal to realistically compare with him.

I watched all snaps by each in 2014 at least 10 times each. Obviously a veteran with about 80 starts going into the season is going to be more consistent than a guy with 1 start prior to the season; however, it's not a direct comparison in that they have different strengths and weaknesses. Parnell is much stronger and really punishes defenders. Free is more consistent but lacks strength.

Parnell had a couple of bad plays that were obvious but on the vast majority of snaps was good. For whatever reason people want to compare a backup turned started like Parnell accountable to a comparison of 100% perfection. I reality, the comparison should just be to the starter he replaced (Free) which is a far lower standard than perfection.

Murray had the same average with both Parnell starting as with Free starting within 0.1 yards/carry. The teams allowed 1.8 sacks per game with Parnell starting and 1.9 sacks per game with Free starting. It's understandable that Garrett would start a healthy Free, but once he was not 100% he should have started Parnell. Free getting re-injured could have been a disaster going into the playoffs if something had happened to Parnell. The backup was a guy signed off the street (Tony Hills).

Witten does not need to be playing 100% of the offensive snaps when they are way up on the scoreboard. Even Dez plays less then 100% of the snaps. His snaps count was often in the 85% range.

Do you also dispute that nobody stopped Romo from audibling out of run plays until 2014?

I've been very supportive of Garrett ever since he became the HC, but I think he has a bit of a weakness when it comes to some veteran players.

 

[Bullflop]

I watched all snaps by each in 2014 at least 10 times each. Obviously a veteran with about 80 starts going into the season is going to be more consistent than a guy with 1 start prior to the season; however, it's not a direct comparison in that they have different strengths and weaknesses. Parnell is much stronger and really punishes defenders. Free is more consistent but lacks strength.

Parnell had a couple of bad plays that were obvious but on the vast majority of snaps was good. For whatever reason people want to compare a backup turned started like Parnell accountable to a comparison of 100% perfection. I reality, the comparison should just be to the starter he replaced (Free) which is a far lower standard than perfection.

Murray had the same average with both Parnell starting as with Free starting within 0.1 yards/carry. The teams allowed 1.8 sacks per game with Parnell starting and 1.9 sacks per game with Free starting. It's understandable that Garrett would start a healthy Free, but once he was not 100% he should have started Parnell. Free getting re-injured could have been a disaster going into the playoffs if something had happened to Parnell. The backup was a guy signed off the street (Tony Hills).

Witten does not need to be playing 100% of the offensive snaps when they are way up on the scoreboard. Even Dez plays less then 100% of the snaps. His snaps count was often in the 85% range.

Do you also dispute that nobody stopped Romo from audibling out of run plays until 2014?

I've been very supportive of Garrett ever since he became the HC, but I think he has a bit of a weakness when it comes to some veteran players.

I won't elect to belabor the Free vs. Parnell discussion. Their performance was close enough that it wouldn't have made much difference either way which one stayed or left. Perhaps the decision was made for some reason the staff chose not to divulge. For whatever reason, I would assume they were simply a tad more comfortable with Free staying put and chose to part ways with Parnell. Whether it was decided by committee to do that or solely decided by JD, I have no idea.

Agreed that Witten doesn't need to keep playing when the score is lopsided in our favor. I'd be willing to bet he's pretty adamant about staying in the game, knowing full well of his gung-ho demeanor. It's up to the coach to insist if a player is risking injury needlessly, so his being relegated to the bench under that condition certainly wouldn't be unreasonable.

Romo only had one year of calling audibling to the extent he did in 2013 and that experiment proved a terrible decision by Jerry that backfired altogether too often. I'll take my hat off to Linehan for that decision. Whether it was because of JG's buddying up to Romo or Witten that precipitated those decisions, I couldn't say. It may have also had something to do with Garrett not wanting to oppose Jerry as easily as it was out of being palsy with those guys. I surely can't lay claim to being privy to the private thoughts of Garrett. In all honesty, I just don't really concern myself with that much, if at all.

 

[CowboysFaninHouston]

The draft is for the future much more then tbe present. Defensive improvement im 2015 will come from players we draft in previous years establishing themselves like Crawford, Lawrence, Hitchens, and Wilcox. Especially drafting where we draft, the odds of a defensive rookie making any monumental impact are slim. Not to say defense wouldnt be a wise way to go, it would. But odds are no defensive player we draft will even be a 2015 starter

that will forever be true. so does it mean you should never draft a defensive player?

your premise is that we are a RB from the superbowl. I disagree with that premise.

I am not only thinking 2015, which is shortsighted t begin with. I am thinking long term. build a good defense and you have a chance. a good defense will mask a lot of issues.

 

[dallasdave]

Randle is Chris Johnson/Jamal Charles sized with Roy Helu talent. Hopefully he can improve, but I think he can't be trusted to stick around due to him being an idiot off the field.

I hope he can turn the corner, though, because he's key on special teams as a gunner.

I heard he turned the corner in that department store. Hey did anyone get his time running through the store.