Why no love for Jeremy Langford

[BrAinPaiNt]

I'm not saying Langford is a first round running back.

I know you did not...I threw the first round thing in.

However you did ask about those two names thinking they were not interested in them...they were.

If you go back the last few years and look at all of the players the cowboys have brought in for dallas day (for regional players), visits at valley ranch, combine visits and pro day visits....you will see a good number of the players they have drafted come from these players.

 

[xwalker]

That's simply not true. I was a running back in college. Carrying the ball does slow you down a little, but never would I say that it slows one person down more than another.

Fast is fast, regardless. Endurance is the biggest factor that affects speed. A running back does it all, and it wears you out. You run the ball, taking hits. You block, you run routes. WR's run a lot, but they aren't taking the pounding. And they aren't in on as many plays.

You can see it when some RBs are running pass routes.

Murray made a deliberate effort to swing his arms more in later years to generate speed and it resulted in some of the fumbles.

 

[Derinyar]

And he also said - Lacks ideal ankle flexibility. What the heck does that mean? lol I've never hear anyone say "Wow, that guy has great ankle flexibility, looks like a first rounder."

doesn't have ideal ankle flexibility to be dangerously shifty, lacking explosive traits

That's the full quote that I've seen on that. That makes sense doesn't it? Basically saying that he has stiff ankles which limits the explosiveness of his cuts.

 

[BlindFaith]

I know you did not...I threw the first round thing in.

However you did ask about those two names thinking they were not interested in them...they were.

If you go back the last few years and look at all of the players the cowboys have brought in for dallas day (for regional players), visits at valley ranch, combine visits and pro day visits....you will see a good number of the players they have drafted come from these players.

Interesting. I guess I don't pay much attention to who they bring in, but they have picked a few players from the ones that visit.
http://www.bloggingtheboys.com/2011/4/8/2098112/dallas-cowboys-pre-draft-visit-tracker
http://www.bloggingtheboys.com/2012...ft-visit-tracker-decastro-brockers-t-y-hilton
http://www.bloggingtheboys.com/2015...aft-visitors-who-will-they-bring-in-this-year

 

[BrAinPaiNt]

Interesting. I guess I don't pay much attention to who they bring in, but they have picked a few players from the ones that visit.
http://www.bloggingtheboys.com/2011/4/8/2098112/dallas-cowboys-pre-draft-visit-tracker
http://www.bloggingtheboys.com/2012...ft-visit-tracker-decastro-brockers-t-y-hilton
http://www.bloggingtheboys.com/2015...aft-visitors-who-will-they-bring-in-this-year

Just to be clear... I know it probably sounds like I am being definite that they are not interested in or would not take Langford. That would be wrong of me to say it in Definitive terms are attitude.

But as you see, they do tend to stick with the number of players they have brought in especially when it comes to a position or type.

I like Langford and I like Duke...does not seem like they do but who knows what could happen.

Clairborn was kind of a fluke where they really did not think he would fall and when he did they paid to go get him...so anything can happen.

 

[BlindFaith]

That's the full quote that I've seen on that. That makes sense doesn't it? Basically saying that he has stiff ankles which limits the explosiveness of his cuts.

No, it does not. Cutting has nothing to do with how "stiff" or not your ankles are. And most football players get their ankles tapped up, making them stiff, so as to not sprain an ankle.

Cutting is about explosion, balance and anticipation. Not loose ankles.

 

[BlindFaith]

You can see it when some RBs are running pass routes.

Murray made a deliberate effort to swing his arms more in later years to generate speed and it resulted in some of the fumbles.

Again, wrong. All running backs swing their arms. Try running without swinging your arms.

Murray's problem was that he didn't three point the ball. I said it over and over again. He carried it like a loaf of bread.

And running fast doesn't mean flailing your arms about. Best is to keep them at a 90 degree angle. Which is also perfect for cradling the ball and keeping it close to your body.

http://howdoirunfaster.com/speed-drills/tips-to-run-faster-using-proper-running-techniques/
4. Arm Position – When you bend your arms to run, be aware of the angle of your arms. The wider the angle of the bend in your arm, the bigger the arc of your arm swing. The smaller the angle of the bend in your arm, the smaller the arc of your arm swing.

You want to avoid a big and wide arc in your arm swing motion because it is unnecessary and a waste of motion.

I recommend that you bend your arm so that it is an acute angle (90 degrees or less) in order to prevent any wasted motions.

By maintaining an arm bend of 90 degrees or less you will be making significant improvements in all three areas.

 

[xwalker]

Again, wrong. All running backs swing their arms. Try running without swinging your arms.

Murray's problem was that he didn't three point the ball. I said it over and over again. He carried it like a loaf of bread.

And running fast doesn't mean flailing your arms about. Best is to keep them at a 90 degree angle. Which is also perfect for cradling the ball and keeping it close to your body.

http://howdoirunfaster.com/speed-drills/tips-to-run-faster-using-proper-running-techniques/
4. Arm Position – When you bend your arms to run, be aware of the angle of your arms. The wider the angle of the bend in your arm, the bigger the arc of your arm swing. The smaller the angle of the bend in your arm, the smaller the arc of your arm swing.

You want to avoid a big and wide arc in your arm swing motion because it is unnecessary and a waste of motion.

I recommend that you bend your arm so that it is an acute angle (90 degrees or less) in order to prevent any wasted motions.

By maintaining an arm bend of 90 degrees or less you will be making significant improvements in all three areas.

Mincey says hi.

 

[Thatkidbob]

Langford is a weird back to watch.

He's fast, but he'd rather play with power.

It may be a coaching thing or a vision problem, but I get the feeling he doesn't have the same kind of lateral agility as the top backs, because he keeps things inside the tackles even when he could get a bigger gain safely by bouncing it out.

Also, where most RB's with his kind of speed accelerate through the hole consistently, he seems to hit it at half speed while he waits for things to develop down field.

He does seem to be pretty powerful though... Most of his runs end with him pushing a pile, dragging guys down the field, or getting stood up but refusing to go down.

I'm not a fan.

 

[HellCrowe]

He ran a 4.42 at the combine vs 4.52 for Gordon

His 10 yrd time was 1.55 which was among the very best. Gordon was 1.62

His 20 to 40 time was among the very best at 1.84. Gordon was 1.86.

His numbers indicate that he is faster than Gordon. The only other runner that has ran and that was as fast overall was Corey Grant.

Speed isn't everything especially for RBs. And I like Langford but in and only in the 4th. Look at Julius and Felix, arm tackles all day. Get me someone who can break some of those.

 

[mattjames2010]

He ran a 4.42 at the combine vs 4.52 for Gordon

His 10 yrd time was 1.55 which was among the very best. Gordon was 1.62

His 20 to 40 time was among the very best at 1.84. Gordon was 1.86.

His numbers indicate that he is faster than Gordon. The only other runner that has ran and that was as fast overall was Corey Grant.

That's great, but he doesn't even close to that speed during game time outside of when he doesn't have to change direction.

I see no moves from this guy when I was the games he's played; no great cuts, no stiff arms, no breaking tackles, and no second gear. He's a straight line speed guy and perfect for change of pace.

If Dallas grabs him, it needs to be later in the draft while we already chose our starting RB earlier. I've said before, I am not against grabbing two running backs in this draft at all. But Langford is not made to be a starter in the NFL.

 

[DEMARC0MURRAY29]

 

[Alexander]

Not a bell cow. Need that. Next.

 

[BlindFaith]

Not a bell cow. Need that. Next.

Why? Why for one do you think he's not, and why for two do you think we need it? Just because we ran Murray into the ground? Why is it that everyone is in awe by Marinelli and this novel concept of rotating players to keep them fresh. Why not do that with RBs?

 

[HellCrowe]

Why? Why for one do you think he's not, and why for two do you think we need it? Just because we ran Murray into the ground? Why is it that everyone is in awe by Marinelli and this novel concept of rotating players to keep them fresh. Why not do that with RBs?

I believe we ran Murray to the ground. But I feel like we need a primary back that we can trust to get us yards when we need it rather than figure out which one of our compliments will work. In saying that, we need to actually use his complimentary backs to rest and supplement him. I'm suggeesting more in the line of around 20 carries a game rather than close to 30/game. Might not happen with a rookie regardless of what round but we do need to be smarter at distributing carries.

 

[Sasquatch]

Can't argue with the production but he just doesn't seem as quick and nimble as some other possibilities. I like the fact that he breaks tackles and always seems to fall forward, though.

 

[Alexander]

Why? Why for one do you think he's not, and why for two do you think we need it? Just because we ran Murray into the ground? Why is it that everyone is in awe by Marinelli and this novel concept of rotating players to keep them fresh. Why not do that with RBs?

Because when you have an running identity, it is also on the back themselves to help establish the tempo. The OL establishes a feel for how he runs and there is more consistent execution.

Name for me the last time a "thunder and lightning" combo running attack worked with the level of success we had last year and I might be able to be convinced.

 

[BlindFaith]

Because when you have an running identity, it is also on the back themselves to help establish the tempo. The OL establishes a feel for how he runs and there is more consistent execution.

Name for me the last time a "thunder and lightning" combo running attack worked with the level of success we had last year and I might be able to be convinced.

Tell me why we couldn't be NE? Who does NE trot out there as a RB? At WR?

Is Romo Brady? No. I don't think so, but many do.
We have Dez. Who does Brady have to throw to, Gronk?
We have Witten. They have Gronk. Is that a wash? No, I don't think so, but many would.
We have a much better OL.

They have a better defense. And better coaching. That's it.

We shouldn't be paying Dez his 13mil a year. We shouldn't pay him that or more next year.

And we don't need to spend big bucks on AD. Nor do we need to spend a first round pick on a running back.

 

[manster4ever]

Tell me why we couldn't be NE? Who does NE trot out there as a RB? At WR?

Is Romo Brady? No. I don't think so, but many do.
We have Dez. Who does Brady have to throw to, Gronk?
We have Witten. They have Gronk. Is that a wash? No, I don't think so, but many would.
We have a much better OL.

They have a better defense. And better coaching. That's it.

We shouldn't be paying Dez his 13mil a year. We shouldn't pay him that or more next year.

And we don't need to spend big bucks on AD. Nor do we need to spend a first round pick on a running back.

Darn good thread and posts BF. Agree with everything you've said right down the line. I watched Langford at MSU very closely. Probably attended about 7 games and watched him personally. He was a former DB and they converted him to RB. He is sneaky fast, physical at the point of attack and is patient when waiting for holes to open.

His Oline was very good but big and plodding. He would get 1,400 yards and roughly 12 TDs easily behind our line. He is a VERY tough kid and missed no time or carries at MSU. He got caught from behind once and it's on the highlight tape posted at about the two minute mark. The kid from Baylor ran him down in the Cotton Bowl just before the goal line. VERY nice RB for someone in the 3rd round, but I strongly believe we won't go with him in that round. Love to be wrong though.

 

[Macnalty]

I was surprised with that highlight reel, he has some toughness. Do I like others a little more, yes but I can see the attraction. Nice to see some new blood worthy of consideration.