Darren McFadden to sign with Cowboys

[Col Hogan 2]

Agree , his stock is way to high .

 

What makes you think his stock is too high?

[weepaws 2,460]

What makes you think his stock is too high?

Look at how great he has been the past few seasons . Yes I know he played for the Raiders but so did the other rb the raiders had who out played him . Now from the guys I do leagues with and from what I hear and see his stock is higher than I think it should be . And that is what makes me say that his stock is to high . It's how I feel and we will see what happens .

[R8RMick 242]

I actually think Jones is on an epiphany with McFadden, along the lines of resurrecting his fellow Razorback alum's career. Behind that wall, he's good for 1,000 yards if he can play at least 12 games. I don't know for sure if Oakland's record worst rushing attack was fault of McFadden, the offensive line, dumb ass coaching, or a rookie QB. Probably a little of all. I DO think even at this point he's a faster back than Randle, and more powerful. I just don't think much of The Underwear Thief, he's basically a plumber who came in last year and saw success in limited action after Murray had gashed opposing defenses and had them reeling.

 

Their problem is they won't go to the next level, a fact not lost on Jones I'm sure, without a premier type back.

[Frozenbeernuts 1,652]

Is jerry jones making any of these decisions? Or is he finally letting the right people make them? Whoever it is in dallas really knows his shlt. I find it really hard to believe its jerry. I would be willing to bet that whoever convinced jerry not to take manziel was then trusted by jerry himself to make the rest of football decisions, while allowing it to look like jones is still pretty much calling the shots.

[stonewall 647]

Is jerry jones making any of these decisions? Or is he finally letting the right people make them? Whoever it is in dallas really knows his shlt.

 

It is his son, Stephen Jones....who reminds me a lot of Spalding from Caddyshack.

 

[Flgatorguy87 160]

With deep rosters is anybody crazy enough to draft all three until it shakes out. Whoever carries it is going to succeed behind that line.

[sirensong 111]

Their problem is they won't go to the next level, a fact not lost on Jones I'm sure, without a premier type back.

 

i look at the last 15 SB champions, and i only see 2 top RBs: lynch and rice.

[R8RMick 242]

 

i look at the last 15 SB champions, and i only see 2 top RBs: lynch and rice.

 

 

Lol... I look at the last 15 SB champions and don't see any defense half as bad as the Cowboys. They still need to play their game, to protect the defense.

 

No?

[ralphster 274]

I look at the last 15 and see a buncha teams that were average to good in all areas and then truly dominate in one or two of them. The boys had a truly dominate run game last year with Demarco, which opened up everything else. I have not seen any glimpse of that type of talent in Randle or Dunbar. I did see one magical season out of McFadden and he's been coasting on that fame since 2010. McInjry hasn't averaged more than 3.4 ypc in the last 3 years. Then there's Ryan Williams, who's been hurt for the last couple years. IF he's healthy and all the way back from that shoulder it's possible he emerges as the one to own.

 

Of Jerry trades next year's first to the Vikes and AP comes to save the day.

[Pecos Rattlers 5]

I don't mind the gamble on one of McFadden, Ryan Williams or Randle coming through this year. They have decent upside, cost us little & can be replaced without changing our scheme/etc.

 

The front office made solid draft picks to help the team now & far into the future. While I would have preferred a 3rd/4rth round RB, it is one of the easiest positions to replace, so if the current guys don't pan out, we can acquire another one in the draft, free agency or trade at a viable cost and we will have an even more solid core for them to come in and work with.

 

Or we could drop a first round draft pick on an older RB who hasn't played much recently I do hope Jerry is trolling about that, like he was with the Manziel pick. I don't think we're the superbowl favorite even with AP, so I'd rather keep building the young core and take a gamble on a low cost RB & get a better one if they don't work out. Sure, Romo is getting older, but I don't think AP will last even as long as our QB does ..

[Cruzer 1,992]

Is jerry jones making any of these decisions? Or is he finally letting the right people make them? Whoever it is in dallas really knows his shlt. I find it really hard to believe its jerry. I would be willing to bet that whoever convinced jerry not to take manziel was then trusted by jerry himself to make the rest of football decisions, while allowing it to look like jones is still pretty much calling the shots.

The football power structure at Valley Ranch is now: Stephen Jones, Will McClay and Jason Garrett - basically has been since the M. Claiborne disaster.

[sirensong 111]

 

 

Lol... I look at the last 15 SB champions and don't see any defense half as bad as the Cowboys. They still need to play their game, to protect the defense.

 

No?

 

 

as i've posted before, the run game and the defense go hand in hand. you can't be successful if you're depending on a good run game but a bad defense. you can win in the postseason with a mediocre defense and a passing offense. however, if your offense is built around the run, you have to have the defense to be able to play the field position game.

 

dallas simply doesn't have the defense to be able to pull off a run-centric offense in the playoffs. if they want to be successful in the postseason, they have to fix the defense first. trying to hide defensive weaknesses with the running game got exposed in both the DET and GB playoff games, and would get exposed again this season.

 

if they want to "get to the next level", they can do it with an improved defense and a NE-style RBBC. they cannot do it with a top RB and a threadbare, patchwork defense.

 

it simply won't work.

[jdon 28]

 

What makes you think his stock is too high?

if McFadden is being drafted then his stock is too high...

but I like that, leave randle for me.

jdon

[R8RMick 242]

 

 

as i've posted before, the run game and the defense go hand in hand. you can't be successful if you're depending on a good run game but a bad defense. you can win in the postseason with a mediocre defense and a passing offense. however, if your offense is built around the run, you have to have the defense to be able to play the field position game.

 

dallas simply doesn't have the defense to be able to pull off a run-centric offense in the playoffs. if they want to be successful in the postseason, they have to fix the defense first. trying to hide defensive weaknesses with the running game got exposed in both the DET and GB playoff games, and would get exposed again this season.

 

if they want to "get to the next level", they can do it with an improved defense and a NE-style RBBC. they cannot do it with a top RB and a threadbare, patchwork defense.

 

it simply won't work.

 

Yeah we've been through this. You're the Cowboy fan and expert, but please tell me it wasn't that long ago your defense was the worst in the NFL. Your run game SAVED your defense. Not sure how you say the run game got exposed in the playoffs last season, as they played their game perfectly and probably came within a DeMarco Murray fumble of going to the NFC Championship game, where they beat Seattle.

 

They've made some strides on defense, and the offensive line, but if you think they're better with this committee I'll gladly re-visit this later. In fact, I contend it's going the first two games of 1993 all over again. Listen, your team isn't New England. For some reason, whatever reason, Dallas cannot run the ball effectively and win games unless they absolutely commit to the run game. You've said it yourself. New England doesn't, they don't even try at time. But that's not the Cowboys. Their game is a dominant run game, which won't happen with an RBBC for any number of reasons RBBC's don't work in that fashion.

 

You have a PROVEN formula from last year, one which brought your scrub of a franchise back to top respectability. No offense just truth. Why mess with what's working? I'm shaking my head. A super bowl is right there in front of you with Peterson, yet you're willing to settle for McFragile and The Underwear Thief.

[sirensong 111]

 

Yeah we've been through this. You're the Cowboy fan and expert, but please tell me it wasn't that long ago your defense was the worst in the NFL. Your run game SAVED your defense. Not sure how you say the run game got exposed in the playoffs last season, as they played their game perfectly and probably came within a DeMarco Murray fumble of going to the NFC Championship game, where they beat Seattle.

 

They've made some strides on defense, and the offensive line, but if you think they're better with this committee I'll gladly re-visit this later. In fact, I contend it's going the first two games of 1993 all over again. Listen, your team isn't New England. For some reason, whatever reason, Dallas cannot run the ball effectively and win games unless they absolutely commit to the run game. You've said it yourself. New England doesn't, they don't even try at time. But that's not the Cowboys. Their game is a dominant run game, which won't happen with an RBBC for any number of reasons RBBC's don't work in that fashion.

 

You have a PROVEN formula from last year, one which brought your scrub of a franchise back to top respectability. No offense just truth. Why mess with what's working? I'm shaking my head. A super bowl is right there in front of you with Peterson, yet you're willing to settle for McFragile and The Underwear Thief.

 

 

i'm not an expert, but i do follow the team closely. the run game did not save the defense--it compensated for the defense just enough to get into the playoffs. the defense was almost as awful as the historically bad 2013 season--they were just on the field less. but when the defense had to make a stop, they pretty much couldn't. DET should have beaten DAL had the PI been called properly, and GB almost certainly would have even had dez scored.

 

the things that make a team successful in the regular season do not equal playoff success.

 

you call the cowboys a scrub franchise, which is an interesting way to put it. last season, DAL lost a tremendous amount of talent from the defense, and only added 1 significant player on offense. so what you're saying is that the entire time murray was with the club, they were scrubs. it wasn't the caliber of the RB, but rather the scheme that elevated them from scrub-land to playoff contender.

 

no one is saying that the team would not be better with peterson on board. in a pre-cap world, he would be in valley ranch right now this minute. and i don't know of a single cowboys fan who would strongly object to trading the 2016 1st rounder for peterson...now that the defense has been addressed. would i have been happier had DAL taken ajayi in the 4th? sure, but there is no way of knowing if he would be clearly superior to what they have in the room now.

 

ultimately, we don't live in a fantasy world. peterson is not on the market, period. jones can't pursue him without a tampering charge. if he's gettable, and if the price is right, he'll be wearing blue and silver next season--jones will manufacture cap room out of thin air to get it done. but you're speculating as if it's assured that MIN will either cut him or trade him. that's just not the case.

[R8RMick 242]

I see your point but, isn't that what happened? By the way I do like what Dallas has done this off season. Just think they need one more piece is all.

[sirensong 111]

isn't what what happened?

 

i was thinking about it this morning, and the difference between the team's performance in 2014 vice the previous 8-8 seasons is striking. during the .500 run, DAL lost many, many regular season games in strange ways. the best example is 2013, when they lost to DET and GB despite holding very large leads late in the games. in both cases, the defense utterly collapsed (against a backup QB in GB, just like the earlier CHI blowout).

 

now, let's assume that the DAL defense was competent enough to put those games away (maybe with a little help from the nascent run game). all of a sudden, that team of scrubs is in the playoffs, even with losing to PHI in romo's injury game.

 

same thing in 2012, when dez's last-second TD was overturned because he put a hand down out of bounds (which was the right call). or dez not dropping the 2ptC in baltimore. let's not forget DAL's last second rally to sent the NO game to OT (which was a loss). or ATL grinding out a 6 minute drive to close out that game. change the result of any one of those games, and DAL is the NFC east champ.

 

same thing in 2011, had garrett not iced his own kicker in the last seconds of the ARI game.

 

 

now, i don't bring all this up to say that DAL got robbed or anything. they were a deeply flawed team that had no business going to the playoffs, even had the ball bounced a little differently in the regular season. had they made the playoffs, they would have been mercilessly exposed, because they just didn't have the chops to succeed there.

 

the exact same situations arose in 2014, but the ball finally started bouncing DAL's way. the miracle 3rd down conversion in the SEA game? weird play with 2 receivers in the same spot. rams game? for once, their defense implodes instead of ours. HOU game? best player in the league misses a clean shot on an injured romo, allowing the winning score. NYG? DAL's defense gives up the go-ahead TD with 3min left in the game, but romo leads yet another comeback to close the game out.

 

that's the difference between 8-8 and 12-4. same scrubby team, except with less talent than previous .500 seasons. just like in those previous seasons, DAL was in position to win a lot of games, and this time they actually pulled it off. the running game helped, but in the end, they simply didn't have the defense to put themselves over the top in january.

 

i would love to have peterson or murray on the roster--i really would. i agree that they would be a preseason SB favorite with either of those guys, so long as they added a number of defensive pieces. but adding either of them at the expense of defensive upgrades would have meant a good regular-season record, and a probable loss in the divisionals or NFCC.

[R8RMick 242]

isn't what what happened?

 

i was thinking about it this morning, and the difference between the team's performance in 2014 vice the previous 8-8 seasons is striking. during the .500 run, DAL lost many, many regular season games in strange ways. the best example is 2013, when they lost to DET and GB despite holding very large leads late in the games. in both cases, the defense utterly collapsed (against a backup QB in GB, just like the earlier CHI blowout).

 

now, let's assume that the DAL defense was competent enough to put those games away (maybe with a little help from the nascent run game). all of a sudden, that team of scrubs is in the playoffs, even with losing to PHI in romo's injury game.

 

same thing in 2012, when dez's last-second TD was overturned because he put a hand down out of bounds (which was the right call). or dez not dropping the 2ptC in baltimore. let's not forget DAL's last second rally to sent the NO game to OT (which was a loss). or ATL grinding out a 6 minute drive to close out that game. change the result of any one of those games, and DAL is the NFC east champ.

 

same thing in 2011, had garrett not iced his own kicker in the last seconds of the ARI game.

 

 

now, i don't bring all this up to say that DAL got robbed or anything. they were a deeply flawed team that had no business going to the playoffs, even had the ball bounced a little differently in the regular season. had they made the playoffs, they would have been mercilessly exposed, because they just didn't have the chops to succeed there.

 

the exact same situations arose in 2014, but the ball finally started bouncing DAL's way. the miracle 3rd down conversion in the SEA game? weird play with 2 receivers in the same spot. rams game? for once, their defense implodes instead of ours. HOU game? best player in the league misses a clean shot on an injured romo, allowing the winning score. NYG? DAL's defense gives up the go-ahead TD with 3min left in the game, but romo leads yet another comeback to close the game out.

 

that's the difference between 8-8 and 12-4. same scrubby team, except with less talent than previous .500 seasons. just like in those previous seasons, DAL was in position to win a lot of games, and this time they actually pulled it off. the running game helped, but in the end, they simply didn't have the defense to put themselves over the top in january.

 

i would love to have peterson or murray on the roster--i really would. i agree that they would be a preseason SB favorite with either of those guys, so long as they added a number of defensive pieces. but adding either of them at the expense of defensive upgrades would have meant a good regular-season record, and a probable loss in the divisionals or NFCC.

 

 

Sorry. Obviously Murray was talented, or he wouldn't have broken Emmit's single game rushing record as a rookie. But it was the decision to gear up a power running game which allowed his talents to the forefront. Calling a perennial 8-8 team a scrub team was probably harsh, but living here in Dallas I can attest their fans were not thrilled with the team. No?

 

Ok, my point. About the change in offense and what it did for the defense, and consequently the team-

 

In 2013 the Cowboys defense finished last in the league, with a third down conversion rate of 43%, a yards per play allowed of 6.1, and a yards per game allowed of 415.

In 2014 the Cowboys defense finished 19th in the league, with a third down conversion rate of 44%, a yards per play allowed of 5.8, and a yards per game allowed of 352.

The difference? In 2014 the Cowboys defense was on the field almost three minutes less per game, for 80 fewer plays over the season. That's almost one and a third fewer games worth of snaps, which allowed them to bring down their points per game allowed from 27 to 22. And this is with a defense any Cowboy fan will tell you to be inferior to the 2013 model.

We all know the Cowboy rushing success from last year, when they ran the ball at a 4.7 yard per carry clip. In 2013 the Cowboys offense was thirty freaking first in the league in rushing attempts per game, at 21. However that same offense ran the ball at a 4.5 yards per carry clip, which was 8th in the league. And I can't say for certain, but I would bet that yds/game average was pretty consistent to what they've done over the last few years as well. So, it doesn't take a Phi Beta Kappa to understand that cranking up the rushes per game would bring better results.

So yes, the decision to commit to the run, a scheme change if you will, that elevated the team from scrub status. Additionally, while I also contend that the scheme change elevated Murray as well, the change in offensive philosophy isn't possible without a back of his caliber.

Translation= You still need an RB1.

Consolation prize= 1st two games of 1993.

(edited) I truly feel with the offseason moves on defense and on the line they have improved the team enough to overcome the playoff situations you referenced above, provided they field a similar or superior power running game to the one fielded last season. I do NOT feel their current running back stable, in any context, is up to that task.

[Gepetto 987]

DeMarco Murray and the run game was a huge reason the Dallas Cowboys defense was less exposed and the Cowboys made the playoffs last year.

[R8RMick 242]

Though not a fan of the team, I'm a big fan of their style of football last season and hope they can find a runner to repeat that smash mouth style.

[sirensong 111]

 

 

Sorry. Obviously Murray was talented, or he wouldn't have broken Emmit's single game rushing record as a rookie. But it was the decision to gear up a power running game which allowed his talents to the forefront. Calling a perennial 8-8 team a scrub team was probably harsh, but living here in Dallas I can attest their fans were not thrilled with the team. No?

 

...

So yes, the decision to commit to the run, a scheme change if you will, that elevated the team from scrub status. Additionally, while I also contend that the scheme change elevated Murray as well, the change in offensive philosophy isn't possible without a back of his caliber.

 

 

as a rookie, murray ran for 253 yards against the 31st ranked run defense in the league. run blocking was the story of the week. his 91 yard TD? literally untouched. eluded one tackle. 19 yard gain? broke one tackle. next 19 yard gain? literally untouched until pushed OOB. 43 yard gain? broke 1 tackle at LOS, and was untouched until he fell down at the end of the run.

 

highlights of the incredible run blocking and horrible defense: https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=video&cd=1&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0CB0QtwIwAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.nfl.com%2Fvideos%2Fnfl-game-highlights%2F09000d5d823689f7%2FWK-7-DeMarco-Murray-highlights&ei=ylFcVZH5KYityASg_4Io&usg=AFQjCNFrpDqC6GRM9N3VkPngoHqW7kN7Yw&sig2=WNQZuPm7blM4FJvjJejfWw

 

you could have hung 140 that day. point being, murray was nothing special on the field until DAL's OL got better. he was a solid back, don't get me wrong. and he's exactly the kind of hard-nosed guy you want in a locker room. but he was an inconsistent performer at the pro level until DAL committed to improving the line. his stat lines were a bunch of short gains and no gains, punctuated by a few chunk runs where he got to use his speed. it wasn't until the back half of frederick's rookie season that murray started to have consistent success, and it wasn't until the addition of martin that he started grinding out the 'dirty yards' that garrett likes to talk about. murray was solid, not special.

 

you keep talking about the 1993 season, but let's not forget that we're talking about one of the greatest RBs to ever play the game in smith. as a counterexample, let's look at MBIII--another solid-but-not-special guy who was given special money. i'd say murray is likely to hew closer to barber's career than smith's.

 

that said, i would be a lot happier if DAL had a barber-type back who could really bang. there's not one on the roster--it's a bunch of shifty or speed backs. in this regard, i absolutely agree with you.

[sirensong 111]

an interesting writeup on the seldom-mentioned williams, who was drafted a round earlier than murray the same season: http://cowboysblog.dallasnews.com/2015/05/sturm-breaking-down-rb-ryan-williams.html/?hootPostID=9d4c1e34a6b1d73be931c5279f0fad1c

[R8RMick 242]

What Murray also brought to the table besides the tough yards was his speed. Not sure what McFragile clips at these days but I'd venture to say it's not sub 4.50

 

Both Randle and Williams are up in the 4.60 territory. A back with size and speed becomes an instant big play threat behind that line, where 4.60 plodders are pretty much swine before pearls.

 

Man they are that close to a super bowl.

[Cruzer 1,992]

What Murray also brought to the table besides the tough yards was his speed. Not sure what McFragile clips at these days but I'd venture to say it's not sub 4.50

This is one of the most un-understood and debatable topics concerning Murray... For all of the things he does really well, one of the knocks on him was his break away speed. It was well known and talked about that the powers that be were not happy with Murray's ability to take it to the house... On paper - Murray has really good speed. But somehow that hasn't translated to the football field... Now I don't know what kind of speed DMC has currently - but I do know this. One of the 1st things he said when getting to Dallas was that (basically) if he gets some of the holes Murray did - they aren't catching him, he's taking it to the house.

[R8RMick 242]

This is one of the most un-understood and debatable topics concerning Murray... For all of the things he does really well, one of the knocks on him was his break away speed. It was well known and talked about that the powers that be were not happy with Murray's ability to take it to the house... On paper - Murray has really good speed. But somehow that hasn't translated to the football field... Now I don't know what kind of speed DMC has currently - but I do know this. One of the 1st things he said when getting to Dallas was that (basically) if he gets some of the holes Murray did - they aren't catching him, he's taking it to the house.

He does have 4.47 speed and we saw him break some decent runs last season. We're talking about moving the chains well down field. The Washington game at home he had a big third quarter run down inside the five they failed to cash in by passing twice on 2nd and 3rd down. Maybe you'll remember that as the series which cost them home field advantage in the playoffs? But I digress.

 

But you bring up a good point. I'm really not sure what jets McFragile brings to the table these days. Though I will say Latavius Murray had several long runs McFadden could have only dreamed of while running behind the same Oakland line. My contention is Darren has lost a step and is nowhere as durable as DeMarco. Really hard to tell with the quality of the Raider line though.

[Hawkfin 32]

This is one of the most un-understood and debatable topics concerning Murray... For all of the things he does really well, one of the knocks on him was his break away speed. It was well known and talked about that the powers that be were not happy with Murray's ability to take it to the house... On paper - Murray has really good speed. But somehow that hasn't translated to the football field... Now I don't know what kind of speed DMC has currently - but I do know this. One of the 1st things he said when getting to Dallas was that (basically) if he gets some of the holes Murray did - they aren't catching him, he's taking it to the house.

There's breakaway speed, but there is also speed hitting the hole, getting through the small hole and at contact, lateral speed and making guy's miss, etc.

 

McFadden has (maybe had) more breakaway speed at one time, but from what I've seen over the last 2-3 years he's lost most that. His speed was also straight line speed so teams who stacked him up shut him down.

But, to compare his "current overall ability" to Murray is laughable. That's even IF he can stay healthy, which won't happen.

 

Here is McFadden in a nut shell for Dallas: Take away half of Murray's power and effectivness, Take away half of his production from last year, Add maybe 2-5 big splash plays to the house against weaker teams instead of long sustained drives, but then add Murray's injury history and double that, if not tripple it.

 

Dallas made a mistake I think. No AP or top Rookie runner, and relying on McFadden.

 

You guy's were competing for a chance at the SB. Now you will be lucky to win the division IMO. I put the Giants over you now.

And even though I hate Bradford just as much as McFadden, and all the other crap Phily did. Since they got Murray I think even they might leap frog you. Regardless, the entire div. took a step back.

I will predict a Giants div win at 9-7.

 

I think your WAY undervaluing what Murray did for you guy's. Murray was never your issue, but now you have one at RB.

And speed does not matter if your a pounder, and 4 yard smashing back. (I.e. Chris Johnson has speed, but not good enough) You/we will soon find out what his loss means for your team. I think it will hurt.

You might come to find out your line doesn't look as good as it once did also. And poor Romo too.

 

I'm not that much of a fan of your draft and free agents either. Chalked full of questionable/Bad Charactor-risk players.

I'd rather have had Murray myself, and definatley AP who could have took you to the promise land.

 

You deserve every bit of what McFadden is going to give you with your thoughts about Murray and RB in general. You are aligned exatcly with what Jones believes. To much confidence in your line and no credit to Murray and how far you guys went last year.

You took a step back and without Murray you will be worse then last year.

 

Instead of worrying IF Rodgers is going to win the game at the end on your Def, you might not even be in the game without Murray and the rushing attack you once had.

Dallas = Back to 8-8.

 

I'm sorry if this sounds like Bashing. It's not meant to be. This is just my outside view on a team I don't even care about.

I'm happy your not getting AP and Murray is gone. You were a team I was worried about against my Hawks, especially if you got AP. Not worried about you guy's anymore.

[Cruzer 1,992]

There's breakaway speed, but there is also speed hitting the hole, getting through the small hole and at contact, lateral speed and making guy's miss, etc.

 

McFadden has (maybe had) more breakaway speed at one time, but from what I've seen over the last 2-3 years he's lost most that. His speed was also straight line speed so teams who stacked him up shut him down.

But, to compare his "current overall ability" to Murray is laughable. That's even IF he can stay healthy, which won't happen.

 

Here is McFadden in a nut shell for Dallas: Take away half of Murray's power and effectivness, Take away half of his production from last year, Add maybe 2-5 big splash plays to the house against weaker teams instead of long sustained drives, but then add Murray's injury history and double that, if not tripple it.

 

Dallas made a mistake I think. No AP or top Rookie runner, and relying on McFadden.

 

You guy's were competing for a chance at the SB. Now you will be lucky to win the division IMO. I put the Giants over you now.

And even though I hate Bradford just as much as McFadden, and all the other crap Phily did. Since they got Murray I think even they might leap frog you. Regardless, the entire div. took a step back.

I will predict a Giants div win at 9-7.

 

I think your WAY undervaluing what Murray did for you guy's. Murray was never your issue, but now you have one at RB.

And speed does not matter if your a pounder, and 4 yard smashing back. (I.e. Chris Johnson) You/we will soon find out what his loss means for your team. I think it will hurt.

You might come to find out your line doesn't look as good as it once did also. And poor Romo too.

 

I'm not that much of a fan of your draft and free agents either. Chalked full of questionable/Bad Charactor-risk players.

I'd rather have had Murray myself, and definatley AP who could have took you to the promise land.

 

You deserve every bit of what McFadden is going to give you with your thoughts about Murray and RB in general. You are aligned exatcly with what Jones believes. To much confidence in your line and no credit to Murray and how far you guys went last year.

You took a step back and without Murray you will be worse then last year.

 

Instead of worrying IF Rodgers is going to win the game at the end on your Def, you might not even be in the game without Murray and the rushing attack you once had.

Dallas = Back to 8-8.

 

I'm sorry if this sounds like Bashing. It's not meant to be. This is just my outside view on a team I don't even care about.

I'm happy your not getting AP and Murray is gone. You were a team I was worried about against my Hawks, especially if you got AP. Not worried about you guy's anymore.

Remarkably, I don't agree with hardly anything you have here.

 

In all seriousness, no shots intended - it has baffled and amused me just how much criticism Dallas has gotten over the Murray deal by those who (mostly) got their Murray intel from Monday morning ESPN highlight clips.

 

Having watched every single snap of Murray's career in Dallas I can honestly sum it up like this:

 

* Murray will be missed. Loved his heart, locker room presence and his blocking ability. But a guy going balls to the wall and having a career season in a contract year doesn't blow me away. At his age, coming off of 457 touches and his injury history - I'm more than happy we did not back the truck up and pay him what he wanted.

 

* For all Murray did - he also had some problems. He often left yards on the field, he often missed the open hole and he often put the ball on the ground.

 

* Dallas has not only the best offensive line in football - but now we've added 2 giant back up pieces to the mix. This unit is going to be mauling people for years... They are going to make whoever gets the ball look really damn good.

 

* We have improved by leaps and bounds on the defensive side of the ball. Hardy and Gregory are massive instant big time improvements - toss in Jones at CB and Lee coming back, I am pretty hyped.

 

I feel we will be better than last year... Time will tell I guess.... And I'm still not convinced AP doesn't land here before the season starts either.

[Hawkfin 32]

Remarkably, I don't agree with hardly anything you have here.

 

In all seriousness, no shots intended - it has baffled and amused me just how much criticism Dallas has gotten over the Murray deal by those who (mostly) got their Murray intel from Monday morning ESPN highlight clips.

 

Having watched every single snap of Murray's career in Dallas I can honestly sum it up like this:

 

* Murray will be missed. Loved his heart, locker room presence and his blocking ability. But a guy going balls to the wall and having a career season in a contract year doesn't blow me away. At his age, coming off of 457 touches and his injury history - I'm more than happy we did not back the truck up and pay him what he wanted.

 

* For all Murray did - he also had some problems. He often left yards on the field, he often missed the open hole and he often put the ball on the ground.

 

* Dallas has not only the best offensive line in football - but now we've added 2 giant back up pieces to the mix. This unit is going to be mauling people for years... They are going to make whoever gets the ball look really damn good.

 

* We have improved by leaps and bounds on the defensive side of the ball. Hardy and Gregory are massive instant big time improvements - toss in Jones at CB and Lee coming back, I am pretty hyped.

 

I feel we will be better than last year... Time will tell I guess.... And I'm still not convinced AP doesn't land here before the season starts either.

Well, we will have to disagree about Murray and his abilities. I've watched him plenty, and not by some highlight real or ESPN scoring plays. Your acting like he's old and used. He's relatively young in the NFL and can easily sustain or improve on his overall abilities.

 

I'm not saying it was right or wrong to let him walk (He does have about a 1-4 game per year Injury history)

But replacing with McFadden (Who has about a 6-10+ per game injury history) makes even less sense.

IF they needed to let him walk, they should have had a better plan in place. I think I personally would have voted to keep him though. I think he was becoming your backbone as he was maturing into the possition.

 

You can chalk up Murray's career year as him just being in a contract year. (Very valid point, and might be true)

But just the same, he may have just hit his stride. He's only been in the league 5 years and that's about when a RB can really come into their own. He shed the injury label last year, played hurt, and stayed dominate with a huge carry load.

 

McFadden has IN FACT PROVEN he is not capable of this. Your ignoring facts if you can't see this. He's NEVER been able to handle a heavy work load and stay healthy at the same time. He's a trending down back, where Murray was trending up still.

 

You have changed the entire dynamic of the run game you utilitzed last year. AP fits that dynamic, and if you get him still (which seems very unlikely now) then I'll put you back as a top dog again. I was one of the first to say, that is what you should do all along as you disagreed strongly.

 

But as it stands now, you've taken a huge downgrade from Murray with little to no replacement.

I'll disagree your line is SO good that I could run behind it. That's a load of crap that will hurt come season time and people on the Dallas Oline hype train might painfully see. I know the line helps the dominance, but you also need a capable back, and Murray had just as much say to the lines greatness.

 

Good luck.

Glad your happy with your def moves. I think Corner in 1st round was the right choice, but not sure about the player pick.

Hardy seems like a waist to me and when you add him with other troubled pasts in the draft, it just usually doesn't work out to well I don't think. We'll see. Definatley should have added a RB though.

 

[Cruzer 1,992]

McFadden has IN FACT PROVEN he is not capable of this. Your ignoring facts if you can't see this. He's NEVER been able to handle a heavy work load and stay healthy at the same time. He's a trending down back, where Murray was trending up still.

I don't believe the plan is to give DMC the ball 457 times here. I think Randle is going to get the bulk of the carries - so the fear of DMC isn't the dire problem you seem to think... Speaking of - pretty much anything DMC has done to now isn't totally relevant. Barry Sanders would of had a hard time running behind the filth of a line and supporting cast he had over the years in Oakland. I'm anxious to see what he can do with all these new toys.

[weepaws 2,460]

I don't believe the plan is to give DMC the ball 457 times here. I think Randle is going to get the bulk of the carries - so the fear of DMC isn't the dire problem you seem to think... Speaking of - pretty much anything DMC has done to now isn't totally relevant. Barry Sanders would of had a hard time running behind the filth of a line and supporting cast he had over the years in Oakland. I'm anxious to see what he can do with all these new toys.

Agree with the fact that the Raiders oline was awful , but the other rb for the Raiders the past few years out played McFadden running behind that same awful line that you spoke of . Now that's the problem I have with McFadden . He is on a much better team with a much better oline no question but he was being out played when he was with the Raiders . The guy could make a turn around it could happen right now I am buying low .

[Hawkfin 32]

I don't believe the plan is to give DMC the ball 457 times here. I think Randle is going to get the bulk of the carries - so the fear of DMC isn't the dire problem you seem to think... Speaking of - pretty much anything DMC has done to now isn't totally relevant. Barry Sanders would of had a hard time running behind the filth of a line and supporting cast he had over the years in Oakland. I'm anxious to see what he can do with all these new toys.

When Mcfadden was at his prime (And put up his best stats to date) he had Cable running the show and their line was pretty decent. Even McFaddens replacement was decent behind the line this last year. And there FB was having more success and more power running success then McFadden almost every year.

 

But, even early on when McFadden was in his prime, once he got to about 200 carries he was done. He's seen limited carries for like 5 years now, and STILL cannot stay on the field. I think last year was his first healthy entire year and he had about 150. But, his overall power, speed, etc. all went down drastically. He was playing NOT to get hurt for one last contract.

 

Murray on the other hand - took on the biggest workload of his entire life with great success. He lead your team. He helped carry you into a record and success that you've never had with Romo.

If you want to give all the credit and success to Oline/Romo fine - We'll see.

 

So now were onto Randle. A guy about a month ago you said might not even make the team? A guy that struggled to even lock down the #2 job his entire career with his own off field issues. He's never shown he can do anything or even proven he can handle a full work load?

This is Dallas plan? (And you expect to give him 300 carries and have Murray success-ability) Good luck with that. hahah

 

You are living in a dream world my friend. Just saying.

 

NOTE:

If Randle say gets 180 attempts (very high for him)

And Mcfadden gets max 200 (say he doesn't get hurt with those)

 

Your still about 100 attempts less than last year - 100 less attempts means more of Romo and pressure on Romo, more losing and less ball control offense, and overall less production and success. Def on the field more and often. (And quick long TD's, but nothing else during the game don't help as much as 4-5 average)

Not to mention the success rate for those 380 attempts vs what Murray did will be far worse IMO.

(Way more 0-3 yard gains with these two backs - More 3rd and longs)

 

Had you got AP, then last years success would have been the norm.... No worries that Murray was a fluke or hurt. AP would go to this unbeleavable (even magical line that he also never had in MInn (like McFadden), and without the weapons. Just think what the best runner in the NFL (less Lynch) could do then?

[Cruzer 1,992]

You are living in a dream world my friend. Just saying.

I'm confident I have a better pulse on the Boys than you do - so I'm pretty good with my assumptions.

 

* You're chasing your own tail with the DMC talk. Nobody but you is thinking he was brought in to replicate Murray's #'s. He will be a role player - and in that, given his surroundings, I think he will just fine. Possibly even better than fine.

 

* Given the choice between this offensive line/Romo or Romo/Murray - give me option 1 all day long. Anyone taking 2 is an idiot.

 

* Randle possibly not being here had zip to do with his ability - it was all off the field based.... As far as not securing the back up role - what are you talking about? You really need to stop getting your info from game clips - Randle has had the 2nd most carries on this team for 2 years now. Which coincidentally, he's only been here and in the league for 2 years. You talk about him as if he were a 28 year old veteran - the kid is barely 24.

 

Ha, the sky isn't falling in D just yet. Take a deep breath and relax.

[R8RMick 242]

To pin Murray's 2014 achievement as a contract year performance is really unfair. His level of play has stayed consistent over his career in Dallas. What's changed is their commitment to the run, which even Cowboy fans here have lamented over the years. None more so than the Cruzer. No?

 

Murray has done everything this team has asked for him in its current run, which is why I don't understand the attempts to minimize his primary role in that success. It's been the plan all along to let him leave, which became apparent once Romo re-negotiated.

 

I think Peterson has been the true goal, and this committee business is a smokescreen. Truly because no teams brain trust be so obtuse to feel what they have now will produce a super bowl.

 

I almost hope they do roll with it, as the results will be painful to watch in ever so dramatic Dallas fashion. One thing is for sure though. DeMarco Murray will run for about 375 yards in his two games against Dallas, behind a Philly line almost as good as the Boys'.

[ralphster 274]

Agreed w Mick about the scheme change being the catalyst.

 

Hardy's suspension review 5/28. IF he's still out 10 games how much better your defense really will perform is debatable. Randle/Williams/McFadden - smokescreen. None of them approach the talent of Demarco. All of them are ill fitted to be more than 2nd/3rd string back up type RBs at this point. Peterson brings legit 4.4 speed at 6'1" and 217lbs, ironically enough much like the 4.4 6'0" 217lbs that Demarco Murray was.

 

If Jerry & Co do not give up next year's first, or even maybe a lil more to get AP I would be mad as hell were I a Cowboys fan. Window will not be any wider open than it is right now imo.

[sirensong 111]

 

* Murray will be missed. Loved his heart, locker room presence and his blocking ability. But a guy going balls to the wall and having a career season in a contract year doesn't blow me away. At his age, coming off of 457 touches and his injury history - I'm more than happy we did not back the truck up and pay him what he wanted.

 

 

 

murray will absolutely be missed, for exactly these reasons.

 

but it was 492 touches.

[R8RMick 242]

And I don't understand why the choice couldn't be Murray/Romo/this offensive line? Murray probably would've stayed for $7.5 mill guaranteed for two years on a four year deal. You re-sign him, you have the same FA and draft, and you're a super bowl favorite right now.

 

The ONLY other option that makes sense is Peterson. The ONLY one. If Jones pulls it off well, my king sir. But don't try and trot out this plowhorse by committee with a straight face.

[Cruzer 1,992]

To pin Murray's 2014 achievement as a contract year performance is really unfair. His level of play has stayed consistent over his career in Dallas. What's changed is their commitment to the run, which even Cowboy fans here have lamented over the years. None more so than the Cruzer. No?

 

I'm certainly not diminishing his season - it was great. But it's not rocket science and it's no secret - players go balls to the wall and have their best years when playing for a contract. Coincidence? Be a huge, ongoing, continuous one if so... I love the run, but that hasn't been what I've lamented for over the years. What I've screamed for over and over again (for years) is to stop with the bells and whistles and rebuild the defensive and offensive lines. I've said it here a million times - you win championships from the inside out - that and a top notch Qb. You give me dominant lines and I can fill in the rest of the pieces.

[Cruzer 1,992]

And I don't understand why the choice couldn't be Murray/Romo/this offensive line? Murray probably would've stayed for $7.5 mill guaranteed for two years on a four year deal.

Are you crazy? There was no way in hell Murray was taking anything near, even $15m guaranteed. Especially after he saw what Shady got.... He had his sights set on the $20m range - Dallas simply wasn't going to commit to that.

[sirensong 111]

a lot of you guys are talking like mcfadden is murray's replacement. he's not. he's here on a cheap, look-see basis to see if he has anything left in the tank. if he gets cut before the season starts, it will cost DAL $200K of cap space.

[R8RMick 242]

I'm certainly not diminishing his season - it was great. But it's not rocket science and it's no secret - players go balls to the wall and have their best years when playing for a contract. Coincidence? Be a huge, ongoing, continuous one if so... I love the run, but that hasn't been what I've lamented for over the years. What I've screamed for over and over again (for years) is to stop with the bells and whistles and rebuild the defensive and offensive lines. I've said it here a million times - you win championships from the inside out - that and a top notch Qb. You give me dominant lines and I can fill in the rest of the pieces.

Well, you better fill them out while your QB is still standing. I've been here in Arlington watching this team since 1998. What they had last year, what they COULD have right now, is something truly significant in today's NFL- An old school, smash mouth, power running football team.

 

This team's window is open right now. After watching how Jones fleeced the league for La'el Collins, by the way their future Pro Bowl RT, I have no doubt he'd pull the trigger on Peterson. Even if it's just one trophy, think of the mileage he gets out of that? Consider the breathing room it gives the club to truly rebuild. FA's start coming here again, it's high times.

 

I feel like a grimy faced kid with his mug plastered against the candy store window. But you guys deserve it.