Darren McFadden or Joseph Randle

[sirensong 111]

That's a detailed and pretty damned interesting synopsis, though I would have liked to see the Manziel angle added in there as well.

 

 

thanks man. as for manziel, he wasn't part of any plan. he was the equivalent of going to the car lot to buy a new work truck, and getting distracted by a sports car in the showroom. the cowboys didn't want manziel--jerry saw a shiny thing, but was wise enough to back off and trust his staff. to my mind, the manziel decision is the clearest evidence we have that business as usual in dallas has changed.

[Cruzer 1,995]

Imagine Antone Smith in that system. 3k yards

You seem to have a real fascination with this guy. As an undrafted, multi-team journeyman - why?

[Frozenbeernuts 2,264]

You seem to have a real fascination with this guy. As an undrafted, multi-team journeyman - why?

I have already stated mutliple times how insane his stats are. When i watch him it looks like he is operating at a different speed than everyone else. I just dont like that three mediocre rbs in Jaquizz Rodgers, Devonta Freeman, and now Tevin Coleman are all supposed to take the reigns as the next starting Falcons rb. Its like getting excited about driving a Ford Focus when you have a Ferrari at home, but never drive it.

[weepaws 3,191]

If I had a Ferrari at home I would be excited even if I did not drive it . It's a Farrari .

[Cruzer 1,995]

I have already stated mutliple times how insane his stats are. When i watch him it looks like he is operating at a different speed than everyone else. I just dont like that three mediocre rbs in Jaquizz Rodgers, Devonta Freeman, and now Tevin Coleman are all supposed to take the reigns as the next starting Falcons rb. Its like getting excited about driving a Ford Focus when you have a Ferrari at home, but never drive it.

Admittedly I've never paid much attention to him... But looking at it, he's had all of 29 careers in 5 years with the Birds - you're basing it off of those stats?

[sirensong 111]

Some of this is true for sure... But Dallas went into that 2013 draft targeting offensive and defensive tackles. The top 6 were off the board early, then Vacarro flew off the board at 13. So we moved down to 31, picking up a 3rd rounder (who turned into T. Williams).

 

Something can be said for fate. I remember 1990 and the name James Francis... Had the Bengals not drafted him, he would have been Dallas' pick in that 1st Round... Instead, they had to settle for some kid named Emmitt Smith.

 

 

G rather than T, and both Gs were off the board by 10. DAL knew that there would be no top-shelf Ts available--there were only 3 with a 1st round grade on DAL's board (which was reconstructed from pics of the war room), and all of them were consensus top picks (and off by 1.04). you make a fair point, but something has to be said for practicality. if the guy on your wish list is likely to fall off the board half a round before you're up, then it's hard to say that you're targeting something in any real sense. at DT, of the 3 on DAL's board, 2 were available at 17. picking escobar over warford is more evidence that OL wasn't an obsession.

 

this relates to martin as a consolation prize. if jerry doesn't find someone who will deal at 17, he's still picking floyd or reid as a consolation for whiffing on warmack/cooper. one way or the other, the 'great wall of dallas' is a BPA response to draft day dynamics, rather than a predetermined effort to go out and get OLmen. it's based on a team vision (the inside-out philosophy that you mentioned), but it wasn't a master plan in and of itself.

 

it's interesting to consider where this team would be had the drafts fallen differently. imagine an OL with smith>leary>decastro>bernadeaux>free, and a defense with vacarro, donald, and...say...janorris jenkins. all things considered, i prefer what we have--it maximizes the romo investment.

[sirensong 111]

RB relevant--ryan williams has been released.

[Ray_T 753]

maybe Dallas is gonna sign another RB?

[sirensong 111]

maybe Dallas is gonna sign another RB?

 

 

signed gus johnson, small-school UDFA. scouting report:

 

http://www.nfl.com/draft/2015/profiles/gus-johnson?id=2552630

 

likely just a camp body.

[Frozenbeernuts 2,264]

Admittedly I've never paid much attention to him... But looking at it, he's had all of 29 careers in 5 years with the Birds - you're basing it off of those stats?

Im basing it not only off those stats, but also what type of athlete he is also. Its not like a slower player who gets some nice blocks and gets lucky for a few long runs. He was burning people bad where they didnt really have a shot at tackling him. Plus its enough of a sample size for me with carries + receptions to show this wasnt just a fluke. Those big plays kept happening over and over.

 

Now maybe im wrong in the end and he cant handle more touches, but the Falcons never even tried! Thats whats frustrating. He has never gotten a shot to handle a larger work load. That does not seem fair or right when he has flashed the potential.

[Cruzer 1,995]

Im basing it not only off those stats, but also what type of athlete he is also. Its not like a slower player who gets some nice blocks and gets lucky for a few long runs. He was burning people bad where they didnt really have a shot at tackling him. Plus its enough of a sample size for me with carries + receptions to show this wasnt just a fluke. Those big plays kept happening over and over.

 

Now maybe im wrong in the end and he cant handle more touches, but the Falcons never even tried! Thats whats frustrating. He has never gotten a shot to handle a larger work load. That does not seem fair or right when he has flashed the potential.

Well - just looking at his sheet, he does appear to have some serious speed. Least he did - he's about to be 30 years old, not sure what is left... He also appears to be a bit small, 5'8 jumps off the page, for all the wrong reasons... Idk, maybe he has been railroaded and just needs a shot - just seems by the age of 30 if he really had anything, it would of come out by now.

[Frozenbeernuts 2,264]

Well - just looking at his sheet, he does appear to have some serious speed. Least he did - he's about to be 30 years old, not sure what is left... He also appears to be a bit small, 5'8 jumps off the page, for all the wrong reasons... Idk, maybe he has been railroaded and just needs a shot - just seems by the age of 30 if he really had anything, it would of come out by now.

It was coming out. What would we think of AP had he only gotten 23 carries and 13 catches for those numbers? We would be raging against the coaching staff. Because it happened to an unknown player we just kind of blow it off.

[R8RMick 242]

 

 

thanks man. as for manziel, he wasn't part of any plan. he was the equivalent of going to the car lot to buy a new work truck, and getting distracted by a sports car in the showroom. the cowboys didn't want manziel--jerry saw a shiny thing, but was wise enough to back off and trust his staff. to my mind, the manziel decision is the clearest evidence we have that business as usual in dallas has changed.

 

This is probably true, but I for one will not fail to recognize the role Jerry Jones has had here as well. He's taken heat when things have been down, so he needs some credit now that things are looking up. Especially when moves like the La'el Collins and Greg Hardy signings had his name all over it. Also, no doubt in my mind he was the final say on the Gregory draft pick as well, though I think at that point it was a no brainer.

 

I predicted he'd have Peterson in a Cowboy uniform by July 4th, and admittedly was off on that. But I know the burning desire J Jo has to win a super bowl, and I still feel some sort of significant move at RB is coming.

[Cruzer 1,995]

It was coming out. What would we think of AP had he only gotten 23 carries and 13 catches for those numbers? We would be raging against the coaching staff. Because it happened to an unknown player we just kind of blow it off.

It would depend... Depend on whether or not AP got 23 carries and 13 catches at age 23? If at that age, there's obvious reason and curiosity to see more... But if AP had reached the age of 30, and only gotten 23 carries and 13 catches - then I'd be scratching my head and leery of anything positive coming out of it.

[stonewall 647]

RB relevant--ryan williams has been released.

 

well, almost.....placed on IR

[sirensong 111]

 

well, almost.....placed on IR

 

no--cut. waived/injured.

 

unless something changed from yesterday.

[R8RMick 242]

 

I think the vast majority of NFL players reach for the goal line.

 

Interested in your take on Ryan Williams. Can he recover from the knee injury or has it just taken something he can't regain?

I've always felt the NFL was a young man's game, especially at RB. In what other sport are you washed up at 25 lol...?

 

Heard some positive things about Williams in the Dallas press, but obviously the injury was too much. That's what makes players like AP so special really. It's the sustained excellence and consistency. Having said that I can't see where even a hall of famer like Peterson has more than a year maybe two max left at a considerable high level. The Vikes are going to pay through the nose in 2016 and beyond for a player on the downhill side of his career. And for RBs that tangent is steep.

 

Can't believe they didn't move him.

[weepaws 3,191]

That's why listening to the press right now is not a great ideal . They been saying good things about a player that was hurt and just was cut .

[ralphster 274]

Mick how is Min paying through the nose beyond this year? They are set to cut him with minimal penalty next year unless he's still great, in which case it makes sense to pay him the 2016 money. If he does everything they need this year it'll be a bargain. Just my opinion.

[NEWPOSTERGUY! 288]

Specifically, Jones "expressed confidence" that Randle can handle the load as Dallas' lead runner. The Cowboys are expected to mix in washed-up Darren McFadden and scatback Lance Dunbar, but Randle is in position to open the season as the starter. A fifth-round pick in the 2013 draft, Randle is a questionable talent, albeit one poised to run behind the NFL's premier offensive line. Randle's fantasy stock is sure to skyrocket to the point where he's an aggressive-bordering-on-reaching fantasy pick by the end of August.

 

[Cruzer 1,995]

 

Specifically, Jones "expressed confidence" that Randle can handle the load as Dallas' lead runner. The Cowboys are expected to mix in washed-up Darren McFadden and scatback Lance Dunbar, but Randle is in position to open the season as the starter. A fifth-round pick in the 2013 draft, Randle is a questionable talent, albeit one poised to run behind the NFL's premier offensive line. Randle's fantasy stock is sure to skyrocket to the point where he's an aggressive-bordering-on-reaching fantasy pick by the end of August.

 

 

I think the consensus here is that it's Randle's job to lose..... But if he fails to do the job he's expected to in the blocking scheme, or if he continues to put the ball on the ground - his ass will be watching somebody else carry it.

[R8RMick 242]

Mick how is Min paying through the nose beyond this year? They are set to cut him with minimal penalty next year unless he's still great, in which case it makes sense to pay him the 2016 money. If he does everything they need this year it'll be a bargain. Just my opinion.

Yeah stand corrected seeing that 2016 guarantee is for 'injury.' Also team has to make a decision on him by day three of official 2016 season start, which will allow him to hit the market before the major FA money has flowed. You're right, mainly 2015 is guaranteed.

[R8RMick 242]

What people don't realize is that our standing and rise to power in the NFC has less to do with offense, as it does with defense. As long as A. Rodgers is around - you don't advance unless you can get him off the field on 3rd down. We failed miserably last year at that, and Dez catch or no catch - we would have still lost that game bcoz of that very reason.

Watched that playoff game on NFL Rewind again yesterday and two things stood out.

 

1. DeMarco Murray was absolutely having his way with GB defense. They could have ran him 40 times for 200 yards. He continuously put his head down and pushed the pile 3-4 yards further on every play. That's power running. But Cowboy coaches like to get cute at times. One specific drive late in first half they had driven into GB territory and on first down went to a full on pass formation, as they are liken to do. The drive stalled, and they settled for a Dan Bailey FG which he missed. My opinion is that all too often Cowboy coaches have gone away from the run on early downs, even when they had been gashing other teams, only to see drives stall.

 

This habit literally torpedoed their season when they threw the ball on 2nd and goal from the 3 yd line against Washington in the very game Romo got hurt. Losing that game cost them home field advantage in the playoffs and that habit of switching away from the run will cost them dearly, whether the RB is Randle, McFadden or whomever.

 

Secondly, Aaron Rodgers dissected the Cowboys defense on one leg in that playoff game. He made the right reads, gimped around and lasered passes exactly where they needed to be. With the high level that Packer offensive line is playing at, there's no way to stop an Aaron Rodgers. The only thing you can do is keep him off the field, which is how they controlled the first half of that game. In the second half GB won the TOP battle and the game.

 

The biggest question I'd have as a Dallas fan is can Joseph Randle produce in the power running style they need to be successful? Right now I say the answer to that question is no.

[Cruzer 1,995]

Secondly, Aaron Rodgers dissected the Cowboys defense on one leg in that playoff game. He made the right reads, gimped around and lasered passes exactly where they needed to be. With the high level that Packer offensive line is playing at, there's no way to stop an Aaron Rodgers. The only thing you can do is keep him off the field, which is how they controlled the first half of that game. In the second half GB won the TOP battle and the game.

We had our chances to win that game for sure. But like you we've both said - we could never stop Rodgers, especially on 3rd down... Murray's fumble in that game and the missed opportunity to get on the loose ball kick are the 2 main things that killed us that game.... People still talk about the "catch". Wouldn't have mattered, with over 4 minutes to go, Rodgers would have scored again.

[Crystal Meth Tweekers 26]

Run DMC is on the PUP of course.

 

http://cowboysblog.dallasnews.com/2015/07/cowboys-rb-darren-mcfadden-to-start-training-camp-on-pup-because-of-hamstring-injury.html/

[sirensong 111]

My opinion is that all too often Cowboy coaches have gone away from the run on early downs, even when they had been gashing other teams, only to see drives stall.

 

 

 

on first down in 2014, DAL ran the ball 70.8% of the time. that's an insanely high number, which led to excellent success on 2nd down play action.

 

DAL was also 2nd in the league in 3rd down efficiency, tied with GB and 1% behind NO. They also ranked 6th lowest in number of 3rd down attempts, meaning that they were better at converting 2nd downs into 1st downs than most of the league.

 

so i don't really understand your assertion about drives stalling--DAL had fewer drives stalling than pretty much anyone.

[Frozenbeernuts 2,264]

He wants 100% runs on 1st and 2nd apparently.

[R8RMick 242]

 

 

on first down in 2014, DAL ran the ball 70.8% of the time. that's an insanely high number, which led to excellent success on 2nd down play action.

 

DAL was also 2nd in the league in 3rd down efficiency, tied with GB and 1% behind NO. They also ranked 6th lowest in number of 3rd down attempts, meaning that they were better at converting 2nd downs into 1st downs than most of the league.

 

so i don't really understand your assertion about drives stalling--DAL had fewer drives stalling than pretty much anyone.

Maybe so. But when you're running the ball at will why switch away from that? That propensity is there, it's not imagined and was something Cowboy fans including you have complained about in past years.

 

They have such an absolute hammer at their disposal, as there is no greater killer of morale than running the football with the other team powerless to stop you.

 

I know my post is unrealistic, but it's magnified when those stalled drives are critical.

[Cruzer 1,995]

Maybe so. But when you're running the ball at will why switch away from that?

You make it sound like they stopped running the ball and jumped into the Run and Shoot....... For the game, Dallas ran it 28 times - opposed to only 19 pass attempts. And the few they did throw, Romo was fantastic - ended up with a 143.6 qb rating.

[sirensong 111]

Maybe so. But when you're running the ball at will why switch away from that? That propensity is there, it's not imagined and was something Cowboy fans including you have complained about in past years.

 

They have such an absolute hammer at their disposal, as there is no greater killer of morale than running the football with the other team powerless to stop you.

 

I know my post is unrealistic, but it's magnified when those stalled drives are critical.

 

 

you're not wrong, historically speaking. but 2014 represented a major break, so much so that many commenters were starting to wonder if garrett's passing obsession had simply flipped to a rushing obsession. 2 points are relevant here.

 

first, playcalling is not an ad hoc affair--it's largely dictated by the manner in which an offense wants to attack a defense in a particular way. as military people put it, tactics (playcalling) need to flow from strategy (gameplanning). so it isn't just a matter of linehan saying "it's 2nd and goal from the 3, let's run it because 3 yards means run." perhaps they had been setting up that play. perhaps they had isolated a strong defensive tendency, or a personnel mismatch. in any case, the defense also knows that it's 2nd and goal from the 3, and that murray is a physical runner. so does it make sense to do exactly what the defense expects, and must prioritize? especially when failing to convert basically forces the offense into a passing situation on 3rd down? the defense gets paid too, and they get a say in how things turn out.

 

a second military concept is known as 'combined arms'. in short, the goal is to use all of your weapons together, such that the overall effect becomes greater than the sum of its parts. you're focusing on murray alone, but let's think about the other weapons involved. you have the best red zone receiver in the league (dez). you have a HOF-caliber TE. you have a 6'6" second TE who is a physical mismatch for any defender, and has incredible hands (escobar). you have an uncoverable slot receiver (beasley), not to mention a WR2 who put up 8 TDs with limited looks (williams). and you have the most accurate passer in the league.

 

so simply bashing murray into the teeth of a goal line defense that is anticipating the run--while neglecting all those other weapons--is questionable. as sun tzu said, winning consistently is a matter of attacking the enemy's plan. every DAL fan will remember switzer running one of the best RBs in history--behind one of the best offensive lines in history--and coming away empty 4 consecutive times on the goal line.

 

he was rightly castigated for it.

[tanatastic 2,062]

CJ0K will sign with Dal and lead the team in rushing. You heard it here first.

[Frozenbeernuts 2,264]

CJ0K will sign with Dal and lead the team in rushing. You heard it here first.

no

[Mr Neil 63]

Trade DMC and Dunbar and a 4th rounder to KC for Kniles Davis and get it done. Side note Ray Rice won't do anything if they get him. He is not the answer. Heard Herm Edwards screaming about Dallas picking him up. Hell pick up Pierre Thomas before you pick Ray Rice up

[Cruzer 1,995]

Trade DMC and Dunbar and a 4th rounder to KC for Kniles Davis and get it done. Side note Ray Rice won't do anything if they get him. He is not the answer. Heard Herm Edwards screaming about Dallas picking him up. Hell pick up Pierre Thomas before you pick Ray Rice up

Hum, interesting... Don't know a lot about Davis - what's the book on him?

[cbfalcon 825]

Maybe so. But when you're running the ball at will why switch away from that? That propensity is there, it's not imagined and was something Cowboy fans including you have complained about in past years.

 

They have such an absolute hammer at their disposal, as there is no greater killer of morale than running the football with the other team powerless to stop you.

 

I know my post is unrealistic, but it's magnified when those stalled drives are critical.

 

Most single season Rushing attempts in NFL History

1. Larry Johnson (26) 416 2006 KAN 2. Jamal Anderson (25) 410 1998 ATL 3. James Wilder (26) 407 1984 TAM 4. Eric Dickerson+ (26) 404 1986 RAM 5. Eddie George (26) 403 2000 TEN 6. Gerald Riggs (24) 397 1985 ATL 7. DeMarco Murray (26) 392 2014 DAL

 

This should tell you that they kinda did do what you are saying. But you think they needed to do it even more?

[cbfalcon 825]

Hum, interesting... Don't know a lot about Davis - what's the book on him?

In college, he was as good as any back in the country as a sophomore really, but he had injury/fumbling issues.

 

But in seeing how talented he was, I drafted him in our Dynasty league. I consider him a stud in waiting that I believe will be a top 7-8 back when he gets out from behind Jamaal Charles.

[tanatastic 2,062]

 

In college, he was as good as any back in the country as a sophomore really, but he had injury/fumbling issues.

 

But in seeing how talented he was, I drafted him in our Dynasty league. I consider him a stud in waiting that I believe will be a top 7-8 back when he gets out from behind Jamaal Charles.

Davis would make the pro bowl if he was Dal starting rb.

[sirensong 111]

Davis would make the pro bowl if he was Dal starting rb.

 

 

you would make the pro bowl running behind that line.

[Flgatorguy87 160]

 

 

you would make the pro bowl running behind that line.

Haha

 

Touché

[tanatastic 2,062]

 

 

you would make the pro bowl running behind that line.

Randle wont.