Free Agents 2008: Running Backs

by Brandon Worley on Feb 25, 2008 11:09 PM CST in Dallas Cowboys News

Here is a short list of running backs expected to become free agents in 2008:

Michael Turner (Age 25) - San Diego; 316 yards, 4.5 ave., 1 TD (16 games, 0 starts)
Chris Brown (Age 26) - Tennessee; 462 yards, 4.5 ave., 5 TD (12 games, 1 start)
Derrick Ward (Age 27) - NY Giants; 603 yards, 4.8 ave., 3 TD (8 games, 5 starts)
Michael Pittman (Age 32) - Tampa Bay; 286 yards, 4.2 ave., 0 TD (10 games, 3 starts)
Ron Dayne (Age 29) - Houston; 773 yards, 4.0 ave., 6 TD (13 games, 8 starts)
T.J. Duckett (Age 26) - Detroit; 335 yards, 5.2 ave., 3 TD (12 games, 1 start)
Musa Smith (Age 25) - Baltimore; 264 yards, 3.5 ave., 2 TD (16 games, 1 start)
Mewelde Moore (Age 25) - Minnesota; 113 yards, 5.6 ave., 0 TD (12 games, 0 starts)
Julius Jones (Age 26) - Dallas; 588 yards, 3.6 ave., 2 TD (16 games, 16 starts)

Fullbacks:
Dan Kreider (Age 30) - Pittsburgh; 5-11, 255
Tony Richardson (Age 36) - Minnesota; 6-1, 238
Cecil Sapp (Age 29) - Denver; 5-11, 229
Thomas Tapeh (Age 27) - Philadelphia; 6-1, 243
Brad Hoover (Age 31) - Carolina; 6-0, 245

Julius Jones is gone. It's been well documented that he is on his way out and it's just a matter of waiting until free agency starts for it to become official. The Cowboys have yet to reach a contract agreement with Marion Barber but they will tender him at the highest level possible in order to keep him around at least for this year. But someone is needed to give Barber a break and provide the true change of pace home run hitter that Julius Jones never quite panned out to be. Many believe that the Cowboys are looking towards the draft for this second back, especially with a smörgåsbord of running backs entering the draft this year that has Cowboys fans drooling from the mouths. Of course, Jerry Jones has made the impression that the route the Cowboys will take is not the most obvious one:

Without Julius Jones signed, it's obvious we need to look at running back. How we get there might surprise you. It can be, but it's not necessarily, drafting one.

Of course, this is Jerry speak, where anything that comes out of his mouth has an infinite amount of meaning. Yet Jerry alludes to the scenario of the Cowboys looking to free agency to pick up a complimentary running back but it seems the pickings are slim. Michael Turner is the top running back in free agency this year but he has made it clear that he is looking for a starting role as a feature back, a job he will not find in Dallas. Derrick Ward is also intriguing as the Cowboys have seen first hand his ability to break a play into the open field. None of the players listed above, however, have as much upside a number of the running backs in the draft this year do and the Cowboys would be smarter in the long run if they choose to look there for a second back next to Marion Barber.

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M Moore would be a fine choice..

Moore's got a nice overall package. and will come relatively cheap i imagine.

Turner...well..that's my boy, if MBIII doesn't sign, and we don't go RB in the 1st... look for us to go that route.

I kinda like Duckett too...He sure tore through our defense...he's a Brandon Jacobs clone.That size and speed ratio is sweet...5.2 yards per carry is what it is..

True Cowboys diehard since 1975.

by BoyzRback07 on Feb 25, 2008 11:21 PM CST reply actions

Agree 100% on Mewelde Moore....

He was underutilized in MN. The knock on Moore is that he doesn't play hurt.

Moore is also a pretty good punt returner, taking a couple back to the house during his career.

Moore would be a nice upgrade over Tyson Thompson, but I would assume he'll want more than we can offer him as a #3 RB.

by Fargo Cowboys on Feb 26, 2008 9:28 AM CST up reply actions

I think we can get him on the cheap...

He is not a starter, won't be a starter, and won't have any leverage to command big dollars...I think we can get him alot cheaper than you imagine..slightly more than the minimum....journeyman RB's are a dime a dozen, and i'm pretty sure he knows that. Lifespan in this league for non starting RB's is pretty brief....There are currently NO RB's on our depth chart, so he may be compelled to play for a little less to be part of a championship caliber team.

True Cowboys diehard since 1975.

by BoyzRback07 on Feb 26, 2008 9:41 AM CST up reply actions

the only guy on that list i like

is Ward. I'e seen a ton of giants games this year, and he always impressed me...hes got good enough speed to offset barber's power. I think Turner will cost too much, and i've never been that high on chris brown, although i guess hes not a bad option if we really are gonna look to free agency to fill the rb need.I don't entirely believe that though.

by cmdenero on Feb 26, 2008 12:58 AM CST reply actions

Don't screw this up Jerry

I just hope he doesn't try and get cute with this. WE have two first round picks at good spots in the draft. We should be able to get two solid picks. I am still seething at the chance to get Stephen Jackson. All he needs to do is pick one of the top backs on the board when the time comes.

by rlgiv on Feb 26, 2008 6:34 AM CST reply actions

Running Game is Just Fine

The 2007 running game for the Cowboys was just fine. I believe Dallas had the third ranked offense in the NFL with the combination of Jones/Barber. Assuming Barber is resigned, why do so many feel the need to dramatically upgrade the position held by Julius Jones? Any of the guys on that list would be just fine as the complimentary running back, and the Cowboys offense will hum along swimmingly in 2008 as long as Romo, Witten and TO are healthy. And if they are not, then it really doesn't matter who the running backs are. You don't win in the NFL without a strong passing game.

The problem at the end of the season with the Cowboys offense had nothing to do with the running game. It was caused by the injury to Terrell Owens. You don't solve that problem by getting a better running back.

Sounds like Jerry may be on top of this and decide that a second-tier free agent is the correct way to fill the complimentary running back spot. Good for him. Use the draft picks and salary cap $$$ where they will have an impact on the success of the team.

by Cowboy Louie on Feb 26, 2008 7:52 AM CST reply actions

Agreed, but...

Given that this is a much deeper RB draft than a WR draft, it makes sense to pick a RB at the end of the first to fill this role. If we can get a guy with good speed that could potentially help in the passing game too, so much the better. If there were great WR prospects in this draft, I'd tend to agree with you, but I think there's better value at RB.

by grapejoos on Feb 26, 2008 9:50 AM CST up reply actions

I would really like to see a comparison

of offensive success when julius was in the game and when marion was in the game, cause i felt all season like the offense did extremely well when barber was in the game and completely fell apart when julius was in there. I think the difference there is that barber brings his receiving skills to the table, which gives romo an outlet that he doesn't have with julius.

by cmdenero on Feb 26, 2008 1:13 PM CST up reply actions

I agree with you louie

I think everybody is getting stars in their eyes,mainly because of the depth at running back in the 2008. But the simple truth is we don't NEED a stud RB to get to the superbowl. We've got a stud running back. We just need a COMPLIMENTARY BACK to spell MBIII for maybe 8-10 touches a game.We don't need a world beater,just a good back thats productive.

You'll never get in a traffic jam,while going the extra mile. -Roger staubach

by TrueBlue24 on Feb 26, 2008 8:12 AM CST reply actions

Drafting a RB and signing a vet

at the minimum would not be bad in case the drafted back turns out to be a bust, which in the draft is a high probability. I always thought Chris Brown was a good runner, but he was injury prone. This might not be as big a deal if he backs up Marion. Check out this video of Brown stiff arming our own Roy Williams. Just think we could get Brown for a pittance compared to what we pay Roy.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=huviqugFZi8&feature=related

by BigE on Feb 26, 2008 8:39 AM CST reply actions

I think Jerry might be going after Turner

he's the only RB on that list with any kind of speed to complement MB3. Just a hunch.

In Romo we Trust

by Terry on Feb 26, 2008 9:24 AM CST reply actions

That would be a huge bonus....

They both can pound the ball, and if you had those two interchanging during drives, it would wear teams down often...I would take Turner over most of the backs in this years draft...

Once again....If MBIII does not sign a contract now, within the next week....I would make Turner my #1 target, and give him about 4.5-5 million per season, which in total contract, is about what Stewart and Mendenhall will get, and far less than what DMac would command....so it's a reasonable deal, and it makes real economical sense...Turner is a proven commodity.

Tender MBIII for a 1st rounder only...and let him test the waters, and if he gets it fine....we'll have 3 1st rounders...if he stays here, fine....at 2.0 million, that's pretty cheap....

True Cowboys diehard since 1975.

by BoyzRback07 on Feb 26, 2008 9:55 AM CST up reply actions