RB Draft Strategy of the Dallas Cowboys
It is obvious that there is a hole in the 3rd and potentially 4th CB spot on the Cowboys roster. The 2008 draft should be effectively used to fill either one or both of those holes. Perhaps Alan Ball could be the answer for the 4th or maybe even 3rd spot, however this is unlikely and a top-flight CB should be taken. Be it Rogers-Cromartie, Jenkins, Cason, Talib, Flowers, or even King--The Cowboys should immediately take the most talented player remaining in the draft at pick 22.
The second most glaring weakness on The Cowboys roster is the position of running back--this too should be addressed in the first round, but using the second pick. I personally have taken a swig of the Felix Jones Kool-Aid and feel like he is a very good fit. However, if one thing were to happen to Jones or even Marion Barber in the way of injuries, could one of those two backs handle the load of one every-down type back? The answer is no.
This is where the importance of drafting two or possibly even three running backs may be paramount to the success of The Cowboys.
The 2008 draft has been widely speculated as one full of talent for the position of running back. Darren McFadden, Rashard Mendenhall, and Jonathan Stewart rounding out the upper-echelon of running backs. Not far behind those backs are a muddle of backs: Felix Jones, Jamaal Charles, Ray Rice, Kevin Smith, and Chris Johnson; these second-tier backs may prove to be just what The Cowboys are looking for.
As insurance I would like to see The Cowboys supplement a 'change of pace back' like Jones or Johnson with a tough, all-purpose back. Ray Rice and Kevin Smith are great candidates for the role. With good hands and durability, these backs could fit into The Cowboys offensive system and be quite productive as stand alone picks.
Regardless of what situation The Cowboys may face, these backs are willing and should be ready to carry whatever load Jason Garrett demands of them. Hypothetically, Marion Barber is rushing like a beast breaking tackles and one stray defender falls on his leg and tweaks his knee. The rushing load would be placed on the shoulders of one, elusive back that may have not even carried a full college load. With one of these all-purpose backs, The Cowboys will still be able to run an effective offense and use the change of pace back without missing a stride--presumably. The same can be said about if Jones or whatever change of pace back were to get injured. Kevin Smith could very easily be plugged in and catch the ball on 3rd down situations, his play could be similar to that of Kevin Faulk of the New England Patriots. Personally, I like this idea of a violent, tackle-breaking backfield--it evens out the finesse involved in Jason Garrett's passing offense. And finally, in the upcoming year, if Marion Barber were to demand a contract that The Cowboys simply could not afford, these all-purpose backs could become potential starters or members of the rushing committee.
It just makes sense for there to be more than one quality back taken in this draft, regardless of whether it is for insurance or the future of The Cowboys backfield.
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12 comments
Comments
I'm all for it....
Felix Jones(1st) & Matt Forte(2nd) would be our tandem of the future when MBIII leaves after this season.
Felix Jones &
Kevin Smith
Tashard Choice
Chad Simpson
Chauncey Washington
et. etc. etc..
by BoyzRback07 on Apr 11, 2008 6:05 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
there is also the possibility of acquiring
a veteran RB after some June 1st cuts or traing camp cuts, that we could get cheap and use in case of emergency.
Keep in mind though, we're not really a running team and use the run to just complelent our passing game to keep teams off balance. Therefore, the importance of having a really strong running isn't as great for us like it is for other teams.
by Terry on Apr 11, 2008 7:45 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
I couldn't agree more.
Look at what the Giants and Packers did when their backs went down last year. They had young guys like Derrick Ward, Ahmad Bradshaw, and Ryan Grant (whom the Giants drafted).
Young RBs can make a difference in a game and an immediate impact in their rookie season. Even without MBIII or their top RB draftee getting hurt, they need a third guy to come in for mop up duty. They need somebody to pound on the opposing defenses while Marion and Felix are getting breathers or are a little knicked up.
I would grab one in the 1st or 2nd, another big productive back in the 4th, and then another all-purpose/FB guy in the 6th or 7th.
by Aaron Novinger on Apr 11, 2008 9:23 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Trivia Question
Trivia Question: Who is currently the Dallas Cowboys’ starting running back? The answer has to be Alonzo Coleman, because he is the only running back currently under contract. As the days pass, it becomes more and more likely that Dallas will not sign MB3 to either the $2.5M tender offer or a long-term contract before the draft. The Cowboys are being held hostage by the draft and potentially by Marion Barber. It is a terrible position to be in.
I strongly believe that the Cowboys should make every effort to sign Ron Dayne right away (within reason, of course) so they can enter the draft without being forced to draft a running back on the first day based on need. Maybe the draft will fall favorably, and the opportunity will present itself. But maybe not, and if it doesn’t the Cowboys will be forced to reach for a player. That is how the team acquired such talents as Shante Carver, Dwayne Goodrich, etc.
Sign Ron Dayne, draft at least one running back in the mid rounds, draft another in the late rounds, bring a few guys to camp as UFA’s, perhaps sign a June 1st veteran and then hold firm with MB3 for the one-year tender. That is how the running back situation should be addressed (oh yeah, and cut Alonzo Coleman).
What Terry said in an earlier post is absolutely true:
Keep in mind though, we're not really a running team and use the run to just complement our passing game to keep teams off balance. Therefore, the importance of having a really strong running isn't as great for us like it is for other teams.
So let’s allocate our high draft picks and major contracts to players at other positions. We are a passing team, and an extremely successful one at that.
by Cowboy Louie on Apr 11, 2008 1:13 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
addendum to post
After posting, it occurred to me that the reader may interpret my post as 'Terry agrees with this position' since I used one of his quotes, potentially out-of-context. That was not my intention. I just thought his was a point well said that furthered my own argument.
Terry can, (and does!) clearly state his own opinions and I was not trying to insinuate that he agrees with my position on the Cowboys running backs situation.
by Cowboy Louie on Apr 11, 2008 1:25 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
LOL!
your funny Louie, and agree with acquring a veteran back but not necessarily Ron Dayne, I think we can wait and get a better veteran back after the June 1st cuts and training camp cuts.
by Terry on Apr 11, 2008 1:52 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Rumor is the Raiders will cut
Lamont Jordan. He could still have some gas left in the tank, and come with a cheap price tag.
by APerfectStar on Apr 11, 2008 8:14 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I'd sign Jordan in a heartbeat
by Terry on Apr 12, 2008 8:50 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I'm all for getting Jordan....
Would be an ideal pick up after June 1st...if he was to come cheap...Instant insurance policy if Barber decides to play hard ball,gets hurt, and/or leaves after '08 season.
Great backfield for '08
#1 MBIII-RB
#2 Felix Jones-RB-R
#3 Lamont Jordan-RB
#1 Deon Anderson-FB
#2 Schmitt, Hillis, Hester, or Carl Stewart-FB-R
I'm not a real big Ron Dayne fan...but he did torch us big time last time we faced him....and he'd be a viable #3 RB as well...on the cheap.
by BoyzRback07 on Apr 12, 2008 7:25 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Jordan or Dayne, either is fine
2007 Marion Barber: 975 yards, 4.8 average, 10td’s behind one of the best offensive lines in football against defenses that were forced to play pass first.
2007 Ron Dayne: 773 yards, 4.0 average, 6 td’s in a bad offense playing against defenses that focused on stopping the run because Houston was missing its starting qb and stud WR for much of the year.
2007 LaMont Jordan: 549 yards, 3.8 average, 3td’s in a really, really bad offense.
I believe Ron Dayne’s stats would have been similar to Barber’s if he was in MB3’s position in Dallas last season. Perhaps Jordan’s stats would have been similar as well.
Either Dayne or Jordan would be a very welcome piece of insurance right now. If there is no running back signed before the draft (either MB3 or a veteran) then Dallas has no choice but to go running back with one of its top three picks. Free agency should be used to build depth that allows teams to avoid drafting based on need. The draft should be used to build your team for the next five years, not next year.
by Cowboy Louie on Apr 12, 2008 12:49 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
NO to Ron Dayne
He's been a wasted pick since the Giants drafted him. What's he going to do, run into the pile and fall down, he's a straight ahead runner.
Lamont Jordan is a complimentary back who should of stayed with the Jets, more of a half back/fullback than a running back.
Dallas probably wont add any running back via free agency until after the draft.
Dallas was always going to draft a running back in this draft, its number two on the list of specific needs on this team after corner.
by Deke on Apr 12, 2008 1:02 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

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