The Dallas Cowboys let the NFL's leading rusher in DeMarco Murray sign with the NFC East rival Philadelphia Eagles in free agency. Then, owner Jerry Jones added Darren McFadden, who hasn't posted a yards-per-carry mark better than 3.4 in three seasons, before neglecting the position completely in the NFL draft.
Outsider observers, including myself, didn't know what to make of this plan. Everyone knows that Dallas' offensive line is one of the best in the NFL and it only got better with the addition of LSU star La'El Collins. But could that line completely make up for a lack of running back talent?
The Cowboys seem to think so as they appear content with McFadden, Joseph Randle and Lance Dunbar as their primary running backs.
"I wonder if we have been looking at this running back thing all wrong," ESPN Cowboys reporter Todd Archer wrote. "Every time a veteran gets released, he is immediately linked to the Cowboys. Take Shonn Greene. I'm told there is no interest in Greene right now. Just as there is no interest in Ray Rice, Chris Johnson, Ben Tate and Herschel Walker (hopefully that brought a chuckle.) But owner Jerry Jones made an interesting comment at last week's minicamp. To summarize because it was far too long of a quote: any back the Cowboys sign now would be a backup variety because they like what they have. So that fourth runner better be able to play special teams. If he can't then adding a veteran now makes no sense. If the Cowboys aren't as pleased in camp and through the preseason, then that's when they'll look at a veteran. I don't wonder this. This is something I know: when the Cowboys scouts go on the road this summer for the preseason games they will be looking hard at running backs.
Of the trio, Randle has been receiving the most hype as a potential feature back. Although talented (4.8 career YPC), Randle has just 105 rushing attempts in his two year career. It remains to be seen whether or not he can adequately assume the roles of a lead running back. The same goes for Dunbar, who has a much smaller frame, and McFadden, who is a constant injury risk. But, for what it's worth, Jones doesn't appear too worries so maybe Cowboys fans shouldn't be either.
