Maybe Joseph Randle and Darren McFadden really can do more with the opportunities afforded them in the Dallas Cowboys backfield next year than last year's leading rusher DeMarco Murray did in the same spot in 2014 - maybe not. Whether a guy who has never carried the ball more than 54 times in an NFL season and a guy who has a career 4.1 yard-per-carry average over seven NFL seasons can pace an offense that was predicated on a strong, power running game last season and likely looking to do the same next year, is debatable. What isn't is that the Cowboys and GM Jerry Jones and COO Stephen Jones don't seem certain that their two-headed monster of Randle and McFadden can get the job done. Otherwise, the team probably wouldn't be keeping tabs on former Titans and Jets running back Chris Johnson, which, according to Rand Getlin of NFL.com, is exactly what they're doing.
Per Getlin, Johnson said that he's feeling "healthy" and "explosive" and is "ready to get back on the field. His agent has been keeping in contact with teams, only one of which Getlin can confirm - the Cowboys. Johnson's potential addition the stable of Dallas ballcarriers has been floated previously this offseason - Johnson even went so far as to tell the franchise to "come holler at me." While his single season in New York was a disappointment overall, he still managed over 4 yards-per-carry. Over the previous six seasons in Tennessee, Johnson eclipsed the 1,000-yard rushing mark each year.
The former first-round pick and record holder for fastest 40-yard-dash at the NFL rookie scouting combine has been dealing with a gunshot wound to his shoulder suffered while he was in his hometown of Orlando earlier this offseason.
Healthy and looking to put the ordeal behind him, Johnson, 29, is a low-risk, potentially high-reward type player who could add another element to the Cowboys backfield. Yes, the Dallas offensive line is one of the strongest in the league, but no it cannot completely overcome the loss of a gifted player like Murray.
Randle and McFadden are good players and could potentially do well in the Cowboys' offense. Johnson represents a chance for Dallas to field something special in 2015.
