Cowboys find replacement TB

[Sirhornsalot]

Dallas Cowboys have agreed to a deal with Oakland Raiders TB Darren McFadden (arkansas).

I'm not thrilled.

http://www.msn.com/en-us/sports/nfl/ap-source-mcfadden-agrees-to-contract-with-cowboys/ar-AA9Jnjl?ocid=ansspap11

 

[Sirhornsalot]

IRVING, Texas -- The Dallas Cowboys cast their vote with their offensive line in allowing DeMarco Murray to depart via free agency. By signing Darren McFadden to a two-year deal on Friday, we’ll be able to judge just how good the offensive line is. 

The Cowboys’ faith in the offensive line is warranted. Tyron Smith is one of the top three left tackles in football and a two-time All Pro. Right guard Zack Martin was named to the Pro Bowl as a rookie, and became the first Cowboys rookie to earn All-Pro honors since 1969. Center Travis Frederick was named to the Pro Bowl as well. 

Right tackle Doug Free and left guard Ronald Leary are solid starters as well. 

The Cowboys were one of the top destinations for free-agent running backs. Who wouldn’t want to run behind that line, have Tony Romo at quarterback, Dez Bryant at wide receiver and Jason Witten at tight end? 

All of that should make life easier for a running back. 

Like Murray, McFadden has battled injuries. Like Murray, he played his first 16-game season in 2014. He has one 1,000 yard season to his credit (1,157 yards in 2010). 

But in Oakland, McFadden hasn’t had an offensive line to run behind like he will have in Dallas. This is a low-risk chance for the Cowboys after losing out on Murray in a big-money game with the Philadelphia Eagles. 

The addition of McFadden will not stop the Cowboys from selecting a running back in the early parts of the upcoming draft. 

What the addition of McFadden does is allow said rookie -- Todd Gurley, Melvin Gordon or Tevin Coleman -- to not have to be the guy right away. While the transition to the NFL at running back is easier than other positions, it’s still a lot to ask a rookie to fill in for the NFL’s leading rusher. 

Murray had 392 carries for the Cowboys in 2014, a franchise record. It’s clear that record will be safe in 2015. 

The Cowboys know they will need a committee approach at running back. In 2009, they ran for 2,103 yards and 14 touchdowns as a team with Marion Barber, Felix Jones and Tashard Choice as their top rushers. They went 11-5 and won a playoff game with an offensive line that had Pro Bowlers in Andre Gurode and Leonard Davis. 

The runners will be different in Dallas in 2015, but that doesn’t mean the running game will change.

 

[Etex Horn]

Don't watch NFL personnel moves so much anymore...but there were rumors of possibly A. Peterson

joining the Cowboys. Is that no longer a possibility? Any chance that could still happen?

 

[Worster1]

I am not thrilled either... think about this pick for 10 seconds.  Where did he play college ball?  Where did Jerrah play his college ball? 

Seriously.  Is this the best the Cowboys could do or was this a Jerrah mercy pick to get an fellow hawg out of that hell - hole of a team in Oakland?

We will see.

 

[streettopeschel]

I know cowboy fan wants to believe any back would rack up big numbers behind that line, but if DAL doesn't have another move this is a big downgrade at RB

 

[popdaddy]

There were so many years of joy, disappointment but always pride after my Daddy and I decided we were Dallas Cowboy fans over the Dallas Texans.

I cherish my history of being the Dallas Cowboy fan wherever I lived across America among other fan bases in the 70's and 80's.  Then came Jerrah, such a douche bag from Arkansas.  I coped with his management when Jimmy Johnson was running the team in the early 90's.  But, of course, Jerrah couldn't stand success attributed to anyone but him.

I've pretty much given up on the NFL because of Jones destruction of America's Team.

 

[SFlonghorngirl]

Of the free agent RBs, would you rather have McFadden, Spiller, or Bush?

 

[streettopeschel]

Spiller signed with NO

 

[Etex Horn]

Spiller signed with NO

No chance for Peterson? Personally, I don't like Peterson. Asked about him earlieron this thread, got no reply. Like him or not, Peterson is talented.

 

[streettopeschel]

No chance for Peterson? Personally, I don't like Peterson. Asked about him earlier

on this thread, got no reply. Like him or not, Peterson is talented.

he's not a free agent so they'd have to trade for him. And pay him. And they didn't want to pay Murray. So who knows?

 

[Aaron Carrara]

As a Dallas fan, I'm incredulous that Jerry Jones let the league's leading rusher get away.  Murray had 500 yards more than any back in the league last year.  And I hope the McFadden signing had nothing to do with him being an Arkansas guy but it probably did.  There is no modus ponens to this deal.

 

[The Bry-Man81]

I think one important thing here is that Murray is getting 20 mil guaranteed from Philly, and we're paying 6 mil total (not sure how much is guaranteed) for McFadden. That's money saved that will help pay Dez for a long term deal next year, and may signify the beginning of money smart decisions that will help us to have the money to keep our young offensive lineman when the time comes to pay them. McFadden is a low risk signing that has potential to pay big dividends. Then we draft a talented RB this year, and if McFadden doesn't work out, maybe that back can fill the role.

I think if we draft a talented back, he could be our next Murray: a talented back that has potential to be serviceable for 4 - 5 years. If he can stay healthy, maybe he can be better over more seasons.

 

[Sirhornsalot]

From what I've heard up here in DFW, the plan is to let McFadden see what he can do behind a quality OL WHILE a 1st round TB draft pick gets eased into the system. Its a transition to get from one place to another.

STP is right on AD. He's under contract with another team. He would have to be traded. Not that Jerrah is afraid to make a trade, but saving money was supposed to be the gist of this deal with the thinking that Murray has seen his best days already.

This is Jerrah doing the same thing he did with Marion Barber, anticipate the twilight years of a career. There were some ticked off folks up here when he let Marion Barber go.

I like Bush but I don't view him as an every down back. If McFadden can stay healthy, maybe we do see a different back behind this OL. We'll see.

 

[java]

SHA, I believe you are right about anticipation. The same was said when Jerry let ES go to the Cards. As much as I hate to admit it, Jones was right when it came to Smith. His best days were behind him. Running backs only have so many hits in them.

Please note, however, that I still think Jerrah is a buffoon that is undeserving of our Cowboys. He's an 'idoit'!

 

[drgilbert]

I don't have a problem with the signing of McFadden, when he was healthy he had some speed and ability. I think Bry-man brought up a lot of good points that I agree with. Now on drafting a RB in the first round I don't agree with. We need a pass rusher a lot more than we need a RB. We have the o- line to dominate, so yes we can be like Denver used to be and just plug and play RB's. I also think Dez is more important to the team than Murray.

 

[dillohorn]

The reason is......Arkansas. Jones is an idiot.

 

[echeese]

Good lord . . .. some of you are letting your Jerrah hate overwhelm your thinking.

Great signing. . . . . .very low cost ($200,000 signing bonus). . .no risk and if he's healthy, HUGE upside.  He's not a replacement, he's a part.

Da Boys have a good track record with reclamation projects. . . . if it doesn't work. . . bye bye . . .no cap hit.

Financially signing Murray to the numbers he got (and i don't blame him for taking it) is what got them in cap hell.  They made Murray an excellent offer but Philly overpaid. . .

Over under on Murray next year is 1250, I'm taking the under.

 

[echeese]

I am not thrilled either... think about this pick for 10 seconds.  Where did he play college ball?  Where did Jerrah play his college ball? 

Seriously.  Is this the best the Cowboys could do or was this a Jerrah mercy pick to get an fellow hawg out of that hell - hole of a team in Oakland?

We will see.

Not to rain on your conspiracy but JJ has actually brought more Horns to Dallas than Pigs. . . . yep, count'em up. . . .

Wane McGarity (drafted)

Tony Hills

Derrick Dockery

Henry Melton

Chris Whaley

Roy Williams

 

[J.B. TexasEx]

Not to rain on your conspiracy but JJ has actually brought more Horns to Dallas than Pigs. . . . yep, count'em up. . . .

Wane McGarity (drafted)

Tony Hills

Derrick Dockery

Henry Melton

Chris Whaley

Roy Williams

Don't mess with Chuck when it comes to the Cowboys!

Good list. I remember being pissed off at Jerrah when he didn't draft Keenan Robinson and took some other scrub LB from Wake Forest. IMO, the 'Boys did the right thing this time.

IF McFadden stays healthy, it's a great move!