Cowboys sign RB Darren McFadden

[shane]

It's a great situation for McFadden though. He will get a chance to compete for a starting role behind the best offensive line in football. If he puts up a couple of good seasons he could be in line for a good payday at the age of 29. Personally I would have rather given that opportunity to Ridley.

It's a good low risk scenario. If we can scoop up Chris Johnson as well for cheap, I would be happy with not drafting a RB this year.

 

[Rev]

I see your Lacy and raise you Richardson and pre 2014 Ingram.

 

[Cowboysrock55]

I see your Lacy and raise you Richardson and pre 2014 Ingram.

I think Ingram and Richardson were just drafted much higher then they should have been. Richardson is a bust because he is a lazy dick. I don't know if it is as much talent as it is the guy just doesn't care. Ingram is an injury problem.

I think TJ Yeldon will go in the 4th round range. As long as he isn't a lazy retard like Richardson I'd like the pick. I have no idea if he is like Richardson though. I don't get to interview these guys.

 

[Jiggyfly]

I think Ingram and Richardson were just drafted much higher then they should have been. Richardson is a bust because he is a lazy dick. I don't know if it is as much talent as it is the guy just doesn't care. Ingram is an injury problem.

I think TJ Yeldon will go in the 4th round range. As long as he isn't a lazy retard like Richardson I'd like the pick. I have no idea if he is like Richardson though. I don't get to interview these guys.

Never understood the Richardson love he was just fast and big and was running behind a great o-line.

He never had any wiggle or dirty type runs add in the fact he has zero vision and he had bust written all over him.

 

[ravidubey]

I think TJ Yeldon will go in the 4th round range.

Good player, I would be down.

 

[boozeman]

What special kind of fucking idiot thinks Jerry Jones looks "cool" shaking hands with his man crush loser player and his female who doesn't even have the sense to not wear jeans with holes in them?

 

[boozeman]

It's a good low risk scenario. If we can scoop up Chris Johnson as well for cheap, I would be happy with not drafting a RB this year.

Chris Johnson will probably get shot again before anyone bothers with him.

 

[boozeman]

Yeldin has been my sleeper pick for awhile I think he could be a Bell type RB in the NFL.

Coming from Alabama he would seem to be versed in blitz pickup as well.

And also, the zone scheme, which is important since McFadden has proven in Oakland he can't run behind it.

I wouldn't take him before the third, but if he is there in that range, I would be okay with him.

 

[NoDak]

What special kind of fucking idiot thinks Jerry Jones looks "cool" shaking hands with his man crush loser player and his female who doesn't even have the sense to not wear jeans with holes in them?

Your misery knows no bounds.

 

[Jiggyfly]

And also, the zone scheme, which is important since McFadden has proven in Oakland he can't run behind it.

I wouldn't take him before the third, but if he is there in that range, I would be okay with him.

You have to think Pollard signed off on McFadden so I don't think he can't run behind it also we are not an exclusive zone team by the end of the year we were running much more Power.

 

[boozeman]

Broaddus, Brugler Give Comparing Scouting Reports On McFadden – Both Then & Now


Friday, March 13, 2015 4:56 PM CDT

By DallasCowboys.com Report

IRVING, Texas - With the Cowboys moving quickly on trying to replace DeMarco Murray, the signing of Darren McFadden is an intriguing one, considering he was once the No. 4 overall player in the draft. In 2008, the Raiders took the Arkansas standout and after seven seasons, it’s safe to say McFadden didn’t live up to the lofty expectations, having played for a variety of offensive coordinators and head coaches.

So with what he calls a “fresh start” in Dallas, McFadden will now get to prove himself all over again.

The two co-hosts of “The Draft Show” - Bryan Broaddus and Dane Brugler – provide a pair of McFadden scouting reports. Let’s look first at how Broaddus evaluated McFadden from his most recent season in Oakland.

And following that, Brugler offers up his pre-draft report on McFadden back in 2008.



Broaddus on McFadden:

Games Studied: Oakland vs. San Diego, New England, Buffalo (all in 2014)
•Was an interesting study due to rookie David Carr starting at quarterback. There were plenty of snaps where he faced eight and nine men in the box.
•Thought in those situations he showed physical toughness and competes. Offensive line did him no favors as well. Snaps where as soon as Carr handed him the ball - he was hit. When he had a chance to get going, he showed initial quickness with acceleration and a burst.
•Can get the ball to the corner and around. Nice runs against the Chargers and Bills doing just that. Able to make the first man miss then apply a stiff arm to finish the run. Will lower his shoulder and take on the tackler. Showed the vision to make the cut when things opened up. Hard downhill runner on the toss sweep against the Chargers.
•Really good lateral agility and change of direction. Did not see him drop a ball that was thrown in his direction. Will check down over the ball and make the catch or work to the outside and adjust to the screen. Was able to adjust to a ball that was high from Carr. Gathered it in and worked up the field.
•Will follow his blockers. Can make the cuts, needs to keep his feet better on contact in the open field. Couple of snaps where if he could have kept his balance, he would have had a larger gain.
•Aware to help on blitz, sees defense and adjusts. Steps up and stays square to handle his man. Stays on feet to work rusher to the outside. Keeps his feet moving on contact. Did cut block one time but that was after a play fake to the outside. Will cut block some on the edge.
•Will protect the ball when he runs inside. Runs better on the edge than he does inside.
•His running style is more elusive than Murray's. Split time with several backs during the games I studied but has some three down traits.
•Was really surprised of his willingness, technique and finish as a pass blocker.

Dane Brugler’s report on McFadden (2008)

Strengths:

Dynamic playmaker…great size/speed combination…rare physical tools…powerful and tough…explosive

Weaknesses:

Lean-framed leads to durability concerns…unproven as a pass catcher…ball security has been an issue

Scouting Report:
•Highly recruited out of high school, McFadden has a rare combination of athleticism, speed and strength. He finished second in the Heisman voting as a sophomore in 2006 and again in 2007. McFadden became the first sophomore to win the Doak Walker Award (Nation’s top running back) and joined Ricky Williams as the only two-time winner, earning the award again in 2007.
•He has a slim frame, but is deceivingly powerful and picks up the tough yards inside. He has outstanding quickness and is explosive up the middle and on the edges. McFadden will wear down at the point of attack.
•He is a hard worker and always trying to get better, according to his coaches. McFadden is a leader and nonstop competitor. He is a dynamic player with the ability to score any time he touches the ball with elusiveness and agility, showing all the physical tools and natural instincts.
•McFadden has good patience and field vision to work gaps. He offers one of the best stiff-arms around and was rarely tackled by the first defender in college. McFadden needs to improve his ball security and hold onto the ball.
•He battled nagging injuries at Arkansas, but nothing serious.

Bottom Line:

McFadden leaves Arkansas with several school records, rushing for 1,000+ yards each of the last three years, including 1,830 yards and 18 rushing touchdowns as a junior. He rushed for 100+ yards in 10 games in 2007, including 195 yards at Alabama, 206 yards at LSU and 321 yards vs. South Carolina. McFadden’s production was aided by the Razorbacks gimmicky offense, but opponents knew he was the main weapon and still couldn’t stop him. Although his body type leads to durability concerns, he is one of the most explosive options in the 2008 NFL Draft class and worthy of a mid-first round pick.



Workout numbers:

40-yard dash: 4.33

10-yard split: 1.51

Bench press: 13

Vertical: 35.5”

Broad Jump: 10’8”

Short Shuttle: 4.10

3-Cone Drill: 6.86

 

[Bob Roberts]

What special kind of fucking idiot thinks Jerry Jones looks "cool" shaking hands with his man crush loser player and his female who doesn't even have the sense to not wear jeans with holes in them?

Looks like Maury and guests

 

[fortsbest]

I'm good with this signing as the cheap option it is. They still need a future RB in the first 2-3 rounds to make it worthwhile though. If this is it? Fail!

 

[boozeman]

Base value of Darren McFadden's deal is $3 million

March, 13, 2015


By Todd Archer | ESPNDallas.com


IRVING, Texas -- If Darren McFadden does something that has never been done in Dallas Cowboys' history he will make $5.85 million over the next two seasons.

If he fails to rush for 1,000 yards in either season, the base value of the contract is $3 million.

McFadden received a $200,000 signing bonus and will receive a $900,000 base salary in 2015 for a $1.15 million cap figure. He earns $9,375 for every game he is on the 46-man roster. In 2016, he will earn a base salary of $1.25 million and he has per-game roster bonuses that can earn him an extra $500,000. If he does not play in eight games in 2015, then the max he could earn on those per-game bonuses in 2016 is $250,000.

If he runs for 1,600 yards in back-to-back years, he will earn an extra $2.85 million. The closest that has happened in team history has been in 1991 and 1992 when Emmitt Smith ran for 1,563 yards and 1,713 yards.

If McFadden rushes for 1,000, 1,200, 1,350 or 1,600 yards in either year he can earn up to $2.1 million. He would earn an extra $750,000 with consecutive 1,600 yard seasons. Back-to-back 1,200-yard seasons would net him an extra $250,000 and back to back 1,400-yard seasons would net him an extra $500,000.

If McFadden, who has one 1,000-yard season in his career, can do what Smith or Tony Dorsett do, then the Cowboys would gladly pay him $5.85 million and they would have a terrific bargain on their hands as well.

 

[Carp]

Wow. Nice deal.

 

[boozeman]

Wow. Nice deal.

A base of $3M for basically taking up space? Not really.

 

[boozeman]

Is that Spaulding right behind him?

Tell me it isn't.

 

[Rev]

Is that Spaulding right behind him?

Tell me it isn't.

Hard to tell for sure but my first guess is no.

 

[bbgun]

nope, not him

 

[data]

The last time there was a deep RB draft...we had Steven Jackson fall into our lap and traded down, thinking we could trade back up and nab Kevin jones, Tatum bell or Chris perry. Ended up with choice of Julius Jones.

Good times.