Archer: Dallas Cowboys plan to work out three running backs for today's training

[Carp]

I sure didn't want McFadden. He has already established his career. I want a youngster at this point. Leave the others out.

We have young players in Randle and Dunbar already, so I would go for a more established RB who can not only run, but have value in pass protection.

 

[Genghis Khan]

Yea, count me in with the crowd that thinks Jackson is done.

Not only does he not have anything to offer at this point in his career, he too cannot stay healthy.

No thanks.

Exactly right.

 

[dallen]

I would wait until after the regular season starts to avoid guaranteeing his contract. I think he could be done.

From Stephen's comments I get the impression that is the plan. Maybe not Jackson, but we'll be picking someone up after camp most likely

 

[ravidubey]

Exactly right.

Obviously we disagree, but what makes you think Jackson wouldn't be strong in a committee where he's not asked to carry the ball 190 times over 15 games like in Atlanta?

He'd have an improved OL and be a part of a more balanced attack.

His ability to catch the ball and protect the passer are strong, he can run, and he presents a different style of back to the defense. Stronger and much more powerful.

I think with a guy like this we hedge our bets with McFadden and Randle, plus we don't have to trade anything to get him because the NFL has written him off.

If I trade anything at all, I want a young solid back with a bright future, otherwise bring in Jackson. He makes a lot of sense overall, especially given the price.

Lastly, I'd bring him in sooner rather than later. That low price makes it no big deal to guarantee his money, and the gain is weeks of practice in the passing game.

 

[Genghis Khan]

Obviously we disagree, but what makes you think Jackson wouldn't be strong in a committee where he's not asked to carry the ball 190 times over 15 games like in Atlanta?

He'd have an improved OL and be a part of a more balanced attack.

His ability to catch the ball and protect the passer are strong, he can run, and he presents a different style of back to the defense. Stronger and much more powerful.

I think with a guy like this we hedge our bets with McFadden and Randle, plus we don't have to trade anything to get him because the NFL has written him off.

If I trade anything at all, I want a young solid back with a bright future, otherwise bring in Jackson. He makes a lot of sense overall, especially given the price.

Lastly, I'd bring him in sooner rather than later. That low price makes it no big deal to guarantee his money, and the gain is weeks of practice in the passing game.

He's 32. He hasn't had even 4 ypc since 2012. And he's been piling up injuries. Running backs get exponentially worse at his age .

Not just no but oh hell no. He'd be Eddie George all over again. If even that.

And I don't buy these excuses about the team around him and his offensive line and the coaching and whatever else. None of that affects a RB as drastically as he's been affected. He's just not good anymore. He's not going to ever get any better and I don't care what environment you put him in.

I don't care if you want him for one play a game. I'd rather use Tyler Clutts. Ar least he's young.

 

[Chocolate Lab]

Eddie George is the perfect comparison.

 

[Cowboysrock55]

Eddie George is the perfect comparison.

I don't think Eddie George was ever that good. But at this point in Jackson's career I think it would be exactly like when we signed Eddie George.

 

[L.T. Fan]

Don't look for any significant RB activity until the end of preseason unless one of the game plan trio gets a long term injury.

 

[Cowboysrock55]

Don't look for any significant RB activity until the end of preseason unless one of the game plan trio gets a long term injury.

I think the best time to pick someone up is on that last round of cuts where teams who have 4 good RBs have to make the tough decision on who to cut.

 

[ravidubey]

He's 32. He hasn't had even 4 ypc since 2012. And he's been piling up injuries.

We know he's old, and slowing down, and has been getting hurt.

But he's also been getting lead back carries, which should not apply in Dallas. If he's injured again-- no loss, he goes on IR and we pick up the same quality scrub that's available now anyways.

Not just no but oh hell no. He'd be Eddie George all over again. If even that.

George averaged 3.0-3.4 YPC for four years before joining the Cowboys and their still average OL. He only (barely) gained over 4 YPC 2 years in his entire career while Jackson was over 4 YPC 8/9 years at St Louis. They are different kinds of players and would be coming into different situations.

And I don't buy these excuses about the team around him and his offensive line and the coaching and whatever else. None of that affects a RB as drastically as he's been affected. He's just not good anymore. He's not going to ever get any better and I don't care what environment you put him in.

By that reckoning Darren McFadden has been far worse, having averaged 3.3 YPC for three years straight, despite barely getting over 100 carries a season.

I believe environment matters.

The year Atlanta signed Jackson they also let their OL and defense degrade in FA. I believe that's why they fell from 13-3 to 4-12 and then 6-10. Likewise Jackson dropped from 4.1 YPC to 3.5 in one year, and while much had to do with injuries clearly the declining environment around him also played a part.

I don't care if you want him for one play a game. I'd rather use Tyler Clutts. Ar least he's young.

And here I thought you were being serious.

Jackson averaged over 4 YPC six times last year including two 5+ games, one of which was vs a quality defense in Arizona. No not great, but Dallas is at the point where even a chance at this would be welcome.

Dallas needs stopgap players to form a committee that they can replace with draft picks next year.

They need Otis Anderson type veterans to carry them through the playoffs. Anderson averaged 3.x YPC for years before joining the Giants, and on that 90' Giants team he still only averaged 3.5 YPC, but they took him off a pitchcount in the playoffs and he responded with 5 and 4 YPC in back to back years.

Right now the options besides Jackson are a whole lot of squat, or a trade. No one is going to trade a back actually worth anything, and especially not to Dallas.

 

[L.T. Fan]

I think the best time to pick someone up is on that last round of cuts where teams who have 4 good RBs have to make the tough decision on who to cut.

The organization isn't going to add anyone unless they are forced to. Waiting is indeed the best strategy under the current scheme of things .

 

[Carp]

We know he's old, and slowing down, and has been getting hurt.

But he's also been getting lead back carries, which should not apply in Dallas. If he's injured again-- no loss, he goes on IR and we pick up the same quality scrub that's available now anyways.



George averaged 3.0-3.4 YPC for four years before joining the Cowboys and their still average OL. He only (barely) gained over 4 YPC 2 years in his entire career while Jackson was over 4 YPC 8/9 years at St Louis. They are different kinds of players and would be coming into different situations.



By that reckoning Darren McFadden has been far worse, having averaged 3.3 YPC for three years straight, despite barely getting over 100 carries a season.

I believe environment matters.

The year Atlanta signed Jackson they also let their OL and defense degrade in FA. I believe that's why they fell from 13-3 to 4-12 and then 6-10. Likewise Jackson dropped from 4.1 YPC to 3.5 in one year, and while much had to do with injuries clearly the declining environment around him also played a part.



And here I thought you were being serious.

Jackson averaged over 4 YPC six times last year including two 5+ games, one of which was vs a quality defense in Arizona. No not great, but Dallas is at the point where even a chance at this would be welcome.

Dallas needs stopgap players to form a committee that they can replace with draft picks next year.

They need Otis Anderson type veterans to carry them through the playoffs. Anderson averaged 3.x YPC for years before joining the Giants, and on that 90' Giants team he still only averaged 3.5 YPC, but they took him off a pitchcount in the playoffs and he responded with 5 and 4 YPC in back to back years.

Right now the options besides Jackson are a whole lot of squat, or a trade. No one is going to trade a back actually worth anything, and especially not to Dallas.

Jesus Christ man. Less is more.

 

[ravidubey]

I think the best time to pick someone up is on that last round of cuts where teams who have 4 good RBs have to make the tough decision on who to cut.

The whole front office must have their eyes peeled at this point, with the Jerry-press engine in full damage-control mode regarding the RB's.

Jesus Christ man. Less is more.

One of these days I'll figure it all out. Until then please bear with an old man :)

 

[Cowboysrock55]

The whole front office must have their eyes peeled at this point, with the Jerry-press engine in full damage-control mode regarding the RB's.

I don't think we are in a panic by any means at this point. Our top 3 guys are healthy now and reports are coming back very positive about them. Now if they get hurt in the next few games or suck horribly then you may see a panic at that final cut time.

 

[Cotton]

All of this typing for Steven effing Jackson?

 

[Genghis Khan]

We know he's old, and slowing down, and has been getting hurt.

But he's also been getting lead back carries, which should not apply in Dallas. If he's injured again-- no loss, he goes on IR and we pick up the same quality scrub that's available now anyways.



George averaged 3.0-3.4 YPC for four years before joining the Cowboys and their still average OL. He only (barely) gained over 4 YPC 2 years in his entire career while Jackson was over 4 YPC 8/9 years at St Louis. They are different kinds of players and would be coming into different situations.



By that reckoning Darren McFadden has been far worse, having averaged 3.3 YPC for three years straight, despite barely getting over 100 carries a season.

I believe environment matters.

The year Atlanta signed Jackson they also let their OL and defense degrade in FA. I believe that's why they fell from 13-3 to 4-12 and then 6-10. Likewise Jackson dropped from 4.1 YPC to 3.5 in one year, and while much had to do with injuries clearly the declining environment around him also played a part.



And here I thought you were being serious.

Jackson averaged over 4 YPC six times last year including two 5+ games, one of which was vs a quality defense in Arizona. No not great, but Dallas is at the point where even a chance at this would be welcome.

Dallas needs stopgap players to form a committee that they can replace with draft picks next year.

They need Otis Anderson type veterans to carry them through the playoffs. Anderson averaged 3.x YPC for years before joining the Giants, and on that 90' Giants team he still only averaged 3.5 YPC, but they took him off a pitchcount in the playoffs and he responded with 5 and 4 YPC in back to back years.

Right now the options besides Jackson are a whole lot of squat, or a trade. No one is going to trade a back actually worth anything, and especially not to Dallas.

No. Just...no.

Also, I've never once said or thought McFadden was a good signing so comparing Jackson to him does nothing for your argument.

No more!

 

[Clay_Allison]

No. Just...no.

Also, I've never once said or thought McFadden was a good signing so comparing Jackson to him does nothing for your argument.

No more!

Speaking of "no more" I'd much rather have 28 year old Ray Rice than 32 year old Jackson.

 

[L.T. Fan]

Speaking of "no more" I'd much rather have 28 year old Ray Rice than 32 year old Jackson.

Works for me.

 

[Cotton]

Speaking of "no more" I'd much rather have 28 year old Ray Rice than 32 year old Jackson.

Absolutely.

 

[22cowboysfan22]

Speaking of "no more" I'd much rather have 28 year old Ray Rice than 32 year old Jackson.

Yup. Seems like everyone is saying that he would have been given a second chance if not for his poor last year in Baltimore (2013). Their OL was atrocious that year. Yeah, he only averaged 3.1 YPC, but his backup, Bernard Pierce, got over 150 carries and actually did worse, averaging 2.9 YPC. Don't think it will ever happen because of the backlash that would take place over signing both Hardy and Rice, but Rice would be perfect for this offense.