So sad :Cowboys coach Mike McCarthy don’t know who will lead cowboys backfield in 2024

 Cowboys coach Mike McCarthy don’t know who will lead cowboys backfield in 2024

 

Re-signed on a one-year contract, Rico Dowdle emerges as the Cowboys’ primary returning running back, having amassed 361 yards and two touchdowns

on 89 carries in 2023. The rest of the pack comprises Deuce Vaughn, who managed 23 carries for 40 yards, and Hunter

Luepke, primarily a fullback, who tallied six carries for 19 yards and a touchdown. Another contender, Malik Davis, spent much of the previous season on the

practice squad and did not record any carries; however, he displayed promise in 2022 with 38 carries for 161 yards and a touchdown.

Coach Mike McCarthy emphasized that they’re not finished with the running back room, hinting at the possibility of

adding a veteran or drafting a prospect. He highlighted the significance of retaining Rico, who played a crucial role in the rotation last season.

Although the Cowboys aimed to retain Pollard, they were unwilling to match the three-year, $21.75 million contract,

which could reach $24 million, offered by the Titans. Derrick Henry and other high-profile free agents were not viable

options. This shift in approach marks a departure from the team’s previous strategy of investing heavily in running backs like Ezekiel Elliott and Pollard.

Now, the Cowboys aim to demonstrate that talent can be found at any level. Despite ranking fifth-lowest in 2023 rushing yards among returning running

backs for 2024, the Cowboys remain optimistic. The four teams ahead have addressed their running back situation, with the Giants signing Devin Singletary,

the Chargers acquiring Gus Edwards, the Bengals securing Zack Moss after trading Joe Mixon, and the Eagles adding Barkley post-Swift departure.

The Cowboys have yet to make any additions to their running back roster. Their current situation is reminiscent of

2003, following Emmitt Smith’s release after Bill Parcells took over. Troy Hambrick became the primary running back then, and even he had more carries

than the current Cowboys’ lineup. A year later, the team signed Eddie George as a free agent and drafted Julius Jones in the second round.

Executive vice president Stephen Jones acknowledged the tough decisions the organization faces, emphasizing the

importance of running backs in Cowboys history. They aim to improve their running game in 2024, as they ranked

14th in the NFL last season with 112.9 yards per game, their second-lowest ranking in the past 11 seasons. However, they must address this challenge without

departed free agents Tyron Smith, Tyler Biadasz, and Tony Pollard, while also managing an inexperienced backfield.

In free agency, the Cowboys could consider veterans like Dalvin Cook, who had a challenging stint with the New York Jets before joining the Baltimore

Ravens in January, or J.K. Dobbins, who has been hampered by knee and Achilles injuries in recent years. Sources suggest

mutual interest between the Cowboys and Ezekiel Elliott in reuniting. Perhaps one of them could replicate Darren McFadden’s impact in 2015.

Back then, after DeMarco Murray’s departure in free agency, the Cowboys

initially relied on Joseph Randle as their starter. However, Randle’s inconsistency led to Darren McFadden, the former No.

4 overall pick in 2008, rushing for 1,089 yards. Despite finishing 4-12 that season, the Cowboys used the No. 4 overall pick to draft Ezekiel Elliott.

With the Cowboys’ approach to free agency, there’s a possibility that they may rely on a rookie to take on the lead

running back role in 2024. The top prospect in the draft, Texas’ Jonathon Brooks, is recovering from a torn right ACL suffered in November. While he’s

expected to be ready for Week 1, there are concerns about whether he’ll be fully healthy and need time to adjust to the NFL’s pace.

Other options like Trey Benson, Jaylen Wright, Bucky Irving, Blake Corum, or other running backs could potentially

emerge as RB1 as rookies. Last season, Atlanta’s Bijan Robinson, selected eighth overall, led all rookies with 976 rushing yards.

Coach McCarthy is optimistic about the second year with him as the playcaller, Jeff Blasko as the run game coordinator,

and Mike Solari as the offensive line coach, expecting better integration of the run game compared to the previous season.

Despite the youthfulness of the running back room, McCarthy emphasizes the importance of opportunity. He

acknowledges that more responsibility was placed on the running backs last year, with Tony Pollard leading the

charge. Now, he looks for someone in the room to step up in a leadership role, hoping that all the young players will embrace the opportunity.

 

Get related article>>>https://kvibezsport.co.uk/?p=11432&preview=true