Felix Jones was drafted in 2008 to be a complement to Marion Barber, who was the primary back.
It’s been noted many times the Cowboys passed on a bevy of other backs, including Rashard Mendenhall, Chris Johnson and Ray Rice to make their pick.
After Jones left in free agency this year, the Cowboys wanted to bring in a backup running back built to handle a full load as an every-down back if need be. They selected Joseph Randle in the fifth round hoping to get another player with a style similar to Murray’s, rather than one that’s markedly different.
Randle hasn’t been able to play thus far while dealing with a thumb injury, but he’s expected to get going fully during training camp. How he’ll be used during the season, though, remains to be seen, with Murray as the workhorse back as long as he’s healthy.
Randle has tremendous expectations for a fifth-round pick. Even though Jones was a first-round selection, Randle will probably need to surpass Jones’ production to be viewed as a success. Jones racked up 2,728 rushing yards during his time with the Cowboys in five seasons, hitting the 800-yard mark once.
How the Cowboys decide out to use Randle may determine how successful he’ll be. For the first time since 2008, the Cowboys have a new primary backup in the backfield.
So with the season opener now just 11 weeks away, you still have concerns about these Dallas Cowboys. Seem to hear about them all the time.
But take solace. There likely isn’t a perfect team in the National Football League this time of year. They all have something to worry about.
Think the New England Patriots aren’t worried about their tight end position, what with Gronk having back surgery this week to repair a herniated disk and Aaron Hernandez being accused of destroying his cell phone and home surveillance equipment, along with having his house totally cleaned, in the midst of a murder investigation of an acquaintance found in a field not far from his house?
Think the Philadelphia Eagles aren’t worried about going to training camp with five quarterbacks on their roster but not knowing just who the starter is going to be?
Think the Redskins aren’t worried Robert Griffin III won’t be ready for the start of the season after having surgery to repair his torn ACL?
Think the San Francisco 49ers aren’t worried about the loss of wide receiver Michael Crabtree for probably the entire season after tearing his Achilles tendon?
Think the Giants aren’t worried that wide receivers Victor Cruz and Hakeem Nicks missed nearly their entire offseason workouts over contractual concerns and that even though Cruz finally signed his restricted tender he might not report on time for training camp if a long-term deal is not consummated with a club reportedly having only $3.3 million of cap space available and still needing to sign its first-round pick?
Want me to continue?
Like just maybe the Green Bay Packers are worried at running back, not knowing if last year’s eventual starter by season’s end, DuJuan Harris, will be ready for camp after having a grapefruit-sized noncancerous cyst removed from his lung of all places?
Think the Jacksonville Jaguars aren’t worried they, too, are heading into training camp not knowing who their starting quarterback will be?
Or gosh forbid, what if this had been your Dallas Cowboys, admitting as the Minnesota Vikings have recently that their first-round pick Shariff Floyd – you remember him, don’t you? – likely will not be a starter at defensive tackle this season, projecting him as a rotation player?
Almost all make the Cowboys’ concerns as this offseason is about to bleed into vacation season before the July 19 start to training camp seem, well, pfffft, right?
The Cowboys aren’t perfect by any means. But at least they don’t appear to have a front-line player already out for the season with an injury or with one that will linger beyond the season opener. They don’t have a projected starter bellyaching over a contract, and goodness knows Anthony Spencer certainly could be. Not only do they know who their starting quarterback will be, but also who the backup is, although will keep an eye out for a minimally-experienced third guy if one that suits their liking comes available.
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