The goal for the Dallas Cowboys entering the 2014 season was to find a balanced offensive attack. Jerry Jones stated the team was focusing on the run game in order to take the pressure off quarterback Tony Romo considering his track record has not always been the best. After entering the season with several promising backs, injuries have shortened that list and now the Cowboys are once again left searching for a running back rotation.
DeMarco Murray is the clear leader of the ground game for the Cowboys. The running back has 697 yards on the season, averaging 4.9 yards per carry and putting up seven touchdowns so far. He has improved his passing game, catching 39 balls for 268 yards. He may lead the team in rushing by several hundred yards, but Murray has proven he cannot remain the lead back, he needs a compliment, something the Cowboys are concerned they do not have.
"DeMarco Murray is our lead back, has been our lead back all year long, has done an excellent job for us, did a really good job in the game the other day again," Cowboys coach Jason Garrett said, via ESPN.com. "He'll be the lead dog. The other guys, Joseph Randle and Phillip Tanner will have to step up if they have an opportunity if DeMarco can't go."
The Cowboys thought they have a quality No. 2 guy in Lance Dunbar and for the first part of the season, they did. In his second season, Dunbar put up 150 yards on limited carries while recording another 59 yards passing. However, his season is officially over after the running back underwent surgery on a torn PCL in his left knee. Now the Cowboys are left to pick up the pieces.
Garrett is aware that a two-back system gives Dallas a better offense. Unless they have Adrian Peterson on their team, a rotation is necessary in order to keep every fresh. Murray has already struggled with durability in his career. Most recently he has been hampered with a knee injury, leaving the Cowboys even more shorthanded.
"We'd like to get the other backs in, give them a role, give a chance to give DeMarco rest, play a series, whatever that is," Garrett said. "We'll come up with what those substitution patterns are as the week goes on. We certainly feel confident in putting those other guys in the game though."
Fantasy owners should consider giving Joseph Randle a quality look because he is going to see his role with the team increase. In a four game stretch, Randle put up 111 yards and a touchdown on 45 carries. That certainly shows some promise. Dallas is also hosting some other free agent backs this week and will likely sign at least once. Murray is playing lights out, but he is on pace to finish with the most carries in his career. The Cowboys need Randle.
