The Dallas Cowboys cannot get away from the doubt surrounding the team's run game. Both Darren McFadden and Joseph Randle have a lot to prove in the season ahead as they battle it out to be the starter. After releasing Ryan Williams following knee surgery, there is an open spot on the rotation and several veteran running backs are making it very clear they want to be signed for the 2015 season.
The 30-year-old bench mark is harmful for running backs. Once over that hump, the NFL believes a running back is done in the league and veterans have been learning that lesson the hard way. Several big names are sitting on the free agent market hoping an injury lands them a spot on a roster. Steven Jackson is paying attention to the news and is well aware the Cowboys might need some help.
Jackson took to social media, posting a subliminal picture with his number shinig over Cowboys' stadium. The caption read, "Attn: @DallasCowboys." While he did not directly say it, NFL.com speculates Jackson is campaigning for a contract as the Cowboys deal with two rushers that may or may not develop into something elite.
According to the Dallas Morning News, the Cowboys have a short list of veterans they will look at if the need presents itself. Team vice president Stephen Jones said that Chris Johnson was on the list after the running back expressed his desire to join the team. One player not expected to garner attention is Ray Rice. ESPNDallas.com is reporting the Cowboys are not interested in the former Baltimore Ravens star despite him being the best available at the moment. Bringing on Rice would mean a bigger media headache than the Cowboys are interested in.
For now, Randle is expected to get the nod over McFadden with Lance Dunbar working in as well. According to owner Jerry Jones, Randle is showing flashes of talent that will make him the starter.
"We have a player (in Randle) that has the potential -- and we based that on, not on what he did at Oklahoma State or how we drafted him, but by literally being a teammate around here for the last two years -- but he has the potential to be the kind of back that would step in there and be your No. 1 back," Jones said, via NFL.com. "If he were not here, then I wouldn't feel as good as we go into the season and what might happen."
The Cowboys are putting a lot of trust in their running back rotation after letting DeMarco Murray leave. With a strong offensive line, it is a possibility that both runners excel in 20'5. However, it remains to be seen if that will really happen. ESPN's Todd ARcher is reporting that McFadden's hamstring injury suffered during OTAs could hinder him in training camp, but is not expected to be serious. Randle and Dunbar will capitalize off that.
