McFadden: Saturday's game was a glimpse of what I can do
On Saturday, the NFL world caught a glimpse of what running back Darren McFadden can do behind the Dallas Cowboys' dominant offensive line. In the third preseason game against the Vikings, McFadden turned four carries into a game-high 37 yards rushing.
Earlier in the week, Cowboys owner Jerry Jones described McFadden's performance as "vintage McFadden", and he is likely including what he saw from the back at the University of Arkansas. McFadden was pleased with his showing as well, and he marked it as the first time he's had the opportunity to showcase what he's capable of in 2015.
“That’s a glimpse of what I can do out there if I get a little room to run,” McFadden said, per Jon Machota of the Dallas Morning News. “I feel like everybody got a chance to see that. It’s something that I just want to keep building on.”
McFadden averaged just 3.4 yards per carry in 2014, but keep in mind that the Raiders finished as Pro Football Focus' third-worst run blocking unit. The only time McFadden ran behind an offensive line that graded out above average in run blocking, per PFF, was during the 2011 season with the Raiders. In 13 games that season, McFadden racked up 1,157 rushing yards and seven touchdowns on just 223 carries – 5.2 yards-per-carry – and added 507 receiving yards and three touchdowns on 47 receptions.
The Cowboys finished as their second-best run blocking unit in 2014. They added top-20 talent La'el Collins to the mix and they return all five offensive line starters from 2014. This unit paved the way for Joseph Randle to rush for 6.7 yards per carry on 51 rushing attempts in 2014.
Randle remains the starter on the current depth chart, but this is not something McFadden has any worry about. He believes the backfield will ultimately come down to a committee and that's fine with him.
“It’s something I’ve done pretty much throughout my career, at school or being with the Raiders,” McFadden said about operating in a running back committee in 2015. “It’s one of those deals, it’s the NFL, it’s a long season. You have to be able to have two backs that can go in there and be able to tote it the way you need to tote it.
“A lot of people are going to put a lot of emphasis on it. The competitor in me is going to say I want to be the starting running back. At the end of the day, we’re both going to get carries however they decide to play it out.”
The Cowboys will give both backs plenty of opportunities, and will even find ways to mix in change-of-pace back Lance Dunbar. Earlier this week, Jerry Jones confirmed that the Cowboys will look to repeat their 2014 offensive success by once again using the running game to open up the pass.
(h/t Dallas Morning News)
