There were some confusing rumors floating around that the Dallas Cowboys would have interest in star running back Chris Johnson following his release from the Tennessee Titans, and those rumors were quite worrisome if true. I mean, why on earth would a cash-strapped team go after a starting running back when they already have a star back in DeMarco Murray and a rising backup in Lance Dunbar? Although Murray is injury-prone and the Cowboys could use depth at the position, it wouldn’t make sense for them to sign a guy like CJ1K when they can add more depth in the draft if need be.
Per “Cowboys sources” close to beat writer Clarence Hill, the team is not interested in signing Johnson now that he’s been released by the Titans, and it looks like the four suitors for the RB are the New York Jets, Miami Dolphins, Atlanta Falcons and Buffalo Bills, with the Bills and Dolphins shaping up to be the two early favorites despite the Jets having the biggest need on paper for a speed back like CJ.
The Cowboys need to stay the course with what they have at running back, especially after Murray’s All-Pro-caliber year. All the unfounded criticisms of his game have stopped after last year’s display, and all the Cowboys need to do is trust him with the ball more often. Dunbar looks like a quality backup, I’m a fan of Joseph Randle, and the Cowboys can always go for a cheap back late in the draft or try to unearth a gem in unrestricted free agency instead of making a fiscally irresponsible decision. While Johnson isn’t expensive, the Cowboys need to be as miserly as they can be in order to get themselves out of their perennial financial rut.
