Dallas Cowboys: Backfield Could Get ‘Em On The Run
By Jim Vickers
In 1924, under coach Knute Rockne, Notre Dame fielded the most famous backfield in college football history — the Four Horsemen. Heading into September, the Dallas Cowboys may run roughshod over opponents with four horsemen of their own — Ezekiel Elliott, Darren McFadden, Alfred Morris and Lance Dunbar.
The fabled Notre Dame quartet, comprised of Harry Stuhldreher, Don Miller, Jim Crowley, and Elmer Layden, lost only two games during their three-year stint in South Bend.
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Given the Cowboys went only 4-12 last season with McFadden and Dunbar already on the roster, they probably won’t go 15-1 in 2016. However, if the Dallas brain trust decides to retain the four veterans, they could have a dynamic backfield and a relentless running attack.
The drafting of Elliott with this year’s fourth overall selection has energized fans and expectations that Dallas could return to its form two seasons ago, when DeMarco Murray led the league in rushing and the Cowboys were a heartbeat away from the NFC Championship game.
McFadden, a former Oakland Raiders and fourth overall selection in the 2008 draft, is expected to back Elliott up, or at least share the load while the rookie learns the offense. McFadden had a comeback season last year, playing in all 16 games for only the second time in his career. He also posted his second 1,000-plus-yard rushing season. That big Cowboys offensive line can do a lot for a running back’s numbers.
Dunbar enters his fifth season in Dallas as a reserve back. He hasn’t gotten a lot of carries, but has a career 4.6 average and does some nifty work catching the ball out of the backfield.
Signed as an unrestricted free agent, Morris was a four-year starter with NFC East rival Washington. He started all 16 games each season, earned two Pro Bowls, cracked 1,000 yards three times and has a 4.4 career per carry average. Morris did have a down season last year, splitting time with Matt Jones, particularly after a rib injury suffered Week 11 against the Panthers. Although Coach Jay Gruden considered him as day-to-day at one point, according to the Adam Wells post in the Bleacher Report, he started every contest. You have to like that toughness.
Undoubtedly, there are several good running back stables in the NFL. But what’s particularly frightening about this group is that all four have complete skill sets. Each can run outside or between the tackles. They all catch the ball well and are adequate blockers in the passing game.
Given that three of the four are legitimate feature backs, Dallas will have the option of lining up combinations of guys who have the ability to take it to the house from anywhere on the field. Think about a McFadden and Elliott combo and the challenge that presents a defense.
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The Cowboys will also have the ability to rest any guy that gets knicked up, potentially giving the offense a ball carrier at full strength on virtually every down. It’s no secret that half of these guys play hurt for good stretches during a season, like Morris did last year.
The Dallas Cowboys have put themselves in an enviable position. They may not win one for the Gipper, but don’t be surprised if they get a few teams on the run.