Jerry Jones gets defensive about scrutinized Cowboys position with quote unlikely to age well
One way or another, the Dallas Cowboys stay making headlines every single day, win, loss, or tie. On Friday, it was by none other than Jerry Jones, who got defensive on 105.3 The Fan when talking about the running back position. The Cowboys' running back room has been under the microscope since the offseason, as the […]
One way or another, the Dallas Cowboys stay making headlines every single day, win, loss, or tie. On Friday, it was by none other than Jerry Jones, who got defensive on 105.3 The Fan when talking about the running back position.
The Cowboys' running back room has been under the microscope since the offseason, as the team lacked a clear-cut RB1 after Tony Pollard's departure, which was controversially addressed by signing Ezekiel Elliott after the worst two-year stint on his career. Additionally, the Cowboys got out of a running back-deep NFL Draft class with no rookie in their hands, in large part because of a clearly unsuccessful trade for Trey Lance.
According to Jones, the Cowboys don't have a running back problem, though. Rather, it's his opinion the media has a problem and is it's those covering the team that are trying to portray the position on a negative light to make sure they come off as being right after criticizing the team's approach at RB during the offseason.
“A few of the media have gotten out here and written some stories early about how we needed a running back in the draft or how we need a running back, and they’re trying to cover their you-know-what as we go through the season," Jones told 105.3 The Fan.
The quote comes with some odd timing: Last week, Rico Dowdle told reporters he didn't have an answer when asked about the identity of the running back room.
Meanwhile, the coaching staff seemingly is undecided about who's the true No. 1 on their running back committee: In Week 1, it was Zeke leading the way and one week later he didn't tough the pigskin until the third drive of the game, with Deuce Vaughn seeing the field more in the opening couple of drives.
As far as production goes, the group hasn't looked great as the Cowboys rank 26th in rush yards per attempt. Although in their defense, that has a lot to do with a yet again underwhelming run game scheme and inconsistent blocking up front.
Pro Football Focus graded Dowdle as the 33rd best running back in the league with Elliott coming in at 44th. Both miss the cut among the 32 running running backs averaging at least four yards per rush attempt.
So far, we've seen little evidence to believe the Cowboys' running game will turn around things. According to Jones, it's the media making up stuff. My bet? The rest of the season is unlikely to allow his words to age well and at the end of the day, fans are watching the ballgames. It's not a "who said what" game. It's football, and it's clear the Cowboys have a running back problem.
