The Dallas Cowboys may think they have their entire team together and that everything is in place, but a lot of NFL experts think they are just telling themselves that. Others believe that the most pressing need is at running back and that there are a number of options out there for them to sign. Is free agent Ray Rice the key to all of their problems?
Currently, the Cowboys have Darren McFadden as their so-called key running back. He may appear to be the starter as he has the most name recognition, but his sustainability is really something to call into question.
Andy Benoit at Sports Illustrated believes that the answer to replacing DeMarco Murray is Joseph Randle. He believes that Randle could easily have a 1,500-plus yard season but knows that McFadden stands in his way.
“[I]t could be McFadden who winds up prospering the most in 2015. He’s not creative because he can’t be—that fused body won’t allow it. He’s a pure, explosive north/south runner. Randle, on the other hand, has light feet and hips that swivel. If he starts tasting some of the meat’ —as Murray put it, in his polite response to his former backup’s comment — Randle too might get hasty and clever.”
The Cowboys do have Lance Dunbar and Ryan Williams on the roster as well, but one of them likely won’t be with the team by September. At this point, one has to wonder if the answer is already in a helmet with a star or could a former Baltimore Raven fix everything?
According to Rant Sports , the Cowboys have limited cap space and the free agent options are limited as well. The latter isn’t necessarily true as there is a lot of talent out there , but not many that could be an every-down back — except Ray Rice .
Everyone knows that Jerry Jones isn’t against signing players with a bad past and some baggage, but the backlash from fans could be bad. Still, Ray Rice is a big talent and he’s young and he can still produce for a few more years.
Essentially, Rice is a low-risk option that could bring forth some huge rewards for the Cowboys if he works out. They are likely going to be able to sign him at a bargain price since he wants to play, but no one is jumping at offering him a deal.
In hopes of getting his career back on track, Ray Rice would likely be a model player and man with any team. The Dallas Cowboys have the money needed to sign him, and they may not yet be able to rely on their current running backs for a whole season. Is a very troubled player the answer to their offensive backfield woes, or would he be a bigger problem?
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