sbk92
2
- Messages
- 12,134
- Reaction score
- 6
By Todd Archer
IRVING, Texas -- When a franchise has had Hall of Fame running backs like Tony Dorsett and Emmitt Smith like the Cowboys’, you’re always on the lookout for the next great one.
Some of you want the Cowboys to take Mark Ingram from Alabama with the No. 9 pick of the draft if the best corners, safeties or defensive ends are gone.
This isn’t to say Ingram won’t be a terrific back but I just don’t see the need for the Cowboys to take a running back with the No. 9 overall pick.
With the way the game is played nowadays, you don’t need a great running game or a great running back. You need a good running game with good running backs.
Of the teams in the conference championship games this weekend only the New York Jets have what can be considered a great running game. The Jets finished the year ranked fourth on the ground, averaging 148.4 yards a game and they did not have a 1,000-yard rusher. LaDainian Tomlinson had 924 yards on the ground and Shonn Greene had 766.
Pittsburgh’s Rashard Mendenhall, picked after Felix Jones, had 1,273 yards but averaged only 3.9 yards per carry. In the NFC, Chicago and Green Bay had the Nos. 22 and 24 ranked running games. Matt Forte had 1,069 yards for the Bears. The Packers lost Ryan Grant and had to use Brandon Jackson (703) in the regular season and have been sparked by James Starks in the post-season.
Every year the draft debate surrounds need vs. best player available. Unless there is a big gap between a player like Ingram - or any running back - and an offensive tackle, defensive end, outside linebacker, safety or cornerback, take the latter.
With Jones and Tashard Choice (and this is presuming Marion Barber’s release), the Cowboys are good enough at running back even if they’re not great.
IRVING, Texas -- When a franchise has had Hall of Fame running backs like Tony Dorsett and Emmitt Smith like the Cowboys’, you’re always on the lookout for the next great one.
Some of you want the Cowboys to take Mark Ingram from Alabama with the No. 9 pick of the draft if the best corners, safeties or defensive ends are gone.
This isn’t to say Ingram won’t be a terrific back but I just don’t see the need for the Cowboys to take a running back with the No. 9 overall pick.
With the way the game is played nowadays, you don’t need a great running game or a great running back. You need a good running game with good running backs.
Of the teams in the conference championship games this weekend only the New York Jets have what can be considered a great running game. The Jets finished the year ranked fourth on the ground, averaging 148.4 yards a game and they did not have a 1,000-yard rusher. LaDainian Tomlinson had 924 yards on the ground and Shonn Greene had 766.
Pittsburgh’s Rashard Mendenhall, picked after Felix Jones, had 1,273 yards but averaged only 3.9 yards per carry. In the NFC, Chicago and Green Bay had the Nos. 22 and 24 ranked running games. Matt Forte had 1,069 yards for the Bears. The Packers lost Ryan Grant and had to use Brandon Jackson (703) in the regular season and have been sparked by James Starks in the post-season.
Every year the draft debate surrounds need vs. best player available. Unless there is a big gap between a player like Ingram - or any running back - and an offensive tackle, defensive end, outside linebacker, safety or cornerback, take the latter.
With Jones and Tashard Choice (and this is presuming Marion Barber’s release), the Cowboys are good enough at running back even if they’re not great.