Apparently Darren McFadden and Christine Michael are leaving less meat on the bone than Joseph Randle. The Cowboys have cut Randle, who had a lot to say about the opportunities DeMarco Murray missed last season, but failed to seize the starting role.
Randle failed to hit 100 yards in any game this season, and he only scored once outside of a three-touchdown effort vs. the Falcons in Week 3. Randle was not a factor in the passing game, and he frustrated coaches by constantly risking turnovers by reaching the ball ahead for extra yardage. He strained his oblique vs. the Giants, and then news broke about a potential suspension from the NFL after they reviewed his two offseason arrests for shoplifting and marijuana possession.
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Randle’s departure clears up the Cowboys’ running back picture. For now, Darren McFadden is the lead back. He carried the ball 29 times vs. the Giants, and then 20 times vs. Seattle on Sunday. Against the Seahawks McFadden was also targeted eight times in the passing game, so Dallas is clearly not worried about his previous injury history. McFadden has played in 16 games just once in his eight-year career, and carried the ball more than 200 times just twice.
Michael, whom the Cowboys traded for just before the season, has yet to make an impact this season. Michael’s talent has been hyped, but he’s only seen 10 carries in the two weeks since Randle went down. The excuse of being eased into the offense is wearing thin now that the season is entering Week 9. Head coach Jason Garrett proved last season he’s not afraid to heap work on an injury-prone back – DeMarco Murray had a consistent history of injuries and still led the NFL in carries – but it’s possible that Michael is a better running back than McFadden.
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The Cowboys won’t know if they have a special player in Michael until he’s unleashed on the field, so expect to see him get upward of 10 touches this week vs. Philadelphia. If much more time passes and his role hasn’t changed, it will be safe to give up on him.
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