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NFL Truths Of 2015: Darren McFadden Is A Mirage

By Erik Lambert

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Dec 21, 2014; Oakland, CA, USA; Oakland Raiders running back Darren McFadden (20) is tackled by Buffalo Bills cornerback Nickell Robey (37) at O.co Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

There is little doubt left that the Dallas Cowboys should feature the best offensive line in the NFL this season after swiping La’El Collins in undrafted free agency.  Even so, the best fronts can’t cover the absence of a legitimate starter at running back.  After letting DeMarco Murray walk in free agency and not drafting a replacement, many are skeptical this team can just continue running over teams like last year.

With good reason too since the best hope currently on the roster is Darren McFadden.

Keep in mind this is not the McFadden who roared out of Arkansas or the one who averaged over 5.0 yards per carry between 2010 and 2011.  This is the 27-year old running back with a long history of leg injuries who finished at 3.4 yards per carry last season after back-to-back years of 3.3 yards.  That explosion, that burst through the hole that made him so coveted to Al Davis and the Oakland Raiders is gone.

He just can’t accelerate or break tackles like he used to.  It’s a real shame because the fleeting glimpses he offered of his peak skill were awesome, but that is not who the Dallas Cowboys are getting.  Keep this in mind.  In 1993 they had the best offensive line in football, one of the greatest ever.  Yet they lost their first two games of the season, averaging just 97 yards per game at 3.9 yards per rush.  Not until star back Emmitt Smith returned from a contract hold out did things settle down.  Dallas won their next six-in-a-row and averaged 143.5 yards per game.

The offensive line is important, but aren’t the ones controlling where, when and how the running back hits the hole.  That is the major gamble they’ve taken on Darren McFadden, and it’s not a good one.

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