gergroy said:
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We will have to wait and see. As a longtime Dallas watcher, I saw Demarco's previous seasons, and it wasn't nearly as great as last year. The thing is, he had a ton of yards before contact as the continual drafting of 1st rounder Pro Bowler / All Pro offensive linemen got up to speed. The line is even better this year with the depth increasing (Collins, and a Doug Free with bone spurs fixed that he had been playing through).
Demarco had okay vision, wasn't terribly fast, and had moderate power. I liked to call him baby beast mode, because he really played like a lightweight version of Marshawn Lynch. The best thing I liked about him was the no-give-up, if there was nothing, he would just crash straight ahead and try to get an extra yard or two. It didn't always work, but he made people at least work for it compared to RBs that will instead try to cut again way too late and just get mopped up or lose a yard or two. He was also a good guy as a person, never any drama, always hard working, and a respected locker room presence. In the end though, his FA value was WAY WAY WAY too high. One healthy season behind a monstrous O line doesn't mean he's in the Lynch/Peterson category or anywhere close. I dare anyone to go find a run of his and say 'wow, what an incredible athlete, look at that move!'. It just didn't happen. Holes opened, and he gamely charged right in with everything he had. I dare say that Marshawn or Adrian would have definitely busted 2000+ out of last years holes and runs.
Anyway, long story short, unless Randle turns into a fumble machine, he's no worse than Demarco, and in fact is considerably faster. I see this like the NE way of RB'ing : by committee. I also will say that Murray should be an upgrade for Philly even if they overpaid massively. Chip's idea of a go-fast offense works best with a runner that charges on first hole with a 1-cut style. Similarly, Randle could actually be an upgrade for Dallas if he can blow into the secondary quickly with the often huge holes that open up with Frederick, Martin, Smith, etc working over people. This usually increases in the 2nd half as D lines usually get worn down.
As for Dallas's chances this year. I see them doing about the same as last year due to an awesome schedule that puts us against many of the best, and a lot of divisional games early on, which are never easy. If they get to midseason 6-2 or 5-3, they are in great shape. But that first half is a mother. The backside of the season lightens up a ton by comparison. The defense is substantially improved at all levels. As with Philly, injuries and depth will play a key role. Dallas can survive a couple of losses here and there, and there are some difference makers on defense that weren't around last year : Sean Lee, Greg Hardy, and Randy Gregory. The great Charles Haley has been tutoring Gregory, and he's been able to work past Tyron from time to time with technique and speed. Add in Byron Jones, and the advancement in experience with some of the younger guys and I think the defense is substantially better than last year (once we get to week 5 of course due to dual suspensions, but even before that they are definitely no worse than last year's group).
I could go on about the other NFC East teams in some detail, but I think the division will be closely fought this year. I see NYG rising, Philly struggling a bit to settle all the changes in place but still being dangerous, and Washington still struggling some. I think 11-5 takes the division, and a high chance the NFC East also sends a wildcard team in.
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