Cowboys RB problems create opportunity for two ex-Seahawks
By Dan Viens
When the Seattle Seahawks defense lines up against the Dallas Cowboys offense this Sunday, their primary objective will be to stop running back Darren McFadden, who rushed for 156 yards in a loss to the Giants last week.
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If they succeed, it will likely mean more touches for the two ex-Seahawks running backs on the Cowboys roster; Christine Michael and Rod Smith.
Dallas Head Coach Jason Garrett announced today that Joeseph Randle will not play against the Seahawks. Randle, the team’s leading rusher, may be facing a suspension for violation of the league’s personal conduct policy. He was absent from the team’s practice Wednesday, and the team said it was for non-football reasons. Then came the announcement today that he won’t be playing.
Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports
The Cowboys acquired Michael for a 7th round draft choice just prior to the season opener, but he’s carried the ball only 7 times for 23 yards. Smith is an undrafted rookie who Seahawks coaches were very high on, but he was claimed off waivers by Dallas after Seattle tried to pass him back through to the practice squad after he was active for the Cincinnati game.
Dallas also lost RB Lance Dunbar for the season when he suffered a serious knee injury in week #4.
After a slow start, the Cowboys rushing offense appears to have found their footing again, piling up over 200 yards on the ground against the Giants. Overall they rank 7th in the NFL with 127.7 yards per game. The Seahawks defense ranks 6th in the league, giving up an average of just 94.1 yards per game.
With Matt Cassell starting his second game in relief of the injured Tony Romo, and coming off a 3 INT performance last Sunday, you can bet the Cowboys will be trying to establish the run early and often against the Seahawks.
Which could mean a steady dose of two young running backs the team knows very well.
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