Shortly after April’s draft, Cowboys owner and general manager Jerry Jones predicted that fifth round pick, Oklahoma State running back Joseph Randle, would see a starter-like amount of action in his rookie season, spelling the ultra-talented but injury-prone starter, DeMarco Murray.
But according to analyst and scout Bryan Broaddus, who is working on a series of interesting pieces on the team’s official website called “Scout’s Big Prediction,” Randle will have to earn these reps in camp--basically, take them away from veterans Phillip Tanner and Lance Dunbar.
“Where Phillip Tanner and Lance Dunbar have an advantage over Randle is they have been in the system for a season and they already have a feel for what is required of them,” Broaddus writes. “Where Tanner and Dunbar also have an advantage over Randle is the commitment that they both have made to get ready for this upcoming season. Physically Phillip Tanner doesn’t look as heavy or sluggish as he did in 2012. He is hitting the hole with better quickness but he is also doing it with more understanding."
“There were times where Tanner would just take the ball, lower his head and run till he heard glass break. That is no longer the case for him. As a pass protector, he still plays square but he needs to do a better job of maintaining his position and finishing his block. If he gets that part down, he will be a more complete back.”
The other obvious advantage for the veteran’s is that Randle has yet to get on the field as a Cowboy. Offseason thumb surgery left him sidelined, with a cumbersome cast on his hand, for the entirety of offseason workouts.
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