Still a lot of questions remaining as the Cowboys head into their final pre-season game Thursday against the Broncos. But we have one solid answer:
Ryan Williams a better runner than Joseph Randle.
But, actually, that solution only raises another quandary. As in, how do the Cowboys – so thin at so many positions – afford to keep four running backs?
DeMarco Murray is set as the featured “bell cow” back and Lance Dunbar is his change-up backup. After that, Randle is better than Williams at blitz protection, play recognition and on special teams. But Williams flashed Saturday night in Miami that he has special running skills.
Not only did he gain 47 yards on 12 carries, but he slashed, he zigged, he made tacklers miss. Randle is a solid back and a tough runner, but on handoffs or kickoff returns he rarely avoids going down after the first contact and seldom jukes his way to extra yards.
With Randle sidelined by an oblique strain, Williams made the most of his extra workload in Miami until he, too, was forced out of the game with cramps on a typically humid south Florida night.
I think it’s clear that Williams is a better runner than Randle. But at this point, the Cowboys just need better football players. And Randle may win this battle because he can produce more than just running yards.
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A native Texan who was born in Duncanville and graduated from UT-Arlington, Richie Whitt has been a mainstay in the Metroplex media since 1986. He’s held prominent roles on all media platforms including newspaper (Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Dallas Observer), radio (105.3 The Fan) and TV (co-host on TXA 21 and numerous guest appearances, including NBC 5). He currently lives in McKinney with his wife, Sybil, and two very spoiled dogs.
