NFL.com:Eddie George in Dallas Makes No Sense

[ArmyHog]

Here is a piece of the article:

"I think it's a panic move," said an NFC scout. "They really don't have a starting back, and they're not sure what they're going to do with their quarterback position. I think it's more a reflection of how unsettled they are with their offense, particularly their quarterback."

We'll have to wait there. For the moment, the team that gave up on Emmitt Smith just signed Eddie George, and somewhere in there is something that doesn't make sense.

Rest of the story:
http://cbs.sportsline.com/nfl/story/7520809

[Deadskins]

For the moment, the team that gave up on Emmitt Smith just signed Eddie George, and somewhere in there is something that doesn't make sense.

I couldn't have said it any better myself! Great article. You should have printed the whole thing.

[Deadskins]

Here's the whole article:

Eddie George in Dallas makes no sense
July 23, 2004
By Clark Judge
SportsLine.com Senior Writer
Tell Clark your opinion!


So Eddie George is set with the Dallas Cowboys, who hired the former Tennessee running back on Friday for a reported $2.2 million. My only question is: Why?

"Well," said an AFC pro personnel director, "he's better than Troy Hambrick."


At 31, Eddie George no longer hits the holes as he did when he was younger. (Getty Images)
Yeah, so was Emmitt Smith who, it just happens, the Cowboys released last year. All Smith did was set the league record for career rushing and help lead Dallas to three Super Bowl titles in four years.

The Cowboys thought Emmitt's abilities had diminished, and they were right. And they weren't interested in investing more money in a back that offered few returns, so they turned to the younger, cheaper Hambrick.

No problems there until ... until the Cowboys signed Eddie George.

The move makes sense only if you're this far from closing a deal on the Super Bowl, and the Cowboys aren't. In fact, they could -- maybe should -- have trouble making the playoffs this year with a tougher schedule.

George could be that veteran who wins you a game or two, which might be crucial for, say, Philadelphia. But I don't think it matters with Dallas, which lost four of its final six games last year and still doesn't have a quarterback of consequence.

Don't get me wrong. George was a terrific back with the Titans, but the emphasis is on the past tense. Emmitt Smith was one of the game's greats, too, but let's face it: Arizona got more out of Marcel Shipp last season than they did out of Emmitt.

Eddie George could be valuable for the right team. I just don't think Dallas is the right team.

Sure, George eclipsed 1,000 yards rushing in seven of his eight seasons, but look what has happened lately. He hasn't averaged more than 3.4 yards a carry in three years, and in two of them he had a total of three 100-yard rushing efforts.

Compare that to, say, his second season when he had eight -- including one game of 216 yards -- or his fourth season when he had seven -- including two in the playoffs -- and you have a back in decline.

POLL
How will Eddie George fare with the Cowboys?
He'll regain his old form and be a top back
He'll be a decent backup and a good mentor
It's a total waste of money as his best days are over




Like Emmitt, George is not young. He turns 31 in September. More important, he has taken a zillion hits, averaging 342 carries in eight seasons -- including 403 in 2000. That's more attempts than two NFL teams had all of last year, and the punishment has taken its toll on George.

"He doesn't have the quickness he once did," said a defensive coordinator who defended George. "You look at films of the Baltimore (playoff) game last year, and the guy played with so much courage you had to admire him. But the holes were there; he just couldn't get through them."

Then there's that matter of the young back waiting his turn.

In this case, it's former Notre Dame star Julius Jones, whom the Cowboys took after trading out of the 22nd position. Say what you want about the choice -- and some scouts insist the Cowboys wound up with the wrong Jones, taking Julius instead of Kevin (who went to Detroit) -- but the Cowboys thought enough of the guy to jettison Hambrick.

And speaking of Hambrick, can anyone tell me what he did last year?

Let's see, he ran for almost 1,000 yards, averaged 3.5 yards a carry and scored five times. And Eddie George? He ran for just over 1,000 yards, averaged 3.3 yards a carry and scored five times.

So the Cowboys cut Hambrick and sign George.

The difference, of course, between Eddie George and Emmitt Smith is that the Cowboys aren't investing all that much money this time around. Had he stayed, Smith was on the books last year for $7 million in pay and $9.8 million against the salary cap. George agreed to a one-year deal reported to include $660,000 in base pay and $1.54 million in reporting bonus.

That could be good for George if he's good for the Cowboys. I just don't see it happening.

One pro personnel director said he thinks the fit could be right, especially with George working behind a physical offensive line that drives hard off the ball, allowing George to look for the crease.

Maybe. But he was in the minority.

"I think it's a panic move," said an NFC scout. "They really don't have a starting back, and they're not sure what they're going to do with their quarterback position. I think it's more a reflection of how unsettled they are with their offense, particularly their quarterback."

We'll have to wait there. For the moment, the team that gave up on Emmitt Smith just signed Eddie George, and somewhere in there is something that doesn't make sense.

[Redskins Rule]

That was a really good article......It hit all the nails on the head!!!

[gambit187]

Oh that is so funny, after the draft they said the opposite, that would should have brung in a veteran like Duce Staley. But now we go out and get George, we all of a sudden have a problem with the running game. LOL that crap makes me laugh.

[gambit187]

If the eagles would have signed him it would have been an EXCELLENT MOVE TO BOSTER THERE BACKFIELD. LOL

[1niksder]

I don't think it was panic it was desparation ... should have drafted Jackson or Jones

Oh that is so funny, after the draft they said the opposite, that would should have brung in a veteran like Duce Staley. But now we go out and get George, we all of a sudden have a problem with the running game. LOL that crap makes me laugh.

Duce Staley averaged 4.8 ypc Eddie George 3.3
longest run from scrimage Staley 22 George 27
both scored 5 td's but Staley only started 5 games

Duce would have been a better pick up that being said Hambrick had a better yr than George

Hambrick averaged ypc 3.5 ... longest run 42 ..and also 5 td's

yep that team in Texas is pass panic and are now desperate

and I'm LOVING every minute of it

If the eagles would have signed him it would have been an EXCELLENT MOVE TO BOSTER THERE BACKFIELD. LOL

the iggles hav PROVEN backs on the team and wouldn't have been dependent on a back that's been hit over 2500 times

[Brandon777]

If the eagles would have signed him it would have been an EXCELLENT MOVE TO BOSTER THERE BACKFIELD. LOL

I agree with that. According to every sports writer or analyst it seems like the Eagles can never do any wrong. If the Redskins would of signed T.O. and Kearse to the same contracts the Eagles did, all the sports writers would slam us and accuse the Redskins of trying to buy a SB, then continue to slam Snyder for over spending. But since it's the Eagles that spent the money, they simply are just getting over that "hump" to finally get to the SB, something they say every year about the Eagles.

[General Failure]

I'm still glad the Eagles didn't sign him. I'd much rather see what Tapeh can do. Still against the Trotter move, even if it was for NFL pennies.

The Cowboys getting Duce would have been a better move than signing George. Duce has nowhere near the mileage on his body that George does, and he's undoubtedly recovered from his Lis Franc injury. Unlike George he's a powerback that can still do it all.

And it would make me sick to my stomach to see him with a stupid star on his helmet. It's hard watching him go to a team I don't give a crap about, but Dallas ... I don't even want to think about that.

[Deadskins]

I love to see Dullass wasting all these roster spots on has-beens. I don't really care about the cap hit. This means they will have to cut some promising rookie come September. In the NFL it's all about quality depth.

[Dex the featherhead]

All the cowgirls did was go out and buy a "name". Someone their idiotic, retarded fans can recognize and brag about. The fact of the matter is they weakened their team by releasing a promising Hambrick for a beaten down nag. Troy Hambrick wasn't a big enough name for the Dallas star f'ers. Here's to you Jerry Jones you dim wit. I cant wait to watch these clowns get scalped next year.

[gambit187]

All the cowgirls did was go out and buy a "name". Someone their idiotic, retarded fans can recognize and brag about. The fact of the matter is they weakened their team by releasing a promising Hambrick for a beaten down nag. Troy Hambrick wasn't a big enough name for the Dallas star f'ers. Here's to you Jerry Jones you dim wit. I cant wait to watch these clowns get scalped next year.

Look Crackheadtheneverfan, since you are new I wont make you go and get my coffee. But that dont mean i am gonna let up on your just joining the board, just buying your first redskin jersey when Coach Gibbs came back into town arse. Watch your tone and show alittle, just alittle respect to the team that OWNS YOU. You of all fans have some nerve to go out on the limb and say all the Cowboys did was buy a name.

[Texas Hog]

Gambit, haven't you been warmed about the name calling and personal attacks? He has his right to an opinion, as do you. Leave it at that. Seniority means squat on this board so save your antics, please.

I disagree on the "buying the name" theory as well and feel like the George pick up is a good one for the pukes. George is a class act, hard worker and if nothing else will be a great presense in the locker room. I don't expect him to produce yards necessarily, but he'll be a good mentor for Jones. Maybe he can teach him how to hold onto the ball.

[gambit187]

Gambit, haven't you been warmed about the name calling and personal attacks? He has his right to an opinion, as do you. Leave it at that. Seniority means squat on this board so save your antics, please.

I disagree on the "buying the name" theory as well and feel like the George pick up is a good one for the pukes. George is a class act, hard worker and if nothing else will be a great presense in the locker room. I don't expect him to produce yards necessarily, but he'll be a good mentor for Jones. Maybe he can teach him how to hold onto the ball.

First of all Texas hog, i made fun of his name not him , second of all PEOPLE CALL ME OUT MY SCREEN NAME ALL THE TIME EXAMPLE GUMBY...BUT IT REALLY DOESNT AFFECT ME CAUSE ITS ONLY A SCREEN NAME. Also i wish you would get a clue also.....about 99 percent of my tone is all jovial. I do not take this thing serious........I am on here to have some FUN......I REPEAT FUN. Just like when i used to tell all newbies dont forget to put a cover on all tps reports.

Oh and finally Texas hog i am calling you out, if you have the balls to ...FIND HOW MANY TIMES ALL THE RUNNING BACKS IN THE FIRST 2 ROUNDS OF THE DRAFT FUMBLED. Or do you just read stuff and comment on it with out researching the facts ..

[JansenFan]

FIND HOW MANY TIMES ALL THE RUNNING BACKS IN THE FIRST 2 ROUNDS OF THE DRAFT FUMBLED. Or do you just read stuff and comment on it with out researching the facts ..

I tried to look into the stats. Short of manually tracking down and reading through game transcripts, I couldn't find any stats beyond 2003 3fumbles 2 lost.

With you calling us out, do you happen to have the stats you are referring too or were you simply hoping no one would ask?

[Texas Hog]

"read stuff" isn't that researching? I don't have time for your "calling me out" nonsense or for much research, but I've heard plenty, particularly during the draft about Jones' fumbling problem

[gambit187]

FIND HOW MANY TIMES ALL THE RUNNING BACKS IN THE FIRST 2 ROUNDS OF THE DRAFT FUMBLED. Or do you just read stuff and comment on it with out researching the facts ..

I tried to look into the stats. Short of manually tracking down and reading through game transcripts, I couldn't find any stats beyond 2003 3fumbles 2 lost.

With you calling us out, do you happen to have the stats you are referring too or were you simply hoping no one would ask?

Yeah jansen fan i posted all stats for the running backs, right after draft.....and all the backs drafted either had the same amount of fumbles or more then Julious Jones. But I gotta give you your props for doing that, some of you fellow fans not saying any name (Texas Hog) will harp on the B.S. about his fumbling because they like to rely more on what they read from sport writers giving their opinion, rather then then look up the stats.

[JansenFan]

I searched for Julius Jones Ffumble, and the only thing I saw was you giving the same stats I did (2003) and Curveball saying something about fubles per attempt. I tried using his link, but the page no longer exists. I am interested to see these stats to end this discussion once and for all. So far in three games in 2001 Ihave found 3 fumbles with one loss in 3 games. In 2000, I have only found 2 games. In one he fumbled and lost the ball. In 1999, I have only found stats from one game and he was clean in that one. He didn't play that much that year so it's not really important.

[JansenFan]

I searched for Julius Jones fumble, and the only thing I saw was you giving the same stats I did (2003) and Curveball saying something about fubles per attempt. I tried using his link, but the page no longer exists. I am interested to see these stats to end this discussion once and for all. So far in three games in 2001 Ihave found 3 fumbles with one loss in 3 games. In 2000, I have only found 2 games. In one he fumbled and lost the ball. In 1999, I have only found stats from one game and he was clean in that one. He didn't play that much that year so it's not really important.

[JansenFan]

I searched for Julius Jones fumble, and the only thing I saw was you giving the same stats I did (2003) and Curveball saying something about fumbles per attempt. I tried using his link, but the page no longer exists. I am interested to see these stats to end this discussion once and for all. So far in three games in 2001 Ihave found 3 fumbles with one loss in 3 games. In 2000, I have only found 2 games. In one he fumbled and lost the ball. In 1999, I have only found stats from one game and he was clean in that one. He didn't play that much that year so it's not really important.