The Facts: While Randle likely goes into the regular season as the presumptive starter after Murray’s departure for Philadelphia, Randle isn’t likely to come close to DeMarco Murray’s total. “Slim. Probably slim. Slim,” RBs coach Gary Brown agreed. “We’re going to try to spread that out and keep guys fresh.”
Diehards Line:
Murray tied for seventh in NFL history with 392 carries last season as the Cowboys ran it 508 times and threw it 506. And for much of their history, the Cowboys have relied on a franchise running back. The Cowboys produced a 1,000-yard rusher in 25 of their first 55 seasons. But this season the Cowboys expect to spread it around like they did in the 10 seasons immediately after Smith’s departure before Murray stayed healthy enough to handle the load. The Cowboys didn’t draft a running back after signing Darren McFadden in free agency. They have stayed off the veteran free agent market, even after placing the oft-injured McFadden on the physically unable to perform list to start training camp with a left hamstring strain. Instead the Cowboys have stood pat, willing to give Randle, McFadden and Lance Dunbar a chance. The Cowboys have confidence the trio can get the job done as well as Murray did behind an offensive line that arguably ranks as the best in football. But it continues to sound like a committee approach is in the works unless Randle -- or somebody -- makes that impossible.