The reasons why the opener is a big game for the Giants go beyond the obvious ones – setting a tone for the season, playing the rival Cowboys, a national television audience, etc. If the Giants can go into JerryWorld and steal one from the Cowboys, the early part of their season sets up quite nicely. Offensive coordinator Scott Linehan is unsure of how quickly Michael will be able to learn the system, but acknowledges that running backs often catch up quicker than other positions.
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Running back Christine Michael’s debut with Dallas will have to wait at least one more week. McFadden and Michael join Joseph Randle, Murray’s backup last season, and third-down back Lance Dunbar on Dallas’ running back committee. There are however those immaturity concerns that need to be addressed. He has battled hamstring injuries throughout the off-season and has only received a few carries in the preseason.
McFadden is expected to get his share of carries as well, and showed what he could do against the Minnesota Vikings, rushing for 37 yards on four carries, with two broken tackles and a 15-yard run. “He is a seasoned veteran running back that can take what is given to him”. I don’t really know where he fits in or how the Cowboys plan to use him. But, hey, he isn’t the only one that can pull them bad boys in as we saw here. “When you have a couple or three different guys involved running the football over the course of a game, I think the benefits are many”. Like McFadden, Dunbar has also struggled staying healthy so far during his career in a Cowboys uniform.
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Personally, I really like the signing because it finally provides the Cowboys with a running back that can hopefully come in and pick up those tough “dirty” yards. The group looks to replace the league-leading production of DeMarco Murray who signed with the Philadelphia Eagles in the offseason.
