Nick Eatman is the author of the recently published ****If These Walls Could Talk: Dallas Cowboys***, a collection of stories from the Cowboys' locker room, sideline and press box, with a foreword written by Darren Woodson.*
IRVING, Texas - Cowboys head coach Jason Garrett has come out before and announced personnel changes. Twice last week he offered up the plan to switch out both the quarterback and left guard.
On Monday, following the Cowboys' disappointing 27-20 loss to the Giants, Garrett wasn't ready to put Darren McFadden in the starting role at running back. But expect him to get more carries after his 152-yard rushing effort, the fourth-highest single-game total of his career.
"I thought he was outstanding," Garrett said. "I think anybody who watched the game had to have been impressed by his performance. You saw him run inside, you saw him run off tackle and you saw him run outside. He made a lot of big plays in the game, he had a lot of dirty runs in the game. Just really, really played a complete football game and that's a well as we've run the football all year long and we have to continue to build on that."
McFadden's performance caught the eye of Cowboys owner/general manager Jerry Jones, as well. In his weekly radio interview with 105.3 FM The Fan, Jones was asked whether he thought it was enough to earn a starting spot.
"Yes. You talk about cream coming to the top. That's what you look for," he said.
Joseph Randle actually started the game and had success, rushing for 24 yards on two carries before suffering an oblique injury that could sideline him this week.
Regardless of Randle's status, however, it appears McFadden has earned the right to get more reps, if not start.
"He played his best football game, there's no question about that," Garrett said of McFadden. "But again, running the football is a collaborative effort. It starts with the guys up front. The tight ends, the receivers, the fullback, everybody that is involved in that. Coaches giving them great opportunities everybody is a part of it. He certainly took advantage of the chances he got (Sunday)."
So will that to lead more touches?
"Absolutely," Garrett said. "We will get back to work (Tuesday) and we will give him his opportunities and keep the whole thing competitive for everybody. But he has certainly earned some more touches."
McFadden became the first 100-yard rusher for the Cowboys this year - quite a difference from a year ago when DeMarco Murray set an NFL record for seven straight 100-yard games to open a season.
Be there when the Cowboys take on the Seahawks November 1. Tickets start as low as $49 for their match up this Sunday at AT&T Stadium. Instant ticket download available. Click here to purchase.
