Report: Cowboys could start Christine Michael over Joseph Randle
After falling to a record of 2-3 following three straight losses, the Dallas Cowboys are using their much need bye week to make some much needed changes. The biggest was confirmed on Tuesday, as reports leaked that the Cowboys would indeed make the switch from quarterback Brandon Weeden to Matt Cassel under center in Week Seven against the New York Giants. But that isn’t the only change to the starting lineup that Dallas’ coaching staff is considering, according to a recent report.
According to ESPN NFL reporter Ed Werder, the Cowboys are also mulling over the prospect of making two other impactful moves to help jump start their ailing offense. One that scored only six points in their last outing, a blow-out loss to the undefeated New England Patriots in Week Five. According to the report, Dallas is considering starting running back Christine Michael over Joseph Randle. And swapping rookie La’el Collins for veteran Ronald Leary at left guard along their offensive line.
#Cowboys using bye to consider 2 more starting lineup changes: Christine Michael for Joseph Randle at RB, La'El Collins for Ron Leary at LG
— Ed Werder (@WerderEdESPN) October 14, 2015
Through the first five weeks of the regular season, Randle has been a disappointment. The brash 23-year old has been unable to duplicate the success of former Cowboys running back DeMarco Murray. Randle has recorded 289 rushing yards and four scores in his five game appearances as Dallas’ starter. Last season, Murray rushed for 670 yards and recorded five scores in the same span.
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A bigger detractor than Randle’s numbers may be his attitude. The third-year back has a history of bad decision-making and immature behavior. The latest incident being a refusal to listen to his coaches when it came to being reckless with the football while stretching out for the goal line. Although Randle’s ignorance didn’t necessarily land him in his coaches’ doghouse, it could be a factor in him losing his starting role.
The Cowboys traded a conditional seventh-round draft pick in 2016 to the Seattle Seahawks for Michael early last month. The former second round pick out of Texas A&M could never get off the bench for the Seahawks, recording 254 rushing yards in 14 game appearances in the last two seasons. So far, as a member of the Cowboys, Michael’s recorded two carries for a total of five yards.
The biggest risk the Cowboys would take by swapping Randle for Michael is inexperience. Both players struggle in pass protection, but Christine has only been in this system for just over a month. Michael is the bigger unknown. At 5-10, 221 pounds, Christine certainly pack a wallop. But he’s also deceptively quick. Michael has a career yards per carry percentage of 4.9. Randle’s YPC this season is only 3.9.
Another reason Dallas may consider a change at running back is the fact this Cowboys team is without it’s two biggest stars, quarterback Tony Romo and wide receiver Dez Bryant. With their top two offensive weapons sidelined due to injury, opposing defenses have focused on stopping the Cowboys running game. As such, a bigger back like Michael might have more success against those stacked defensive fronts than Randle. It will certainly be interesting to see if the Cowboys make this change.
The fact veteran running back Darren McFadden isn’t mentioned as a possible replacement for Randle in this report is very telling. The Cowboys obviously see the eight-year veteran as a better change of pace back at this point in his career. And with his extensive injury history, you can’t blame Dallas for limiting his snap count.