Dallas Cowboys Face Challenges Amidst Rising Star Rico Dowdle
The Dallas Cowboys find themselves navigating a challenging season with a current 3-6 record, compounded by the absence of star quarterback Dak Prescott due to a season-ending hamstring surgery. Despite the difficulties, one player has emerged as a beacon of hope: Rico Dowdle, an undrafted free agent from the University of South Carolina who is now the team's leading running back.
Dowdle's journey to the starting position is nothing short of remarkable. He has risen from obscurity to become a centerpiece of the Cowboys’ offense. "Definitely, you have to get him the ball," said Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy, emphasizing Dowdle’s importance to the team. "He's the lead back. I thought he had a really good first half [against the Eagles], and I think that's really illustrated by the attempts. Rico needs to touch the ball."
Rico Dowdle’s Ascent
Dowdle's performance on the field has validated the confidence shown in him by the coaching staff. With 374 rushing yards on 83 carries and three receiving touchdowns, he averages 4.5 yards per carry. His career-high game against the Pittsburgh Steelers, where he racked up 87 rushing yards and a notable 22-yard receiving touchdown, stands as a testament to his abilities.
"It means a lot coming from Coach McCarthy. Showing that they got confidence, and they trusted me as the starting running back of the Dallas Cowboys," Dowdle reflected. "I take that with great pride. That's a good accomplishment coming from my situation, undrafted and all the adversity I've been through."
Adversity and Persistence
Dowdle's journey has not been without its challenges. A hip injury nearly sidelined his career two or three years ago. However, his resilience and dedication to improving his physical condition have played a crucial role in his success. "Yeah, for sure, in my past, it was all about the injuries and things like that, but now I feel that I've got my body in the best shape and best position possible for me," Dowdle stated. "So I definitely think I can go out there and operate at a high level of consistency."
Backup quarterback Cooper Rush praised Dowdle’s consistency, highlighting his tough running style. "Yeah, Rico's running hard. He's running fast, running hard. He broke a couple long ones there for us last week. He's been doing that all year. He's been consistent, and we look forward to every time he touches it," Rush commented.
Strategic Shifts
With the departure of Tony Pollard to the Tennessee Titans, Dowdle has taken the helm of the Cowboys' backfield. His individual performance stands out, especially given the team’s overall difficulties in the running game, as the Cowboys currently average just 83.7 rushing yards per game, the second-fewest in the league. The integration of rookies Tyler Guyton and Cooper Beebe into the offensive line is an ongoing process, as the Cowboys seek to strengthen their line.
Dowdle has spoken candidly about the team's shift away from a committee approach to the running back position. "The committee approach was something that wasn't working for us, so I stood firm on wanting to find that rhythm since the beginning. You want to be able to get out there and get the bulk of the carries and find that rhythm," Dowdle said. "It's all about finding that rhythm."
Upcoming Challenges
As the Cowboys prepare to face the Houston Texans, whose run defense ranks 11th in the league, Dowdle will remain a focal point of their offensive strategy. This matchup presents an opportunity to further solidify his role and potentially turn the tide for the Cowboys in what has been a disappointing season thus far.
The Dallas Cowboys continue to grapple with a depleted defensive line and the absence of key players like DaRon Bland due to a stress fracture. However, amidst these challenges, Rico Dowdle’s emergence as a reliable and dynamic running back offers the team and its fans a glimmer of hope. His story of perseverance, from undrafted free agent to a leading role in America's Team, resonates as one of resilience and promise.