The Curious Case of Joseph Randle

[D82]

https://www.si.com/longform/true-crime/joseph-randle-dallas-cowboys/index.html

Came across this article on Sports Illustrated about where Randle is at now and the path that took him there.

I remember thinking he was poised for big things before the 2015 season and then it all came crashing down just about as fast as his career looked to be taking off. 

[Dallas94Ware]

Still led the team in rushing scores despite missing what...13 games? Not that he had a high total, but he had the hips, vision and explosiveness that blocking system required. He had the potential to be a less-powered, more-elusive Murray or at the very least, a Julius Jones. And say what you will about JJ, he had the swivel, leg lift, and burst to be quite effective with the right blocking. Randle could have had a nice little career for himself.

[quiller]

Actually you can say what if about J Jones as well.   He was a different back after injury.   The way he started oh man he was much much better then he ended up such a game changer in kick returns and the passing game out of the back field.  

[Jlash]

Same as a kid like Titus Young. Ultra talented but clearly not all together upstairs. That kind of stuff is sad.

[Dallas94Ware]

9 hours ago, quiller said:

Actually you can say what if about J Jones as well.   He was a different back after injury.   The way he started oh man he was much much better then he ended up such a game changer in kick returns and the passing game out of the back field.  

I think you are thinking of Felix Jones. Felix was a carry-share player throughout college and was more of a darren sproles "return a few, catch a few, carry a few" player who never learned to play with vision or NFL instincts. When his speed and wiggle got the job done, it was a sight for sure, but at some point you need more than speed and elusiveness in the NFL because everyone is fast and elusive at this level.

Julius Jones was the second round pick in the second year of Parcells' tenure, wwhen we sorely needed a runner and traded back with buffalo, passing on A POSSIBLE FUTURE HALL OF FAMER STEVEN JACKSON, yielding Julius Jones and eventually Marcus Spears the following year.

Julius started flashy. Couple 200 yard games to his credit, plenty of 140+ games. Good runner, but often hurt and was most effective out of the draw and power. As the line evolved, the play calling had to change, and Barber became a better primary option. The year they both played well though, with Barber closing out games and Julius breaking off the big early down/early game stuff...was really a fun, and pretty impressive, overall season. 

He stuck around a few years, made a nice little career and faded away. Randle had a similar potential, maybe could have been more, but perhaps also not...we will never know, now.