Fans are rarely pleased with the signings made by the Dallas Cowboys. With Sam Williams’ severe knee injury that ended the season, they signed defensive ends Shaka Toney and Al-Quadin Muhammad instead of fan favorite Carl Lawson.
Given that Lawson’s back issue restricted him to just six games in the previous season, it’s plausible that the Cowboys were put off by his medical reports. In any case, this was only the most recent instance of the front office zigging when the whole fan base wanted it to zag.
The best illustration may be how Dallas has managed the running back position. Although supporters are happy that the organization is no longer paying RBs large salaries, they are also upset that a larger player wasn’t signed, either via free agency or the draft.
After Ezekiel Elliott spent a year in New England, the Cowboys signed him to almost the vet minimum and brought back Rico Dowdle. Even though Dowdle has seemed to be the greatest back at training camp, Oxnard fans are pissed up over a forgotten and derided addition from early in the spring.
Head coach Mike McCarthy and senior vice president Stephen Jones were ecstatic by Freeman’s performance thus far in camp. Freeman was originally thought of as a depth addition to provide more competition throughout camp, but it looks like he’s headed toward the 53-man roster.
“We were just talking about it last night at the scout dinner, ‘What in the hell was he doing sitting around out there?’” Jones told The Athletic. “For someone to have been seated there is fascinating. With regard to his backup capabilities, he’s an excellent blend of the three. He’s a huge, robust man. In addition, he excels in special teams.”
Freeman will be a “great complement” to Elliott, according to Jones. While the Joneses’ opinions are often regarded with skepticism by Cowboys supporters, McCarthy is a straight shooter. He consistently provides the media with sincere and well-considered responses.
The special teams recognition is really noteworthy. A depth player’s ability to contribute on special teams may determine whether they are included to the club or removed. With his impressive rusher, receiver, and special teams play, Freeman has a good shot of making it through the regular season. It was not anticipated of him upon signing.
During his first two seasons, Freeman, a third-round selection by the Broncos in 2018, ran for 1,017 yards and eight touchdowns. Freeman, however, found himself third on the depth chart behind Gordon and Philip Lindsay after Denver signed Melvin Gordon before to the 2020 campaign.
Since then, Freeman has had unremarkable periods with the Texans and Panthers; however, he had a fantastic return to form with the Rams in the last campaign. With 1,144 rushing yards and 12 touchdowns in his second season as a pro, Kyren Williams stunned the league, but Freeman showed himself to be a reliable backup with 319 rushing yards and two scores on 4.1 yards per carry.
Freeman probably wasn’t on the wish list of running backs for Cowboys supporters going into the summer, but he’s already silenced everyone.
