I would say he earned it, but NFL.com is reporting that Joseph Randle should miss some time due to a recurring oblique strain, so safe money says DMAC will be the starter. Even if Randle was healthy enough to go this weekend against Seattle, it looked to me like DMAC had earned a shot at starting based on yesterday's performance, but also based on the first 5 games when he was more effective at getting the tough yards than Randle was.
We see what DMAC can do if given enough touches -- he's not the only back that needs a workload to produce, but he certainly needed more than 7.4 attempts per game to show what he can do. On the other hand, I don't believe he can hold up to consistent workload that he got yesterday -- and that Murray got every game last season -- because he never has averaged more than 16-17 carries per game in a season, and because we know the injury history. Still, between rush attempts and targets in the passing game, I believe he should be getting 18-22 touches per game while Randle is out to see what he can do. Not only that, but DMAC is the superior pass-catcher and blocker in pass-pro.
Randle has been good for 1 or 2 10-plus-yard gains per game in either the 1st or 2nd drive of games, then fizzles out and disappears for the rest of games. DMAC was really good from start to finish yesterday, and this is what that offense needs, especially with Romo and Dez still out.
We see what DMAC can do if given enough touches -- he's not the only back that needs a workload to produce, but he certainly needed more than 7.4 attempts per game to show what he can do. On the other hand, I don't believe he can hold up to consistent workload that he got yesterday -- and that Murray got every game last season -- because he never has averaged more than 16-17 carries per game in a season, and because we know the injury history. Still, between rush attempts and targets in the passing game, I believe he should be getting 18-22 touches per game while Randle is out to see what he can do. Not only that, but DMAC is the superior pass-catcher and blocker in pass-pro.
Randle has been good for 1 or 2 10-plus-yard gains per game in either the 1st or 2nd drive of games, then fizzles out and disappears for the rest of games. DMAC was really good from start to finish yesterday, and this is what that offense needs, especially with Romo and Dez still out.
