As the Dallas Cowboys head into the 2015 season, the team has been seeking answers after the loss of All-Pro running back DeMarco Murray to free agency. The loss left a huge gap in the offense after he led the National Football League in rushing with over 1,800 yards and 13 touchdowns. Even more damaging was the fact he signed a multi-year contract with division foe and archrival the Philadelphia Eagles.
In an effort to shore up the running game and establish a little depth, the Cowboys acquired potential fantasy sleeper Christine Michael in a trade with the Seattle Seahawks. The deal was announced two days before the start of the regular season as the Cowboys prepare for its season opener against the New York Giants at AT&T Stadium in Dallas, Texas.
The game was played on September 13 as part of NBC’s Sunday night primetime schedule, but Christine’s debut will unfortunately have to wait at least one more week.
In exchange for the services of Michael, the Seahawks will receive a conditional 2016 draft pick. Seattle felt compelled to make the trade after announcing they had come to terms with ex-Buffalo Bills running back Fred Jackson. Jackson was surprisingly released earlier in the preseason. He spent 10 years with the Bills after he went undrafted.
It should be noted that Jackson was one of the first NFL players to sign a contract and be allocated to the NFL Europe League where he started at running back for the Rhein Fire (2006). When the NFL Europe season concluded, he was officially added to the Bills’ active roster where he would eventually become the team’s leading rusher over several seasons.
As for Michael, he played his high school ball at West Brook Senior High School in Beaumont where he would go on to win the 2009 Walter Payton Trophy as the nation’s “Best High School Athlete.” He then signed to play his college ball in College Station, Texas, for the Texas A&M Aggies. After earning 2009 Offensive Freshman of the Year honors in the Big 12 Conference, he had an abbreviated 2010 season due to a broken tibia. He finished his college career with two solid final seasons, including the 2012 season when he played in the same backfield as All-American and Heisman Trophy winner Johnny Manziel.
Michael was drafted in the second round of the 2013 NFL draft by the Seahawks. In his short career with Seattle, he played in a total of 14 games where he carried the ball 52 times for 254 yards (4.9 YPC) and no touchdowns. At this point in time, it is unclear how the Cowboys intend to use him on the field. Darren McFadden figures to be the starting halfback after signing as a free agent from the Oakland Raiders. Other running backs on the roster include Joseph Randle, Lance Dunbar and Tyler Clutts at fullback.
After several disappointing seasons that have seen the Cowboys flirt with excellence only to show constant inconsistency, this year figures to be an important one for the most celebrated franchise in the history of the NFL. Owner Jerry Jones has never been one to show patience, but has been more than supportive of Head Coach Jason Garrett and QB Tony Romo. Of course, all of that is subject to change should the Cowboys struggle early in the season. The team avoided the first disaster of the season when they finally agreed to contract terms with All-Pro wide receiver Dez Bryant who was threatening to sit out the season if an agreement couldn’t be reached. He finally signed a $70 million contract earlier this summer and appears ready to as the season approaches.
This article is courtesy of sporting enthusiast Tony Samboras. As fan of football and many other sports Tony is always following the latest news surrounding his favorite sporting events. He is not just a writer he is also a sports analyst and currently provides football betting tips for simplythebetsus.com
