Cowboys: Former A&M Running Back Added To Roster

The Dallas Cowboys have added Christine Michael to a backfield still trying to figure out who will lead the way without DeMarco Murray.

On Saturday, the Dallas Cowboys underwent the unpleasant process of trimming down their roster to 53 players, a move that certainly doesn’t mark the end of player movement for the franchise as it prepares for it’s season opener against the New York Giants next Sunday.

Among those cuts was former Texas A&M running back Ben Malena, a two-year veteran that’s yet to play in a regular-season game for the Cowboys.

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Not to be without an Aggies runner on the roster, Dallas added Christine Michael, a running back who played his final season at College Station with quarterback Johnny Manziel.

Beyond the fact these two runners shared the backfield together in previous seasons while with the Aggies, there’s really no other similarities.

Michael is a bigger, stronger back than Malena that will cost the Cowboys a conditional seventh-round pick in the 2016 NFL Draft, according to Jon Machota of the Dallas Morning News. Dallas released defensive end Lavar Edwards to make room for the third-year veteran.

At 5’10” and weighing over 220 pounds, Michael might be the heaviest of the Cowboys platoon of running backs at this time. Darren McFadden weighs about the same, but standing at 6’1” definitely gives him a taller frame that might not equal the same power that Michael can provide.

If there’s anything that the Cowboys didn’t have at running back, aside from the obvious unquestioned replacement for DeMarco Murray, it was a more physical back that can move the pile in short-yardage situations. Michael’s low center of gravity should enable him to fit that role.

Further, the included video below shows that Michael seems to have a great understanding of pass protection.

You listening, Randle?

Perhaps best of all, Michael has experienced nothing but success during his limited time in the NFL.

Chosen in the second round of the 2013 NFL Draft by the Seattle Seahawks, Michael has only known of seasons that end in Super Bowls. That has to be an intangible that head coach Jason Garrett likes for his team heading into a season in which his team is expected to make a serious push for an appearance in Super Bowl L.

Michael’s career numbers aren’t going to widen anybodies eyes. He’s rushed for just 254 yards in 14 games played, which includes no activity in either of Seattle’s Super Bowl appearances over the last couple of seasons. Still, he sports a nifty 4.9 career average per carry.

Should we expect more from a backup on the best team in the NFC that has a guy named ‘Beast Mode’ starting in the backfield?

This could end up a good move on the part of the Cowboys, especially seeing as how Michael is under contract through the 2016 season. Turning 25 in early November, Michael should still have some hunger to forge a better career for himself than just a spectator in championship games, right?

At the very least, this moves protects the Cowboys from an obviously possible injury to McFadden.

At most, it serves as a clear warning to Joseph Randle, the alleged starter for the coming season, not to steal more underwear from Metroplex shopping malls and to stay away from scuffles that grab the attention of police officers.

Next: Cowboys: Quarterback Position Just Got Thin

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