The Rise of Rico Dowdle: Dallas Cowboys' New Offensive Force
The Dallas Cowboys, a franchise synonymous with success and star players, find themselves in the midst of a challenging season. With a 3-6 record and a string of four consecutive losses, adjustments are afoot in their lineup. Key injuries, including the absence of quarterback Dak Prescott due to hamstring surgery, have left significant gaps. Yet, amid adversity, a new star is emerging in the form of an undrafted free agent running back, Rico Dowdle.
Dowdle, who joined the Cowboys from the University of South Carolina, has stepped into the spotlight as the team's leading running back. Despite the Cowboys averaging a league second-fewest 83.7 rushing yards per game, Dowdle's contributions have been a bright spot in an otherwise dim season. His consistent performance has caught the attention of many, including Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy.
McCarthy, addressing the media, emphasized the importance of Dowdle in their offensive scheme: "Definitely, you have to get him the ball. That's my focus to continue to get him opportunities. He's the lead back. I thought he had a really good first half [against the Eagles], and I think that's really illustrated by the attempts. Rico needs to touch the ball."
Dowdle's response to McCarthy’s endorsement was one of gratitude and determination. "It means a lot coming from Coach McCarthy. Showing that they got confidence, and they trusted me as the starting running back of the Dallas Cowboys. I take that with great pride," Dowdle expressed. His rise to starting running back for "America's Team" is particularly poignant given his undrafted status and past injury struggles, including a hip fracture that once threatened his career.
Despite the challenges, Dowdle has amassed 374 rushing yards on 83 carries this season, averaging an impressive 4.5 yards per carry, and notched three receiving touchdowns. His career-high performance against the Pittsburgh Steelers, with 87 rushing yards complemented by a crucial 22-yard receiving touchdown in Week 5, illustrates his capability to change the course of a game.
Dowdle's ascent to the forefront has been supported by teammates, including backup quarterback Cooper Rush, who praised his reliability and resilience. "Yeah, Rico's running hard. He's running fast, running hard. He broke a couple long ones there for us last week. He's been doing that all year. He's been consistent, and we look forward to every time he touches it," noted Rush.
The Cowboys' decision to move away from a committee approach in favor of Dowdle taking the bulk of carries seems to have paid dividends. Dowdle himself advocated for the shift, seeing it as an opportunity to harness his momentum. "The committee approach was something that wasn't working for us, so I stood firm on wanting to find that rhythm since the beginning. You want to be able to get out there and get the bulk of the carries and find that rhythm. ... It's all about finding that rhythm," he shared.
With the Cowboys facing the Houston Texans next, who boast an 11th-ranked run defense, Dowdle's role will once again be pivotal. Overcoming the Texans could serve as a catalyst for turning the Cowboys’ season around.
Dowdle’s story is one of resilience and perseverance. From the setbacks of injuries to his rise as a key player for the Cowboys, his journey is a testament to steadfastness and faith in one’s abilities. As he stated, "Yeah, for sure, in my past, it was all about the injuries and things like that, but now I feel that I've got my body in the best shape and best position possible for me. So I definitely think I can go out there and operate at a high level of consistency."
While the Cowboys may face uncertainties with their defensive line being thin and rookies Tyler Guyton and Cooper Beebe still finding their footing on the offensive line, Dowdle's tenacity offers hope. Whether he continues carving out success and possibly leading the Cowboys towards a brighter future remains to be seen, but his impact on the team this season is undeniable.