Todd Archer, ESPN Staff Writer 9y

With Adrian Peterson coming to town, Cowboys need RBs to show worth

IRVING, Texas -- When the Dallas Cowboys take on the Minnesota Vikings on Saturday at AT&T Stadium, a lot of fans will be looking longingly at the Vikings’ sideline.

They won’t see Adrian Peterson on the field for the Vikings, but he will conjure up thoughts of what might have been for the Cowboys. At least in an imaginary world.

The Cowboys and Peterson were constantly linked as possible playing partners as the running back worked through his legal issues that saw him placed on the commissioner’s exempt list last season. Some thought Peterson was through with Minnesota and naturally tied the Texas native to the Cowboys and their need for a tailback.

According to multiple sources, the Cowboys hardly got past internal discussions regarding the possibility of adding Peterson. The Vikings never wanted to truly deal Peterson and wanted a king’s ransom in return.

Even with the departure of DeMarco Murray to the Philadelphia Eagles, the cost of adding Peterson financially as well as the compensation required to get him was too great for the Cowboys.

But it was nice to dream only if you realize dreams don’t always come true.

Where the Cowboys are left at the tailback position today is not far different than where they were when they left for Oxnard, California, for the start of training camp on July 27.

The picture is not clearer. Joseph Randle remains the odds-on favorite to be the lead back of a committee approach. Darren McFadden missed the first 11 practices of training camp with a hamstring injury. Lance Dunbar missed time with a sprained ankle.

Randle was limited a few days with an oblique strain, but he had seven carries for 30 yards against the San Francisco 49ers last week. McFadden started the game and had 4 yards on three carries and had a sore neck that limited his work in practice. Dunbar did not have a carry.

In a perfect world, the Cowboys would have roles determined. But the NFL is far from perfect.

"We’re still going to keep grinding on that and make sure that we do all our due diligence as coaches and make sure we put the right pieces in place and everybody has their right role," running backs coach Gary Brown said.

Though time is short, the focus is Sept. 13 against the New York Giants.

"Nah, I’m not really concerned about it right now," Brown said. "I think when we get in that Giant week we’ll have it pretty much down. We still got two preseason games to go and we’re just looking forward to those guys going out and improving themselves."

Randle has taken the most first-team snaps this summer. At the start of camp, owner and general manager Jerry Jones put his faith behind Randle. Though there have been some hiccups, Brown has been pleased.

"He’s been on point with not only his run stuff, but his pass-game stuff," Brown said. "I always try to tell him about 'who are you without the ball? I know what you can do with it, what can you do without it? Are you going to be where you need to be in the passing game? Are you going to do the things necessary for our offense to be where we want to be?' And he’s been taking that challenge and he’s been doing well with that."

McFadden has been treated like a made-man this summer. The hamstring strain was minor, but the Cowboys were deliberate with his return. The neck strain wasn’t believed to be serious, but he was kept out of team snaps one day.

He has not averaged better than 3.4 yards per carry in a season since 2011, but the Cowboys are counting on his pedigree.

"Anytime you come out here in camp, you have to prove yourself in some form or fashion," Brown said. "He’s still doing that, I still believe in my heart that he’s going to be a hell of a player for us. He’s just got to go out and do what’s necessary to prove me right."

Had the Cowboys been in a fantasy world, then Peterson would be in a No. 28 jersey with a star on his helmet. But it remains a fantasy.

The Cowboys have to deal with reality and need to get a cleaner picture of their tailback spot after Saturday’s game.

"They’re young players who need opportunities," head coach Jason Garrett said. "I think they’ve done a good job in camp, and we want to give them chances in these preseason games to get ready for the regular season."

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