Football journey: Lance Dunbar

[Harry]

IRVING, Texas -- Lance Dunbar's journey to the NFL has been the result of perseverance. Were talking about a guy who left his hometown of New Orleans after his sophomore season because of Hurricane Katrina and spent his last two years at Haltom High School.

Now, he wasnt a big-time recruit, even though he was a quality runner, because he is only 5-foot-8 and 185 pounds. And hes more quick than fast.

But hes always believed in himself, even when others didnt. Frankly, that is one of the reasons he went to North Texas. He figured if the played well, the NFL would find him no matter where he went.

Lance Dunbar took a difficult path to the NFL, but always believed he would make it.

These days, he is a big part of the Dallas Cowboys' offense, though we havent seen it much in the first three weeks. That is because the Cowboys trailed 28-3 against San Francisco in Week 1 and 21-0 against St. Louis last week.

With the score out of whack, the Cowboys shelved many of the packages that featured Dunbar.

Here is what Dunbar has to say about his journey to the NFL:

Read more: http://espn.go.com/blog/dallas-cowboys/post/_/id/4734342/football-journey-lance-dunbar

[Cerebus]

Having a good game against the Saints tonight.

[eulessismore]

It is unfortunate for Dunbar that Murray is tearing it up the same year that they talked about getting Lance out there more.

I like Linehan's idea about using Lance as a receiver out of the backfield more, and it seems like today showed the wisdom of that. You want to get Lance out in space where he can use his speed.

[Proud North Texan]

Love this dude!! good luck and Go mean Green

[UNTDoubleAlum]

Lance has been looking great when the Cowboys get him on the field, but I have a question. I don't think we've seen him get a hand off since the first week against the 49ers. I know he's a speedy little guy so it makes sense to get the ball to him in space rather than having to navigate through a wall of giants from behind the line, but does he even count as a running back anymore if it seems like he's filling a receiver role???

[MeanGreenTexan]

Randle starting to eat into his time. That is concerning.

[UNT90]

Randle starting to eat into his time. That is concerning.

Ya, this worries me, also.

[Cerebus]

Randle starting to eat into his time. That is concerning.

Ya, this worries me, also.

Dunbar was never going to get those carries. He is going to be a third down rb/wr who they try to get the ball to in space. That is a perfect place for him and if they find ways to get him the ball with all those other targets around him it will lead to a long healthy career.

[ForneyGreen]

Dunbar was never going to get those carries.

Agreed. At 190 lbs, Lance is not going to be an every-down between-the-tackles RB in the NFL.

Nothing wrong with making a living as a 3rd down scat back in the NFL. As long as Lance can stay healthy and part of the 3-man RB rotation, then he'll get his chance to make big plays. And with Murray's injury history, he'll likely get additional carries at some point in the year.

[ntmeangreen11]

Lance was supposed to get some of those carries. There was article after article this summer about how Linehan was planning to use Lance similarly to how he used Reggie Bush in Detroit. The big difference here is that Detroit had Joquie Bell (an average to above average player) as the other RB and we have a pro bowler who needs 20 carries a game as the key cog. I like that their using Lance in the passing game he is winning those matchups against linebackers on 3rd downs every time (if only Tony wouldn't throw the ball at his feet) . My guess is he will get some carries when Demarco starts showing some wear and tear as the season progresses.

[UNT90]

Demarco has a history of not staying healthy that goes all the way back to his OU days.

Stay ready, Lance.