Todd Archer: Comparing DeMarco Murray, Julius Jones

[Risen Star]

By Todd Archer


IRVING, Texas -- In 2004, the Cowboys finished a disappointing 6-10, but many thought they had found the team’s next great running back in Julius Jones.

Jones missed most of the early part of the season with a broken shoulder but returned for the final seven games and took off. He finished with 803 yards on 192 carries. He had three straight games with at least 30 carries against Baltimore, Chicago and Seattle, displaying durability and toughness. He finished the year strong with 149 yards on 29 carries at the New York Giants.

In 2011, the Cowboys finished 8-8 but many believe the Cowboys have their next great running back in DeMarco Murray.

Before a fractured ankle ended his season in the first half against the New York Giants, Murray had a seven-game run that was similar to Jones’. From Oct. 23 vs. St. Louis through Dec. 4 at Arizona, Murray ran 134 times for 799 yards.

He set the franchise mark for rushing yards in a game with 253 against the Rams. He had two other games with more than 130 yards. He displayed toughness and durability in wins at Washington and against Miami.

In 2004, the average rank of the run defenses faced by Jones was 16.5. In 2011, the average rank of the run defenses faced by Murray was 16.5.

Spooky, no?

http://espn.go.com/blog/dallas/cowbo...y-julius-jones

[Bowdown27]

There stats are similar but there playing style and passion are totally different. Demarco will show next year how different they are

[Doomsday101]

All they have in common are they both are RB and both played for the Cowboys outside of that Murray shows better instinct and vision hitting the line of scrimmage and can grid out tough yards. Jones more of a speed back who was great running draws but not much in terms of making the tough yardage

[CowboyMike]

Murray doesn't have Parcells around to turn him into "compu-back", so we're good.

[DFWJC]

I may be wrong, but I've always considered the Oline to have been better during Julius' time here.

[casmith07]

Not spooky.

[Future]

Originally Posted by Bowdown27

There stats are similar but there playing style and passion are totally different. Demarco will show next year how different they are

Julius is a better pure runner though. Parcells and MBIII ruined that guy.

Originally Posted by DFWJC

I may be wrong, but I've always considered the Oline to have been better during Julius' time here.

The month or so that Murray played well the OLine and Fiametta were playing great. Plus, he got to go against STL, BUF, SEA for his big games.


I wonder if this is going to be as violent a thread as the last one that compared the two

[CCBoy]

The offensive line was so ecstatic to get past 'grass blade tripping' Hambrick that they would have blocked for a wheel barrel.

[batman36]

Originally Posted by CCBoy

The offensive line was so ecstatic to get past 'grass blade tripping' Hambrick that they would have blocked for a wheel barrel.

That evokes memories of utter frustration, while at the same time causing laughter because of Hambricks ineptness. And it's funny, too!

[Cowboy Junkie]

Murray averaged 5.5 ypc

Jones 4.2
in their rookie years.
that is a huge difference

[Fletch]

Originally Posted by Cowboy Junkie

Murray averaged 5.5 ypc

Jones 4.2
in their rookie years.
that is a huge difference

Jones came from Notre Suck while Murray came from a top-flight D-1 college in Oklahoma. Not that I am a fan of the Sooners, but they are one of the better recruiting Universities in all of college football.

[Cowboy Junkie]

Originally Posted by Fletch

Jones came from Notre Suck while Murray came from a top-flight D-1 college in Oklahoma. Not that I am a fan of the Sooners, but they are one of the better recruiting Universities in all of college football.

that is very true. Okl has done very well sending out top NFL talent as of late .

ND. not so much