LaDainian Tomlinson: Emmitt Smith is right!

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Please don't kill the messenger...................

Count LaDainian Tomlinson, the TCU star and Chargers standout running back, in the camp of those who feel DeMarco Murray could have gained more yards last season.

What I do like about what LT had to say is, "Murray knows his strengths".


continue reading the article here...

http://cowboysblog.***BANNED-URL***...arco-murrays-season-couldve-been-better.html/
 
Last edited:
So could every other running back that has been in the NFL since the Canton Bulldogs.

"Don't kill the messenger", you say?

Maybe you should have said "Don't eat your young."
 
The RB will get the yards, the questions are will they get the tough yards, how are they at pass catching, and most importantly, can they pick up the blitz. It will be fun to watch for the next month or so in preseason games and camp.
 
Murray got enough yards for me last year. I was satisfied.

Tomlinson puts it better than Emmitt did, though. It's not so much that he could or should have had 2,500 yards, but it's definitely the case that he'd often look for contact when he had just one man to beat. If he weren't reportedly in excellent condition, I'd say that he would do it when he got gassed at the end of a long run. Maybe he didn't trust his speed. Or maybe he thought he'd end up tackled anyway and just wanted to put a hit on somebody. But the tape doesn't lie. He'd often go looking for that contact when he could have continued to run to daylight.
 
Maybe LT or Emmitt could have gotten more yards. That's why they are all time greats
Murray got the yards Murray was capable of getting
news flash, he's not a HOF running back
Going by what they seem to think our rb's should have easily over 2500 rushing yards this season
Let's see if that holds true
 
conner01 said:
Maybe LT or Emmitt could have gotten more yards. That's why they are all time greats
Murray got the yards Murray was capable of getting
news flash, he's not a HOF running back
Going by what they seem to think our rb's should have easily over 2500 rushing yards this season
Let's see if that holds true
Click to expand...

It won't. :)

It's one area, though, where I think Randle might be a bit better for us than Murray was. Randle does a nice job of setting up his blocks downfield and of staying behind his linemen. He's also fairly nifty changing direction in the open field. He's just a bit slow and fumbles a bit much for my liking.
Where we're going to take a big step back is in pass blocking (McFadden's actually good at this, but for the other backs) and in short yardage and goal line.
 
PhillyCowboysFan said:
Please don't kill the messenger...................

Count LaDainian Tomlinson, the TCU star and Chargers standout running back, in the camp of those who feel DeMarco Murray could have gained more yards last season.

What I do like about what LT had to say is, "Murray knows his strengths".


continue reading the article here...

http://cowboysblog.***BANNED-URL***...arco-murrays-season-couldve-been-better.html/
Click to expand...

I don't really know why anyone would kill the messenger for this. I don't think there are many who deny that Murray could have gained more yards last season. That was fairly easy to see.

What those of us who realize he's not easily replaced also see is he could have lost more yards last season.

I remember watching one play recently where he shrugged off an arm-tackle at the line of scrimmage, went shoulder pad to shoulder pad with a linebacker, bounced of that to his left and had a clear path to the outside, but didn't trust Terrence Williams to hold the block, cut back to the inside and was tackled.

A big run became a medium run. However, with another back it could have been a zero gain run or a short-gain run. That's the pluses and minuses with Murray. The question now is what are the pluses and minuses with his replacements?
 
PhillyCowboysFan said:
Please don't kill the messenger...................

Count LaDainian Tomlinson, the TCU star and Chargers standout running back, in the camp of those who feel DeMarco Murray could have gained more yards last season.

What I do like about what LT had to say is, "Murray knows his strengths".
Click to expand...

This is only news to those who think that Murray is the reason for the Cowboys 12-4 season last year. Those people also think that Murray is the best RB since sliced bread. Murray is a good RB that used his size and intelligence to his advantage. Like LT stated: "Murray knows his strengths". This is not a knock on Murray. I wouldn't have been upset with his return because we all knew what he would give you, IF he stays healthy. Unfortunately that was a big if. I honestly believe the multiple injuries and games missed is what ultimately showed him the door. And I don't blame the FO for thinking this way. I mean.. although Murray is a solid RB, can you really commit long term to a 27yo RB that has been injured every year that he's been in the league? He's not Emmitt Smith. Emmitt rarely missed games. You could always count on him. The FO knows that couldn't say the same about Murray. Murray knew this too. Thus, taking questionable angles, running out of bounds, and still couldn't hold onto the ball better. The main reason for Murrays production last year is several factors. He had a "tier 2" QB, arguably the top TE, WR, OL, and the organizations commitment to run the ball. And I wont go into how convenient it is that players have "break-out' production during a contract year when they know their about to get paid. Unfortunately for Murray, he will not have the same commitment from Philthy and thus will not come close to the season he had last year. I applaud the Jones (mainly Stephen) for finally NOT overpaying for yesterdays production.

LT and Emmitt have both "been there and done that" when it comes to knowing what it takes to be a Star at the runningback position. Both were considered the best during their time as a RB. Although Murray had a great season and out produced the competition by almost 500 yards, most people still don't consider him the best RB in the league. So when the Rushing Champion and Top Cowboy RB of all time thinks Murray could have done better... I tend to agree. I truly believe if Murray had more speed he could have destroyed the single season record. That's where this years stable of RB's come in. The one thing they all have in common is speed. I will not compare Murray to any of the present RBs on this team bc I don't think any of them have the same smash mouth style that Murray has.. and I'll admit.. that will be missed. But to shrug off Randle, McFadden, Dunbar, and Williams as if they don't have talent themselves is a big mistake. These guys bring a totally different element to the run game that Murray never allowed on the field. (I wonder why). They bring the "avoid" element. Rather than seek contact, these guys tend to make moves or run past a defender to avoid contact. Couple that with the huge running lanes that the OL gives to gain momentum.. you have yourself the opportunity to take it to the house on every play. I cant wait to see them battle it out for the right to be the lead dog. I cant wait to quite all the naysayers that predict Dallas's demise. The FO has finally found the "secret-sauce" and I hope they keep pouring it on. GO COWBOYS!!
 
Ridin' With Randle til either the gas runs out, or a gasket blows.
Whichever comes first.

Let's do this. I feel... ready.
 
I bet every RB think they could have gained more yards. There is always more.
 
Idgit said:
Murray got enough yards for me last year. I was satisfied.

Tomlinson puts it better than Emmitt did, though. It's not so much that he could or should have had 2,500 yards, but it's definitely the case that he'd often look for contact when he had just one man to beat. If he weren't reportedly in excellent condition, I'd say that he would do it when he got gassed at the end of a long run. Maybe he didn't trust his speed. Or maybe he thought he'd end up tackled anyway and just wanted to put a hit on somebody. But the tape doesn't lie. He'd often go looking for that contact when he could have continued to run to daylight.
Click to expand...

That was honestly the best assessment regarding DM that I've heard since the whole argument began. Well put Idgit.
 
When the GOAT speaks everyone needs to listen.

LT just trying to give his idol some esquina
 
Idgit said:
It won't. :)

It's one area, though, where I think Randle might be a bit better for us than Murray was. Randle does a nice job of setting up his blocks downfield and of staying behind his linemen. He's also fairly nifty changing direction in the open field. He's just a bit slow and fumbles a bit much for my liking.
Where we're going to take a big step back is in pass blocking (McFadden's actually good at this, but for the other backs) and in short yardage and goal line.
Click to expand...

I agree
I think we will have more big runs and miss out on some of the tough runs
In the end that could very well balance itself out
Hopefully rankle has improved his blocking
I would assume he knows the importance and has worked on it
He doesn't have to pancake people, just block the right guy. He doesn't have to be a great blocker but he does have to read the rush and do his best to pickup the right guy
What we don't need is free shots on romo
 
You don't have to be a hall of fame runner to know what anyone who watched every Cowboys snap knows.

Murray had a great season. If he was better it could have truly been something else.
 
Murray is gone. He played great. It's time to move forward and stop diminishing what he did and hope that this team can match or surpass what he did because that means we'll probably be better.
 
Murray was the reason the Cowboys were 12-4
Now let's see if Randle and McFadden Can be the reason the Cowboys can do the same.
 
Why didn't all of these former players motivate Murray when he was a Cowboy? They wait until he's an Eagle then give him incentive to make better decisions and gain more yardage.
 
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