Anti-Cowboy Bias in the Media? Look at Murray's breaking the Record

[percyhoward]

The NFL is in its 95th season, and this is the first time this has ever happened.

 

[viman96]

Murray has been getting a ton of love every week in the media. Seriously there is no bias here.

 

[cowboys2233]

Seriously?

It's a "minor" record because it's not a part of the typical football fan's consciousness. If you had asked virtually any reasonably educated fan prior to this season "who holds the all-time TD pass record", chances are that fan would have been able to name Favre. What do you think the response would have been if you'd asked "who holds the record for most consecutive 100-yard rushing games to start a season?" Even the most educated of fans would likely have had to guess. More likely, they'd simply have responded "who cares?"

The fact that it is not a record that the public pays attention to should not detract from the difficulty of breaking the record. It may be minor in the eyes of the public, but from an actual performance standpoint, it's quite a big accomplishment, given that it's taken so long to break. We're not talking about a tiddlywinks record here, where a record might stand for a long time because no one is participating. There have been hundreds of good running backs that have had a shot at this, and none have done it.

But yes, Peyton's record is more deserving of recognition. I mean, all time TD record, that's a biggie.

 

[Outlaw Heroes]

The fact that it is not a record that the public pays attention to should not detract from the difficulty of breaking the record. It may be minor in the eyes of the public, but from an actual performance standpoint, it's quite a big accomplishment, given that it's taken so long to break. We're not talking about a tiddlywinks record here, where a record might stand for a long time because no one is participating. There have been hundreds of good running backs that have had a shot at this, and none have done it.

But yes, Peyton's record is more deserving of recognition. I mean, all time TD record, that's a biggie.

I certainly don't think what Murray did is easy to accomplish. It's a terrific accomplishment and a big reason for the team's success so far.

But let's not overstate things: it's no bigger an accomplishment than a seven consecutive 100-yard rushing game streak at any point in the season (or across two seasons for that matter). Lots of guys have accomplished that in the last 56 years. One guy even doubled the length of that streak.

 

[cowboys2233]

I certainly don't think what Murray did is easy to accomplish. It's a terrific accomplishment and a big reason for the team's success so far.

But let's not overstate things: it's no bigger an accomplishment than a seven consecutive 100-yard rushing game streak at any point in the season (or across two seasons for that matter). Lots of guys have accomplished that in the last 56 years. One guy even doubled the length of that streak.

Lot of guys? How many? I have a feeling that list is shorter than you think. But yes, the real record is consecutive 100 yard games and it's going to be hard to break Sanders' record.

 

[BringBackThatOleTimeBoys]

I'm imagining what press Peterson would get if he was doing what Murray is doing now.

 

[Outlaw Heroes]

Lot of guys? How many? I have a feeling that list is shorter than you think. But yes, the real record is consecutive 100 yard games and it's going to be hard to break Sanders' record.

I suppose we can quibble about how many is "lots". I'd prefer we didn't. I listed in an earlier post 7 guys who've done it in 9 consecutive games. Let's say Murray manages to get that far: I wouldn't hesitate too long in saying "lots of guys" beat him to it. Since when do we even register the 8th guy to accomplish something?

 

[cowboys2233]

I suppose we can quibble about how many is "lots". I'd prefer we didn't. I listed in an earlier post 7 guys who've done it in 9 consecutive games. Let's say Murray manages to get that far: I wouldn't hesitate too long in saying "lots of guys" beat him to it. Since when do we even register the 8th guy to accomplish something?

That's fine. I agree, not record-breaking, but pretty darn good.

 

[Outlaw Heroes]

That's fine. I agree, not record-breaking, but pretty darn good.

Really darn good.

 

[DallasCowboys2080]

yes I was serious because I wanted it to be spelled out what constitutes a major and minor record and why this particular record is considered minor. thank u. your discussion has me educated on the subject.
I figured that since the streak existed since 1958 and hasn't been broken since and we are now in a passing league its worthy or notable. but I get it it is still minor because most fans don't give two sheeeets and care more about other records.

 

[perrykemp]

Murray's isn't a real record. X straight 100 yard games "to start a season" isn't a record. What Murray has done is great, but come on.

This is how I kinda feel. # of 100-yard games to open up a season is a fairly obscure thing isn't it? It doesn't diminish what he is doing, however, there are lots of weird records like this.

Watching the Packer game this week they reeled off a bunch of obscure record('ish) things Rodgers is doing... one of them was something like -- the fewest interceptions for a QB that has thrown 18 or more touchdowns in a season or something crazy like that. None of them registered as remotely being a big deal in terms of a "record".

My point is is the X number of 100-yard rushing games to open up a season is a great thing not because of some oddball record -- it's a great thing because of what it means.

 

[ConstantReboot]

Because major records imply longevity. I mean, it's great that Timmy Smith has the NFL rushing record in the Super Bowl, but it's minor compared to Emmitt Smith's rushing record because the latter speaks to longevity. Anyone (like Flipper Smith, the former Rams WR who set the most yards in a game - don't know whether he still has that record) can catch lightning in a bottle. But it's the truly great who, when they break records, it's more noteworthy because it suggests a career of greatness.

I implied earlier (by liking someone post) that Murray's accomplishment is not a record. That's incorrect. It is a record, but it's not a major one when compared to what Peyton has done. I think in that light, it's a minor record. However, I'm glad that a Cowboy has that record.

Jim Browns record stood for over 50 years. No one since has been able to break it since then. While Brett Favre record everyone was saying it will never be broken and yet....there it is. Its broken by Peyton and happened during my lifetime.

Thus if you want to debate about longevity Murray's should be considered a major record as well.

 

[CCBoy]

On records, I don't think that the Pope operates on a conversion number projected, either partial or full year. (I'm not Catholic for the record)

 

[ConstantReboot]

Someone needs to explain to me why Murray's record should be more newsworthy than Peyton's.

But don't let it interfere with the weekly whine fest over media hate. I'll wait.

No one said that it should be more newsworthy. However, it was hardly reported and not at all in some news venues such as NFL.com. So it went virtually unnoticed.

Murray broke a record that lasted for more than 50 years. With all the great backs such as Walter Payton, Emmitt, Dickerson, etc. I think its worth noting that its a worthy record that should at least be shown on the listing of headlines rather than being buried away in some deep corner.

 

[tyke1doe]

Jim Browns record stood for over 50 years. No one since has been able to break it since then. While Brett Favre record everyone was saying it will never be broken and yet....there it is. Its broken by Peyton and happened during my lifetime.

Thus if you want to debate about longevity Murray's should be considered a major record as well.

The longevity I'm speaking of is not measured in how long it took to break the record but how long in the player's career it took to break a particular record.

There are ALL KINDS OF RECORDS in the NFL. So how do we distinguish one record as more worthy than another? It's generally based on how long it takes for a player to break that record. Usually, when it has to do with passing touchdowns or rushing yards or receiving yards, those records are records measuring the longevity of the player breaking them.

I'm not taking away from Murrary's record. It's an admirable one. But it doesn't measure his longevity.

Or, simply put, breaking the passing touchdowns (Peyton Manning), rushing yards (Emmitt Smith) or receiving yards (Jerry Rice) or amassing the most sacks over an entire career (Bruce Smith), those are usually going to be your Hall of Fame players. Breaking the single game rushing yardage or the most 100-yards games in a season is going to speak for a great game or a great season, but the player isn't likely going to be considered a Hall of Famer.

 

[BotchedLobotomy]

To be honest with you, I had no clue that the record Murray broke was even being kept track of. I think Murray got the press he deserved considering the type of record it was.

If he breaks the all-time yardage record or all time rushing TD record, then my ears perk up a little more.

 

[Doomsday101]

Just my own view I think Peyton record was bigger record to set. I think the record Demarco broke will last longer than Peyton's record which was held by Marino and then Favre while the record Murray broke has been standing since 1958. Peyton deserves the headlines it is a heck of an accomplishment but I would say Murray is not chop liver either

 

[ConstantReboot]

The longevity I'm speaking of is not measured in how long it took to break the record but how long in the player's career it took to break a particular record.

There are ALL KINDS OF RECORDS in the NFL. So how do we distinguish one record as more worthy than another? It's generally based on how long it takes for a player to break that record. Usually, when it has to do with passing touchdowns or rushing yards or receiving yards, those records are records measuring the longevity of the player breaking them.

I'm not taking away from Murrary's record. It's an admirable one. But it doesn't measure his longevity.

Or, simply put, breaking the passing touchdowns (Peyton Manning), rushing yards (Emmitt Smith) or receiving yards (Jerry Rice) or amassing the most sacks over an entire career (Bruce Smith), those are usually going to be your Hall of Fame players. Breaking the single game rushing yardage or the most 100-yards games in a season is going to speak for a great game or a great season, but the player isn't likely going to be considered a Hall of Famer.

Those are good points! However, if you look at those people on that list - OJ Simpson, Emmitt Smith, Jim Brown, etc. those are'nt your typical flash in the pan players. I don't think this record is minor as what some have stated. Not as newsworthy as Peyton breaking the record though but still newsworthy as some of the other things going on in the NFL.

My point wasn't to compare Peyton's record with Murray breaking the record. I just wanted to make a statement that there is some kind of media bias against covering positive covering the Cowboys. In fact, they would rather not cover it at all if it has anything good to say about the Cowboys.

 

[JD_KaPow]

Think of it this way. Every qualifying phrase you add (beyond "in a career" or "in a season" or "in a row") makes the record less major. And, at least in the NFL, streaks are generally less major than totals (there's no real football equivalent to DiMaggio's 56 games)

"Most TD passes in a season" is really big.
"Most TD passes in a season by a rookie" is pretty good.
"Most TD passes in a season by a rookie in his thirties?" Nobody cares (Dieter Brock, by the way).

"Most 100-yard rushing games in a row" is big, but not as big as "most rushing yards in a season".
"Most 100-yard rushing games in a row starting with game 1" simply isn't as big.

 

[tyke1doe]

Those are good points! However, if you look at those people on that list - OJ Simpson, Emmitt Smith, Jim Brown, etc. those are'nt your typical flash in the pan players. I don't think this record is minor as what some have stated. Not as newsworthy as Peyton breaking the record though but still newsworthy as some of the other things going on in the NFL.

My point wasn't to compare Peyton's record with Murray breaking the record. I just wanted to make a statement that there is some kind of media bias against covering positive covering the Cowboys. In fact, they would rather not cover it at all if it has anything good to say about the Cowboys.

You could be right. There could be a media bias against the Cowboys. But I think it works both ways. When the Cowboys are doing well, you'll see it reflected in social media, on fan boards and via the ratings. And then what you get is fans from other teams complaining about too much Cowboys coverage. And so you'll see the opposite, commentators taking their shots at the Cowboys to "even the balance," so to speak. And because the Cowboys have an active and reactive fan base, that fan base reacts regardless - to the positive AND negative coverage.

But I really don't worry about it that much. It is what it is and is a product of being "America's Team."