Bizarre Rushing Stat

[CCBoy]

I'm not for giving him a big contract but let's be real here. Murray has a career average of 5+ yards per carry. Even before this year when he had Costa, Nagy, Kowalski, Livings, and Bern blocking for him.

He is an above average back.

Noooooo, let's get a running back with over 1600 rushing yards and throw him out to the salivating wolves outside the doors to current Valley Ranch.

 

[Zman5]

He's typically given two plays in which one is a run and one is a pass, he has typically chosen pass most often thru his career.

Yes I know that and I always maintain that if JG didn't want to pass he has the option to take that power away from Romo as the HC. He didn't do that which tells me JG himself prefers to pass over running the ball.

Before JG, Romo rarely passed more than 35 times a game. If you go back and look around 2006 and even 2007(JG's first year and Sprano's last), Romo's attempts were right around 30. As time went on with the offense becoming more JG's, Romo's pass attempts went up.

 

[CCBoy]

You think it's Romo wanted to pass more, I think it was JG. Maybe both. Bottom line is, they had good enough line last year to run more yet they still didn't.

I know Zack Martin is good but I refused to believe we were an average line last year that became the best in the league all of sudden because of one rookie guard.

Yea, preferring Bernadeau in the mix makes a ton of sense...and all the media has even rushed to that one's glory.

 

[Toruk_Makto]

People act like having a good average one few carries is the same as having a good average on more carries.

People act like having a good average in a pass first offense is the same as having a good average in a run first offense.

If people think we could have imposed our will on teams in years past like we have this year.... I don't know what to tell you. I really don't.

 

[CCBoy]

Fortunately we have more time before having to commit to Murray long-term, but if he keeps up this sort of pace you're going to have a tough time convincing me we should just move on to the next guy. The line has been phenomenal, but like others have said, Murray had a career 5.0 YPC average BEFORE ever playing behind this line.

It's kind of a night and day phenomena. The difference in a dependable and successful element that can be called upon at a time of need, and simply not being able to do when merited. Play with fluff all one wishes...

Today's bunch can bring torment into a linebackers' life...I'll just stick with that picture, thank you.

 

[Cebrin]

I firmly believe the addition of Martin is a huge part of the success along with health on the OL. Martin helps mask the atrocious play of Doug Free. He still sucks but, it's less obvious thanks to Martin.

 

[DallasInDC]

my goodness we've come a long way since arkin, holland, kowalski, nagy, and costa.

Ahhh that harkins me back to the good ole days when our RB's averaged 2.5 yards per carry and we were happy just to break 75 yards per game in total rushing.

 

[CF74]

Yes I know that and I always maintain that if JG didn't want to pass he has the option to take that power away from Romo as the HC. He didn't do that which tells me JG himself prefers to pass over running the ball.

Before JG, Romo rarely passed more than 35 times a game. If you go back and look around 2006 and even 2007(JG's first year and Sprano's last), Romo's attempts were right around 30. As time went on with the offense becoming more JG's, Romo's pass attempts went up.

Yeah that's because The Tuna was an old school run first type of coach...

 

[JD_KaPow]

If he stays healthy you sign him to a modest 3 or 4 year deal.

No, you offer him a modest 3 or 4 year deal and watch him walk out the door. The reason the Cowboys shouldn't sign him isn't because he's not really good, it's because somebody else will offer him too much.

 

[Zman5]

Yeah that's because The Tuna was an old school run first type of coach...

Exactly and that's what JG needs to be little more like.

 

[viman96]

The biggest difference with the OL this year and last year is everyone knows their role and a big reason for that is Martin. He has removed the uncertainty of guard shuffle. This enables the line to gel as unit which is huge.

 

[Tommy]

People act like having a good average one few carries is the same as having a good average on more carries.

People act like having a good average in a pass first offense is the same as having a good average in a run first offense.

If people think we could have imposed our will on teams in years past like we have this year.... I don't know what to tell you. I really don't.

I think this point becomes clear with our ability to run on 3rd and short. It doesn't matter if Murray was averaging 5yds a carry, we didn't have the ability to run it up the middle on 3rd and 2.

Today we can. I feel like the defense knows exactly what's coming but can't stop it.

Judging our offensive line on Murrays ypc over the years is meaningless.

 

[BIGDen]

I'm not for giving him a big contract but let's be real here. Murray has a career average of 5+ yards per carry. Even before this year when he had Costa, Nagy, Kowalski, Livings, and Bern blocking for him.

He is an above average back.

Well stated. He runs very hard, has good hands, and is an exceptional pass blocker. He is not fast or elusive and, IMO, does not have great vision (but it's not terrible). He is a good, complete back. He has taken a lot of hits between college and the pros - had a lot of touches. For a guy who isn't "special" talent-wise and has had injury issues/many touches, I'd be very hesitant to give him a big contract. I believe his running ability would not be that difficult to replace. His pass protection skills are outstanding and would be much tougher to replace. I'd be fine with re-signing him to a reasonable contract. A big contract, which he's likely headed towards, would be a bad move IMO.

 

[JohnnyHopkins]

I don't see why the O-line being dominant should have people doubting Murray. He has progressed each year he has been here to become one of the most complete backs in the game today. His vision this year has been excellent. This O-line (and a coordinator that will actually stick to the run) has allowed him to excel.

I hope they can find a happy middle ground on a new contract.

 

[VACowboy]

Martin helps mask the atrocious play of Doug Free. He still sucks but, it's less obvious thanks to Martin.

Free may not be the best pass protector, but he's a pretty darn good run blocker.

 

[joseephuss]

This year Murray is averaging 5.4 yds per carry, his rookie year he averaged 5.5.... Anybody want to brag about that OL?

Throw out his big game against the Rams his rookie season and his average drops to 4.6 ypc. Just take away his 91 yard run against the Rams in that game and his average would have been 4.9 ypc for the season. Throw out his best game this season and his average is 5.1 ypc. He played in 13 games his rookie season starting out mostly as the back up. He averaged over 5 ypc in a game 5 times out of those 13. In those other 8 games he averaged less than 4 ypc. So far this season he has been over 5 ypc in 3 of the 4 games and zero times under 4 ypc.

The line this year looks more consistent and cohesive. And right now Murray is healthy. He has missed games and practices every year he has been in the league. It is difficult to stick to the run when the guy you are counting on to run the ball is missing time. And it hasn't just been Murray. Dallas has dealt with nicked up running backs a few times the last 3 seasons. At the end of 2011 they had to pick up Sammy Morris off the street as the 5th RB that season and give him significant playing time.

 

[Stash]

You think it's Romo wanted to pass more, I think it was JG. Maybe both. Bottom line is, they had good enough line last year to run more yet they still didn't.

I know Zack Martin is good but I refused to believe we were an average line last year that became the best in the league all of sudden because of one rookie guard.

Yeah, this is my biggest gripe when the staunch defenders rally to the defense (yet again!) for why we didn't think to do this earlier.

They changed one piece on the offensive line - one! And now suddenly, we can run?

If that's the case, don't wait, enshrine Martin in the Hall of Fame today, because he has single-handedly changed the fates of an entire franchise.

What I would like to see - and will research myself if I can find the time - is the difference in the rushing attempts Murray and Co are getting this year compared to the first 4 games of last year.

I think they will prove enlightening to say the least.

 

[adbutcher]

Clearly no vision either.

Clearly and he is kind of slow.

 

[Future]

is this saying that the holes ae so open that Murray isn't touched til.......

That's exactly what it's saying.

Did you fall asleep in his last td run? The one where he embarrassed the Saints high priced Byrd?

There are lots of backs in the NFL who would make a safety miss in the open field like that. In fact, if you can't, you're probably not going to start on very many teams.

Murray is running well, don't get me wrong, and his overall style makes him a great fit for this offense.

 

[Stash]

Yeah, this is my biggest gripe when the staunch defenders rally to the defense (yet again!) for why we didn't think to do this earlier.

They changed one piece on the offensive line - one! And now suddenly, we can run?

If that's the case, don't wait, enshrine Martin in the Hall of Fame today, because he has single-handedly changed the fates of an entire franchise.

What I would like to see - and will research myself if I can find the time - is the difference in the rushing attempts Murray and Co are getting this year compared to the first 4 games of last year.

I think they will prove enlightening to say the least.

Quick update:

I compared Murray's numbers with a quick check at NFL.com:

2013 2014
Week 1 - 20 attempts - 86 yards Week 1 - 22 attempts - 118 yards
Week 2 - 12 attempts - 25 yards Week 2 - 29 attempts - 167 yards
Week 3 - 26 attempts - 175 yards Week 3 - 24 attempts - 100 yards
Week 4 - 14 attempts - 70 yards Week 4 - 24 attempts - 149 yards
72 attempts - 356 yards 99 attempts - 534 yards