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IRVING, Texas — Dallas Cowboys running back DeMarco Murray is having the season of his life.
He has already made NFL history with eight straight 100-yard games to open the season and counting.
Hall of Famer Jim Brown’s previous record of six stood for 56 years.
More impressively, Murray is on pace to surpass Eric Dickerson’s single-season rushing record of 2,105, set in 1984.
With 1,054 rushing yards, including 141 in the 20-17 overtime against the Washington Commanders Monday, is on target for a mind-blowing 2,105.
Unfortunately, thanks to a second-quarter fumble against the Commanders, Murray is also beginning to a duplicate another nasty Dickerson trait from 1984.
Dickerson not only led the league in rushing that season, but he was also tops in fumbles with 14.
Murray’s fumble against the Commanders was his fifth in eight games, putting him on pace for 10 this season.
It’s a potential bad habit that could not only mar his record run but also impact the Cowboys’ possible run to the playoffs.
Murray’s fumble against the Commanders played a huge factor in their loss as it took points off the board in what would end up being a tied game at the end of regulation.
It was also totally unnecessary, coming at the end of a 36-yard catch-and-run when Murray tried to bull his way through four defenders at the Washington 6-yard line.
If Murray just goes down, the Cowboys are certain to get three points if not a touchdown.
The disappointing thing is that it’s not the first time Murray has lost a fumble this season while trying to fight for extra yards after securing a first down when the smarter thing to do would have been to go down.
Yet, Murray maintains that he will not change a thing regarding his bulldozing style.
“I’m going to continue to play hard and fight for every inch,” Murray said Monday after the game. “What happened, I’ve just got to just lock two hands on it. I’m going to continue to fight and run hard as I can to get us every inch and every yard I can, but I’ve just got to lock it up with two hands.”
It’s an incredulously stubborn statement considering there is a difference between running hard, running smart and being foolish.
Cowboys Hall of Famer and NFL all-time rushing king Emmitt Smith tweeted as much while watching Murray’s fumble Monday night.
Know when the journey is over!!!
— Emmitt Smith (@EmmittSmith22) October 28, 2014 ">"Know when the journey is over!!!" said Smith followed by frown emoticon.
Cowboys coach Jason Garrett had a similar message for Murray.
“We really have to understand how to handle those situations at the end of the down,” Garrett said Monday night after the game. “He’s just a physical runner. He’s got a great will and determination about him, but he has to go down and protect the ball at the end of a play like that.”
Garrett reiterated that point on Tuesday when told of Murray’s comments that he will continue to fight for every inch.
He said Murray has to know when the play is over and go down.
“He’s has to go down; it’s simple as that,” Garrett said. “He understands that. He carries the ball a lot. That’s the conclusion of a ton of his running plays and is should have been last night.
"We emphasize that. Understanding where he is in the play and getting down, I think is important for him and he does that a lot. He makes a heck of a play, we have a (big) gain and we’re down to the 5-yard line and the ball comes out. Obviously that can’t happen.”
The Cowboys love Murray’s physical style of play. It sets the tone for the team and has become the personality of the offense with Murray punishing defenders behind that massive offensive line.
It’s the main reason Murray is on a record pace, and the Cowboys are on the path to potential greatness with an NFC East-leading 6-2 mark.
But the NFL’s leading rushing must mix in some brain to go with that brawn in key situations.
He needs to learn to do as Smith tweeted and “know when the journey is over” before the dream season turns into a nightmare.
Clarence Hill covers the Cowboys for the Fort Worth Star-Telegram. All quotations obtained firsthand unless otherwise noted.
Read more Dallas Cowboys news on BleacherReport.com
Continue reading...
He has already made NFL history with eight straight 100-yard games to open the season and counting.
Hall of Famer Jim Brown’s previous record of six stood for 56 years.
More impressively, Murray is on pace to surpass Eric Dickerson’s single-season rushing record of 2,105, set in 1984.
With 1,054 rushing yards, including 141 in the 20-17 overtime against the Washington Commanders Monday, is on target for a mind-blowing 2,105.
Unfortunately, thanks to a second-quarter fumble against the Commanders, Murray is also beginning to a duplicate another nasty Dickerson trait from 1984.
Dickerson not only led the league in rushing that season, but he was also tops in fumbles with 14.
Murray’s fumble against the Commanders was his fifth in eight games, putting him on pace for 10 this season.
It’s a potential bad habit that could not only mar his record run but also impact the Cowboys’ possible run to the playoffs.
Murray’s fumble against the Commanders played a huge factor in their loss as it took points off the board in what would end up being a tied game at the end of regulation.
It was also totally unnecessary, coming at the end of a 36-yard catch-and-run when Murray tried to bull his way through four defenders at the Washington 6-yard line.
If Murray just goes down, the Cowboys are certain to get three points if not a touchdown.
The disappointing thing is that it’s not the first time Murray has lost a fumble this season while trying to fight for extra yards after securing a first down when the smarter thing to do would have been to go down.
Yet, Murray maintains that he will not change a thing regarding his bulldozing style.
“I’m going to continue to play hard and fight for every inch,” Murray said Monday after the game. “What happened, I’ve just got to just lock two hands on it. I’m going to continue to fight and run hard as I can to get us every inch and every yard I can, but I’ve just got to lock it up with two hands.”
It’s an incredulously stubborn statement considering there is a difference between running hard, running smart and being foolish.
Cowboys Hall of Famer and NFL all-time rushing king Emmitt Smith tweeted as much while watching Murray’s fumble Monday night.
Know when the journey is over!!!
— Emmitt Smith (@EmmittSmith22) October 28, 2014 ">"Know when the journey is over!!!" said Smith followed by frown emoticon.
Cowboys coach Jason Garrett had a similar message for Murray.
“We really have to understand how to handle those situations at the end of the down,” Garrett said Monday night after the game. “He’s just a physical runner. He’s got a great will and determination about him, but he has to go down and protect the ball at the end of a play like that.”
Garrett reiterated that point on Tuesday when told of Murray’s comments that he will continue to fight for every inch.
He said Murray has to know when the play is over and go down.
“He’s has to go down; it’s simple as that,” Garrett said. “He understands that. He carries the ball a lot. That’s the conclusion of a ton of his running plays and is should have been last night.
"We emphasize that. Understanding where he is in the play and getting down, I think is important for him and he does that a lot. He makes a heck of a play, we have a (big) gain and we’re down to the 5-yard line and the ball comes out. Obviously that can’t happen.”
The Cowboys love Murray’s physical style of play. It sets the tone for the team and has become the personality of the offense with Murray punishing defenders behind that massive offensive line.
It’s the main reason Murray is on a record pace, and the Cowboys are on the path to potential greatness with an NFC East-leading 6-2 mark.
But the NFL’s leading rushing must mix in some brain to go with that brawn in key situations.
He needs to learn to do as Smith tweeted and “know when the journey is over” before the dream season turns into a nightmare.
Clarence Hill covers the Cowboys for the Fort Worth Star-Telegram. All quotations obtained firsthand unless otherwise noted.
Read more Dallas Cowboys news on BleacherReport.com
Continue reading...