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Receiver Dez Bryant or running back DeMarco Murray.
DeMarco Murray or Dez Bryant.
Both are free agents. Both are expecting big contract extensions, paying them among the best at their respective positions.
The Cowboys would like to keep Bryant and Murray as cornerstone players for the future. It’s unlikely they will be able to make the money right to do so.
But those are decisions for another day.
As of now the Cowboys are just going to enjoy what has been a record-setting show and one that has provided the thunder and lightning to their improbable run to playoffs.
That was never more evident than in Sunday’s 44-17 victory against the Washington Commanders in the season finale.
Murray rushed for 100 yards and a touchdown in the game, allowing him to secure the NFL rushing title with 1,845 yards and break Hall of Famer Emmitt Smith’s franchise record of 1,773 rushing yards in a season set in 1995.
Tim MacMahon of ESPNDallas.com tweeted out Smith's congratulatory statement:
Classy Emmitt Smith statement after DeMarco Murray breaks his franchise single-season rushing record: pic.twitter.com/Ml7xiti24C
— Tim MacMahon (@espn_macmahon) December 28, 2014
Just as Murray’s ground attack has been the foundation for the team’s success in 2014, Bryant has often provided the exclamation point with fireworks in the passing game during a season that has culminated with the Cowboys’ first playoff appearance and first NFC East title since 2009.
It was no different on Sunday as he caught four passes for 99 yards, including touchdowns of 65 and 23 yards.
The first one tied him with Terrell Owens for the team record for touchdown catches in a season with 15, set in 2007. The second one left him alone in the Cowboys' record book. Owens and Smith gave "shoutouts" to Murray and Bryant (via Michael Lark of The Mavs Fanatic):
T.O. and Emmitt giving a shoutout to @DeMarcoMurray and @DezBryant for breaking their records. We are #cowboyszone! pic.twitter.com/hACkvvzhyH
— Michael Lark (@Michael_Lark) December 28, 2014
“Just two remarkable young players,” tight end Jason Witten said. “As a teammate, as a leader, as kind of a veteran guy, you take a lot of pride in seeing their growth as players, starting with DeMarco.
“All year he knew, back in March and April, that there was going to be a commitment, and he was going to carry that load. He embraced that challenge. He did it in camp, the way he practiced.
"Early in the season, the question was if it was too many carries, and he just didn’t flinch. He played really well. He’s tough, dependable, runs hard and so I’m happy for him, happy for the offensive line. They were a huge part of that.
“And then Dez...Dez is an unbelievable player. Consistent, I thought he had his best year just running good routes and being where he’s supposed to be. He’s a dynamic player... so it’s good to see his growth.”
It was fitting they got the records and moved into team history on back-to-back plays in the second quarter.
Murray ran through a gaping hole on the left side of the best offensive line in football for 32 yards, surpassing Smith in the process.
Bryant caught a magnificent 23-yard touchdown on the ensuring play, leaping in the air and twisting his body before touching both feet down in the left corner of the end zone. SportsCenter highlighted the play:
Dez Bryant is RIDICULOUS! Bryant toe drags his way to a 2nd TD of game and sets a Cowboys record for Rec TD in a season with 16.
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) December 28, 2014
“It feels good, you know,” Murray said. “Obviously, a lot of people had a lot of helping hands in this — coaches, obviously the offensive line a huge factor and the tight ends, quarterbacks, receivers, fullbacks. It’s an honor for us to take the record, and we’re excited about it.”
It was a mutual admiration society between Murray and Smith on Twitter:
Appreciate Ya E.S you are the best to ever do itRT @EmmittSmith22: Congratulations my man @DeMarcoMurray Great season lets win this game now
— DeMarco Murray (@DeMarcoMurray) December 28, 2014
Murray also set a new franchise record with his 12th 100-yard game of the season, breaking a tie with Smith at 11. It also ties an NFL record for the second-most 100-yard games in a season.
Offensive coordinator Scott Linehan said the entire team took pride in Murray getting that record because what they do on the ground is so important to the success of the offense.
“From the day we started training camp, it was a big thing,” Linehan said. “We were going to commit to running the football. He obviously was going to be a big part of that.
“For everybody to be all in on that was great. I think everybody took a lot of pride in him getting that record.”
Bryant, who led the NFL with 16 touchdown receptions, finished the season with 88 receptions for 1,320 yards. He took advantage of defenses playing eight or nine in the box to stop the run.
Bryant, one of league’s best game-breaking receivers, feasts on single coverage.
“They’ve been outstanding all season,” quarterback Tony Romo said. “It’s just tough on defenses. What do you want to take away, what do you want to do? They both deserve the credit. Those guys allow us to be explosive. They allow us to be diverse. When you have two guys like that it helps everybody else.” The team shared a video of Bryant setting the club record for most TDs in a season:
VIDEO: @DezBryant Sets Club Record With 16th TD Of Season http://t.co/NFmMYk0ic7 pic.twitter.com/EOFmh7K9VR
— Dallas Cowboys (@dallascowboys) December 28, 2014
The record Bryant and Murray cherish the most is the team’s 12-4 mark, and they hope to add to it with a victory against the Detroit Lions in the wild-card playoffs on Sunday, January 4.
The Cowboys believe they have a chance to make a run to the Super Bowl for the first time since Smith’s record-setting season in 1995 largely because of the Murray’s thunder on the ground and Bryant’s lightning through the air.
They have no intentions on stopping now.
“Oh man, it feels good, but that’s not what I want,” Bryant said of the touchdown record. “We’ve worked too hard, man, and have got an opportunity to do something special. That’s on my mind. That’s what my mind is focused on.”
Clarence Hill covers the Cowboys for the Fort Worth Star-Telegram. All quotations obtained firsthand unless otherwise noted.
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