NewsBot
New Member
- Messages
- 111,281
- Reaction score
- 2,947
Cowboys executive vice president of personnel Stephen Jones has no regrets letting Murray walk, according to the Associated Press (via Fox Sports): "That ship's sailed. We'd make that decision over, same decision, we'd make it again. We have to develop, structure a football team with the salary cap. You can't pay a top receiver, a top quarterback, a top pass-rusher, a top left tackle. You've got to make hard decisions."
Those are pretty strong words from the front office of a 2-5 team.
Perhaps it's easy for Jones to say considering Murray's struggles in Philly. He had just 47 yards rushing through the first three games and is on pace for 819 yards this season. It's most likely the only thing Jones can say at this point. Lamenting the loss of Murray wouldn't do much for team morale.
The Cowboys now are leaning on veteran Darren McFadden to lead the rushing attack. The former Arkansas Razorback has taken over the reins well, recording 216 yards and a touchdown through two games as a starter. Seldom-used Christine Michael is his backup.
McFadden is starting because of problems with the team's former starter. After an up-and-down season that included a three-touchdown game coupled with off-the-field issues, Joseph Randle was released Tuesday. Per ESPN's Stephen A. Smith, Dallas had no choice.
Despite McFadden's solid performances so far, it's a downgrade for a team that had the luxury of Murray's amazing season a year ago.
The Cowboys are in last place and still without starting quarterback Tony Romo, whom they placed on injured reserve after he suffered a broken clavicle in Week 2. He is eligible to come back in Week 12 against the Miami Dolphins, and if healthy, Dallas will welcome his return.
The team signed rookie Trey Williams to help bolster its run game, per David Helman of DallasCowboys.com. His impact remains to be seen considering he has never carried the ball in the NFL.
As Cowboys owner and general manager Jerry Jones said, per Schuyler Dixon of the Associated Press, the Cowboys are still trying to piece together the puzzle of a full, healthy team: "I see some holes that got filled. I see some holes that some have left behind,'' Jones said. ''Hopefully we can get all these potholes, if you want to call them that, patched up and have them all out there together real soon.''
The Cowboys should stay positive despite their situation, because after all, they are in the NFC East. Three games under .500, even halfway through the season, doesn't rule them out of the division title. They only trail Murray and the first-place Eagles by a game-and-a-half. If McFadden can stay healthy and help carry a weakened passing attack with Matt Cassel at the helm, the Cowboys have a small shot at claiming the East.
If that happens, Stephen Jones will remind everyone at the end of the season just how much it didn't matter that the team let Murray walk. If the Eagles go on to win the division behind an improved Murray, those words may come back to haunt him.
Read more Dallas Cowboys news on BleacherReport.com
Continue reading...