News: BTB: Cowboys Alfred Morris Is One Of The Good Guys

[NewsBot]

The Cowboys Alfred Morris is more than just a good football player. He’s a high character guy that will fit nicely in this locker room.

When the Cowboys went free agent shopping for a running back, all eyes were on Lamar Miller. The former running back from Miami chose to go play for the Houston Texans when he agreed to a 4-year/$26 million deal. The Cowboys have demonstrated that they are not willing to throw a lot of money at the running back position so the search would continue for a more affordable option.

And that option became Alfred Morris with a 2-year/$3.5 million deal.

A couple weeks ago, I tweeted...

Last year, DeMarco, 4 years, 2 Pro Bowls, 4526 yards = big cash.
This year, Alfred Morris, 4 years, 2 Pro Bowls, 4713 yards = crickets.

— Dan Rogers (@DannyPhantom24) March 19, 2016​

It was odd that two running backs with such a similar four-year resume would demand such contrasting contracts. Many are quick to point out that Morris has showed a steady decline in production in each year of his career. And they are correct.

• 2012 - 335 carries for 1,613 yards
• 2013 - 276 carries for 1,275 yards
• 2014 - 265 carries for 1,074 yards
• 2015 - 202 carries for 751 yards

But is this indicative to the player Morris is or how he was used? We all saw DeMarco Murray go from a 1,845 yard season with Dallas in 2014 to only 702 yards last season with Philadelphia. Did he become 1,000 yards worse in just one year? No. Murray's success and lack-thereof was largely attributed to the teams he played for and how he was used in the offense. You can look at Darren McFadden's numbers and draw the same conclusion. In 2014, he started 12 games for Oakland and rushed for 534 yards. Last year, he started 10 games for Dallas and rushed for 1,089 yards.

The commonality in these two examples is that the success these two running backs had over the last two season is that they played for the Dallas Cowboys.

In 2016, Alfred Morris will play for the Dallas Cowboys.

Morris was quick out of the gate his rookie season, rushing for over 1,600 yards and scoring 11 touchdowns so he's proven what he can do in the right environment. The Cowboys zone-blocking scheme is the right environment.

But Morris is more than just a good running back. He's also a good guy. Here are some things about Morris that make it really hard to not like the guy.

He loves being home. As one of seven boys who lived in a crowded house, you'd think he would welcome college life. That wasn't the case.

"When I went to college, I was by myself. I was so ready to get away from home. I was so ready to be free, but being away I kind of got homesick. I didn't want to drop out of school, I just wanted to be closer. My first semester was rough."
​

And while things got easier for him, he still misses in family. In fact, as a member of the Commanders he found some comfort in his "Virginia Grandma," an elderly woman he met in a hotel.

"She was just such a sweetheart," he said affectionately when he hung up one of his two phones (the other he keeps for business). "I was just drawn to her for some reason. She's always telling stories about her life. Just the way she looked at me. She was going through so much, and just the way she looked at me made me think I could give her hope. I was like, ‘This lady. She needs me.'"
​

When he goes home to visit, he still sleeps on the couch. Who does that? Probably the same kind of guy that would drive a 1991 Mazda that he purchase while he was in college.


And if you ask him what his favorite movie is - it won't be Scarface or Machete, but rather - Pixar movies.

Those are all nice and fuzzy things, but for Cowboys fans - it's what he does on the field that will make us like him the most. It won't be sexy, but Morris will grind out those dirty yards to help keep the chains moving.

And his new head coach appreciates those types of things.

"He's one of those guys who doesn't wow you necessarily, but he just does a lot of good things that are going to help your football team," Garrett said. "The best runners I've been around, they get hit at 3 yards and they make 41/2 and 5. They get hit at 5, and they make 6 or 7. And he's done that throughout his career regardless of what the run style is."
​

Alfred Morris may not be the home run threat some fans were looking for in a running back, but when it comes to character - he hits it out of the park.

Continue reading...

 

[Alohawg1]

He's nothing flashy, just solid all around. Definitely a good signing and will make for a nice duo and change of pace. Add in Dunbar and I think it's a very complementary group overall, but time will tell.

 

[pancakeman]

Hey, I like Pixar movies and drive a 91 Mazda too. I like this guy!

 

[jnday]

He may be s good guy, but my concern is his declining numbers and if he is physically done .

 

[CCBoy]

He may be s good guy, but my concern is his declining numbers and if he is physically done .

You worried about Peterson as well? They are close over the past four seasons...1 & 2

 

[Daillest88]

He may be s good guy, but my concern is his declining numbers and if he is physically done .

The rookie Matt Jones had a worse ypc than he did. The run blocking in DC is horrible.

 

[superonyx]

I am glad he is a good guy. This is actually something I do care about from my team. I love having a team I can route for without having to ignore the reality of the real people hiding under the helmets.

However,

Wasn't this good guy argument what led to us drafting Gregg Ellis over Randy Moss?

Now that its a done deal I hope Morris is a good guy who is also a good football player.

 

[Redball Express]

I am glad he is a good guy. This is actually something I do care about from my team. I love having a team I can route for without having to ignore the reality of the real people hiding under the helmets.

However,

Wasn't this good guy argument what led to us drafting Gregg Ellis over Randy Moss?

Now that its a done deal I hope Morris is a good guy who is also a good football player.

I think he's a steal.

Magnitudes better than anybody we had last year not named DMac.

What I hope is Linehan uses him early and often and brings DMac in for the second halves of game where he can run his downhill style against worn down defenses.

My observation with Murray was he tired and lost a step as games wore on. They had nobody they trusted to give him a break.

I think that changes now.

I also think short yardage just got a boost.

DMac is too long and angular to move a pile.

Morris is compact and strong north/south. DMac does too much east/west getting upfield to be effective without big holes.

Morris doesn't need that as much.

I think we are much improved over last year.

And with all offseason to understand the offense and his OL..

we are way ahead over last year.

I still think a RB will be drafted,too.

 

[MizzouCowboy82]

He may be s good guy, but my concern is his declining numbers and if he is physically done .

I think Gruden did that

 

[Silver N Blue]

You worried about Peterson as well? They are close over the past four seasons...1 & 2

Common now lets not compare a 32 year old to a 27 year old...and def not compare elite vs good.

 

[CWR]

Common now lets not compare a 32 year old to a 27 year old...and def not compare elite vs good.

Yes he is 27, it seems odd he would be "out of gas" at such a young age.

 

[CCBoy]

Common now lets not compare a 32 year old to a 27 year old...and def not compare elite vs good.

Beam me up, Scottie...no intelligence life form on this planet.

Sorry, I never got my slide ruler out to decide if shyte was cheaper by the half-ton or ton.

 

[Redball Express]

Yes he is 27, it seems odd he would be "out of gas" at such a young age.

It does.

What was said in Washington about this?

Why was there little fanfare about him leaving?

 

[cowboyblue22]

being a good guy has nothing to do with winning or losing.

 

[Philmonroe]

I am glad he is a good guy. This is actually something I do care about from my team. I love having a team I can route for without having to ignore the reality of the real people hiding under the helmets.

However,

Wasn't this good guy argument what led to us drafting Gregg Ellis over Randy Moss?

Now that its a done deal I hope Morris is a good guy who is also a good football player.

I really don't give a bleep about nice guys. This isn't a dating choice for those with daughters this is football. As long as they can be on the field and not doing anything that messes that up why would I care or anybody else care? That's like caring what your co workers or some other person I don't really have a connection to does. It doesn't mess with me or my family I'm good. Some people only do this IMO because when you have more money/more fame/more status than the avg person they look for reasons to talk bad about said people.

 

[Seven]

Beam me up, Scottie...no intelligence life form on this planet.

Sorry, I never got my slide ruler out to decide if shyte was cheaper by the half-ton or ton.

Depends on if you want chicken or bull............

 

[superonyx]

I really don't give a bleep about nice guys. This isn't a dating choice for those with daughters this is football. As long as they can be on the field and not doing anything that messes that up why would I care or anybody else care? That's like caring what your co workers or some other person I don't really have a connection to does. It doesn't mess with me or my family I'm good. Some people only do this IMO because when you have more money/more fame/more status than the avg person they look for reasons to talk bad about said people.

So replace Romo for Jay Cutler and you don't care as long as Cutler is throwing the football similar to Tony...
Replace Zach Martin with Ritchie Incognito and who cares.
Replace Dez with Desean Jackson.
Replace Witten with Martellus Bennett..

You obviously are ok routing for laundry and don't want to feel any good feelings on a human level with the people on your favorite team. I guess we are different.
I have 3 young boys and I like that my sons can route for a true good person and role model like Romo over Michael Vick or Ben Rothlisberger.
If I got to the point where I only cared about laundry then I would probably also be at the point where I would question what I am even doing getting emotionally invested in 22 sets of pads and uniforms running up and down the field.

An example that you most likely cant relate to. I want Romo and Witten to win a championship very badly together. If given the choice I would take 1 superbowl with Romo and Witten over 2 superbowls without these guys.
Another view that may not be as popular....I want Jerry Jones to win another superbowl so he can put behind him the feeling that Jimmy Johnson will always get the credit for winning while he was just in the way.

So yes...I and others actually want to tune in on Sunday and actually feel that we are routing for good guys over lowlife arrogant narcissistic scum.

 

[Philmonroe]

So replace Romo for Jay Cutler and you don't care as long as Cutler is throwing the football similar to Tony...
Replace Zach Martin with Ritchie Incognito and who cares.
Replace Dez with Desean Jackson.
Replace Witten with Martellus Bennett..

You obviously are ok routing for laundry and don't want to feel any good feelings on a human level with the people on your favorite team. I guess we are different.
I have 3 young boys and I like that my sons can route for a true good person and role model like Romo over Michael Vick or Ben Rothlisberger.
If I got to the point where I only cared about laundry then I would probably also be at the point where I would question what I am even doing getting emotionally invested in 22 sets of pads and uniforms running up and down the field.

An example that you most likely cant relate to. I want Romo and Witten to win a championship very badly together. If given the choice I would take 1 superbowl with Romo and Witten over 2 superbowls without these guys.
Another view that may not be as popular....I want Jerry Jones to win another superbowl so he can put behind him the feeling that Jimmy Johnson will always get the credit for winning while he was just in the way.

So yes...I and others actually want to tune in on Sunday and actually feel that we are routing for good guys over lowlife arrogant narcissistic scum.

Yep mr morality yes to all your questions. Spare me the human level trying to out moral me crap. I don't know these people and if it wasn't for football wouldn't care what they do so besides showing up and playing nope don't really care what they do outside of a few things that would also translate to you or anybody else too. Of course we are different I don't try to out moral people like that is something to be proud of.

Good for you and others but its just as many if not more that don't care about all this stuff you kicking and just want their team to win not trying to be the morality/goody two shoes police. Name calling isn't good though for the out morality type you come of as in this discussion. Makes you look bad when your stooping low yourself esp since you don't know any of these players you talked about personally probably. You just know some made a mistake and mr morality gets to be judge and jury must feel nice right?

 

[JoeBoBBY]

. He’s a high character guy

I have got high hopes for Alfred...... Maybe he can be "that" guy for us....

step his game up. bring his lunch pale. and get to work and produce. and help win ball games. AT least for a year or three....

if he can do that. Feed that man the Rock....................

 

[superonyx]

. Of course we are different I don't try to out moral people like that is something to be proud of.

You can stick to trying to under moral people. That seems to be something you are more comfortable with.

You responded to my post where I said I am glad he is a good guy and how I prefer to have good guys on my team. You decided you needed to let it be known that no one should care about what kind of person someone else is..
I don't doubt there are other fans who feel the way you do. Just as there are fans who feel the way I do. (just ask Ray Rice and Hardy) Your position is not unique or even moderately interesting. The only interesting part was that you decided to respond to my post questioning others holding players to a certain standard.

I'll be glad to respond to the rest of your post if you could be so kind as to phrase it in a more legible way.

To summarize....I prefer players who are good on and off the field.....and you don't care what they do off the field.
Whats to argue about? Are you hoping that I will suddenly not care what players do off the field?