Can we discuss DeMarco

[Dale]

I didn't say he was good. My point is that any back could put up big numbers with this oline.

In my opinion it's a mighty big assumption -- and a risky one -- to assume the single greatest rushing season in franchise history can essentially be credited solely to the offensive line.

Just like with Emmitt, the line is immensely important. But also like with Emmitt, having a great back is important, too.

 

[JD_KaPow]

In my opinion it's a mighty big assumption -- and a risky one -- to assume the single greatest rushing season in franchise history can essentially be credited solely to the offensive line.

Just like with Emmitt, the line is immensely important. But also like with Emmitt, having a great back is important, too.

That's a reasonable supposition. The question is, what do you do with that information?

Ten guys in NFL history have carried the ball more than 390 times in a season. All of them were between the ages of 23 and 27. Eric Dickerson did it twice and was no worse for wear. Eddie George plodded along for several more seasons of 300 carries, but his ypc was never better than 3.4 after that year (it had never been below 3.7 through that year). The other 8 guys managed a total of 2 seasons of 300+ carries among them after their 390 season.

When deciding what kind of contract to offer Murray, you have to ask yourself: is he Eric Dickerson? And if you think he is, how much are you willing to gamble on being right about that? You know, speaking of "mighty big assumptions" and risky ones.

 

[Dale]

That's a reasonable supposition. The question is, what do you do with that information?

Ten guys in NFL history have carried the ball more than 390 times in a season. All of them were between the ages of 23 and 27. Eric Dickerson did it twice and was no worse for wear. Eddie George plodded along for several more seasons of 300 carries, but his ypc was never better than 3.4 after that year (it had never been below 3.7 through that year). The other 8 guys managed a total of 2 seasons of 300+ carries among them after their 390 season.

When deciding what kind of contract to offer Murray, you have to ask yourself: is he Eric Dickerson? And if you think he is, how much are you willing to gamble on being right about that? You know, speaking of "mighty big assumptions" and risky ones.

Good questions -- and honestly, we are probably due for a major downgrade in the running game next season regardless of the direction we go.

I think Murray can surpass what some of those others have done following a season like this, but I'd be fairly shocked if he could duplicate a season exceeding, say, 1,350 yards. Is that worth a massive contract? And if it is, what sacrifices will we have to make in keeping him?

But back to my previous post, I think his effort in putting together this amazing season is underrated by many here, with the assumption (hope?) being it's all the offensive line.

 

[supercowboy8]

I didn't say he was good. My point is that any back could put up big numbers with this oline.

I know and I agree but not any back could do what Murray did. Murray didnt get just 1000 yards. He got 1800 plus yards.

 

[TrailBlazer]

I know and I agree but not any back could do what Murray did. Murray didnt get just 1000 yards. He got 1800 plus yards.

He is a product of the oline. The best thing murray did was play 16 games.

 

[supercowboy8]

He is a product of the oline. The best thing murray did was play 16 games.

no thats a ignorant statment. 1800 yards is impressive, doesnt matter what OL you have. I think its a good mixture of a good OL and good RB. Was Emmitt just a product of the Oline? It takes the whole offense to get that many rushing yards. Sorry but I do not believe just any RB can come in here and get 1800 plus yards. Not saying Murray i the best in NFL, but hes alot better than just some random rookie.

 

[TrailBlazer]

no thats a ignorant statment. 1800 yards is impressive, doesnt matter what OL you have. I think its a good mixture of a good OL and good RB. Was Emmitt just a product of the Oline? It takes the whole offense to get that many rushing yards. Sorry but I do not believe just any RB can come in here and get 1800 plus yards. Not saying Murray i the best in NFL, but hes alot better than just some random rookie.

Any other oline and he doesn't put up anywhere close to 1800 yards. Maybe 1100 at best because he can't break long runs. He has more yards BEFORE contact than any other back. So yeah, product of the oline. He's good at catching and blocking. But pure ball carrier? Not one of the most gifted runners in the league. Bell in Pittsburgh is a better runner, he has speed and elusiveness. Yet didn't have anywhere near what Murray had. Ya know why? The oline.

 

[supercowboy8]

Any other oline and he doesn't put up anywhere close to 1800 yards. Maybe 1100 at best because he can't break long runs. He has more yards BEFORE contact than any other back. So yeah, product of the oline. He's good at catching and blocking. But pure ball carrier? Not one of the most gifted runners in the league.

i said that, I said its a combo of OL and Murray being a good RB. another reason why he does so go is his vision for the cut back. if it was the OL why doesnt Randle or Dunbar have the most yards before contact. Who cares if he can hit the home run long run. Thats not our style. Our style is to beat you up and control the clock. Thats what he's great at.

Emmitt wasn't a guy that hit alot of homerun long runs either. 1100 yards behind an average OL is pretty good.

I just dont think your giving Murray enough credit. He's vision to see and find the cut back lanes is impressive.

If Murray only had 1000 yards this year we arent in the playoffs. We needed every bit of his 1800 yards to get there.

 

[TrailBlazer]

i said that, I said its a combo of OL and Murray being a good RB. another reason why he does so go is his vision for the cut back. if it was the OL why doesnt Randle or Dunbar have the most yards before contact. Who cares if he can hit the home run long run. Thats not our style. Our style is to beat you up and control the clock. Thats what he's great at.

Emmitt wasn't a guy that hit alot of homerun long runs either. 1100 yards behind an average OL is pretty good.

I just dont think your giving Murray enough credit. He's vision to see and find the cut back lanes is impressive.

If Murray only had 1000 yards this year we arent in the playoffs. We needed every bit of his 1800 yards to get there.

Who cares if he can break long runs? Everyone. It's points on the board. That's the difference between a good back and a great one. There's a lot of backs that can find a cutback lane in zone blocking scheme and grind out 5 yards. Shanahan ran the same zone run scheme and he did it with olandis gary, rueben droughns, Mike Anderson twice, and Tatum bell. Those are all late round draft picks or undrafted guys. RB is a position that shouldn't be a lot of money invested in. Backs are a dime a dozen. What was murray before Callahan and those stud oline man got here?

 

[supercowboy8]

Who cares if he can break long runs? Everyone. It's points on the board. That's the difference between a good back and a great one. There's a lot of backs that can find a cutback lane in zone blocking scheme and grind out 5 yards. Shanahan ran the same zone run scheme and he did it with olandis gary, rueben droughns, Mike Anderson twice, and Tatum bell. Those are all late round draft picks or undrafted guys. RB is a position that shouldn't be a lot of money invested in. Backs are a dime a dozen. What was murray before Callahan and those stud oline man got here?

no there aren't you might want to see who leads the NFL in rushing TDs. wait its murray, so yeah he does score. Who cares if he gets it on a 60 yards run on 1 carry or he gets its on 8 carries, He will score and he will move the ball and the way he does it he kills the clock keeping out defense off the field.

randle is a home run hitter, chris johnson was a home run hitter. those guys will get a 1 or 2 yards and get 3 and outs. Murray will move the chains, thats what you need in the NFL. you need the guy that will keep the chains moving and the opposing offense on the bench. Murray is just a big a part of the success this season as any one else is.

i never said invest alot of money. I also said if you can read, that Murray isnt the best but not just any RB can do it. You name off a few backs there, did they ever gt the stats Murray did. I'm just saying its not all OL and scheme. If so Randle would be better. not just any back can do what murray has done this season.

Now I'm all for letting him walk rather than investing alot of money at RB, I believe you can find a RB in the draft that can produce but I dont think just anyone can do what Murray did this year.

 

[joseephuss]

Any other oline and he doesn't put up anywhere close to 1800 yards. Maybe 1100 at best because he can't break long runs. He has more yards BEFORE contact than any other back. So yeah, product of the oline. He's good at catching and blocking. But pure ball carrier? Not one of the most gifted runners in the league. Bell in Pittsburgh is a better runner, he has speed and elusiveness. Yet didn't have anywhere near what Murray had. Ya know why? The oline.

The Steelers line has two 1st round picks and one 2nd round pick on it and is considered a good offensive line this season.

 

[supercowboy8]

Who cares if he can break long runs? Everyone. It's points on the board. That's the difference between a good back and a great one. There's a lot of backs that can find a cutback lane in zone blocking scheme and grind out 5 yards. Shanahan ran the same zone run scheme and he did it with olandis gary, rueben droughns, Mike Anderson twice, and Tatum bell. Those are all late round draft picks or undrafted guys. RB is a position that shouldn't be a lot of money invested in. Backs are a dime a dozen. What was murray before Callahan and those stud oline man got here?

Tatum Bell best year was 1025 yards,
Mike Anderson best yer was 1487 his 1st year then dropped off

Who cares if he can break long runs? Everyone. It's points on the board. That's the difference between a good back and a great one. There's a lot of backs that can find a cutback lane in zone blocking scheme and grind out 5 yards. Shanahan ran the same zone run scheme and he did it with olandis gary, rueben droughns, Mike Anderson twice, and Tatum bell. Those are all late round draft picks or undrafted guys. RB is a position that shouldn't be a lot of money invested in. Backs are a dime a dozen. What was murray before Callahan and those stud oline man got here?

Murray is 2nd in the nfl with 20 yard plus runs, leads the NFL in rushing yards and rushing TDs. But yeah just any RB can do that.

 

[Cebrin]

Tatum Bell best year was 1025 yards,
Mike Anderson best yer was 1487 his 1st year then dropped off


Murray is 2nd in the nfl with 20 yard plus runs, leads the NFL in rushing yards and rushing TDs. But yeah just any RB can do that.

That being said, when you've as many yards untouched as he does, people start stacking eight in the box, and if anyone misses, it's field for days (hence 2nd with most 20+ yard carries). However, I love Murray. He's a great all around back and those are hard to find. He's got a great combination of size, strength, field vision, hands and blocking ability. Not every back can do that. I think he's the best 'complete' back in the NFL. Only comparison would be Beast Mode. However, if he tries to break the bank on Dallas, I'd say goodbye. We've so many weapons on offense, an unproven back in Randle, and a deep draft coming up. As many holes we have needing filled on defense, I wouldn't risk the continuous growth of the organization over one player. At least not a RB. They're flying out of the wood works as of late.

 

[supercowboy8]

That being said, when you've as many yards untouched as he does, people start stacking eight in the box, and if anyone misses, it's field for days (hence 2nd with most 20+ yard carries). However, I love Murray. He's a great all around back and those are hard to find. He's got a great combination of size, strength, field vision, hands and blocking ability. Not every back can do that. I think he's the best 'complete' back in the NFL. Only comparison would be Beast Mode. However, if he tries to break the bank on Dallas, I'd say goodbye. We've so many weapons on offense, an unproven back in Randle, and a deep draft coming up. As many holes we have needing filled on defense, I wouldn't risk the continuous growth of the organization over one player. At least not a RB. They're flying out of the wood works as of late.

i agree, not worth breaking the bank but it just seems some on here is undervaluing him and think some scrub can do what he did. I'm fine letting him walk if he wants big money. After how many touches he had, he's going to be worn out. May only have 1 more good year left in him. The scoutint department just needs to find a good replacement.

Also with all the holes we have on defense I don't want to invest an early draft pick on the RB either.

 

[lane]

The difference in burst and yards left on the field between him and Randle is ridiculous. Murray has had a great year but I truly believe Randle or Williams could have done just as well if not better. I truly believe that Murrays ability to pick up the blitz is why he is the incumbant not his ability to hit wide open holes.

you are correct.

i've always loved murray since his freshman year at oklahoma.

but he takes weird angles and even falls down instead of housing it.

not sure what is going on there.

but like i said...you are correct in his ability to pick up blitz assignments and catch the ball.

 

[Cebrin]

i agree, not worth breaking the bank but it just seems some on here is undervaluing him and think some scrub can do what he did. I'm fine letting him walk if he wants big money. After how many touches he had, he's going to be worn out. May only have 1 more good year left in him. The scoutint department just needs to find a good replacement.

Also with all the holes we have on defense I don't want to invest an early draft pick on the RB either.

Lots of free agents, Randle annnnd a deeeep draft.

 

[supercowboy8]

Lots of free agents, Randle annnnd a deeeep draft.

David Johnson northern iowa

 

[Cebrin]

David Johnson northern iowa

He's quick and has great hands. My only scare with him is that he runs upright a lot. I like Jay Ajayi Boise, Jeremy Langford Michigan St, Devontae Booker Utah. Jay has some incredible footwork.

 

[ConstantReboot]

And how many of them ran behind a line even half as good as ours???? Not a single one. Not sure how this is supposed to refute my claim about any other GOOD back behind OUR OLINE.

Your forgetting the fact that Murray was averaging 5 yards a carry even BEFORE this oline. Murray is no fluke. He didn't earn the rushing title all on just the oline alone. If thats the case then why hasn't Randle been the workhorse that Murray is.

 

[ConstantReboot]

I didn't say he was good. My point is that any back could put up big numbers with this oline.

If thats the case why isn't Randle running it more than Murray?