CN: DeMarco Murray: The New Third Back, or Something More?

[cowboyjoe]

DeMarco Murray: The New Third Back, or Something More?
http://www.cowboyszone.com/2011/05/demarco-murray-new-3rd-back-or.html

Posted by Rafael at Monday, May 02, 2011
A common complaint I've seen about DeMarco Murray's selection at the top of the 3rd round concerns his role; most critics assume Dallas spent the 71st pick on Marion Barber's replacement, and that Murray will start his career as the 3rd stringer.

I'm not as convinced. The placement of his selection, and the Cowboys' spotty running back play the last three years, suggests that Murray will have every chance to assume the role Marion Barber held in game one last year -- that of the Cowboys starter.

 

[AbeBeta]

i can totally see us cutting Barber and moving Choice -- the team does like Lonyae Miller and wants that 3rd RB to be a ST guy - so it could happen.

More likely we see Felix getting 250 touches - Murray about 125 and Choice being annoyed again with <100, most of which come in one or two games when one of the other guys is out

 

[sureletsrace]

Dump Barber and Choice. We'll roll with Felix Jones, DeMarco Murray, and Lonyae Miller. Something like a 65/25/10 split on carries.

 

[LehighCowboy]

I can really see this guy flourishing in our system. He was drafted more for this blocking (most underrated skill that all RBs should excel in) and receiving skills (he catches the ball like a receiver) than for his running skills. On 3rd downs, he's going to be another receiving threat out of the backfield.

How many LB's can keep up w/ player with 4.4 speed on intermediate ot deep routes? Not many. I would imagine he will be targeted often on 3rd and long situations.

 

[ndanger]

It seems a lot of people on this board are underestimating what DeMarco is capable of bringing to this offense. I have watched him his whole career and I am looking forward to seeing what Coach can do with his talents. It's going to be exiting to watch.

 

[ABQCOWBOY]

Honestly, I don't see how this can be very good new either. If Murray is named the starter, then that means that the 1st round pick we used on Felix was a Bust. That's even worse IMO.

 

[CoCo]

Honestly, I don't see how this can be very good new either. If Murray is named the starter, then that means that the 1st round pick we used on Felix was a Bust. That's even worse IMO.

It's always good news when a player (however acquired) contributes to the team's success. If DeMarco becomes #1 because he's that good - HALLELUJAH!

 

[Donny Phoenix]

Honestly, I don't see how this can be very good new either. If Murray is named the starter, then that means that the 1st round pick we used on Felix was a Bust. That's even worse IMO.

If Felix performs in the role that he's assigned and all other players do the same and we get to and win a SB, then where they each got drafted matters little. If, as a team, you have your eye on a player, where you draft that player depends more on where you think other teams might try to get him and you beat them to the spot. If we had not picked Felix where we did, we wouldn't have gotten him, period.

Murray/Jones backfield could be extremely dynamic. No sense in drafting a power back if all you're gonna do is coach him to shy away from contact in order to lengthen his career, like what was done with Barber.

I'm still trying to figure what's the fascination with Lonyae Miller? 2 years on the practice squad, no game action? What do people see in him?

 

[TheCount]

I personally still don't see the purpose of the pick, you don't draft a rb so you can cut a perfectly good RB in Choice, and you already have a homerun hitter in Felix.

 

[ChooChoo73]

Great selection IMHO. We have the back by committee crap. It's hard to get rid of choice because of versatility but he can't pass protect. Can't get rid of Jones because he's the only home run threat. can't get rid of Barber because of short yardage and blocking. Just like the other picks in the top 4 rounds for Dallas, we now have the flex. to terminate one or all if they do not go along with what Garrett is seeking. Namely, a more competitive attitude and approach. Murray at least from a scouting standpoint, can do all of the above in a competent fashion. Sorry for the lengthy post. I'm psyched that this is the best offseason start I have seen in a long time.

 

[Doomsday101]

I personally still don't see the purpose of the pick, you don't draft a rb so you can cut a perfectly good RB in Choice, and you already have a homerun hitter in Felix.

And when we sit Felix down for a breather we can put another guy with similar traits who is also a homerun hitter.

 

[danielofthesaints]

I cant wait to see him carve up 2nd string defenses in pre-season.

Please let there be a pre-season ray:

 

[Chocolate Lab]

I personally still don't see the purpose of the pick, you don't draft a rb so you can cut a perfectly good RB in Choice, and you already have a homerun hitter in Felix.

Yeah, Pat Jones, whom I have mentioned before, said Murray was a lot like Felix in that he's a big play space back, not a guy you slam into the line.

All these theories of "Garrett got his guy, this is exactly the kind of back he wanted!" fail to take into account that we had Ingram rated really high and Leshoure most likely ahead of Murray, and they are stronger, more traditional "everydown"-type tailbacks.

 

[Stash]

I personally still don't see the purpose of the pick, you don't draft a rb so you can cut a perfectly good RB in Choice, and you already have a homerun hitter in Felix.

I don't either.

And it has nothing to do with Murray as a player.

It speaks to me of a real team issue in idetinfying what they actually want at running back.

Top running back money for Barber.
A #1 pick used on Felix Jones.
A 4th rounder used on Choice.
And now a 3rd rounder used on Miller.

I don't care how you spin it, mistakes have been made with regard to the running back position.

And personally I think all of the running backs would have been better-served with more improvement in the guys blocking for them up front.

I like the Tyron Smith pick, but as it stands, Leonard Davis will still be flopping around in front of whoever it is trying to run the football.

 

[Stash]

And when we sit Felix down for a breather we can put another guy with similar traits who is also a homerun hitter.

A guy to get caught in the backfield when Leonard Davis whiffs on his block - again!

No offense to you at all, but I think a better fix would have been finding a replacement for him up front.

Who knows?

Maybe if there's no cap for 2011 we'll be able to upgrade that spot with a free agent?

(Hope springs eternal...)

 

[Doomsday101]

A guy to get caught in the backfield when Leonard Davis whiffs on his block - again!

No offense to you at all, but I think a better fix would have been finding a replacement for him up front.

Who knows?

Maybe if there's no cap for 2011 we'll be able to upgrade that spot with a free agent?

(Hope springs eternal...)

I said on draft day Murray would not have been my pick, I stand by that today. So now lets get past what any of us may or may not have done.

Deal with right now and right now we have a talented RB and we will see how Garrett plans on using him.

I think Murray has some very good skills that can benifet the offense.

 

[MonsterD]

Dump Barber and Choice. We'll roll with Felix Jones, DeMarco Murray, and Lonyae Miller. Something like a 65/25/10 split on carries.

If we dump Choice I would like to get a reg FA or rookie UFA powerback, I guess Chapas helps in there but someone still has to be a FB.

 

[Stash]

I said on draft day Murray would not have been my pick, I stand by that today. So now lets get past what any of us may or may not have done.

Deal with right now and right now we have a talented RB and we will see how Garrett plans on using him.

I guess I can't let it go as easily as you can. I wish I could! I'm still upset about Max Unger in 2009!

I think Murray has some very good skills that can benifet the offense.

I would agree with you. My concern is that those skills won't matter much if there's nowhere to run.

 

[Doomsday101]

I guess I can't let it go as easily as you can. I wish I could! I'm still upset about Max Unger in 2009!



I would agree with you. My concern is that those skills won't matter much if there's nowhere to run.

I get over it because there is nothing I can do about it. There were some other players I liked in the 3rd. Murray was the selection he is now a member of the team and I do see things he can bring to the table to help this club.

I think there are some who will take their own disappointment out on Murray not saying you but we seem to have some who when things do not go as they hoped for take it out on the player.

 

[Stash]

I get over it because there is nothing I can do about it. There were some other players I liked in the 3rd. Murray was the selection he is now a member of the team and I do see things he can bring to the table to help this club.

I wish I was wired the same way.

I think there are some who will take their own disappointment out on Murray not saying you but we seem to have some who when things do not go as they hoped for take it out on the player.

I won't hold anything against Murray, I hope he does great for the team. Believe me, I'd rather be 'wrong' and the team do well than be 'right' and the team struggle.

I'm trying to keep an open mind about him.

But I'm not going so far as to participate in a thread claiming him 'the best running back in the draft' either.