News: DMN: Terrell Davis says underachieving DeMarco Murray 'running to darkness'

[iceman117]

I have to agree with TD. As much as I love DM, this play seems to epitomize his preference to make contact rather than "run to the light". I mean, come on, Dez had a great block and all Murray needed to do was run straight ahead for the TD. I just hope he doesn't end up like Marion Barber...

i hear your point but i can't consider him leaving yards on the field when he gained 48 yards after first contact if anything he made a play there

 

[iceman117]

What has made DeMarco special for us is basically what made Marion Barber special for us: the ability to break tackles. When your OL sucks arse and you have to immediately break tackles before getting to the original LOS, the "daylight" thing becomes a secondary consideration. It's basically the same kinda thing that made Romo our guy instead of Drew "feet of stone" Bledsoe.

Romo doesn't have a golden arm and Demarco doesn't have great vision, but what they do have is absolutely necessary for a Jerry Jones managed roster.

don't forget about the "secret sauce" this year, it's a new thing we got. But Romo and Murray had it for a few years, thank god the team caught up

 

[links18]

And here we go; another Cowboys RB about to be declared a pile magnet by the fan base.

 

[Risen Star]

he's a top 15 back thats about as high as I can go on him

Top 15 is fair.

 

[Risen Star]

This is how the article originally opened. This part was later deleted from the OP, and this kind of stat is usually dismissed out of hand (as the writer did here), but there are probably better stats that can be used to measure the importance of the running game.

Over Romo's career, in games that are close through three quarters (7-point margin or less) the Cowboys are 20-11 (.645) when they score a rushing TD, and 14-18 (.438) when they don't. These are close games only, so it's not a stat that's skewed by a team having a big lead and then playing it safe by running the ball and scoring against an already beaten defense. In those same games, the Cowboys are 29-24 (.547) when they score a passing TD, and 5-5 (.500) when they don't.

The Cowboys have been almost 50% more likely to win a close game when they score a rushing TD, and only 9% more likely to win when they score a passing TD.

Good stuff, Percy.

There isn't a doubt in my mind that a more productive running game would have gotten Romo a few more postseason wins by now.

 

[DFWJC]

I think the Giant have something good in David Wilson. If so, then our starting RB ( who is pretty good, btw) may be 4th best is the NFC East.
McCoy
Morris
Wilson and Murray

 

[Risen Star]

I think the Giant have something good in David Wilson. If so, then our starting RB ( who is pretty good, btw) may be 4th best is the NFC East.
McCoy
Morris
Wilson and Murray

That could be true.

 

[big dog cowboy]

Watching that segment last night I just cringed because I knew TD was right. Still doesn't change the fact I love the RB combo we have now.

 

[TheDude]

He's been overrated by the fan base. Some people talk about him like he's a top 5 back in the league.

He's a pretty solid back when he's healthy.

agree. He made a huge initial splash in 2011. Even though there were some head scratchers, it was overlooked. He killed me last year in FF even when not hurt. 18-14th best is about where he should be

 

[CATCH17]

He's a good player.

Of course he lacks a little but ill take him because he can impose his will on a defense and not many guys can do that.

 

[koolaid]

Murray isn't perfect, but you have to love his toughness and drive. There is no doubt looking at that guy that he works his *** off in the off-season to show up to camp in great shape. We all know how explosive he can be when he gets a lane. I think he could put up some monster numbers if he can stay out on the field.

 

[dart]

never did like the pick or this years watch Lacy tear it up this year

 

[Zordon]

During a recent segment on NFL Network, Davis, a two-time Super Bowl champion with the Denver Broncos, used a highlight of Murray running against the New York Giants to illustrate his point that the third-year back doesn’t do a good job of running to daylight.

“Assume he stays healthy, he’s very consistent at being inconsistent,” Davis said. “Here’s the guy that makes the big runs and makes big yardage on the play. But the other thing about him is he leaves a lot of yardage on the field.”

Davis suggested during the highlight clip that Murray bounced too far away from a block, which resulted in him running into a tackle. Davis’ point was that Murray could’ve turned a five-yard gain into a 20-yard run.

“When you turn on the film, you see a lot of that on film,” Davis said. “He had a highway. It’s running to darkness. It’s a guy who is leaving yardage on the field. … My coach would say, ‘You’re running with blinders on.’”

Continue reading...

Been saying this for awhile now. I'm not a big fan of his. Good pick, but not a 2nd contract guy.

 

[DogFace]

I have to agree with TD. As much as I love DM, this play seems to epitomize his preference to make contact rather than "run to the light". I mean, come on, Dez had a great block and all Murray needed to do was run straight ahead for the TD. I just hope he doesn't end up like Marion Barber...

Yards. That run was puzzling. I hope he was tired and that was the reason. Otherwise very poor vision

 

[Toruk_Makto]

Yards. That run was puzzling. I hope he was tired and that was the reason. Otherwise very poor vision

Am I the only one who say that all 3 of those defenders were going to catch him in 1 or 2 steps?

Vision? He was running in a straight line.

Talk about confirmation bias.

 

[Pessimist_cowboy]

yea i agree with TD . I honestly dont see him ever being a star running back. I would draft another back next year.Murray is a solid above average 2nd string RB.

 

[Pessimist_cowboy]

he's a top 15 back thats about as high as I can go on him

no he isnt.

 

[risco]

He was going to be caught by 3 guys faster than he is. And are we really criticizing him on that run where he turned a 2 yard loss into a 48 yard gain?

Unbelievable.

Not criticizing him, but he did leave yards on the field. And on one of those run he had the sideline. The sideline is his protection. Plus leaving yards on the field is the subject.

 

[risco]

And here we go; another Cowboys RB about to be declared a pile magnet by the fan base.

To me- this is nothing new in terms of his running style. We all saw and I'm sure the coaches saw it as well. He's still a good RB. He' s on my fantasy team.

 

[lkelly]

I agree with Davis about as often as I do Bayless, but he's spot on.