Do we, once again have the best running back in the league?

[gdogg24]

It's been a pretty easy answer these last few years who the best back in football is but now that he's gone from the field could it be that it's our guy now? I know we've been praising the O-line and rightfully so, but I don't think just anybody could take the handoffs and make this thing work so well. I'm not of the thought that we can just plug Randle or Dunbar back there and have things work the same without missing a beat. I was looking at the 90s Cowboy documentary of the 93 Super Bowl run, the year Emmitt held out, and after losing those first two games pretty handily they paid Emmitt and got him back on the field right away. The O-Line we had then was still that dominant group, we still had Daryl Johnston lead blocking but without that man in the backfield it wasn't the same team. I usually hate making comparisons like that but the point is I don't think we can under sell the play of DeMarco Murray. The numbers say he's the best running back in the league and what he's done to start this season, in a historical context is phenomenal.

 

[jazzcat22]

I will take that a step further...Is Murray the most complete back in the NFL.
In todays NFL, it seems to be RB by committee.

But Murray is the RB here, and Randle & Dunbar gives him a break at times. And Murray can block and catch passes.
Throw back to the 90's style....

 

[gdogg24]

I will take that a step further...Is Murray the most complete back in the NFL.
In todays NFL, it seems to be RB by committee.

But Murray is the RB here, and Randle & Dunbar gives him a break at times. And Murray can block and catch passes.
Throw back to the 90's style....

Lol hey it's about time the 90s made a come back around here

 

[perrykemp]

Hard to say. This is his 4th year in the league. He has averaged 893 yards per season in his first 3 years in Dallas.

He is having a heck of a year.

I personally wouldn't rank him as the #1 back. I think Adrian Peterson is the most talented back in the league followed by McCoy in Philly however, Murray is definitely a top 5 talent running behind quite possibly the #1 run blocking offensive line in the NFL and the results are showing.

IMHO to be called the best back in the NFL you need to demonstrate superiority over everyone else over an extended amount of time -- 2 seasons minimum and I suspect some would say 3.

I'm quite happy to settle for the fact that no RB is playing better than Murray RIGHT NOW.

 

[DogFace]

This year so far he clearly is.

 

[Lonestar94]

Murray is still a poor man's Peterson imo. That is not a bad thing however. Put Peterson, Lynch, McCoy, Charles behind this O-line and I think they can do just as much if not more.

 

[maxdallasfan]

Emmitt Smith or Barry Sanders

 

[Boyz981]

I would say top 5 for sure.

 

[Bullflop]

DeMarco has always been an outstanding RB but we all know it's more than simply that that makes our running game click. The OL is currently the best one we've had since this team's glory days. Anyone running behind it is sure to appreciate the running lanes they've been privileged to take advantage of nowadays. Even Joe Randle is looking to be a world-beater since he's been operating behind them. There's no question that they're a factor.

There's no denying Murray is to be roundly congratulated for his having arrived at the fine state of conditioning he's enjoying now, though. He worked hard in the offseason to ensure his success. Gotta give him credit, too.
In the end, more often than not, it's a combination of things that makes an RB that successful.

 

[CATCH17]

We have the best running unit in the league. Individual running back? Nah. He's up there though.

 

[SPCowboysfan9]

Murray is still a poor man's Peterson imo. That is not a bad thing however. Put Peterson, Lynch, McCoy, Charles behind this O-line and I think they can do just as much if not more.

Give me Murray any day over McCoy who looks to make every run the home run instead of picking up the 4-5 yards the play was designed for. Charles is similar. Lynch and AP agreed but Murray if healthy can be jut as effective. He showed that his entire career.

 

[casmith07]

Murray is still a poor man's Peterson imo. That is not a bad thing however. Put Peterson, Lynch, McCoy, Charles behind this O-line and I think they can do just as much if not more.

Maybe Marshawn Lynch, as a complete back with pass blocking, but I don't know about all of those guys being as complete as DeMarco Murray.

It's like the Jimmy Graham or Gronk vs. Witten arguments. To me, you can have your Graham or Gronk - I'll take Witten who is very good at a bunch of things and great at nothing (hypothetically...Witten's a great route runner) over a guy who's great at one thing and wholly mediocre at others.

 

[TellerMorrow34]

I think he's very high on the list but I don't think he's actually the best RB in the league. He's definitely very good.

 

[MichaelWinicki]

The Cowboys have the best offensive line in the league.

They have a good running back.

Charles
McCoy
Forte

Several guys would put up very good numbers behind this offensive line.

 

[Doomsday101]

Let see only 5 RB have put up 4 100 yard games in a row in the history of the NFL and one of them in Murray. I think he is clearly one of the top backs in the NFL and his ability as a runner, receiver and blocker makes the perfect all around RB

 

[JohnnyHopkins]

I've always liked Murray, it was really a matter of him hitting the right holes and staying Healthy. He and this O-line are clicking on all cylinders right now and it is beautiful to watch.

 

[Refugee1]

I think the answer to the question is that we might have the best OL in the league, for run blocking anyway

With that group in front, Murray is a top 5 league RB. Without it, as we saw in prior seasons...top 10-15

According to ESPN Stats & Information, Murray has 327 rushing yards before contact in the first four games of the season

A lot of running backs could do that.

 

[cowboys1981]

Best offensive line

 

[JD_KaPow]

I will take that a step further...Is Murray the most complete back in the NFL.
In todays NFL, it seems to be RB by committee.

But Murray is the RB here, and Randle & Dunbar gives him a break at times. And Murray can block and catch passes.
Throw back to the 90's style....

Murray doesn't bring much in the passing game, so I don't know about "most complete". But he's certainly a great pass protector and a fine runner.

 

[dstovall5]

The Cowboys have the best offensive line in the league.

They have a good running back.

Charles
McCoy
Forte

Several guys would put up very good numbers behind this offensive line.

This right here. Any talented RB would do wonders with this offensive line. State wise, Murray definitely is having the best year for a RB so far, but I think a lot of that has to do with the big men ahead of him. Nonetheless, Murray is a great RB.