JonJon;4245649 said:
DeMarco Murray is a tough, good, physical football player. He reminded me of Eddie George today. He certainly has earned his yards and taken advantage of his opportunities. Murray is a very good looking player who has stepped up and helped the Cowboys.
However, Murray takes some punishment out there. He took a bunch of hits today. Murray runs high, and that exposes him, especially between the tackles. (Look on the play where he took a big helmet to helmet hit and fumbled.) Murray is a battering ram. Just check out all the Bills paint on his helmet. He uses his helmet as a weapon like Marion Barber. I don't think it's in Murray's best short-term or long-term interest to run him 300+ times per year. That is a good way to run him into the ground (See Marion Barber). Felix Jones was originally drafted to complement Barber, and Barber took a pounding. Barber was a battering ram, too. Where is Barber?
Chris Johnson took another pounding today, but he finally broke out. Johnson has run tentative this year and at times, appeared to be running to avoid contact. Therefore, he was missing or not seeing things that were blocked right by not running hard. Much bigger backs than Chris Johnson have lived short shelf-lives, because they were pretty much run into the ground. Johnson carried the football 27 times today, and I wonder how long the player will last. He takes a pounding. Just because Johnson can do it, doesn't mean that is in his best interest or the Titans for that matter. If you get a hold of a player like Johnson, you want him to play for you as long as possible, imo.
I think Jason Garrett believes in
Felix Jones a whole lot more than some fans or some media. During the past 4 seasons, Jones has given Garrett every reason to believe in him, too.
Felix Jones has proven to be a dynamic, extremely explosive, and extremely productive player in the 14-16 rush range. I really don't think it matters who "starts". It is the touches that really matter. I think Garrett is going to want to get both players the football, and I think there are enough carries for both of them (Jones and Murray). I think both players' style complement one another well. Murray does have some McFadden-like similarities.
Felix Jones competed for touches at Arkansas, and he competed for touches in Dallas, with two other running backs. That included competing with
Darren McFadden and
Marion Barber and his big contract. Murray is putting up some explosive numbers, but
Darren McFadden is a faster, more explosive player than Murray. Jones competed with McFadden for touches, and Houston Nutt admitted to not giving Jones the ball enough at Arkansas.
I think Jason Garrett is going to feed Felix Jones his touches when he gets back onto the field, because Jones has certainly earned them over the past 4 seasons in Dallas. Jones is a very competitive player who is being vastly under-estimated by some fans or some media (see Terence Newman).
For some to say that Jones isn't a "featured back" is pretty amazing. Have they watched Garrett coach the player at all? Have they watched the games during the past 4 years? By all means, go ahead and bring out the hearse for Felix Jones. Jones is a dynamic, explosive player who probably can't wait to get his opportunities to run behind this significantly improved run blocking in the running game. Does Felix get to play with Holland for the first time and Fiammetta (again) when he comes back? Is S.F. or N.E. or the NYJ (at home on 9/11) on the schedule? Who's up next? Commanders... 17-155
I don't know exactly how the touches will break down between Jones and Murray, but I expect Felix Jones to be in the double digits in rushing attempts. I expect Jason Garrett to work him back in. I expect Dallas' pass attempts per game to continue to fall, so Garrett can get the football into Jones' and Murray's hands.
The true strength of the Dallas Cowboys is in the backfield, and DeMarco Murray isn't the only guy. You would think Cowboys fans would know this or acknowledge this, but it is what it is with some Dallas fans but certainly not all of them.
When Felix Jones gets that wheel healthy, Jones is going to come back with fresh legs and a rested shoulder, and he's going to find some of those holes. Furthermore, Jones is extremely explosive through the hole and very dangerous in the open field.
I see Garrett wanting both Murray and Jones in the double digit rush range. It's good for both players' short-term and long-term health and good for the team. You keep your backs fresh, more healthy, and preserved in the short-run and long-run. The defense gets tired, but the backs stay fresh.
Murray may get more rushing attempts per game, but Jones will get his. Furthermore, that is all that Felix Jones needs.
