If the Running Back Issue Isn't a Problem

[TwoDeep3]

I don't know... I've read many posters giving credit to Murray, but you guys are right that he is being treated like an also-ran by others and I can understand the frustration.
I think it's getting a little too silly the way it's being hounded upon, but some people can't think of anything else except Dallas Cowboys Football and I commend their love for our team.

My personal goal for Dallas is to win back-to-back before the drought when Romo leaves.

 

[Knotamus]

Three times.



http://espn.go.com/nfl/player/stats/_/id/14005/demarco-murray

And I keep telling people NOT to listen to BSPN. smh

http://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/M/MurrDe00.htm
http://www.axs.com/dallas-cowboys-emmitt-smith-has-advice-for-demarco-murray-s-fumbling-p-25630

 

[Corso]

My personal goal for Dallas is to win back-to-back before the drought when Romo leaves.

T'would be an awesome, awesome thing. Not the drought...

 

[5Stars]

Y'all really need to stop with the silliness. I think the bottom line here, which many are unwilling to accept, is that Murray deserves just as much credit as our stellar oline in the success we had with achieving balance via our ball control offense last year. Yet no one is simply willing to give credit where it's due. That's the bottom line.

No, the bottom line is that Murray is gone by his own choice...get it right.

I give credit for what Murray did last year, and like the rest of you crybabies, it hurts me also that he is gone.

But...I am not going to vetch and moan, cry and argue, post after post, about something that has been done and is over with. No matter how many posts you and your cohorts post about Murray leaving for more money, nothing is going to change! It's done...why some of you cannot grasp that is really embarrassing.

 

[5Stars]

And I keep telling people NOT to listen to BSPN. smh

http://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/M/MurrDe00.htm
http://www.axs.com/dallas-cowboys-emmitt-smith-has-advice-for-demarco-murray-s-fumbling-p-25630

Oh...SNAP! lol Nice...

 

[JDSmith]

When I posted direct quotes by Jerry and Stephen, I'd suggest that is not media driven.

Now name the soft spot in this team. Well, it sure looks like RB.

And speaking of getting tired of threads and subjects, when will I hear from you about the constant Romo is unloved threads and fill in the mediot is a moron and is a fan of fill in the team?

This board is so dismissive of anything but agreeing that this is the year. Has been for a long time.

You posted direct quotes, but they don't portray the situation in nearly the same desperate light that many people claim it is because they are misreading the quotes, misunderstanding the context, or applying their own bias to what amount to relatively innocuous answers to direct questions. People are asking questions in an attempt to garner headlines, as a result they ask questions that try to pin our GM/owner down to a position. When they get generic answers to those questions, and I don't think anyone reading those quotes without bias would say they are specific or telling quotes, they then attach whatever meaning they want to them.

-Would you trade a first rounder for the 'right player?'

-Well, we'd definitely consider it because we want to make the team better, but man does it hurt to trade a first.

Headline: Jerry desperate to trade next year's first rounder for RB.

I understand that you're worried about the RB position, and with reason. I have concerns too, and would have loved to keep Murray. But that doesn't make those quotes have any special meaning, nor does it mean that the Cowboys are uncomfortable with the guys we have. Had they been that uncomfortable they would surely have moved up a few slots to grab a RB in the third.

 

[JDSmith]

Do you think the TOP will be as much as it was last year?

Yes. I think our D is going to be substantially better at getting off of the field this year.

 

[Knotamus]

Do you think the TOP will be as much as it was last year?

Now that's a great question. Hard to say without seeing how these guys run behind our OL. But I am encouraged by our depth, speed, and always forgotten fullback additions. The dirty yards are the question mark. We have to extend drives to keep our TOP up. I believe that Scott Linehand will do a great at mixing things up, the FB's will be in the mix, and another year for our young OL will help this. I will say this though, The improvements on Defense help to negate some of that responsibility on the offense. Our defense has improved enough to be confident that they will have more 3-n-outs,therefore allowing the offense back on the field. So I guess its a wash. My opinion...

 

[JoeBoBBY]

No, the bottom line is that Murray is gone by his own choice...get it right.

I give credit for what Murray did last year, and like the rest of you crybabies, it hurts me also that he is gone.

But...I am not going to vetch and moan, cry and argue, post after post, about something that has been done and is over with. No matter how many posts you and your cohorts post about Murray leaving for more money, nothing is going to change! It's done...why some of you cannot grasp that is really embarrassing.

I don't like the replacement. Or relying on unproven talent, in a year we should be pushing for the Super Bowl. ohh sure, were going to win the NFCE.

But can we beat Seattle, GB, playoff teams?

And to disegard the RB position, after the Running Game, got us into the playoffs and competitive with the best teams in the league, since..................2 decades ago, is going to be a topic! How could it not be?

I like watching the Cowboys win in the playoffs.

And, the formula worked last year. Yes, the D should be in approved greatly. But I wouldn't bank on that. I would bank on the running game. And no, I don't think our line is so good, we can put anybody back there. And why would we want to even "test that out"? In a season we should be pushing.......

 

[5Stars]

How many freakin times have YOU whined about the defense losing games?

Did the running game not protect the defense? Seems there were a great number of people here that thought so until Murray wanted a raise. That includes you.

Well, hopefully I won't whine about the defense this season because the offense does not have to protect the defense this season because they allocated the extra money on....the defense!

Good god man...you and your buddy must think that Murray has a big "S" tattooed on his chest!

Why do you guys always cry over spilled milk? What is done, is done. I swear...some of you guys would vetch if they hung you with a new rope!

 

[5Stars]

I don't like the replacement. Or relying on unproven talent, in a year we should be pushing for the Super Bowl. ohh sure, were going to win the NFCE.

But can we beat Seattle, GB, playoff teams?

And to disegard the RB position, after the Running Game, got us into the playoffs and competitive with the best teams in the league, since..................2 decades ago, is going to be a topic! How could it not be?

I like watching the Cowboys win in the playoffs.

And, the formula worked last year. Yes, the D should be in approved greatly. But I wouldn't bank on that. I would bank on the running game. And no, I don't think our line is so good, we can put anybody back there. And why would we want to even "test that out"? In a season we should be pushing.......

Good questions....but, all this vetching about losing Murray is getting ridiculous. You, me, and the Pope have no idea about the running back position as it stands right now. But....oh no....the Big Bad Murray is gone! Let me cry...please let me cry...and if I cry louder maybe, just maybe, Jerry will bring him back in a trade to Philly...then I can sleep tonght...with my eyes finally dry and closed.

 

[skinsscalper]

You posted direct quotes, but they don't portray the situation in nearly the same desperate light that many people claim it is because they are misreading the quotes, misunderstanding the context, or applying their own bias to what amount to relatively innocuous answers to direct questions. People are asking questions in an attempt to garner headlines, as a result they ask questions that try to pin our GM/owner down to a position. When they get generic answers to those questions, and I don't think anyone reading those quotes without bias would say they are specific or telling quotes, they then attach whatever meaning they want to them.

-Would you trade a first rounder for the 'right player?'

-Well, we'd definitely consider it because we want to make the team better, but man does it hurt to trade a first.

Headline: Jerry desperate to trade next year's first rounder for RB.

I understand that you're worried about the RB position, and with reason. I have concerns too, and would have loved to keep Murray. But that doesn't make those quotes have any special meaning, nor does it mean that the Cowboys are uncomfortable with the guys we have. Had they been that uncomfortable they would surely have moved up a few slots to grab a RB in the third.

Yet, somehow none of this is media driven. You know, because Jerry and Stephen have "made public statements" about up grading the RB position.

Sheep are dumb. There's nothing you can do about it.

 

[PhillyCowboysFan]

Three times

I just remember his last one!

 

[gmoney112]

How many freakin times have YOU whined about the defense losing games?

Did the running game not protect the defense? Seems there were a great number of people here that thought so until Murray wanted a raise. That includes you.

Sure, TOP helps. But the defense played better in every facet of the game. In many areas, much better. This is a fact.

It's actually all hogwash. We'd used a top 10 pick on an OL in 2011. Signed obvious stopgap players to fill positions of need while we cleared the cap, and then address OC and OG/RT in the first rounds the two years after it. The pattern is as clear as it can be. We fill open needs with value free agents, draft the hardest positions to fill where we can. Throw resources at positions of need in the middle and later rounds, devote multiple extra spots to those positions as we churn through inexpensive young options hoping to find players, and then focus our resources on the best possible players we can get in position to draft. We sign the exceptional ones, and replace the others where we can, getting our cap in shape in the process. The only issue was that the 2010 team had deterioration along the entire expensive OL, the CB position was depleted with the separate of Newman and the injury to Jenkins, and the DL almost immediately went into disprepair with Ratliff going bonkers and Ware turning into a pumpkin years before we'd expected him to do. The 'let's wait to see the players play a single snap yet' and 'let's see if we can get something from nothing on some of these OL options' (which we did, with Ron Learly, btw) arguments were all int he context of the situation. It turned out we were devoting huge resources directly at the problem areas while clearing out the cap and the people who were stomping their feet and hollering that we weren't are trying to pretend otherwise in retrospect.

It really is pretty exceptional the disaster that the Wade Phillips era left on personnel in Dallas. You could point to just about any position group outside of QB and TE, and say "that needs a drastic overhaul". The entire team fell off completely and abruptly.

I think anyone who's capable of seeing things objectively, or is capable of seeing things in a wider scope, saw the process unfold. A lot of fans just can't grasp the fact that the NFL is chess, not checkers, and a team in complete disarray like ours, took more than a season to get competitive. In the meantime, hoping that a player or two that was unappreciated, and taken where they were out of necessity and opportunity cost for other positions, apparently labeled you a homer.

The job the staff has done over the last few years has been nothing short of spectacular. I don't care if those that thrive in chaos, and make passive aggressive insinuations for "likes" agree with me. They've taken a team that, without Romo, was probably a Top 5 pick in the draft type of group, and turned them into a team that not only went 12-4 with a defense that, personnel wise, was historically average, but now has them in the grouping as favorites to represent the NFC on the big stage.

Then, one of the best offseasons in the recent history of the salary cap era, as far as potential. Our #1 focus was what? Pass rush. Getting Hardy on a "friendly" deal and taking Gregory in the 2nd was brilliant. You can't ask for a better haul in an offseason to address a concern.

Not only that but placing an emphasis on SPARQ ratings on defense, which is what Seattle has modeled for years with their defense. As well as courting a widely regarded top 10-20 talent in UDFA when they had other suitors.

And people still want to critique the decision making, or scoff at the club's usage of 6th round draft picks.

It's pretty amusing.

 

[5Stars]

I just remember his last one!

That one hurt...he might have found pay dirt on that run.

Actually...lol...we should give credit to Romo and Dez (it was a catch) for trying to win that game that Murray fumbled away.

 

[mattjames2010]

Well he has played better than that in the pros in his first two years and we did pick him in the 5th round.

Has he? His first year, he looked awful. His second? He had a little over 50 carries and a couple long runs. I'd say he's doing exactly what you'd expect from a late round back.

 

[gmoney112]

Has he? His first year, he looked awful. His second? He had a little over 50 carries and a couple long runs. I'd say he's doing exactly what you'd expect from a late round back.

How about we actually see what he's capable of before we throw him under the bus?

 

[Beast_from_East]

I have a question for the guru's. Has a RB ever led the league in rushing and then let go the next year? Just wondering....

No.............no team in NFL history ever let the rushing champion walk out the door. Murray will be the first rushing champion to defend his title on another team.

 

[mattjames2010]

OK, so who were you wishing for in this years draft? Randles college stats compare favorably vrs for example TJ Yeldon who was a 2nd rounder. A few less yards rushing, double the receptions, a few more TD's........

Id agree, his 1st year in the NFL, he was a UDFA look alike, but gotta say last year looked the part.
****
I'm looking at its between Ryan W and Randle, MacFadden replaces everything Dunbar gives us, with the dual threat on 3rd downs---Teams knew a screen etc was coming with just Dunbar in the game and they took it away. I'd say if Days can show us something for a shortyardage, thumper, and some of a blocker, some hands, some special teams--he has a place.

Unlike in in the NFL, the last thing I do with college players is go by their stats, unless it's something remarkable. I go by how much it seems as though their skillsets or lack thereof will translate in the NFL. I put Randle in a group with a player like Jeremy Langford.

 

[mattjames2010]

How about we actually see what he's capable of before we throw him under the bus?

Or I could give my opinion of him now, the coaching staff still does what they want, and we see if I'm right or wrong about him?

If he proves me wrong, great. Will I complain? Nope. He'll help our team. But as of now, this is the offseason, I have opinions on these players just like everyone else; right now I see a career backup RB.