[FONT='Verdana','sans-serif']Ok, no he’s not a female sprinter, and certainly not one who has failed a drug test and sent to prison. Although the sprinter part could’ve been a possibility at one point.
[/FONT][FONT='Verdana','sans-serif']But DeMarco Murray – just watching some of
his highlights today out of Oklahoma - he looks like the perfect cross between Felix Jones and Marion Barber. And there you have Marion Jones (yeah I know… pretty weak!)
[/FONT][FONT='Verdana','sans-serif']For those of you who don’t understand why the Cowboys took a running back in the third round, first of all I think you have to realize the team viewed this position as a serious need. And the Cowboys probably aren’t counting on Tashard Choice to be the No. 2 back like most of us did.
[/FONT][FONT='Verdana','sans-serif']Secondly, there isn’t a back on this team that has the type of playmaking skills like Murray. [/FONT][FONT='Verdana','sans-serif']You can see Felix Jones had it coming out of Arkansas, and maybe for a few games as a rookie. But we haven’t seen it consistently. And who knows if we’ll ever see it.
[/FONT][FONT='Verdana','sans-serif']All I know is that watching
these highlights on Murray throughout his four-year career, he’s pretty amazing. His speed in the open field looks like Felix. His ability to finish off runs and even run over defenders in a violent fashion resembles the old Marion runner from a few years back.
[/FONT][FONT='Verdana','sans-serif']Now I like the breakaway runs like the next guy. His “hurdle and burst” against Texas at the 1:12 mark is pretty amazing because he’s running away from pretty good athletes. But personally, my favorite runs on this clip, and the ones that I think translate better to the NFL game, come at the 3:10 mark. It’s a series of clips that really show his power and ability to finish off runs.
[/FONT][FONT='Verdana','sans-serif']My favorite run of all is in his final game against UConn in the Fiesta Bowl. It’s at the 2:15 mark in the video, and in the final five minutes of so in the fourth quarter. Just the way he hits the hole, bounces out but cuts it back up and drags a few defenders that late in the game, it’s the type of run the good backs do in the NFL. They make a 2-yard run into a 11-yard run because they’ve got moves and strength. And if you occasionally take it 67 yards to the house – even better.
[/FONT][FONT='Verdana','sans-serif']Ok, I know it’s college where they all look good. But seriously, watch this video (and enjoy the music) from YouTube and see what you think about the Murray pick. If you’re still not somewhat impressed, that’s fine. But at least try it out.
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