Is anyone else thinking we'd be better off resting Murray?

[Gridiron Man]

If it was all about pain sure you suck it up but it more than that. Emmitt was tough yet the same type of injury sidelined him as well. Bottom line can you control the ball, can you pick up the blitz you need your hands for that. This is not a matter of sucking it up. If he can show he is able to do the things he must do to perform the job then I expect him to play, if not then he won't. I have no doubts about Murray desire to play

This is more or less my concern. I'm seriously thinking we would be better off having him waiting in the wings in case Randle and Dunbar stink it up. I just think we should give them a shot to prove themselves. I suspect they could carry the load enough to give us a decent running game without the risk of playing a potential hazard.

 

[Doomsday101]

I'm just old school. Unless his hand is falling off and how important each and every game is I expect my starters to play.
I have no doubt that Murray will play. I think the fans are making much more out of this than any thing else.

As am I but he is human, bottom line he has certain things he must be able to do and while the will to do it may be there if he physically can't do it then it is stupid to put him out there. These guys are tough you don't handle the ball in the NFL 351 times in the NFL without a lot of toughness. If he can do what he must do to help this team then he will play but if he physically can't then he can do more harm than good

 

[Dave_in-NC]

As am I but he is human, bottom line he has certain things he must be able to do and while the will to do it may be there if he physically can't do it then it is stupid to put him out there. These guys are tough they are not you don't handle the ball in the NFL 351 times in the NFL without a lot of toughness. If he can do what he must do to help this team then he will play but if he physically can't then he can do more harm than good

Like I said I think the media and fans are making more out of this than any thing else. We shall see soon I guess.

 

[ElGatoGrande]

This is more or less my concern. I'm seriously thinking we would be better off having him waiting in the wings in case Randle and Dunbar stink it up. I just think we should give them a shot to prove themselves. I suspect they could carry the load enough to give us a decent running game without the risk of playing a potential hazard.

Agreed,,, suit him up if he can play but don't use him unless Randle/Dunbar are ineffective and the offense is struggling. FWIW, I think Randle/Dunbar will be fine and the offense can get it done,,, provided that Bernadeau/Parnell can step it up.

 

[Doomsday101]

Like I said I think the media and fans are making more out of this than any thing else. We shall see soon I guess.

I hope he plays, Dallas is working him this week they should get a good idea of what he can do. The guy is tough I have no question at all about that and if he does not play it will be more because of the coaches than Murray.

 

[Silver N Blue]

We really haven't seen Randle and Dunbar carry the load, but don't you think they could put up over a hundred yards rushing combined?

There is a serious concern with Murray fumbling the ball as well as failing to protect Romo in pass blocking. There is also the benefiting of rest. He would be better prepared for the playoffs.

Without question. Rest him one week and let Randle/Dunbar roll. Randle has shown some burst this year when given the opportunity; I would like to see what he can do with 20 touches. Either way it's gonna be a great game to watch! Go Cowboys!

 

[Gridiron Man]

He also has to carry the ball in his left hand on runs to his left, be able to catch passes with both hands, and use his left hand to ward off defenders. He uses his left hand a lot. On top of all that, if he requires a shot to deaden the pain, he would not know if he further injures the hand since he couldn't feel any pain. Whatever decision they make, it'll be the right one.

Ya, I saw this video yesterday, and had to seriously reconsider the idea of playing Murray...
http://www.nfl.com/videos/dallas-cowboys/0ap3000000445019/How-can-Murray-adjust-with-hand-injury

 

[Idgit]

I can see why he would want to play. I just think we might have too much to lose in the turnover battle or an injured Tony Romo if he were to play. I have to wonder if Randle and Dunbar are our best option right now.

I'm worried less about the turnovers, just because the injury is to his left hand. I don't expect him to be very effective with his off-hand push offs when he stretches the ball to the right like he likes to do. And I worry about him in pass protection if he can't grab with that left hand. That's going to hurt, absorbing the rush with a broken hand.

As far as expectations for the running game go, Free and Martin both being questionable is the bigger concern to me. I'm not as worried about their replacements in pass blocking, but it's obviously going to affect our rushing offense.

 

[tyke1doe]

True but you hold the ball and his ability to secure the ball will be a big part of it, defense will be going after the ball a lot more knowing Murray has an issue with that hand.

Murray holds the ball in his right hand most of the times. If he needs to cover the ball with both hands, he can do that even with a broken finger on his left hand. And I don't see the finger affecting his blocking.

If he can play, he should play. But I would spell him greatly with Dunbar and Randle.

 

[Doomsday101]

Murray holds the ball in his right hand most of the times. If he needs to cover the ball with both hands, he can do that even with a broken finger on his left hand. And I don't see the finger affecting his blocking.

If he can play, he should play. But I would spell him greatly with Dunbar and Randle.

others seem to disagree. I don't know the only way you find out is have him out there at practice and see what he is able to do. LB or safeties coming in on a blitz are not just going to stand there an let him block them, when watching Murray block he is getting both hands extended, you will not just throw a shoulder in there and stop these guys from coming. To say oh he can do it no problem? We do not know that, they will find out as the week moves on

 

[Idgit]

All this said, he's probably going to come out and play well and we're not going to remember this game for Murray's hand. We're going to put up points offensively, and this game is going to be bout Luck v. our secondary when we look back at it. He might hang onto the ball, but he's not going to miss wide open throws like Sanchez did last week.

It's going to be interesting to see if we play more man where we can here at the end of the season. Also curious to see if/where Patmon gets snaps.

 

[Seven]

I wouldn't be worried if he didn't play. But there's no way if I'm Murray I'm not going out there. He's got too much to lose by missing time to injury and letting other backs put up numbers with his OL.

I agree, IF he's serviceable.

No time to waste getting him acclimated to a glove, injury catching, blocking in tis game...................it's got to affect him one way or the other.

Start him and sprinkle in a heavy dose of the other two, IMO.

 

[panchucko]

Murray can rest after the season, as the OP said we haven't seen what Randle and Dunbar do, do you really want to chance your playoff life on the unknown? I sure don't

 

[Chuck 54]

If Murray can't play, we'll be fine.
But if he can play, he deserves it...he's chasing a record, and even if he plays, he won't be getting 30 carries. I'm sure the other backs will see a series or two each half, maybe more, but it will be nice to have Murray available in short yardage or goal line situations.

 

[Doomsday101]

Murray can rest after the season, as the OP said we haven't seen what Randle and Dunbar do, do you really want to chance your playoff life on the unknown? I sure don't

Then Murray needs to show during this weeks practice he can do the things that makes him a quality back, if he can't then playing him just to say he played is not going to win a game for us. Coaches will make the call and will do so based on what he can or can't physically do.

 

[Idgit]

I agree, IF he's serviceable.

No time to waste getting him acclimated to a glove, injury catching, blocking in tis game...................it's got to affect him one way or the other.

Start him and sprinkle in a heavy dose of the other two, IMO.

That's what'll happen. He'll start, run hard, and we'll start subbing him earlier than usual. They seemed to want to get Dunbar involved in PHI (and not just because of Murray's injury). I wonder if that was a reaction to the blitzing or a wrinkle they want to add here at the end of the season.

 

[Dave_in-NC]

That's what'll happen. He'll start, run hard, and we'll start subbing him earlier than usual. They seemed to want to get Dunbar involved in PHI (and not just because of Murray's injury). I wonder if that was a reaction to the blitzing or a wrinkle they want to add here at the end of the season.

I would like this scenario. I just don't want to see Murray listed as out for these up coming games. Every one of them is a must win in my eyes.

 

[TwoDeep3]

Ya, I saw this video yesterday, and had to seriously reconsider the idea of playing Murray...
http://www.nfl.com/videos/dallas-cowboys/0ap3000000445019/How-can-Murray-adjust-with-hand-injury

Did you also see Merrill Hoge speak about breaking the same bone and how they put a U shaped piece of metal around his hand, which allowed him to grip the ball and use it for blocking, and he played the next week.

Fact is he played for a quarter and a half after breaking his bone. NFLN is a product of ratings. They have to have something to speak about.

 

[CF74]

We really haven't seen Randle and Dunbar carry the load, but don't you think they could put up over a hundred yards rushing combined?

There is a serious concern with Murray fumbling the ball as well as failing to protect Romo in pass blocking. There is also the benefiting of rest. He would be better prepared for the playoffs.

I would have him ready to go but start Randle and Dunbar for at least the first quarter. Depending on the results, sacks given up by the backs, etc. Then at that point we'd know if we can keep Murray on ice or call him up. My guess is that we will be ok with the RB by committee option...

 

[cowboys2233]

We really haven't seen Randle and Dunbar carry the load, but don't you think they could put up over a hundred yards rushing combined?

There is a serious concern with Murray fumbling the ball as well as failing to protect Romo in pass blocking. There is also the benefiting of rest. He would be better prepared for the playoffs.

I think I'd give it a go -- in their brief playing time, both guys have shown that they can carry the ball effectively. It's the pass protection thing I'm most concerned about -- but if the coaching staff feels these guys are capable in the capacity, I'd be happy resting Murray.