Is Demarco Murray Marcus Allen?

[RonSpringsdaman20]

Allen wasn't much faster and Allen would even tell you that.

He was an incredible tailback though and IMO, the greatest all-around back ever. He could run with speed, run for power, run for short yardage (better than anybody ever), he could catch like a wide receiver, blitz pickup and even be a lead blocker. He could even throw the ball well (was a HS quarterback).

Scary to think what the Raiders could have done with him and Bo Jackson in the backfield if Al Davis kept his ego in check, if they had a QB and a sharp offensive mind running the offense.

I don't think Marcus Allen quite fits although Murray had the same trait as one of Allen's most valuable traits...he falls forward. Marcus was more patient and would cut around and dodge defenders. Of course, the running scheme was different. Murray's style is more explosive running into the running crease and making great moves to get into that crease. He's terrific at making himself small and even jumping into the crease if he has to. And I'm certain that defenses don't look forward to having to tackle Murray when he's already got 7-yards of running downhill on them.

To me, I think the best comparison is to Terrell Davis.





YR

I forgot about how vicious a blocker Marcus Allen was! Thank you for the trip down memory lane... And he was automatic around the goal line.....
I don't know about the Bo/Allen combo though... I think the raiders had a hard time figuring out how to make it work... and Bo might have been the most talented back I've ever seen..... Marcus' ego took a bit of a hit, when carries started to move towards Bo before Bo suffered that unfortunate injury...

Excellent analyzation of Murray's skills btw....

 

[HappyOnions]

He kind of reminds me of Larry Johnson during his superstar years at KC. I'm hoping that he doesn't follow the same path that Johnson did after the HUGE workload he had over the course of 2 seasons and fall off the radar.

Of course, Murray doesn't have the off the field issues that he did, either.

 

[RonSpringsdaman20]

He kind of reminds me of Larry Johnson during his superstar years at KC. I'm hoping that he doesn't follow the same path that Johnson did after the HUGE workload he had over the course of 2 seasons and fall off the radar.

good call....
LJ had problems outside of football that held him back.

 

[foofighters]

Nope and not even close, Allen ran away from folks but he was tough too and got the dirty yards too. He's one of the best backs of ALL TIME.

This and it's not even close.

 

[LeonDixson]

I thought Allen was a marvelous runner. Not to take anything away from Murray but I don't see them on the same level.

I lived about 90 minutes away from Oakland during that time and the scuttlebutt was that Marcus, for some reason, ended up in Al Davis' doghouse and that Davis refused to let the Coaches give him his share of opportunities. I don't remember what the reason was, but it really hurt Allen's career stats. I was happy to see him go to KC to get out from under Davis' thumb.

 

[Yakuza Rich]

I forgot about how vicious a blocker Marcus Allen was! Thank you for the trip down memory lane... And he was automatic around the goal line.....
I don't know about the Bo/Allen combo though... I think the raiders had a hard time figuring out how to make it work... and Bo might have been the most talented back I've ever seen..... Marcus' ego took a bit of a hit, when carries started to move towards Bo before Bo suffered that unfortunate injury...

Excellent analyzation of Murray's skills btw....

I think if the Raiders had a good QB and a pretty good TE, they could have had an incredible offense with Bo and Marcus in the backfield together.

I'd go 21 personnel. You can run Bo with Marcus lead blocking, you can motion Marcus out wide and create a 3 WR set and the defense now has to choose on whether or not to key on Bo or stop the pass. And they will have to bring the right personnel package. Go with a dime package and the Raiders run the ball or go with base package and the Raiders throw with 3 WR set. There are also a myriad of plays where you can fake the run to Bo and give it to Marcus. Or you could have Bo go out-wide with Marcus in the backfield and set up bubble screens to Bo but keep the defense honest by running the ball with Marcus.

Lots and lots and lots of options.



YR

 

[RonSpringsdaman20]

I think if the Raiders had a good QB and a pretty good TE, they could have had an incredible offense with Bo and Marcus in the backfield together.

I'd go 21 personnel. You can run Bo with Marcus lead blocking, you can motion Marcus out wide and create a 3 WR set and the defense now has to choose on whether or not to key on Bo or stop the pass. And they will have to bring the right personnel package. Go with a dime package and the Raiders run the ball or go with base package and the Raiders throw with 3 WR set. There are also a myriad of plays where you can fake the run to Bo and give it to Marcus. Or you could have Bo go out-wide with Marcus in the backfield and set up bubble screens to Bo but keep the defense honest by running the ball with Marcus.

Lots and lots and lots of options.



YR

Was that the Jay Schroeder days?
The ability to be versatile was definitely there... Marcus was a great all around back.

 

[Yakuza Rich]

Was that the Jay Schroeder days?
The ability to be versatile was definitely there... Marcus was a great all around back.

Yes.

I've always been fascinated by Marcus Allen. Too bad Al Davis put him in the dog house.





YR

 

[KalEl]

He kind of reminds me of Larry Johnson during his superstar years at KC. I'm hoping that he doesn't follow the same path that Johnson did after the HUGE workload he had over the course of 2 seasons and fall off the radar.

Of course, Murray doesn't have the off the field issues that he did, either.

Larry had excellent break away speed, and was terrible in pass protection, and wasn't quite as powerful as Murray is. Murray is more comparable to Emmitt and Terrell Davis IMO. Bruisers that could do everything but not elusive and speedy

 

[TellerMorrow34]

No disrespect to Murray but he's no where near the back Marcus Allen was.

I don't think some people realize just how damn good Allen was. So much of his career was wasted by Davis making him into a full back and then sitting him on the bench behind Bo Jackson and junk like that.

And still the dude put in over 12,000 yards rushing in his career and over 100 TD's and that doesn't even account for his blocking ability and his catching ability.

Allen was a true stud. To me he's honestly on the very short list of the absolutely best 4 or 5 RB's ever.

 

[RonSpringsdaman20]

No disrespect to Murray but he's no where near the back Marcus Allen was.

I don't think some people realize just how damn good Allen was. So much of his career was wasted by Davis making him into a full back and then sitting him on the bench behind Bo Jackson and junk like that.

And still the dude put in over 12,000 yards rushing in his career and over 100 TD's and that doesn't even account for his blocking ability and his catching ability.

Allen was a true stud. To me he's honestly on the very short list of the absolutely best 4 or 5 RB's ever.

first ballot hall of famer

 

[landroverking]

Different Time. Lots of two back sets and Allen could block for Bo Jackson.

 

[RonSpringsdaman20]

Larry had excellent break away speed, and was terrible in pass protection, and wasn't quite as powerful as Murray is. Murray is more comparable to Emmitt and Terrell Davis IMO. Bruisers that could do everything but not elusive and speedy

He was a pretty terrible blocker, their stature was similar, both downhill runners, probably not as strong as murrary..... and you are right... LJ would break it...

 

[HappyOnions]

Allen was a true stud. To me he's honestly on the very short list of the absolutely best 4 or 5 RB's ever.

4 or 5 best ever? No way.

I think his numbers speak more about his longevity than his greatness. He went over 1000 yards 3 times in 16 seasons. He had a nose for the endzone, but after his first 4 years with the Raiders, and the one monster year he had, the rest of his career numbers were quite pedestrian. Not to say he isn't a great player, but I think most people could list off at least 10 RBs better than Allen.

 

[jchap2k]

Main similarity I see: How they hold the ball. Allen held the ball away from his body like he was running around with a base ball. I imagine his hands were bigger than Murray's so he got away with that unconventional habit.

 

[blumayne38]

i saw the same thing you did, Murray is a Rare talent no doubt, his work ethic and Talent are a Rare Breed....dont listen to anyone saying that he isnt comparable

 

[blumayne38]

Main similarity I see: How they hold the ball. Allen held the ball away from his body like he was running around with a base ball. I imagine his hands were bigger than Murray's so he got away with that unconventional habit.

not exactly a groundbreaking assessment

 

[blumayne38]

Larry had excellent break away speed, and was terrible in pass protection, and wasn't quite as powerful as Murray is. Murray is more comparable to Emmitt and Terrell Davis IMO. Bruisers that could do everything but not elusive and speedy

emmitt?? Terrell Davis?? Murray is Faster then both of them and stronger

 

[blumayne38]

i dont understand how people believe murray is slow.....WOW!! im ...like really 1800 13 TDs and your talking about the yards he left on the field??? it must be the offseason....everyone leaves plays on the field...

 

[TheMarathonContinues]

That's not true at all, I give Murray tons of credit he's a helluva back. Strong, powerful, runs hard and can turn a 2yrd run into 5 or 6yrds cause of his strength. I just wish he had more speed and didn't stumble over his own feet all the time. "No one gives Murray credit" is a ridiculous statement.

I shouldn't say "No one" because there is a small minority that does. But or nearly 6 months all I have heard on this site is either "Anyone could run behind this offensive line" or "Let Murray walk and sign this running back" or the best one yet "Any other running back with speed would've had more yards because there would be no yards left on the field" lol. What about the yards that Demarco gets that no one else can get?

Me and you both know there's a lack of respect for Demarco around here because of the hype this offensive line gets the success a quicker back in Randle had. People want the 80 yard touchdowns that just aren't realistic to happen as many times as fans would like.