Is it Murray or the O-Line?

[Cowboy Brian]

After watching this game I had two thoughts - 1) this defense looked a heck of a lot better with McClain. 2) Is it DeMarco Murray's individual running prowess that has made our ground game so effective this season, or is it our vastly improved offensive line?

This is a key question our front office must be asking themselves over the next few weeks. If Murray is the reason we are having such success, than we must lock him up to a long-term contract. If it is the offensive line, we should not only not lock up Murray but we should perhaps explore our options of trading him (after the season, of course ) by way of franchise tagging him and then sending him packing, and if he continues this production (meaning he tops 2K total yards, receiving + rushing) a 2nd round pick, and dare I say a 1st round pick is entirely feasible to get in return for him.

 

[big dog cowboy]

Any argument for giving Murray a long term deal can be shot to pieces when the topic of fumbles comes up.

 

[Derinyar]

Murray is a good back running behind a line of road graders. I don't think anyone can run behind that line, but I think the reason Murray has looked elite at times is the as much, if not more, the oline. The Franchise tag might be a reasonable option for Murray even if you want to keep him, assuming that Peterson gets cut by the Vikings and that drops the cost of the tag by probably at least 1 million.

 

[RonSpringsdaman20]

or is it both?

 

[Tabascocat]

Murray is no slouch but the line gets the majority of the credit here. I believe Randle could run just fine behind them or good enough anyways.

 

[JohnsKey19]

Combination of both. Murray is a good RB. He's a top 5-7 player at his position. The OL is probably a top 5 unit. There's no reason why Murray should not finish among the top 5 RBs in yardage at seasons end.

 

[Cowboyz88]

OL.

No way he would've been effective four years ago behind that OL.

The OL is why I say you let Murray walk after the season.

 

[manster4ever]

Murray is no slouch but the line gets the majority of the credit here. I believe Randle could run just fine behind them or good enough anyways.

Couldn't agree more....he is good no doubt. But plenty of guys could be VERY effective behind that line. I wouldn't break the bank for him. MAYBE franchise him for 1 year then take a wait and see.


BTW...I FULLY expect the Jones' to overpay this guy. It's what they do, and Stephen already came out and said they want to lock him up. (I also agree with the poster that grumbled about his fumbles...they are now officially a concern IMO)

 

[bark]

Murray is very good but no where near elite. The play where tfred got way down the field on a db all Murray had to do was slow a bit and let the block develop instead he rushed forward and I think tripped over Fred. Whatever , he left 4 pts on the field cause we settled for 3 on the drive

 

[SDCowboy]

I think it's mostly the oline. Murray is a decent RB but our oline is really good.

 

[Cowboy Brian]

Any argument for giving Murray a long term deal can be shot to pieces when the topic of fumbles comes up.

Remove the fumbles from the discussion and he is doing a AP '12 impersonation out there...

More accurately he is doing a AP '08 impersonation, when he had 1885 yards from scrimmage, 10tds, but along with that came 9 fumbles

 

[CF74]

Why did they yank Randle? He looked pretty decent with those limited touches he got...

 

[Cowboy Brian]

Why did they yank Randle? He looked pretty decent with those limited touches he got...

I think we will see a few Randle drives over the next few weeks. The front-office has to see if he can perform and if they can survive without Murray.

 

[hornitosmonster]

I would say both. Why does it have to be one or the other?

 

[Zman5]

Murray has 5+ ypc average even with OLine consisting of Costa, Kowalski, Nagy, and Livings

 

[Corso]

After watching this game I had two thoughts - 1) this defense looked a heck of a lot better with McClain. 2) Is it DeMarco Murray's individual running prowess that has made our ground game so effective this season, or is it our vastly improved offensive line?

This is a key question our front office must be asking themselves over the next few weeks. If Murray is the reason we are having such success, than we must lock him up to a long-term contract. If it is the offensive line, we should not only not lock up Murray but we should perhaps explore our options of trading him (after the season, of course ) by way of franchise tagging him and then sending him packing, and if he continues this production (meaning he tops 2K total yards, receiving + rushing) a 2nd round pick, and dare I say a 1st round pick is entirely feasible to get in return for him.

I was sitting here thinking- I know this poster... and I know that avatar.
Who's Brian?

Then when I saw the option of franchising Murray- I knew exactly who this new incarnation of Romo2Austin is.
I like the new screen name bud.

I just can't justify signing a RB who fumbles at the rate he is fumbling.
I know he's talented and he gets our team tough yards, but he gives the other team the ball and you can see defenses keying on that big-time now.

Every guy that was going to tackle Murray was making darn sure to smack at that ball.
It's a league-wide memo now.

Murray gives it up and it has proven true every game this year so far.

No way I franchise this guy.

 

[Dave_in-NC]

Murray has 5+ ypc average even with OLine consisting of Costa, Kowalski, Nagy, and Livings

There is that. I think it's both.

 

[Corso]

Remove the fumbles from the discussion and he is doing a AP '12 impersonation out there...

More accurately he is doing a AP '08 impersonation, when he had 1885 yards from scrimmage, 10tds, but along with that came 9 fumbles

You don't remove the fumbles when you are making a decision like that.

 

[Tabascocat]

I was sitting here thinking- I know this poster... and I know that avatar.
Who's Brian?

Then when I saw the option of franchising Murray- I knew exactly who this new incarnation of Romo2Austin is.
I like the new screen name bud.

I just can't justify signing a RB who fumbles at the rate he is fumbling.
I know he's talented and he gets our team tough yards, but he gives the other team the ball and you can see defenses keying on that big-time now.

Every guy that was going to tackle Murray was making darn sure to smack at that ball.
It's a league-wide memo now.

Murray gives it up and it has proven true every game this year so far.

No way I franchise this guy.

I would rather franchise him then sign to a long-term contract if it comes to that.

 

[starfrombirth]

Murray is no slouch but the line gets the majority of the credit here. I believe Randle could run just fine behind them or good enough anyways.

and he has. Whenever he has got the touches he has done well also.