Jones and Murray?

[Future]

Murray will start, and probably get more carries than Felix. But Felix is the more important back because he's much more of a threat to the defense than Murray.

 

[Risen Star]

I don't think we really have an entrenched starter at RB. Murray will start off in that role but he hasn't done enough to just assume it's his job for the season. He looked good against some really bad run defenses. Then couldn't remain on the field. He's still got a lot to prove and this is coming from an OU homer who loved the draft pick.

Whoever gets hot would be my starter. It could change week to week.

 

[Eskimo]

In games when they were both on the field, Felix had a better ypc than DeMarco, by a huge margin (4.59 to 3.33) in the same number of carries (90 for Felix, 89 for DeMarco). I'm not prepared to anoint one over the other.

I agree that I didn't see a huge difference between the two backs. Murray put up some big numbers against some bad defenses like St. Louis and Buffalo. When it came time to play against better defenses like Washington, Arizona and Miami his numbers were very pedestrian with ypc less than 4.0 in those games. He was pretty much a non-factor in those games against the better defenses and once teams had some game film to look at.

However, I do think Murray should get the majority of carries so Felix can be kept healthy for the playoff run. This will also allow Felix to try and return more kicks and play more on 3rd downs where we can hopefully utilize him as a blocker and pass catcher more.

BTW, Felix is probably one of the most underrated players on this team. When he is healthy he is one of the best in the league. His only major problem when he is on the field is he fumbles too much. Hopefully he can work on that problem like Tiki Barber did later in his career.

 

[KJJ]

Do you think Jones and Murray will be a successful 2 back combination?

I think both are excellent backs and I can see them both starting. But that's the problem both (I believe) want to start. So not to ruffle any feathers do you think we will see equal work from both backs in games?

Felix was drafted to be a complimentary back and with the emergence of Murray that's what he'll continue to be in 2012. If they both stay healthy they should be a successful combination they were successful last season. Felix averaged 4.5 per carry and Murray averaged 5.5 per carry.

 

[KoRnyBrad]

Is the season here yet? I'm getting excited!

 

[DallasEast]

Bill Callahan served as the Oakland Raiders' offensive coordinator or head coach between the 1998 and 2003 seasons. The following is a snapshot representing the average number of carries per game, which #1/#2 running backs Napoleon Kaufman, Harvey Williams, Tyrone Wheatley and Charlie Garner ran the ball in his offense:

http://i356.***BLOCKED***/albums/oo4/DallasEast1701/779d7ae4.jpg

It may have absolutely zero relevancy upon how it will influence division of carries between DeMarco Murray and Felix Jones in this offense, but it might possibly highlight his personal philosophy for using two capable backs.

 

[anj113]

I agree that I didn't see a huge difference between the two backs. Murray put up some big numbers against some bad defenses like St. Louis and Buffalo. When it came time to play against better defenses like Washington, Arizona and Miami his numbers were very pedestrian with ypc less than 4.0 in those games. He was pretty much a non-factor in those games against the better defenses and once teams had some game film to look at.

However, I do think Murray should get the majority of carries so Felix can be kept healthy for the playoff run. This will also allow Felix to try and return more kicks and play more on 3rd downs where we can hopefully utilize him as a blocker and pass catcher more.

BTW, Felix is probably one of the most underrated players on this team. When he is healthy he is one of the best in the league. His only major problem when he is on the field is he fumbles too much. Hopefully he can work on that problem like Tiki Barber did later in his career.

I disagree totally that he is one of the most underated players on this team.. he was drafted as a first round pick.. he has not even come close to living up to that.. Not even close.. yes he has tal;ent, but come on now.. itb was a bad pick

 

[EJ Blue]

16 games, they have to play 16 games, please let it happen.

 

[DFWJC]

Bill Callahan served as the Oakland Raiders' offensive coordinator or head coach between the 1998 and 2003 seasons. The following is a snapshot representing the average number of carries per game, which #1/#2 running backs Napoleon Kaufman, Harvey Williams, Tyrone Wheatley and Charlie Garner ran the ball in his offense:

<a href="http://i356.***BLOCKED***/albums/oo4/DallasEast1701/779d7ae4.jpg" target="_blank">http://i356.***BLOCKED***/albums/oo4/DallasEast1701/779d7ae4.jpg

It may have absolutely zero relevancy upon how it will influence division of carries between DeMarco Murray and Felix Jones in this offense, but it might possibly highlight his personal philosophy for using two capable backs.

Wow.
I'd try everyone as much a spossible too if those crappy RBs was all I had to work with.

 

[DFWJC]

I disagree totally that he is one of the most underated players on this team.. he was drafted as a first round pick.. he has not even come close to living up to that.. Not even close.. yes he has tal;ent, but come on now.. itb was a bad pick

There are at least 5-7 back I would have preferred to have taken over Felix just from that draft alone. And I think he's pretty good. It's just, man, was that draft loaded at RB!
I have noticed that the class has had an unusual number of injuries though.

 

[KJJ]

I disagree totally that he is one of the most underated players on this team.. he was drafted as a first round pick.. he has not even come close to living up to that.. Not even close.. yes he has tal;ent, but come on now.. itb was a bad pick

Felix was drafted in the first round to be a complimentary back and he's done a good job in that role. In my opinion he looked better than MB3 from the day he arrived in 08 but Jerry wanted to get his $45 million worth out of Barber who he just overpaid and stuck with him in games where Felix was pushing 100 yards after only a few carries. I don't agree with using a #1 pick on a complimentary back but Felix has provided what the Cowboys drafted him for the only negative is he's had some injury issues. He has a career rushing average of 5.1 and he's caught 102 passes for 800 yards.

He's made a number of big plays with limited opportunities during his career and had he been given more opportunities early in his career he would have had a 1000 yard season. He had games early in his career where he had only 6-7 carries but had close to 100 yards on those carries. In 09 he had 7 carries for 96 vs the Giants but got injured. The following week against Carolina on a gimpy leg he had 8 carries for 94 yards. He rushed for 148 yards in a playoff game vs Philly in 09 and was the most valuable player in that game.

When Murray was lost last season Felix stepped up and had back to back 100 yard games against the Giants and TB. He's been a solid player for the Cowboys it's been the injuries and lack of opportunities that's kept him from being a much more productive back.

 

[Hoofbite]

I think Murray and Jones will be successful.

Murray has to be the lead back.

Jones is a good change of pace guy who has homerun potential but he can'y survive a season of hits.

 

[baj1dallas]

Felix is every bit as effective as Murray, but he's pretty much proven to not be particularly durable. I'd like to see them both get touches and where one gets more than the other, it be based more on matchup than the outdated perceptions of knucklehead fans.

 

[punchnjudy]

According to advancednflstats.com, Murray was the superior back last season. His success rate %, contribution to winning and points were all higher. However, it wasn't a landslide and we're talking about a limited sample.

Regardless of who they go with, the most important variable is how often they convert in short yardage and get good yardage on 1st down. That's been shown to be almost 3 times more important to winning than ypc which is a very highly overrated stat.

http://www.advancednflstats.com/2010/10/how-coaches-think-run-success-rate.html

In terms of what my eyes told me, I really liked Murray's vision early on. I would love to see what Dallas could accomplish with an interior line that's at least capable of opening a hole somewhere.

 

[28 Joker]

Also, if you research the Jets running game under Bill Callahan, you will find that the Jets used misdirection in the running game to their advantage. Jason Garrett has certainly used Felix Jones to destroy teams on counter runs. The counter runs have really been Jones' signature plays.

 

[TheMarathonContinues]

I always found it odd how everyone sort of assumed Felix will be let go after this season but what if he outperforms Demarco which to me doesn't seem that out of the possiblity?

 

[gmoney112]

I'd start Murray, as would most. He's really the ideal "bulk of the carries" type RB. He runs hard downhill, gets yards, and is a better pass catcher out of the backfield.

Felix is more explosive, though. Felix is one of those RB's you like to keep fresh because he can take it 70 yards to the house any time he touches the ball.

Both talented backs, if they can stay healthy they should do some damage this year

 

[jnday]

I always found it odd how everyone sort of assumed Felix will be let go after this season but what if he outperforms Demarco which to me doesn't seem that out of the possiblity?

Considering his constant injury history, I understand if Dallas doesn't offer him a big money, long term deal. He is good in a limited role when healthy, but his injuries makes it hard to depend on him. Running backs can be had in the mid rounds that are bargains.

 

[DallasEast]

I always found it odd how everyone sort of assumed Felix will be let go after this season but what if he outperforms Demarco which to me doesn't seem that out of the possiblity?

Generalization aside, this is a very thought-provoking post.

 

[Hoofbite]

I always found it odd how everyone sort of assumed Felix will be let go after this season but what if he outperforms Demarco which to me doesn't seem that out of the possiblity?

Offer him a reasonable contract and if he gets more money elsewhere, so be it.

Unless Murray looks like a shell of the last years player, you can't pay a split back a ton of money.

Not really sure anyone would offer him the moon though.

Too much missed time to make a huge offer for any team.