Linehan: Cowboys running game going 'back to the basics'

[gimmesix]

Haha. My wife says that sometimes too. in all seriousness, here's what it is. Murray is the perfect example of what happens to guys in a contract year. And, some stars also aligned last year as well. I've always been a huge DM fan. Even when most here wanted him gone. But finally, I had to accept the facts. He was driven last year because he knew this was his last big payday. He'll never have that drive again. You know what drive is? It's showing up for OTA's while being franchised. It's taking a pay cut long term, to help the team immediately. It's playing hurt in other years, not just the contract year. I don't blame him at all. But mark my words, just like countless numbers of other guys , contract year guys never live up to their potential after the fact. Murray was able to run with guys like Costa, because everybody and their mom was playing against us with 3-4 guys in the box. They knew they just had to stop Romo, or wait for him to make a mistake. And when your throwing the ball 40-50 times a game, you're going to make mistakes, (different subject, sorry)... If we would have committed to a running game back then, DM would not have been as successful as he was when he was being used sporadically because of that pathetic OL. Murray had a great year last year and it was blast to watch. I just don't see him doing that in Chips offense. I also don't expect him to ever have the desire to play hurt again to prove something. And with the lack of playmakers in Philly, he's going to be expected to carry the load their also. He can't do it again. His OU sidekick will rely in him too much and ultimately Murray will end up watching from the sidelines.

If he was driven last year, then what was he in 2013 when he actually averaged more per carry (5.2 compared to 4.7) than last year?

Murray ran for 1,121 yards that season in 14 games. The only thing that prevented him from having a similar total as last year's were health and the fact that Dallas wasn't as committed to the running game.

It would be a different story if Murray had averaged 3.4, 3.6 and 3.4 YPC his first three years, then exploded in his contract year with the numbers he had last year. That wasn't the case. He's shown the drive to succeed every year he's been in the league, so there is no reason to expect that to change.

Now, I do think he played hurt last year when he wouldn't have the previous years, but I think that had a lot to do with going after rushing records. And I do think he doesn't have as good of a supporting cast, but that likely means he runs for 4.2 per carry than 4.7 because he still has a good line in front of him unless those older guys break down.

 

[FuzzyLumpkins]

If he was driven last year, then what was he in 2013 when he actually averaged more per carry (5.2 compared to 4.7) than last year?

Murray ran for 1,121 yards that season in 14 games. The only thing that prevented him from having a similar total as last year's were health and the fact that Dallas wasn't as committed to the running game.

It would be a different story if Murray had averaged 3.4, 3.6 and 3.4 YPC his first three years, then exploded in his contract year with the numbers he had last year. That wasn't the case. He's shown the drive to succeed every year he's been in the league, so there is no reason to expect that to change.

Now, I do think he played hurt last year when he wouldn't have the previous years, but I think that had a lot to do with going after rushing records. And I do think he doesn't have as good of a supporting cast, but that likely means he runs for 4.2 per carry than 4.7 because he still has a good line in front of him unless those older guys break down.

2013 was Freds first year and LEary's first starting. Mack is okay but he is not Martin and Free was still a bit inconsistent. Murray was hurt in 2013 and played through it.

Murray only ran into soft fronts until 2014. The would always take what the defense gave them. He was NOT pushing piles and creating space on his own. He still wasn't doing that when we were consistently driving people off the los with the OL.

Murray's a good back but he was helped more than a little by his friends. I don't know why you cannot move on.

 

[Craig]

since this thread has shifted back to murray, do "the basics" include knowing how to hold the ball properly?

 

[gimmesix]

2013 was Freds first year and LEary's first starting. Mack is okay but he is not Martin and Free was still a bit inconsistent. Murray was hurt in 2013 and played through it.

Murray only ran into soft fronts until 2014. The would always take what the defense gave them. He was NOT pushing piles and creating space on his own. He still wasn't doing that when we were consistently driving people off the los with the OL.

Murray's a good back but he was helped more than a little by his friends. I don't know why you cannot move on.

I'll be glad to move on as soon as those who continue to downplay Murray's success the past four years stop. It's just silly.

Some of us realize what Murray has accomplished here in no way is easy to replace, or gives us any reason to expect him to fail in Philly. I've never said the line didn't contribute to his success, just like the passing game has contributed and helped with that 5.5 average he had as a rookie when the line wasn't as good but the focus at running back wasn't all on him.

I've pointed out that I also would not have paid Murray what he got from Philly to keep him, but I'm not going to badmouth him just because he left, just like I'm not going to make these other backs out to be more than they've proved to be in their careers.

I'm ready to see them prove they are more than that. If you can get everyone else to stop acting like that's been done or Murray hasn't proved anything, then let's move on.

 

[dallasdave]

It would be quite difficult to pick up where we left off considering the one back who practically got all of the playing time is gone. We do not have another Murray type on the roster, so the key will be what we can do with the types we have.

That is a fact.

 

[gimmesix]

since this thread has shifted back to murray, do "the basics" include knowing how to hold the ball properly?

I certainly hope he hasn't figured out what the problem was and continues to swing the ball away from his body, especially since Marinelli ingrains it into his players to try to strip it.

 

[dallasdave]

That's easy to say at this point. But at the same time last year, we had no clue what Murray was bringing to the table either. Patience.

Hey isn't that a song by Guns and Roses ?

 

[Picksix]

since this thread has shifted back to murray, do "the basics" include knowing how to hold the ball properly?

Excellent point.

 

[dallasdave]

Just figured I'd be honest to save us both some time.

Always the thoughtful one

 

[Fletch]

Hey isn't that a song by Guns and Roses ?

A good song. Lol

 

[dallasdave]

A good song. Lol

This year the I hope the last song of the year for the Cowboys is "We are the Champions of the World "

 

[Fletch]

This year the I hope the last song of the year for the Cowboys is "We are the Champions of the World "

Love that. Freddie and Queen.

 

[dallasdave]

Love that. Freddie and Queen.

The Cowboys will be "Under Pressure" to reach this goal.

 

[Fletch]

The Cowboys will be "Under Pressure" to reach this goal.

Mr. David Bowie with Queen front man. One of my favorite songs of all time.

 

[dallasdave]

Mr. David Bowie with Queen front man. One of my favorite songs of all time.

One of my favorite songs also, and great video.

 

[DandyDon52]

Haha. My wife says that sometimes too. in all seriousness, here's what it is. Murray is the perfect example of what happens to guys in a contract year. And, some stars also aligned last year as well. I've always been a huge DM fan. Even when most here wanted him gone. But finally, I had to accept the facts. He was driven last year because he knew this was his last big payday. He'll never have that drive again. You know what drive is? It's showing up for OTA's while being franchised. It's taking a pay cut long term, to help the team immediately. It's playing hurt in other years, not just the contract year. I don't blame him at all. But mark my words, just like countless numbers of other guys , contract year guys never live up to their potential after the fact. Murray was able to run with guys like Costa, because everybody and their mom was playing against us with 3-4 guys in the box. They knew they just had to stop Romo, or wait for him to make a mistake. And when your throwing the ball 40-50 times a game, you're going to make mistakes, (different subject, sorry)... If we would have committed to a running game back then, DM would not have been as successful as he was when he was being used sporadically because of that pathetic OL. Murray had a great year last year and it was blast to watch. I just don't see him doing that in Chips offense. I also don't expect him to ever have the desire to play hurt again to prove something. And with the lack of playmakers in Philly, he's going to be expected to carry the load their also. He can't do it again. His OU sidekick will rely in him too much and ultimately Murray will end up watching from the sidelines.

Well people go on about Murray and his injury's,. and now you say he only played hurt due to it being a contract year?
the first injury the guy did a alligator roll with his ankle and cracked or broke it! That is not being "injury prone" and you cant play with broken ankle.
After that it was minor injury's and he only missed a few games, I think one he hurt his knee, and one his foot. Again with both of those you cant play.

now the hand broken he could still play, so he did. leg, foot , knee injuries you cant play!! it all depends on the injury as to whether a player can
play or not, but they need to be able to still run, that is a basic need if your going to play. Only Rodgers last year has played with not being abel to run,
but he is a QB , so can limp around. and he could limp pretty fast lol.

Murray was also driven last year because he was finally getting the amount of carries he wanted, , and was obviously not liking being taken out of games at times to lighten his # of carries.

Murray wants the ball a lot, and I think if he doesnt get hurt he will surprise people in philly, he will be driven to prove he is worth the 8 mil.
I agree most guys taper off after they get the big contract , but not all of them, look at Romo, he still gives it his all, and Murray will too.

 

[DandyDon52]

since this thread has shifted back to murray, do "the basics" include knowing how to hold the ball properly?

LOL good one, you have to ask gary brown the RB coach and all the other coaches and JJ etc. I really doubt it as murray never changed how he held the ball, and we never heard about anyone working with him on that.
I think they just used the basic JG approach, watch the film and get better, it is a process.

 

[DandyDon52]

About the Original Topic, I think what Linehan is saying is , they have to figure something new out that will work, because ding dong jerry didnt sign murray !

He is also saying none of the backs we have can replace Murray, and do what he did, so they have to change and use them in a different way.

he is basically saying they have a problem but they can deal with it, but it will require experimenting and finding what will work and with which RB.

Funny people say murray wasnt worth the 8 mil, but what is a SB title this year worth ?? Had they kept Murray , and with what they added , they would be in the SB this year, but they blew that when they let murray go.
Now they might still make the SB, but with Murray here it would have been a sure thing.

With the same offense as last year, dominating TOP, with the better defense, and pass rush, it would have been a shoo in.

 

[big dog cowboy]

Had they kept Murray , and with what they added , they would be in the SB this year, but they blew that when they let murray go. Now they might still make the SB, but with Murray here it would have been a sure thing.

What are tonights lotto numbers again?

 

[gimmesix]

About the Original Topic, I think what Linehan is saying is , they have to figure something new out that will work, because ding dong jerry didnt sign murray !

He is also saying none of the backs we have can replace Murray, and do what he did, so they have to change and use them in a different way.

he is basically saying they have a problem but they can deal with it, but it will require experimenting and finding what will work and with which RB.

Funny people say murray wasnt worth the 8 mil, but what is a SB title this year worth ?? Had they kept Murray , and with what they added , they would be in the SB this year, but they blew that when they let murray go.
Now they might still make the SB, but with Murray here it would have been a sure thing.

With the same offense as last year, dominating TOP, with the better defense, and pass rush, it would have been a shoo in.

I don't think he's saying it's a problem. I think teams adjust their offense to the players that they have all the time. If you have a running quarterback, you adjust. If you have smaller, speed receivers you adjust. If you have a line that's weak on one side you adjust.

In Murray, Dallas had a back who was good at fighting for extra yards, whether that meant escaping a loss or gaining 4 when he should have gained one. They also had a back who wasn't a home run hitter because his ability to exploit defenses after getting those 4 to 5 yards was limited.

At this point, the Cowboys don't know if they have any back who can get those "dirty yards," but they've seen some of that home-run ability in each of the backs they have. They have to figure out how to take advantage of that while not being at a disadvantage if none of the backs has the ability to plow for yardage against loaded fronts.

I think if no one shows "dirty yards" ability, Dallas will do a lot more passing on first down to try to set up manageable second downs and third downs that can be either run or pass plays.