Looks like Emmitt saw what Randle and many of us saw

[Doc50]

With the 'Boys D last year, they needed to run the ball in long sustained drives in order to run the clock. A case could be made for Murray being the perfect fit under those circumstances, so that the opposing D could be systematically worn down while keeping the ball away from the opposing offense, and possibly changing their gameplan as time ticked away.

A breakaway scoring threat is great as long as the defense is not suspect. This year, I think our D will be able to handle more reps and have the quality depth that will be required. So we should finally be able to jump out to some early leads, and change the opponents' gameplans due to that, and get our depth some quality reps. The secondary and pass rush will be tested, though; should be fun to watch.

 

[VACowboy]

So Emmit saw what I saw, but when i say it, Murray was the be all end all at RB for this team. He didnt leave yards on the field, has great vision, and top end speed. Im glad a 3 time superbowl winner is saying exactly what i said.

I don't think anyone ever accused the 2015 version of Demarco Murray of having any kind of speed and I've never heard anyone say he had great vision. He was a tough, durable runner who trucked a lot of guys and ground out a lot of 'dirty yards' last year en route to racking up over 1800 yard. There were a lot of reasons for his success, including the fact that he's a good RB. But I don't think many folks here would disagree that he missed a lot of running lanes because he didn't see them or just lacked the speed to get there. A bunch of us have posted as much.

 

[RonSpringsdaman20]

Emmitt was a more talented back than Murrary. He had much better vision. I think that vision allows him to see what Murrary missed. As far as them both leaving yards on the field. If Emmitt did it, it was because of foot speed in the open field. Sometimes Murrary didn't even get to that open field.

That being said, I liked Murrary, powerful back, who could break tackles. I'm proud that he was a Cowboys, and was sad to see him go.
But i'm also excited to see what Randle can do, as long as he can keep his head on straight.

 

[mugsybows]

guys Murray was our whole team last year and we are definitely going to be 8-8 without him. at least thats what nfl "experts" have been telling me.

 

[Cowboys22]

In his quote, Emmitt Smith talks out of both sides of his mouth.

He says on the one hand, he should have had 2500 yards, but he maximized his opportunities.

Huh?

That's saying he lacks elite vision and cutback ability without coming right out and saying it. That is what many of us were saying last year. I quit counting the number of times he would cut right, back into the meat of the defense, when he was on the doorstep of an open lane and pure daylight to the left. I remember getting so frustrated rewinding and watching him cut right into a defender and getting 3-4 more yards when he had an open field to the endzone staring him in the face to the left.

 

[phildadon86]

I don't think anyone ever accused the 2015 version of Demarco Murray of having any kind of speed and I've never heard anyone say he had great vision. He was a tough, durable runner who trucked a lot of guys and ground out a lot of 'dirty yards' last year en route to racking up over 1800 yard. There were a lot of reasons for his success, including the fact that he's a good RB. But I don't think many folks here would disagree that he missed a lot of running lanes because he didn't see them or just lacked the speed to get there. A bunch of us have posted as much.

Oh 100 percent agree with you. There were definitely people here who did say that though.

 

[Cowboys22]

I thought it was a little ironic that this was coming from a guy who wasn't exactly able to reach daylight as often as it was in front of him. Not putting down Emmitt at all, but he obviously didn't have elite speed and therefore couldn't outrun some defenders. He left yards on the field too... it is what it is. Find me a RB that doesn't leave yards on the field and was more than a one hit wonder.

That's not leaving yards on the field. Leaving yards on the field is when you have the ability to get more yards but don't. A RB without great speed getting rundown by faster defenders is not leaving yards on the field. A RB who cuts into the defense instead of into daylight provided him by the OL is classic leaving yards on the field. That is what Murray did numerous times every single game.

 

[phildadon86]

guys Murray was our whole team last year and we are definitely going to be 8-8 without him. at least thats what nfl "experts" have been telling me.

Same ones said last season that we would be 4-12. I like when they are rooting against us. Its only a matter of time before we are atop the football world once again, and a lot of owners dont want to see that.

 

[Yakuza Rich]

I saw Murray gain a lot of yards that other tailbacks would not have gained.

I'll just leave it at that.





YR

 

[Stash]

There is no doubt that Murray missed a lot of opportunities for longer, better runs... but Emmitt seems to contradict himself here. If he maximized his chances then he wouldn't have left yards on the field.

Unless he means that literally, Murray did the best he could but he just didn't have the ability to see or make the cut backs.

I think he's trying to be critical of Murray while trying not to criticize him. Essentially trying to have it both ways.

But I think Emmitt's overall opinion on the matter comes across pretty clearly.

 

[Toruk_Makto]

Yeah, that's pretty much the way I interpreted it too...

Which really is almost a derisive statement clothed in nice words. But like WPB said, Emmitt isn't exactly a wordsmith.

Well I think Emmitt said exactly what he meant in this case.

 

[guag]

That's not leaving yards on the field. Leaving yards on the field is when you have the ability to get more yards but don't. A RB without great speed getting rundown by faster defenders is not leaving yards on the field. A RB who cuts into the defense instead of into daylight provided him by the OL is classic leaving yards on the field. That is what Murray did numerous times every single game.

I suppose you're right. I mean in a way it still sort of is leaving yards on the field technically, but as you said there's nothing the RB can do about this, so it doesn't really apply.

 

[Toruk_Makto]

I saw Murray gain a lot of yards that other tailbacks would not have gained.

I'll just leave it at that.





YR

Take it up with Emmitt I guess. He thinks Murray left 700 yards on the field.

 

[guag]

Guys, at the end of the day, every running back is different. They each have their own set of skills that lend better to certain situations and not so much to other situations. Unless you're talking about a hypothetical freak of a RB specimen that probably doesn't exist, you're not likely to find a RB who runs a 4.3, has perfect vision, can consistently power himself though defenders and push the pile forward, juke and wiggle his way from most tackles, doesn't fumble, etc.

Yes, Murray gained yards in numerous situations that our current RBs might not be able to do as well.

Randle, McFadden, etc. will be able to get more yards in situations where Murray wouldn't do as well.

Obviously we will never know what might have happened if we substituted another RB for Murray last season, but what I do know is that while Murray is far from perfect, his skill set fit well with what we were trying to do last year (fumbles aside, of course).

If McFadden proves that he's not completely washed up yet and has even 80% of his early 20's speed, running ability, etc., I think we'll be fine.

 

[Garrettop]

Seeking contact when it was unnecessary, and then at other times running out of bounds early were some frustratingly paradoxical behaviors in Murray's running. Then there was how he held the ball. I wouldn't be surprised if he did leave 700 yards on the field, especially if we count the 50 or so he gave away to Peppers.

 

[Plankton]

That's not leaving yards on the field. Leaving yards on the field is when you have the ability to get more yards but don't. A RB without great speed getting rundown by faster defenders is not leaving yards on the field. A RB who cuts into the defense instead of into daylight provided him by the OL is classic leaving yards on the field. That is what Murray did numerous times every single game.

So does literally every other running back who has ever played the position. Saying he left a ton of yards on the field is interesting considering that only 17 runners in league history have ever been that productive in a season. I wonder what their numbers should have looked like.

 

[dragon_mikal]

Every running back misses holes and leaves yards on the field. It is quite disturbing how desperate some are to downplay Murray's abilities and achievements in order to somehow legitimize letting the offensive player of the year walk away for nothing. But hey we have the super duper greatest offensive line in the history of mankind so everything is going to be sunshine, rainbows and lollipops.

Sorry to break it to you but this team isn't a shoe in for anything and is going to have to fight tooth and nail to win this division and losing Murray isn't going to help them do that.

 

[dragon_mikal]

guys Murray was our whole team last year and we are definitely going to be 8-8 without him. at least thats what nfl "experts" have been telling me.

So you're saying this team goes 12-4 last year without Murray? You're right...that is laughable.

 

[guag]

Sorry to break it to you but this team isn't a shoe in for anything and is going to have to fight tooth and nail to win this division and losing Murray isn't going to help them do that.

You can argue that gaining the services of Greg Hardy, who we may or may not have pursued if we retained Murray at his asking price, could help us win the division. Unless you feel that the drop off from Murray to Randle & McFadden is so big that an improved pass rush & defense wouldn't be able to overcome it...

 

[StarBoyz83]

Can't be true. Murray was the Cowboys and dallas will be 8-8 7-9 if lucky.

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