Murray Had 1 Good Year

[Redball Express]

One day Murray may be a HOFer. Maybe 2015 was his breakout year for a historical career. Perhaps he will have his # retired by the Philadelphia Eagles after leading them to their first of multiple SuperBowls where he will be win multiple SuperBowl MVPs. Seriously. Crazier things have happened in sports.

However, as of today, May 14, 2015, Demarco Murray has had 1 really good professional NFL year.

365 days ago, Murray was considered an average back - perhaps slightly above average - but a back that also had durability issues.

In 2014 Murray lead the league in yards. Although some important stats such as YPC and broken tackle average dropped significantly in the last 1/4 of the season.

Now we currently have:

Joseph Randle - a back that had more YPC than Demarco in 2014, albeit with far fewer carries. Can he maintain a better pace than Murray with 20-25 carries a game. No one knows. But Randle was much improved from 2013 to 2014. That was crystal clear in watching film.

Darren McFadden - a back who also had 1 good year (2011) before injury cut it short. Similar power runner as Murray. Similar fumble issues. Faster back with more breakaway speed. But like Murray 365 days ago, much concern about his durability. Can McFadden duplicate 2011? No reason to believe he magically will, but if his body is in as good of shape as Murray, no real logical argument to why he can't either.

Ryan Williams - signed multi year deal after being on PS and turning down interests from other teams. Not your typical PS back. Great pedigree. Low/no mileage. It's probably his last shot at rebooting his career. Physically no reason to believe he can't. But that's hardly a reason to believe he will either.

Dunbar - not an every down back so not in this discussion other than to say Dunbar could potentially shoulder more of the load than he did last year - which would not be difficult given that he only saw the field 5 or so plays a game.

Free Agent Possibilities:

Chris Johnson - former All-Pro that ran pretty good last year for the Jets.
Knowshon Moreno - another accomplished back that could be an option.

Overall: as far as "on-the-field" ability and injury risk/reward scenarios, I think the loss of Murray has a better chance than not of being made up for in some way - 1 back or multiple back performances.

Was there some Murray off-the-field intangibles - i.e. leadership or motivator that made Dallas better and cannot be replaced? Hard to know. It's always possible.

But in totality, I am not as worried as most. Why? Simply because, as of right now, Murray is still an NFL back that had ONE GOOD YEAR.

I would add for all the hand ringing going on about his departure..

if Murray had come down injured for the year much like Sean Lee did..

what would happen?

Would this team be eliminated like so many think?

I think not.

That really short sells this team and coaching staff.

And as for Callahan leaving..

that was a given when Garrett demoted him.

I doubt he has any success in DC and I think he's there as backup HC material in case Gruden screws up anymore.

That's what I sense.

 

[Galian Beast]

Since Murray came into the league he has rushed for 4526 yards, had 5722 yards from scrimmage, scored 29 TDs and fumbled it 12 times.

During that same four years Jamaal Charles has rushed for 3912 yards, had 5141 yards from scrimmage, scored 40 TDs and fumbled it 15 times.

That is pretty misleading given that he missed an entire year (due to one injury).

 

[pancakeman]

I think you're underrating him. I think he has been a very good running back since he got here. Underutilized and not terribly durable, but a very good running back.

I do think he has benefited a lot from being in Dallas as opposed to a team that has no passing game, like Philly will be next year. He also benefited from having a very good offensive line. I don't think he is as good as LeSean McCoy, and I think his career move to Philly will always be looked at as a mistake for him.

100% agree.

 

[Swanny]

Going into last season I never could have dreamed Demarco Murray would be that good. Yes Demarco was great last season. But theres no reason why anybody would believe Demarco could have had that good of a season. Heck if you said he would have been healthy for a whole season I would have laughed in your face. Demarco would have been nice to keep around however he and the mileage and injuries he has was and IS NOT worth that price tag. Cannot blame the Cowboys for not paying the price tag for Murray. Time to get over it and just worry about what or who the cowboys have at RB.

Thanks to the Oline I have a better feeling this off season about our run game than I did going into last season. So who really knows whats going to happen this year. Heck if we did sign Murray I'd be worried about how much we could really rely upon him. In the history of the NFL how many RB's come back and have another great season after having that many carriers the season before?I know I have seen these stats on this site before i'm sure somebody has those stats handy.

 

[Bleu Star]

If I am a fan of another team that plays Dallas this year I would be saying "thank god Dallas let that guy go".
There is a reason so many people were shocked we didn't draft a RB. There is a reason people are so concerned about our ability to run the ball as effectively this year as last. There is a reason that Stephen and Jerry Jones still say they may not be finished addressing the running back situation.

I know people need to come up with ways to make themselves feel better about letting a guy who was the focal point of our offense last year. Murray was a very good back and a great teammate who Romo and Dez both hoped we would resign.

Our front office wanted to resign Murray. This situation was a gamble and everyone knows it.
Let's hope it pays off.

Honest rational post that most here will ignore.

 

[Bleu Star]

Murray made the Pro Bowl in 2013 and 2014. Murray in 2013 was 10th in rushing with a 5.2 ypc avg and 9 TD yet had much fewer attempts than those who were in front of him, Dallas choose not to run as much as they should have in 2013 and that was a big sticking point at this site with the weekly whining about Dallas needed to run more, here is a clue RB do not call the plays he can't call his own number. I understand why Dallas moved on instead of paying a big contract but this belittling of Murray acting as if he meant nothing to this team is a joke. I hope like hell we can get great production from out RB this year but right now we have 2 bust in McFadden and Williams and 2 RB who are JAGS up to this point and have not shown the ability as a work horse.

Wow. Another host rational post that most here will ignore. Great read..Thanks.

 

[Doomsday101]

Wow. Another host rational post that most here will ignore. Great read..Thanks.

It gets old hearing how well Murray was alright. He was a major part of why we won last season. He carried 40% of the entire offense. As I have said I get why Dallas choose not to try and match what Philly offered but anyone acting as if Murray is some JAG RB really is clueless.

 

[DanTanna]

When Murray plays 9 games for the bEagles and uses a lot of their resources ($$$), half of us on this board will have the right to say "told you so".

We can't pay him a full season's salary ($8M) for 2/3 of a season's work. Eagles did.

 

[AbeBeta]

Didnt most Cowboy fans think he was a stud before 2014?

He was outstanding in 2013. 1100 rushing yards on limited carries. I remember him just screaming for the ball in that Green Bay game. Must have been frustrating to be absolutely destroying their D and have 10 or so run calls kill kill killed pre-snap.

Murray was the same back. We just didn't commit to the run

 

[Broges74]

Oh PLUUUESSSEEE! DM had one GREAT year and two other years >=5.2 YPC. One other 1000 yard seasons. He also avg'd 7 TDs per season.

 

[joseephuss]

That is pretty misleading given that he missed an entire year (due to one injury).

One of the biggest complaints I hear is that Murray is always out injured. Does that same standard not apply to Charles? It is okay for him to miss games due to injury.

Murray was not the starter for the Cowboys when he first joined the league. Charles was the established starter for the Chiefs during that same time period. Murray played in 53 games and started 47 of them for Dallas. During that same stretch Charles played in 48 games and started 46 of them. Murray outproduced Charles by a significant amount with only 1 more start. That isn't misleading at all.

 

[Bleu Star]

It gets old hearing how well Murray was alright. He was a major part of why we won last season. He carried 40% of the entire offense. As I have said I get why Dallas choose not to try and match what Philly offered but anyone acting as if Murray is some JAG RB really is clueless.

Yep. No need to convince me. I COMPLETELY relate. Going unknown after such a successful campaign with a great strategy last year while completely dismissing said strategy is.. well.. a great way to lose a war and become a demoted general.

 

[Doomsday101]

When Murray plays 9 games for the bEagles and uses a lot of their resources ($$$), half of us on this board will have the right to say "told you so".

We can't pay him a full season's salary ($8M) for 2/3 of a season's work. Eagles did.

As I said I get why Dallas was not going to pay out 8 mill for him. As for Philly I doubt they will run Murray as much as Dallas did however given how poor Philly offense has been inside the 5 yard line having to settle for FG instead of TD. If Murray is able to change that for them then that becomes big for the Eagles.

 

[Galian Beast]

One of the biggest complaints I hear is that Murray is always out injured. Does that same standard not apply to Charles? It is okay for him to miss games due to injury.

Murray was not the starter for the Cowboys when he first joined the league. Charles was the established starter for the Chiefs during that same time period. Murray played in 53 games and started 47 of them for Dallas. During that same stretch Charles played in 48 games and started 46 of them. Murray outproduced Charles by a significant amount with only 1 more start. That isn't misleading at all.

Outside of a season ending injury, he has missed 3 games his entire career. Spanning 7 years.

Murray has missed games 3 out of 4 seasons...

 

[Bleu Star]

I joke about the eagles running the veer and the triple option because I hate them with a passion. But don't underestimate Chip. That guy has been nothing but successful since bringing his circus to the NFL. It pains me to no end that they were able to take Demarco from our clutches. I hope they burn in subterranean earth for it but I also recognize that they're going to put something together that will be creative, trendy, and successful.

 

[Yakuza Rich]

Murray averaged 5.2 yards per carry for his career before 2014. So this 'he wasn't any good until the O-Line improved' is nonsense. I saw the guy run for 100 yards in a game basically on 1 foot, hobbling to the sidelines on runs because the foot injury hurt so much.

Lots of teams have had fantastic O-Lines for a season or two and couldn't find a tailback that ran for 1,845 yards at 4.7 yards per carry. Frank Gore had the SF O-Lines that everybody salivated over and his best season he ran for 1,214 yards at 4.7 ypc and 8 TD's.

The issue for Dallas picking up Murray's option is that RB's don't last very long in this league. And he just came off a 392 carry season and there is a trend of a sharp drop-off after a 380+ carry seasons. And like I said, I saw him run for 100 yards in a game on basically 1-foot...but for a reason....he got injured quite a bit.

The other issue is that I like our tailbacks. Yes, Williams and McFadden have injury histories. But I think between them and Randle we can figure out a way to rotate them enough to keep them fresh and if 1 gets injured, the other 2 are 'warmed up' to run well. And then Dunbar can effectively take some snaps and produce as well. I also think people forget how special McFadden was at Arkansas and SEC running backs tend to have a lot of success in the NFL. It's just that is what playing for the Raiders will do for a player.




YR

 

[Bleu Star]

It's always good to see great perspective arrive.

Thanks YR.

All we can do is hope this RBC works but I still also remain hopeful that we're considering a huge trade that will allow us to retain the strategy that worked so well last year (minus a few carries per game).

 

[Doomsday101]

Murray averaged 5.2 yards per carry for his career before 2014. So this 'he wasn't any good until the O-Line improved' is nonsense. I saw the guy run for 100 yards in a game basically on 1 foot, hobbling to the sidelines on runs because the foot injury hurt so much.

Lots of teams have had fantastic O-Lines for a season or two and couldn't find a tailback that ran for 1,845 yards at 4.7 yards per carry. Frank Gore had the SF O-Lines that everybody salivated over and his best season he ran for 1,214 yards at 4.7 ypc and 8 TD's.

The issue for Dallas picking up Murray's option is that RB's don't last very long in this league. And he just came off a 392 carry season and there is a trend of a sharp drop-off after a 380+ carry seasons. And like I said, I saw him run for 100 yards in a game on basically 1-foot...but for a reason....he got injured quite a bit.

The other issue is that I like our tailbacks. Yes, Williams and McFadden have injury histories. But I think between them and Randle we can figure out a way to rotate them enough to keep them fresh and if 1 gets injured, the other 2 are 'warmed up' to run well. And then Dunbar can effectively take some snaps and produce as well. I also think people forget how special McFadden was at Arkansas and SEC running backs tend to have a lot of success in the NFL. It's just that is what playing for the Raiders will do for a player.




YR

I hope your right. I'm pulling for these RB to come in here and produce big for this offense. I know many are not thrilled with McFadden and while I have my doubts about him I do think he has the ability to make big plays. Randle I expect to see him get a lot more than the 3 carry avg per game he got last season. Dunbar I think will be fighting hard for a job this season and Williams I'm just not sold on him as others are. Based on Dallas signing 2 FA FB I have a feeling we may see a lot more 2 back sets this season than we have in the past

 

[Frozen700]

One day Murray may be a HOFer. Maybe 2015 was his breakout year for a historical career. Perhaps he will have his # retired by the Philadelphia Eagles after leading them to their first of multiple SuperBowls where he will be win multiple SuperBowl MVPs. Seriously. Crazier things have happened in sports.

However, as of today, May 14, 2015, Demarco Murray has had 1 really good professional NFL year.

365 days ago, Murray was considered an average back - perhaps slightly above average - but a back that also had durability issues.

In 2014 Murray lead the league in yards. Although some important stats such as YPC and broken tackle average dropped significantly in the last 1/4 of the season.

Now we currently have:

Joseph Randle - a back that had more YPC than Demarco in 2014, albeit with far fewer carries. Can he maintain a better pace than Murray with 20-25 carries a game. No one knows. But Randle was much improved from 2013 to 2014. That was crystal clear in watching film.

Darren McFadden - a back who also had 1 good year (2011) before injury cut it short. Similar power runner as Murray. Similar fumble issues. Faster back with more breakaway speed. But like Murray 365 days ago, much concern about his durability. Can McFadden duplicate 2011? No reason to believe he magically will, but if his body is in as good of shape as Murray, no real logical argument to why he can't either.

Ryan Williams - signed multi year deal after being on PS and turning down interests from other teams. Not your typical PS back. Great pedigree. Low/no mileage. It's probably his last shot at rebooting his career. Physically no reason to believe he can't. But that's hardly a reason to believe he will either.

Dunbar - not an every down back so not in this discussion other than to say Dunbar could potentially shoulder more of the load than he did last year - which would not be difficult given that he only saw the field 5 or so plays a game.

Free Agent Possibilities:

Chris Johnson - former All-Pro that ran pretty good last year for the Jets.
Knowshon Moreno - another accomplished back that could be an option.

Overall: as far as "on-the-field" ability and injury risk/reward scenarios, I think the loss of Murray has a better chance than not of being made up for in some way - 1 back or multiple back performances.

Was there some Murray off-the-field intangibles - i.e. leadership or motivator that made Dallas better and cannot be replaced? Hard to know. It's always possible.

But in totality, I am not as worried as most. Why? Simply because, as of right now, Murray is still an NFL back that had ONE GOOD YEAR.

I been trying to tell people. He's an average *** running back. Eagles missed big time, thinking he will be better than Shady.

 

[CowboyGil]

I think the thing we will miss most about DM is his leadership,fire and his chemistry with the OLine.Unfortunately, it came down to a business decision. And he chose money over a team on the verge of contending.