NFLN Ian Rappaport: Cowboys offer Murray 4yr deal

[waving monkey]

I would not move Martin

 

[Teague31]

Build in some fancy clauses and I'll take it. Say, for every fumble the team owes him $100000 less

 

[maxdallasfan]

If Murray happens to get nicked, and misses a game or two, and sees that Randle or HOF bound Williams can put up similar numbers, then I believe he'll take what is offered.

Otherwise, he'll want to cash in.

To us, it's a game. To them, it's business.

 

[Yakuza Rich]

I don't have a problem with paying Murray some pretty good money. I just don't want the contract to last that long because once RB's turn 30, they go downhill.

Great RB's are not a dime a dozen. Serviceable to pretty good ones are. When I hear opposing coaches and defensive players discuss Murray, it's apparent that they hold him on the same level as Dez is at WR. He's a real problem for defenses.

I don't think it's just physical because he's vastly underrated as far as his patience and vision goes. And he is more than just strong and fast, he cuts far better than I ever expected and is fantastic at making himself small so he can get thru running creases.

He is also a fantastic blitz pickup guy. He screwed up once in the Texans game (I believe to JJ Watt, but I don't know many RB's that can handle Watt), but he rarely ever does screw up. There was one play in the Saints game where I saw the blitzer stop when they saw Murray and had no desire to try and blitz into Murray. He's also a solid receiver out of the backfield.

To me, we can pay Murray and possibly get rid of Carr and/or Claiborne to save some money. Since we are primarily a zone coverage team, finding zone corners isn't very difficult. We can also think about getting rid of Lee, who can't stay healthy and we have McClain who is quite good.





YR

 

[CashMan]

I don't have a problem with paying Murray some pretty good money. I just don't want the contract to last that long because once RB's turn 30, they go downhill.

Great RB's are not a dime a dozen. Serviceable to pretty good ones are. When I hear opposing coaches and defensive players discuss Murray, it's apparent that they hold him on the same level as Dez is at WR. He's a real problem for defenses.

I don't think it's just physical because he's vastly underrated as far as his patience and vision goes. And he is more than just strong and fast, he cuts far better than I ever expected and is fantastic at making himself small so he can get thru running creases.

He is also a fantastic blitz pickup guy. He screwed up once in the Texans game (I believe to JJ Watt, but I don't know many RB's that can handle Watt), but he rarely ever does screw up. There was one play in the Saints game where I saw the blitzer stop when they saw Murray and had no desire to try and blitz into Murray. He's also a solid receiver out of the backfield.

To me, we can pay Murray and possibly get rid of Carr and/or Claiborne to save some money. Since we are primarily a zone coverage team, finding zone corners isn't very difficult. We can also think about getting rid of Lee, who can't stay healthy and we have McClain who is quite good.





YR

From what I have read this off season, was that it was going to be hard to lock up both Tyron, and Bryant. So, Tyron is locked up, so my question would be, IF he already turned down a deal, which most people think was 4yrs 20mill, where is this money going to come from? Is he elite? IDK, but there are 2 factors that concern me. #1, he is playing for a contract, #2 the line is A LOT better. Look what Denver, used to do with the zone blocking a couple years ago, plug and play RBs, and that is why, with this new and improved OLINE, I think it might be the same thing.

 

[conner01]

I think the biggest factor in a running back's success is the offensive line.

I'd like to see if our success on the ground is more Murray or more the line. When healthy and given the opportunity he has almost always been a productive running back. I'd like to keep that for the right price.

i don't think there is any doubt they are both a factor. murray is getting very nice holes to run thru, but murray is also getting nice yards after contact. i think a lesser back can do well behind this line but not as well as murray. that said, there is a limit to what you can pay him and this offer seems pretty reasonable to me. it's all a matter of if he wants to gamble. we are gambling he will stay healthy, he will also be gambling if he turns it down

 

[dfense]

Please let them. He is vastly overrated on this board.

If good running backs were so easy to find in the lower rounds, every team would have them.

It's more like hit and miss. Murray is a great find where he was picked. He has size, moves, patience and speed. Their other 4th round RB only has a couple of those traits. Dallas would be stupid to let him walk and then blow picks that should be spent on the defense, to try and find has replacement. Murray is in his prime right now. He's not a declining superstar who's wants that parachute payday.

Dallas is not a good enough team to let All Pro skill position players walk. What if the Giants jumped up and grabbed him?

If it ain't broke....

 

[Yakuza Rich]

From what I have read this off season, was that it was going to be hard to lock up both Tyron, and Bryant. So, Tyron is locked up, so my question would be, IF he already turned down a deal, which most people think was 4yrs 20mill, where is this money going to come from? Is he elite? IDK, but there are 2 factors that concern me. #1, he is playing for a contract, #2 the line is A LOT better. Look what Denver, used to do with the zone blocking a couple years ago, plug and play RBs, and that is why, with this new and improved OLINE, I think it might be the same thing.

Murray had a career average of 5.1 yards per carry before this season.

Yes, the O-Line is better. There's no question about that. But, he was an elite RB in terms of productivity. The question for him is being to stay healthy and that Garrett would completely neglect the run.

As far as Denver goes, they were never quite as great of a *team* as they were with Terrell Davis at RB. Of course, Elway at QB plays a role as well. But, Elway was an aging QB that wasn't as good as he once was that could still beat teams with his arm if the defense was set up to defend against the run. That to me sounds really familiar.



YR

 

[CashMan]

Murray had a career average of 5.1 yards per carry before this season.

Yes, the O-Line is better. There's no question about that. But, he was an elite RB in terms of productivity. The question for him is being to stay healthy and that Garrett would completely neglect the run.

As far as Denver goes, they were never quite as great of a *team* as they were with Terrell Davis at RB. Of course, Elway at QB plays a role as well. But, Elway was an aging QB that wasn't as good as he once was that could still beat teams with his arm if the defense was set up to defend against the run. That to me sounds really familiar.



YR

Murray's career high, was 217 attempts last year with a 5.2avg in 14 games. Not bad, but, in 5 games, he is already half way there. I think, you can only look at a RB who has had a decent amount of attempts, otherwise, you could say the same about Felix Jones. He had a crazy ypc, they increased his work load, and it dropped. What worries me, is that this is a contract year for him. And that is has already turned down a contract. I do not think, RBs are of high value. You can spout off about AP, and other, but other than Lynch with Seattle, none of them are on teams that are favored to go deep into the playoffs. Even with Lynch, it is more about that D, than the RB.

As for Denver, to be fair, it was a league, that RBs were being drafted left and right, in the 1st rd. This is a scoring league, not really a pound the ball league, although, it has been working for Dallas.

I really do not know what the answer is, but I do know, Dez>Murray. Although, I am against giving Dez, Calvin money. I would like to see Randle get some more hand offs, to see if the line will work for him the same way.

 

[BigStar]

He's a great every down back (when healthy) and also has lost 4 fumbles. Great start but the undervaluing of his talent stems from the fact that he will likely not replicate an injury free season (if he has one), is playing against a great OL that is coinciding with his improved production, and the fact his salary isn't warranted after considering how many resources are allocated towards the O ($) Romo, Smith, Dez soon, Witten, Fred/Martin when time comes, etc. The D has two lost resources in Carr and Lee and nothing else outside of trading up for Lawrence. It would become too one sided, especially considering the OL's capability of hiding deficiencies in players (QB and RB mostly).

 

[Yakuza Rich]

Murray's career high, was 217 attempts last year with a 5.2avg in 14 games. Not bad, but, in 5 games, he is already half way there. I think, you can only look at a RB who has had a decent amount of attempts, otherwise, you could say the same about Felix Jones. He had a crazy ypc, they increased his work load, and it dropped. What worries me, is that this is a contract year for him. And that is has already turned down a contract. I do not think, RBs are of high value. You can spout off about AP, and other, but other than Lynch with Seattle, none of them are on teams that are favored to go deep into the playoffs. Even with Lynch, it is more about that D, than the RB.

As for Denver, to be fair, it was a league, that RBs were being drafted left and right, in the 1st rd. This is a scoring league, not really a pound the ball league, although, it has been working for Dallas.

I really do not know what the answer is, but I do know, Dez>Murray. Although, I am against giving Dez, Calvin money. I would like to see Randle get some more hand offs, to see if the line will work for him the same way.

Our defense would not be performing even this well if Murray and the running game was not productive. We saw this a few years ago with the Commanders. They had an unstoppable running attack with Morris and RG3 and their defense played well that season because they were kept fresh and the offense could score points so the opponents had to make up points in less time and became more one dimensional.

The running game in Washington then became less productive last year. Mainly because RG3 couldn't run and the league started to figure out the read option. And the Commanders defense collapsed with it. And it is more of the same this year and now the Commanders defense is looking like the worst in the league.

I think where the misnomer with fans, analysts and even coaches is that a great tailback is very valuable and not easy to find. However, they *can* be found in the latter rounds (like Murray). But, I would not mistake finding great tailbacks in the later rounds and being able to 'easily replace a great tailback' as the same thing.

I look at it much like the safety position. There have been plenty of great safeties found in the latter rounds of the draft, but replacing a great safety is extremely difficult.






YR

 

[viman96]

I don't have a problem with paying Murray some pretty good money. I just don't want the contract to last that long because once RB's turn 30, they go downhill.

Great RB's are not a dime a dozen. Serviceable to pretty good ones are. When I hear opposing coaches and defensive players discuss Murray, it's apparent that they hold him on the same level as Dez is at WR. He's a real problem for defenses.

I don't think it's just physical because he's vastly underrated as far as his patience and vision goes. And he is more than just strong and fast, he cuts far better than I ever expected and is fantastic at making himself small so he can get thru running creases.

He is also a fantastic blitz pickup guy. He screwed up once in the Texans game (I believe to JJ Watt, but I don't know many RB's that can handle Watt), but he rarely ever does screw up. There was one play in the Saints game where I saw the blitzer stop when they saw Murray and had no desire to try and blitz into Murray. He's also a solid receiver out of the backfield.

To me, we can pay Murray and possibly get rid of Carr and/or Claiborne to save some money. Since we are primarily a zone coverage team, finding zone corners isn't very difficult. We can also think about getting rid of Lee, who can't stay healthy and we have McClain who is quite good.




YR

Agree on all your points. I think Murray is great at "getting skinny" when he finds a crease in the line to dart through.

I do not mind paying him the next 2 years. My concern is years 3 and 4 and being saddled with $5M-$6M contract for a player that cannot produce for which ever reason.

 

[LandryFan]

I would really like to tag and shop him. Don't want to give him a big long term deal but dont want to lose him for nothing. I think we could get a high second for him.

At the same a 4 year deal worth 24 isnt unreasonable for what he provides. Its easy to replace runners, but not as easy to replace a well rounded back

Nail on the head!

 

[CashMan]

Nail on the head!

Agreed, especially ones that fumble almost on a weekly biases!

 

[Yakuza Rich]

Agree on all your points. I think Murray is great at "getting skinny" when he finds a crease in the line to dart through.

I do not mind paying him the next 2 years. My concern is years 3 and 4 and being saddled with $5M-$6M contract for a player that cannot produce for which ever reason.

I don't think the Niners have paid the price for paying Frank Gore. That's because they can go fairly cheap on corners because they play a lot of zone and it's easy to find serviceable zone coverage corners. So, I think there are ways around this. I also think in the 4-3, you're paying less at LB and now days you are paying less at DE than in previous years because the DE's are being used differently. They are almost like extra linebackers. The big pay will probably come from paying Crawford who if he keeps playing like he has, is worth a lot of money.




YR

 

[LandryFan]

Agreed, especially ones that fumble almost on a weekly biases!

Was merely referring to Murray's pass pro and receiving ability that goes along with rushing. People think those type of backs grow on trees...they don't. I don't like his fumbles any more than you do.

 

[DFWJC]

Murray's career high, was 217 attempts last year with a 5.2avg in 14 games. Not bad, but, in 5 games, he is already half way there. I think, you can only look at a RB who has had a decent amount of attempts, otherwise, you could say the same about Felix Jones. He had a crazy ypc, they increased his work load, and it dropped. What worries me, is that this is a contract year for him. And that is has already turned down a contract. I do not think, RBs are of high value. You can spout off about AP, and other, but other than Lynch with Seattle, none of them are on teams that are favored to go deep into the playoffs. Even with Lynch, it is more about that D, than the RB.

As for Denver, to be fair, it was a league, that RBs were being drafted left and right, in the 1st rd. This is a scoring league, not really a pound the ball league, although, it has been working for Dallas.

I really do not know what the answer is, but I do know, Dez>Murray. Although, I am against giving Dez, Calvin money. I would like to see Randle get some more hand offs, to see if the line will work for him the same way.

I really think this is the issue.
He's a quality all-around back....though I think the best pure runner in the org. may be Williams.....but a career high of 217 rushes in a season leaves a lot of questions still out there.

Right now, he looks like a guy who can handle > 300 carries for a few years, but his past has given us no real evidence of it.

 

[CCBoy]

I can't speak to everybody, but I love the guy. I just have no desire to overpay any RB. And especially not one who's going to be 27 a the time of the next contract.

Age 27 and still at a level now comparable to Jim Brown...I think I'm patient.

 

[CCBoy]

I don't have a problem with paying Murray some pretty good money. I just don't want the contract to last that long because once RB's turn 30, they go downhill.

Great RB's are not a dime a dozen. Serviceable to pretty good ones are. When I hear opposing coaches and defensive players discuss Murray, it's apparent that they hold him on the same level as Dez is at WR. He's a real problem for defenses.

I don't think it's just physical because he's vastly underrated as far as his patience and vision goes. And he is more than just strong and fast, he cuts far better than I ever expected and is fantastic at making himself small so he can get thru running creases.

He is also a fantastic blitz pickup guy. He screwed up once in the Texans game (I believe to JJ Watt, but I don't know many RB's that can handle Watt), but he rarely ever does screw up. There was one play in the Saints game where I saw the blitzer stop when they saw Murray and had no desire to try and blitz into Murray. He's also a solid receiver out of the backfield.

To me, we can pay Murray and possibly get rid of Carr and/or Claiborne to save some money. Since we are primarily a zone coverage team, finding zone corners isn't very difficult. We can also think about getting rid of Lee, who can't stay healthy and we have McClain who is quite good.





YR

The 4th year would probably be flexible from the start...but shows good intent on the part of the Cowboys.

 

[CashMan]

Age 27 and still at a level now comparable to Jim Brown...I think I'm patient.

Comparable to Jim Brown, in what respect?