Other than Murray, Have we really lost that Much?

[Outlaw Heroes]

They didn't lose anything that isn't replaceable.

They just have a lot of spots that need to be filled. I would rather not enter the draft with this many holes.

Exactly. The parts they lost can be replaced, and at better value. Doubtless some of the newly created holes will be filled as we get deeper into FA. If anything, the team needs to be more concerned with the pieces it never had (read, pass rushers and maybe a true FS).

 

[KingintheNorth]

People keep saying we can replace him in the draft, which might even be true.

Just understand that there are 31 other teams who just so happen want to get better too.

Even if we get a RB with just one pick, assuming Jerry doesn't Claiborne it up, that's a pick we aren't using to upgrade the defense. The draft alone is not going to do it.

 

[Zimmy Lives]

Some feel he is some feel he more than an avg.

Not average; too expensive.

I don't blame Murray for taking the money and I do not blame Dallas for not breaking the bank to keep him. Both team and player won in the end: Murray got his money and Dallas was able to ride his low-cost back all the way to the playoffs. Good for everyone.

Now Dallas has the challenge of finding another cheap horse to ride.

 

[DandyDon1722]

We don't need to replace 1800 yards of rushing. And this was never a running team. Provided that Romo stays healthy, we'll continue to have a well-balanced offense that doesn't require more than 1200 yards from its lead back. If we get more, that's fine, but it's not something we require in order for the offense to function quite well, thank you very much.

I hope your right. I hope the Murray presence will translate into a consistent philosophy of running the ball and not so much a player dependent thing.

The losses aren't devastating but losing Murray does force us to draft a player that could've been used on the defensive side of the ball where it's needed most.

 

[Dale]

Someone else said it best earlier: Individually, we haven't lost that much on defense. Carter was nice here and there, as was Durant despite the abbreviated season. But what have lost is numbers. We suddenly have a massive number of depth guys to replace. From special teams aces, to return men, to starting/backup linebackers, etc.

 

[Doomsday101]

Not average; too expensive.

I don't blame Murray for taking the money and I do not blame Dallas for not breaking the bank to keep him. Both team and player won in the end: Murray got his money and Dallas was able to ride his low-cost back all the way to the playoffs. Good for everyone.

Now Dallas has the challenge of finding another cheap horse to ride.

I understand the cost was more than even I was hoping for but in the end I don't see this as good for everyone. We were a rushing team and now we are a rushing team without a RB. Dallas will likely draft one but as I have said that is not a sure thing that the RB we take will have success.

 

[Miguelitomama]

People keep saying we can replace him in the draft, which might even be true.

Just understand that there are 31 other teams who just so happen want to get better too.

Even if we get a RB with just one pick, assuming Jerry doesn't Claiborne it up, that's a pick we aren't using to upgrade the defense. The draft alone is not going to do it.

I'm inclined to agree with you. I just don't see the wisdom in letting an 1800-yard running back walk away, especially if your offense has suffered in preceding years specifically because you didn't have a running game!! BTW, I'm new here and can't even begin to comment on any aspect of football beyond ticket and beer prices...

 

[Miguelitomama]

I understand the cost was more than even I was hoping for but in the end I don't see this as good for everyone. We were a rushing team and now we are a rushing team without a RB. Dallas will likely draft one but as I have said that is not a sure thing that the RB we take will have success.

Isn't a rookie a roll of the dice? What if he doesn't do well adjusting to the pros... I agree with you.

 

[Outlaw Heroes]

The losses aren't devastating but losing Murray does force us to draft a player that could've been used on the defensive side of the ball where it's needed most.

This is true. But I've always felt that the defense will get most of its help, if at all, in FA. (If people want to complain that the pickings are getting slimmer, I have sympathy for that view, but I continue to hold out hope for Greg Hardy.) As others have pointed out, it's tough to find help for your pass rush from a rookie. Help for your running game is another matter entirely: there's no position that's more suited to early success in the NFL than RB.

 

[vaturkey]

We lost a lot this year so far, a lot. No sugar coating this. Bruce Carter made this defense better, ditto for Durant. Look at what Carter did in the last 4 weeks and what Durant did before he got hurt. They helped us win games. Harris's loss hurts as well. This team is far weaker then what it was, just look at the number of snaps all these players had last year. The only good news is since we know we have some holes we can address those holes. Goodness sakes we need a strong draft and we also need to have some free agents that come in and do a decent job. There is zero doubt in my mind, that we are a weaker team now then what we were before free agency started. It is what it is at this point. Hopefully Jerry and Stephen have a plan.

 

[Zimmy Lives]

I understand the cost was more than even I was hoping for but in the end I don't see this as good for everyone. We were a rushing team and now we are a rushing team without a RB. Dallas will likely draft one but as I have said that is not a sure thing that the RB we take will have success.

Of course the opposite may ring true and Murray's replacement could be amazing.

As fans, it was a reality we wished not to face but now we will. This may be the best draft in some time to find his successor.

 

[garyv]

The only Player we may really miss other thn Murray is Dewayne Harris because Returner, Special Teams and 4th WR

 

[Nightman]

Right now we don't have: Murray-RB, Parnell-OT, Harris-KR/WR5 on offense

Spencer-DE, Selvie-DE, Melton-DT, Hayden-DT, Carter-LB, Durant-LB, McClain-LB, Moore-CB

The only one we have replaced so far is Carter with Rivers, maybe. Some guys may step up from the roster: Brent-DT, Gardner-DE, Weems-OT, Patmon-CB and RWilliams-RB. Some injury guys should help like Lee-LB, Claiborne-CB and DLaw-DE.

I would still like to sign APeterson-RB, Hardy-DE, a LB like McClain and a weapon on offense like Reggie Bush, CJ Spiller or Percy Harvin.

 

[Doomsday101]

Of course the opposite may ring true and Murray's replacement could be amazing.

As fans, it was a reality we wished not to face but now we will. This may be the best draft in some time to find his successor.

Maybe but going to maybe from being the top rushing team is a long drive.

 

[Zimmy Lives]

Maybe but going to maybe from being the top rushing team is a long drive.

Buckle up!

 

[Doomsday101]

Buckle up!

No other choice. Sorry did not mean that I don't want another Choice either Tashard Choice that is. lol

 

[Outlaw Heroes]

We were a rushing team and now we are a rushing team without a RB.

In 2014 the Cowboys passed the ball 476 times, resulting in 328 completions for 4008 yards (8.4 yards per attempt and 236.5 yards per game) and 37 touchdowns. They ran the ball 508 times for 2354 yards (4.6 yards per carry and 147.1 yards per game) and 16 touchdowns.

Their passing offense, in other words, accounted for 70% more yardage and 130% more scoring than their rushing offense. Tell me again how the Cowboys were a rushing team?

I'm not trying to be argumentative. It's just that if you start from a faulty premise like that one, you're bound to arrive at faulty conclusions.

 

[Doomsday101]

In 2014 the Cowboys passed the ball 476 times, resulting in 328 completions for 4008 yards (8.4 yards per attempt and 236.5 yards per game) and 37 touchdowns. They ran the ball 508 times for 2354 yards (4.6 yards per carry and 147.1 yards per game) and 16 touchdowns.

Their passing offense, in other words, accounted for 70% more yardage and 230% more scoring than their rushing offense. Tell me again how the Cowboys were a rushing team?

I'm not trying to be argumentative. It's just that if you start from a faulty premise like that one, you're bound to arrive at faulty conclusions.

I expect passing the ball to avg more yards overall but as you said we ran it 508 times vs passing it 476 times. Teams came in looking to stop the running game. The run game took pressure off of Romo so he was not having to throw it 40 to 45 times a game. It is not about yards it is about dictating to the defense to be able to run the ball down their throat forcing teams to come up to the line and be able to take advantage of it. I did not say we did not throw the ball but Dallas went from 24 ranked rushing team in the NFL in 2013 to the 2nd leading rushing team in the NFL and this past season Dallas was 16th in passing. It is not about the yards

To put this into perspective we all know Seattle is a run team yardage wise they had more passing yards than rushing yards but it is still the run game they use more often and lean on in doing that is helps open up bigger plays in the passing game as safeties come up leaving desirable matchups down the field

 

[Arkyvarminter]

Doesn't Philly make big splashes every off season and still suck..remember their dream team a few years ago with Namdi and company...

 

[AzorAhai]

Yes we've lost more than Murray! We've lost the offseason! Or so I've heard.