Resign DeMarco Murray?

[Cowboy Brian]

No one seems to be talking about the fact that this is the last season on Murray's rookie contract, he's up after the 2014 season. Should we re-sign him? Let him go after the season? Let it play out?

I'd like to lock him up now, might be risky given his health issues - however, I believe we can get a substantial discount as a result of it. I don't see him regressing, but I could see him blowing up and having 1,600 yards. If he was to blow up we'd be easily looking at 7.5M+ per season, right now we could likely lock him up in a 5 year deal worth ~4M per. Possibly even less if we were willing to guarantee a substantial portion.

 

[Eddie]

Has he even had a full season without missing time injured?

Don't throw a boatload of money.

 

[AbeBeta]

I think that unless a back is great - really great... there is one in the league at that level - that you let them go after the rookie deal. Just too short a career at that position

 

[cheftjpeck]

No unless he signs cheap and short term
.. Too many Demarco Murray's out there

 

[Hoofbite]

Can't afford to pay for a guy to be underutilized.

I like him but the team is too pass-first to justify a high price tag.

 

[SportsGuru80]

No right now...

 

[Hardline]

Unless Adrian Peterson is on your team. then don't throw the bank at them.

 

[50cent]

No one seems to be talking about the fact that this is the last season on Murray's rookie contract, he's up after the 2014 season. Should we re-sign him? Let him go after the season? Let it play out?

I'd like to lock him up now, might be risky given his health issues - however, I believe we can get a substantial discount as a result of it. I don't see him regressing, but I could see him blowing up and having 1,600 yards. If he was to blow up we'd be easily looking at 7.5M+ per season, right now we could likely lock him up in a 5 year deal worth ~4M per. Possibly even less if we were willing to guarantee a substantial portion.

Health issues didn't stop us from signing Lee, why should it with Murray? In short, YES we should resign him.

 

[50cent]

Has he even had a full season without missing time injured?

Don't throw a boatload of money.

Has Lee?

 

[big dog cowboy]

RB is the most throwaway position on any team unless you have one of the very few elite players. I'd try to resign/extend him but at a reasonable price. Plenty of replacements available each draft.

 

[50cent]

No unless he signs cheap and short term
.. Too many Demarco Murray's out there

Yea, tons of guys averaging 5 yards per carry for their career!

 

[Cowboy Brian]

RB is the most throwaway position on any team unless you have one of the very few elite players. I'd try to resign/extend him but at a reasonable price. Plenty of replacements available each draft.

I'd argue Murray is one of the few with the potential to be one of the elite players, and we could also get him at a decent price given his injury history. 4-5y for 20m I'd do.

 

[Hoofbite]

I think that unless a back is great - really great... there is one in the league at that level - that you let them go after the rookie deal. Just too short a career at that position

Not so much worried about career length. Most 1st time FAs are young enough.

McCoy will be 26 this year, his 6th.

Charles, going in to 7th year at 27, finishing 28.

I think you can get enough, if not all, of a 2nd contract. Maybe not Murray because he redshirted in 2006 and played 4 years, making him a little old after 1 contract.

I'm more concerned about the return on cap dollars. Compared to a quality back a guy who can get you 75% as much production will cost way less.

Sort of a Fred Jackson versus Matt Forte.

Forte: 1340 yards/9 TDs rushing, 600 yards/3 TDs receiving.

Jackson: 900 yards/9 TDs rushing, 400 yards/1 TD receiving.

Forte's an $8M/year back over 2013 to 2015.

Fred's a $4M/year back from 2012 to 2014. Granted the age factor is in play and opportunity in carries is also there but I think it's a decent example.

I'm just not sure the added cost is accompanied by an equal return. Diminishing marginal returns seem to be much more prevalent in RBs compared to other positions.

Of course there are other variables like ability to utilize any savings on a RB elsewhere. If the market is dry in spots where you need help, saving money by willingly taking a step back at RB is likely less appealing, especially for teams that expect playoff births.

It just seems like the curve of cost/return starts getting really steep as you move above an average back. To get that little extra you gotta pay a lot more.

In general I think there's only a couple backs who provide what it would take to be comfortable with a big paycheck.

McCoy
Charles
Peterson

Lynch has been very good but he doesn't have that top end speed. I would need a guy who doesn't get caught when he breaks one and Lynch doesn't run away from people that often.

In particular for Dallas I'm not sure there is a back worth paying top dollar for. You just can't pay that type of money when you're at the bottom of the league in attempts.

 

[Nightman]

I love Murray's versatility in the passing game. I think they should try to sign him to a 3 or 4yr deal in 4m range. He may not sign, but he is worth that much, IMO

 

[big dog cowboy]

I'd argue Murray is one of the few with the potential to be one of the elite players, and we could also get him at a decent price given his injury history. 4-5y for 20m I'd do.

I don't disagree but you don't pay for potential on the 2nd contract. Also have to consider the fact of where we rank in rushing attempts - dead last.

 

[The Dallas1575]

I'd love to see him string 16 games together before offering him a dime

 

[ConstantReboot]

Honestly, why does team need a runningback? Running the ball isn't part of the Garrett playbook.

 

[Szczepanik]

I think Murray is a very special RB to be honest. He has made quite alot of players for us that other players wouldn't normally make..

 

[03EBZ06]

Murray makes team better so yes re-sign him for 4 mil/4 years or so

 

[Bill Wooten]

As many have said, don't pay for that second contract for a running back in the NFL unless they are special. Even if they are special, Garrett has proven he doesn't want to run the ball. He needs a good running back to take advantage of the defense trying to stop the pass. With Garrett's offensive approach, there is no reason to tie much of the salary cap up on a running back. Shouldn't pay anyone that much to watch the 2nd half from the sideline.