News: SAEN: Murray has fingers crossed Cowboys will commit to the run this season

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OXNARD, Calif. — Jason Garrett couldn’t have been more emphatic when asked what the Dallas Cowboys plan to do about last season’s historically bad ground game.

“We didn’t run the ball well enough last year,” the coach said. “Everybody understands that. We understand that as a coaching staff and as an organization. We have to run it better. We have to run it more. When you run the ball well, so many things open up for you.”

So why is running back DeMarco Murray casting a somewhat skeptical eye at Garrett’s assertion rather than doing cartwheels up and down the grass fields at training camp?

Could it be the guaranteed $55 million Jerry Jones handed Tony Romo in making the quarterback the highest-paid player in club history? Or how about the knowledge that new play-caller Bill Callahan coached an Oakland Raiders team in 2002 that led the NFL in passing? Perhaps it’s Dez Bryant saying in the offseason he’s capable of becoming the first NFL player to amass 2,000 receiving yards?

Whatever the reason, Murray apparently has adopted a wait-and-see approach rather than buy completely into the notion the Cowboys will go old-fashioned and think run first.

“You get excited, but we’ll see what happens,” Murray said. “You got to play the game on Sundays. As a running back, you definitely love to have the ball and love to run it. We’ll see how the games go.”
Make no mistake. Murray wants the ball. He made that clear when he was told that Minnesota Vikings star running back and fellow Oklahoma alum Adrian Peterson said recently the Cowboys haven’t seen the best of Murray.

“I think he’s right on,” Murray said. “This year is going to be a great year for me, I feel. I’ve come prepared, physically, mentally and emotionally. I’m definitely ready. I’m excited about this year and what we’re going to do.”
Murray missed six games with a foot injury last season, one of the reasons Dallas finished with the worst rushing attack in club history for a 16-game season (79.1 yards per-game average).

Now fully healed, he seems poised to finally top the 1,000-yard rushing mark after gaining 897 and 663 in his first two seasons.
“DeMarco’s got all the tools,” tight end Jason Witten said. “More than just the ability to run and cut and the explosiveness he has, he is mature for a third-year player. He understands the bar is set high for him, and he is embracing that role.”

One thing that definitely will be different about the Dallas offense this season is there won’t be a fullback in front of Murray. Dallas released Lawrence Vickers earlier this month, which wasn’t a surprise considering its emphasis on sets with two tight ends.

“It’s a little different, but it’s something I’m definitely looking forward to,” Murray said. “I love running out of different type of personnel sets. Vickers was a great fullback, and I wish him the best, but this is definitely something I’m looking forward to.”

Asked why, Murray explained how the defense will be spread out with Bryant, Miles Austin, Witten and either rookie tight end Gavin Escobar or second-year tight end James Hanna on the outside.

“It’s going to be hard for them to have seven, eight guys in the box,” Murray said.

It’s a plan that looks good on paper. And judging from Garrett’s comments, the club will turn its talk into action.

“It’s amazing how when you run the ball well, the opportunities to throw the ball well present themselves, and the opportunities to play better defense present themselves,” the coach said. “You’re better in the red zone. You tend to take care of the ball better. All those things.

“Again, the impact of the running game on your team is significant. We’ve just got to do it better, and there will be a huge focus on it really every day in camp.”

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