The 2015 Dallas Cowboys and the Myth of DeMarco Murray

[Nightman]

That is what I dont get, murray is worth 5 mil but not 6 or 7 ! lol what is the difference? 1 or 2 mil one way or the other is nothing.
The other is how is Dez worth 13 mil a year but murray only worth 5 or 6 mil ??
Last year it was all murray than made the difference in winning the 4 extra games over 8-8, yet dez gets the big money contract and
murray gets the boot ?"

looking at that, the cowboys and many fans feel dez alone was more than twice as valuable as murray.
And maybe that is right, we shall see this year, if dez can help get them to 12-4 with no murray, and maybe in the playoffs, he can catch more than
3 passes a game.

It is a very valid comparison. Dez gets 14m and they won't give the reigning AP Offensive POY 8m.

Murray probably would have signed for 18m guaranteed. Over 3 years that is 6m per. Less than they gave Free or Carr.

Everyone says how easy it is to replace Murray, but here we are with Gus Johnson starting.

 

[ActualCowboysFan]

Apples and oranges. One is an elite player at his position and the other is just above average. One plays a position of demand and the other doesn't.

You're talking to a guy that has now added Murray>Dez to a greatest hits that also includes the belief that the Cowboys OL was average at run blocking, that Martin was responsible for the Murray fumble, and that Jason Witten should shutup and learn how to run routes on third down.

He's so committed to the idea that Demarco Murray had the best season of all time that he's deluded himself into believing the most ridiculous things to confirm his view. Bump some apples and oranges, this guy is comparing a peach pit to a 20 oz porterhouse.

 

[Nightman]

You're talking to a guy that has now added Murray>Dez to a greatest hits that also includes the belief that the Cowboys OL was average at run blocking, that Martin was responsible for the Murray fumble, and that Jason Witten should shutup and learn how to run routes on third down.

He's so committed to the idea that Demarco Murray had the best season of all time that he's deluded himself into believing the most ridiculous things to confirm his view. Bump some apples and oranges, this guy is comparing a peach pit to a 20 oz porterhouse.

I know, he overlooks the real facts.

He was supremely talented but fell in the draft
He missed a bunch of games his first 2 years injuries but showed some flashes
He had some big time fumbling problems but seemed to get them under control
He finally put it together year 3 and had a monster year 4.
He had his best year on a contract year when he played thru some nagging injuries

Negotiations were tough but they gave the 26 year old the contract he earned: Dez Bryant signs a 5yr/70m deal with 41m guaranteed

 

[ActualCowboysFan]

I know, he overlooks the real facts.

He was supremely talented but fell in the draft
He missed a bunch of games his first 2 years injuries but showed some flashes
He had some big time fumbling problems but seemed to get them under control
He finally put it together year 3 and had a monster year 4.
He had his best year on a contract year when he played thru some nagging injuries

Negotiations were tough but they gave the 26 year old the contract he earned: Dez Bryant signs a 5yr/70m deal with 41m guaranteed

Murray has missed more than double the number of games as Dez despite being in the league for one less season. Dez is the epitome of consistency over the last three seasons. And let me know when Demarco cured that fumbling issue, because his most recent performance included a pretty big one. I loved Murray too, but at least put some effort into creating your strawman, this one is too easy.

 

[WillieBeamen]

Anyone that thinks our Running Game is the strength of our team is delusional.

 

[JoeBoBBY]

Anyone that thinks our Running Game is the strength of our team is delusional.

delusional? Thats a strong word You could at least make your case.

 

[mattjames2010]

Anyone that thinks our Running Game is the strength of our team is delusional.

It's not now. Was it last year? Yes.

 

[Nightman]

Murray has missed more than double the number of games as Dez despite being in the league for one less season. Dez is the epitome of consistency over the last three seasons. And let me know when Demarco cured that fumbling issue, because his most recent performance included a pretty big one. I loved Murray too, but at least put some effort into creating your strawman, this one is too easy.

Those facts were all about Dez, not Murray

But Murray had 1 fumble the last 10 games
Dez did have 3 great years, his 3rd, 4th and 5th
And Murray had a great 3rd and 4th

You aren't as right as a you think you are

 

[ActualCowboysFan]

Those facts were all about Dez, not Murray

But Murray had 1 fumble the last 10 games
Dez did have 3 great years, his 3rd, 4th and 5th
And Murray had a great 3rd and 4th

You aren't as right as a you think you are

I don't know how you can read my response to your comparison between Dez and Murray and believe that I didn't understand that your post was an attempt to show identical career trajectories.

It's just that they don't really.

You said they had similar consistency. They don't. Demarco's 2014 is much more of an outlier than any of Dez's three seasons. He had a very good 2013 and a phenomenal 2014. But Dez's last three seasons are nearly identical.


You said they had similar injury histories. They don't. Dez has missed 5 games in a five year career. Demarco has missed 11 games in a four year career.


You said they had similar fumbling issues that they had both solved. That's only true for Dez. Demarco Murray fumbled in his last game.

There are comparisons between the two that you can make, I just don't think these are very good ones.

 

[WillieBeamen]

delusional? Thats a strong word You could at least make your case.

Youre right, delusional is a strong word. I feel like its obvious that the strength of this Team is our Qb and passing game. We have the most efficient QB in the league despite coming off Back surgery and is 35 years old. The run game the last few games of the Season was no where near as effective as it was in the beginning, yet we still were successful. When your QB sets NFL records for QB Rating in December, and your running back is averaging less than 4 ypc, I would say the QB was more important to our success.

 

[DandyDon52]

I don't know how you can read my response to your comparison between Dez and Murray and believe that I didn't understand that your post was an attempt to show identical career trajectories.

It's just that they don't really.

You said they had similar consistency. They don't. Demarco's 2014 is much more of an outlier than any of Dez's three seasons. He had a very good 2013 and a phenomenal 2014. But Dez's last three seasons are nearly identical.


You said they had similar injury histories. They don't. Dez has missed 5 games in a five year career. Demarco has missed 11 games in a four year career.


You said they had similar fumbling issues that they had both solved. That's only true for Dez. Demarco Murray fumbled in his last game.

There are comparisons between the two that you can make, I just don't think these are very good ones.

dez fumbled in the detroit game, and if you add in the games that dez started but left early due to back problems or dehydration, it might be 11 games.

It is hard to compare a RB to a WR, and with injurys a Rb has way more touches than a WR so they will have more fumbles and injurys.
Last year dez had 88 touches to murrays 440.
people say murray only preformed in the contract year, but the reason he was better and aside from the hand injury free, was he worked
with witten in the offseason and that helped him a lot. Plus they called way more run plays each game.

 

[DandyDon52]

Youre right, delusional is a strong word. I feel like its obvious that the strength of this Team is our Qb and passing game. We have the most efficient QB in the league despite coming off Back surgery and is 35 years old. The run game the last few games of the Season was no where near as effective as it was in the beginning, yet we still were successful. When your QB sets NFL records for QB Rating in December, and your running back is averaging less than 4 ypc, I would say the QB was more important to our success.

The strength last year was the run game, it helped the pass game and romo, even romo would tell you that.
Romo wanted murray back, why would he campaign for him if any ol RB will do?
It is a 2 way street,the run helps the pass game, the pass game also helps the run game.
If you only have one it better be awesome , or you wont do too well.

 

[CowboyRoy]

Both. But mostly not getting to a Super Bowl. If Randle proves me completely wrong and we get something out of somebody else, I think we can sneak into the playoffs. But I don't think we get far. Not unless Randle is lights out. That's a lot to ask for.

Well, getting the superbowl is a rather lofty goal for this squad. Im not sure you can really have Grave fears about that. I dont think we are getting the SB this year. But its more about the defense.

 

[Doomsday101]

Youre right, delusional is a strong word. I feel like its obvious that the strength of this Team is our Qb and passing game. We have the most efficient QB in the league despite coming off Back surgery and is 35 years old. The run game the last few games of the Season was no where near as effective as it was in the beginning, yet we still were successful. When your QB sets NFL records for QB Rating in December, and your running back is averaging less than 4 ypc, I would say the QB was more important to our success.

and the run game last season which was over 50% of the snaps helped that passing game become more efficient as defense were off balance trying to defend run and pass as opposed to just pinning their ears back and going after Romo. I agree I like our QB and Dez is a great WR. Those guys where here in each of the 8-8 season when the run game was not working. 12-4 had a lot to do with the fact the Cowboys were the 2nd ranked rushing team in the NFL.

 

[CowboyRoy]

The point is, you can pass and score without a running game. You can't run and score without a passing game.

Seattle would be 6-10 the past two years without its defense.

Romo is the key. Always has been.

Yah, I'm not sure that is really a point. And Romo is our best player, but he didnt do much without the running game. It all flows together and any way you slice it a team with a great run game is much better then they would have been without it. It provides a lot of flexibility and creates a physical style of football.

And I am not sure that Seattle is very good example for you. They won the SB with a mediocre passing attack. It was the defense and the run game that is the strength. Although I have no doubts that will be changing the more Wilson comes of age.

 

[CowboyRoy]

That is what I dont get, murray is worth 5 mil but not 6 or 7 ! lol what is the difference? 1 or 2 mil one way or the other is nothing.
The other is how is Dez worth 13 mil a year but murray only worth 5 or 6 mil ??
Last year it was all murray than made the difference in winning the 4 extra games over 8-8, yet dez gets the big money contract and
murray gets the boot ?"

looking at that, the cowboys and many fans feel dez alone was more than twice as valuable as murray.
And maybe that is right, we shall see this year, if dez can help get them to 12-4 with no murray, and maybe in the playoffs, he can catch more than
3 passes a game.

I think that is what you have to figure out. Dez is worth 13 But Murray isnt worth 8. Well, because Murray isnt that great, that is why. At least that is why to me. When you have the best Oline in football, its about the line, not the back. And I also think is about the RB position in general. You can find good backs in the middle rounds of the draft or in FA at a good price to replace him.

I guess I just dont understand the fans that see Murray as some great back. He had one good year. Did nothing the previous 3 years. He is injury prone.

 

[CowboyRoy]

That is what I dont get, murray is worth 5 mil but not 6 or 7 ! lol what is the difference? 1 or 2 mil one way or the other is nothing.
The other is how is Dez worth 13 mil a year but murray only worth 5 or 6 mil ??
Last year it was all murray than made the difference in winning the 4 extra games over 8-8, yet dez gets the big money contract and
murray gets the boot ?"

looking at that, the cowboys and many fans feel dez alone was more than twice as valuable as murray.
And maybe that is right, we shall see this year, if dez can help get them to 12-4 with no murray, and maybe in the playoffs, he can catch more than
3 passes a game.

That is what I dont get, murray is worth 5 mil but not 6 or 7 ! lol what is the difference? 1 or 2 mil one way or the other is nothing.
The other is how is Dez worth 13 mil a year but murray only worth 5 or 6 mil ??
Last year it was all murray than made the difference in winning the 4 extra games over 8-8, yet dez gets the big money contract and
murray gets the boot ?"

looking at that, the cowboys and many fans feel dez alone was more than twice as valuable as murray.
And maybe that is right, we shall see this year, if dez can help get them to 12-4 with no murray, and maybe in the playoffs, he can catch more than
3 passes a game.

Murray got 8 million per year, but more importantly..............for 5 years. He is not even close to worth that. 7 million for 2 years? Maybe.

 

[erod]

Yah, I'm not sure that is really a point. And Romo is our best player, but he didnt do much without the running game. It all flows together and any way you slice it a team with a great run game is much better then they would have been without it. It provides a lot of flexibility and creates a physical style of football.

And I am not sure that Seattle is very good example for you. They won the SB with a mediocre passing attack. It was the defense and the run game that is the strength. Although I have no doubts that will be changing the more Wilson comes of age.

1. Romo broke records before he had a running game. Unfortunately, 31 points didn't win football games with those defenses.

2. Seattle had a mediocre everything offensive attack. Their defense allowed an insane 14 points per game that year, and only 13 points per game in the playoffs. That Super Bowl was PURELY about defense.

 

[WillieBeamen]

The strength last year was the run game, it helped the pass game and romo, even romo would tell you that.
Romo wanted murray back, why would he campaign for him if any ol RB will do?
It is a 2 way street,the run helps the pass game, the pass game also helps the run game.
If you only have one it better be awesome , or you wont do too well.

Where did that strong running attack get us when we played Arizona?
I highly doubt that our Front office would think our running game was our biggest strength and let our RB go to a division rival. Look at Percys post. Romo threw the ball the same amount of time in the first half as hes done the last 3 years. He didnt have to throw as much in the second half because we were usually ahead due to us running the ball better and playing better defense.

 

[CowboyRoy]

We will, as long as we're running well and playing good defense.

Unless the defense is so good, that we no longer have any reason to trade points for time, in order to give the opposing offense fewer opportunities to score. Because that's what we did in 2014.

Here is our pass/run ratio, broken down by quarter:
1st 49.6% pass / 50.4% run
2nd 56.3% pass / 43.7% run
3rd 46.7% pass / 53.3% run
4th 45.9% pass / 54.1% run

Here is the scoring margin by quarter, not including return TD:
1st +33 (95 - 62)
2nd +55 (140 - 85)
3rd +52 (110 - 58)
4th -17 (105 - 122)

The percentage is higher in the 2nd quarter because of the 2 minute offense to end the half. And the two minute offense is mostly passing. So one drive is going to screw the numbers.