The 2015 Dallas Cowboys and the Myth of DeMarco Murray

[Doomsday101]

Yep. In shorts, four years ago. I mean I loved the guy, but speed wasn't in his arsenal. Saying Randle is faster than Murray today shouldn't be some sort of controversial position. It should be clear as a bell to anyone who watched last year.

I don't know and really does not matter. Murray has proven himself, Randle has not. You are taking so few carries and it is not anywhere close to the same as a RB who is carrying the big load. Hambrick looked great that is until he was counted on to carry a bigger load and Hambrick is not a isolated case. It is a different ball game when all of a sudden the load is on your shoulders as opposed to a guy coming in with so few snaps. If I am to buy into these stats of Randle then what do I make of the fact he only had 3.7 yards per carry at ATT Stadium? He can run on the road but not at home? Until he has a chance to be the main guy no one knows for sure what he can or can't do because to this point he has never had to do that

 

[BlindFaith]

Yep. In shorts, four years ago. I mean I loved the guy, but speed wasn't in his arsenal. Saying Randle is faster than Murray today shouldn't be some sort of controversial position. It should be clear as a bell to anyone who watched last year.

http://www.philadelphiaeagles.com/n...o-Murray/72d0b97c-bd3d-4093-b156-5917c5041220
Running back DeMarco Murray 's 2014 workload has been well documented. The NFL's rushing champion had 80 more attempts on the ground in the regular season than any other running back. That doesn't include his 57 receptions or 48 total touches in the playoffs.

How does he feel going into the 2015 season? “Amazing” was the word Murray used as a guest this week on The Rich Eisen Show.

"I feel stronger, faster than I have ever felt in my life," Murray said thanks to the Eagles’ sports science program as well as his own work ethic.

Interesting. If he's faster than he's ever been in his life, he's clearly faster than Randle.

 

[BlindFaith]

And just as a refresher.



He easily runs away from LBs. LBs with better forty times than Randle.

 

[ActualCowboysFan]

I don't know and really does not matter. Murray has proven himself, Randle has not. You are taking so few carries and it is not anywhere close to the same as a RB who is carrying the big load. Hambrick looked great that is until he was counted on to carry a bigger load and Hambrick is not a isolated case. It is a different ball game when all of a sudden the load is on your shoulders as opposed to a guy coming in with so few snaps. If I am to buy into these stats of Randle then what do I make of the fact he only had 3.7 yards per carry at ATT Stadium? He can run on the road but not at home? Until he has a chance to be the main guy no one knows for sure what he can or can't do because to this point he has never had to do that

We're in agreement on the talent and results separation between the two players. My position is simply that one is faster than the other. Despite the overwhelming evidence of one guy's word about his speed. Hint to the visually impaired, that ain't evidence.

 

[Doomsday101]

We're in agreement on the talent and results separation between the two players. My position is simply that one is faster than the other. Despite the overwhelming evidence of one guy's word about his speed. Hint to the visually impaired, that ain't evidence.

Thing is I'm not as concerned about speed. How a RB is able to show patients and allow his OL to set blocks then accelerate through the hole means a lot. I watched some fast backs who show no patients they run up into the backs of the OL or get tackled because they just did not allow the blockers to set the block. Randle will get his chance and yes he does look quicker but then as it was mentioned do you look quick after carry 14 or 15 as opposed to coming off the bench. To me Speed is not the be all Emmitt ran a 4.7 at the combines and even if that is a slower speed than he was capable of it still did not change the fact Emmitt was never a speed back.

 

[Alexander]

And just as a refresher.



He easily runs away from LBs. LBs with better forty times than Randle.

But Randle would have turned all of those runs into TDs. All of them. Meat on the bone. Etc.

 

[Alexander]

Thing is I'm not as concerned about speed. How a RB is able to show patients and allow his OL to set blocks then accelerate through the hole means a lot. I watched some fast backs who show no patients they run up into the backs of the OL or get tackled because they just did not allow the blockers to set the block. Randle will get his chance and yes he does look quicker but then as it was mentioned do you look quick after carry 14 or 15 as opposed to coming off the bench. To me Speed is not the be all Emmitt ran a 4.7 at the combines and even if that is a slower speed than he was capable of it still did not change the fact Emmitt was never a speed back.

Long speed is the most overrated concept if you are talking about an effective runner to establish tempo. Emmitt Smith was no speedster that would bust big plays. He was slow death and honestly, I want that out of my bell cow.

 

[Vanilla2]

As long as the defense holds up their end of the bargain I see this as another good season for the Cowboys.

And when I say good I mean super bowl good and the only other person to hear me say that is my girl.

I cannot wait to be the typical cowboy fan after years of idiocy directed my way.

 

[Vanilla2]

But Randle would have turned all of those runs into TDs. All of them. Meat on the bone. Etc.

Meh

 

[Doomsday101]

Long speed is the most overrated concept if you are talking about an effective runner to establish tempo. Emmitt Smith was no speedster that would bust big plays. He was slow death and honestly, I want that out of my bell cow.

I fully agree.

 

[DallasEast]

If relative speed is a question mark, shouldn't comparisons be made between a fresh Demarco Murray running in the open field and a fresh Joseph Randle running in the open field? I can remember a carry or two when Murray broke an early run (like in the first quarter) last season. In my opinion, he did not look as fast as Randle did running in the open field.

I would not agree if the comparison was made between 2014 Murray and 2013 Randle. Randle looked both tentative and slower two years ago. He demonstrated quicker feet and smoother strides last year in my opinion.

 

[Cowboy4ever]

2 points: 1. Defenses were not scared of Murray. They were scared of our running game. Murray was a huge part of that but make no mistake about it, they will still be scared and putting 8 men in the box to stop the run. D Coordinators know that if they put 7 in the box, with our line, they are out matched and any one of 500 backs could get 4 yards per carry on them. Randle, might not be the answer, no one knows what he can and cannot do yet. He will be given the opportunity to show us all. I have faith that he can get 4 yards per carry behind this line and how he hits the hole. Murray is a good back,,NOT GREAT, but good. He can and will be replaced for a lot less than 8 million per year.

2. Those killing McFadden regarding his health issues but giving a pass to Murray are silly, IMO. They have been hurt about the same amount of time in their careers. Murray has played in 80% or so of his eligible games and McFadden in about 76%.. give or take a % point here or there. The only time Murray has played a full year was last year, a contract year, go figure. As far as that goes, McFadden played in all 16 games last year as well. He averaged about 10 carries a game, which is about what I expect he will get here. 15 to Randle, 10 McFadden and 5 or so to Dunbar (or whoever is the 3rd back). That's 480 total rushes for the year. That would be 28 less rushes from last year. I do think we will pass more, maybe 3 to 5 more passes a game over last year, so that rushing attempts may go down a little more.

I don't know if any back we have on the roster is the answer, I think that they can be effective as a group coupled with our O Line. All this gashing over losing a back like Murray is silly.

 

[casmith07]

I'm conflicted. On one hand, I desperately want the regular season to start because I think more people's separation pains for Murray will finally begin to subside. Then conversations would focus more on what Dallas Cowboys running backs are doing to benefit the Dallas Cowboys. Murray would finally be regulated to background noise--not totally omitted but more infrequently mentioned as the season progresses.

On the other hand, I anticipate more people will ramp up their anxieties about the running backs when the season begins. Then one of two things will happen. More people will do their customary shock and amazement routines if one or more of the running backs can contribute and stay healthy. Or more people will fall automatically drop down into their disapproval and depression cocoons, salting the airwaves and internet with Demarco "I told you so" Murray regrets.

Either way, CowboysZone's gonna get a LOT of content contributed by its members this season. Of course, there is the watch-the-team-and-ignore-fan-drama fallback option to consider... Ah, whatever. Go Cowboys!

The last option is my favorite.

 

[chris1995]

But Randle would have turned all of those runs into TDs. All of them. Meat on the bone. Etc.

 

[chris1995]

The last option is my favorite.

If the Cowboys can win the Super Bowl this year I don't care who the RB is, let the games begin.

 

[ConstantReboot]

I agree with most of what your saying. But one thing I disagree with was that we had fundamental flaws on our offense. We didn't have many flaws and especially not with Murray. We were solid throughout the year even in the playoffs when it came to running the ball. Murray's Dec. stats are deceiving because most of those runs was done when we had the lead and we just ran to chew time off the clock.

Despite what people think about Murray it changed how defenses played us - which eventually opened up the passing game for Romo. So our running game may not have been our major strength. But it was the catalyst which got us over the hump from an 8-8 team to one that is a legit contender to win the superbowl. Our strength was a balanced attack. Cowboys kept Murray in because it kept defenses honest on whether we were going to run our not. Randle last did not command that type of respect like Murray. Thus he was successful coming off the bench.

The flaws I see from last year that I believed to be fixed this year is the passrush. I think signing Hardy and having Gregory on board is huge. Coupled that with up and coming youngsters we have on defense and Marinelli signing on as our DC can't be understated enough. This defense now is miles ahead than it was last year for sure.

There is a lot of question marks still especially with the departure of Murray. I still not sold on our current RB group. We need someone who can make defenses adjust. Murray was that runner last year. If they don't respect our running attack like they did last year, then we might not be as successful as most here would think. Its not because of Murray's YPC average that was great. It was because defenses didn't know if we were going to pass or run. Thats what you call a balanced attack. Hopefully we will have that strength coming into this season as well.

 

[ufcrules1]

And just as a refresher.



He easily runs away from LBs. LBs with better forty times than Randle.

Man... that makes me really miss Murray. Murray was a VERY legit running back. I have a strong feeling we are really going to miss him.

 

[ConstantReboot]

The "myth" is that Murray wasn't explosive. Given his size, he was a blue chip athlete. He is far and away a better athlete than Randle.

Murray had a lot of miles on him. That started costing him. You take that many hits, and you will start to slow down. We saw that with him last year. But I guarantee you that if Murray and Randle were to both run a forty today, Murray would still beat him.

Now did Murray have his short comings? Yes. He wasn't very elusive, has questionable vision, runs a little too upright, fumble issues and is still an injury concern. But lets' not pretend that if he was still here that we would even be talking about Randle or anybody else. We wouldn't. There was a reason why Randle was virtually invisible the last two years. Same for Dunbar.

I predict that Randle will come out of the gates fast. He'll look pretty good the first 2 or 3 games. Then he will begin to fade. By mid season we will have shifted from a ball control, running team to a much more pass oriented team. I'm not counting on McFadden or Dunbar to give us much of anything. I still think we make a move for a guy before the season starts. Heck, maybe even Gus the Bus gets more looks.

Now, I'm not saying we need Barry Sanders to be good. We do have a great OL. And we can't pay everybody. So I'm ok with having less at RB. But not worst. We have at the very best, the 32nd best RB in the league as our starter. And there are backups I'd rather have than Randle. That's not good enough for a team looking to win a Super Bowl.

I too have my questions about our current RB. I wish we had better but the FO don't see it that way.

If Randle was so good and even better than Murray why didn't they give him more carries? The OP stated that Murray's production dropped off in December. But other than that long run by Randle in mop up duty against the Skins, he didn't do that much either during that same time frame.

I know the trend these days is to bash on Murray and his weaknesses. He surely had them. But he was a productive back that was the catalyst on why we were so successful last year. I just hope someone can step up to the plate and do what he did. Other than that we are just all hoping.

 

[Galian Beast]

This is more along the lines of what I think we're going to see this year from our running game.

 

[Blackspider214]

I personally agree with what you say in principle, but, the reason we didn't make it further was the refs stole a catch from Dez. Rule that a catch, which it was, and we are probably playing in the superbowl.

It was much more than just that one play. In fact I don't even bring up that play when discussing that game. The complete meltdown at the end of the 1st half to give away 3pts when we could have been up 14 or at least a minimum of 10. Murray's fumble. Escobar not recovering the easy fumble of the kickoff when we were up 8. Letting consecutive backbreaking drives of 80 and 90yds to a gimpy Rodgers and forgetting how to cover in the 2nd half. Especially their 4th WR who killed us. One being he was left wide open on a 3rd and 15.