The 2015 Dallas Cowboys and the Myth of DeMarco Murray

[DallasEast]

Irvin pretty much stated how I feel Irvin: “Nervous Anticipation”

I'm sitting in the "Confident Anticipation" circle. The offseason has progressed better than I thought it would. My only nag involves potential injuries.

 

[Galian Beast]

Nicely said. I agree with 95% of your take. And I cetainly agree that this offense will be more explosive with faster, more exposive backs in the run game than Murray. And I believe they will pass a little more to the backs this year because of that.

But I dont see this as a reason to MORE aggressive and take more risks. If anything, the improved defense should allow us to take less chances. I would continue to fucus on the run game until its clear it isnt working.

Aggressive offense leads to more points. The reason not to take risks are if you don't trust your defense. I think this will become a defense we can trust. And by scoring more points, we'll be putting them in position to create more turnovers and get more sacks. By becoming more of an aggressive team we can become a dominant team rather than one that needs to sneak in close games.

 

[Doomsday101]

I'm sitting in the "Confident Anticipation" circle. The offseason has progressed better than I thought it would. My only nag involves potential injuries.

I like much of what Dallas has done as well I am however concerned about the RB situation. It was a big part of last season success and thus far guys who have done little up to this point in their careers are currently dealing with injuries. Granted it is still early in camp but until I see Dallas being able to show balance and production in the run game it will be of concern.

 

[DallasEast]

I like much of what Dallas has done as well I am however concerned about the RB situation. It was a big part of last season success and thus far guys who have done little up to this point in their careers are currently dealing with injuries. Granted it is still early in camp but until I see Dallas being able to show balance and production in the run game it will be of concern.

I believe it's safe to say there is strong-to-extreme concern about the running back position among a sizeable portion of cowboyszone.

 

[Doomsday101]

I believe it's safe to say there is strong-to-extreme concern about the running back position among a sizeable portion of cowboyszone.

Yeah I would say so. Heck I have been accused of being a kool air drinker, wearing of the rose color sunglasses and being overly optimistic over the years. To an extent it is true. For me to say I'm concerned with the RB situation should say something. lol If we had more proven guys in camp I would be feeling much better but right now we don't and the top 3 are now all sidelined. Granted still early in camp. I will just feel a whole lot better once they can start proving they can provide Dallas with a solid rushing attack until then concerned is putting in mildly.

 

[CowboyRoy]

Aggressive offense leads to more points. The reason not to take risks are if you don't trust your defense. I think this will become a defense we can trust. And by scoring more points, we'll be putting them in position to create more turnovers and get more sacks. By becoming more of an aggressive team we can become a dominant team rather than one that needs to sneak in close games.

Yah, we will have to disagree on that one. Take more risks if that's what you need to do. Run the ball until they stop it. Work off the play action pass for big plays. And if the defense is getting sacks and turnovers and holding them down, then I dont see any need to ramp up the risk factor.

So what are we going to go back to Garrett's 70% passing offense with Romo back in shotgun all game long? When you run the ball and have success you wear down the other teams defense at that helps you out later in the games. Nothing different then what the 90's Cowboys used to do.

 

[DallasEast]

Yeah I would say so. Heck I have been accused of being a kool air drinker, wearing of the rose color sunglasses and being overly optimistic over the years. To an extent it is true. For me to say I'm concerned with the RB situation should say something. lol If we had more proven guys in camp I would be feeling much better but right now we don't and the top 3 are now all sidelined. Granted still early in camp. I will just feel a whole lot better once they can start proving they can provide Dallas with a solid rushing attack until then concerned is putting in mildly.

My concern is low. I'm waiting for actual games to establish certain worry. And that will only kick in after being patient long enough for the coaching staff making any necessary adjustments to the offensive scheme to offset any true running game deficit that will provide ineffective.

 

[CowboyRoy]

Aggressive offense leads to more points. The reason not to take risks are if you don't trust your defense. I think this will become a defense we can trust. And by scoring more points, we'll be putting them in position to create more turnovers and get more sacks. By becoming more of an aggressive team we can become a dominant team rather than one that needs to sneak in close games.

Aggressive offense does NOT necessarily lead to more points. Last years team is an example of that. Aggressive offenses can, however, lead to more turnovers.

 

[CowboyRoy]

Aggressive offense leads to more points. The reason not to take risks are if you don't trust your defense. I think this will become a defense we can trust. And by scoring more points, we'll be putting them in position to create more turnovers and get more sacks. By becoming more of an aggressive team we can become a dominant team rather than one that needs to sneak in close games.

Yeah I would say so. Heck I have been accused of being a kool air drinker, wearing of the rose color sunglasses and being overly optimistic over the years. To an extent it is true. For me to say I'm concerned with the RB situation should say something. lol If we had more proven guys in camp I would be feeling much better but right now we don't and the top 3 are now all sidelined. Granted still early in camp. I will just feel a whole lot better once they can start proving they can provide Dallas with a solid rushing attack until then concerned is putting in mildly.

Agreed. But at this point it is beyond proven or not proven. Its now about health of these cats. The same guys that have injury histories are having them again. And hammys rarely just go away.

 

[Doomsday101]

My concern is low. I'm waiting for actual games to establish certain worry. And that will only kick in after being patient long enough for the coaching staff making any necessary adjustments to the offensive scheme to offset any true running game deficit that will provide ineffective.

I agree right now waiting on the pre season games and I hope the current group show the staff they are capable. Waiting until the reg season is under way is too late. People continue to say RB is the easiest to replace? I don't know about that but I do know RB do not take much time to prove their talent.

 

[Doomsday101]

Agreed. But at this point it is beyond proven or not proven. Its now about health of these cats. The same guys that have injury histories are having them again. And hammys rarely just go away.

In the case of McFadden true, but it appears to be a situation where the training staff and coaching staff are being cautious. I can understand why. It is early enough in camp to give McFadden this time. While he will not play Thursday I fully expect him to be able to play in the following 3. Dallas knew when they signed him of his injury history yet are willing to take the chance on him. I think they will play him within pre season and make a determination on what they will do. Randle not much in terms of injury just not a lot of playing time, I think it is fair to say when given a chance to play he has done well but of course with so few carries it is hard to claim one way or the other on how he will do in an expanded role. Not enough information to know Pro or Con.
Dunbar is another who had dealt with injury, to date the only game he played where he looked as if he had the ability was vs Raiders a couple of years ago on thanksgiving where he had a big day but of course the day ended for him with yet another injury.

All of this has been hashed out over and over. So now we get to the reality, I don't think there is much out there in the FA market that does not come with doubts. If these guys who are currently FA are still out there it tells me other teams are not that high on them either. Waiting on cut downs you very well could find an experienced decent RB who gets caught up in the numbers game as teams have to get to 53. other than that only other option becomes trade.

 

[JBS]

I'm not glad we couldn't keep Murray (unless you're referring to the financial side of the decision). I'll take a known commodity any day over Randle. Just my opinion.

Well, of course you have to take the financial piece of the equation into consideration...and I wasn't a fan of Murray anyways...

 

[DallasEast]

I agree right now waiting on the pre season games and I hope the current group show the staff they are capable. Waiting until the reg season is under way is too late. People continue to say RB is the easiest to replace? I don't know about that but I do know RB do not take much time to prove their talent.

I think that the running back position is the easiest transition from college to the professional ranks. However I do not believe any position is easy to replace. The best defense for a lineup hole are coaches and front office planning contingencies. Garrett and Jones have my confidence they will adjust as well as humanly possible if our current running backs do not produce during actual games.

I would have the same philosophy if Murray was still here. It applies to all players with the lone position of quarterback. Injuries do not run on set schedules. Murray could have played 19 games for us this season (no wild card round for this team baby)! Or Murray could have gotten hurt during OTAs. Or Murray could have suffered intermediate injuries during the season. Who knows? Fear of injuries can only be tolerated to a point. The same principle applies to Murray's successors.

 

[Doomsday101]

I think that the running back position is the easiest transition from college to the professional ranks. However I do not believe any position is easy to replace. The best defense for a lineup hole are coaches and front office planning contingencies. Garrett and Jones have my confidence they will adjust as well as humanly possible if our current running backs do not produce during actual games.

I would have the same philosophy if Murray was still here. It applies to all players with the lone position of quarterback. Injuries do not run on set schedules. Murray could have played 19 games for us this season (no wild card round for this team baby)! Or Murray could have gotten hurt during OTAs. Or Murray could have suffered intermediate injuries during the season. Who knows? Fear of injuries can only be tolerated to a point. The same principle applies to Murray's successors.

I agree with you assessment of transitioning from college to pro for RB so any of the RB on this team currently should give us a pretty good idea of what they can do.

 

[JBS]

YPC and your eye test are both silly ways to assess the situation.

Unfortunately, there's nothing else to go by at this moment in time..so, it's either your eye test or mine..and I Damn sure am not taking yours into consideration

 

[big dog cowboy]

So what are we going to go back to Garrett's 70% passing offense with Romo back in shotgun all game long?

 

[Galian Beast]

Aggressive offense does NOT necessarily lead to more points. Last years team is an example of that. Aggressive offenses can, however, lead to more turnovers.

I would say it is about pushing the envelope in a balanced and well thought out manner. More aggressive offense certainly leads to more points. You're comparing us to the rest of the league, rather than a more aggressive version of the cowboys.

 

[Galian Beast]

Yah, we will have to disagree on that one. Take more risks if that's what you need to do. Run the ball until they stop it. Work off the play action pass for big plays. And if the defense is getting sacks and turnovers and holding them down, then I dont see any need to ramp up the risk factor.

So what are we going to go back to Garrett's 70% passing offense with Romo back in shotgun all game long? When you run the ball and have success you wear down the other teams defense at that helps you out later in the games. Nothing different then what the 90's Cowboys used to do.

Romo hasn't turned the ball over often for years.

 

[ufcrules1]

Unfortunately, there's nothing else to go by at this moment in time..so, it's either your eye test or mine..and I Damn sure am not taking yours into consideration

Right, there isn't much at all to go by other than hope. We will find out quickly if this guy has what it takes to carry the load. If he doesn't, then what is our fall back plan? Darren Mcfadden? Dunbar? Seriously?

 

[DejectedFan1996]

I'd be lying if I didn't say I wasn't nervous about this running back situation. I think we underrate Murray and overrate him at the same time. But the fact remains we don't have anyone proven yet. Doesn't mean that can't change but we shall see.

I don't know if I can deal with an 8-8 season after all the smack I talked this off season.