TLH: DeMarco Murray Isn't The Answer At RB

[NeonDeion21]

Sigh. Writing and reading that title hurts me as a Dallas Cowboys fan in so many ways. I thought when the Dallas Cowboys selected DeMarco Murray in the third round of the 2011 draft; they were getting a versatile, three down back that had the potential to be great. I envisioned him being a Darren McFadden clone that could stay healthy in the NFL and dominate. And for a four game stretch in the 2011 season, I was convinced that he was going to be a star in this league.

But after watching him again in 2012 and digging deeper into his stats, I have come to this conclusion: I do not believe that he is the feature back that Dallas Cowboys fans have missed since Emmitt Smith. Similarly to Troy Hambrick, Julius Jones, Marion Barber, and Felix Jones, DeMarco Murray has shown flashes of brilliance. But much like the backs before him, we only see these flashes of brilliance for a few games every year. What the Dallas Cowboys need now isn't a flash in the pan back, but a player they can consistently rely on to take pressure off Tony Romo and their defense.

As for DeMarco Murray, I am afraid that the book has closed on him. The Cowboys and their fans now know after two years what they are getting out of a player like Murray. I can concede that Murray is one of the most fun running backs to watch in the NFL today. But exciting isn't always what a team desires out of their running back. Mike Burke made this point yesterday in his article about Barry Sanders vs Emmitt Smith. Barry Sanders was one the most exciting running backs to ever play the game, but he wasn't the runner you wanted your team to rely on in big games. While I'm not comparing Murray to Sanders, I am comparing their worth to a winning team.

Read the rest at: http://thelandryhat.com/2013/07/14/demarco-murray-isnt-the-answer-at-running-back/

 

[Ren]

I'm not sure what you're trying to say here, i thought this was going to be a Murray is hurt a lot thread at least that would kinda make sense.

Our OL is pitiful, Murray has had decent production in spite of this.

There's not a single RB in the league who would do well running behind our line so Murray gets a pass for that. Staying healthy is a different issue

 

[Sarge]

Maybe we oughtta give him half an offensive line before rushing to judgement here.

 

[theogt]

I kept waiting to read some kind of argument against Murray, but only saw a conclusion restated a few times.

 

[Vinnie2u]

Running backs are disposable. Guys like Emmitt, Sanders, LT and AP are far and few between. Draft a RB every couple of years and keep it moving..

 

[Clove]

Why wasn't Adrian Peterson or Alfred Morris in the Super Bowl? Two top runners, as a matter of fact, the top 9 best running backs weren't in the Super Bowl. Having an amazing runner is not the reason we can't win. And reasons we can't win is all I'm concerned about. Murray is fine, he's not Adrian Peterson, but he's just fine.

 

[TwoDeep3]

Slow news day at The Landry Hat?

 

[5Stars]

Why wasn't Adrian Peterson or Alfred Morris in the Super Bowl? Two top runners, as a matter of fact, the top 9 best running backs weren't in the Super Bowl. Having an amazing runner is not the reason we can't win. And reasons we can't win is all I'm concerned about. Murray is fine, he's not Adrian Peterson, but he's just fine.

So,, tell me what the reason is, or what your reason is, why we cannot win games?

And, have your ever thought about the reason that the top 9 running backs are not in the SB might be because the rest of the TEAM did not do their jobs?

There, I asked 2 questions, would you answer both and give me the reason why you think the way that you posted.

 

[FiveRings]

I couldn't agree less. The only knock against Murray is his health. Like McFadden, as he was compared to in the article, he can be a top five back, when he's healthy, but with the keyword being "when". Hopefully having a true three headed monster (as so many people are high on Dunbar) out of the backfield this year will let Murray rest and let him show flashes if brilliance each time he touches the ball.

 

[MichaelWinicki]

Murray or not... I don't know if the Cowboys need a 1,500 yard per season back.

I see this (like with a lot of teams) being a "running back by committee" kinda thing.

Here's something to chew on... One team in the NFL has averaged 12.6 wins per season over the last 7 seasons and the average yards gained by their leading back per season?

867.

I would like to see Murray get 16 carries a game... average 4.4 YPC and crack a 1,000 yards.

That's not the second coming Emmitt, but I think it would be good enough.

 

[5Stars]

Murray or not... I don't know if the Cowboys need a 1,500 yard per season back.

I see this (like with a lot of teams) being a "running back by committee" kinda thing.

Here's something to chew on... One team in the NFL has averaged 12.6 wins per season over the last 7 seasons and the average yards gained by their leading back per season?

867.

I would like to see Murray get 16 carries a game... average 4.4 YPC and crack a 1,000 yards.

That's not the second coming Emmitt, but I think it would be good enough.

Right! Give him some holes to run through and he could be a serviceable back for the Cowboys.

 

[DogFace]

I kept waiting to read some kind of argument against Murray, but only saw a conclusion restated a few times.

Yep. Same here

 

[noshame]

Once again, Garrett never stuck with the run. We had success at times running outside, yet he'd abandon it.

Murray will have a breakout season.

 

[bgolf90]

Your observation is a little skewed. Coaching plan and lack of a line hurt him. For what he had to work with he did as well as he could. What is more bothersome is the injuries he has.

 

[Rockport]

Again, just because some knucle head writes something doesn't mean it's true. If you've watched the games that Murray has played in, then you've seen how he performs. He's done well despite playing behind one of the worst offensive lines in the NFL for the last 2 years. Questioning his durability is a legitimate argument. But saying he's done, as this article does, is unintelligent at best.

 

[DFWJC]

I agree that questioning his durabilty is very legit.
Condemning his ability at this early stage is way premature.

Personally, I think if he's healthy, we have a very good back.

 

[Trueboysfan]

Very good back who would be even better with at least something that resembles an O line...I really hope that he can shake the injury bug.

 

[iceberg]

TLH is more rabid fans stating their own opinions, not really "news" per se.

i think it's far too early to write off murray. his injury history is a concern to be sure but to complain romo is getting hammered cause of a bad OL then to turn around say murray should be able to run behind it - you're just reaching for something to talk about until the real world begins again.

thankfully soon.

 

[ABQCOWBOY]

DAYS 006 HRS 04 MINS 10 SECS 4

 

[pgreptom]

I struggle to really go with you on this. I don't think what Murray had was a few 'good' games. I bet in less than 4 months your opinion will be different.