DeMarco Murray Needs More Carries for Dallas Cowboys’ Running Game to Succeed
It’s high time Cowboys get the ball to rookie running back DeMarco Murray more often. I’ve been driving the Tashard Choice bandwagon for quite some time now, but Murray is quickly developing into the better NFL running back. Against the New England Patriots on Sunday, Murray stepped in for injured starter Felix Jones and carried the ball 10 times for 32 yards. He showed excellent vision and crafty footwork during his first extended regular season action.
Props to Cowboys head coach Jason Garrett are in order; he sent Marion Barber packing this past offseason and drafted Murray in the third round of April’s NFL draft. Many fans questioned this move due to Barber’s extreme amount of effort given on a daily basis, but Murray is making Garrett look pretty intelligent right about now.
Jones is nursing a separated shoulder and twisted ankle, a large reason why Murray was forced into a feature role against New England. Choice blew his chance to shine by fumbling the ball away just after Jones left the game. Then Murray stepped in and showed why Dallas took him out of Oklahoma.
The rookie bobbed and weaved past penetrating Patriots defenders and showed some power in barreling over a few downfield as well. Murray’s most impressive feat was his nose for the first down marker; he simply knew when and how far to dive forward each time he neared a new set of downs for the Cowboys.
Another positive note from Murray’s performance is his running form. The rookie runs downhill, a term often used to describe successful NFL running backs. Instead of taking lateral steps like most elusive, finesse running backs do, he takes confident, straight forward steps that allow him to cover ground quickly. His first step after taking a handoff or changing direction is remarkable for a guy who was injury-plagued in college to put it lightly.
Now it appears Murray is healthy and he’s making it appear as if Garrett and Cowboys owner Jerry Jones were making a wise investment instead of a gamble in drafting him. When the rookie saw a hole against New England, his first step was explosive, propelling him not into the hole, but through it and into the second wave of defense. When Patriots defenders penetrated the line of scrimmage, Murray took only absolutely necessary lateral steps before turning sharply up field and gaining positive yards.
Assuming Murray will continue to grow as an NFL running back, he may soon present a strong case to start in the Cowboys’ backfield. Regardless, his presence will give the Cowboys a versatile running attack that was once prolific in the NFL.
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[...] month with the injury while simultaneously nursing a separated shoulder. Cowboys rookie running back DeMarco Murray took over for Jones during the contest and played well. Murray was the Cowboys’ featured back during crunch time after Tashard Choice was shelved and is [...]
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Demarco Murray needs to start cause he is alot better than felix the kid is a smart runner and can catch that football just like a wideout