Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
One of the biggest moves this offseason was the Philadelphia Eagles signing running back DeMarco Murray. Not only did Murray leave his former team, the Dallas Cowboys, but he went to their division rival in Philadelphia.
The Eagles’ need at running back opened up when they traded away LeSean McCoy to the Buffalo Bills for linebacker Kiko Alonso. To replace “Shady,” one of the best running backs in the league, they replaced him with a running back just as good, if not better, in Murray.
Head coach Chip Kelly is known for his explosive offense and brilliant offensive mind, however, for Kelly it all starts in the running game. The Eagles lead the league in rushing in 2013 and were once again in the top 10 at No. 9 in 2014.
Many have asked why the Eagles would have gotten rid of a player like McCoy for Murray. The fact of the matter is, McCoy didn’t fit what Kelly likes in a running back and Murray does. Since Kelly arrived in Philadelphia, McCoy has a league-high 125 carries that have gone for zero or negative yards.
Meanwhile Murray is a downhill runner who can also make defenders miss. He is proficient as a receiver as well as he has had 110 catches in the past two seasons.
There is some concern about workload with Murray as he did have 392 carries last season. However, the Eagles have a deep backfield with Ryan Mathews and Darren Sproles. Murray will without any doubt be the number number one guy, but unlike the Cowboys, the Eagles will be able to share and spread out his workload.
Murray has also been said to be a product of a good offensive line, and while that might be partially true, it does take some talent to lead the league in rushing. The former Cowboys running back still rushed for over 1,000 yards in 2013 and averaged 5.5 and 4.1 yards per carry in his first two seasons in the NFL.
With that said, the Eagles have a decent offensive line to block for their running back, and an athletic one at that. With Pro Bowlers in Jason Kelce and Jason Peters paired with one of the best young tackles in the game in Lane Johnson, the Birds do have talent up front.
That’s not even to mention Matt Tobin and Allen Barbre who have earned confidence in the Eagles coaches, enough so that the team traded away Evan Mathis.
Kelly has found ways to make players in his system successful. If Murray remains productive in Philadelphia it will be because of his ability as a player.
Eagles fans have gotten used to highlight runs from McCoy over the last few years. With the addition of player like Murray, the offense could very well be taken to the next level.
