JJT: New deals will require creativity

[Smitty]

Not an Ingram fan. He's okay, would probably do fine behind this OL, but I don't think he's anything special.

Agreed.

He's a option for if we want a vet insurance policy against Randle not having anything, or not finding a guy in the draft.

But I'd be hoping for a Jeremy Hill or Eddie Lacy or even Giovani Bernard in the 2nd-3rd rounds.

But I like Bernard... think he could be a full time back... maybe it's my UNC bias though.

 

[ravidubey]

Agreed.

He's a option for if we want a vet insurance policy against Randle not having anything, or not finding a guy in the draft.

But I'd be hoping for a Jeremy Hill or Eddie Lacy or even Giovani Bernard in the 2nd-3rd rounds.

But I like Bernard... think he could be a full time back... maybe it's my UNC bias though.

I can't believe how lucky the Pack got getting Lacy in the 2nd.

But we can't complain... not with the greatness that is Gavin Escobar.

 

[VA Cowboy]

I can't believe how lucky the Pack got getting Lacy in the 2nd.

But we can't complain... not with the greatness that is Gavin Escobar.

Yeah but we can't say too much, we did get Murray in the 3rd.

 

[boozeman]

But I like Bernard... think he could be a full time back... maybe it's my UNC bias though.

It is your bias. He's a specialty guy. He gave up his job in Cincy way too easy.

 

[Cujo]

What Murray does is so vital to this team's success, it's really important that we don't play the plug and play game and cross our fingers with lesser talent. If we are going to replace him, it better be with a real talent, and a guy that shows the same kind of drive, leadership and toughness that Murray put in last season.

You can't break the bank, I understand that, but I would go 4/24 or something, certainly.

If we let him go, fine. But we're fools if we count on Vereen or Moreno types to replace him.

Resigning him doesn't mean we're going to get the same production from him either. The odds are against it. I'm an OU fan so I've been following him a long time. If I'm not mistaken, this is the first whole season he's made it through since he was a Sophomore. During a contract year-hello.
Letting him walk is the smart play, IMHO. Historically, the odds that he rushes for 1k again are less than 50%. We can't afford to be betting against those kinds of odds. Fuck their feelings. This is a business. They know that. AD will be available soon and I think we could get 2 good years out of him for less money. Draft a late round guy and you've got AD, Randle, Dunbar, Williams and a draft pick heading into camp. Looks pretty good to me. Murray won't make it through 2 seasons unscathed.

 

[L.T. Fan]

. Murray won't make it through 2 seasons unscathed.

Few players do go two years without having some injury or missing some time. A contract can include such things to protect the organization. I would have been nice to have had Lee on one.

 

[Carp]

Few players do go two years without having some injury or missing some time. A contract can include such things to protect the organization. I would have been nice to have had Lee on one.

The team is actually protected very well with the Lee contract.

 

[L.T. Fan]

The team is actually protected very well with the Lee contract.

Glad to hear that. I would hope that would be a trend for future contracts.

 

[Genghis Khan]

Resigning him doesn't mean we're going to get the same production from him either. The odds are against it. I'm an OU fan so I've been following him a long time. If I'm not mistaken, this is the first whole season he's made it through since he was a Sophomore. During a contract year-hello.
Letting him walk is the smart play, IMHO. Historically, the odds that he rushes for 1k again are less than 50%. We can't afford to be betting against those kinds of odds. Fuck their feelings. This is a business. They know that. AD will be available soon and I think we could get 2 good years out of him for less money. Draft a late round guy and you've got AD, Randle, Dunbar, Williams and a draft pick heading into camp. Looks pretty good to me. Murray won't make it through 2 seasons unscathed.

I get all that and to a certain extent I agree. But I feel like it's actually less of a risk with Murray at 27 than a never was like Vereen or whomever. I think the attention a top notch player at the position garners from the defense can't be understated.

Peterson is intriguing, but hell, he has a lot of wear and tear and he is 30. There's certainly some risk there too.

I think regardless, we need to draft a guy pretty high. And it better be the right guy.

 

[ravidubey]

I think regardless, we need to draft a guy pretty high. And it better be the right guy.

Yep, because like Cujo posted you almost certainly won't be getting Murray's 2014 productivity from anyone you sign or draft no matter who it is, even Murray himself.

You need a primary back who is elite and then two other backs who are good enough on any given day. The rest of the league, unlike Dallas, seems to have no trouble finding the backups.

Elite backs are rare finds via FA. Ricky Watters-- is that it? Garrison Hearst was a lucky find off the scrap heap. Normally you get guys past their prime on the way down.

 

[Genghis Khan]

I think, given a commitment to the run, the presence of a dangerous QB like Romo, and a dominant offensive line, it's definitely possible to repeat Murray's production, whether with Murray or someone else.

But you can't do it with just anyone.

 

[p1_]

I think, given a commitment to the run, the presence of a dangerous QB like Romo, and a dominant offensive line, it's definitely possible to repeat Murray's production, whether with Murray or someone else.

But you can't do it with just anyone.

Even 75% would suffice I think. That level of run game opens up so much . I think it's doable in a variety of ways.

 

[ravidubey]

Even 75% would suffice I think. That level of run game opens up so much . I think it's doable in a variety of ways.

Murray had almost 400 carries and broke a lot of long runs even when blocking wasn't there. Several drives kept going instead of stalling because of Murray's talent. 75% of that talent probably wouldn't get you there, especially durability-wise. Guys like Randle can only take what the line (and their fresh legs) give them.

Two backs with better breakaway speed and fewer fumbles could maintain production at the expense of an active roster spot.

A guy like Duke Johnson in the 2nd or maybe 3rd might add that speed