Machota: Is Murray capable of a 2,000-yard season?

[boozeman]

Is Murray capable of a 2,000-yard season?



JON MACHOTA |

Published: Wednesday, July 10, 2013, 3:41pm


DeMarco Murray should be a full participant when training camp starts in Oxnard, Calif. later this month. The Dallas Cowboys starting running back said Wednesday that he's "100 percent, ready to go."

"I'm doing everything," Murray added. "Full speed."

Murray made those comments during an interview on "The Herd with Colin Cowherd," one of three ESPN shows the 25-year-old appeared on Wednesday morning.

Getting an update on Murray's health status has been common since he was selected by the Cowboys in the third round of the 2011 NFL Draft. The former Oklahoma standout has missed nine games the last two seasons because of foot and ankle injuries. Murray also missed some time during off-season activities this year with a strained hamstring.

In 23 career games, Murray has rushed for 1,560 yards, which includes a franchise record 253-yard day against the St. Louis Rams in 2011. If Murray stayed healthy for an entire season, what would he be capable of?

While on "First Take," Murray was asked if he was capable of a 2,000-yard season like his friend, Minnesota's Adrian Peterson.

"I think I'm capable of anything," Murray said.

Of course, the Cowboys would need to make a greater commitment to the running game for that to happen. Some believe having Bill Callahan calling the plays will make the offense more balanced. Last season, the Cowboys finished 31st in rushing and Tony Romo attempted a career-high 648 passes.

"We definitely need to emphasize the running game," Murray said on SportsCenter. "When you're second-to-last in attempts, more than likely you're going to be second-to-last in rushing, so we definitely got to get the running game going."

Murray said he didn't think the change in play-caller would be significant because it's still Garrett's system. He added that Garrett is a "great play-caller" and Callahan is a "great coach" that has "had a lot of success calling plays."

"I think to be a successful on offense you got to be balanced," Murray said, "and running the ball is definitely a key for this team."

So why does Murray think the Cowboys threw the ball so much last season?

"There were some times when we got down early, so we had to throw the ball," Murray said. "We kind of got away from the run game. This year we got to stay balanced and continue to ground-and-pound, and that will open up lanes for Romo. And with him letting it fly a little bit, that will open up lanes for myself."
-------------

Yeah.

Sure, DeMarco.

~snicker~

 

[Smitty]

WTF?

1) No, he's not that good. Only 7 guys have done it in history. OJ Simpson, Eric Dickerson, Barry Sanders, Terrell Davis, Jamal Lewis, Chris Johnson, and Adrian Peterson. You see Murray's name on par with these guys?

2) Murray is waaaaaay too fragile. He probably will never player a full 16 games without missing at least a little time here or there. And if he was to go a whole season without getting injured, it's probably because we've reduced his workload, which would also mean there's no way he gets 2000 yards.

3) On this offense? This is a pass first offense. More likely that Romo throws for 6,000 yards than Murrary rushing for 2,000.

 

[Texas Ace]

The guy can't even play 16 games and we're asking if he can run for 2,000 yards?

 

[Genghis Khan]

 

[boozeman]

The guy can't even play 16 games and we're asking if he can run for 2,000 yards?

Not only was it asked but he answered to the affirmative. That's the problem with almost all of our "talent". I think they hear how great they are from the brass so much they start to get as delusional as they are. It is a mindset.

And please, spare me the "what was he supposed to say?" stuff. There are diplomatic ways of answering that question and his was just laughably arrogant.

 

[Donpingon]

I hope not, Jerry would instantly sign him to a 10 year $300m contract

 

[BipolarFuk]

Not only was it asked but he answered to the affirmative. That's the problem with almost all of our "talent". I think they hear how great they are from the brass so much they start to get as delusional as they are. It is a mindset.

And please, spare me the "what was he supposed to say?" stuff. There are diplomatic ways of answering that question and his was just laughably arrogant.

The correct answer would have been, "2000 yards? LOL....I'm just trying to play 16 games, man."

 

[Lotuseater]

Not only was it asked but he answered to the affirmative. That's the problem with almost all of our "talent". I think they hear how great they are from the brass so much they start to get as delusional as they are. It is a mindset.

And please, spare me the "what was he supposed to say?" stuff. There are diplomatic ways of answering that question and his was just laughably arrogant.

I would have answered " well Colin, I'm just trying to play a full season before I worry about uncommon feats."


2000 friggin yds?

 

[p1_]

Let's talk about about playing the season through first. Maybe be a 1,000 yard back first.

 

[boozeman]

Let's talk about about playing the season through first. Maybe be a 1,000 yard back first.

I think he needs to prove he is not another Julius Jones who flashes early and then flames out.

 

[dallen]

What do you want him to say? "No way! I am basically Mr. Glass. I'll be surprised if I can walk from here to the bathroom without catching a crippling case of turf toe."

 

[Bob Roberts]

Eh, you need confidence and to set goals in life. If you don't believe in yourself, why should anyone else?

That being said, there's no goddamn way he'll get anywhere near 2k.

 

[L.T. Fan]

In Murray's behalf, he was the back recruited to replace Peterson so that should say something about his talent potential. And oh yes, I know about his injury history.

 

[ravidubey]

Are you shitting me?

BTW, a 2000 yard season is like a death knell for the offense. It means the rest of the team and especially the passing game is a pile of fail.

I'd much rather see 1200-1400 from DeMarco, 600-900 from other rushers, and 5000+ from Romo. With Romo at QB, the offense should be aiming for over 7000 yards a season. That's the tragedy of this OL. The hardest part, QB, has been taken care of.

 

[EZ22]

Jesus Christ.

 

[1bigfan13]

In today's NFL about the only way you're sniffing 2,000 yards as a running back is if you have an average QB. If Romo is healthy I expect the Pass:Run ration to be 63:37

Starting QBs for teams with a 2,000 yard rusher:

1973 Bills: OJ Simpson - Starting QB: Joe Ferguson

1984 LA Rams: Eric Dickerson - Starting QB: Jeff Kemp

1997 Lions: Barry Sanders - Starting QB: Scott Mitchell

1998 Broncos: Terrell Davis - Starting QB: John Elway

2003 Ravens: Jamal Lewis - Starting QB: Kyle Boller

2009 Titans: Chris Johnson - Starting QBs: Vince Young and Kerry Collins

2012 Vikings: Adrian Peterson - Starting QB: Christian Ponder


An end of the line Elway is the best QB of the group.

 

[2233boys]

I hope that isn't the pass to run ratio. We need to be more balanced if we are going to win.

 

[1bigfan13]

I hope that isn't the pass to run ratio. We need to be more balanced if we are going to win.

That's about where they were last year.

 

[Clay_Allison]

What the hell is this?

 

[ravidubey]

I hope that isn't the pass to run ratio. We need to be more balanced if we are going to win.

The blueprint for the best offenses can be found in New England and New Orleans. Both teams throw for two and a half times as many yards as they run but they still have top-ten rush offenses. These offenses surpass being merely balanced, they can run it down your throat and light you up in the passing game.

Dallas doesn't have the guards or consistent health at RB to be in this league, but it doesn't mean they shouldn't strive to reach it.