MacMahon: Murray's ability to avoid tackles questioned

[Cotton]

Murray's ability to avoid tackles questioned

September, 19, 2013

By Tim MacMahon | ESPNDallas.com


The Dallas Cowboys’ problems running the ball begin with poor blocking.

That was the case last season, when the Cowboys ranked second to last in the league in rushing offense, setting a franchise record for futility. That was the case again last weekend in Kansas City, when DeMarco Murray gained only 25 yards on 12 carries.

“They weren’t really moving anybody off the ball,” former Eagles and Redskins pro personnel director Louis Riddick said during a Wednesday appearance on ESPN Dallas 103.3 FM’s Fitzsimmons and Durrett.

But Riddick, an ESPN analyst now, doesn’t believe Murray should avoid blame. That’s because he doesn’t see Murray avoid tacklers nearly often enough.

“DeMarco is a hard runner, but I have always had some issues with DeMarco because he is very, very, very straight line,” Riddick said. “He has no ability to make people miss.

“As a matter of fact, you saw numerous times that there were some holes that DeMarco could have got through, but he is a guy who has to gather himself to really make hard, sharp cuts to exploit those running lanes. Sometimes it looks like he’s leaning so far forward he’s stumbling, his head’s down and he’ll just run into the back of his own lineman, run into holes where it’s obviously clogged up and he’s not able to move laterally.

“I don’t know if they have anybody on their roster that can really execute those type of cuts the way you want a running back to be able to, especially when the window of opportunity opens and closes really fast. I think [Lance] Dunbar is the guy who’s most able to do that.”

 

[Texas Ace]

Ben Tate is going to be leaving the Texans after this season.

Depending on how the rest of the season goes, I would consider giving him a 4 year deal between 12-15 million.

We don't need a star, but we do need a talented RB with the tools to be a consistent producer. Tate has the pedigree and has looked good in his time with the Texans, but the key with him is staying healthy.

If DeMarco continues to show no vision and Tate has a big year, I'd like to see the team make Tate an offer in the offseason. 3-4 million a year isn't that bad of a deal, and I doubt he'll command big money.

 

[ravidubey]

We don't need a star,

Ace, I disagree. This team needs a player who can offset all the bullshit that comes from Garrett and this front office's idea of an NFL offensive or defensive line. Dallas needs someone who can do for the running game what Romo does in the passing game, basically protect our neutered and incompetent management from itself.

 

[Angrymesscan]

I'm not a believer in FA RB's.

 

[skidadl]

I'm to the point that I want to see a really good RB on the team.

 

[ravidubey]

I'm to the point that I want to see a really good RB on the team.

This here.

 

[jester]

His vision and cut back ability is what has been missing in a big way since he went down last year. That coupled by the earlier discussion this pre season after the Terrell Davis' claim that DM runs to Darkness.

I've been trying to pay more attention to this and can't really know for certain as the camera angle view plays tricks on spacing and angles.

One thing is for sure, the running game is a disaster.

 

[p1_]

As moves have been made to improve the line, Murray will be exposed if not already.

 

[Genghis Khan]

I'm not a believer in FA RB's.

Yep. In most cases I'd be against a FA RB.

 

[Genghis Khan]

Ben Tate is going to be leaving the Texans after this season.

Depending on how the rest of the season goes, I would consider giving him a 4 year deal between 12-15 million.

We don't need a star, but we do need a talented RB with the tools to be a consistent producer. Tate has the pedigree and has looked good in his time with the Texans, but the key with him is staying healthy.

If DeMarco continues to show no vision and Tate has a big year, I'd like to see the team make Tate an offer in the offseason. 3-4 million a year isn't that bad of a deal, and I doubt he'll command big money.

We'd be much better off drafting a good cheap RB and using that 3 mil elsewhere.

 

[Genghis Khan]

As moves have been made to improve the line, Murray will be exposed if not already.

Too soon to bury Murray. He had one bad game against a defense that's been playing pretty well.

 

[skidadl]

Too soon to bury Murray. He had one bad game against a defense that's been playing pretty well.

It is not just the bad game. Bad games or bad streaks just happen to all non-elite players. That is understandable.

The question is if he can really be the guy, IMO. I haven't given up but I have my doubts. He runs like a retard sometimes.

 

[ravidubey]

I think Murray has been so used to running behind bad OLs both in Dallas and at Oklahoma that he's learned to suppress his breakaway instincts and just grind for whatever yardage he can.

It's commendable, really, but he needs to change. His current "attack" approach is not only going to slow the offense and reduce confidence in him it will also cripple his longevity.

 

[p1_]

It is not just the bad game. Bad games or bad streaks just happen to all non-elite players. That is understandable.

The question is if he can really be the guy, IMO. I haven't given up but I have my doubts. He runs like a retard sometimes.

And I don't think the blocking has been horrid each and every time he has touched the ball.

 

[jester]

I think Murray has been so used to running behind bad OLs both in Dallas and at Oklahoma that he's learned to suppress his breakaway instincts and just grind for whatever yardage he can.

It's commendable, really, but he needs to change. His current "attack" approach is not only going to slow the offense and reduce confidence in him it will also cripple his longevity.

His running is not just an issue on the LOS level, it's when he's at the second level as well. He doesn't get small in the hole when the holes are small as needed because of bad blocking. Then, if he gets to the second level he doesn't seem to create his own spacemby showing commitment toward one direction then changing his angle attack therefore challenging the defenders to adjust their close angle. It's like he wants to be a faster version of MB3 during his peak, initiating contact to tacklers to get by them.

Picking up bad habits from running behind bad lines, still make him a bad runner.