Cowboys RB DeMarco Murray: ‘I’m going to play all 16’
A sprained left foot forced him to the sideline for six games last season. A fractured right ankle ended the Dallas Cowboys running backs rookie campaign prematurely. Now, Murray is bothered by a tweaked hamstring that forced him to miss the Cowboys first organized team activity Tuesday. We dont want to put any of those guys in a situation where theyre going to take a backwards step, head coach Jason Garrett said. Obviously you want them all out there, going 100 miles an hour. But you have to understand it is May 21, this is OTA 1, and we have a long way to go. So well take a conservative approach. Garrett then added, We anticipate to see him in the next few practices. Murray worked off to the side as did Joseph Randle, the rookie running back who was drafted in the fifth round last month and recently had surgery on his right thumb. Hamstring problems arent anything new for Murray. Before his first-ever NFL training camp, he suffered a similar type of injury that kept him out of commission for much of the preseason.
Cowboys’ DeMarco Murray calms injury fears: ‘I’m going to play all 16’
“That’s something I can’t control. I can’t control if anything happens,” Murray said. “All I can do is go out there, play hard, play fast, play physical. Once I’m out there, I don’t think there’s any question about anything.” Murray produces when he’s on the field, the problem for Dallas is that he’s not on the field that often. The third-year back ran for 663 yards in 10 games last season, a number that projects out to 1,061 yards over a 16-game season. Cowboys receiver Dez Bryant has no problem with Murray sitting out an OTA or two, “The thing about it is, we’re in OTA’s and we don’t want to get him out there when he’s not ready and something come’s up,” Bryant said. “We need him throughout the whole year.” Tight end Jason Witten seems to feel the same way, “I think it’ll be huge for us,” Witten said about having Murray available. “He’s a guy that plays hard and runs hard. He’s a dynamic back who can create a lot of things for you.
Spin Doctors: DeMarco Murray vs. Darren McFadden
Sports DeMarco Murray healed, ready to roll for Cowboys By Brad Biggs | National Football Post Thu, Jun 13, 2013 9:10 AM EDT Tweet 0 DeMarco Murray had durability questions coming out of Oklahoma in 2011 and hes missed nine games in the first two years of his NFL career. So, when a hamstring issue sidelined him earlier this offseason during OTAs, it was troubling for the Dallas Cowboys , at least on the outside looking in. But Murray pronounced himself fully healed in time for the teams mandatory veteran minicamp this week. I definitely feel like Im back to where I need to be , Murray said, according to Brandon George of the Dallas Morning News. But its still early. Im excited to continue to work hard and get to training camp. Thats good news for the Cowboys as Murray should be full go when the team opens training camp next month. He said he cant worry about being injured. I cant go out there thinking too much and getting a couple of the same things drilled in my head, Murray said. Ive got to go out there and make plays. Thats it. Hes also got to prove he can stay on the field. Follow me on Twitter: @ BradBiggs Brad Biggs covers the Bears for the Chicago Tribune
According to Pro Football Focus RB metrics, he was the worst back in the league registering a -19.2 rating, nearly ten ticks below next lowest Chris Johnson. Puke. However, despite his sorrowful 2012 and oft-injured reputation, McFadden is primed for a McFabulous revival. Under the direction of newly installed offensive coordinator Greg Olson and finely mustachioed O-line coach Tony Sparano, the Raiders are scrapping last years zone-blocking system, reverting to a similar power gap set they followed two seasons ago. Recall McFadden racked his finest numbers three years ago in an identical system. That year over 13 games, DMC bulled his way to 1,664 total yards (5.2 ypc) and 10 touchdowns. He also notched the best breakaway percentage in the game (45.7) logging 17 runs of 15-plus yards while forcing 42 total missed tackles. His subsequent 17.3 fantasy points per game ranked top-five. With a decent offensive line in place, an output in range of that this year isnt farfetched. Also keep in mind, the 26-year-0ld, whose career has reached a fork in the road, is in a contract year.
DeMarco Murray healed, ready to roll for Cowboys
Murray said Tuesday after practice that he plans to get back on the field for the Cowboys on Wednesday and “do a little bit.” Murray wasn’t specific when asked when he injured his hamstring, saying, “Not too long ago.” “I just kind of tweaked it a little bit so I’m just trying to be smart about it,” Murray said. “I’m taking it slow and not trying to push it. We don’t have a game this weekend, so I’m trying to make sure I’m smart and let this thing heal up.” A TV news reporter then asked Murray how concerned he was with his injury history, saying that he knows he’s injury-prone. Murray has missed nine games in his first two seasons with the Cowboys because of injuries. “I’m not concerned at all. I wouldn’t say I’m injury-prone, not at all,” Murray said. “Things just happen. This isn’t something I’m worried about. I’m just trying to be smart about it. There’s not a game this weekend, so I’m just slowly but surely making sure I’m doing the right things to stay on the field and it came up. Do a little bit and move on from it.” Though he’s rolled his eyes in the past when the subject has come up, Murray said he’s not bothered when people say he’s injury-prone.
DeMarco Murray vows to play all 16 games for Cowboys
If he can put together a full season for Dallas, it should be a big boost for the Cowboys offense. 22 Responses to DeMarco Murray vows to play all 16 games forCowboys commonsensedude says: May 29, 2013 12:52 AM Thats cool that he already knows that they are only going to play in 16 games this year. petezjunior says: May 29, 2013 12:57 AM Dont say that and jynx your team. Just get out on the field and do your job. bennyb82 says: May 29, 2013 1:12 AM This is funnyonly because he thinks there are only 16 games to be played. Give him credit thoughat least he did not guarantee a super bowl. May 29, 2013 1:20 AM 16 is right, no playoffs for the cowboys May 29, 2013 1:33 AM 16 games? Guess the boys know theyre not going to the playoffs May 29, 2013 2:16 AM Better see if you can practice without getting injured first, DeMarco! hurricane73 says: May 29, 2013 3:03 AM I bet DeMarcos vision of this would be much higher than Vegas odds of it actually happening! May 29, 2013 3:58 AM Yes sir.
DeMarco Murray excited to welcome Joseph Randle into the Dallas Cowboys family
Is Murray going to take it easy Demarco Murray Jersey Sale on the rookie and not give him a hard time about attending a rival school? Well push it to the side for now, Murray said. But Im sure once that game comes around well talk a little bit and hopefully well make a friendly wager, so well see what happens. Randle, a fifth-round selection, is the front-runner for the spot behind Murray but hell have competition from Lance Dunbar and Phillip Tanner, two backs who competed behind Murray and Felix Jones last season. With Jones out of the picture, the Cowboys have a lot of carries up for grabs. Im excited for the new kid, Murray said. Im excited for Lance Dunbar and Phillip Tanner, two great running backs. Those guys have definitely worked hard and have definitely earned themselves a shot at playing time next year. So, Im excited to see what Garrett and our offense does this year. Murray, who has missed nine games over his first two seasons with the Cowboys because of injuries, added that hes not concerned with the number of carries hell receive during the upcoming season. Murray says hes more focused on just getting on the field. Getting carries or catches doesnt matter to me, Murray said.
Meryl Yourish 