Is DeMarco Murray capable of a 2,000-yard season? Murray: ‘I think I’m capable of anything’

DeMarco Murray 100 percent for training camp

later this month. The Dallas Cowboys starting running back said Wednesday that hes 100 percent, ready to go. Im 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 Murrays 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, Minnesotas Adrian Peterson.

DeMarco Murray: It’s not all on Romo

Murray has missed nine of those 27 games because of leg injuries. He’s also scored a grand total of six touchdowns, never more than one in the same game. So the 83.1 yards per game he’s averaged as a starter is a decent enough figure, but it’s not enough to get him any further up this list until we see some sustained proof that things can get better. Can Demarco Murray Premier Jersey they? The Cowboys drafted Joseph Randle this year, and he’s a threat to take over if Murray gets hurt, just as Murray was a threat to Felix Jones in 2011. Murray has incentive to stay healthy, for sure. And the Cowboys are changing some things about the way they design and implement their offense this year, with quarterback Tony Romo being more involved during the week and offensive coordinator Bill Callahan taking over play-calling duties on game day. There’s also the chance of improved interior offensive line play with the help of first-round pick Travis Frederick , which would help Murray run better and possibly avoid injury. But in the end, the biggest questions aren’t about the Cowboys, but about Murray himself.

DeMarco Murray: I can have 2,000 yards for Cowboys

Brandt: Cowboys will win NFC East Gil Brandt lists 10 reasons to think Tony Romo and the Dallas Cowboys will dramatically improve their fortunes in 2013. More … Murray dealt with a hamstring issue this spring, but he said he’s “100 percent” and will be “ready to go” for training camp this month. Murray’s inability to avoid injuries has led to questions if he can shoulder the load over a full season. But this is July, a time of eternal optimism in the NFL. During an appearance on the yellfest “First Take,” Murray was asked if he had the ability to run for 2,000 yards in a season. “I think I’m capable of anything,” Murray replied, via The Dallas Morning News . (Note: If Murray and Dez Bryant both go over 2,000 yards in 2013, how much pie will that leave for Miles Austin and Jason Witten ? We estimate a mid-sized crumb.

Fantasy Week: DeMarco Murray

Cowboys’ Offensive History With a 253-yard and three 130-plus-yard efforts, along with five games of 40 yards or less, Murray’s been the definition of “boom-or-bust” with the Cowboys. As it currently stands, Murray’s career yards-per-carry average is 4.8, which is .2 yards lower than Peterson’s (in 1,429 fewer carries). Take away the first five games of his NFL career, before he was the unquestioned starter in Dallas, and Murray’s yards-per-carry average is 4.95. His 25-carry, 253-yard breakout campaign is majorly responsible for his relatively high per-carry efficiency and overall yardage sum, but there have been four instances in which Murray averaged at least five yards per carry in a game when he was not given more than 14 carries. Also, Tony Romo ‘s presence mustn’t be ignored. Fully healthy a season ago, the polarizing quarterback threw the ball 648 times, which was the third-highest total in the NFL. Tom Pennington/Getty Images As a team, per ProFootballFocus (subscription required) the Cowboys ran 703 pass plays to only 355 on the ground, which equated to a run percentage of 33.55, a offensive tendency that doesn’t bode well for Murray’s 2,000-yard chances. To compare, the Minnesota Vikings ran 591 pass plays to 515 runs in 2012, a run percentage 46.5 percent. This chart illustrates how trulystark the contrast was: Not surprisingly, in Murray’s non-100 yard games, his cumulative yards-per-carry average dipped to 3.89, definitely not part of the recipe for a 2,000-yard masterpiece. Additionally, he only averages 82.6 yards per game in his 18 games as the “starter.” If Murray was given the 348 carries Peterson received in 2012, at the 4.95 yards-per-carry he averages in 18 games as the starter, he’d finish a full season with 1,722 yards. Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Images Larry Johnson carried the ball a record 416 times in 2006, and ran for 1,789 yards. Therefore, Murray would have to be fed the ball a whopping 405 timesan attempt total which would be exceeded only by James Wilder in 1984, Jamal Anderson in 1998 and Larry Johnson in 2007to eclipse 2,000 yards. Actually, in the theoretical, absolute best-case scenario, extrapolating the 6.0 yard-per-carry average Murray had in his first nine games as the starter in Dallas, 334 carries would get him to 2,000. However, in an offense that appeared to be decidedly pass-predicated in 2012and forced to throw more when trailingit seems as though Murray would be lucky to get 300 carries, much less 400. Even 334 would be considered far fetched. Murray’s Injuries The Cowboys’ dedication to frequently passing the football isn’t the only part of history that suggests Murray would have an exceptionally difficult time reaching 2,000 yards in a season. The powerful runner has dealt with a variety of injuries early in his career. Tom Pennington/Getty Images Murray has appeared in 23 of a possible 32 games since joining the Cowboys in 2011, and he missed six games in 2012 with a nagging foot injury. While some firmly believe in the term “injury-prone,” injuries seem to be more random than anything else, so there’s no real way to predict if Murray can stay healthy or not. Then again, his ultra-violent running style would lend credence to the idea that he may be more “prone” to injuries than other backs who avoid contact more often. And we can all agreeto get to 2,000 yards, Murrayhasto play in all 16 games. Conclusion From physical and athletic standpoints, Murray is, somewhat surprisingly, quite similar to Peterson, although AP, overall, is more of a freakish specimen. They’re comparable in size and stature, boast nearly identical timed speed, run with extreme urgency and rarely shy away from contact. Will DeMarco Murray near the 2,000-yard mark in 2012? Yes Submit Vote vote to see results Will DeMarco Murray near the 2,000-yard mark in 2012?

Could DeMarco Murray Really Tally a 2,000-Yard Season?

“Im doing everything,” he said. “Full speed.” The trick will be keeping Murray 100 percent. Injury prone in college, he’s missed nine games over his first two NFL campaigns, and appeared sluggish after returning from a foot injury last season. Murray will be a high-risk, high-reward RB2. All things considered, this has been the 25-year-old’s healthiest offseason so far in the pros. Report: 49ers want to dump CB Carlos Rogers NFL reporter Jason Cole “keeps hearing” the 49ers “don’t want to keep” CB Carlos Rogers. Rogers was considered a potential cap casualty when the offseason began, but many figured he was a “lock” once $1.25 million of his $5.5 million salary became guaranteed on April 1. Following the acquisition of Eric Wright, all three of Rogers, Wright, and Nnamdi Asomugha will have to compete to keep roster spots. Despite the partial salary guarantee, the 49ers could create $4.99 million in cap space by cutting ties with Rogers.

Sorry. So basically your saying Romo plays all 22 positions for the team? Dont make such stupid comments. jaltreality says: Jul 10, 2013 2:59 PM Well, thats just the nature of the job. Fair or not, QBs get all the credit (see: Joe Flaccos post-Super Bowl contract), they get all the blame. grrsnronw says: Jul 10, 2013 3:06 PM Romo always gets the blame when the Cowboys dont win. Hell the defense couldnt stop a 5 year old from running on them or passing on them. The defense has been the problem for years in Dallas. Every since Bill Parcells wanted to switch to the 3-4 instead of keeping the 4-3 which Dallas had always run and won Super Bowls with. So I would like to know why is Romo always the blame sure he has made some bone head plays but every QB in the league has even the Manning Brothers hell Romo is better than Eli any day.