Remember the days of the Dallas Cowboys and the running back carousel, of sorts? It came to an end when DeMarco Murray had a kind of random breakout season and was set to get paid a lot of dollars. Happening at a time when running back durability is something that scared teams out of signing long-term deals; his great success would have to continue in another city. Something completely different than you who can have success playing online casino games in any state or city of the country
They wanted this to be another team’s problem. They had this great RB, still just 26 years of age, but the decision was made that he would walk. He would play for two teams over the next three years before calling it quits. He never made it to the end of that next contract.
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Inching Towards Greatness
After being a third-round pick in the 2011 NFL Draft, DeMarco Murray made an instant impact in Dallas. He showed he was capable of getting a heavy carries load, and could run wild when given a chance. He picked up 897 yards on the ground during his first season, crossing the end zone twice. One of those was a 91-yard gain, which saw him sprinting end to end.
Murray was able to put up those impressive numbers in just 13 games. And the following year, he would be limited to just 10. It was clear that he was having issues staying on the field. He wasn’t the first running back, and certainly would not be the last, to have injury woes. And at that position, one hit too many can end things, and if it doesn’t, it takes away the confidence of GM’s in you to provide a spark.
Flash ahead to his third campaign with America’s Team, and Murray was looking pretty spry. He started in 14 games during the 2013 year, and put up some solid numbers. He had his first 1,000-yard season, finishing with 1,121 yards and nine touchdowns on 217 carries. He was elected to his first Pro Bowl, as the team finally started to win a little more than they lost.
Murray came to Dallas amidst some losing, and then the following season, they would advance in the playoffs, in large part thanks to one of the most impressive seasons by a player at his position of the decade.
2014 DeMarco Murray
To say that Murray was simply ‘great’ in 2014 would be an understatement to the level he was able to reach. He was unstoppable, and it seemed un-tackleable as well. He was given 392 carries for the year, the biggest load of his 4-year career by over 175. He was being trusted to be the RB1, with the burden of handling the ball often. Whether it’s good or bad for a player’s career to have this many is to be determined.
He wound up with 1,845 yards and 13 touchdowns. Murray also caught 57 of his 64 targets for another 416 yards. The yards-per-carry number for him actually dropped from the prior year, some of the additional yards of the season just happening as a result of heavy usage.
He picked up 198 yards on 44 rushing attempts, scoring two touchdowns in the Cowboys two playoff games. He was unstoppable. He was a workhorse who no team had an answer for. If they tackle him short on one play, he will run wild on the next.
And after a season like this, DeMarco Murray wanted to be paid. Dallas said… good luck with that. He was gone. After a wild year. On to Philadelphia.
Philly and Tennessee
The Eagles decided to give Murray a 5-year, $35 million deal. It was not that common for a running back to have long-term job security and dollars like that. But, here it was. Murray wasn’t too great in a Philly uniform. He played in 15 games, starting 8. He ran for 702 yards and scored six touchdowns. He caught another 44 passes for 322 yards and a TD.
He would be gone by the end of the year, averaging 3.6 yards per carry. He re-achieved Pro Bowl status in Tennessee the following year, ending up with 1,287 yards and nine touchdowns, plus three more receiving ones.
Unfortunately, the following year, the team drafted Derrick Henry. And after the two split carries for a year, they told Murray to take a hike. He ran for 659 yards and six scores. That’s all she wrote. His career was done from there. And Henry is still among the best in the league at his position.
