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DeMarco Murray Risky to Keep AND to Lose

By Reid Hanson

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As fervently as fans argue over whether or not to keep DeMarco Murray as Dallas Cowboy, there just isn’t an easy answer. The Cowboys likely know what they are doing with Murray, (make a realistic offer or not), but the fans and media have been left speculating. As we discussed last week, the Cowboys have the money (or can easily take steps to clear the cap space) to sign BOTH Dez Bryant AND DeMarco Murray. It’s purely a matter of “do they really want to” and “at what cost”.

What’s the right answer?

Beats the hell out of me. There are a multitude of intelligent arguments on both sides of the DeMarco Coin. The only dumb answer to this whole debate, is an answer that refuses to see the opposite viewpoint.

There is no perfect answer. Some of us value DeMarco Murray more than others, just like some of us value the running back position more than others. These sorts of opinions and discussions will always fuel a lively debate. But everyone needs to realize, the only brainless answer here is one that thinks the answer is a no-brainer. One thing is for sure, there are consequences on both sides of the issue…

 Consequences of Signing DeMarco Murray

Signing DeMarco Murray has obvious advantages. Murray is a special player perfectly tailored to play in this system. He’s a patient, one-cut runner, who gets downhill in a hurry. He has speed and strength. He’s a receiving threat as well as a top-notch pass protector. Murray is the complete package and by most accounts a top-5 RB in the NFL.

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But signing DeMarco Murray to a deal comes with risk as well. First, it’s difficult to ignore the money side of things. The NFL is a zero-sum game. If you give Murray more money, you have to take money away from someplace else. Murray will at least be in the $7M per year neighborhood. With so much money devoted to the offense already, that $7M will certainly come out of the defensive budget. Are you ok if the Cowboys make cuts on defense and only upgrade through the draft? If Murray is re-signed, that is likely to be the consequence.

DeMarco Murray’s 2014 workload and injury history is something that cannot be ignored either. Last year was really the first time DeMarco was able to play a full season. It was more the exception, rather than the rule. To expect him to make it through another 16 season would be wildly optimistic and not a very reasonable expectation. Factor in his ridiculously heavy workload last season and very legitimate reasons for concern. History tells us even the greatest, and most durable running backs fall back to earth after a workload like Murray’s, imagine what will happen to someone like Murray.

The most concerning of all regards the length of the deal. If Murray is paid like a top 5 RB, then he better defy age, and his own injury history, or else the Cowboys could be in big trouble. Like all NFL players, Murray is only useful when he’s on the field. If the aforementioned previous workload catches up with him, the Cowboys are financially committed to sucking it up and enduring it. If Murray wants a 4-5 yr deal with $25M guaranteed at an annual average of $7M per season, Murray has to reliably perform over the first 3 yrs of the deal.

Consequences of NOT Re-signing DeMarco Murray

These are fairly obvious. DeMarco Murray is the returning NFL rushing leader. As mentioned before, he’s a player perfectly tailored to play in this zone blocking system. He’s a patient, one-cut runner, who gets downhill in a hurry. He has speed and strength. He’s a receiving threat as well as a top-notch pass protector. There are very few RBs in the NFL that possess all of the skills DeMarco Murray does. Most teams have specialists that…well…specialize.

If DeMarco Murray is let go in free agency, the Cowboys will need to fill Murray’s role with multiple players. It’s possible they go after a highly regarded RB in the draft, and it’s possible that RB proves to be a complete back like Murray…But it’s a gamble.

The Dallas Cowboys’ offensive line is tops in the league. They can open holes for anyone, but that doesn’t mean just anyone can have the success DeMarco Murray did. Joseph Randle can certainly break off big runs, but he’s not the same power back that Murray is. Lance Dunbar can catch out of the backfield, but he’s far from complete.

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By having a complete back like Murray, the Cowboys can lineup with optimal personnel and not tip their hands. If the Cowboys bring in a player like Dunbar, teams can deduce that the Cowboys won’t be running between the tackles. Murray keeps teams from assuming because he can do it all.

Murray may be extremely costly, and possibly even replaceable from a committee, but it’s a gamble to think he can be replaced by one man. The savings of letting Murray walk are substantial, but he’s not realistically going to be 100% replaceable.

Both sides to the argument make sense and both sides require speculation while assuming risk. That’s why this is such a polarizing issue. That’s why smart people on both sides of the spectrum can validly argue the point.

Whatever the Cowboys decide to do, you can bet your sweet “donkey” they will be second-guessed for years. Let’s pray they make the right choice…whatever it is.

Next: How Dez Bryant Will SAVE the Cowboys Money

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