Running backs come into the NFL a dime a dozen.
The Dallas Cowboys have been fortunate enough to land on some great ones in Tony Dorsett, Calvin Hill, Emmitt Smith, and Ezekiel Elliott.
Toss in Herschel Walker, albeit for a short period, and you can argue for running back university in Dallas.
Even with that distinguished list, the talent in that position does not end there.
DeMarco Murray and Tony Pollard both waited their turn to be the lead dog in their offenses, although the amount of time they sat on ice differed substantially.
Green Bay, WI 1/11/2015
CREDIT: Tom Lynn (Photo by Tom Lynn /Sports Illustrated via Getty Images)
(Set Number: X159133 TK1 )
Both running backs represented Tough decisions for Dallas
DeMarco Murray earned playing time in his rookie season, but some would attribute it to the injuries to players in front of him.
Unfortunately, the storybook ending as the featured running back crashed abruptly and unexpectedly for fans.
During the 2014 season, Murray earned the offensive player of the year award and led the league in rushing with 1845 rushing yards.
He was also influential in the passing game hauling 57 receptions on 64 targets.
His injury list was a concern in his first three seasons with Dallas. Once he jumped that hurdle, DeMarco was ready to cash in.
Did the Dallas front office fumble the bag with that below-market offer they made to Murray?
Possibly.
Reports went rampant when the offer Dallas conjured hit the new cycle described as a 4-year deal worth between $16 million and $24 million.
DeMarco got his guarantees from the Philadelphia Eagles, but they would only pay it for a short time. He lasted all of one season with the division rivals.
The question now is, should Murray have taken a hometown discount to keep that team together?
I would never tell a player to overlook long-term financial security.
Considering that team’s potential, it would have been appropriate to include the question in the equation.
Tony Pollard’s story is still being written by someone else
Tony Pollard finds himself in a similar situation as DeMarco Murray. He is on a team loaded and primed for a 2024 playoff push.
Tony had his breakout season in 2022. He was still in the shadows of Elliott, but he would no longer watch from the sidelines.
Cowboys’ fans had been waiting for Pollard to get more playing time. He played sparingly over his first three seasons, but his carries increased yearly.
When Dallas finally split the carries equally, he made the most of his opportunity.
He assumed his role as lightning to Zeke’s thunder, and that combination was the best in the league.
Pollard ran for 1007 yards and 371 yards by air. Coincidentally, Murray and Pollard had breakout seasons in their fourth years.
Even with the injury, Tony has propelled himself into a Top-10 running back in the NFL.
The difference now is Dallas has control. Unlike when they needed the tag for Dez in Murray’s contract year, they had that financial tool to use on Tony.
Coming soon to a theater near you are contracts for players like CeeDee Lamb and Trevon Diggs. They will get the headlines and attention.
Tony Pollard signed the $10.09 million franchise tag and reported to camp without any controversy. I doubt he will be front-page news with Diggs and Lamb grabbing the media’s attention.
The Dallas Cowboys will approach a familiar crossroads.
Will they offer Pollard a competitive offer, or will they throw out a number that fits their cap situation?
Better yet, will they tell the man known as TP20 thanks but no thanks?
The fan in me yells bring Tony back, but the realist inside thinks he’ll follow a similar path as Murray once did.
The offensive line was largely responsible for DeMarco Murray’s success in 2014. He didn’t have much success running with the Eagles line. Earl Campbell was the only running back I have every seen that didn’t depend on having a good offensive line to be successful.
Don Kiolbassa Walter Payton says hi
Don Kiolbassa Barry sanders the lions offensive line was horrible.
Great line yes, a few years later they got another rushing title.
The scheme and style for demarco Murray’s game is what worked.
Downhill north and south runner…the moment chip Kelly sign demarco Murray I said it’s not gonna work…he’s not a skatback, not shady McCoy. Offenses that go east to west, pac 10 lateral gun slinger groups are different. I feel like chip Kelly channeled his inner Jerry jones. The splash move that didn’t work that led to his exit from the nfl.
Anyway, I think after Murray made life changing money from the bench, he did ok in tennesse as an old man right?
Lupe Lopez, no, it wasn’t. Huge myth.
Dan Doody gained almost 1300 yards in 2016, so I’d say so.
Good for him, always liked and understood why he followed the money and split town
Hell yeah he is
Dallas needs Tony!!
Garbage
I hope so. Because it doesn’t pay to fall in love with a RB and pay a 7 figure contract.
It only sells jerseys not tickets to playoff games.
Yes
With the team we have this year he should take us to the promised land !
No way he leads the league in rushing yards
No, Demarco didn’t make it this far.
Logan Crump you mean being NFL Offensive Player of the year in 2014 is not “making it this far”. Maybe I missed something.
Greg Jackson one contract.
Yep no Zeke to wear down defenses
Might be… but if the Cowboys are diligent with their RB Room then why not! It’s good to have a Lead Back..it’s just in today’s NFL it’s better to have 2 to 3 Good RBs instead of 1 that’s Great
Don’tknow bout Pollard yet but they def blew it with Murray and bout to do the same wit Zeke
Frank Schoefield
They made the right decision on Murray. He would have cost a fortune to keep. He had a history of injuries. And the history of RBs having a good season after a big year was not good.
Instead we let DeMarco go to Philadelphia where burned up some of their salary cap.
Their mistake was not drafting another RB. The RB by committee idea did not work.
No,I don’t think he will hold up the load
I think Zeke will end up signing a contract with the Cowboys for a smaller amount so we will have a very competent backfield