It seems Emmitt Smith isn't the only former All-Pro running back who believes that Philadelphia Eagles ballcarrier DeMarco Murray should have done more with the opportunities afforded him in 2014 as a member of the NFC East rival Dallas Cowboys.
"As a guy that watches a lot of film, Emmitt is correct," former San Diego Chargers and New York Jets running back LaDainian Tomlinson said recently, via the Fort Worth Star-Telegram. "There was a lot of times, and DeMarco is a very physical runner and instead of making that last guy miss and taking it for 50 or 60, he would try and run him over. That's just his style and he would end up getting tackled for 20 instead of 50. So Emmitt is right in that sense, but at the same time, one thing that I do respect about DeMarco is he knows his strengths. He is not a juke guy, he's a downhill, physical runner."
A downhill, physical runner is exactly what Eagles head coach Chip Kelly seems to want as he signed both Murray and the smaller, but quicker Ryan Mathews in free agency. Both players share a one cut-and-go style that, presumably, better suits the offense and zone blocking scheme employed by Kelly.
It's interesting though that so much ink has been expended in regards to this notion that Murray should have done more than he did for Dallas last season. Despite leading the league in carries (392) and rushing yards (1,845) last year and finished the season with over 2,200 all-purpose-yards, there has been consistent talk that Murray should have made more of the blocking in front of him.
It started with Joseph Randle, one of the backs expected to replace Murray's prodigious production with the Cowboys next year, suggesting that Murray had "left a lot of meat on the bone" in the run game, meaning he didn't take full advantage of the space available to him.
Then Smith, the NFL's all-time leading rusher, chimed in.
"I saw some opportunities there that was left on the football field where he could've had 2,500 yards, but he maximized what he had and he did the best with what he had," said Smith, via the Dallas Morning News.
In the end, all that really matters is what Murray is able to do going forward for the Eagles. Is the history of players who post league-high touches rife with success stories in the wake of their record-setting efforts? No. Is Murray certain to fall off in Philly? No.
It will certainly make for interesting viewing for both Cowboys and Eagles fans next year though, as Murray tries to quiet - or simply ignore - the doubters and Randle and recent Cowboys pick-up Darren McFadden do their best to replace - and improve upon - the NFL-leading numbers put up by Murray just one short season ago.
