George: Confidence in DeMarco Murray 'grows by the week'; game vs. 49ers was worst of Doug Free's career
Cowboys beat writer Brandon George answered your questions in a live chat Thursday. Here are some highlights.
Comment From Mark ... What's up with the running game? Seriously, is it the running backs or the line? Is it play calling? Not many teams go very far without one. Should Tony run the ball, too?
Brandon George (Twitter: @dmn_george): Obviously, Tony Romo doesn't need to be running the ball right now with a fractured rib. Or any time for that matter. The running game is off to a slow start, to say the least, and I believe the offensive line is an issue with the team's inability to run well. There haven't been many holes. This offensive line is built more for the pass. Tashard Choice has been a non-factor.
Comment From Tim ... Is Jenkins ready to play?
Brandon George (Twitter: @dmn_george): Cornerback Mike Jenkins is expected to start Monday night. He fully participated in practice today. Also, Terence Newman fully participated in practice today. He practiced for the first time since pulling his groin Aug. 3 early in training camp. Both should start Monday.
Comment From Anthony ... Do you think the players today care that much about the Cowboys-Redskins rivalry?
Brandon George (Twitter: @dmn_george): From the comments on both sides this week, I'd say yes. The Redskins are talking trash about aiming for the Cowboys' injuries and the Cowboys came back today with some talk of their own. At least the veteran players seem to know what it's all about.
Comment From Anthony ... Is DeMarco Murray going to get the bulk of the carries? Won't that be a huge factor in this game?
Brandon George (Twitter: @dmn_george): I believe you'll see more of Murray in this game than you've seen of him all season. Murray will likely return kickoffs now, too, since the Cowboys cut Bryan McCann. Murray had a good series to end the fourth quarter Sunday.
Comment From Guest ... How confident are the coaches on running back Murray if Jones cant go and Choice doesn't produce?
Brandon George (Twitter: @dmn_george): The Cowboys' confidence in Murray grows by the week. They really like his upside. He still hasn't done very much in the run game, however, and will need to show more. RBs coach Skip Peete told me last week the Cowboys are trying to work Murray in slowly on third downs and right now are going with Choice in that role.
Comment From Matthieu ... I know he faced Justin Smith, probably the top 3-4 End in the league, but Free was just awful last sunday in protection. What's up with him?
Brandon George (Twitter: @dmn_george): It was the worst game of Free's career in Dallas. He really struggled. Smith had something to do with it, but the Cowboys really need Free to play well considering the youth, inexperience and injuries among the other offensive linemen.
Cowboys beat writer Brandon George answered your questions in a live chat Thursday. Here are some highlights.
Comment From Mark ... What's up with the running game? Seriously, is it the running backs or the line? Is it play calling? Not many teams go very far without one. Should Tony run the ball, too?
Brandon George (Twitter: @dmn_george): Obviously, Tony Romo doesn't need to be running the ball right now with a fractured rib. Or any time for that matter. The running game is off to a slow start, to say the least, and I believe the offensive line is an issue with the team's inability to run well. There haven't been many holes. This offensive line is built more for the pass. Tashard Choice has been a non-factor.
Comment From Tim ... Is Jenkins ready to play?
Brandon George (Twitter: @dmn_george): Cornerback Mike Jenkins is expected to start Monday night. He fully participated in practice today. Also, Terence Newman fully participated in practice today. He practiced for the first time since pulling his groin Aug. 3 early in training camp. Both should start Monday.
Comment From Anthony ... Do you think the players today care that much about the Cowboys-Redskins rivalry?
Brandon George (Twitter: @dmn_george): From the comments on both sides this week, I'd say yes. The Redskins are talking trash about aiming for the Cowboys' injuries and the Cowboys came back today with some talk of their own. At least the veteran players seem to know what it's all about.
Comment From Anthony ... Is DeMarco Murray going to get the bulk of the carries? Won't that be a huge factor in this game?
Brandon George (Twitter: @dmn_george): I believe you'll see more of Murray in this game than you've seen of him all season. Murray will likely return kickoffs now, too, since the Cowboys cut Bryan McCann. Murray had a good series to end the fourth quarter Sunday.
Comment From Guest ... How confident are the coaches on running back Murray if Jones cant go and Choice doesn't produce?
Brandon George (Twitter: @dmn_george): The Cowboys' confidence in Murray grows by the week. They really like his upside. He still hasn't done very much in the run game, however, and will need to show more. RBs coach Skip Peete told me last week the Cowboys are trying to work Murray in slowly on third downs and right now are going with Choice in that role.
Comment From Matthieu ... I know he faced Justin Smith, probably the top 3-4 End in the league, but Free was just awful last sunday in protection. What's up with him?
Brandon George (Twitter: @dmn_george): It was the worst game of Free's career in Dallas. He really struggled. Smith had something to do with it, but the Cowboys really need Free to play well considering the youth, inexperience and injuries among the other offensive linemen.