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DeMarco Murray: I'm not injury prone, I've missed five games in four years
By SportsDayDFW.com
Published 16 May 2011 02:19 AM
Dallas Cowboys third-round draft pick DeMarco Murray was interviewed on KESN-FM 103.3 on Thursday (5/12) to discuss Oklahoma, being a Dallas Cowboy and what he offers to the team. Here are some highlights:
Were you disappointed at not being a first- or second-round pick?
"At first, I was a little disappointed. But being a part of a draft, and talking to former players who took part in it, how unpredictable it is. Once I got that call from the Cowboys, it was just relief. At the same time, I was blessed to have that opportunity and go through that experience."
Are you in town for the workouts at this undisclosed location, or plan to be a part of them?
"Not yet, I'm actually in town looking for a place down in Dallas. But once I find out in the next few days or week, I plan to be a part of it."
Has anyone reached out to you and extended an invitation?
"I've talked to Keith Brookings. We have the same agent. He expressed it would be great to be down there and get around those guys."
In transiting from the college to pro game, have you talked to Sam Bradford or Adrian Peterson?
"I have. I talked to both Sam and Adrian, and they told me the mental process is different. Everyone is a lot stronger and faster obviously, but at the same time, you have to know your playbook. Know what you have to do to get things accomplished, just by doing the little things throughout the week, throughout the year, to keep your body fresh and keep you strong mentalty."
Do you have playbook, and have you worked through it on your own?
"I got a playbook from Manny Johnson, a former Sooner and a good friend of mine. I was able to look through it and kind of get a feel for it."
What is your favorite play so far?
"Well I haven't actually ran any of them, I'm still just looking at them. I'm trying to understand them."
Are you expecting to come in and compete for that starting job as a Cowboys tailback?
"I just trying to compete. I know they have Marion [Barber], Felix [Jones] and Tashard Choice. Those three guys have been doing it for a while and have done a great job. I definitely plan to learn from those guys and pick their brains a little bit. At the same time, it's all about competing and getting on the field. Helping the team win. It's a team goal."
Barry [Switzer] said he did some work with you and that was one of his projects was talking about you, looking at you and breaking down film. Did you get to know him while you were at OU?
"I spent some time with Coach Switzer. He comes in and out of practice as well as meetings. I've also been to his house a couple times just to hang out with him, reminisce about the old days when he was a head coach here. He's a great guy, a legend around the Sooner campus. I've been able to talk to him a lot, and get his feedback on the Cowboys as well as the NFL."
What's the best advice Coach Switzer has given you?
"The best advice he's given me is just work hard. There's going to be opportunities for me to play and make plays. But I have to work hard throughout the season, I can't take days off. I need to be mentally ready. It's like everyone has said, the game at the next level, everybody is big and strong, but at the same it's about being mentally ready and accept that challenge. Do the things you have to do to win."
What's the rating of some of those war stories Coach Switzer was giving you?
"I probably couldn't say that on the air right now."
You talk about all that tradition at Oklahoma and you've had to live up to a lot of expectations. Coming to the Cowboys, they are one of the top three franchises in all of sports, along with the Yankees and Lakers. How prepared are you for that limelight?
"I'm prepared. Coming from the University of Oklahoma, having a popular tradition and program, playing on ESPN throughout the year. That's something I don't shy away from. That's why I chose to go to Oklahoma, they are known for winning championships. Dallas is known for winning championships. They are one of the top organizations in the world. I'm excited to be a part of the team. It's not a big deal to me."
What has Jason Garrett said about your role on the team?
"I've have a chance to meet with him during the team visit as well as after the draft, but haven't spoken with him since. He said he plans to use me in the passing game and the running game. He likes my blocking ability as well as my catching ability out of the backfield. My ability to line up, whether it be slot or outside receiver. He definitely loves that I can catch well."
Is that one aspect of your game that a lot of people may not even realize, your ability to catch the football out of the backfield, or your willingness to line up in the slot? Kind of like Reggie Bush with the Saints, you're that versatile.
"That's something that I pride myself on. Not only running, but catching the ball and defintiely blocking. That is something that will separate you from a lot of guys, being able to catch the ball and pick up blitzes. It's something I worked hard on since I was young, I continue to work hard and hopefully will get better at it."
One of the myths about you or misconceptions is you are injury prone. How do you reply to that?
"I really don't pay too much attention to that. People will say I'm injury prone. I've gotten used to it. It's not like I've been hurt every single year where I play four or five games, then miss one or two. I missed two games my junior year and three my freshman year. Five games in four years, not that bad. But like I said, I'm just trying to get better."
Do you think it's because it was BCS championship games and these marquee games. And all you see is 'Star tailback DeMarco Murray hurt.' Is that where it came from?
"That could be the reason. I did miss two big games that I could've helped my team with. But at the same time, injuries are something you can't do anything about. It's all part of playing."
What is your timetable for getting a place and getting in some of these workouts?
"Hopefully next week. I've been talking to my agent, he's looking for me a place. I think I'll definitely be there in the next week."
To listen to the interview, click here.
By SportsDayDFW.com
Published 16 May 2011 02:19 AM
Dallas Cowboys third-round draft pick DeMarco Murray was interviewed on KESN-FM 103.3 on Thursday (5/12) to discuss Oklahoma, being a Dallas Cowboy and what he offers to the team. Here are some highlights:
Were you disappointed at not being a first- or second-round pick?
"At first, I was a little disappointed. But being a part of a draft, and talking to former players who took part in it, how unpredictable it is. Once I got that call from the Cowboys, it was just relief. At the same time, I was blessed to have that opportunity and go through that experience."
Are you in town for the workouts at this undisclosed location, or plan to be a part of them?
"Not yet, I'm actually in town looking for a place down in Dallas. But once I find out in the next few days or week, I plan to be a part of it."
Has anyone reached out to you and extended an invitation?
"I've talked to Keith Brookings. We have the same agent. He expressed it would be great to be down there and get around those guys."
In transiting from the college to pro game, have you talked to Sam Bradford or Adrian Peterson?
"I have. I talked to both Sam and Adrian, and they told me the mental process is different. Everyone is a lot stronger and faster obviously, but at the same time, you have to know your playbook. Know what you have to do to get things accomplished, just by doing the little things throughout the week, throughout the year, to keep your body fresh and keep you strong mentalty."
Do you have playbook, and have you worked through it on your own?
"I got a playbook from Manny Johnson, a former Sooner and a good friend of mine. I was able to look through it and kind of get a feel for it."
What is your favorite play so far?
"Well I haven't actually ran any of them, I'm still just looking at them. I'm trying to understand them."
Are you expecting to come in and compete for that starting job as a Cowboys tailback?
"I just trying to compete. I know they have Marion [Barber], Felix [Jones] and Tashard Choice. Those three guys have been doing it for a while and have done a great job. I definitely plan to learn from those guys and pick their brains a little bit. At the same time, it's all about competing and getting on the field. Helping the team win. It's a team goal."
Barry [Switzer] said he did some work with you and that was one of his projects was talking about you, looking at you and breaking down film. Did you get to know him while you were at OU?
"I spent some time with Coach Switzer. He comes in and out of practice as well as meetings. I've also been to his house a couple times just to hang out with him, reminisce about the old days when he was a head coach here. He's a great guy, a legend around the Sooner campus. I've been able to talk to him a lot, and get his feedback on the Cowboys as well as the NFL."
What's the best advice Coach Switzer has given you?
"The best advice he's given me is just work hard. There's going to be opportunities for me to play and make plays. But I have to work hard throughout the season, I can't take days off. I need to be mentally ready. It's like everyone has said, the game at the next level, everybody is big and strong, but at the same it's about being mentally ready and accept that challenge. Do the things you have to do to win."
What's the rating of some of those war stories Coach Switzer was giving you?
"I probably couldn't say that on the air right now."
You talk about all that tradition at Oklahoma and you've had to live up to a lot of expectations. Coming to the Cowboys, they are one of the top three franchises in all of sports, along with the Yankees and Lakers. How prepared are you for that limelight?
"I'm prepared. Coming from the University of Oklahoma, having a popular tradition and program, playing on ESPN throughout the year. That's something I don't shy away from. That's why I chose to go to Oklahoma, they are known for winning championships. Dallas is known for winning championships. They are one of the top organizations in the world. I'm excited to be a part of the team. It's not a big deal to me."
What has Jason Garrett said about your role on the team?
"I've have a chance to meet with him during the team visit as well as after the draft, but haven't spoken with him since. He said he plans to use me in the passing game and the running game. He likes my blocking ability as well as my catching ability out of the backfield. My ability to line up, whether it be slot or outside receiver. He definitely loves that I can catch well."
Is that one aspect of your game that a lot of people may not even realize, your ability to catch the football out of the backfield, or your willingness to line up in the slot? Kind of like Reggie Bush with the Saints, you're that versatile.
"That's something that I pride myself on. Not only running, but catching the ball and defintiely blocking. That is something that will separate you from a lot of guys, being able to catch the ball and pick up blitzes. It's something I worked hard on since I was young, I continue to work hard and hopefully will get better at it."
One of the myths about you or misconceptions is you are injury prone. How do you reply to that?
"I really don't pay too much attention to that. People will say I'm injury prone. I've gotten used to it. It's not like I've been hurt every single year where I play four or five games, then miss one or two. I missed two games my junior year and three my freshman year. Five games in four years, not that bad. But like I said, I'm just trying to get better."
Do you think it's because it was BCS championship games and these marquee games. And all you see is 'Star tailback DeMarco Murray hurt.' Is that where it came from?
"That could be the reason. I did miss two big games that I could've helped my team with. But at the same time, injuries are something you can't do anything about. It's all part of playing."
What is your timetable for getting a place and getting in some of these workouts?
"Hopefully next week. I've been talking to my agent, he's looking for me a place. I think I'll definitely be there in the next week."
To listen to the interview, click here.
