JJT: No reason DeMarco Murray shouldn't expect to be Cowboys' starting RB

[sbk92]

Columnist Jean-Jacques Taylor answered your questions in his weekly e-mail newsletter - Inside the Dallas Cowboys. Here are some highlights.

During the NFL draft, Jason Garrett sent a strong message to his players. He wants competition throughout the roster.

Bruce Carter, the second-round pick, will compete with Keith Brooking and Sean Lee for playing time at weakside linebacker once he returns to full strength from his torn knee ligament. Guards David Arkin (4 round) and Bill Nagy (7 round) will provide competition for Montrae Holland and Phil Costa next season if not this season.

DeMarco Murray will challenge Felix Jones for the starting running back position, and there’s no reason why he shouldn’t expect to win the job. Jones has been a disappointment, and the Cowboys have provided a catalyst for him to play his best football.

Josh Thomas , the Cedar Hill native, will compete with veteran Alan Ball for a spot in the dime defense, and Dwayne Harris will compete with disappointing Kevin Ogletree and Manny Johnson for the fourth receiver and slot role in the offense.

And Shaun Chapas will battle Chris Gronkowski for the only fullback spot on the roster.

“I think we’ve improved in what we are trying to do on our football team, on the offensive line and throughout our team, which is to create competition. We want to bring good football players, and we want guys that earn their job,” Garrett said. “We like to create competition on the offensive line and throughout our football team.”

Duh.

Well, that hasn’t always been the case. We all saw Roy Williams start two seasons ago, when we knew he didn’t deserve it. And we saw Marion Barber have the role as ceremonial starter at running back.

 

[dbair1967]

JJT needs to put the crack pipe down. Jones hasnt been a disappointment, he's been dinged up some but has had to run behind a terrible blocking OL. Very few RB's would find alot of success running behind what we've trotted out there the past couple years.

I'm not saying Murray has no shot to be the starter, but the idea he was drafted because Jones isnt cutting it is a joke IMO. He was drafted so they can dump Barber and Choice.

 

[Bob Sacamano]

Jones has been a disappointment, extinuating circumstances and all. Hell, even Jamaal Charles is tearing up the league now. Felix needs to do something and fast.

 

[sbk92]

It's the success of Chris Johnson, Ray Rice, Jamaal Charles, even Rashard Mendenhall that has people calling Felix disappointing.

I thought he was a 1,000 yard back last year on just about any other team.

 

[Cr122]

Let them fight it out in TC and through the preseason.

I think Murray has the potential to beat Jones out. I still like FJ, but I bet Murray gives him a run for his money.

Either one of them can score from anywhere's on the field.

 

[Midswat]

Did JJT put "Duh." as a sentence in an article?

That's worse than the "Feel me?" incident.

Give me a break.

 

[MichaelWinicki]

Let them fight it out in TC and through the preseason.

I think Murray has the potential to beat Jones out. I still like FJ, but I bet Murray gives him a run for his money.

Either one of them can score from anywhere's on the field.

I don't think Murray has FJ's "vision" and that's why Felix is better running the ball.

Murray is probably already the better route runner. And maybe even the better blocker.

 

[marionbarberthe4th]

JJT needs to put the crack pipe down. Jones hasnt been a disappointment, he's been dinged up some but has had to run behind a terrible blocking OL. Very few RB's would find alot of success running behind what we've trotted out there the past couple years.

I'm not saying Murray has no shot to be the starter, but the idea he was drafted because Jones isnt cutting it is a joke IMO. He was drafted so they can dump Barber and Choice.

I wouldnt call Felix a shit player, but factoring in the draft he was in the pick was atrocious. They got the worst RB in the group and he was the 2nd one drafted