DeMarco Murray was thrust into the starting line-up when Felix Jones was injured. DeMarco Murray might have earned that position after rushing for 897 yards on 164 carries as a rookie last season. But as Murray enters into his second season he isn’t satisfied and he isn’t ready to rest on his laurels. This might be what makes Murray the difference between a line of underachieving Dallas running backs since Emmitt Smith left the organization.
“The approach is the same,” Murray said. “At the end of the day I’m still the fifth or sixth running back taken last year, third-round pick, looked over by many and I’m still working to get better. I’m not a veteran. I haven’t been here for many years, so I’m trying to work hard every day and prove to myself that I belong here.”
Murray dropping to the third round was probably more due to his injury prone history at the University of Oklahoma than talent. But people forget that DeMarco Murray rewrote history books at OU, a school with a rich history of running backs, including Heisman Winners Billy Vessels, Steve Owens, Billy Sims and current NFL Superstar Adrian Peterson. Murray holds records at OU for points scored, touchdowns, all purpose yards and receiving yards for a receiver.
Murray did miss the final 3 games of last season with an ankle injury but led NFL rookies in rushing. He was selected behind 5 other running backs in the 2011 draft: Mark Ingram New Orleans at 28), Ryan Williams (Arizona at 38), Shane Vereen (New England at 56), Mikel Leshoure (Detroit at 57), and Daniel Thomas (Miami at 62). Dallas finally drafted him with the 71st overall pick. Murray also missed most of training camp before his rookie season with a hamstring injury.
“This is huge for me,” Murray said of this offseason. “I don’t have a chance to get the OTA sessions last year, learning the plays, getting comfortable knowing the offense and my teammates. This is a huge, huge blessing for me. I’ve been learning every day constantly. It’s been great.”
Murray is looking to take advantage of this opportunity to participate in OTAs and training camp to become a better running back for the Dallas Cowboys.
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