Could DeMarco Murray Land With the Eagles?


DeMarco Murray in a Philadelphia Eagles jersey? With NJ.com reporting that the Dallas Cowboys’ running back is engaging in serious talks with the Eagles, watching the NFL’s leading rusher run the football with an NFC East rival would not come as a surprise. Murray playing for any team except for Dallas was an inconceivable thought months ago.

There were some signs pointing in the direction of DeMarco Murray staying with the Cowboys, but as the early stages of free agency come to a close, so are the chances of him re-signing becoming slim. This is especially after ESPN reported that he reached out to Eagles’ coach Chip Kelly.

The Dallas front office had to have done their homework. Among their free agents, Murray and wide receiver Dez Bryant are by far part of the elite group of available players. Only one of them could receive the dreaded NFL franchise tag. Dallas chose to use that designation on Bryant, allowing them exclusivity in contract negotiations. That leaves Murray vulnerable to be plucked by another team.

Both Murray and Bryant would cost a lot of money, something that Dallas foresaw was the idea that each of them could command an eight-figure annual salary. Perhaps Dallas is not big enough for the both, or DeMarco Murray wants to get paid.

The Eagles have a serious need for a running back.

After officially trading RB LeSean McCoy to the Buffalo Bills (per ESPN) the Eagles agreed (per ESPN) to a three-year contract with Ryan Matthews.

Matthews, a fifth-year back whose calling card is his versatility in the running game and passing game. He is a perfect east-west runner and a good compliment to what the Eagles want to do, but he is coming back from an injury. And he is not DeMarco Murray.

Murray is an elite running back, while Matthews is very good, he was not even the Eagles’ first choice. That distinction belongs to former San Francisco 49er Frank Gore.

Philadelphia’s interest in Murray works two ways for them. They could outright sign him, thereby getting him away from the Cowboys, or drive the price tag so high that Dallas would have to move out other salaries in order to retain him.

Without Murray on the Dallas’ roster they will be forced to sign one of the remaining runners in free agency, or grab one in the draft. Whoever they sign or select will work in tandem with Julius Randle. That is not the scenario the Cowboys envisioned prior to the season’s end. They would also have to face him twice a year if he indeed does sign a deal with the Eagles.

If Dallas keeps Murray, how many players would have to be cut in order to fit that salary under the cap? Here is an even worse situation – keeping him would disallow them to upgrade the defensive line that needs help and a linebacking corps who could use some more youth.

Both options that the Cowboys have require some tough decisions, making Philadelphia’s interest in him a masterful idea.

He is an ideal fit for the style of play that Coach Kelly uses. Offensively, Philadelphia runs a spread offense which uses a lot of shotgun formations. Having a power running back gives them the constant threat of both the pass and the run. While Adrian Peterson was out most of last season due to off the field legal problems, Murray established himself as the best power back, gaining 1,845 yards on 392 carries. Consider him a perfect fit with Dallas’ rival.

Philadelphia’s gain is a loss for Dallas.

He gave the Cowboys offense some much-needed balance. Dallas quarterback Tony Romo was more effective with the threat of Murray gashing through defenders. Romo may possibly regress without his star back. Suddenly, the Cowboys could go from Super Bowl contenders to a team fighting for a wild-card berth. Philadelphia would have dealt a huge blow to the reigning division champs. They would not have it any other way.

DeMarco Murray playing for the Philadelphia Eagles – what a preposterous thought, but it could spell doom for the Dallas Cowboys.

[Photo by Elsa/Getty Images]

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