The Dallas Cowboys did not exactly get their 2014 season off to the start they intended to. With high expectations riding on this year, the Cowboys struggled offensively against the San Francisco 49ers in Week 1. The stats are not pretty including the three interceptions that quarterback Tony Romo threw during the game. Expected to be the key to the Dallas playoff plan, DeMarco Murray is wondering why he did not get the ball more, especially in the redzone.
Murray certainly looked good despite the Dallas loss. The running back put up 118 yards on 22 carries for one touchdown while also putting up 25 receiving yards on three catches. Murray did have one crucial fumble which pales in comparison to the three turnovers Romo caused. According to Murray, the team did not play effective enough in the redzone and he believes the reason is because he did not get enough touches within the 20-yard line.
"I always want it, but especially in those situations," Murray said, via the Cowboys' website. "I have confidence in the O-line and I definitely have confidence in myself that we can get it. But Scott (Linehan)'s calling the plays and he knows what's best for the offense. Whatever it is, I'm going to do it to the best of my ability, as well as the other 10 guys."
Murray wants the ball as much as possible this season. The running back is entering a contract year and with interest growing around Adrian Petterson "coming home" to Dallas, Murray wants to prove that he earns a top contract. The running back's words are justified considering he was averaging 5.4 yards per touch. Criticism has risen over the play calling as the team left many scoring opportunities on the field. Murray believes the first game was a learning experience and he hopes that watching the tapes shows that the ground game might need to be the focal point of the offense.
"We definitely left some opportunities," Murray said. "It's a learning experience. We've got to watch film and see what we did badly and get it corrected. They played a good game defensively, the 49ers, and our defense gave us plenty of chances to put points on the board. We have to finish every drive...We just didn't do that today."
Fantasy owners should be starting Murray regardless. He carried the entire ground game against San Francisco despite having Joseph Randle and Lance Dunbar on the roster. If Dallas wants to make the playoffs, the ground game will get them there. It is very clear that the receiving game will not be a consistent threat considering the performance of Romo. Murray is proving that he is already in mid-season form and ready to carry the team if that is what it will take.
