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Alfred Morris impressing Cowboys, but how will he handle playing second fiddle to Ezekiel Elliott?
By Kate Hairopoulos
FRISCO -- The Dallas Cowboys didn't draft running back Ezekiel Elliott with the No. 4 pick this April not to use the former Ohio State star in a featured role.
But they also first signed running back Alfred Morris in free agency to a two-year, $3.5 million deal. The former Washington Redskins player has been impressive since arriving in town, rushing for 85 yards and a touchdown in last week's preseason win over Miami and winning over his coaches and teammates who were his former division rivals.
Of course Morris wants to be the starter, but he's going to try to have an impact, no matter how it comes. Elliott is back fully practicing after missing most of the training camp practices in Southern California with a sore hamstring. Elliott could make his debut Thursday at Seattle.
"I think he'll be fine," Morris said. "He's a talented player. He's very smart. Like I said in an interview awhile ago, he's way ahead of where I was as a rookie. I think missing that time is not going to hurt him at all. I think he'll have a good showing out there versus the Seahawks. ...He hasn't had his preseason debut yet so that should be a fun one for him."
But, back to Morris. How will he handle playing second fiddle to Elliott, assuming that's what's ahead? The fifth-year player out of Florida Atlantic rushed for a career high 1,613 yards and 13 touchdowns on 335 carries as a rookie and topped 1,000 yards in his first three seasons. But his production declined each season, dipping to a career-low 202 carries for 751 yards and one touchdown last year for Washington.
"Nobody plays this game or any game wanting to be the backup," Morris said. "We all play to be that guy. But if it doesn't happen, oh well. It goes back to making the most of every opportunity you do get and the rest will take care of itself. Who's going to be the starter is out of our control, that's up to the coaches. And we're going to make it hard on them, going out there every day and competing and having fun."
Morris said that even when he was the starter in Washington he had the mentality that he wasn't. "I'm always working to earn this job," he said.
He's always been an underdog, something he's given up trying to fight or figure up why, but embraced instead.
Morris said it's been easy to bond with his new teammates, mostly through cracking up with the characters in his new locker room. He knew some of the players from being in the league and playing against them twice each season.
"He's just one of those guys that connects well with us," left tackle Tyron Smith said. "He understands the system and what we have to get done. He's an impressive type of guy. Really humble."
You may have heard about the $2 1991 Mazda 626 Sedan he bought from his pastor and still drives.
Coach Jason Garrett also likes the way Morris works.
"He believes in his ability, but he has this humility about him," Garrett said. "He's always trying to get better at things he doesn't do well. It's a great combination to have."
By Kate Hairopoulos
FRISCO -- The Dallas Cowboys didn't draft running back Ezekiel Elliott with the No. 4 pick this April not to use the former Ohio State star in a featured role.
But they also first signed running back Alfred Morris in free agency to a two-year, $3.5 million deal. The former Washington Redskins player has been impressive since arriving in town, rushing for 85 yards and a touchdown in last week's preseason win over Miami and winning over his coaches and teammates who were his former division rivals.
Of course Morris wants to be the starter, but he's going to try to have an impact, no matter how it comes. Elliott is back fully practicing after missing most of the training camp practices in Southern California with a sore hamstring. Elliott could make his debut Thursday at Seattle.
"I think he'll be fine," Morris said. "He's a talented player. He's very smart. Like I said in an interview awhile ago, he's way ahead of where I was as a rookie. I think missing that time is not going to hurt him at all. I think he'll have a good showing out there versus the Seahawks. ...He hasn't had his preseason debut yet so that should be a fun one for him."
But, back to Morris. How will he handle playing second fiddle to Elliott, assuming that's what's ahead? The fifth-year player out of Florida Atlantic rushed for a career high 1,613 yards and 13 touchdowns on 335 carries as a rookie and topped 1,000 yards in his first three seasons. But his production declined each season, dipping to a career-low 202 carries for 751 yards and one touchdown last year for Washington.
"Nobody plays this game or any game wanting to be the backup," Morris said. "We all play to be that guy. But if it doesn't happen, oh well. It goes back to making the most of every opportunity you do get and the rest will take care of itself. Who's going to be the starter is out of our control, that's up to the coaches. And we're going to make it hard on them, going out there every day and competing and having fun."
Morris said that even when he was the starter in Washington he had the mentality that he wasn't. "I'm always working to earn this job," he said.
He's always been an underdog, something he's given up trying to fight or figure up why, but embraced instead.
Morris said it's been easy to bond with his new teammates, mostly through cracking up with the characters in his new locker room. He knew some of the players from being in the league and playing against them twice each season.
"He's just one of those guys that connects well with us," left tackle Tyron Smith said. "He understands the system and what we have to get done. He's an impressive type of guy. Really humble."
You may have heard about the $2 1991 Mazda 626 Sedan he bought from his pastor and still drives.
Coach Jason Garrett also likes the way Morris works.
"He believes in his ability, but he has this humility about him," Garrett said. "He's always trying to get better at things he doesn't do well. It's a great combination to have."
