By Rainer Sabin / Reporter
IRVING – For the first time since Cowboys running back DeMarco Murray returned to action Dec. 2, Dallas’ rushing offense on Sunday looked like the inefficient operation it was during his six-game absence earlier this season.
In a 34-31 overtime loss to New Orleans, the Cowboys and Murray gained only 40 yards on 11 carries and scored no touchdowns on the ground for the first time this month. Head coach Jason Garrett said circumstances helped kill any momentum the rushing attack tried to establish, citing Dez Bryant’s two 58-yard touchdown catches in the second quarter that ended drives before they gestated.
“We threw the ball a little bit and made some plays in the passing game,” Garrett said. “Ideally, against a team like this, you want to keep the ball.”
The Cowboys didn’t. New Orleans controlled possession for almost 65 percent of the game. Murray, meanwhile, lost six yards on one carry and fumbled on another.
“We’ve got to make some corrections and we’ll see what happens,” Murray said.
Murray was still sidelined the last time the Cowboys faced Washington, their next opponent. During that 38-31 loss to the Redskins on Nov. 22, the Cowboys gained 35 yards on 11 rush attempts. The meager total wasn’t surprising considering Dallas averaged only three yards per carry with Murray out of the lineup. Now that he is back, the Cowboys hope Murray can provide a spark after authoring a disappointing performance Sunday.
“We’ve got another game next week so hopefully we’ll be able to make a splash and see what happens,” Murray said.
IRVING – For the first time since Cowboys running back DeMarco Murray returned to action Dec. 2, Dallas’ rushing offense on Sunday looked like the inefficient operation it was during his six-game absence earlier this season.
In a 34-31 overtime loss to New Orleans, the Cowboys and Murray gained only 40 yards on 11 carries and scored no touchdowns on the ground for the first time this month. Head coach Jason Garrett said circumstances helped kill any momentum the rushing attack tried to establish, citing Dez Bryant’s two 58-yard touchdown catches in the second quarter that ended drives before they gestated.
“We threw the ball a little bit and made some plays in the passing game,” Garrett said. “Ideally, against a team like this, you want to keep the ball.”
The Cowboys didn’t. New Orleans controlled possession for almost 65 percent of the game. Murray, meanwhile, lost six yards on one carry and fumbled on another.
“We’ve got to make some corrections and we’ll see what happens,” Murray said.
Murray was still sidelined the last time the Cowboys faced Washington, their next opponent. During that 38-31 loss to the Redskins on Nov. 22, the Cowboys gained 35 yards on 11 rush attempts. The meager total wasn’t surprising considering Dallas averaged only three yards per carry with Murray out of the lineup. Now that he is back, the Cowboys hope Murray can provide a spark after authoring a disappointing performance Sunday.
“We’ve got another game next week so hopefully we’ll be able to make a splash and see what happens,” Murray said.
. So now he's blaming Bryant, for not runnign the ball more. Don't get me started. Ideally against a team like the Saints, you want to play ball control and keep Brees off the field as much as possible.
