By Rainer Sabin / Reporter
rsabin@dallasnews.com
7:36 pm on February 20, 2013 | Permalink
INDIANAPOLIS — The Cowboys rushing attack was feckless in 2012, accumulating 1,265 yards — the lowest total ever accumulated by a Dallas team during a 16-game season.
The woeful performance, Cowboys executive vice president Stephen Jones said, can be attributed to the fact that the offensive line was in flux and starter DeMarco Murray missed six games because of a sprained left foot. Compounding the problems were the struggles of Felix Jones, who failed to carry the load in Murray’s absence.
“Obviously Felix wasn’t as good as we would have liked,” Stephen Jones said Wednesday.
And Jones’ lack of productivity highlighted the need for a reliable backup who could fill in for the injury-prone Murray. Jones, who will be a free agent, is unlikely to return even though Stephen Jones said, “I wouldn’t shut the door on anybody.”
Asked if the Cowboys could draft a replacement for Jones, Stephen Jones said that is a real possibility.
“In this league, you have to have more than one back,” he said. “Obviously, we developed DeMarco Murray but you also have to look at the fact he hasn’t been healthy yet in terms of for a full season. I think we need a back. I like [Lance] Dunbar and I like [Phillip] Tanner but I think they’re more third backs than second backs.”
New running backs coach Gary Brown said last week he that he could see Murray benefiting from a partnership with a shifty tailback.
“You probably just want a guy that’s going to come in and complement him in the way maybe of just being, maybe more of a jitterbug type guy,” Brown said. “It’s hard to say. I’ve only been here a few days.”
rsabin@dallasnews.com
7:36 pm on February 20, 2013 | Permalink
INDIANAPOLIS — The Cowboys rushing attack was feckless in 2012, accumulating 1,265 yards — the lowest total ever accumulated by a Dallas team during a 16-game season.
The woeful performance, Cowboys executive vice president Stephen Jones said, can be attributed to the fact that the offensive line was in flux and starter DeMarco Murray missed six games because of a sprained left foot. Compounding the problems were the struggles of Felix Jones, who failed to carry the load in Murray’s absence.
“Obviously Felix wasn’t as good as we would have liked,” Stephen Jones said Wednesday.
And Jones’ lack of productivity highlighted the need for a reliable backup who could fill in for the injury-prone Murray. Jones, who will be a free agent, is unlikely to return even though Stephen Jones said, “I wouldn’t shut the door on anybody.”
Asked if the Cowboys could draft a replacement for Jones, Stephen Jones said that is a real possibility.
“In this league, you have to have more than one back,” he said. “Obviously, we developed DeMarco Murray but you also have to look at the fact he hasn’t been healthy yet in terms of for a full season. I think we need a back. I like [Lance] Dunbar and I like [Phillip] Tanner but I think they’re more third backs than second backs.”
New running backs coach Gary Brown said last week he that he could see Murray benefiting from a partnership with a shifty tailback.
“You probably just want a guy that’s going to come in and complement him in the way maybe of just being, maybe more of a jitterbug type guy,” Brown said. “It’s hard to say. I’ve only been here a few days.”
