Nick Piccone
There’s no question DeMarco Murray isn’t happy right now. He checked out in the Cardinals game on Sunday night after realizing he wasn’t going to be used, like, at all. He’s trying his best to divert any drama or tension he might have bottled up inside him, but it hasn’t prevented him from voicing his frustrations to the media at times.
A month ago, he was put on blast by an anonymous teammate for not showing enough effort. That would be enough to piss him off, but getting the shaft in playing time, also? I’m surprised he hasn’t exploded yet. Well, except for after Sunday night’s game. But we’re not supposed to know about that. The coach preferred to give the ball to Ryan Mathews on 4th and 1 rather than the back made for that play. But Chip would say after the game that the Eagles “had their biggest back in the game” at 230 lbs.
As for Murray’s frustrations? He didn’t pull any punches.
I’ve never dealt with anything like this in my life,” said Murray. “That’s more frustrating more than anything, but this is how it is.”
…
“I can only control what I can,” said Murray. “I can’t control when my number is called. I can only control when I’m in there for whatever amount of time it is and I’ve got the opportunity to give my best effort for the guys in this locker room and fight and continue to go from there.”
Murray said he believes he is the same running back, if not better, than the one he was a year ago in Dallas. However, Murray may not get the chance to prove it as the Eagles continue their push for the NFC East title. Murray’s ordeal has not dampened his confidence, and he still believes he can be a difference maker if he gets his chance on game day.
“You’ve got a lot of pride in yourself and a lot of confidence in yourself,” Murray said. “I’ve got a lot of confidence in the other guys as well. I’m just happy to be here and I’ll continue to try and help this team as much as I can no matter what it is, whether it’s one play or two plays.”
The guy is saying all the right things publicly. Sure, he’s frustrated, but it’s most certainly at his coaches who aren’t giving him the chances he thinks he deserves to succeed. He has a 100 percent conversion rate on 4th and 1 runs this season, and they didn’t give him the ball near the goal line on Sunday night. That speaks volumes for the relationship between Murray and his coaches.
That’s not to say Murray should have gotten the ball, either. The predictable Eagles offense was rather unpredictable by not giving Murray the ball at the goal line, but it didn’t help their cause.
I honestly don’t see how Murray returning to the Eagles works next season. Chip isn’t going anywhere, and the only place for Murray to go is either on the free agent list after being cut by the team, which would carry a $13 million cap hit anyway [and a $5 million cap hit if they release him in 2017], or the team could trade him away and try to eat most of the money. If the team keeps him, the cap hit is at $8 million. So, the Eagles are basically stuck.
Chip Kelly – not the best GM out there, that’s for sure.