When Felix Jones fell to injury in Week 6, it put a scare into many Dallas fans. The Cowboys needed to establish a running game and Jones was the starter. In Week 10, that honor should not remain with Jones.
DeMarco Murray came into the game when Jones went down injured and carried the rock ten times for 32 yards. Then, the next week, the DeMarco Murray Era began in Dallas. Murray carried the ball 25 times for 253 yards and a touchdown. In the blowout loss to Philadelphia, Murray carried the ball eight times for 74 yards. In the Seattle game, Murray ran 22 times for 139 yards. If you add in the 14 carries he got as the third string backup, at the start of the season, he has 537 yards with a 6.8 yard-per-carry average.
Jones went through an extensive workout on Monday, Nov. 7, and Jason Garrett said he is optimistic about Jones returning in Week 10. When he comes back, Jones is expected to retain his starting role. He won't lose his job based on an injury.
That is a mistake.
Jones shouldn't lose his job because he sprained his ankle. He should lose his job because he has started one more game than Murray and has 282 less yards. He should lose his job because he averages 2.8 yards less per carry. He should lose the job because he is small, injury prone and not as strong of a runner as Murray.
What Garrett should do is keep Murray as the starter. Then he can use Jones as a change of pace back. Let Murray run the ball 15-20 times a game and give Jones between 5-10 carries. Jones was never built to be an every down back and he is much more valuable as a game changing back. Murray can wear down the defenses and run for a ton of yards and then, when they least expect it, bring in Jones to break a big one.
The choice is easy. I just hope Garrett realizes that playing Murray gives the Cowboys the best chance to win.
Author Shawn S. Lealos has followed the Dallas Cowboys since he was a child, his favorite players range from Roger Staubach and Tony Dorsett to the Triplets of the 90s. Through the great years of the '90s and the hard times of the '80s, Shawn never turned his back on America's Team.
Source: Dallas Cowboys website
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