Jim Brown. O.J. Simpson.
DeMarco Murray?
What started as an intriguing statistical abnormality for the Cowboys’ running back has escalated into a real chase at NFL history. Yeah, despite the league-leading four fumbles.
It may be premature to draw up the bust in Canton or to even draft that contract extension at Valley Ranch, but after amassing 136 yards on 31 Sunday against the Texans there’s no denying Murray is off to a record pace.
His 670 yards through five games is a franchise record and by far the most in the NFL, giving him a sizeable lead of 266 yards over No. 2 LeVeon Bell of the Steelers. Murray led the Cowboys in rushing in 2012 with 663 yards – for the entire season.
Murray has started the season with five consecutive 100-yard games, a feat matched only by Hall of Famers Brown (1958) and Simpson (1973, 1975).
The Cowboys are 4-1 and Murray – despite the maddening four first-quarter fumbles – is a main reason. He’s on pace for 2,144 yards, which would obliterate Emmitt Smith’s franchise record of 1,773 and top Eric Dickerson’s NFL-record of 2,105 in 1984.
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All those marks will be tested Sunday in Seattle, where the Seahawks’ stingy defense allows only 72 yards rushing per game.
A native Texan who was born in Duncanville and graduated from UT-Arlington, Richie Whitt has been a mainstay in the Metroplex media since 1986. He’s held prominent roles on all media platforms including newspaper (Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Dallas Observer), radio (105.3 The Fan) and TV (co-host on TXA 21 and numerous guest appearances, including NBC 5). He currently lives in McKinney with his wife, Sybil, and two very spoiled dogs.
