Ex- Cowboy makes ‘ perfect fit’ with Eagles
PHILADELPHIA — DeMarco Murray walked off the field hearing cheers and autograph requests from the same fans who used to hurl insults at him and his teammates.
The former Cowboy is already a fan favorite in Philadelphia.
“I definitely feel like an Eagle and I’m happy to be here,” Murray said. “It’s a great group of guys.”
Murray spent his first four seasons playing for the team Eagles fans love to hate. He had a record- breaking season in Dallas last year, but the Eagles lured him away with a $ 42 million, five- year contract in free agency.
Murray replaces two- time All- Pro LeSean McCoy, who was traded to Buffalo. McCoy set a franchise record for yards rushing in 2013 in Chip Kelly’s first season as coach. But his running style was too much side- to- side for Kelly’s preference. Murray is a straight- ahead runner more suited for this up- tempo offense.
“He’s a perfect fit,” Eagles running backs coach Duce Staley said. “He does exactly what we want to do, fullsteam downhill.”
Murray helped the Cowboys take the NFC East title away from the Eagles last season. He led the NFL with 1,845 yards rushing, breaking Emmitt Smith’s franchise record. He also set an NFL record with eight straight 100- yard games to open the season, breaking Hall of Famer Jim Brown’s record. Yet he still has critics. Joseph Randle, his backup in Dallas, said Murray would’ve had more yards if he didn’t leave “meat on the bone.” Some say Murray was a product of an excellent offensive line. Others wonder how much drop- off he’ll have after getting 497 touches.
“If you’re doing something good, there’s always going to be critics,” Murray said. “I don’t look at it as hatred or someone saying anything bad. I just really don’t pay attention to it whether it’s good or negative. I just work hard and try to improve as much as I can. “You’ve got to move on with your life and not worry about things you can’t control.”
Murray is reunited in Philadelphia with Sam Bradford, his former roommate at Oklahoma. Bradford openly recruited Murray right after the Eagles acquired him from St. Louis.
It didn’t take much convincing. Murray is a big fan of Kelly.
“He’s a very smart coach and he finds way to get guys the ball,” Murray said. “We have so many playmakers on this team and everybody has to be on the same page. He knows how to get guys the ball in space and puts us in great position.”
Murray doesn’t have to be a one- man show in Philadel-
phia. The Eagles also added Ryan Mathews, a former Pro Bowl rusher in San Diego. And, they have the versatile Darren Sproles.
‘ Paper boy’ Beasley proves value to Cowboys
OXNARD, Calif. — Cole Beasley has the security of a long- term contract and a growing bond with Tony Romo in the Dallas passing game.
Whether the diminutive receiver can get rid of the “paper boy” tag put on him by coach Jason Garrett is another question, even with a bushy beard atop his 5- foot- 8 frame.
“He still looks like the paper boy,” Garrett says with a chuckle. “You got to admit that.”
For the record, Beasley didn’t quit shaving to get his coach to quit calling him that. Doesn’t bother him. The fourth- year player figures he will always be proving he’s big enough to play in the NFL. Frankly, he doesn’t know any other way to play.
“They think I can’t play outside, I’m going to try to do that. I’m going to try to do everything they think I can’t, just be a complete player,” said Beasley, listed at 180 pounds.
Beasley showed up in several big moments during the Cowboys’ playoff run last year and had career highs in yards receiving ( 420) and touchdowns ( four).
His reward as a restricted free agent was a four- year, $ 13.6 million contract with $ 5 million guaranteed. Another $ 2.4 million will be guaranteed just a few days into the new league year in 2016.