DeMarco Murray: Hopefully I stay with Cowboys, but it's a business
IRVING, Texas -- Jason Garrett often says that DeMarco Murray is the Dallas Cowboys' bell cow running back. Murray certainly looked the part Sunday against San Francisco, carrying 22 times for 118 yards and a touchdown. No other Cowboys running back had a rushing attempt.
Of the 88 running backs graded by Pro Football Focus in Week 1, Murray ranked third for his performance, trailing only Pittsburgh's Le'Veon Bell and Seattle's Marshawn Lynch.
But Murray's far from satisfied.
Heck, he's not even impressed with his numbers from a year ago. In 14 games, the former third-round pick rushed for 1,121 yards and nine touchdowns, earning his first Pro Bowl appearance.
"I definitely feel like it was a stepping stone," Murray said. "It was an OK year. It's definitely not what we wanted as far as a team. Individually, not nearly what I think I can do."
Murray, 26, is in the final year of his rookie contract. Cowboys executive vice president Stephen Jones said during training camp that the franchise would wait until the end of the 2014 season to address his contract situation.
Murray continues to say that the financial side of the game doesn't bother him.
"It's something I'm not worried about," Murray said. "Never will be. That will take care of itself."
Although the running back position has lost some of its value over the last few years, another Pro Bowl season from Murray could make things interesting for the Cowboys if he hits the open market.
As much as he'd like to remain teammates with Tony Romo, Jason Witten and Dez Bryant, Murray understands that there's a possibility he could be playing elsewhere next season.
"It is a business, so you can't get [upset] over things like that," Murray said. "You got to have thick skin, I would say. Like I've said before, I love being here. I love playing with 9, 82 and 88. I love playing for Coach Garrett and this organization as a whole, so it's something I'll continue to strive for, continue to work hard for. Hopefully it happens. We'll see."
Does Murray feel like he has anything to prove to the Cowboys front office?
"I wouldn't say nothing in general," Murray said. "As a team, I think we need to prove that we can win games and win Super Bowls here. That's what it's all about. That's what they care about. I think 99 percent of the guys in this locker room, that's what they care about.
"I wouldn't say I'm trying to prove anything to anyone in particular but to these guys in this locker room that, 'Hey, we got a chance to do some special things this year, and it starts every day.'"
