IRVING, Texas -- DeMarco Murray had one of his best rushing performances of the season during Sunday's 24-21 win over the New York Giants, carrying 14 times for 86 yards. But on a few occasions, Murray ended runs by stepping out of bounds instead of going at a closing defender in an attempt to gain extra yards.
Dallas Cowboys head coach Jason Garrett said during his Monday press conference that Murray needs to do a better job of finishing runs.
Following Monday's practice, Murray said there was only one time when he went out of bounds instead of trying to run up field into a defender.
"I thought that, you know, I made a good decision," Murray said. "I was trapped then. There wasn't a lot of room to go."
Murray said in some situations you just have to be smart, take what the defense is giving you and move on to the next play.
"More times than not, I definitely think I'll deliver the blow," he added. "But just trying to be smart at times like that."
Murray maintains that the NFL's crown-of-the-helmet rule hasn't changed his physical running style. He says he doesn't even think about it when he's on the field.
"I just think about scoring," he said. "That's it."
"I think when we went back and looked at the tape, we said you can stick your nose in there a little more," Garrett said. "It's not cowardly. He's the furthest thing from that. Just watch the rest of the game.
"Sometimes you make a judgment about how you see a situation and make a decision. When you re-evaluate it on tape you think maybe I could've done something different. Those plays happen fast. You have to make a decision quickly. We all know that."
Does it bother Murray that Garrett says he needs to do a better job of finishing some of his runs?
"No," Murray responded. "It doesn't bother me. Not at all."
