Is Cowboys’ DeMarco Murray one of NFL’s best backs?

Aug 23, 2014; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Dallas Cowboys running back DeMarco Murray (29) is tackled by Miami Dolphins free safety Louis Delmas (25) during the first half at Sun Life Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 23, 2014; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Dallas Cowboys running back DeMarco Murray (29) is tackled by Miami Dolphins free safety Louis Delmas (25) during the first half at Sun Life Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports /
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Dallas Cowboys running back Demarco Murray is a stud. In an eight game span — counting last season — he rushed for 780 yards and seven touchdowns. So while Adrian Peterson and LeSean McCoy were busy arguing about who was the best back in the country, Murray was out there performing.

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But don’t expect him to enter his own name in the discussion. Someone else will have to nominate him.

“I don’t worry about that stuff,” Murray said, via ESPN.com. “I never have, never will. I know what I can do. I have a lot of confidence in myself and those are some great running backs, but I definitely think I can handle a little bit of everything. So it’s something I don’t really get caught up in too much.”

Truthfully, he shouldn’t get caught up in that, because he’s not in the discussion yet. Sure, he’s had a good eight weeks, as Tim MacMahon pointed out, but he has stay on the field for most or all of one season. It’s hard measure using stats carried between seasons.

When he’s on the field, he’s probably a Top 5 back. He may not have the reputation of Peterson, Lynch, Jamal Charles and Marshawn Lynch but he’s in their echelon of skill and talent. His health is what drops him from the discussion.

And he’s not the best.

He’ll have to play all 16 games to be considered. He’s off to a good start, but it will be about how he finishes in the marathon of a NFL season.