Dallas Cowboys running back DeMarco Murray. (G.J. McCarthy/The Dallas Morning News)
The Ticket’s Bob Sturm answered questions in a chat Wednesday. Here are some highlights.
Question: I grew up a Cowboys’ fan and very few people enjoyed it like I did. However, after many years of mediocrity has driven me away from the Cowboys. I still watch the sport, but have become more interested in the other 3 sports more because it’s fun to watch. I try getting back to the Cowboys, but it’s not the same. Are you finding more people like me over the past few years?
Bob Sturm: Sure. But, I assume that is somewhat results oriented. Since the Cowboys last won a title, the Stars and Mavs have both been to the Finals twice and won a world title, and the Rangers have been to the World Series twice. A Super Bowl in this generation would be insane for this city.
Question: Why are the Cowboy’s so historically bad at executing the screen pass? I’ve seen improvement this year, mainly due to the line and their quickness, I believe. I love the 2nd and 3rd level blocks put out by Z.
Bob Sturm: I think you hit on it right there. You need the proper athletes on your OL to have any ability on the screens. You also need a RB who has the timing. They finally have the combo and I plan on writing this up next week.
Question: Bob, say they sign McClain next year, who do you put at the mike, him or Lee?
Bob Sturm: I experiment. But the Mike and Will in this defense are not that different. They really aren’t. Some differences, that might encourage me to roll with 55 at Mike and 52 at Will, but I am open to try things at camp.
Question: Prioritize the following defensive players in terms of the most important to keep: R. McClain, Melton, Durant, Carter, Spencer, Hayden and Moore?
Bob Sturm: McClain – Melton – Durant, the rest are not worth getting carried away with.
Question: Doesn’t it seem like Cowboys are just playing chicken with disaster by not giving backup RBs more carries, and not just at end of games? It’s easy to say Demarco is too good to take out… but how do you know if you don’t roll a few series at a time with Randall or Dunbar?
Bob Sturm: Murray has durability issues for sure and they might be playing with fire, but you have to look at him play and ask if you can see signs of decline due to workload. I honestly have not seen any at this point. He looks fresh and violent when running the ball.
Question: Bob, the NFC is top-loaded, making this 6-game stretch so crucial. Do the ‘Boys nee to go 4-2 in order to see the postseason light?
Bob Sturm: 4-2 gets you in for sure. 3-3 makes it tough to know for sure. 4-2 also might win the division. Philadelphia has Green Bay, Seattle, and 2 with Dallas ahead. I think the Cowboys have a much easier road.
Question: Bob, if Murray, Lynch and Peterson are all on the market this offseason, who gets the biggest contract and which player do you prefer?
Bob Sturm: Honestly, coming off this year and considering ages and so forth, I think the answer to that might actually be DeMarco Murray. Crazy as it seems to say that even 3 months ago. What a year.
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