You kind of had a feeling when the Dallas Cowboys signed Ezekiel Elliott after last year's draft that it wouldn't have a happy ending because he simply wasn't good anymore. Well, leave it to team decision makers to make it an absolutely unbearable for everyone.
The Cowboys famously didn't play Elliott at all last preseason. They only give that treatment to established players who are guaranteed to start and make the roster. Elliott should've had to fight for his place, and despite that Dallas laid out the red carpet.
It seems the Cowboys are making the same mistake with linebacker Kenneth Murray, who has yet to suit up in preseason and likely won't play in Friday's preseason finale.
Cowboys are bafflingly giving Kenneth Murray the Ezekiel Elliott treatment
Can anyone explain why Murray doesn't have to prove anything in preseason?
While he's a former first-round pick who's posted over 90 tackles in three of five seasons, he is one of the more undisciplined linebackers in all of football. There is a reason he's on his third team in as many years.
Murray is firmly in the Patrick Queen and Devin White school of linebackers who win by getting downhill more than reading and reacting. His 35.0 run-defense grade ranked 185th out of 189 linebackers last season, per PFF. He also ranked sixth at the position with four sacks.
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That isn't to say Murray isn't good enough to make the roster. Much like Elliott, though, it is baffling why he is being treated like one of the stars on the team. Dak Prescott, CeeDee Lamb, Tyler Smith, George Pickens and DaRon Bland all haven't played a down in preseason. Murray does not belong in that conversation, especially as a newcomer.
It'd be one thing if Murray was tearing it up in camp, but he got a later start than most players following the birth of his child. That should NOT be held against him, but making up for lost time in the preseason seems pretty reasonable for a flawed player, no?
It’s important to note that Murray and Elliott’s situations aren’t fully parallel. Murray is still in his prime, while Elliott is well past his. Murray also doesn’t have the same front office ties Elliott does, a factor that seemingly played a big role in Elliott starting over Rico Dowdle for half the season.
What is undeniable, though, is that both players had a lot to prove before the regular season and the Cowboys rolled out the VIP treatment for both of them.
Hopefully it doesn't backfire with Murray because it could not have gone worse with Elliott.
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