The relationship between Tony Romo and DeMarco Murray isn’t great because of differences over playcalling, according to a report.
NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reported on Sunday that the relationship between the two Dallas Cowboys offensive playmakers is “frosty.” He said there is a growing rift between them, all because Murray feels like he’s not getting the ball enough and wondering why Romo tends to audible into passes instead of runs.
“DeMarco Murray, their star running back, grumbled to teammates about not getting the ball enough,” Rapoport said of “NFL GameDay Morning.” “He doesn’t understand why Romo always seems to choose pass instead of run. … The relationship between Romo and Murray is frosty, a little bit of a growing rift there. It’s surprising that some pettiness should creep in at a crucial point of the season, but that’s what’s happening.”
It’s an absolutely legitimate concern that has been shared by many people.
Murray was probably the most effective offensive weapon the Cowboys had in consecutive losses. He went for 146 yards on 18 carries in a Monday night loss to the Chicago Bears, and he posted 134 yards on 18 carries in a game the Cowboys blew against the Packers last week.
Romo notably checked out of a running play and into a passing play late in the game and was intercepted. The interception led to the Packers winning the game.
The cries about the Cowboys’ playcalling have been loud. Troy Aikman was critical of it both on the FOX telecast and during the week afterwards. During Sunday’s Cowboys-Redskins game, even LeBron James was complaining that Murray wasn’t getting the ball enough.
Man the Cowboys better not lose this game! Demarco Murray got 76 yards on 11 carries with a TD. Give him the ball man! Not now but right now
— LeBron James (@KingJames) December 22, 2013
If you were running the ball as well as Murray has the last few games only to see Romo blow it, you’d probably be pretty upset, too. I wouldn’t put too much into this — all offensive players want to get the ball more because they feel like they can help their team win. Not getting the ball enough really just becomes a problem when your team is losing like the Cowboys have been.
