Let's be 'ultra clear' on one thing. Incumbency applies to political office only. There is absolutely no need or place for it in the NFL. This ol' adage you can't lose your job due to injury is as asinine as the exclamation 'poppycock.' Both are sheer forms of lunacy unless you reside under the Union Jack! If the brass occupants at Valley Ranch are thinking anything other than DeMarco Murray is our starting RB from this moment forward, then the Cowboys issues are bigger than first thought. Felix Jones' injuries have done the Cowboys wrong in the past, and it's high-time the trend stops. Right here and now. Newsflash, it's not Felix Jones' job to lose. It's done been lost. It's now what it should be, Felix Jones' job to EARN.
The position belongs to DeMarco Murray, and it should stay this way until circumstances dictate otherwise. Many will point to the opponent as being the only reason the results were spectacular. BS. Felix Jones may have achieved the same or better results, but that is nothing more than speculation, and we all know what if's and but's get you. The fact is Felix Jones was unavailable due to injury, and it's not the first time that's happened. His injuries, dings, dents or of the serious nature are now a trend. A trend that MUST be broken. The way the Cowboys do this is by making Jones the back-up to Murray; the same role he assumed when one Marion Barber III roamed these pastures.
It's the NFL people, and it's a cruel, what have you done for me lately League. Had the roles been reversed in Fayetteville, AR, when Darren McFadden and Felix Jones ran the rock for the Razorbacks, it wouldn't have taken long for Run DMC to assume primary/starting RB status. Why? Because Felix Jones is injury-prone or has a propensity to get hurt. Harsh? Some times the truth hurts, and the truth is Felix Jones logs way too much time in the whirlpool and occupies far too much sideline residency. There are times in this world when dependability and reliability trump talent and athleticism. This is certainly one of them.
Don't misread the message here. There is a place and role for Felix Jones on this team. A huge one. The Cowboys need him. If durability is a concern, and it is, then you limit the action and carries. Felix Jones is not a 20+ carry RB. If he is limited in his role, and he is, then you 'spot' use him and take advantage of his explosiveness and open-field allusiveness. He needs to 'spell' DeMarco Murray not marquee him. Because of Murray's performance against the hapless Rams, this debate will rage on for what only feels like forever, but the Cowboys can end any Jones vs. Murray needless volleying right now by declaring DeMarco their guy until proven otherwise. Defense rests.
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