Atlanta Falcons linked as potential fit for DeMarco Murray
By Brad Rowland
The Atlanta Falcons have uncertainty in many ways, ranging from a head coaching vacancy to potential turmoil in the front office and defensive personnel. In addition to those question marks, the team could go in a few different directions for the 2015 season at the running back position, and ESPN’s Bill Williamson weighed in with a potential solution via free agency.
In a piece outlining seven potential “fits” for Dallas Cowboys free agent running back DeMarco Murray, Williamson included Atlanta and dove into the current players on the Falcons roster.
"Jacquizz Rodgers’ contract is up, and Steven Jackson has little left in the tank and probably will not be back with Atlanta. Like some of the other situations here, we don’t know what the coaching staff will be looking for at the position.Devonta Freeman runs very hard for his size and with power and is also a legitimate receiving threat. But he was the last staff’s guy, has just 65 NFL carries under his belt and doesn’t possess prototypical size for a No. 1 runner."
Later, Williamson had this to say:
"The Falcons have some free-agent money to spend, and while they have more pressing needs on defense, especially with their putrid pass-rush, Atlanta might make some sense as a Murray landing spot, as the Falcons attempt to get to the top of the winnable NFC South."
Obviously, adding a big name like DeMarco Murray would be attractive to a large portion of the fan base. The former Oklahoma running back will play the 2015 season at age-27, which is perfectly within the range of a running back’s “prime”, and Murray set a Cowboys franchise record with 1,845 rushing yards in 2014.
Still, there would be real cost questions if the Atlanta Falcons elected to pursue a player like Murray, and with a young, cheap option like Devonta Freeman on board for the foreseeable future, it would seem slightly aggressive to invest giant money in the position. Regardless, this provides fodder for the fan base as we await the announcement of the team’s next head coach.