Report: Murray Addresses Frustrations With Lurie

DeMarco Murray is unhappy with his role and has addressed it with owner Jeffrey Lurie, according to a report from ESPN’s Ed Werder.

Source: #Eagles DeMarco Murray addressed frustrations with role in Chip Kelly offense with owner Jeffrey Lurie. Doesn’t want to cause scene

— Ed Werder (@Edwerderespn) December 8, 2015

DeMarco Murray is competitive, high-character player who must feel abilities not being used fully and promises not fulfilled. In tough spot — Ed Werder (@Edwerderespn) December 8, 2015

Murray played just 14 snaps against the Patriots despite the absence of Ryan Mathews and finished with eight carries for 24 yards. Darren Sproles (15 carries, 66 yards) and Kenjon Barner (9 carries, 39 yards) each had more touches in a 35-28 win.

“We have three running backs right now that we felt were productive,” Chip Kelly explained at his day-after press conference. “We had a couple of game plans, there were some things we were trying to do with the big linebackers and with Darren  and Kenjon, but [Murray] fits in.”

Asked if the defending champ is frustrated over the lack of workload and needs to be reassured, Kelly responded:

“All of our running backs knew our game plan going into that game, so it wasn’t a surprise to anybody in terms of what we were doing, and I think  Duce [Staley] does a great job of handling those guys. We have to do what’s the best thing for the Philadelphia Eagles. So we are not trying to win a rushing championship or a passing championship or a receiving championship or anything from that stretch of the imagination. We are just trying to win football games.”

The Eagles did just that against a good team on the road, which makes the timing of this report odd. We shouldn’t rush to judgment, but now is not the time to be going over the head of your superior because you’re not happy with your role if in fact that’s in fact how it played out, especially when there’s been little evidence this season that an increase in reps is warranted.

Murray has 569 yards on 163 carries for an average of 3.5 yards per tote. Ryan Mathews (4.7), Sproles (3.8) and Barner (4.6) are all averaging more per carry, although they’ve each had fewer attempts. While you can argue that Murray is a “volume runner” that gets better the more he’s fed, he’s shown few signs that he’s tailor-made for this system and on the verge of busting out.

If we’re honest about it, it’s been an awkward fit so far.

Problem is, the two sides appear stuck with one another for the time being. The Eagles signed Murray to a five-year, $40 million deal this offseason after their original plan of inking Frank Gore and re-upping Jeremy Maclin fell through. The contract has $21 million in guaranteed money including his entire base salary next year ($7 million). The dead cap charge for releasing him in 2016 is $13 million.

Looks like we have a little drama on our hands, and  during the week that LeSean McCoy makes his return no less. I’m sure McCoy is devastated to read about this turn of events.