Murray fits in with Eagles after playing for rival Cowboys
PHILADELPHIA (AP) DeMarco Murray walked off the field hearing cheers and autograph requests from the same fans who used to hurl insults at him and his teammates.
The former Cowboy is already a fan favorite in Philadelphia.
''I definitely feel like an Eagle and I'm happy to be here,'' Murray said. ''It's a great group of guys.''
Murray spent his first four seasons playing for the team Eagles fans love to hate. He had a record-breaking season in Dallas last year, but the Eagles lured him away with a $42 million, five-year contract in free agency.
Murray replaces two-time All-Pro LeSean McCoy, who was traded to Buffalo. McCoy set a franchise record for yards rushing in 2013 in Chip Kelly's first season as coach. But his running style was too much side-to-side for Kelly's preference. Murray is a straight-ahead runner more suited for this up-tempo offense.
''He's a perfect fit,'' Eagles running backs coach Duce Staley said. ''He does exactly what we want to do, full-steam downhill.''
Murray helped the Cowboys take the NFC East title away from the Eagles last season. He led the NFL with 1,845 yards rushing, breaking Emmitt Smith's franchise record. He also set an NFL record with eight straight 100-yard games to open the season, breaking Hall of Famer Jim Brown's record.
Yet he still has critics.
Joseph Randle, his backup in Dallas, said Murray would've had more yards if he didn't leave ''meat on the bone.'' Some say Murray was a product of an excellent offensive line. Others wonder how much drop-off he'll have after getting 497 touches.
''If you're doing something good, there's always going to be critics,'' Murray said. ''I don't look at it as hatred or someone saying anything bad. I just really don't pay attention to it whether it's good or negative. I just work hard and try to improve as much as I can. ''You've got to move on with your life and not worry about things you can't control.''
Murray is reunited in Philadelphia with Sam Bradford, his former roommate at Oklahoma. Bradford openly recruited Murray right after the Eagles acquired him from St. Louis.
It didn't take much convincing. Murray is a big fan of Kelly.
''He's a very smart coach and he finds way to get guys the ball,'' Murray said. ''We have so many playmakers on this team and everybody has to be on the same page. He knows how to get guys the ball in space and puts us in great position.''
Murray doesn't have to be a one-man show in Philadelphia. The Eagles also added Ryan Mathews, a former Pro Bowl rusher in San Diego. And, they have the versatile Darren Sproles.
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PAPAL BLESSING
Eagles fans have started an online petition to have Pope Francis bless Bradford's knees. The Pope is visiting Philadelphia in late September. Bradford has twice torn the ACL in his left knee and hasn't played a game since 2013.
''If he wanted to bless my knees, I'm all for it,'' Bradford said.
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CORNER SHUFFLE
The Eagles signed cornerback Marc Anthony after losing rookie JaCorey Shepherd to a season-ending knee injury. Anthony was drafted by the Ravens in the seventh round in 2013 and has spent time with three teams, but hasn't played in a regular-season game.
Kelly said Jaylen Watkins, Eric Rowe and E.J. Biggers will share snaps at the nickel cornerback spot the first two weeks. The Eagles are looking for a starter at that position after trading Brandon Boykin to Pittsburgh.
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INJURY UPDATE
Linebacker Kiko Alonso hasn't passed concussion tests and remains out of practice. Alonso was hurt in practice last Tuesday. Safety Jerome Couplin is expected to return to practice early next week after having an appendectomy.
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