DeMarco Murray had a limited role in Sunday’s win over the Patriots. I didn’t make too much of that because it was a strange game. As Chip Kelly noted, the Pats have big LBs. The best way to deal with them is quicker RBs. Also, the offense had limited snaps due to the return TDs. The Eagles didn’t run their normal number of plays, which meant less snaps for all skill players. It also meant they were likely to be used differently.

Just 48 hours later, we’re dealing with Murray Mania.

This story has taken on a life of its own. There was a lot of discussion about why Murray played less. Chip gave his explanation. Pat Shurmur got hit with the same questions on Tuesday and offered his thoughts. The media wanted a definitive answer, but none was given.

Then Ed Werder came into the equation.

Werder is an ESPN reporter and writer. He generally does good work. Werder has been ESPN’s Cowboys reporter for years. He is well connected with that organization, their players and their agents. So it is no shock that Werder wrote a piece about Murray and his frustration with Sunday’s game, as well as the season.

DeMarco Murray‘s frustration over his lack of playing time and confusion as to how he fits into Chip Kelly’s offense were the topics of a lengthy conversation the running back had with Philadelphia Eagles owner Jeffrey Lurie following Sunday’s game, sources told ESPN.

The 2014 NFL rushing champion with the Dallas Cowboys, Murray says he doesn’t want to be a distraction — especially after the Eagles beat the New England Patriots 35-28 for the team’s biggest victory of the season. However, he expressed some frustration after playing just 14 offensive plays, gaining 24 yards on eight carries.

“He’s obviously upset about what happened,” a source close to Murray said.

The conversation between Murray and Lurie occurred as they sat beside each other on the team’s charter flight home following the victory in Foxborough, Massachusetts. It is not known whether Murray or Lurie initiated the discussion.

Murray has struggled from the beginning in Kelly’s offense. He was recruited as a downhill runner, but Kelly’s system has required him to frequently run laterally, and his production has plunged.

I have no problem with Murray talking to Lurie about the situation. Lurie isn’t a meddlesome owner. He won’t go order Chip to make changes. Football players have big egos to go with their big salaries. Sometimes you have to massage those egos. Lurie can act as a sounding board for Murray.

Everyone has a hand in this situation. Kelly sunk a lot of money into a RB, which is not ideal in today’s NFL. With that money came expectations, from fans, the media and Murray himself. The thought was that he would be the centerpiece of Kelly’s offense. There would be lots of downhill running and play-action passes.

Instead, Kelly has run more laterally this year than ever. He doesn’t have an OL that can just drive defenders off the ball, but he does have athletic blockers who can get outside and block on the move. If you watch the Giants game, I can think you see what Chip had in mind. Run wide. Wear down the defense. Then attack N-S. Murray ran for 109 yards in that game and was very physical.

Murray has not adjusted well to the new offense. Re-watch any game and you will see holes or running lanes. Murray finds some, but looks lost on other plays. He hasn’t looked comfortable in the offense with any regularity. It would be easy to fault Kelly, but other RBs have adapted and fit in well. LeSean McCoy went from Andy Reid’s offense to Chip’s and got better. Darren Sproles has had success after playing in multiple “conventional” NFL offenses. Ryan Mathews has thrived this year. Chris Polk had success last year.

Could Chip adjust things a bit for Murray? Sure. But Murray also has to embrace this offense. He has done that to a certain extent. He really looked lost in September. He looks better now, but still hasn’t made the kind of progress I expected.

OL injuries haven’t helped the situation. Line play is erratic. The passing attack hasn’t helped things either. The Eagles are inconsistent at throwing the ball so teams can really focus on the run.

The key to this whole thing is what happens going forward. Chip isn’t going to just blindly hand the ball to DeMarco from the I-formation 25 times a game. Murray has to show that he will do his part. Maybe Chip mixes in more inside zone runs. Part of it will be driven by matchups. Buffalo has struggled with run defense in the last month, giving up almost 125 yards per game. The Bills don’t have massive LBs like the Pats so this is a game where Murray should get more touches.

I don’t anticipate Chip being petty and benching Murray as punishment for these media rumors, but you never know. We’ll have to wait and see how things play out. Sproles just had his best game of the year. Barner had the best game of his young career. Unfortunately, he also fumbled in a key situation and we don’t know how that will factor into things. And Mathews is coming back from his concussion. Chip has lots of options. Heck, he might dress all 4 RBs and rotate them. He’ll do whatever he thinks will help the offense.

I think Chip will try to make things work with Murray. Let’s keep this in perspective. Murray didn’t run to the media to shoot his mouth off after a tough loss. He’s complaining, but in a reasonable way. Murray is owed so much money next year that cutting him doesn’t make sense. The Eagles need to find a way to maximize him in this offense, for now and 2016.

Chip had success with all types of RBs at Oregon. We remember LaMichael James the most, but LeGarrette Blount and Jonathan Stewart were 230-pound thumpers that excelled in his offense. Chip should be able to figure this situation out…unless egos get in the way. That’s true for both Chip and Murray. They need each other to help make this thing work.

*****

The Eagles added LB Steven Means to fill the spot opened by the cutting of Miles Austin.

Means is 6-3, 263 and was a very good player at the University of Buffalo. He’s bounced around the NFL for a couple of years. The Eagles need depth behind Connor Barwin and Brandon Graham. Means is someone to take a look at for the future.

Marcus Smith is getting on the field more than ever, but his development is happening at a glacial pace. That would be fine if the Eagles had 100,000 years to work with him. That’s not the case. Smith has improved on STs, but isn’t a standout and he’s very limited on defense.

Bryan Braman is a good pass rusher in blowout situations, but isn’t an every down LB.

Travis Long is coming off consecutive knee injuries and can’t be counted on.

Smart addition, even if Means doesn’t pan out. The Eagles need to put some pressure on Smith and they need to look at some young OLBs for the future. They’ll get a month to decide if Means is worth keeping around.

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