Analysis: Time for DeMarco Murray to drive up price

Shop until you drop, DeMarco Murray. You owe it to yourself.

Murray is about to get paid, even if it doesn't figure to be overpaid the way Ndamukong Suh will rake in cash once the game-changing defensive tackle hits free agency March 10.

At least that's what the Dallas Cowboys are betting on.

Time to see what the market will bear for Murray, who led the NFL in rushing last season with 1,845 yards including 13 touchdowns. Running backs have been devalued in recent years, and there were signs of that Tuesday when high-priced runner LeSean McCoy caused Philadelphia Eagles coach Chip Kelly to trade his $9.75 million base salary to the Buffalo Bills in return for linebacker Kiko Alonso in a stunning deal.

With other backs such as New Orleans Saints free-agent Mark Ingram likely available, Murray should find his best offer during the March 7-9 negotiating window before shopping that offer back to the Cowboys. Stephen Jones, the Cowboys executive vice president, has vowed Dallas will do everything within reason to keep him.

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A Cowboys reunion seems more likely than ever after Murray accompanied Cowboys coach Jason Garrett, and teammates Tony Romo and Jason Witten on Wednesday's trip to Durham, N.C. to meet with Duke basketball coach Mike Krzyzewski and the Blue Devils.

This is Murray's chance to leverage the Cowboys the way Emmitt Smith did decades ago. The game's all-time leading rusher held out the first two games of the 1993 season after leading the Cowboys to a Super Bowl XXVII win. His 1,713-yard rushing performance did not seem equal to his $465,000 salary. The Cowboys began the '93 season 0-2 with rookie Derrick Lassic failing to fill Smith's shoes. It turned out Smith meant much more to the Cowboys' repeat chances than owner Jerry Jones imagined.

Jones caved after that 0-2 start, rewarding Smith with a $13.5 million deal. The Cowboys then rode Smith to back-to-back Lombardi trophies.

The Indianapolis Colts with $44 million in salary-cap room will likely give Murray leverage. Dallas knows it likely doesn't make a Super Bowl run without him.

Money from another team can't necessarily buy a Super Bowl ring. And as Murray told the Fort Worth Star-Telegram last month, "Winning a Super Bowl means more than anything.''

So if other offers are close, Murray's best bet is to return to Dallas where synergy with the league's best run-blocking offensive line feels like the equivalent of a $2 million per year roster bonus from another team. Because as special as Andrew Luck is, the Colts aren't close to having the type of road-grading, zone-blocked line Murray excelled behind in leading the league.

Murray accounted for 36% of the Cowboys' total yards from scrimmage. So somewhere in the four-year, $9 million per-year range seems as if it would be in the ballpark of what figures to be a depressed running back market flooded with free agents such as Ingram, Justin Forsett, Frank Gore and Reggie Bush.

If the Cowboys can't come close, then, it is an easy decision. Become the first rushing leader since "Bullet'' Bill Dudley in 1946 not to return to your former team.

As much as Jones vowed he wants Murray as "A Cowboy for Life,'' that isn't fiscally possible given how constrained Dallas is with just $6.5 million available under the $143 million salary cap and all those holes to plug on defense.

Garrett stood up for Murray at last month's NFL scouting combine, insisting the runner does matter. Garrett doesn't consider tailback a plug-and-play position despite a looming deep tailback draft, perhaps the deepest in a decade.

Garrett is genuine about his desire to have Murray return and continue easing the burden on Romo after two back surgeries in less than a year.

So take your time and shop smart, DeMarco. You've earned the right after playing through that broken bone in your hand last Nov. 27.

The Cowboys want Murray, but on their terms with a deal they can walk away from after three years when he approaches 30 and production typically drops significantly.

Just remember all offers aren't equal. There is one thing more money can't buy -- that ring these zone-blocked Cowboys potentially help you earn sooner than later.

Then, even fewer Cowboy dollars are worth a jackpot decision you'll never regret.

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Follow Jim Corbett on Twitter @ByJimCorbett