Cowboys notes: Murray trying to get a handle on fumbles

DeMarco Murray is trying to take full advantage of the Dallas Cowboys’ desire to become a run-first team and has put up solid numbers.

But that is being overshadowed by his fumbling problems the first three weeks of the season. Murray lost another fumble Sunday, his third consecutive first-quarter lost fumble.

“Very disappointing,” Murray said. “I didn’t play the way I should have played today, very disappointing, letting that one go. I got to get it fixed and I will get it fixed. I’m just going to move on.”

Murray built a reputation taking care of the ball, losing only three fumbles his first three seasons. But this is becoming a growing concern for the Cowboys.

Murray was stripped by St. Louis Rams linebacker Alec Ogletree just before he went down on a screen pass, which set up a touchdown drive by the Rams.

“He’s got to get it right,” coach Jason Garrett said. “He’s going to get it right. Obviously, every one of these has been a different situation, but that’s the nature of this league and that’s a big play in this game.”

Garrett said the Cowboys aren’t going to stop giving Murray the ball. Murray rushed for 100 yards on 24 carries Sunday, breaking a long run of 44 yards.

Bryant, Jenkins battle

Cowboys receiver Dez Bryant and Rams cornerback Janoris Jenkins went at it all day, and each had their moments.

Jenkins struck first by jumping a route for a pick-six in the first half and then mocking Bryant by throwing up his own “X.”

“He did throw it up, didn’t he?” Bryant said. “He had every right to. He played it well and you’ve got to give him credit.”

But Bryant had the last laugh.

He burned Jenkins on a 68-yard TD in the second half. Then, in the fourth quarter, Bryant “won” again by drawing a pass interference penalty on Jenkins in what became the Cowboys’ go-ahead drive.

“We were having fun out there,” Bryant said. “He’s a great DB. He’s going to be real good in this league.”

Scandrick returns

Cornerback Orlando Scandrick woke up at 4:30 a.m. and didn’t go back to sleep. He couldn’t wait to get back in game action after being suspended the first two games.

“I had such anxiety,” Scandrick said. “I was just ready to play.”

Scandrick started the game, but found himself rotating in and out with Morris Claiborne when the team played its base defense. He deferred to the coaches when asked about his playing time, although he said he played less than he thought.

“Obviously, Coach wanted to integrate me back in,” said Scandrick, who had five tackles and a quarterback hit.

“I just kept thinking in my mind when I’m out there, make plays, make as many plays as I can. I didn’t want to press too much.”

Bailey sets record

Kicker Dan Bailey has established himself as one of the most reliable players on the team and delivered again Sunday.

Bailey made a 29-yard field goal near the end of the first half to tie the franchise record with 27 consecutive makes. He then set the record with his 28th consecutive make by nailing a 40-yarder in the third quarter.

“Any time you can string some successful kicks together, that’s always a positive,” Bailey said. “But our focus is just going one-for-one. [The record] is the last thing on your mind when you’re out there.”

Said executive vice president Stephen Jones: “He’s amazing. We pay him a lot of money to do that and he steps up and does it. The guy has ice water in his veins. He’s a hell of a kicker.”

This story was originally published September 21, 2014 at 8:58 PM with the headline "Cowboys notes: Murray trying to get a handle on fumbles."