Grading Trent Murphy as a Redskins Starter
By Chris West
Oct 27, 2014; Arlington, TX, USA; Washington Redskins linebacker Trent Murphy (93) celebrates recovering a fumble in the first half against the Dallas Cowboys at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports
Trent Murphy was drafted by the Washington Redskins in May 2014 to boost their pass rush and to be a possible replacement for Brian Orakpo if he leaves as a free agent in the off-season of 2015. During the first 7 games, Murphy showed little while being used to line up in multiple positions mostly on passing downs as an extra pass rusher.
That changed when Orakpo went down with another torn pec muscle in a week 7 victory over the Tennessee Titans. Murphy then started the next 2 games against Dallas and Minnesota, and he had a few key plays during the Redskins thrilling 20-17 overtime victory over the Cowboys.
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In the first quarter, Murphy took a hard up field angle on a run by the Cowboy’s running back, Demarco Murray. Cowboy’s Offensive tackle Tyron Smith helped open a huge hole for Murray by shoving Murphy further out of the play and leading Murray on an outside run.
Murphy didn’t give up on the play and was able to recover a fumble by Murray after Redskins safety, Brandon Meriweather knocked the ball loose. The pro-bowl tackle, Smith was able to hold Murphy in check for most of the game. Murphy got inside of the block of TE James Hanna on a play action pass to Murray in the second quarter.
Trent Murphy pressured QB Tony Romo but didn’t affect the play although Murray again fumbled after a long gain and Meriweather recovered at the Redskins 10 yard line. Early in the second half, Murphy tipped a Romo pass into the air and almost intercepted it but couldn’t hold onto the ball.
Murphy got inside of Smith in the fourth quarter and forced a hold that wasn’t caught by the officials. Murphy may have sacked Romo for a safety on that play without the hold. Overall, I gave Murphy a 0.79 rating for the game on a simple + or – grading scale. On this grading scale, a player can gain a +1 to +5 on a positive play where he does his job or he can receive a -1 to -5 on a negative play.
Going against Smith was a tough first start for Murphy but the 0.79 rating equals a C. Murphy didn’t have many negative plays but received many zeros for having no impact on the play. In his second start against Minnesota, Murphy fared a little better. Facing off against Matt Kalil for the most part, Murphy scored a 0.85 which is a B-.
Murphy recorded the first QB sack of his career in the first quarter. Murphy got inside of Kalil and powered by G Charlie Johnson to sack QB Teddy Bridgewater for a 9 yard loss. Murphy hurried Bridgewater twice in the game also. He then had a nice tackle for loss on RB Jerick McKinnon with less than a minute left in the game to help the Redskins have one last shot to win.
Murphy’s performance will likely improve through the end of the season as he gets more comfortable in a starting role. He competes to the whistle and never gives up on a play as his fumble recovery against the Cowboys showed. Replacing Orakpo for this season and possibly more is no easy task but Murphy has the ability and high motor to succeed.
We will see how he develops as he faces off against Buccaneers LT Anthony Collins on Sunday.