Souhan: Cowboys look like they're paving the way for Peterson

If the Vikings decide to ditch their star, he could wear one on his helmet.

The path from the Twin Cities to the Metroplex, the ugly-as-scrub nickname given to the Dallas-Fort Worth area, now looks as direct as I-35.

Thursday night, the Dallas Cowboys beat the Chicago Bears 41-28. After 43 minutes, the score was 35-7.

Instead of resting their star running back, DeMarco Murray, the Cowboys gave him the ball 41 times. He carried 32 times and caught nine passes. Dallas gave its other running backs exactly one carry.

When Adrian Peterson rushed for 2,097 yards in 2012, he touched the ball 30 times or more only three times, all in close games. His season high was 35 touches in the must-win season finale against Green Bay. He often left the game on third downs.

In 16 games that season, Peterson touched the ball 388 times. In 13 games this season, Murray has already touched it 373 times, even though his upright running style and large frame make him an easy target for savage hits.

According to ESPN Stats & Information, Murray is on pace to touch the ball 459 times, which would be the second-highest total in NFL history to James Wilder's 492 in 1984.

Actually, the Cowboys are treating Murray worse than a rented mule.

To rent a mule, you probably need to leave a security deposit. You may need mule insurance. If you damage the mule, you lose money.

The Cowboys know that treating Murray like a rental will cost them nothing. They can let him walk away as a free agent at the end of the season, and plug in another running back.

Peterson couldn't fit any better in Texas if his name was Walt Garrison and he kept a pinch between his cheek and gum.

Peterson's contract calls for $14 million a year. The Vikings are building their team around a talented group of youngsters. Peterson will turn 30 in March. Even if Peterson had avoided trouble and played well this season, the Vikings were unlikely to keep paying him $14 million a year in a league that doesn't highly value running backs, even those in their prime.

Peterson told me shortly before the season that he wanted to finish his career as a Viking, but telling a local writer that you want to play for the local team is an easy and not always authentic public relations gambit.

He also called Cowboys owner Jerry Jones this summer, according to ESPN.com, and inquired about future employment with a star on his helmet.

Peterson grew up in East Texas, which is Cowboys country. He lives near Houston, a stretch of fast interstate from Dallas.

While many Minnesotans recoiled at the news that Peterson had severely whipped a 4-year-old boy, corporal punishment is viewed more favorably in Texas.

Few NFL franchises would offer anything close to Peterson's value in a trade. The Cowboys might be the exception.

Jones also knows that few NFL running backs follow one historic season with another.

Murray is on pace to rush for 1,977 yards. If NFL history is an indication, he'll rush for 1,100-1,400 yards next year, assuming good health.

A year after Peterson rushed for 2,097 yards, he rushed for 1,266. Eric Dickerson went from 2,105 to 1,234. Jamal Lewis went from 2,066 to 1,006. Barry Sanders went from 2,053 to 1,491. Terrell Davis went from 2,008 to 211. Chris Johnson went from 2,006 to 1,364. O.J. Simpson went from 2,003 to 1,125. Shaun Alexander, physically comparable to Murray, went from 1,880 to 896.

Lewis, Davis and Alexander were quickly reduced to role players, then ex-players, shortly after their biggest seasons. Sanders soon retired.

The Browns last year traded running back Trent Richardson to the Colts for a first-round draft pick, and Richardson on his best day isn't nearly as good as Peterson on his worst.

The Vikings would get another draft pick or two to bolster a promising young roster.

And Zygi Wilf wouldn't have to read any more prepared statements containing the words: "We needed to get this right."