Anyone else think Felix actually helps Barber? (1 Viewer)

[The Moz]

Feliz this year is going to get a 40% Load share i think that is almost a given right now. I think this actually Helps Barber more than hurts.

When Barber was a feature back he tired early - even look at the Playoff game against NYG - he blew up in first half and was a step slower the second. Same thing during the season. He blew up the start then fizzled. Getting maybe 5-6 carries in the first half then being the closer and pounder in the second half - ending up with maybe 15 carries a game allows him to be the BABARIAN again. Just run wild and over people and come up huge in the 4th qaurter.

I am seeing Barber fall to the early 3rd round in several drafts and Mocks and those that took him there weren't even confident.

IMO he gest more carries then got with JJ there but less than last year. The carries he does get will be more explosive and he will be the shorty back as well. 210 carries for 1150 and 14 scores with another 35 receptions for 300 and another TD or 2

I think barber really outplays his draft slot -- JMO

 

[foxco]

I do. Similar to Jacobs with the Giants, they'll limit him a bit and get the other guys involved, which will allow Barber to run roughshod over people later in the game.

 

[Garts]

Me too. My leagues are TD heavy leagues. I could care less if Felix carries a ton in between the 20's....when they hit the red zone it's MBIII time.

I see 12 TDS for sure this year.

 

[switz]

Feliz this year is going to get a 40% Load share i think that is almost a given right now. I think this actually Helps Barber more than hurts.

I would expect Felix to have an even greater workload than that. He'll be the back with the most touches by the end of the season without a doubt. They plan on using him in the Wildcat at times, as the single back, in a backfield with Barber, and split wide.

I am seeing Barber fall to the early 3rd round in several drafts and Mocks and those that took him there weren't even confident.

Well, I think it's silly for him to fall into the third, he was a solid RB2, borderline RB1 while splitting time with JJ. He'll be worthy of a second round pick for sure.

IMO he gets more carries then got with JJ there but less than last year. The carries he does get will be more explosive and he will be the shorty back as well. 210 carries for 1150 and 14 scores with another 35 receptions for 300 and another TD or

Remember in '07 he had 204 carries, that's pretty close to the 210 you are projecting. I can see that, it's reasonable. I don't see him getting that many receptions though. I think he falls back into the mid-20s to low-30s in # of receptions this year.I would say 210 carries is good, 950 yards rushing. (BTW, for him to get 1150 yards on 210 carries he would need to average 5.5 YPC, not going to happen.) He's never broken a 1,000 yards rushing, and I doubt he ever does. Receiving given 25-30 receptions, I can see 220 yards or so. I think he'll be back up in the 10-12 TD range though.ETA - merely to fix some typos

 

[bigern1000]

Owning Barber/Felix in Dynasty, I'm definitely concerned about that backfield situation altogether. I just wonder how much they are going to be a true RBBC rather than MBIII being a featured back like it started out last season, and then if Choice is going to play more of a Bradshaw role or be a bit more involved with the offense.

Way I see it, I purchased MBIII in auction last season as the 5th highest-salaried RB in the league, and that tide is obviously turning this year. I've been offered a trade in which as part of the deal I would acquire the RFA rights to MJD (who just finished up his rookie contract). Acquiring him with the rights to match any bid at this season's draft would mean I would need to drop MBIII on cut day to have enough cap room to match any price on MJD.

I'd then still have Felix, and room to bid on Choice, while having MJD replacing MBIII in my lineup (paired either with RBrown or DWard, plus whatever rookie RB I might get as I have a couple of 1st Rd picks). I'd have to be confident that Felix would have a significant enough role, plus be recovered from injury and be featured in case MBIII is out. It's a tough call right now, but I really could see MBIII/Felix at 1,000+ all purpose yds each, with a combined 15-18 TDs.

 

[KellysHeroes]

Barber was in the top 3 of RBs until he got hurt, so no... Felix getting more won't help in anyway; However it will keep him fresh.

 

[Carter_Can_Fly]

I see F. Jones as a guy who is going to get about 40% of the Cowboys carries this year. After coming up with some analysis of past seasons here is what I discovered.

RB percentage for Dallas Cowboys through 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008

2005: Julius Jones 257 of 443 touches equals 58% of the Cowboys touches

Marion Barber 138 of 443 touches equals 31%

*Barber's YPC 3.9

2006: Julius Jones 267 of 426 equals 63% of the touches

Marion Barber 137 of 426 equals 32%

*Barber's YPC 4.8

2007: Julius Jones 164 of 382 equals 43 %

Marion Barber 204 of 382 equals 53%

*Barber's YPC 4.8

2008: Marion Barber 238 of 364 equals 65%

*Barber's YPC 3.7

With the loss of Owens you would have to assume that the Cowboys will count on their running game more than they did last year. It appears that Barber is best suited for a 150-200 carries, and will get many of those in a finishing role as many of you have pointed out. I think many people get caught up with the Barbarian being better than he actually is. The guy is definitely a beast and hard to tackle and has a nose for the end zone, but he is not the 3 down workhorse back that many fantasy owners would like. He has yet to break 1000 yards or carry the ball more than 240 times in a season so I don't think that will change going forward.

My projections for 2009.....

I think Dallas will run around 430-440 times next season....

Give Barber 200-220 around 50%

Felix Jones 180-200 around 40%

T. Choice 50-60 carries around 10%

*Jones has C. Johnson potential and I think the Cowboys know this as they drafted him in the first round last year to add that homerun threat that makes things happens when he has the ball in his hands. Jones was off to a very good start before hurting his hamstring last season as being a very big difference maker for the Cowboys. This year will be very telling to Jones and Barber's roles going forward.

 

[Jackal King]

I agree with Switz here. Felix is too explosive and his talent will eventually nudge him to the front of this three horse race.

 

[Mustang Man]

Barber was in the top 3 of RBs until he got hurt, so no... Felix getting more won't help in anyway; However it will keep him fresh.

Yes this will help. Barber needs to be in a time share. He runs to physically. He is what he is and that is a top/mid #2 rb. If he gets the reps to be a #1 rb chances are he would get hurt as he did last season. Dallas will run the ball a lot this year and there will be enough balls for Barber and Felix to have a good fantasy impact. What would you rather have a boarder line fantasy #1 rb Barber, without Felix and I say boarder line #1 because of the injury risk or a rested mid/top #2 Barber that will have a much lower injury risk that will just be a monster because he is fresh and can split the workload. In the end Barbers number will be about the same but he will be around in the end when it matters if Felix is in the mix.

 

[Mustang Man]

I agree with Switz here. Felix is too explosive and his talent will eventually nudge him to the front of this three horse race.

I doubt Dallas will use Felix as the primary ball carrier they have special plans for this guy. Trick plays, runs, splitting him out wide etc. Felix is more then a runner he is a special talent and one that Dallas will want to protect from taking to much of a beating. This is what I hope anyway cause Barber can do the dirty work. It is what he loves.

 

[Mr. Mojo]

Barber was in the top 3 of RBs until he got hurt, so no... Felix getting more won't help in anyway; However it will keep him fresh.

Yes this will help. Barber needs to be in a time share. He runs to physically. He is what he is and that is a top/mid #2 rb. If he gets the reps to be a #1 rb chances are he would get hurt as he did last season. Dallas will run the ball a lot this year and there will be enough balls for Barber and Felix to have a good fantasy impact. What would you rather have a boarder line fantasy #1 rb Barber, without Felix and I say boarder line #1 because of the injury risk or a rested mid/top #2 Barber that will have a much lower injury risk that will just be a monster because he is fresh and can split the workload. In the end Barbers number will be about the same but he will be around in the end when it matters if Felix is in the mix.

I agree with this.I don't think that Felix could handle the majority even if they wanted him too - he would likely break down.

 

[mlball77]

I'm concerned that Felix will cut into Barber's touches more than I would like (as a Barber owner in one league). I still see Barber as likely to receive more touches than any other DAL RB, but Felix should play a significant role this year, and deservingly so, in my view.

Carter can Fly's post that projected 50% of RB touches to Barber and 40% to Felix (with 10% to Choice) seems pretty reasonable to me.

 

[switz]

I don't think that Felix could handle the majority even if they wanted him too - he would likely break down.

Actually, there's ZERO evidence to support that. On the other hand, we have only to look at last year to see that Barber can't handle the starting role.

 

[vffkl]

I don't think that Felix could handle the majority even if they wanted him too - he would likely break down.

Actually, there's ZERO evidence to support that. On the other hand, we have only to look at last year to see that Barber can't handle the starting role.

Hmmm I don't know but only getting to 30 carries for the year before getting injuried doesn't seem like he could handle a starting role.

 

[joffer]

what was Barber's injury? didn't he get his foot stepped on by an Olineman while blocking?

 

[switz]

I don't think that Felix could handle the majority even if they wanted him too - he would likely break down.

Actually, there's ZERO evidence to support that. On the other hand, we have only to look at last year to see that Barber can't handle the starting role.

Hmmm I don't know but only getting to 30 carries for the year before getting injuried doesn't seem like he could handle a starting role.

He didn't go on IR from a football related injury. He was getting rehab for a pulled hamstring when the trainer injured his toe.It's good to know the whole story before jumping to conclusions.

 

[joffer]

anyone who doesn't have an eerie man-crush on Felix Jones remember Barber's injury?

 

[packersfan]

anyone who doesn't have an eerie man-crush on Felix Jones remember Barber's injury?

Barber had his foot stepped on. That's a freak injury and in my opinion it's not a sign he can't handle the starting role. That said, I think Felix getting more involved will help Barber. It will reduce the punishment he takes and keep him fresher throughout the season. We saw how good Barber was when he shared time with Julius Jones. I think if the Cowboys use a 60-40 split with Barber and Jones that will help Barber, keep him healthier and productive for the entire season and not just a portion of it. I see Barber going in the second round of drafts right now and I think that's great value given his Top 10 potential. He makes an excellent RB2 in my opinion or a good RB1 if you draft a WR with your first pick.