Anyone else think MBIII might post decent numbers tomorrow? (1 Viewer)

[KCC]

A lot of websites are down on starting Barber this week, but I'm not so quick to send him to my bench. Yeah, I know....Minnesota has the #1 rushing defense in the NFL. But who have they played? Atlanta - with the #21 rated rushing offense; Detroit- with the #31 rated rushing offense; Green Bay - with the #32 rated rushing offense; KC - with the #30 rated rushing offense; and Chicago - with the #27 rated rushing offense. Do I think Minnesota's rushing defense is solely a reflection of these teams having such lousy rushing production? No - but it does at least play a large role. Dallas is ranked #11 in rushing and I honestly don't see them as belonging in the same rushing tier as all the other teams Minnesota has played. Given that, Minnesota's defense doesn't frighten me enough to bench a stud like Barber.

Yeah, I'm also aware that Barber is splitting time with Julius Jones. And, when you look at the numbers, Barber has 64 rushing attempts (and 14 catches) compared to Jones 69 rushing attempts (and 6 catches), so they are almost even in total touches. Despite having roughly the same opportunities, they differ in terms of production: Barber averages 6.0 yrds. per carry while Jones has averaged 3.9 yrds. per carry. I won't use TD production as a comparative measuring stick for both - that would be unfair to Jones since Barber is used as the primary redzone back - but from a fantasy perspective it's significant that Barber has 5 total TDs compared to Jones 1. Jones presence doesn't scare me off either.

You know who does scare me a bit though? Tony Romo. Don't get me wrong, I think Romo is very talented and can throw a TD strike on just about any play. But, he can also have a melt down and turn the ball over on just about any play as well. Given his "boom-or-bust" production, I would be far more comfortable trying to get a running game going late in a game if I were the coach, especially if my team is up on Minnesota (Dallas, by the way, is favored by 9.5 pts.).

Anyone else think Barber might actually post some decent fantasy numbers this week?

 

[Andy Herron]

Sounds to me like you've already got yourself convinced.

I'm a Cowboy fan, a Barber fan, and even a Barber owner in one small league, but I benched him.

You make a good case, though. That run out of the end zone last week was unbelievable.

 

[Jon_Moore]

Don't kid yourself. Minnesota was a top rush defense last year. Great Defensive tackles. Barber might find paydirt, but yardage is going to be hard to come by. Any team in the league would rather trust their offense to a running game. If you can hand it off 50 times and not be stopped, why ever throw it? When you face a rush defense like Minnesota, you're not going to win on the ground.

That said, if you don't have another GOOD option, he's darn near impossible to bench.

I think he's a super talent. And one day, I don't know when, he's going to be given a feature back's share, but if he gets you 60 total yards and a touch this week, that's HUGE, and 60 yards alone would be a very good outing in this matchup.

 

[skol asylum]

You know, i'm a Minnesota homer and was set to bench MBIII in favor of Norwood, but I thought it over and reversed myself. I guess it just doesn't seem like Norwood is getting enough looks yet so I'll roll the dice with Barber. Also starting Adrian Peterson in the same league, so it will make the game that much more interesting.

 

[King of the Wolfies]

I started KJ and Watson over MB3 this week. MIN is that good against the run. However, Dallas may get 400 yards thru the air, so start Romo and all the DAL WR.

 

[Sopranos]

Minny can be ran on. Benson had like 40 yards in the first Qtr lastweek. You have to run outside. There is no room up the gut. Go outside all game and IMO they can be worn down.. It will take JJ and MBIII to do it. But their pass defense id so bad the is NO REASON for any team to do this.

 

[dragon10]

has he done anything since Week 2 against the Dolphins which has shown to be the WORST in the NFL. Or Week 3 vs Chicago which has turned out to be SWISS CHEEZ this year?

 

[supermark_28]

has he done anything since Week 2 against the Dolphins which has shown to be the WORST in the NFL. Or Week 3 vs Chicago which has turned out to be SWISS CHEEZ this year?

Not really. I think MBIII has a better shot to get more yards today than JJ but the td's are too hit or miss.This is actually the first time I've benched him all year and hopefully it doesnt backfire.

 

[beto]

MB3 and JJ will combine for 150-170 combined yards and a least 1 TD.

Dallas will be able to run the ball vs. Minnesota. Their line is good enough and they are playing at home.

 

[North]

J. Jones is the play here.

 

[RUSF18]

Just got him in a deal for Alexander so I'm starting him. Yardage will probably be tough to come by but all he needs is a couple goal line opportunities. I think something like 15/60/1 with a few receptions thrown in is possible.

 

[~Haze~]

I don't see any reason to expect anything different than what they've done in each of their games. MBIII and JJ split the carries and MBIII makes more of his opportunities.

So far

MBIII 65/383/4

JJ 69/268/1 and if I remember correctly, that 1 TD was on a long run.

I'm more concerned that JJ infringes on Barber's stats than the opposing D. That's the way it goes when you only have half of a RBBC but I think the Dallas running game (MBIII & JJ) outperforms Minny's D.

 

[NJ OAK]

FWIW, I am starting him over K. Faulk today, even if Maroney is out. Minnesota has not played any team with such a balanced offense.

 

[Bankerguy]

I think both backs struggle and Dallas moves the ball at will through the passing game.

 

[HoTnickZ]

Agreed. Do NOT sit him this game.

 

[DOVCommish]

I'm starting Barber as of now, but growing a wild hair and think Santana Moss could rebound nicely vs. Arizona. Could go either way, but something to ponder for the next hour or so.

 

[RUSF18]

I believe it was someone in the gameday thread who said it...but that is why you give JJ carries. MB3 looked awesome on that last drive.