Felix Jones (1 Viewer)

[Weiner Dog]

-- Felix Jones Reports Heavier Than Marion Barber --

Mon Jul 26, 2010 --from FFMastermind.com

The Dallas Morning News reports Cowboys RB Felix Jones can claim two distinctions on the Cowboys: biggest and fastest of the running backs. HC Wade Phillips acknowledged Sunday the speedster Jones reported to camp heavier than RB Marion Barber, the power back. Jones said he weighed in at 218 pounds. Phillips said Barber reported at 214 pounds. Both body changes were by design. Jones added his weight through increased upper-body strength. Jones wanted the strength to help him handle an anticipated heavier workload. In the final six games – including playoffs – last season, Jones averaged 13 carries and 79.1 yards. "Anything that helps me out," Jones said. "It's a physical game. I think this will help me out throughout the season." Barber, down by about eight pounds, is among numerous players who have dropped weight in search of increased speed and agility. The group includes OT Marc Colombo and OL Robert Brewster, LB Bradie James and LB DeMarcus Ware, the entire secondary other than FS Alan Ball, QB Tony Romo and WR Roy Williams. Their weight losses ranged from five to 10-plus pounds. "I always tell them that I want them to be able to run as fast as they can," Phillips said. "You can see they can play up to their ability even though they're not as gigantic as they were." Williams' weight loss is striking, but he kiddingly claimed it was because of the slimming effect of a black shirt he was wearing. Owner and GM Jerry Jones said the club believes the weight loss could be the answer to Williams' woes. "Roy Williams will be better lighter," Jones said.

 

[bicycle_seat_sniffer]

not sure if I like him adding weight, might slow him down some. Speed is his game. Will it make him more durable? who knows

 

[CalBear]

Wow, a three-fer in the "weight change will make this player better" category.

Don't buy it.

 

[Iwannabeacowboybaby!]

We'll have to see how he looks when he's running the ball. If he's lost speed then I don't like it, if he's maintained the speed and added power, what's not to like.

I like that Barber as trimmed down some. He lost some of his explosiveness last season, hopefully a little boost in quickness will help him get through that initial wave of defenders a little more often this year.

 

[Weiner Dog]

Didn't Felix weigh 210-215 last year? If so, 218 seems to be an expected weight knowing players generally lose weight throughout the season. If anything, the article should be more focused on MBII's huge weight loss vs Felix's minor weight gain.

 

[Agent575]

-- Felix Jones Reports Heavier Than Marion Barber -- Williams' weight loss is striking, but he kiddingly claimed it was because of the slimming effect of a black shirt he was wearing. Owner and GM Jerry Jones said the club believes the weight loss could be the answer to Williams' woes. "Roy Williams will be better lighter," Jones said.

 

[MAC_32]

not sure if I like him adding weight, might slow him down some. Speed is his game. Will it make him more durable? who knows

If the 8 lbs he gained was muscle and it's all above the waist it shouldn't make a meaningful difference on his speed.

 

[gibfunk]

I've always hated the "he has added 10 pounds of muscle" statement. It's just fodder for sportswriters (and unfortunately dorks like us) to write about. Whenever I hear something like this, I always laugh and slough it off as nonsense. If the story came out that Felix had been working with Romo and Witten in the offseason to better grasp the offense, then thats something to get excited about. Unfortunately, you can't quantify becoming a better overall player as easily as packing on a couple lbs, so this is what we're left with.

 

[MAC_32]

I've always hated the "he has added 10 pounds of muscle" statement.

I don't think the above blurb mentioned that, just that he gained weight. He needed to gain weight to try and improve his durability, but if it wasn't good weight then all he did was create another problem.

 

[gibfunk]

I've always hated the "he has added 10 pounds of muscle" statement.

I don't think the above blurb mentioned that, just that he gained weight. He needed to gain weight to try and improve his durability, but if it wasn't good weight then all he did was create another problem.

I wasnt referencing this article in particular, but I've heard the 10 lbs of muscle thing from another report. Plus, are we to think he put on 10 lbs of fat? We never hear those stories unless its a lineman who's overweight.

 

[MAC_32]

I've always hated the "he has added 10 pounds of muscle" statement.

I don't think the above blurb mentioned that, just that he gained weight. He needed to gain weight to try and improve his durability, but if it wasn't good weight then all he did was create another problem.

I wasnt referencing this article in particular, but I've heard the 10 lbs of muscle thing from another report. Plus, are we to think he put on 10 lbs of fat? We never hear those stories unless its a lineman who's overweight.

How often do you hear negative stories in the offseason? I consider this a good thing unless it effected his speed/agility/quickness, an extra 10 lbs on some guys might not mean anything but I think it may with Felix. His old frame broke too easily, he needed a stronger one.

 

[gibfunk]

I've always hated the "he has added 10 pounds of muscle" statement.

I don't think the above blurb mentioned that, just that he gained weight. He needed to gain weight to try and improve his durability, but if it wasn't good weight then all he did was create another problem.

I wasnt referencing this article in particular, but I've heard the 10 lbs of muscle thing from another report. Plus, are we to think he put on 10 lbs of fat? We never hear those stories unless its a lineman who's overweight.

How often do you hear negative stories in the offseason? I consider this a good thing unless it effected his speed/agility/quickness, an extra 10 lbs on some guys might not mean anything but I think it may with Felix. His old frame broke too early, he needed a stronger one.

I don't view this as a negative, BTW. I just took him in my keeper yesterday, so I got a pony in this race.

 

[menobrown]

not sure if I like him adding weight, might slow him down some. Speed is his game. Will it make him more durable? who knows

He's really not that blazing fast. Nothing special about his 40 times. What makes him such a break away threat is his vision and the rare ability to make a cut without changing speeds. He said he added the weight because he expected an increased workload so I think that means he did it for durability. I think this is a positive for him.

 

[Bob Magaw]

there is some impressive speed at the RB position today...

chris johnson is one of the fastest players in league history...

rookies spiller and best are speed merchants...

felix might be one of the next fastest RBs, though...

i think he ran a 4.47... and unlike some RBs, he has no trouble translating his track speed to field speed...

he may get caught if a DB has an angle, but he doesn't get caught from behind too much...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H1FOnenboaY&NR=1

 

[Banger]

I really think this is Jones's breakout year. I'd love to snag him in every league..

 

[SoopaCee]

i heard mb3 has been working with the 1st team.....and he slimmed down big time

'boys are hypin him up

 

[KellysHeroes]

I never like it when a Pro gains more than 5 pds... you should do what you do at your natural weight. If Felix is a natural 210 body type; then playing and maintaining 220 is going to hurt his game imo.

 

[baconisgood]

We'll have to see how he looks when he's running the ball. If he's lost speed then I don't like it, if he's maintained the speed and added power, what's not to like.I like that Barber as trimmed down some. He lost some of his explosiveness last season, hopefully a little boost in quickness will help him get through that initial wave of defenders a little more often this year.

Wasn't Barber's problem last year due to a tear in his quad?

 

[Bayhawks]

not sure if I like him adding weight, might slow him down some. Speed is his game. Will it make him more durable? who knows

He's really not that blazing fast. Nothing special about his 40 times. What makes him such a break away threat is his vision and the rare ability to make a cut without changing speeds. He said he added the weight because he expected an increased workload so I think that means he did it for durability. I think this is a positive for him.

But the article said he added the 10 lbs mostly in his upper body. That's not really gonna make him more durable. A RB needs to have a muscular lower body; that's where he's going to get hit most, and that's where extra muscle would come in handy. IMO, if Jones gained 10 lbs of upper body muscle, that's not any more relevant to his ability as a NFL RB than the pics that made the rounds several years ago of Michael Pittman's and Thomas Jones' guns were relevant to their ability.

 

[hook014]

I never like it when a Pro gains more than 5 pds... you should do what you do at your natural weight. If Felix is a natural 210 body type; then playing and maintaining 220 is going to hurt his game imo.

I agree completely. Seems like every year some rb comes in 8-10 lbs heavier and says he did it for more durability. Then the games start and he is missing some of his initial burst to the hole and the hole closes on him. Now he's pounding into his blockers back instead of busting free. I love Felix's game and was targetting him until this. Now I'm thinking that Barber's the guy to get.

 

[unckeyherb]

Steve Slaton

 

[G5781]

Steve Slaton

Was just going to post that. Slaton looked sluggish last year with the added weight and clearly was a step slower. Not saying it will be the same with Felix but for a runner who relies on speed, its something i would see more as a negative than a positive.

 

[comet909]

How in the world can adding weight not slow him down a little? Assuming he added upper body bulk, the force that his lower body creates to accelerate won't change therefore...

Force = Mass X Acceleration. If mass increases and the force stays the same then accleration decreases. Didn't Felix take physics?

 

[Frank Black]

How in the world can adding weight not slow him down a little?

I was an All American NCAA sprinter. What enabled my times to improve for me to become an All American was adding muscle. If you have a good coach and you train the right way, you can improve your speed while adding muscle. The right kind of training is the key.

 

[LarryAllen'sJockstrap]

Word out of traininig camp is that both Barber and Jones look good, but there is a noticeable difference in speed when Jones takes the ball. Take it for what it is worth, but Garrett said on the radio this morninig in an interview they once again plan to get all three guys touches this season. No word on who would be the starter though.

 

[Neo]

Word out of traininig camp is that both Barber and Jones look good, but there is a noticeable difference in speed when Jones takes the ball. Take it for what it is worth, but Garrett said on the radio this morninig in an interview they once again plan to get all three guys touches this season. No word on who would be the starter though.

What does that mean? Noticeable in a bad way or good?

 

[cobalt_27]

Somewhere Switz is doing a little pickle dance and debating with himself about where he'd rank Felix among the likes of Jim Brown, Walter Payton, and Barry Sanders.

 

[baconisgood]

I don't like when players gain weight to "improve their durability" simply because it is a free roll. A player only does it if they have been injured before so if htey get injured again its like "oh well, we tried something" and if he doesn't its "hey, putting on weight was a good thing.

Specifically in Jones case his rookie injuries were a hamstring pull and turf toe and last year's injury was a strained PCL. None of them sounds like an injury that can be prevented with more muscle to these untrained ears.

 

[Catbird]

This seems like an intended weight gain? I think he, and the C'boys, would like him to be less susecptible to injury and to pack a little more wallop through the line and when some guy can only get an arm on him in the open field. If he played at between 110 and 115 last season, 118 before the rigors of training camp doesn't sound like a big deal to me. More just something to write about when everyone wants Felix news.

I agree the real story in Barber's greater weight change. I understand why he would want to be lighter (and thus faster/more agile) but I am not seeing the 3 RBs becoming more like each other as a huge benefit.

 

[Dr. Octopus]

Force = Mass X Acceleration. If mass increases and the force stays the same then accleration decreases. Didn't Felix take physics?

Why are you assuming Force stays the same? If Mass increases but acceleration stayd the same (which is what we are discussing) then the Force would increase (which is what Jones is hoping to be the case).

 

[az_prof]

Wow, a three-fer in the "weight change will make this player better" category.Don't buy it.

Remember Steve Slaton last season putting on weight? At this point, we know Jones is heavier but we don't know if he is still as fast.

 

[LarryAllen'sJockstrap]

Word out of traininig camp is that both Barber and Jones look good, but there is a noticeable difference in speed when Jones takes the ball. Take it for what it is worth, but Garrett said on the radio this morninig in an interview they once again plan to get all three guys touches this season. No word on who would be the starter though.

What does that mean? Noticeable in a bad way or good?

Jones appears to be the most explosive of the backs on the roster, even with the added weight.If I had to guess a workload breakdown per game, I would probably go with:Jones: 14-16 CarriesBarber: 8-10 CarriesChoice: 2-4 CarriesEven with Jones' "breakout" at the end of last season (week 14 on) and in the playoffs, he still only averaged 13 carries a game during that time frame. Unless Barber and Choice miss significant time with injuries, I think Felix will be hard pressed to see a feature back workload.

 

[CA_7]

Some interesting feedback from pro RBs...

...Some fellow ballcarriers also believe bulking up is a bad idea. "You think you're going to be more durable, but injuries are still going to be there because of his [physical] running style," says former Saints back Deuce McAllister. "You say 10, 12 pounds is going to enable you to punish defenses, but the reward is not worth the risk."

McAllister played at about 220 as a rookie in 2001, then started putting on weight for the rigors of a full-time role after Ricky Williams was traded to Miami in '02. In '05 and '07 McAllister, who weighed 232 by then, sustained ACL tears without being hit. "I believe if I hadn't put on the weight, it wouldn't have happened," he says.

Indeed, there's even an argument for slimming down. LaDainian Tomlinson says he weighed as much as 225 in college but has stayed between 214 and 218 since being drafted by the Chargers in 2001. "There's no way you can't lose some of your quickness if you put on weight like that, even if it's muscle mass," he says. "In my best season [2006, when he led the league with 1,815 yards and 28 rushing TDs], I was 214 pounds, the lightest I've been in my career."

Clinton Portis offers another case study in bulking up. As a Broncos rookie in 2002 he played at 192 pounds. Two years later he was traded to the Redskins, in the rugged NFC East, and began adding weight to absorb extra punishment, topping out at 226. In D.C., Portis has had only one season in which he missed significant time to injury (a bad shoulder and a broken hand in '06), but he admits to having sacrificed breakaway speed. He had seven runs of 50 or more yards in two seasons with the Broncos but has had only one in five years with the Skins—on his first carry for the franchise. "You have trade-offs," says Portis.

Pound Foolish? from cnnsi.com

 

[VaTerp]

How in the world can adding weight not slow him down a little?

I was an All American NCAA sprinter. What enabled my times to improve for me to become an All American was adding muscle. If you have a good coach and you train the right way, you can improve your speed while adding muscle. The right kind of training is the key.

I was not an All-American at anything in college unless you count....well nevermind.But I now do a lot of work with eilte youth athletes and would second this. I don't do physical training, and won't claim to be an expert by any means, but I am around them enough to see what they do and the results. Jones is still young enough that increased muscle mass could very well contribute to maintaining or increasing explosiveness and overall speed IF the right kind of training is used.I'm sure that as a NFL athlete Jones is getting the highest quality training but it can still be a difficult thing to do. Everyone's body is different and responds differently to training programs, diets, and supplements.Obviously, Slaton increased muscle mass and appeared much less explosive last year in pre-season. Time will tell how the increased weight works for Felix and I will be interested to see what he looks like over the next few weeks.

 

[CalBear]

One thing that is entirely fallacious is that extra weight will make you less injury-prone. Joint injuries, particularly in the lower body, are all exacerbated when those joints have to carry additional weight.

 

[VaTerp]

Word out of traininig camp is that both Barber and Jones look good, but there is a noticeable difference in speed when Jones takes the ball. Take it for what it is worth, but Garrett said on the radio this morninig in an interview they once again plan to get all three guys touches this season. No word on who would be the starter though.

What does that mean? Noticeable in a bad way or good?

Jones appears to be the most explosive of the backs on the roster, even with the added weight.If I had to guess a workload breakdown per game, I would probably go with:

Jones: 14-16 Carries

Barber: 8-10 Carries

Choice: 2-4 Carries

Even with Jones' "breakout" at the end of last season (week 14 on) and in the playoffs, he still only averaged 13 carries a game during that time frame. Unless Barber and Choice miss significant time with injuries, I think Felix will be hard pressed to see a feature back workload.

I don't know if that really tells us anything. Jones was much more explosive than the other 2 RBs already so, conceivably, he could have lost a step and still been "the most explosive back on the roster."I will be very anxious to see what he looks like in camp.

 

[MAC_32]

How in the world can adding weight not slow him down a little?

I was an All American NCAA sprinter. What enabled my times to improve for me to become an All American was adding muscle. If you have a good coach and you train the right way, you can improve your speed while adding muscle. The right kind of training is the key.

 

[Manster]

I've always hated the "he has added 10 pounds of muscle" statement. It's just fodder for sportswriters (and unfortunately dorks like us) to write about. Whenever I hear something like this, I always laugh and slough it off as nonsense. If the story came out that Felix had been working with Romo and Witten in the offseason to better grasp the offense, then thats something to get excited about. Unfortunately, you can't quantify becoming a better overall player as easily as packing on a couple lbs, so this is what we're left with.

agreed.be in shape and know what you're sposed to do on the field.

 

[Dragon1952]

One thing that is entirely fallacious is that extra weight will make you less injury-prone. Joint injuries, particularly in the lower body, are all exacerbated when those joints have to carry additional weight.

This is very true. It all comes down to whether or not your frame is already maxed out on what it can optimally handle though.

 

[MAC_32]

One thing that is entirely fallacious is that extra weight will make you less injury-prone. Joint injuries, particularly in the lower body, are all exacerbated when those joints have to carry additional weight.

Felix had joint injuries?

 

[Catbird]

This, that a few pounds of extra muscle will reduce injury risk seems an awfully widely-held belief by the top trainers in the world for you to be calling it 'entirley fallacious'? Charles put on a little bit of weight for protection, they want Best to put on a little. Leon Washingtonm has been doing this, Norwood has tried. If you put of 25 lbs I agree it'll change what your muscles and ligiments have to do and over time that can cause injury. But to say you can't help avoid injury by getting stronger and adding some muscle? I have a lot less muscle than these guys and would expect an exploding linebacker to do me a lot more harm than it does them. Muscle does hold you and your bones together against outside forces?

I think its overdoing that becomes a problem - being too light or too stiff or too heavy. But saying the Cowboy staff's belief that having Felix Jones come to camp with an extra 5 or 7 lbs will make him less prone to injury is entirely fallacious ... would require a lot more medical information about world class athletes in peak condition than ... I have?

 

[Todem]

We'll have to see how he looks when he's running the ball. If he's lost speed then I don't like it, if he's maintained the speed and added power, what's not to like.I like that Barber as trimmed down some. He lost some of his explosiveness last season, hopefully a little boost in quickness will help him get through that initial wave of defenders a little more often this year.

Wasn't Barber's problem last year due to a tear in his quad?

100% the reason. Before the tear he looked great.We talked about that injury in length. Some us knew he would not be the same back the rest of the year. When you blow out the biggest muscle in your leg your pretty much done being at top speed the rest of the season. Those things take 6 months to get over. A fully healthy Barber will be the steal of many drafts this season and especially if he returns to the closer role. Double digit TD's in store and a return to form ala 2007 for the Barbarian.

 

[cobalt_27]

One thing that is entirely fallacious is that extra weight will make you less injury-prone. Joint injuries, particularly in the lower body, are all exacerbated when those joints have to carry additional weight.

Felix had joint injuries?

No, the concern is that he will now that he has gained weight.

 

[n20]

It looks like Felix is being held out of practice because of swelling in his knee.

"Running back Felix Jones is being held out because of swelling on a knee. Coach Wade Phillips said the ailment is not considered serious and the club is being cautious in the handling of Jones".

Link

The club is being cautious in the handling of Jones. I've got him in 2 leagues but I'm starting to wonder how many carries will they actually give him this year? I'm thinking less than 200 at this point.

 

[KellysHeroes]

How in the world can adding weight not slow him down a little?

I was an All American NCAA sprinter. What enabled my times to improve for me to become an All American was adding muscle. If you have a good coach and you train the right way, you can improve your speed while adding muscle. The right kind of training is the key.

I was not an All-American at anything in college unless you count....well nevermind.But I now do a lot of work with eilte youth athletes and would second this. I don't do physical training, and won't claim to be an expert by any means, but I am around them enough to see what they do and the results. Jones is still young enough that increased muscle mass could very well contribute to maintaining or increasing explosiveness and overall speed IF the right kind of training is used.I'm sure that as a NFL athlete Jones is getting the highest quality training but it can still be a difficult thing to do. Everyone's body is different and responds differently to training programs, diets, and supplements.Obviously, Slaton increased muscle mass and appeared much less explosive last year in pre-season. Time will tell how the increased weight works for Felix and I will be interested to see what he looks like over the next few weeks.

You guys seem to be talking about adding muscle on people that are still developing in college... thats fine. Felix is already an adult and is an all world athlete in his early stages of 20s... his body is already developed to its natural form and now it sounds like the added muscle is 'forced'. And if you wanted to improve your speed wouldn't you add weight to your lower-body? Sounds like they wanted him to add the weight up top so he wouldn't fumble as much with the increased workload. I think its going to hurt his style of play more than anything.

 

[KellysHeroes]

We'll have to see how he looks when he's running the ball. If he's lost speed then I don't like it, if he's maintained the speed and added power, what's not to like.I like that Barber as trimmed down some. He lost some of his explosiveness last season, hopefully a little boost in quickness will help him get through that initial wave of defenders a little more often this year.

Wasn't Barber's problem last year due to a tear in his quad?

100% the reason. Before the tear he looked great.We talked about that injury in length. Some us knew he would not be the same back the rest of the year. When you blow out the biggest muscle in your leg your pretty much done being at top speed the rest of the season. Those things take 6 months to get over. A fully healthy Barber will be the steal of many drafts this season and especially if he returns to the closer role. Double digit TD's in store and a return to form ala 2007 for the Barbarian.

Barber did look really good till he fell down in the Giants game... he cameback way to early.

 

[CalBear]

One thing that is entirely fallacious is that extra weight will make you less injury-prone. Joint injuries, particularly in the lower body, are all exacerbated when those joints have to carry additional weight.

Felix had joint injuries?

Yes, turf toe and PCL are both joint injuries.

 

[bagger]

Wow, a three-fer in the "weight change will make this player better" category.Don't buy it.

it worked for ron dayne.

 

[Go deep]

How in the world can adding weight not slow him down a little?

I was an All American NCAA sprinter. What enabled my times to improve for me to become an All American was adding muscle. If you have a good coach and you train the right way, you can improve your speed while adding muscle. The right kind of training is the key.

I was not an All-American at anything in college unless you count....well nevermind.But I now do a lot of work with eilte youth athletes and would second this. I don't do physical training, and won't claim to be an expert by any means, but I am around them enough to see what they do and the results. Jones is still young enough that increased muscle mass could very well contribute to maintaining or increasing explosiveness and overall speed IF the right kind of training is used.I'm sure that as a NFL athlete Jones is getting the highest quality training but it can still be a difficult thing to do. Everyone's body is different and responds differently to training programs, diets, and supplements.Obviously, Slaton increased muscle mass and appeared much less explosive last year in pre-season. Time will tell how the increased weight works for Felix and I will be interested to see what he looks like over the next few weeks.

You guys seem to be talking about adding muscle on people that are still developing in college... thats fine. Felix is already an adult and is an all world athlete in his early stages of 20s... his body is already developed to its natural form and now it sounds like the added muscle is 'forced'. And if you wanted to improve your speed wouldn't you add weight to your lower-body? Sounds like they wanted him to add the weight up top so he wouldn't fumble as much with the increased workload. I think its going to hurt his style of play more than anything.

Felix Jones only benched 225 eight times at the combine. Most 210 fully developed athletes can do double that. That tells me that he never spent much time in the gym. So if the weight gain is truly from him finally dedicating himself to working out for the first time, not only can he maintain(or even better) his speed while putting on weight, it can help with his durability issues.

 

[MAC_32]

One thing that is entirely fallacious is that extra weight will make you less injury-prone. Joint injuries, particularly in the lower body, are all exacerbated when those joints have to carry additional weight.

Felix had joint injuries?

Yes, turf toe and PCL are both joint injuries.

The PCL is a ligament, not a joint....but I didn't know he had turf toe. I remembered a foot problem, but thought it was something else.