Player Spotlight: Julius Jones (1 Viewer)

[Jason Wood]

2007 Player Spotlight Series

Over the course of the offseason, we will be evaluating a multitude of players at every fantasy position. One such way we go about that is through the Player Spotlight series. Think of the Spotlights as a permanent record on some of the more intriguing players for the upcoming season. Each Spotlight will be featured in an article on the main website.

Thread Topic: Julius Jones, RB, Dallas Cowboys

Player Page Link: Julius Jones Player Page

Each article will include:

Detailed viewpoint from a Footballguys staff member
Highlighted member commentary from the message board threads
FBG Projections
Consensus Member ProjectionsThe Rules

In order for this thread to provide sustainable value, we ask that you follow a few simple guidelines:

Focus commentary on the player in question, and your expectations for said player
Back up your expectations in whatever manner you deem appropriate; avoid posts that simply say "I hate him" or "He's the best"
To be included in the final synopsis and consensus outlook, you MUST provide projections for the playerProjections should include (at a minimum):

For QBs: Passing Yards, Passing TDs, Ints, Rush Yards, Rush TDs
For RBs: Rushes, Rushing Yards, Rush TDs, Receptions, Receiving Yards, Receiving TDs
For WRs & TEs: Receptions, Receiving Yards, Receiving TDsBest of Luck and ENJOY!

 

[SSOG]

Tremendously underrated RB, especially in dynasty, where FBGs have him ranked as RB34 and MBIII as RB23. I agree that Barber is the more talented of the two RBs, but Julius Jones has proven he can handle the workload and has started over MBIII in the past, so I don't know why it's so inconceivable that he could do it again. Plus, since both JJ and MBIII are free agents next offseason, the chances are spectacular that one of the two lands on another team, leaving JJ with great odds to be a starter next year, even if he isn't this year.

 

[LBH]

as a JJ owner in a couple of leagues, Im excited at the prospect of Jones outplaying his draft position. Hes in a contract year with a new coaching staff, and seems realy happy Parcells isnt there anymore. I think he might catch more passes out of the backfield this season

1100yds rushing 35 rec 250yds 7tds

 

[Cowboys#1]

Read through some of my posts on the JJ/MBIII debate and you'll know that I much prefer JJ..

He should have a good year with the new coaching scheme and playing for a contract (likely with another team depending on how high Dallas is picking in the draft..)

He really is one of the most underrated backs in the league as a lot of people either didnt watch him, or fell in love with Barber at the goal line.

265/1113/8 20/145/1 finishing as RB 15-19

 

[mlball77]

I see the DAL RB situation as a full fledged RBBC this year. Jones might get a few more carries than MBIII, but less targets in the passing game and less goal line opportunities.

Rush Yds: 800

Rush TDs: 4

Recs: 12

Rec Yds: 90

Rec TDs: 1

 

[Iwannabeacowboybaby!]

Julius Jones will never be a fulltime back. It's not about sitauation or where he may end up.....he's not good enough or durable enough to be that guy. He's a decent running back, can run strong for awhile but needs help carrying the load thru the course of a season. He's also not a great runner at the goaline, which means he'll never be the guy who gets you the 12 plus td's. Furthermore, he's just an avergage back at best in terms of his pass blocking and receiving abilities which keeps him out of a lot of plays on 3rd down.

950 yards rushing and 5 tds

22 receptions for 180 yards and 1 td

 

[Power Monster]

Agree that this is a RBBC situation with MB III but I think that MB III is the better back and has shown that he can get the job done. If Parcells was the problem with JJ then how did MB III have a lot of success when he was given the chance? Simple- JJ is overrated to the hilt BUT a contract year player has the ability to get real good fast.

700 yds

6 rushing TDs

15 recs

60 yards

0 TDs

 

[shadyridr]

Plain and simple I think Barber is a more talented RB than Jones and now with Parcells gone I think Barber will eventually get more of the carries. That being said Jones will still get some carries and is a good change of pace and breakaway RB. I can see a 60/40 split favoring Barber but Barber is much more valuable as he gets the goalline love and rightfully deserves it.

200 att, 900 yds, 5 tds, 25 rec, 200 yds, 0 tds

 

[rzrback77]

The projections of the two Dallas RBs for 07 confuse me. This message board all summer has been filled with threads featuring quotes about Barber being the better RB, Barber has proved to be the better option, Barber scores TDs, etc. Barber was the better goal line back in 06 for the Cowboys and I have to admit that I'm not a big Cowboy fan and didn't watch a lot of their games, but I keep seeing the number of touches and I'm confused.

Julius Jones 06 - 267 rushes for 1,084 yds (4.1 ypc) 15 targets 9 catches 142 yds (15.8 ypc) 4 total TDs

Marion Barber 06 - 135 rushes for 654 yds (4.8 ypc) 32 targets 23 catches 196 yds (8.5 ypc) 16 total TDs

Julius Jones 05 - 257 rushes for 993 yds (3.9 ypc) 46 targets 35 catches 218 yds (6.3 ypc) 5 total TDs

Marion Barber 05 - 138 rushes for 538 yds (3.9 ypc) 25 targets 18 catches 115 yds (6.4 ypc) 5 total TDs

I see Jones with almost twice the carries of Barber for each of the two seasons that Barber has been in the league. I see two effective receivers. I see two fairly effective RBs. The only aspect that Barber stands out in the statistics is in 06, with a lot of TDs. Others may point to the ypc in 06, but it is not unusual for the lower carry guy to have a higher ypc and even that was not the case in 05.

Maybe Barber is the more talented RB, but why did Jones have double the carries in each of Barber's two seasons? Now to the value of the two, Barber has an ADP of RB25 and 40 overall, while Jones is RB33 and 73 overall. That makes which of the two to draft an easy choice for me.

Julius Jones 280 carries 1176 yds (4.2 ypc) 25 targets 18 catches 160 yds and 7 total TDs

 

[kurtrudder]

The projections of the two Dallas RBs for 07 confuse me. This message board all summer has been filled with threads featuring quotes about Barber being the better RB, Barber has proved to be the better option, Barber scores TDs, etc. Barber was the better goal line back in 06 for the Cowboys and I have to admit that I'm not a big Cowboy fan and didn't watch a lot of their games, but I keep seeing the number of touches and I'm confused.Julius Jones 06 - 267 rushes for 1,084 yds (4.1 ypc) 15 targets 9 catches 142 yds (15.8 ypc) 4 total TDsMarion Barber 06 - 135 rushes for 654 yds (4.8 ypc) 32 targets 23 catches 196 yds (8.5 ypc) 16 total TDsJulius Jones 05 - 257 rushes for 993 yds (3.9 ypc) 46 targets 35 catches 218 yds (6.3 ypc) 5 total TDsMarion Barber 05 - 138 rushes for 538 yds (3.9 ypc) 25 targets 18 catches 115 yds (6.4 ypc) 5 total TDsI see Jones with almost twice the carries of Barber for each of the two seasons that Barber has been in the league. I see two effective receivers. I see two fairly effective RBs. The only aspect that Barber stands out in the statistics is in 06, with a lot of TDs. Others may point to the ypc in 06, but it is not unusual for the .lower carry guy to have a higher ypc and even that was not the case in 05.Maybe Barber is the more talented RB, but why did Jones have double the carries in each of Barber's two seasons? Now to the value of the two, Barber has an ADP of RB25 and 40 overall, while Jones is RB33 and 73 overall. That makes which of the two to draft an easy choice for me.Julius Jones 280 carries 1176 yds (4.2 ypc) 25 targets 18 catches 160 yds and 7 total TDs

JJ is an excellent buy low player due to Barber's currently inflated value. I really think owners will be dazzled by MB3's 16 TD's in 2006 and could be worried JJ's time is over. I say it's a great time to make a move on Jones. Even if he posts similar numbers to last season then he is a reasonable RB3.....but more importantly is that the RB situation in Dallas will most likely look quite different in 2008. JJ in a contract year could play himself into a nice trade situation or to be the sole back in Dallas.275 carries 1100 yds, 25 catches 200 yds, 7 TD's in total

 

[David Yudkin]

Here's a strange stat from last year . . .

JJ with Bledsoe at QB:

21.6 carries, 111 total yards, 0.5 TD per game

JJ with Romo at QB:

14.4 carries, 61 total yards, 0.18 TD per game

I'm not sure why that happened and if the switch to Romo was just a coincidence. But there is no doubt that after Romo took over JJ was nowhere near as big a piece of the offense.

 

[Bull Dozier]

Never underestimate the contract year. I could see a rise in Jones' per touch performance to a slight degree, but until the Dallas situation is clarified on the field (ie, during pre season games) it's difficult to predict the touch breakdown here. The official word so far has been nothing will change, but if Barber continues to outplay Jones, I don't see how that would happen.

For now, I'd predict a more even split of the carries.

200-860-4, 15-180-0

 

[SSOG]

Never underestimate the contract year. I could see a rise in Jones' per touch performance to a slight degree, but until the Dallas situation is clarified on the field (ie, during pre season games) it's difficult to predict the touch breakdown here. The official word so far has been nothing will change, but if Barber continues to outplay Jones, I don't see how that would happen.For now, I'd predict a more even split of the carries.200-860-4, 15-180-0

Barber III is in a contract year, too, so I don't see how this gives either RB an advantage over the other.

 

[Carter_Can_Fly]

With Barber and Jones in contract years that intensifies this whole situation. Predicting Dallas' RB for the now and future is next to impossible.

I have both Jones and Barber lower in dynasty because of their uncertainity.

 

[SSOG]

With Barber and Jones in contract years that intensifies this whole situation. Predicting Dallas' RB for the now and future is next to impossible.I have both Jones and Barber lower in dynasty because of their uncertainity.

Really? I like them even more in Dynasty than redraft just because they're both in contract years. Even if you pick the wrong RB this year, next year odds are they're going to be on two completely different teams. If I take JJ in redraft and Barber becomes the workhorse, I just got hosed. If I take JJ in dynasty and Barber becomes the workhorse, then there's always the second chance next year as he winds up as a likely starter on another team. Ditto that for Barber.I love backup RBs on the last year of their contract in dynasty. Even if they never amount to anything, there's always a substantial value boost when they hit the open market.