Player Spotlight: Marion Barber (1 Viewer)

[Stealthycat]

as an Arkansas fan, here is what I see

Jerry Jones had a chance to draft a talented Arkansas back and did so. Felix rarely was the goial line stud, it was always McFadden. Felix burned some nice runs, no doubt, and he's faster/shiftier than his combine time.

Felix is a Hester type though because he's such an excellent punt/kickoff return guy. If Felix isn't on special teams doing that in the Cowboys games I'd be a bit surprised.

300/1300/14

40/280/2

Barber will get his IMO, and the bulk of the rushing TD's. Felix will get some, but if the Cowboys use him on special teams, and I think they will, even more the reason to think Barber III will be studly

 

[Holy Schneikes]

This will probably work some people up, but I wouldn't be THAT surprised if Felix Jones ended up with a slightly larger share of the pie by season's end.

please

In Wade's presser yesterday, here's what he had to say on the RB situation:

Marion Barber will have a bigger role like in the playoff game. He’s our 100-yard back we hope, he’s a good receiver and a good blocker, he could play every down. Felix we will utilize and Choice has a chance to play some, too. But we’re counting on Barber and see what Felix can add.

Q. (Monitor Barber to keep him fresh at the end of the game?)

A. He’s fresh all the time. One of the strongest stamina guys I’ve been around. We’ll monitor it but he won’t have any problem.

Yeah, we've seen that already. That's what the coach is saying July and I'm sure he means it. I think they will go into the season with Barber as the lead back in the committee. What I said was by the end of the season (and meant on a per game basis - not necessarily the net carries on the year) Jones could be getting more carries than Barber. I guess my point is that it's possible Jones is (or could become) a better overall RB, and good coaches will play their best players.I realize that I will be in the vast minority on this, but I do think it's funny that if I said the exact same thing about Mendenhall, it wouldn't be received with NEARLY the same level of skepticism. I'm not SURE Jones is better, I'm just saying it's possible. As fantastic as Jones looked in college, I think he could get a lot better with a little extra size and strength which should be fairly easy for him to get in the pros. It's not that I think Barber is a bad RB, I think he's a very, very good complete package. I just happen to think Jones COULD BE even better.

The thing people miss about Jones is that he is NOT built like 3rd down back or a scat-back. He's got the body type of a feature back who just hasn't put on the weight yet (he's barely 21 years old). I think Portis (5'11 204 at the combine and now listed at 223 and carrying it comfortably) when I see Jones.

 

[switz]

This will probably work some people up, but I wouldn't be THAT surprised if Felix Jones ended up with a slightly larger share of the pie by season's end.

please

In Wade's presser yesterday, here's what he had to say on the RB situation:

Marion Barber will have a bigger role like in the playoff game. He’s our 100-yard back we hope, he’s a good receiver and a good blocker, he could play every down. Felix we will utilize and Choice has a chance to play some, too. But we’re counting on Barber and see what Felix can add.

Q. (Monitor Barber to keep him fresh at the end of the game?)

A. He’s fresh all the time. One of the strongest stamina guys I’ve been around. We’ll monitor it but he won’t have any problem.

Yeah, we've seen that already. That's what the coach is saying July and I'm sure he means it. I think they will go into the season with Barber as the lead back in the committee. What I said was by the end of the season (and meant on a per game basis - not necessarily the net carries on the year) Jones could be getting more carries than Barber. I guess my point is that it's possible Jones is (or could become) a better overall RB, and good coaches will play their best players.I realize that I will be in the vast minority on this, but I do think it's funny that if I said the exact same thing about Mendenhall, it wouldn't be received with NEARLY the same level of skepticism. I'm not SURE Jones is better, I'm just saying it's possible. As fantastic as Jones looked in college, I think he could get a lot better with a little extra size and strength which should be fairly easy for him to get in the pros. It's not that I think Barber is a bad RB, I think he's a very, very good complete package. I just happen to think Jones COULD BE even better.

The thing people miss about Jones is that he is NOT built like 3rd down back or a scat-back. He's got the body type of a feature back who just hasn't put on the weight yet (he's barely 21 years old). I think Portis (5'11 204 at the combine and now listed at 223 and carrying it comfortably) when I see Jones.

 

[joffer]

This will probably work some people up, but I wouldn't be THAT surprised if Felix Jones ended up with a slightly larger share of the pie by season's end.

please

In Wade's presser yesterday, here's what he had to say on the RB situation:

Marion Barber will have a bigger role like in the playoff game. He’s our 100-yard back we hope, he’s a good receiver and a good blocker, he could play every down. Felix we will utilize and Choice has a chance to play some, too. But we’re counting on Barber and see what Felix can add.

Q. (Monitor Barber to keep him fresh at the end of the game?)

A. He’s fresh all the time. One of the strongest stamina guys I’ve been around. We’ll monitor it but he won’t have any problem.

Yeah, we've seen that already. That's what the coach is saying July and I'm sure he means it. I think they will go into the season with Barber as the lead back in the committee. What I said was by the end of the season (and meant on a per game basis - not necessarily the net carries on the year) Jones could be getting more carries than Barber. I guess my point is that it's possible Jones is (or could become) a better overall RB, and good coaches will play their best players.I realize that I will be in the vast minority on this, but I do think it's funny that if I said the exact same thing about Mendenhall, it wouldn't be received with NEARLY the same level of skepticism. I'm not SURE Jones is better, I'm just saying it's possible. As fantastic as Jones looked in college, I think he could get a lot better with a little extra size and strength which should be fairly easy for him to get in the pros. It's not that I think Barber is a bad RB, I think he's a very, very good complete package. I just happen to think Jones COULD BE even better.

The thing people miss about Jones is that he is NOT built like 3rd down back or a scat-back. He's got the body type of a feature back who just hasn't put on the weight yet (he's barely 21 years old). I think Portis (5'11 204 at the combine and now listed at 223 and carrying it comfortably) when I see Jones.

ok, if you're point is that you think Jones is that good, i can see where you're coming from. we're just MILES apart on that opinion.

 

[Holy Schneikes]

ok, if you're point is that you think Jones is that good, i can see where you're coming from. we're just MILES apart on that opinion.

Yup, and most folks agree with you.My opinion is a combination of a couple of things that seem to differ from the norm. I don't think Barber is an ELITE talent. I think he's an above average NFL starter-type talent, but not truly elite. I think Jones has the capacity to be at least as good as Barber (he's got a higher ceiling IMO, and can do things Barber might not be able to do). Those things I get that most folks will disagree with.

What I have a harder time with is the prevailing thought that the team will not use both backs even if they are in the same ballpark talent-wise (and even if we assume Barber is the more talented half). Up until a half a season ago, Julius Jones was the starting RB for the Dallas cowboys. I think most would agree that Barber was at least as talented as Julius Jones (most would say way more talented). Barber was outplaying him significantly (had been for years - painful to watch for Julius owners). Yet Jones played - A LOT. Why? The only obvious answer is that the team liked that approach better and felt it was better for the team overall (and truthfully, it WAS very effective). Now what has changed?

The same staff is in place. Player-wise, no major additions except Felix and no major subtractions except Julius. So it boils down to Felix vs Julius right? Are people here so enamored of Julius Jones that they think Dallas brought in a 1st round RB to be used significantly LESS than super-stud Julius or that Felix is significantly LESS talented than Julius? That's the only explanation for a vast change in the distribution of carries in Dallas. Yes, the coach says he wants Barber to get a lot of carries. But he also says he wants to use Jones. These are the same things every coach says every year. Phillips is not going to say "Barber can't handle 20 carries a game." in public. He has no incentive to do that. So he says, "We COULD use him on every down, but we aren't going to". Everybody's happy. But when game-time rolls around, he will do what he thinks is going to help them win in the long-term, and the evidence shows that HE thinks that involves sharing carries.

 

[switz]

Yes, the coach says he wants Barber to get a lot of carries. But he also says he wants to use Jones. These are the same things every coach says every year. Phillips is not going to say "Barber can't handle 20 carries a game." in public. He has no incentive to do that. So he says, "We COULD use him on every down, but we aren't going to". Everybody's happy. But when game-time rolls around, he will do what he thinks is going to help them win in the long-term, and the evidence shows that HE thinks that involves sharing carries.

And the problem with putting any stock in what Wade Phillips says is that he has ZERO say on the offense. That is all Jason Garrett's baby.

 

[joffer]

Yes, the coach says he wants Barber to get a lot of carries. But he also says he wants to use Jones. These are the same things every coach says every year. Phillips is not going to say "Barber can't handle 20 carries a game." in public. He has no incentive to do that. So he says, "We COULD use him on every down, but we aren't going to". Everybody's happy. But when game-time rolls around, he will do what he thinks is going to help them win in the long-term, and the evidence shows that HE thinks that involves sharing carries.

And the problem with putting any stock in what Wade Phillips says is that he has ZERO say on the offense. That is all Jason Garrett's baby.

and i'm sure if Phillips had said something similar about using Jones a lot, you wouldn't put any stock in that either.

 

[switz]

Yes, the coach says he wants Barber to get a lot of carries. But he also says he wants to use Jones. These are the same things every coach says every year. Phillips is not going to say "Barber can't handle 20 carries a game." in public. He has no incentive to do that. So he says, "We COULD use him on every down, but we aren't going to". Everybody's happy. But when game-time rolls around, he will do what he thinks is going to help them win in the long-term, and the evidence shows that HE thinks that involves sharing carries.

And the problem with putting any stock in what Wade Phillips says is that he has ZERO say on the offense. That is all Jason Garrett's baby.

and i'm sure if Phillips had said something similar about using Jones a lot, you wouldn't put any stock in that either.

At this point it's all coach speak... in fact Phillips has already stated he thinks Felix is as good as Thurman Thomas (an HOF RB).

 

[joffer]

What I have a harder time with is the prevailing thought that the team will not use both backs even if they are in the same ballpark talent-wise (and even if we assume Barber is the more talented half). Up until a half a season ago, Julius Jones was the starting RB for the Dallas cowboys. I think most would agree that Barber was at least as talented as Julius Jones (most would say way more talented). Barber was outplaying him significantly (had been for years - painful to watch for Julius owners). Yet Jones played - A LOT. Why? The only obvious answer is that the team liked that approach better and felt it was better for the team overall (and truthfully, it WAS very effective). Now what has changed?The same staff is in place. Player-wise, no major additions except Felix and no major subtractions except Julius. So it boils down to Felix vs Julius right? Are people here so enamored of Julius Jones that they think Dallas brought in a 1st round RB to be used significantly LESS than super-stud Julius or that Felix is significantly LESS talented than Julius? That's the only explanation for a vast change in the distribution of carries in Dallas. Yes, the coach says he wants Barber to get a lot of carries. But he also says he wants to use Jones. These are the same things every coach says every year. Phillips is not going to say "Barber can't handle 20 carries a game." in public. He has no incentive to do that. So he says, "We COULD use him on every down, but we aren't going to". Everybody's happy. But when game-time rolls around, he will do what he thinks is going to help them win in the long-term, and the evidence shows that HE thinks that involves sharing carries.

i think you're severely underestimating the effect of 7 years/$45 million with $16 million guaranteed, but that's fine. i understand your point. The Cowboys have seen the importance of depth at the RB position over the last few years, but they didn't have to take a RB in the 1st round.

 

[pizzatyme]

When I think of Barber I am constantly reminded of Addai. In their systems, they are very similar players. I could see both ending in the top 5 RBs this year.

MBIII- 305/1340/15 30/240/2

 

[KellysHeroes]

Cowboys offensive coordinator Jason Garrett calls Marion Barber an "every-down back."

NFL Films captured Garrett while the Cowboys were on the clock in April. "We've got an every down back here," he said, referring to Barber. "The one guy (Mendenhall) is an every-down back. The other guy (Jones) is a special complementary back." It doesn't sound like MBIII will come off the field much this year.

If Barber takes the loin share... I said IF... hes be in the top 5 of all rankings in 09

 

[switz]

If Barber takes the loin share... I said IF... hes be in the top 5 of all rankings in 09

After the opening preseason game, I can't see Barber getting the lions share of the carries. Jones looked way too explosive for them to limit his touches, and they ran Anderson at the goal line. I have no doubt we'll see more of Anderson and Choice at the goal line this season, as they'll want to limit Barber's hits for his increased carries on other downs.Everything I've seen so far confirms for me that Barber is likely to see around 250 carries, and 20 receptions.

 

[Ridgelake]

Switz, I agree with you. After watching the first pre-season game, I think Barber's stats will be around 250 carries and 20 catches. I do think he gets the goal line work still. He's so damn good at it. Think he'll lose his 3rd down back status as Felix is showing enough ability to block. I'm not as certain on this point though, but it looks like it after 1 preseason game.

Felix is going to get around 150 carries and 40 catches. He'll be the 4th best receiver in terms of catches behind TO, Witten, and just behind Crayton. I actually think Felix will take away some of Witten's catches. He'll be a safety valve, a role Witten has played in the past. Dallas is going to get him the ball in space and let him work.