Wade Phillips confirms RBBC (1 Viewer)

[Righetti]

For now, the Cowboys plan on keeping their two-back system.

Barber and Jones combined for 1,738 yards and 18 rushing touchdowns last season. Only six teams had more production from their top two running backs.

"Whatever we have is good," Cowboys coach Wade Phillips said. "It used to be you had one running back. Now it's changed where a lot of teams have been able to utilize two good backs. That's the situation that I've walked into, and I think it's a good situation."

According to Broncos coach Mike Shanahan, who got an up-close look at Jones and Barber during joint practices with the Cowboys the past two days, it's "a good problem to have."

The Broncos routinely have one of the league's top running games and they've done it primarily with interchangeable backs.

"I don't care how the backs get the yardage," Shanahan said. "People say we were a two-running back team last year. But we had over 2,000 yards rushing. I think what you want is production."

So it remains a good situation for the Cowboys and Barber. He and Jones have a good relationship.

"Everybody wants to start, you can't just settle for whatever," Barber said. "You want to be the best that you can be. You have to seize the opportunity when it comes. I just have to sit tight and be ready

 

[Righetti]

frist part of the article

IRVING -- After rushing for 654 yards and scoring an NFC-high 16 touchdowns last season as the Cowboys' third down-and-short yardage running back, Marion Barber wants a bigger role.His goal is to be the Cowboys' starting running back now and in the future.Don't misunderstand.Barber is content with his role as the cleanup man behind starter Julius Jones in the Cowboys' two-back system. He will continue to do whatever is asked of him by the coaches because his foremost priority is to help the team make a Super Bowl run in 2007.But the third-year back from Minnesota said he is far from satisfied."Of course you want to [start]," Barber said. "It's a goal of mine. If you are not motivated to start or train yourself like you are going to start, you shouldn't be playing. But you have to know your role. I just try to be ready when they call my name."Barber's breakout play last season has fostered plenty of support for him to not only gain a bigger role in the offense, but possibly supplant Jones as the team's starting running back.Jones rushed for 1,084 yards and became the Cowboys' first 1,000-yard rusher since Emmitt Smith in 2001, and added 112 yards in the playoff game against Seattle. However, he gained no more than 40 yards in five of the final six regular-season games. Barber topped him in yards per carry for the regular season -- 4.8 to 4.1 -- albeit with half as many touches.Barber, who gained weight and added quickness in the off-season, wants more."I just pray for health," Barber said. "I never imagined that. Now I want to build on it. I say the sky is the limit."With Jones in the final year of his contract and not guaranteed to return next season, Barber could soon become the top back.It's no secret the Cowboys have their sights set on Arkansas junior running back Darren McFadden. They have two first-round picks next year, including one from the Cleveland Browns, and McFadden is expected to be one of the top early entry prospects.

 

[AnonymousBob]

"Whatever we have is good," Cowboys coach Wade Phillips said. "It used to be you had one running back. Now it's changed where a lot of teams have been able to utilize two good backs. That's the situation that I've walked into, and I think it's a good situation."

This is the only part that caught my attention. The rest is merely preseason talk.

 

[Righetti]

Bob, I agree with you and I meant to bold that part.. I just edited the first post in order to do so

 

[Wu-banger]

as a Cowboys fan I'm glad to here it... they both do a great job in their present roles.

 

[Andy Dufresne]

Every team is RBBC otherwise one guy would get 100% of a teams carries during the season. I don't think that's physically possible.

The question is, at what percentage does it become a detriment to the fantasy numbers of the #1 guy - 80/20? 70/30? 60/40?

I don't know. I think a lot depends on the qualities of the #1 guy. Of course the LT/MT split is going to be close to 80/20 - LT is one of the best backs ever. The split in Dallas should be closer to 60/40 or 50/50 as neither JJ nor MBIII is in the "elite" category.

 

[AnonymousBob]

Aren't touchdowns regarded as being relatively flukish? Certainly you would project LT to finish with more td's than Ronnie Brown but I believe most of us would concur the actual number can and does fluctuate a fair amount.

Does anyone here think Marion Barber will have another season of 16 touchdowns? That is a very high number...very few backs break 10+. Do we all believe Julius won't surpass his whopping total of 4 touchdowns last year?

 

[Sleehrat]

Its funny, without fantasy football, nobody is making a ruckus over RBBC. In fact, most fans would love the fact that there are two capable RBs on their team. But it drives fantasy owners crazy.

 

[Dirty Weasel]

Its funny, without fantasy football, nobody is making a ruckus over RBBC. In fact, most fans would love the fact that there are two capable RBs on their team. But it drives fantasy owners crazy.

I have to disagree. Without a feature RB, as a fan, I don't know which jersey to buy. Julius Jones or Marion Barber? Perhaps Marion Jones?

 

[BusMan]

Its funny, without fantasy football, nobody is making a ruckus over RBBC. In fact, most fans would love the fact that there are two capable RBs on their team. But it drives fantasy owners crazy.

I have to disagree. Without a feature RB, as a fan, I don't know which jersey to buy. Julius Jones or Marion Barber? Perhaps Marion Jones?

Oh D-Dub, that's just nasty :cleveland: