The Cowboys running backs

[ZenItRam]

After this game we see:

M. Barber III____14____65____4.6____1____12
J. Jones________15____45____3.0 0____0____11

Just dumb questions, but I'm curious to what you all think ...


Is JJ going to loose his starting position by the end of the season?
Why haven't we seen any break way runs from JJ this season?
Lastly, why doesn't he break to the outside when there are good opportunities out there for him?

[Doomsday101]

After this game we see:

M. Barber III____14____65____4.6____1____12
J. Jones________15____45____3.0 0____0____11

Just dumb questions, but I'm curious to what you all think ...


Is JJ going to loose his starting position by the end of the season?
Why haven't we seen any break way runs from JJ this season?
Lastly, why doesn't he break to the outside when there are good opportunities out there for him?

Both guys fill their roles very well and no I don't see Parcells shaking it up. He has said he would like to get Jones about 20 carries a game and Barber 10 to 15.

[ZenItRam]

I guess I just miss the days of having a dominant rusher on the Cowboys roster.

[CowboyStar88]

in the 2nd half jj was just ineffective, it happens. JJ isn't losing his job. People are knee jerking over his 15 carries. They wanted to throw the ball and they did. JJ will be fine down the home stretch not to worry.

[TwoSteppinJJ]

Maybe next year Barber takes over for Julius who knows but I dont think it would be great to make a switch this year. Julius has been having a fine year. Hes struggled a bit of late but that will happen every now and then.

[Doomsday101]

I guess I just miss the days of having a dominant rusher on the Cowboys roster.

I like that as well but in the end I'm more interested in the running game as a whole being very good and Jones and Barber provide that. I like the ideal that we have 2 backs who can do the job should we take an injury with one of the backs I feel confident the other guy can take over with little ill effect to the running game.

[stealth]

Aren't most backs considered good when they break 1000 yards?

[ZenItRam]

I like that as well but in the end I'm more interested in the running game as a whole being very good and Jones and Barber provide that. I like the ideal that we have 2 backs who can do the job should we take an injury with one of the backs I feel confident the other guy can take over with little ill effect to the running game.

yeah, but on the selfish side it's hurting my fantasy team! :laugh2:

[Org1]

I don't see a "RB controversy" or whatever
Julius Jones is the man on the team

I like Barber but he wouldn't be as good as an every down and he has a lot more freedom than Julius Jones

Julius has much more responsibility
He is asked to not take negative losses at all and get as much as a gain as he can to sustain drives

Barber can take more chances when he carries because he is in on a lot of longshot situations where he can take chances and he won't be criticized much for not making the 1st down

Also, those same draws that Barber has been taking for 15 yards Julius used to take for 40 yards but he isn't ever in in those draw situations anymore

[ZenItRam]

Also, those same draws that Barber has been taking for 15 yards Julius used to take for 40 yards but he isn't ever in in those draw situations anymore

Yep! I agree with this assessment and I think JJ would be with the elite in the league for yards and TD's if he was given the opportunity. I guess you have to pick you poison with that though ...

[Stautner]

I don't see a "RB controversy" or whatever
Julius Jones is the man on the team

I like Barber but he wouldn't be as good as an every down and he has a lot more freedom than Julius Jones

Julius has much more responsibility
He is asked to not take negative losses at all and get as much as a gain as he can to sustain drives

Barber can take more chances when he carries because he is in on a lot of longshot situations where he can take chances and he won't be criticized much for not making the 1st down

Also, those same draws that Barber has been taking for 15 yards Julius used to take for 40 yards but he isn't ever in in those draw situations anymore

I don't know that Julius took too many draws 40 yards, but you are correct in saying you can't really compare the production of a 3rd down and late second half RB with the production of the RB expected to carry the load much of the game. They have different roles and different opportunities. Some games, like this one, Barber's numbers may even be somewhat better. But they each have their strengths and play their roles well and so far this season it has worked out well. I don't see that changing a whole lot.

[the kid 05]

Aren't most backs considered good when they break 1000 yards?

thats "average" lately or so it seems

[CrazyCowboy]

I would love to see Barber get more carries.......he deserves it!

[Cowboyz88]

I think I agree with this.

http://cowboyzblog.blogspot.com/

• Still not sure why most Cowboys fans want either Jones or Barber. Isn't it great enough that we have both of them?

Jones is the sports car and Barber is the SUV. Do you think people with multiple cars only drive one of them? Heck no...they drive the one which suits their needs at the moment.

Personally, I like both of them...a lot, and I think Parcells will drive them all the way to the playoffs.

[dargonking999]

As i said to my friend while watching the game. People look at numbers and really dont see the story. On 2nd and long, 3rd and long. its a draw play with barber, and gets about 10 yards before the Db's start to converge. That makes a huge differnce in 1st and ten, and 2nd 3, and your trying to get a first down.

JJ's roles are differnet than barbers. In JJ's absence, barber had one game over 100 yards, and that was against the cardinals at home. Barber is a good RB, JJ is a good RB. Who really cares who's the starter. as long as they both do what is needed to help this team win, i could care less who starts.

[Rampage]

barber should be the starter. jones is just an average rb

[Portland Fanatic]

The one two punch is working very well...MBIII is proving that he needs to get more carries, but to change him to starter would be a mistake.

I think as the season goes on we will see JJ getting 18-22, and MBIII getting 10-15 range. I like them both a lot!

I do see what you are saying in that...when is JJ going to take over a game...I've been hoping for that as well.

[NotReally]

Aren't most backs considered good when they break 1000 yards?

That number was good back when there were fewer games. That only averages out to about 63 yards per game now.

[Stautner]

That number was good back when there were fewer games. That only averages out to about 63 yards per game now.

How about 1,304 yards, which is what JJ is on pace for right now DESPITE Barber/Thompson/Kincade (obviously mostly Barber) getting 33.3% of the carries?