Am I too harsh on Marion Barber?

[MarionBarberThe4th]

I wouldnt start Felix. Hes a guy you want to sprinkle in the offense. His acceleration will catch teams off guard that way.



But who cares who starts. Let it be a fluid thing.

 

[Sarge]

I personally think Barber is more effective coming off the bench.

 

[dbair1967]

We all loved Barber's play when he was the backup for Jones, but no matter how one wants to spin it he was a disappointment last yr. He ran somewhat like the guy many couldnt wait for him to replace (hesitant at times, missed some holes) and he fumbled way too much. Along with Hamlin, he VASTLY underperformed for what he was paid.

He needs to step it up this yr. Because of his contract, we'll never be able to trade him. If he doesnt perform this yr he could be relegated to extremely overpaid backup status, and by backup I dont mean "closer", I mean the 3rd best RB on the team.

 

[Four]

I wonder if other team's fans are so quick to turn on their players as we are.

fickle bunch rooting for the star

 

[Apollo Creed]

We all loved Barber's play when he was the backup for Jones, but no matter how one wants to spin it he was a disappointment last yr. He ran somewhat like the guy many couldnt wait for him to replace (hesitant at times, missed some holes) and he fumbled way too much. Along with Hamlin, he VASTLY underperformed for what he was paid.

He needs to step it up this yr. Because of his contract, we'll never be able to trade him. If he doesnt perform this yr he could be relegated to extremely overpaid backup status, and by backup I dont mean "closer", I mean the 3rd best RB on the team.

I think our inconsistent offensive line had something to do with that. Barber is a guy I don't worry about, he's a workout warrior and last year he didn't lose a step until the toe injury. Its hard to run through holes that aren't there. I really think our OL is the most overrated unit on our team, constant pass protection breakdowns and very mediocre run blocking make me miss Tony Sparano so damn much.

 

[Alexander]

When julius was here everyone knew barber should be the starter.

Barber gets dinged up and never really played healthy last year and now you know that he isn't starting material.

I think you, and many others, jumped to conclusions based on some misinterpretation of the facts.

Why don't we wait till barber plays this year to make up our minds?

It is clear to me that there is this mad rush to push our best running back to some "closer" role that might not even be necessary. There also is way too much made of featuring Choice. He did a fine job last year, but there is this odd assumption that he's suddenly a better option. I am not yet convinced and don't want to sit Barber to find out.

 

[DallasDomination]

tashard and felix first half...marion barber second half.

 

[Thomas82]

Jerry Jones didn't even have to franchise him. He was tagged as a RFA and could have been ours for $2M last year instead of the gargantuan, overbloated contract that he never earned.

He is a JAG at RB - one with an interesting running style but otherwise no more than a role player. He is definitely not among the top RBs in the league.

 

[Galian Beast]

sports is about playing roles...

just because you're not the starter doesn't mean your not a team member or a valuable player. not saying get rid of mb3 or bench him. just saying that he fits a role better that isnt the quote un quote starter.

 

[Four]

sports is about playing roles...

just because you're not the starter doesn't mean your not a team member or a valuable player. not saying get rid of mb3 or bench him. just saying that he fits a role better that isnt the quote un quote starter.

and we are telling you there is only an injury ridden season upon which you are basing that analysis.

it's a flawed argument.

even without the injuries, he could have just had a down year, happens to all of them.

Don't put two second year players ahead of him before we even know what kind of a starter he is, which we don't at this point because last year was craptastic across the board.

 

[Galian Beast]

im basing it on the platform of his entire career thus far, and the different skillset jones and choice have displayed.

their styles are more appropriate for the majority of the game.

 

[Four]

and the notion that barber is a JAG is absolutely ridiculous

JAG=justaguy

they can't all be Wares and Wittens, and because they are less than that doesn't make them a JAG, that is just plain dumb.

 

[Alexander]

I think it is amazing that some of the same people who are willing to kick Barber to the curb citing his "lack of production" are probably the same people who want to annoint Tashard Choice as the next big thing.

Amazing and hilarious as the same time.

 

[Alexander]

and the notion that barber is a JAG is absolutely ridiculous

JAG=justaguy

they can't all be Wares and Wittens, and because they are less than that doesn't make them a JAG, that is just plain dumb.

It is one thing to be disappointed in Barber's 2008. We all were expecting a huge season with him carrying the load. He had a tough season that was pretty much ended for all practical purposes on Thanksgiving.

But now he's a JAG? You are right, dumb indeed.

 

[Four]

im basing it on the platform of his entire career thus far, and the different skillset jones and choice have displayed.

their styles are more appropriate for the majority of the game.

jones hardly played before he got hurt, so you don't know

and choice was solid but not spectacular and never once did anything close to some of the great runs Barber has had. Barber has one season as a starter, and an injury plagued one at that, that isn't enough to base an opinion on.

And certainly not enough to say he is not a starter but a closer, why? because he did it before?

Brandon jacobs was a decent goal line back before he became the starter, he wasn't as effective a runner as he had been in his previous role because with more carries comes more chance for your stats to level out and look a lot less spectacular.

it makes no logical sense.

 

[Angus]

We all loved Barber's play when he was the backup for Jones, but no matter how one wants to spin it he was a disappointment last yr. He ran somewhat like the guy many couldnt wait for him to replace (hesitant at times, missed some holes) and he fumbled way too much. Along with Hamlin, he VASTLY underperformed for what he was paid.

He needs to step it up this yr. Because of his contract, we'll never be able to trade him. If he doesnt perform this yr he could be relegated to extremely overpaid backup status, and by backup I dont mean "closer", I mean the 3rd best RB on the team.

I think you are forgetting that many wanted to get rid of him while Parcells was first here because he fumbled too much. Barber is a great back when used properly, but he is not really starter material. Until last year he had never started, even in college. Neither he nor Felix Jones started in college, The only Dallas back who did was Choice.

I agree with those who say Barber can be most valuable as a rested player who comes off the bench as a closer. I don't agree that Jones should be a starter as yet. I'd like to see some proof he could last in that role.

I think it would be fine to start Barber in a purely cosmetic role because of his contract, as long as he quickly gave way to Choice for the heavy lifting until Barber's skill as a closer was needed. Felix Jones could excel as the quick hit performer throughout the game and also be given several consecutive series without relief to evaluate his staying power.

We'll see what actually happens, maybe getting a clue during training camp.

 

[AmericasTeam31]

WOW... Remember how well guys with Felix Jones' do as the "everydown back"? Guys like Reggie Bush? How long did it take Payton before he realized he better get Bush the ball in space, because he can't cut it up the middle...?

I'm not saying that Felix can't handle running up the middle... but I'm saying that it is not his strong suit. It is however, MBIII and Choice's strong suit. Let them do the everydown beating and banging together, then sprinkle in some F. Jones screens or tosses to get him in space, line him up in the slot, move him around like we moved T.O. around to get him the ball... Heck, put him at RB and Barber at FB then motion him to the slot, now you have a LB on one, and a Safety on the other they're doomed! But don't make him something he is not suited for... he's not a starter either....

Barber didn't have the rushing numbers that everyone was looking for, but he outgained alot of other backs in total yds. In fact he was top 5 I believe before he got hurt. That's what you need when you are a passing offense... good pass protection and good hands...

 

[ABQcowboyJR]

The book is still open on this but this season will do alot to close it. Me and a few others were not big advocates of Marion becoming the starting back before last season even started. We simply felt he could not stay healthy all season long. Look what happened. I tend to agree that Marion is better suited as a closer. I see no problem with working him into the rotation occasionally but I see him as a 4th quarter back. I also tend to see Felix as a 3rd down back and Choice as the work horse at this point. At this very point in time this is how our back field should be set up IMO. However, things change with TC and preseason. One way or another we have an immensely talented group of RB's.

 

[AmericasTeam31]

The book is still open on this but this season will do alot to close it. Me and a few others were not big advocates of Marion becoming the starting back before last season even started. We simply felt he could not stay healthy all season long. Look what happened. I tend to agree that Marion is better suited as a closer. I see no problem with working him into the rotation occasionally but I see him as a 4th quarter back. I also tend to see Felix as a 3rd down back and Choice as the work horse at this point. At this very point in time this is how our back field should be set up IMO. However, things change with TC and preseason. One way or another we have an immensely talented group of RB's.

Typically you want your third down back to be bigger and tougher... not smaller and faster... On a third and two against the Eagles or Giants who do you want the ball to go to on a HB dive? MBIII, Choice, or Felix?

 

[lqmac1]

I believe Marion being injured was the biggest injury that impacted the Cowboys last season. I think Tashard has been greatly overated. He did a fine job, but when you look back at the games, he made alot of mistakes, slipping, missing blitzers or dropping hand offs. Felix hasn’t even proven he can take the beating of a full game.

I believe had Marion played in the last games, it would have taken us to the playoffs. He is an everydown back and a playmaker.

I don't think he's overrated at all, I mean no one rushed for more yards on the steelers (#1 d) then Choice. It's rare to find a rookie that has not mistakes, peterson for ex. he fumbles a whole lot.