CBS11 Blog: Bill Jones OTA Observation Deck

[Alexander]

Somebodys got to be a Tackle.

Brewster already is. He's an accomplished right tackle and probably is qualified to be the backup to Colombo right now. All I am saying is that as of right now the team was paying lip service to the idea of having him learn a new position and getting more competition inside. It just seemed like some rationalization was going on to explain why we only took one offensive lineman and a tackle at that.

 

[Bob Sacamano]

Robert Brewster compares pretty well to Nick Kazcur, the New England Patriots starting RT

same height, although Brewster weighs more

 

[Bob Sacamano]

Brewster already is. He's an accomplished right tackle and probably is qualified to be the backup to Colombo right now. All I am saying is that as of right now the team was paying lip service to the idea of having him learn a new position and getting more competition inside. It just seemed like some rationalization was going on to explain why we only took one offensive lineman and a tackle at that.

the thinking before the draft was that Brewster would be a better fit inside, where he could potentially be a dominating OG -- huge and athletic

 

[arync]

Thanks for posting.

Sounds like Roy has made great strides this offseason.

I hope Roy can live up to being the "man", however if he's been working out since Feb. he can't let them see that he's tired. The one thing we know he can't be that Owens was is a workout warrier. Roy admitted that he can't/won't work out as much or as hard as T.O. and that is a problem.

 

[28 Joker]

Who do you think the Tennessee Titans would take?

Chris Johnson or Tashard Choice

They would take Chris Johnson.

How is Tashard Choice the "most complete back" on the team?

To start with, Marion Barber is one of the most feared runners in the NFL. Did he not take a short pass 70 yards for a TD in the Arizona game? Barber is the best blocker. He'll clean your clock. He wears defenses down and demoralizes the other team and chews the clock up. He finishes games when Dallas has the lead.

The "most complete" back should be the best running back.

This is no respect to Tashard Choice. He's a good football player, and he's a starting caliber running back.

However, Nick Eatman wrote about how Barber and Choice could split carries, and how Garrett would have to "find ways to get Felix Jones involved".


Marion Barber and Felix Jones are being a little under-estimated in my opinion by some.

Felix Jones is the perfect complement to Marion Barber. He's tough. He runs inside. He's an explosive threat on the edge. He can line up in the slot, at WR, and destroy teams on simple screens or dump offs and take kickoffs 98 yards for TDs. Felix Jones' vision, instincts, quickness, and speed is lethal. He's a running back. Few backs have those traits. Felix Jones can make the linebacker miss and set the safety up at the same time in his head and leave him in the dust next. (see Green Bay TD)

Felix Jones is an explosive homerun threat. (see Green Bay run)

Complete that.

 

[28 Joker]

Anthony Spencer...

You screwed up in the off season.

They are sending you a message.

Get it done!

You better get your head on straight, because Brandon Williams is on this football team.

 

[gbrittain]

Who do you think the Tennessee Titans would take?

Chris Johnson or Tashard Choice

They would take Chris Johnson.

Lost me there.

 

[casmith07]

Ive been confident that we have good enough receivers to have a decent passing game this year and still am but this does leave me with an uneasy feeling. Lets hope its just because its the beginning of the year and he'll get back into shape as it goes on.

you did read the part about him possibly not feeling well, correct?

there is a bug going around.

 

[28 Joker]

Lost me there.

The Titans wanted to draft Felix Jones.

Chris Johnson carried the football 250 times last year and averaged 16.7 carries per game. Johnson rushed for 1,228 yards (4.9 YPC) and scored 9 TDs and caught 43 passes for 260 yards and 1 TD. He played at 200 pounds and was 194 at the end of the year.

Felix Jones is up to 212 pounds, and he scored 4 TDs in 6 games, and he wasn't even getting used as much as Johnson, not even close. Felix averaged 8.9 YPC. Johnson had 9 TDs in 15 games. The Cowboys were 0-2 when Felix didn't score a TD. Felix Jones is capable of doing much more for the Cowboys. There is no excuse for Felix Jones not getting at least 12-15 carries per game. A three back system takes the ball out of his hands. I think that would be a big mistake.

My point is this.

The Titans wanted to draft Felix Jones. They were going to take him. They wanted our guy.

The Titans wouldn't take carries away from an explosive weapon like Chris Johnson (a similar player to Felix Jones) and give them to a third running back.

I don't see a three back system in Dallas. Dallas isn't gong to be the New York Giants, imo.

I see a two back system.

Marion Barber and Felix Jones

 

[Staggerlee]

you did read the part about him possibly not feeling well, correct?

there is a bug going around.

Yeah i read that and thats certainly a possibility. I was unaware that there was a bug going around however...unless you mean............the..........SWINE FLU!!!!! man i better knock on some wood fast before something bad happens. I remember last preseason someone jokingly mentioned in a thread about starting an over/under on when romo's knee would blow out and wouldnt you know it he hurts his pinky and is out for 3 weeks.

 

[gimmesix]

CB - Terence Newman and Mike Jenkins (wearing Pacman's old #21) were starters, 2) Alan Ball and Orlando Scandrick, 3) Michael Hawkins, the ex-Desperado, Packer, Sooner from R.L. Turner who grew up at times living on the streets, was teamed with Courtney Brown, who was getting more reps at CB than Safety. Rookie 7th rounder Mike Mickens can't work out yet because Cincinnati hasn't graduated.

That's interesting. Maybe Dallas figured out Brown was miscast as a safety.

Of course, it seems likely that he's just miscast as an NFL player, but I would rather see him go out at least trying to play his college position.

 

[The Realist]

Drafting Hamlin, DeAngelo and signing Sensabaugh..........CB is his only hope.

 

[Chocolate Lab]

That's interesting. Maybe Dallas figured out Brown was miscast as a safety.

Of course, it seems likely that he's just miscast as an NFL player, but I would rather see him go out at least trying to play his college position.

I think, like you said, they're just giving him one final chance to make the team. But I don't think he will.

BTW, they also said Ball was working some at safety, too. I think he'd be good there because he's tough and will tackle, but I also kind of like having one 6-1 corner with really long arms.

 

[FuzzyLumpkins]

He has actually been better as a center. He did not look that terrible in 2007 when he filled in for Gurode for a few games late in the season.



The complete lack of competition we either acquired or are sending his way right now seems to speak to the fact that the staff thinks differently, why I have no idea. We wanted Unger supposedly, then do not bother otherwise. It is very bizarre.

Its not bizarre at all.

Who ever of Holland and Kosier doesn't start backs up both guard positions.

My money goes on Free backing up both tackle positions. This is Wade's team and rookies just don't play much if at all. This is probably viewed as a development year for Brewster and I doubt hes even active on game day unless we're decimated with line injuries. *knocks on wood* With the changes to the wedge rule I am doubly certain of this.

Proctor is much maligned here, and for good reason, we were all frustrated by him getting blown back off the point of attack against DT every game. We watched him for 10 games though and he was good on combination blocks and he was very good at releasing to the second level or pulling to the perimeter. Columbo and Gurode would miss people or more often than not just create traffic for the runner. Proctor found a man and drove him back. His skillset is just more suited for center than guard.

 

[DFWJC]

Who do you think the Tennessee Titans would take?

Chris Johnson or Tashard Choice

They would take Chris Johnson.

How is Tashard Choice the "most complete back" on the team?

To start with, Marion Barber is one of the most feared runners in the NFL. Did he not take a short pass 70 yards for a TD in the Arizona game? Barber is the best blocker. He'll clean your clock. He wears defenses down and demoralizes the other team and chews the clock up. He finishes games when Dallas has the lead.

The "most complete" back should be the best running back.

This is no respect to Tashard Choice. He's a good football player, and he's a starting caliber running back.

However, Nick Eatman wrote about how Barber and Choice could split carries, and how Garrett would have to "find ways to get Felix Jones involved".


Marion Barber and Felix Jones are being a little under-estimated in my opinion by some.

Felix Jones is the perfect complement to Marion Barber. He's tough. He runs inside. He's an explosive threat on the edge. He can line up in the slot, at WR, and destroy teams on simple screens or dump offs and take kickoffs 98 yards for TDs. Felix Jones' vision, instincts, quickness, and speed is lethal. He's a running back. Few backs have those traits. Felix Jones can make the linebacker miss and set the safety up at the same time in his head and leave him in the dust next. (see Green Bay TD)

Felix Jones is an explosive homerun threat. (see Green Bay run)

Complete that.

I'm not sure that I agree that the most complete back is the best back.

Choice just has the most diverse skill set. Barber and Jones have specific skill sets that are bordering on elite...Choice may or may not have any area that is "elite".

As for Chris Johnson---that's a whole different deal. Some parts of his game are extreme elite. But Choice may even be more well-rounded than he is...just not nearly as good in some areas. Time will tell..Choice could someday be the man here for all we know.

 

[Bluefin]

That's interesting. Maybe Dallas figured out Brown was miscast as a safety.

Of course, it seems likely that he's just miscast as an NFL player, but I would rather see him go out at least trying to play his college position.

The Cowboys are looking at several players who might be corner/safeties on the bottom of the roster.

It started when they announced Orlando Scandrick might play a combination role for the team in a hybrid position they labeled "star." That idea was shelved following the signing of Gerald Sensabaugh to fortify the safety position.

Courtney Brown, Alan Ball and Deangelo Smith will all likely split time between cornerback and safety as the club looks for versatility on the bottom of the roster.

 

[28 Joker]

I'm not sure that I agree that the most complete back is the best back.

Choice just has the most diverse skill set. Barber and Jones have specific skill sets that are bordering on elite...Choice may or may not have any area that is "elite".

As for Chris Johnson---that's a whole different deal. Some parts of his game are extreme elite. But Choice may even be more well-rounded than he is...just not nearly as good in some areas. Time will tell..Choice could someday be the man here for all we know.

You could be right about "the complete back" part. You can have a "jack of all trades" player.

The only thing Chris Johnson has on Felix Jones is straight-line speed. Johnson showed more elusiveness in the open field than some scouts gave him credit for, but he didn't show the level of elusiveness and quick twitch that Felix Jones showed. Felix Jones' vision, instincts, reaction, power, and speed are a lethal combination. You can use him in multiple ways to supplement his carries. You shouldn't be taking them away, and I don't think the Cowboys will.

It comes down to who is the best player.

I'll take Felix Jones' and Marion Barber's skill sets over Tashard Choice.

If the Titans could choose between Barber and Choice (all things being equal), I think that they would take Barber and pair him with Chris Johnson ( a comparable player to Felix Jones).

Felix has speed, power, elusiveness, quickness, receiving skills, character, return skills, and heart. That is a pretty special skill set. Garrett called him a "special back".

Tashard Choice had this:

92-472-2 5.1 YPC

Felix Jones had this:

30-266-3 8.9 YPC LG 60 (TD)


Felix Jones accrued 56% of Tashard Choice's total yardage while only getting almost exactly 1/3 of Choice's carries (opportunities) or 1/3 if you knock off 2 of Choice's carries.

I'll put Felix Jones' skill set up against any running back in the NFL.

How is Choice a better inside runner than Marion Barber or a better blocker, or a better receiver. Barber has demonstrated that he can excel at rushing, blocking, and receiving. That is three phases.

The only thing Choice has on Barber is speed, but Barber weighs 225 pounds, and Choice is much lighter.

Barber is a different type of player. He's a pure power player.

I'm not saying Choice will not see the field. He probably will, but he better not be taking away carries from Felix Jones, the most explosive player the Cowboys have.

 

[28 Joker]

Someone tell me this:

Has Tashard Choice rushed 28 times for 142 yards or 24 times for 114 yards in a game? Those were two of the best games the Cowboys played on offense last year ( Green Bay and Washington).

Marion Barber may need his carries or work load scaled back, so he will be fresher. Writing him off is a mistake. Barber made the Pro Bowl with his punishing style in 2007. Barber averaged 13 carries per game in 2007.

Marion Barber is 225 pounds. He has run the football out of the I-formation for 4 years. Barber is an excellent receiver out of the backfield. He's the best blocker on the team at RB. He will knock your head off. Who do you think the Giants would rather see running inside, Barber or Choice?

Has Tashard Choice, who ran predominately out of the shotgun spread last December, faced 9 man fronts with Brad Johnson at QB?

Has Tashard Choice run all over the Giants' defense in the playoffs?

Has Tashard Choice lined up in the I-formation and run the ball between the tackles when the other team knows it's coming play, after play, after play?

Don't tell me Tashard Choice is a "more complete" back than Marion Barber.

Put Felix Jones and Tashard Choice on waivers and see who gets picked up first.

 

[Ren]

You could be right about "the complete back" part. You can have a "jack of all trades" player.

The only thing Chris Johnson has on Felix Jones is straight-line speed. Johnson showed more elusiveness in the open field than some scouts gave him credit for, but he didn't show the level of elusiveness and quick twitch that Felix Jones showed. Felix Jones' vision, instincts, reaction, power, and speed are a lethal combination. You can use him in multiple ways to supplement his carries. You shouldn't be taking them away, and I don't think the Cowboys will.

It comes down to who is the best player.

I'll take Felix Jones' and Marion Barber's skill sets over Tashard Choice.

If the Titans could choose between Barber and Choice (all things being equal), I think that they would take Barber and pair him with Chris Johnson ( a comparable player to Felix Jones).

Felix has speed, power, elusiveness, quickness, receiving skills, character, return skills, and heart. That is a pretty special skill set. Garrett called him a "special back".

Tashard Choice had this:

92-472-2 5.1 YPC

Felix Jones had this:

30-266-3 8.9 YPC LG 60 (TD)


Felix Jones accrued 56% of Tashard Choice's total yardage while only getting almost exactly 1/3 of Choice's carries (opportunities) or 1/3 if you knock off 2 of Choice's carries.

I'll put Felix Jones' skill set up against any running back in the NFL.

How is Choice a better inside runner than Marion Barber or a better blocker, or a better receiver. Barber has demonstrated that he can excel at rushing, blocking, and receiving. That is three phases.

The only thing Choice has on Barber is speed, but Barber weighs 225 pounds, and Choice is much lighter.

Barber is a different type of player. He's a pure power player.

I'm not saying Choice will not see the field. He probably will, but he better not be taking away carries from Felix Jones, the most explosive player the Cowboys have.

Look at the defenses Choice ran against vs the once Felix did, Felix gained a lot of his rushing yards against the Bengals and Browns his numbers probably take a hit if he faces the Ravens, Steelers and Giants.

I like the running backs in the order they are now but even suggesting Choice shouldn't be in the mix after what he did last year is just absurd, he was the only player on this team to show up in December

 

[28 Joker]

Look at the defenses Choice ran against vs the once Felix did, Felix gained a lot of his rushing yards against the Bengals and Browns his numbers probably take a hit if he faces the Ravens, Steelers and Giants.

I like the running backs in the order they are now but even suggesting Choice shouldn't be in the mix after what he did last year is just absurd, he was the only player on this team to show up in December

Look at how Tashard Choice was primarily used in December against those defenses. He was run out of the shotgun spread. There is nothing wrong with that. That's fine.

However, saying Choice is the most "complete" back on the team ignores Marion Baber's four years of running between the tackles (out of the I-formation) when the other team knows it's coming, his devastating blocking, and his very good receiving skills. Barber weighs 225 pounds. Of course, Choice is going to be faster. Nevertheless, Marion Barber demoralizes teams, eats up the clock, and picks up chunks of yards. Tashard Choice basically plays five games, and he's the "most complete" back on the team. Give me a break.

Plus, it ignores the special talents of Felix Jones.

What's absurd is taking one of your very best players off the field or taking carries away from him and suggesting he can't help Marion Barber carry the load, especially when he averaged 8.9 per carry. Dallas didn't draft Felix Jones at number 22 overall if they didn't think he could help carry the load. Felix Jones' lack of carries last year was dumb. Zero touches at Washington on offense.

Felix Jones probably would have been in the endzone on Choice's 50 yard reception at Pittsburgh. Choice got caught from behind.

Felix Jones is the most explosive running back the Dallas Cowboys a have.

If the Cowboys run 60 plays per game and have a 48/52 run pass ratio. That is 29 carries.

There are not enough carries for three running backs.

Felix Jones hung 76 yards on the Packers ( a full strength 13-3 team from 2007) and only had 6 carries.

His 60 yard TD was one of the best runs I've ever seen.

EXPLOSIVE!

Felix hung 96 yards on the Bengals and only got 9 carries, including a 33 yard TD on fourth down.

Felix Jones is a threat to score from the inside and outside, land or air. He's tough. He runs inside. His power is underrated. He finishes runs (see his first NFL carry; a ten yard TD; power; right up the gut.)

Again, C.O. Bracato (the Titans scout; one of the best scouts ever; a scout for 34 years) said that Felix Jones could carry the load. Brocato said that he's tough and that Jones runs inside. He's up to 212, too.

The beauty of Felix Jones is that he's an inside/ouside threat. He puts pressure on the defense inside and outside (both edges), because he can break off long runs inside or outside. You don't have to hammer him like a jack hammer. That's not the goal. Marion Barber is the hammer.

Felix Jones is the weapon, the inside/outside threat when he rushes the football. Defenses have to be concerned about which direction Felix is going. Felix can strike fear into a defense due to his skill set. He's a threat to go the distance every time he touches the ball. He's a running back.

Again, if Dallas runs the ball 29 times per game, any carries taken away from the most explosive running back on the team is pure idiotic. He scored 4 TDs in six games.

If Barber goes back to his 2007 work load, that would be 13 carries per game. He stays fresher. Choice isn't taking Barber's job. Barber is getting big money for a reason.

That leaves 16 carries per game, and Felix better get 12-15 of them or all of them. Felix is a potential 1,000+ rusher.

I predict Dallas will have a two back system, and Felix Jones and Marion Barber will carry the load.

Will Choice see the field?

Yes.

However, taking carries away from Felix Jones and giving them to Choice makes no sense.

Chris Johnson carried the football 16.7 times per game last year and rushed for 1300 yards. He weighed 202 pounds and ended up at 194.

The Titans wanted to draft Felix Jones.