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Dec 5, 2008 11:14 AM
Road Barbarian
Posted by CBS11
How much do the Cowboys need Marion Barber on Sunday in Pittsburgh? With game time temperatures expected to be in the mid-20s with a 60% chance of snow, you would think the running game will be very important.
And, check out how the Cowboys have seemed to rely on the running game in their road games this year. The disparity in Barber's numbers home vs. road is surprising.
In six road games this season, Barber has 122 carries for 535 yards rushing and 5 TDs. That's 4.39 yards per carry.
In six home games this season, Barber has 103 carries for 235 yards rushing and 2 TDs. That's a mere 2.28 yards per carry.
That's an incredible difference in production. And, throw in Barber's receiving numbers, and the difference is even more pronounced.
Road: 147 touches--771 yards--6 TDs--5.24 yards per touch
Home: 125 touches--365 yards--3 TDs--2.92 yards per touch
Why the disparity? Well, a small part of it is that 2 of the 6 road games were started by Brad Johnson at QB, and a third was Tony Romo's 1st appearance after his finger injury (a 14-10 win at Washington). Only one of the home games was started by Johnson.
But moreso, I think it comes down to a mindset--that of Jason Garrett and the entire offense, especially the offensive line. When the team plays on the road, they know going in that they are going to have to establish a ground game to survive. At Texas Stadium, I think there's more of an attitude of pressing the envelope with all the weapons in the passing game since this team is able to play in pristine conditions at home. There's no wind issue, and cold and rain have been non-factors.
Bottom line is, whether its Marion Barber or Tashard Choice, the Cowboys better be able to have a dependable ground game Sunday if they are going to have any success against the best defense in the NFL.
Oh, and by the way, it figures to be the coldest weather the club has played in since November 23, 1997--a nightmarish 45-17 loss at Green Bay where the game time temperature was 22 degrees. In that game, the Packers' Dorsey Levens ran for 190 yards on 33 carries. Emmitt Smith had 59 yards on 11 carries.
Bill Jones
Road Barbarian
Posted by CBS11
How much do the Cowboys need Marion Barber on Sunday in Pittsburgh? With game time temperatures expected to be in the mid-20s with a 60% chance of snow, you would think the running game will be very important.
And, check out how the Cowboys have seemed to rely on the running game in their road games this year. The disparity in Barber's numbers home vs. road is surprising.
In six road games this season, Barber has 122 carries for 535 yards rushing and 5 TDs. That's 4.39 yards per carry.
In six home games this season, Barber has 103 carries for 235 yards rushing and 2 TDs. That's a mere 2.28 yards per carry.
That's an incredible difference in production. And, throw in Barber's receiving numbers, and the difference is even more pronounced.
Road: 147 touches--771 yards--6 TDs--5.24 yards per touch
Home: 125 touches--365 yards--3 TDs--2.92 yards per touch
Why the disparity? Well, a small part of it is that 2 of the 6 road games were started by Brad Johnson at QB, and a third was Tony Romo's 1st appearance after his finger injury (a 14-10 win at Washington). Only one of the home games was started by Johnson.
But moreso, I think it comes down to a mindset--that of Jason Garrett and the entire offense, especially the offensive line. When the team plays on the road, they know going in that they are going to have to establish a ground game to survive. At Texas Stadium, I think there's more of an attitude of pressing the envelope with all the weapons in the passing game since this team is able to play in pristine conditions at home. There's no wind issue, and cold and rain have been non-factors.
Bottom line is, whether its Marion Barber or Tashard Choice, the Cowboys better be able to have a dependable ground game Sunday if they are going to have any success against the best defense in the NFL.
Oh, and by the way, it figures to be the coldest weather the club has played in since November 23, 1997--a nightmarish 45-17 loss at Green Bay where the game time temperature was 22 degrees. In that game, the Packers' Dorsey Levens ran for 190 yards on 33 carries. Emmitt Smith had 59 yards on 11 carries.
Bill Jones
