Could Marion Barber actually make the Pro Bowl?

[EMMITTnROY]

When we were all making our Pro Bowl predictions earlier this year, nobody even gave him a thought, myself included. But the man is averaging 6.4 yards per carry, leading all RB's in TD's, is 7th in the NFC in rushing, his carries are going up more each game, every game commentator can't say enough about him, he is on Sportscenter almost every week, and he is playing for the best team in the conference. Quite honestly, the most impressive RB's I've seen in the NFC so far this year, and maybe the entire NFL, are Barber and Adrian Peterson. So who makes it from the NFC? You got Shaun Alexander, Edgerrin James, Brian Westbrook, Clinton Portis, Steven Jackson, Frank Gore, Peterson and Barber. Could a RB that isn't even starting on his own team make the Pro Bowl?

 

[03EBZ06]

Could a RB that isn't even starting on his own team make the Pro Bowl?

I don't see why not if he has numbers, only time will tell.

 

[Eddie]

I don't see why not if he has numbers, only time will tell.

If he can pull the yardage, he'll make the Pro Bowl.

 

[dargonking999]

No simply because there are bigger names out there

Gore, Alexander, Jackson, Portis, Westbrook

they have the potential to ring together 3 and 4 straight games of 100+ yard games. Maybe doing some big plays. Add that with name regonition and they'll get the pro-bowl bid.

He will only have a chance if these guys continue to struggle. But right now its to early to tell

 

[theogt]

1. A. Peterson
2. Edgerrin James
3. Shaun Alexander
4. Derrick Ward
5. Marion Barber

Right now, this is the top 5 in the NFC in terms of YPG. And that's with Marion averaging 12 carries per game. I don't think he will start getting the majority of the carries, but if he did, I think he could easily make the Pro Bowl.

 

[wileedog]

At his current pace he'd have 1200 yards and 16TDs.

I think the other 'name' backs would have to continue having real down years for him to sneak in. The TDs are good, but the yards are low for a Pro Bowl back and I don't know how much weight YPC carries.

That said, if Barber averages 6.4 YPC the rest of the season our odds of being in the SB go up exponentially...

 

[Eddie]

That said, if Barber averages 6.4 YPC the rest of the season our odds of being in the SB go up exponentially...

That's a nice average. But it's also a backup's average. Troy Hambrick at a stellar 5.5 ypc avarage backing up Emmitt. It dropped by 2 ypc once he took on the lead back role.

 

[wileedog]

That's a nice average. But it's also a backup's average. Troy Hambrick at a stellar 5.5 ypc avarage backing up Emmitt. It dropped by 2 ypc once he took on the lead back role.

Hambrick didn't get 14+ carries a game.

 

[theogt]

That's a nice average. But it's also a backup's average. Troy Hambrick at a stellar 5.5 ypc avarage backing up Emmitt. It dropped by 2 ypc once he took on the lead back role.

Barber isn't playing the traditional "backup" role. He's not just coming in on 3rd and longs and late in game during blowouts.

He's getting entire series early in the game -- typically at least 1-2 entire drives in the first half.

The comparison to Troy Hambrick is just dumb.

 

[YosemiteSam]

1. A. Peterson
2. Edgerrin James
3. Shaun Alexander
4. Derrick Ward
5. Marion Barber

Right now, this is the top 5 in the NFC in terms of YPG. And that's with Marion averaging 12 carries per game. I don't think he will start getting the majority of the carries, but if he did, I think he could easily make the Pro Bowl.

My guess is it will be Peterson and Westbrook (providing Westbrook returns and doesn't miss anymore games) Peterson is going to be a beast from the look of things. The guy breaks tackles and can push the entire line forward.

 

[YosemiteSam]

And people say McFadden breaks tackles better than Peterson.

 

[superpunk]

Quite honestly, the most impressive RB's I've seen in the NFC so far this year, and maybe the entire NFL, are Barber and Adrian Peterson.

You're such a Sooner homer. :

How stupid are the Vikings, honestly? The kid averages 10 ypc in the first half against the Pack, and they give him the ball twice in the second? Morons. I was appreciative, because I had the Pack by 4 or more, but Minnesota is coached by imbeciles (who show traits of the coaches they came up under. Childress, Reid...poor AD Peterson.)

In the end, it will likely be Gore, Alexander, and then a mystery third back that could be Edge, Barber, Jackson, Portis or Westbrook.

 

[Aikbach]

yes he could, i have a feeling Dallas is going to dominate the offensive pro bowl selection list.

Two or three linemen, Witten, TO, Romo, maybe Barber, Folk, McBriar, Ware, Henry, Roy Williams.

I count a potential 12 pro bowl selections for Dallas!

 

[theogt]

You're such a Sooner homer. :

How stupid are the Vikings, honestly? The kid averages 10 ypc in the first half against the Pack, and they give him the ball twice in the second? Morons. I was appreciative, because I had the Pack by 4 or more, but Minnesota is coached by imbeciles (who show traits of the coaches they came up under. Childress, Reid...poor AD Peterson.)

In the end, it will likely be Gore, Alexander, and then a mystery third back that could be Edge, Barber, Jackson, Portis or Westbrook.

Barring injury, I'd put Peterson as a lock at this point. He's clearly the best back in the NFC at this moment, and he'll only get better. By Week 8 or so, his coaches will surely realize that their only hope is to give him the rock 30 times per game.

 

[superpunk]

Barring injury, I'd put Peterson as a lock at this point. He's clearly the best back in the NFC at this moment, and he'll only get better. By Week 8 or so, his coaches will surely realize that their only hope is to give him the rock 30 times per game.

It's just so rare for a rookie back to maintain the production once their club keeps leaning on them hard come game 7 or 8. The ypc starts to go downhill fast. It's possible Peterson can buck the trend.

 

[EMMITTnROY]

You're such a Sooner homer. :

How stupid are the Vikings, honestly? The kid averages 10 ypc in the first half against the Pack, and they give him the ball twice in the second? Morons. I was appreciative, because I had the Pack by 4 or more, but Minnesota is coached by imbeciles (who show traits of the coaches they came up under. Childress, Reid...poor AD Peterson.)

In the end, it will likely be Gore, Alexander, and then a mystery third back that could be Edge, Barber, Jackson, Portis or Westbrook.

haha! and proud of it!

really, though, I couldn't believe that the Vikings coaches didn't give it to him more.. that was unbelievable.. AD is their only offensive weapon, has 108 yards in the first half, and gets 2 carries in the second half of a very winnable game?? ridiculous.. honestly, if AD had gone to a team with someone even resembling an NFL QB and coaches that don't look like they should be assistants for a pee-wee football team, his numbers would be even more amazing at this point.. Even still, he has 3 100 yard rushing games in his first 4 NFL games and he is doing it with defenses knowing he is the Vikings' only threat.. and he's got a bunch of recieving yards too.. can anyone look up total yards from scrimmage leaders? I bet AD is in the top 2 or 3 right now..

 

[Doomsday101]

No simply because there are bigger names out there

Gore, Alexander, Jackson, Portis, Westbrook

they have the potential to ring together 3 and 4 straight games of 100+ yard games. Maybe doing some big plays. Add that with name regonition and they'll get the pro-bowl bid.

He will only have a chance if these guys continue to struggle. But right now its to early to tell

I don't know a lot of people continue to talk about Barber right now.

 

[YosemiteSam]

It's just so rare for a rookie back to maintain the production once their club keeps leaning on them hard come game 7 or 8. The ypc starts to go downhill fast. It's possible Peterson can buck the trend.

Peterson is good enough to buck the trend. The problem is they lack a passing game which will cause the defenses to put more pressure on him. Also, he does have a checkered past about injuries and if he is carrying the ball 30 times a game... Well, that can spell disaster for a kid with that much talent.

 

[YosemiteSam]

if AD had gone to a team with someone even resembling an NFL QB and coaches that don't look like they should be assistants for a pee-wee football team, his numbers would be even more amazing at this point..

When the Vikings drafted him all my hopes and dreams where destroyed and my whole world came crashing down. :laugh2:

 

[EMMITTnROY]

When the Vikings drafted him all my hopes and dreams where destroyed and my whole world came crashing down. :laugh2:

i hear ya man.. you have no idea how badly I wanted the Cowboys to take him.. and there were rumors going around that Jerry was going to make a play for him if he fell to around 10th.. I was so disappointed when the Vikings called his name.. oh well, all under the bridge now and I am thrilled with Spencer and the Browns' #1 pick next year.. but can you imagine this offense with AD?? Romo, TO, Witten, Barber, Crayton, Glenn, and AD? Wow..