DC.COM Blog: Barber Shouldn’t Be Included In RB Cuts

[WoodysGirl]

Posted by nickeatman at 3/3/2010 10:56 AM CST on truebluefanclub.com

So you look around the league and every day there seems to be a veteran running back going to the streets. LaDainian Tomlinson is now without a job. So is Brian Westbrook and now it seems like Thomas Jones and even Darren Sproles will be looking for jobs, too.

But be careful before you put Marion Barber in that group. He’s just 26 years old, with just five years in the league, and not all of that as a starter. Sometimes, because of the company you keep, the perception of age can be shaky. Yes, compared to Felix Jones and Tashard Choice, Barber might be the old man on the block. But he’s far from “old” and even further from being washed up.

Now, that’s not to say the Chargers, Eagles and even Jets feel that their former backs are completely done with being productive runners in this league. But for the price tag they are demanding, it no longer made sense.

That shouldn’t be the case just yet for the Cowboys. Not only is Barber still a valuable player, but needed as well. If you’re looking for that every-down back, keep looking. The Cowboys don’t have that – and that’s perfectly fine.

It’s easy to try to find the next Tony Dorsett or Emmitt Smith, but the game has changed. Now, a 900-yard season is still a good one, especially if the team has another one or two hovering 600-700 yards.

Personally, I think Barber is getting a raw deal from a lot of fans and media critics. We said all along that his running style – while powerful and exciting at times, can lead to injuries. So guess what? Barber has been banged up some. And we all know when he’s not 100 percent, he’s not the Barbarian. He’s just a pretty good back named Marion Barber.

But when he’s on, and yes he was on several times this year, he’s definitely worth keeping around.

 

[Gaede]

Right after the season I wanted Barber cut or traded, but I've calmed down a bit on that now. I still want Choice to get more playing time, but I'm definitely willing to give Barber another shot. Before he hurt his quad, he was actually playing alot faster than he ever has in his career.

Plus, character guys like Barber only come around once in a while. Kicking him to the curb would not be a good subtraction from the team--it might change their psyche negatively.

Garrett needs to grow a pair though and just play the hot hand; stop worrying about hurting somebody's feelings and play the best player.

 

[Mansta54]

I like Nick alot and listen to him often but I disagree with him on this. MBIII isn't the only every down RB on the team, TC is every bit of that if given the chance. TC is just as tough as MBIII with more speed, he has great vision, runs hard, breaks tackles and is always falling forward. TC also has the youth and the perfect attitude for the job especially with FJ sprinkled in often. I like MBIII but TC can damn sure do the job just as well, if not, better.

 

[DCBoysfan]

I'm still a Barber fan, I'm not on the cut Barber boat, I like the fact that all three backs brings something diffrent to the table.

 

[Vinnie2u]

If Jerry hadn't given Marion 45 mil alot of people would be off the can MBIII bandwagon.. I'm on the fence.. I don't think you can replace what Marion brings to the team.. The intensity. the fire the love for the game.. But his production can be replace quite easily.. So I'll let this one play out..

 

[Juke99]

I like Barber but if they were truly following a philosophy that the best guys play the most snaps, he'd be behind both Choice and Jones.

 

[bbgun]

He's overpaid for what he does, but he's not "done" like some of those other guys.

 

[jobberone]

We don't know when he will be back to preinjury form if at all. My educated guess is he will be normal by TC if not sooner. And certainly normal if ever by the end of camp.

His play preinjury was a cut above the others minus the explosiveness of Felix.

 

[tunahelper]

I was worried when I read cuts and Barber I thought he was injured again.

He would be probable for week one, but it would cause him to tip toe at the line of scrimmage.

 

[TheCount]

I like Nick alot and listen to him often but I disagree with him on this. MBIII isn't the only every down RB on the team, TC is every bit of that if given the chance. TC is just as tough as MBIII with more speed, he has great vision, runs hard, breaks tackles and is always falling forward. TC also has the youth and the perfect attitude for the job especially with FJ sprinkled in often. I like MBIII but TC can damn sure do the job just as well, if not, better.

I believe he was saying that the Cowboys won't have an everydown back, not that Barber, or Felix, or Choice couldn't be everydown backs.

 

[iceberg]

If Jerry hadn't given Marion 45 mil alot of people would be off the can MBIII bandwagon.. I'm on the fence.. I don't think you can replace what Marion brings to the team.. The intensity. the fire the love for the game.. But his production can be replace quite easily.. So I'll let this one play out..

money doesn't have a thing to do with it for me. i'm not paying him. people naturally use that as a measuring stick but it's never that cut and dry.

i just get sick and tired of player x getting stuck in the "Cut-craw" of some and regardless of facts, fiction, fantasy or reality, they cut/trade him at every turn.

 

[masomenos]

The fact that this article even needs to be written make me

 

[Angus]

I like Barber but if they were truly following a philosophy that the best guys play the most snaps, he'd be behind both Choice and Jones.

Agreed.

 

[Sarge]

Barbers running style, when healthy, lends himself to be more effective coming off the bench and that is the way he should be used. At some point however, it's either him or Choice.

 

[whcarm]

I like Barber, but he is getting paid too much and as he gets older, combined with his style of running, his injuries are just going to get worse.

And I'm not sold on the whole "team leader" thing either. He is extremely quiet, usually refuses to talk to the media. We never hear about him talking to his teammates (like Choice did). The only thing he seems to do to try to lead is go crazy after he makes a run over 2 yards.

If we could trade him to a team like San Diego for a 2nd or 3rd round pick then I'd do it in a heartbeat. Then, I'd turn around and sign a guy like Thomas Jones to put into the mix.

 

[Deep_South]

Barber is still pretty good when he is healthy. The problem is with the coaches who put him out there until they are absolutely sure he is only going to gain one yard a carry before sitting him down. This drags down the offense and ensures they don't get off to a good start.

 

[sacase]

45 mil for a RB that has never ran for 1000 yards? Sorry, he needs to go. I am more than comfortable with Choice, Jones and a Rookie.

 

[Frosty]

Blame the GM first for putting MBIII in this position, he paid 45million for a role player. Yes MBIII is a role player, A TOP NOTCH role player. But make no mistake about it, he is not starter material, inside the 20 and as a closer, he is excelent. The GM threw all that crazy money on the table,(TO, Newman, Hamlin all got new deals) and MBIII did what all players would do, took the money. Now, the Cowboys are trying to play him as a starter and he is forced to produce and stay healthy like a starter should, that is not MBIII's forte. The reality is the Cowboys got lucky in drafting a RB like T-Choice, that can produce and that puts MBIII on the outside looking in. The Cowboys dont have a durable RB's in the mix, so yes they will need all 3 in the upcoming season. But I say, trade him while his stock is high, and then draft another RB in the late 4th/5th round. I like MBIII, but he is paid and expected to produce like a starter, but in fact is a darn good role player.

 

[DBOY3141]

who cares what he is getting paid.....its not my money....the cap is a joke...and jerry never lets good players get away.......we are fine as a team....barber still is a good player on a good team

 

[VThokie7]

If Jerry hadn't given Marion 45 mil alot of people would be off the can MBIII bandwagon.. I'm on the fence.. I don't think you can replace what Marion brings to the team.. The intensity. the fire the love for the game.. But his production can be replace quite easily.. So I'll let this one play out..

When Marion has that intensity and fire he is a valuable asset. But when that fire goes out like last year he is almost a waste. How many times would he trip himself up going through the hole or get nailed in the backfield? Without that intensity and fire he can't overcome his shortcomings in terms of speed/acceleration. Its a gamble to count on that coming back, but I will be very annoyed if we waste Choice again because of Marion's paycheck.