DMN Blog: Barber's injuries cause concern

[Gadfly22]

I'm not ready to throw MBIII on the trash heap, but I so want to see more of Choice on the field. It's inevitable that Felix will get more playing time, but restricting Choice to the Razorback formation or as 3rd-down blocking back is a waste. I like his style.

But I'd also like to send Choice to the Michael Johnson Performance Center, where Crayton went to improve his speed. It seemed to make a difference for him, and a little speed boost for Choice would be a good thing.

 

[arglebargle]

Yep. It really made no sense. I try not to second guess the coaching too much, but there were some questionable decisions at times throughout the season.

Yeah, this is not rocket surgery here.

It's nice that they have finally admitted this. If the guy is injured, and you have competant backups, play them.

 

[AbeBeta]

Would Jerry consider to trade Barber? I hope to god he doesnt when MB is healthy he can flat out ball, as we all know that.

who is going to give us anything. other teams would have the same concerns

 

[superonyx]

It's obvious this is Jerry's way of transitioning away from Barber some without it seeming like a total demotion based on performance.

The injuries kind of gives the coaches (jerry) the out needed to sit him more without it being a total slap in his face. It's easier to tell a player this than saying "look we think felix is outplaying you...take a seat".

 

[jay cee]

Uhhh, how 'bout forcing your back to sit and heal when clearly he is injured and ineffective???:geek:

100 per cent correct.

 

[MichaelWinicki]

Barber needs to have 8 to 10 carries per game.

Certainly no more than that.

 

[newlander]

Avg. nfl career down to what: 3.8 years? MB3 is about done..sad but true. Emmitt warned him not to try and be the next Earl Campbell....'E was right...

 

[burmafrd]

You cannot take that kind of pounding and not have it wear you down. Some people are stupid and claim that if you dish it out its not so hard on you. Violent collisions take a toll no matter who is giving or receiving.

 

[Hoofbite]

Its almost like this team has been searching for a way to let Barber down softly in telling him he has been surpassed and it is only now that they are finding it.

Keeping him in there for that many carries when the other two backs were providing more is mind boggling.

 

[SLATEmosphere]

I really wish Barber had some trade value. I just don't see us getting a 2nd or 3rd.

 

[Thomas82]

Umm cut Barber and let Felix and Tashard handle the load!

That's what I say...either cut him or trade him.

 

[Beast_from_East]

12:35 PM Tue, Jan 26, 2010 | Permalink | Yahoo! Buzz
Gerry Fraley/Reporter E-mail | News tips

Cowboys owner-general manager Jerry Jones, studying the Senior Bowl workouts, admitted Marion Barber's string of injuries the last two years could cause a change in how the offense divides carries among the running backs.

injuries have limited Barber's production down the stretch in each of the last two seasons. In 2008, a lame Barber gained only 15 yards on 13 carries in the final four games. In two playoff games this season, Barber became only the second back in this century to have more than 12 carries and fewer than 20 yards rushing. He ran 11 times for 18 yards.

``We have had an injury issue there at the end of each of the last two seasons,'' Jones said. ``That may have something to do with the amount of time we can give the other backs. That could impact that decision.''

This is Jerry letting Barber know that a good chunck of his carries will be going to Felix Jones next year.

 

[Beast_from_East]

He certainly had a short shelf life. Time to move on and let Felix and Tashard carry the load.

RBs have the shortest career lenght in the NFL, I read somewhere that the average career of a RB last a little over 4 seasons.

Its amazing how Emmitt held up as well as he did and how he can actually move around good enough to win a dancing competition!!!


I saw Earl Campbell at a sports convention one time a couple of years back and the guy could barely walk, seriously. I felt bad for him, I still watch those old highlights of him running over guys, I guess it takes its toll at some point.

I think that is what maybe happened to Barber, his puinishing running style wore down his body and he is just not the same player he was.

 

[Beast_from_East]

At least they figured it out AFTER the season.

Better late than never!!!!!

 

[Beast_from_East]

That's what I say...either cut him or trade him.

The problem is that he has no trade value, other teams watch film also. However, he still has some value to us as a short yardage back and is best suited to a closer role.

Give him short yardage (when healthy) and 5-10 carries in the 4th to close out games.

 

[BIGDen]

Uhhh, how 'bout forcing your back to sit and heal when clearly he is injured and ineffective???:geek:

My thoughts exactly. I remember reading about how he was supposed to be on crutches at the end of '08 and he was just walking around the locker room. He should have sat with that quad injury this year for a few weeks, but he kept pushing it. Just stupid of the team and player.
Like many of us have said, Felix and Choice should get a lot of carries and Barber can be the closer.

 

[Thomas82]

Avg. nfl career down to what: 3.8 years? MB3 is about done..sad but true. Emmitt warned him not to try and be the next Earl Campbell....'E was right...

So did Tony Dorsett

 

[AdamJT13]

You're forgetting the Philly game where he had something like 2 carries for 3 yards. That wasn't made clear in the article.

Barber's 11 for 18 was his combined total between the two games. He had three carries for 4 against Philadelphia and eight carries for 14 against Minnesota. So, the article was indeed wrong.

He must have meant at least 10 carries and fewer than 20 yards. Ronnie Brown (12 for 19) and Marion Barber are the only two running backs to do that this "century" (meaning since 2000). Before that, plenty of running backs did it: Barry Sanders (13 for minus-1), Roger Craig (10 for 16), Wilbert Montgomery, Gerald Riggs, Joe Cribbs, Gary Brown, Kevin Mack, John Brockington, Robb Riddick, Les Josephson, Jess Phillips, Arthur Whittington, Hoyle Granger and even another Dallas Cowboy, Craig Baynham.

But really, all that means is that they had somewhere between 10 and 16 carries. Numerous other backs (including several this "century") have had a YPC just as low or lower but were given the ball enough times to creep past the 20-yard mark.

 

[NextGenBoys]

All this is saying is that Felix is our guy moving forward, NOT Marion.

Nothing new here, we all knew it would happen. Not Jones can point to "injuries" as the reason instead of saying "Felix is the better player"

Felix = 15-20 carries
Barber = 10ish
Choice = Left overs

 

[Hoofbite]

All this is saying is that Felix is our guy moving forward, NOT Marion.

Nothing new here, we all knew it would happen. Not Jones can point to "injuries" as the reason instead of saying "Felix is the better player"

Felix = 15-20 carries
Barber = 10ish
Choice = Left overs

I don't think Choice deserves "Left overs". I also don't think Choice should see the majority of his runs coming from that garbage formation.

I think Felix should get a good number and Choice should get a good amount with Barber going back to being the closer.