DMN Blog: Barber's retirement is no relief

[Angus]

Barber's retirement is no relief


DE Chris Canty glared at a reporter who asked if it was a relief that the Cowboys wouldn't have to deal with Tiki Barber on Sunday night.

"You're going from a running back that's 200 pounds to one that's 260 pounds," Canty said. "Would you feel relieved?"

Barber, who retired but still rips the Giants on national TV, was an elite back who especially excelled on plays such as draws and screens that showcased his elusiveness. Brandon Jacobs, Barber's 6-4, 260-pound replacement, figures to do most of his damage by lowering his shoulder pads and punishing tacklers.

"Brandon Jacobs brings an entirely different element to running the ball," LB Bradie James said. "They're kind of old-school with that. We know they're going to try to come out and do their best to test our will.

"We know that we've been in a few games with these guys where it's been an all-day sucker, where we're fighting the whole time. I have no doubt that's how it's going to be."

Posted by Tim MacMahon at 1:04 PM

http://cowboys.beloblog.com/

 

[Chocolate Lab]

Good PC response from Canty, but it's absolutely a relief when one of the most dangerous backs in the league retires and his team does absolutely nothing to replace him.

 

[smarta5150]

This is true only in 1 on 1 tackling drills...

Was a good answer by Canty but we all no its a relief.

 

[Smashmouth24]

Aside from Jacobs physical stature, he's really not much of a running back. He runs upright, rigid, and he wants to run through a wall on every play. I give him about 2 quarters before he's gassed and/or fumbling.

 

[TunaFan33]

That Bradshaw kid(no relation to Terry) has looked impressive this preseason.

Looks like he and Jacobs could make a 1-2 back.

Why is everyone so relieved over Tiki leaving? For one, Toomer's injury was the significant blow in the second half last year(always makes that clutch catch, everywhere on the field). And two, Tiki really wrecked that team chemistry to boot.

 

[LittleBoyBlue]

Great answer.

Dont give them nothing.

Let Tiki bust 'em up with ANALysis :starspin

 

[Hoofbite]

That Bradshaw kid(no relation to Terry) has looked impressive this preseason.

Looks like he and Jacobs could make a 1-2 back.

Why is everyone so relieved over Tiki leaving? For one, Toomer's injury was the significant blow in the second half last year(always makes that clutch catch, everywhere on the field). And two, Tiki really wrecked that team chemistry to boot.

Go and watch what he has done over the last handfull of years and get back to us.

 

[silver]

I predict Brandon Jacob's will fumble at least once and leave the game early with all the hits he'll be taking from our D. Looking foward to that.

 

[burmafrd]

Tiki was the key to their offense. The Defense had to respect him and stop him first. That gave the passing game an edge. There is no way that Jacobs is even close to the threat that Tiki was. And sometimes this stuff about chemistry is very over estimated. Remember the Yankees with Reggie Jackson. There was NO chemistry there at all- but they won.

 

[Mansta54]

Tiki being gone is a obvious relief. Canty was giving a standard answer, Jacobs is no Tiki. Not even close!!

 

[smarta5150]

That Bradshaw kid(no relation to Terry) has looked impressive this preseason.

Looks like he and Jacobs could make a 1-2 back.

Why is everyone so relieved over Tiki leaving? For one, Toomer's injury was the significant blow in the second half last year(always makes that clutch catch, everywhere on the field). And two, Tiki really wrecked that team chemistry to boot.

Are you serious?

I either missed the sarcasm or you are in complete denial of how good Tiki was.

 

[dmq]

Fergy better be ready, because they are gonna come right at him. I watched Jacobs over the preseason being here in NY. I have yet to get a good read on Jacobs. I really don't expect him to be gassed by halftime. Why is it that a 6-6 LB can run around all day, but a 260 lb rb can't? The guy looks to be in excellent shape and is going to be giving it his all to prove he isn't a backup.
That said, I have seen him make good decisions finding the hole. I have seen him turn 1 yard gains into 4 yard gains. I have also seen him go down way too easy at times for a guy his size. Last game, he was denied at the goal line 2 times in short yardage before he finally got in on 4th down and that was due to a big hole. I think he carried the ball like 8 times and averaged 3.2 yds a carry in a preseason game where the Giants had starters in and NE did not. They haven't run him outside much so I don't really know if he is fast to the corner though Giants fans claim he is. I will say he is going to be a good back. I haven't seen greatness yet and I do think he has proven that he'll put the ball on the ground. I do think though that opposing defenses know he is coming and hit him just as hard back. Defenses are gonna take a punishment and he will take a punishment.

Final Analysis: BJ will be good. He isn't Tiki Barber. Barber worked his line to perfection. He regularly shreaded teams and could get to the corner. Giants are not as good without Tiki playing.

 

[LaTunaNostra]

Nice post - Jacobs looks to me liek somehwat more than the poor man's ron dayne, but the incredible offensive weapon barber was - that won't be repalced soon, or by one player.

has anyone been monitoring the Burress situation? he missed all preseason with two ankle problems and a bout with the flu that reportedly floored him.

Like our Terry G, he hasn't had the chance to work on timing with his qb - and on the other side is an aging if still fast Toomer, who was also injured lt season.

Maybe it won't be such a trail by fire for Reeves and Jones - it looks, Jints receivers-wise, like a team you'd rather face in week one than in week three.

 

[superpunk]

I predict Brandon Jacob's will fumble at least once and leave the game early with all the hits he'll be taking from our D. Looking foward to that.

I predict we will rape his knees.

 

[dmq]

I think the injury to Plax isn't a huge factor. The Giants look to have very good depth and talent at WR. The question is if Eli can put it together. He looked good in preseason, but I saw a few of those "Eli Passes". Make no mistake, Eli still has mechanical issues or something like that. If he has a bad game or two, I think he will break. This may be the defining moment of his career.

 

[LittleBoyBlue]

Unfortunately for the Giants... they lived and died with Tiki.

2007 = Dead.

 

[Hoofbite]

Fergy better be ready, because they are gonna come right at him. I watched Jacobs over the preseason being here in NY. I have yet to get a good read on Jacobs. I really don't expect him to be gassed by halftime. Why is it that a 6-6 LB can run around all day, but a 260 lb rb can't? The guy looks to be in excellent shape and is going to be giving it his all to prove he isn't a backup.
That said, I have seen him make good decisions finding the hole. I have seen him turn 1 yard gains into 4 yard gains. I have also seen him go down way too easy at times for a guy his size. Last game, he was denied at the goal line 2 times in short yardage before he finally got in on 4th down and that was due to a big hole. I think he carried the ball like 8 times and averaged 3.2 yds a carry in a preseason game where the Giants had starters in and NE did not. They haven't run him outside much so I don't really know if he is fast to the corner though Giants fans claim he is. I will say he is going to be a good back. I haven't seen greatness yet and I do think he has proven that he'll put the ball on the ground. I do think though that opposing defenses know he is coming and hit him just as hard back. Defenses are gonna take a punishment and he will take a punishment.

Final Analysis: BJ will be good. He isn't Tiki Barber. Barber worked his line to perfection. He regularly shreaded teams and could get to the corner. Giants are not as good without Tiki playing.

You make a good point but there are plays where a RB takes 5 or 6 good shots on that single play alone. Most Defensive players are only making contact with the guy blocking them or the guy carrying the ball. I have no doubt that Jacobs will be a solid player for a few games but I think his style will just wear him out.

 

[Chocolate Lab]

You make a good point but there are plays where a RB takes 5 or 6 good shots on that single play alone. Most Defensive players are only making contact with the guy blocking them or the guy carrying the ball. I have no doubt that Jacobs will be a solid player for a few games but I think his style will just wear him out.

:signmast:

 

[CrazyCowboy]

should be easier to handle Jacobs

 

[Billy Bullocks]

I think the injury to Plax isn't a huge factor. The Giants look to have very good depth and talent at WR. The question is if Eli can put it together. He looked good in preseason, but I saw a few of those "Eli Passes". Make no mistake, Eli still has mechanical issues or something like that. If he has a bad game or two, I think he will break. This may be the defining moment of his career.

With Barber gone, Strahan seemingly near the end, it looks like this is Eli's team. This is year 4 for a guy who has never completed more than 57% of his passes, or even achieved a QB rating of 80. And that's considering the fact that he had one of the top RB's in the league in his backfield.

By year 3, Peyton was among the league's elite QBs. Eli is nowhere near that level. Eli is a mediocre QB with a big name.