DMN Blog: Emmitt believes Barber should ease up a bit

[WoodysGirl]

Emmitt believes Barber should ease up a bit
1:29 PM Sun, May 04, 2008 | Permalink | Yahoo! Buzz
Tim MacMahon E-mail News tips
Emmitt Smith admires Marion "The Barbarian" Barber's bruising running style. However, the NFL's all-time leading rusher thinks Barber ought to pick his spots to put his shoulder down now that he's the lead horse.

"I think he spends a lot of energy that may not be necessary," Emmitt said during yesterday's visit to Valley Ranch. "For a starting back, I'm all about putting your heart into it, but you're doing a lot of kicking, running up, bucking and you're exerting a lot of energy. We need you for four quarters -- and I'm going to say we because I'm a Cowboy, too. We need you for four quarters.

"If Marion has to carry the load for four quarters, there's no way he can handle it."

Emmitt has 18,355 yards and 164 TDs (plus playoff totals) of expertise on this topic, so it'd be foolish to dismiss his opinion on the matter. But I will respectfully disagree.

Barber is a very good NFL back because of his relentless style. I don't think you can expect him to tone that down and continue to produce at a Pro Bowl level.

Emmitt mentioned that Felix Jones' presence will help Barber. It's up to the coaches to monitor Barber's workload to make sure that he's fresh for fourth quarters. He just needs to keep on running hard every time he touches the ball.

 

[anygivensun]

I agree. I understand what Emmitt is saying, but I don't know that Barber could turn it off and on and still be as effective as he was last year. He needs to go at 110% every time, and spend enough time of the field to be effective for 4 quarters.

 

[CrazyCowboy]

He is the "expert" for rbs

 

[reddyuta]

thats pretty good advice but now that we have choice and felix to relieve MBIII -he should do what he does best.Choice can spell him in 2nd and 3rd Quarter for 1 or 2 series so that he can still be fresh in the 4th quarter.

 

[theogt]

Screw it. As long as he's only getting around 200 carries, he can exert as much energy on each and every one as he likes.

 

[tomson75]

Yes. That is excellent advice. My coaches always told me to give 90% too.

 

[Tusan_Homichi]

Emmitt was the master of using as little movement as possible for the greatest effect. He was one of if not the most efficient rbs of all time.

 

[reddyuta]

Yes. That is excellent advice. My coaches always told me to give 90% too.

This is Emmitt-thats not what he meant and you know it.

 

[tomson75]

This is Emmitt-thats not what he meant and you know it.

Yeah, I know. It's still a stupid suggestion IMO. That energy is what makes Barber a good running back. Without it, he's merely average IMO.

He should turn that stuff up...now that he's got help.

 

[Baileyneverfailey]

I understand where Emmitt is coming from here, but Barber's relentless style and effort on every play is the only reason he's had the success he has in my opinion. He's simply not physically gifted enough to 'tone it down' and still pound out those yards.

He needs to just play as hard as he does normally every play, and we need our coaching staff to divide the carries up between the 3 backs that we have in such a way that they're all effective.

 

[Cowboys22]

I disagree with Emmitt. Although it may be good advive for Barber, from a team and fan perspective, I say turn him loose and ride him until he's done. I'd rather have 4 years of the current Braber than 6-7 of a watered down version. He he tones it down, suddenly I think he will look quite average.

 

[StillNothinNice]

I dont think Emmitt's saying he shouldn't run 110%, just go out of bounds or take the leap forward when nothings there.

 

[CATCH17]

If Tashard Choice is the real deal then Barber should not change a thing.

If being the starter takes away from the guy we had last year then I say we start Felix Jones and let Barber come off the bench and give us an adrenaline shot like he did last year.

 

[AsthmaField]

I agree. I understand what Emmitt is saying, but I don't know that Barber could turn it off and on and still be as effective as he was last year. He needs to go at 110% every time, and spend enough time of the field to be effective for 4 quarters.

Yep.

Now with Felix and Tashard, I think they're both going to be good enough and get enough touches so that Barber can go all-out each play and let the chips fall where they may.

Barber is just another RB without his hard-charging, in-your-face, get-off-me style. His rough and tumble running style is what sets him apart and what gets our offense fired up and going.

Let him beat the **** out of the defense and then when they're worn out from the pounding let Felix run them ragged. Then let Choice go in, move the chains, and put the game away.

Some form of that is what I hope to see every week during the season. A group of RB's that deep, talented, and varied should be a real weapon.

Plus, that isn't really anything a defensive coordinator can really game plan against. The defense can either stop them or they can't.

 

[Thick 'N Hearty]

I think the point Emmitt is making is MBIII needs to know when to go ahead and duck out of bounds and lower his head. Unless he needs to lower his head to get a first down, I'm all for taking it out of bounds. There's only so many hits MBIII can take before it starts effecting him.

 

[ChrisCanty99]

When Emmitt talks, a RB has got to listen. Still, Marion's got to listen to Skip Peete ahead of 22...

 

[WoodysGirl]

It should say something that both Tony D and Emmitt are "advising" Barber on how he should run now that he's the lead dog. Maybe it's more about maximizing Barber's effectiveness over the long haul by learning to how to avoid the big hit for the benefit of the team and his post-playing health.

 

[DaBoys4Life]

It should say something that both Tony D and Emmitt are "advising" Barber on how he should run now that he's the lead dog. Maybe it's more about maximizing Barber's effectiveness over the long haul by learning to how to avoid the big hit for the benefit of the team and his post-playing health.

Thats so true anybody who says that Emmitt is of base in his comments doesn't know what they are talking about.

So is Emmitt like our RB coach now or something.

That loss to the gaints must of hurt Emmitt seeing how barber didn't show up in the 2nd half of the game.

 

[SuspectCorner]

A man who played the RB position for fifteen years and had seventeen playoff starts is gonna know something about the "secrets to longevity". I think Emmitt's just saying "pick your shots" - and avoid the unnecessary contact whenever possible.

 

[tomson75]

Thats so true anybody who says that Emmitt is of base in his comments doesn't know what they are talking about.

So is Emmitt like our RB coach now or something.

That loss to the gaints must of hurt Emmitt seeing how barber didn't show up in the 2nd half of the game.

A man who played the RB position for fifteen years and had seventeen playoff starts is gonna know something about the "secrets to longevity". I think Emmitt's just saying "pick your shots" - and avoid the unnecessary contact whenever possible.

I understand where everyone is coming from here, but just because the man was arguably the best running back in the history of the game doesn't make him the best coach...or make him capable of offering the soundest of advice.

Longevity is great, but only if you can achieve it without altering one's natural running style. Emmitt was obviously an exception to the norm, and to expect other running backs to be able to do what he did is folly...although there is no harm in trying.

I'm all for Barber taking in what he can get from Emmitt, as long as Emmitt realizes that they aren't the same type of runner....which I'm not sure Emmitt is really grasping.

I don't think a RB's style should be messed with if it works...I seem to remember a recent example where coaching up a RB backfired. Let him run they way he already does....and that's 110%....every play. I just don't think that Barber has "longevity" in him. While he's here though, let him play his arse off.

IMO, of course.