DMN Blog: Wade Phillips wants all three RBs involved in offense

[cowboyjoe]

i didnt see this posted anywhere

Wade Phillips wants all three RBs involved in offense
5:44 PM Thu, Mar 26, 2009 | Permalink | Yahoo! Buzz
Tim MacMahon E-mail News tips
Here's a crumb from Wade Phillips' breakfast chat with reporters yesterday at the owners' meetings: Phillips said he believes the running game will be a bigger factor for the Cowboys and wants the offensive coaches to find ways to get all three tailbacks involved.

"If a guy can play and help your team in a certain role, you want to utilize him," Phillips said. "Not only for the team but also for the overall morale of the team that, 'Hey, I've got this role and I can help the team win,' instead of just sitting on the bench all of the time. They practice better. Everything, the chemistry of the team is better when more players contribute. I think we have that at running back."

The Giants proved last season that a three-back system can work, using their "Earth, Wind and Fire" trio to lead the league in rushing.

The Cowboys' trio is probably more talented. One-time Pro Bowler Marion Barber is one of the league's most physical backs, and Jerry Jones has made it clear he wants "The Barbarian" fresh when it's time to finish games. First-rounder Felix Jones averaged an eye-popping 8.9 yards per carry in his abbreviated rookie season. And, after toe injuries sidelined the two guys above him on the depth chart, fourth-rounder Tashard Choice showed down the stretch that he can produce against the NFL's elite defenses.

The Wildcat would be one way to get multiple backs involved, and Phillips wants Jason Garrett and Co. to figure out other ways to feature one of the team's biggest strengths.

 

[NeonNinja]

Good news, all 3 need to touch the ball in games. Let's see if JG can figure it out.

 

[yentl911]

I know I am in the minority here but I would like to see Choice start and Barber brought in late to seal the other teams fate.

I would use Felix very similar to how the Chargers use Sproles - returns, screan passes, change of pace, etc...

We are very fortunate to have these three studs in the backfield.

 

[big dog cowboy]

The good news.....

Phillips said he believes the running game will be a bigger factor for the Cowboys and wants the offensive coaches to find ways to get all three tailbacks involved.

The bad news.....

The Wildcat would be one way to get multiple backs involved

 

[28 Joker]

I would use Felix Jones just like Marshall Faulk was used.

This guy is one of the best players on the team.

Feed Felix the rock.

 

[Bob Sacamano]

I know I am in the minority here but I would like to see Choice start and Barber brought in late to seal the other teams fate.

I would use Felix very similar to how the Chargers use Sproles - returns, screan passes, change of pace, etc...

We are very fortunate to have these three studs in the backfield.

I want to see Barber back in the closer's role too

 

[LittleBoyBlue]

Personally I would like to see 3 WR/3 RB/2 TE sets.

The Oline cant block anyways. So two should suffice.



:laugh1:

 

[CF74]

I know I am in the minority here but I would like to see Choice start and Barber brought in late to seal the other teams fate.

I would use Felix very similar to how the Chargers use Sproles - returns, screan passes, change of pace, etc...

We are very fortunate to have these three studs in the backfield.

I concur. Totally stoked that Wade finally figured out this teams strength....

 

[LittleBoyBlue]

I know I am in the minority here but I would like to see Choice start and Barber brought in late to seal the other teams fate.

I would use Felix very similar to how the Chargers use Sproles - returns, screan passes, change of pace, etc...

We are very fortunate to have these three studs in the backfield.

I wont jump on you like some like too but I just think from what we have seen from Felix so far - HE IS A GAMEBREAKER. One carrry = TD gamebreaker.

So IMO he has to be in there starting.

 

[TNCowboy]

This team has trouble executing the simplest plays. Many of their best plays since Romo took over have been Romo improvising for some unorthodox play, escaping and finding Witten, or getting it deep to TO. To try to utilize plays that involve precise execution and blocking like the wildcat does is a stretch.

We'll probably try the wildcat early in the season a few times, and after Gurode snaps a few grounders or a few over the RB's head, we'll abandon it.

In any event, this team will sink or swim with Tony Romo. Taking him out of the game is going to be counterproductive in almost any situation. If he's the player many of us think he is or is going to become, we're doing the other team a favor by snapping the ball to a RB.

 

[Yakuza Rich]

Given JG's mental lapses with the running game, I'll be happy if one tailback gets involved on the offense.



YAKUZA

 

[cowboyjoe]

i agree with the issue of barber being the closer

i want felix used somewhat like marshall faulk and sporles is used;

heck, if the giants can use all 3 of their rbs, earth, wind and fire, we should be able to figure out how to effectively use felix, barber and choice

 

[Cowboys22]

Barber should start. He has earned that and is being paid like the starter. However, after that first series, he should mostly see time on 2nd or 3rd and short and when the team is inside the 10 yardline. That way he can be fresh in the 4th quarter and get back to being the barbarian. Let Choice and Jones get their carries during the game with Jones also catching 5-6 swing/screen passes.

 

[SLATEmosphere]

Do you think Barber cares if he starts? He went to the probowl the year he didn't. I'd actually start Choice for the first few series and use Felix like Reggie Bush through the whole game(Screens,tosses,slot) and have Barber get the load in the 3rd and 4th.

 

[Vintage]

Wade wants to use all 3.

I want us to win a playoff game.

We'll see if any of that happens. Until then, its just talk.

 

[Hoofbite]

The wildcat is so stupid. Why would you ever take Tony out to run the wildcat.

By the time Dallas runs it, the rest of the league will have it figured out.

Screw the wildcat

 

[Boyzmamacita]

The wildcat is so stupid. Why would you ever take Tony out to run the wildcat.

By the time Dallas runs it, the rest of the league will have it figured out.

Screw the wildcat

Plus Jerry has already told everybody we might do it. When will he learn to be discreet?

 

[Doomsay]

Wade appears to be talking about getting Choice more touches, which is good. I frankly don't care who starts or finishes, I'd opt for a dedication to the running game that optimizes a running back set according to the task at hand. They have 3 starting running backs with distinct skills that should be interchanged or used in combination depending on the situation on the field.

They should not be used in order of seniority or perceived rank or in simplistic opener/closer roles as in the past. IMO.

I've often thought that a strong running game has a disciplinary effect on a QB..he's less likely to throw stupid passes knowing that his teammates have battered their way down the field to get him into scoring position.

 

[jswalker1981]

The wildcat is so stupid. Why would you ever take Tony out to run the wildcat.

By the time Dallas runs it, the rest of the league will have it figured out.

Screw the wildcat

Nice sig...."turnover tony" yet you don't want him out from behind center to run the wildcat?!?

I don't see why running the wildcat formation is soooo bad. It isn't like we are going to do it 30% of the time. Everyone gets mad at Garrett for not being creative, and then when they want to do something different, everyone gets mad. I'm glad to hear that they want to run the wildcat, it shows a willingness to look at different things and try to incorporate it with the athletes we have, especially if Stanback is back there and actually throws the ball. Ronnie Brown just ran it all but three times. And I only see us running the wildcat this season as many times as Miami ran it in the NE game last year. So so what if we run the wildcat 6 or 7 times total for the entire season. It is just a different wrinkle in the offense.

 

[Hoofbite]

Nice sig...."turnover tony" yet you don't want him out from behind center to run the wildcat?!?

I don't see why running the wildcat formation is soooo bad. It isn't like we are going to do it 30% of the time. Everyone gets mad at Garrett for not being creative, and then when they want to do something different, everyone gets mad. I'm glad to hear that they want to run the wildcat, it shows a willingness to look at different things and try to incorporate it with the athletes we have, especially if Stanback is back there and actually throws the ball. Ronnie Brown just ran it all but three times. And I only see us running the wildcat this season as many times as Miami ran it in the NE game last year. So so what if we run the wildcat 6 or 7 times total for the entire season. It is just a different wrinkle in the offense.

Having a desire for Romo to limit turnovers doesn't mean that I cannot say he is more valuable than the wildcat.