Does anyone think Julius is wearing silver and blue next year?

[dwmyers]

Julius' splits per quarter.

1st Quarter - 4.6 ypc
2nd Quarter - 4.0 ypc
3rd Quarter - 4.6 ypc
4th Quarter - 3.1 ypc

He actually gets worse as the game goes on.

Only if you factor in the 4th quarter, which, in most games, HE'S NOT RUNNING AT ALL.

I agree with those who mock your statistical skills. You're making too much hay out of one point. The 3rd quarter numbers are as good as his first quarter numbers.

David.

 

[Bob Sacamano]

I'm suggesting drafting someone in the first round. Move up to grab Adrian Peterson.

hmmm

no, I still think it's a stupid idea

 

[jrumann59]

Oh yeah, I'm sure if you throw out the good runs in certain situations and throw out all of his bad runs in certain situation, the stats do tend to balance out. They would for just about everyone.

Why trust stats when you can just listen to the opinions of people with the handle of J.Jones21 for objective analysis.

When was the last time you saw a RB lose 77 yards in a game. Avgs are affected by number of carries so if JJ has a total of 200 carries in the 1st half of all games this season and has 900 yds and then only gets 100 carries in the 2nd half of the games this season for 100 yards then his 2nd half total is more likely to be effected dramatically by huge losses or gains where as his first half total is less like to affected dramatically.

Your logic works only if he gets the same amount of carries through out the game which he doesn't.

Since he isn't in on 3 downs he doesn't get a lot of those 3rd and 25 draw plays that MBIII gets 10-15 yards a pop on.

 

[jeff]

Tonight, JJ was 13 carries for 26 yards.... That's a whopping 2 yards per carry. (Barber was 11 for 69 yards, averaging about 6 per carry). Please don't tell me it was just because the Falcons defense was worn down in the fourth quarter. Barber runs angry all the time! Also don't say, 'don't fix it if it ain't broke.' 2 yards per carry is pretty broke. The tandom of Jones/Barber is pretty good, but it would be a lot better if it were Barber and someone who could juke and move and make something happen. With other needs (RG, back up LT and NG, replacement for TO) I'm not sure we can upgrade RB by next year. But if we could, we would have a whole other gear on offense.

 

[big dog cowboy]

With other needs (RG, back up LT and NG, replacement for TO) I'm not sure we can upgrade RB by next year. But if we could, we would have a whole other gear on offense.

We don't need to upgrade the RB's. We need to upgrade the run blocking. JJ gets hit far to many times before he gets back to the LOS.

 

[jeff]

We don't need to upgrade the RB's. We need to upgrade the run blocking. JJ gets hit far to many times before he gets back to the LOS.

Then how does Barber manage to get through the LOS?

 

[dwmyers]

What's even funnier about all this is that InmanRoshi's data show that JJ is good for far better than 4 yards a carry through 3 quarters. Very few Parcells front line backs average 4 yards a carry through a whole season. But we're getting somewhere between 4 and 4.6 yards a carry where he is a front line back.

In short, he's doing his job. Sure, he doesn't break tackles and run over people like some short stuff clone of Earl Campbell. But for a scat back, he's doing his job.

Parcells has said that his ideal is one big back and two scat backs. We have the two scat backs already. I guess we're still churning for the big back.

David.

 

[windward]

I haven't been able to see the game yet. The area where I live (near Seattle) has had a power outage since Thursday night, so even though I have Tivo, DirecTV, Sunday Ticket and NFL Network, I couldn't watch or record the game. I probably won't get to see the game for a few more days.

Yuck. that sucks, man. I couldn't see the Texans game after we had an earthquake in october. I kn ow how it feels.

 

[Verdict]

You should watch the replay again. The hole Jones was supposed to run through was closing from the start. He bounced left, saw a small gap, then exploded back up the middle through several defenders.

Say what you want about Julius, but there aren't many backs who would have scored on that play.

And yes, he will come back and again be splitting time with Barber.

I am assuming from this post that you believe that Julius Jones is an effective back and should be remain the Cowboy's starting running back. Is that accurate? I am curious as to exactly how you view Jones and his role with the team. I am not being critical of this post, or your opinion (if I understand it correctly). I am just trying to understand your perspective.

I think most Cowboys fan have a certain affinity for Jones because he is the Cowboy's starting running back. I will include myself in that statement. However, when I analyze Jones objectively in my mind, and not with my heart, it kinda puts him in a little different light.

As a case in point, when I look at a player like Witten, I would have considered locking him up to a contract extension to be a priority. It would be difficult, if not impossible to find his replacement in either free agency, or the draft. You could say the same thing about T. Newman, Roy Williams, and a few others. I do not look at Jones in the same light. I do not consider him to be in the top half of starting running backs in the NFL. Some would argue he is not even the best back on his own team.

He appears to be serviceable, but definitely not an elite back. I will agree that L. Tomlinsons do not grow on trees but I do think it is reasonable to think that it is potentially feasible to obtain an upgrade over Jones via the draft, or free agency.

As a case in point, look no farther than the NFC East. Tiki Barber is better than Jones. It is arguable that the Giants' backup, Jacobs, is also better than Jones. Westbook, is certainly much more versatile as a receiver than Jones, so I would also take him over Jones. Clinton Portis is clearly a better back than Jones as well in my mind. Right now, Marion barber is also playing better than he is.

These are just my opinions, but right now he is just an average back, that has a knowledge of Parcell's system. That might be the thing that keeps him around here. I'm not avocating getting rid of him, but I do not think that upgrading the position is out of the realm of possibility.

 

[Jimz31]

I think it all comes down to run blocking and let's face it, we are NOT that good at run-blocking when we are between the 20's....it's almost as if they have other things on their mind other than the play at hand.

Watch how many times our line is going backwards on a run play or even having guys already in the backfield.

When they get closer to the goal line, they seem to block much better because they seem to be focused on getting into the end-zone.

Go back and watch the tapes and just pay attention to the o-line on run blocking between the 20's.

 

[InmanRoshi]

Again, Julius has never been a great back in the professional or collegiate level. He's just been average and servicable his entire career. His weaknesses like poor vision, mediocre instincts and inability to shed tackles weigh down his strengths like raw speed in the open field. This is year three now. He's been healthy all year. Time to stop making excuses. This is what he is. Average. Servicable. That's about it.

 

[mmohican29]

Yep. I wouldn't go out of my way to trade up for a RB in the draft, but if we have one that falls into our lap who can upgrade over Julius "Servicable" Jones, then by all means.

 

[mmohican29]

Julius "the Drive Killer" Jones. 1st and 10 from your own 45. 1 yd. 2nd and 9 from your 44. 2yds. It's ridiculous, and a testimony to Romo's play (47% on 3rd Down conversions- tops in NFL) that we even maintain possessions. I'll sacrifice the once every 4 games "huge day" for a guy that can consistently move the chains. Any day. Jones is through in Dallas after next season. Barber will be the feature back next season.

 

[mmohican29]

I am assuming from this post that you believe that Julius Jones is an effective back and should be remain the Cowboy's starting running back. Is that accurate? I am curious as to exactly how you view Jones and his role with the team. I am not being critical of this post, or your opinion (if I understand it correctly). I am just trying to understand your perspective.

I think most Cowboys fan have a certain affinity for Jones because he is the Cowboy's starting running back. I will include myself in that statement. However, when I analyze Jones objectively in my mind, and not with my heart, it kinda puts him in a little different light.

As a case in point, when I look at a player like Witten, I would have considered locking him up to a contract extension to be a priority. It would be difficult, if not impossibl or the draft. You could say the same thing about T. Newman, Roy Williams, and a few others. I do not look at Jones in the same light. I do not consider him to be in the top half of starting running backs in the NFL. Some would argue he is not even the best back on his own team.

Bingo.

 

[Dale]

We need two running backs. I highly doubt we'd release Julius and just go with Tyson Thompson.

I think the only way(s) Julius is gone is if he's traded and we can get something good in return, or if we acquire an obviously superior back in the draft or free agency.

Maybe Barber needs to be the more featured back, but I think Julius still has a role on this team. He's not a garbage running back, regardless of whether or not Barber is better.

 

[Dale]

I am assuming from this post that you believe that Julius Jones is an effective back and should be remain the Cowboy's starting running back. Is that accurate? I am curious as to exactly how you view Jones and his role with the team. I am not being critical of this post, or your opinion (if I understand it correctly). I am just trying to understand your perspective.

I think most Cowboys fan have a certain affinity for Jones because he is the Cowboy's starting running back. I will include myself in that statement. However, when I analyze Jones objectively in my mind, and not with my heart, it kinda puts him in a little different light.

As a case in point, when I look at a player like Witten, I would have considered locking him up to a contract extension to be a priority. It would be difficult, if not impossibl or the draft. You could say the same thing about T. Newman, Roy Williams, and a few others. I do not look at Jones in the same light. I do not consider him to be in the top half of starting running backs in the NFL. Some would argue he is not even the best back on his own team.

Bingo.

Good post. When Jones' contract runs out, I'm not sure he will be retained unless he can be done so on the cheap.

I woud, at this point, rate Barber the more valuable player.

With that said, Julius isn't dogshart. I don't think he needs to be outright released or shunned from the team. Even if he's the one seeing his opportunities diminish, I think he can carry a role here.

But yeah, he's not a big-money player at this point.

 

[AdamJT13]

I am assuming from this post that you believe that Julius Jones is an effective back

I would rate any running back who averages 4.13 yards per carry and 73 yards per game (despite sharing time) as effective. There are 12 running backs with more carries than Julius, but only six of those have a higher YPC. And that's despite the fact that Julius gets almost NO carries in passing situations, when it's easier to boost your YPC against a spread defense.

and should be remain the Cowboy's starting running back.

I don't see "should/shouldn't" as an issue. They'll both play, and things are working pretty well with the way we've used them. I'm pretty sure Julius will remain the starter, since Parcells has never given any indication otherwise.

 

[Jimz31]

I understand that both JJ and MBIII's contracts are up at the end of this season....is that correct?

 

[Jimz31]

Here are the stats.

Name Team G Rush Yds Y/G Avg TD Fum FumL
Frank Gore SFO 14 270 1491 106.5 5.5 6 6 5
Larry Johnson KAN 13 333 1432 110.2 4.3 13 2 2
LaDainian Tomlinson SDG 13 285 1427 109.8 5.0 26 2 1
Tiki Barber NYG 13 269 1282 98.6 4.8 1 3 1
Willie Parker PIT 13 264 1199 92.2 4.5 10 5 3
Steven Jackson STL 13 257 1109 85.3 4.3 7 3 1
Chester Taylor MIN 12 265 1098 91.5 4.1 5 5 3
Fred Taylor JAC 13 222 1083 83.3 4.9 5 3 2
Rudi Johnson CIN 13 276 1054 81.1 3.8 10 3 1
Thomas Jones CHI 13 258 1053 81.0 4.1 5 1 1
Warrick Dunn ATL 13 240 997 76.7 4.2 4 1 0
Brian Westbrook PHI 12 194 995 82.9 5.1 5 2 2
Julius Jones DAL 13 234 993 76.4 4.2 4 1 1

 

[wick]

What is Jones' PSR for this season? He seems to be very boom or bust on runs to me. We need more runs of 4-6 yards and less of the 0-2 yard runs with the occasional explosive play mixed in.