ESPN Dallas Blog: Why is Marion Barber still the starter?

[MrMom]

“Because he is the starter,” Wade Phillips said. “It’s important that he’s in there. He’s been the guy, and I think he still is.”

For the record, Jones replaced Barber on the Cowboys’ second offensive play against Tennessee. It sure looked like Barber, the highly-paid veteran, was allowed to start for ceremonial purposes.

There’s a track record of that type of thing at Valley Ranch. Outside linebacker Greg Ellis was the starter his entire final season with the Cowboys, but Anthony Spencer played significantly more snaps. Phillips explained at the time that Ellis remained the starter out of respect for him.

Read more - http://espn.go.com/blog/dallas/cowboys/post/_/id/4673189/why-is-marion-barber-still-the-starter

 

[CATCH17]

As long as Felix gets the ball like he did last week than all is well and Barber can be the starting tail back.

 

[jobberone]

I think Felix should be starting.

 

[Hostile]

Preston Pearson never started her. Ask Roger Staubach how important he was to the team.

Starter is a clothing company, not a title of honor.

 

[Aven8]

It must be in his contract!

 

[Kangaroo]

Preston Pearson never started her. Ask Roger Staubach how important he was to the team.

Starter is a clothing company, not a title of honor.

Obvious it means something because Wade is protecting hurt feelings on this team

 

[28 Joker]

As long as Felix gets the ball like he did last week than all is well and Barber can be the starting tail back.

This comes across as weak, imo.

I didn't like it when they did this to Anthony Spencer.

What is the message to the team, especially the young players.

This is the kind of wishy-washy stuff that opens Phillips up to his critics.

You are right.

At least, Felix Jones got the football last week like he deserved it. I guess, we will have to watch what they do and not what they say.

I'll tell you one thing.

One of this coaching staff's great failures is the way they have handled Felix Jones since he was a rookie. Jones was the best running back on the field in Cleveland, his rookie year.

I'd give Felix Jones 15-20 carries in this game.

Andre Gurode is hurt now, so that could spell doom for this game, passing or running. We'll see. I hope he isn't hurt bad and can play. Kyle Kosier would probably start at center.

Last year, Jones rushed 14 times for 69 yards against the Vikings, but his last four rushes were right up the middle, on the last four plays of the game. Jones still rushed for good yards when the Vikings knew it was coming up the middle. Dallas was waiving the white flag. Jones' carry total in that game was deceptive. It was really a 10/8 spit in favor of Jones. That was a terrible split and dumb coaching, imso. Why?

Felix Jones had just hung 272 total yards on the Philadelphia Eagles in two weeks. Yet, Marion Barber just had to get his 8 carries for 14 yards in that playoff game.

Why the coaches don't have the guts or courage to send Felix Jones out to start the game is beyond me?

That's fine.

Felix Jones made his statement on the football field last week.

If they are worried about another player's feelings or ego so much, then I guess we shouldn't be shocked that this team is 1-3. I guess that I shouldn't be shocked, because evidently, it took an "organizational agreement" to make Felix Jones the priority in the running game and get him the football enough.

The coaches look ridiculous when they send Barber out for the first play and then replace him. What a great message to send the young players or all the players. The coaches looked the same way when they let Greg Ellis do the same thing.

I think Dallas had Marion Barber's role about right last week. He should get Choice's third downs and limited carries. Barber could still be used to close games when the game is in hand, late in the fourth quarter.

Glad to see Choice benched.

I called for it and explained why, and it came two games late, imo.

 

[Prodigal Son]

As long as Jones gets 15 touches a game, it doesn't matter to me who starts.

 

[BAZ]

Who cares who starts or how many touches either gets as long as they are sucessful. If they lose Sunday then stick Choice in as the starter.....try something!

 

[jswalker1981]

Preston Pearson never started her. Ask Roger Staubach how important he was to the team.

Starter is a clothing company, not a title of honor.

You'd think people would get it. What's even worse, the second Felix becomes the starter everyone is going to fall in love with the backup. Who would just happen to be........Barber.

 

[ddh33]

This is one of those things that bothers me.

I guess it shouldn't matter who starts as long as the right guy is getting the right number of snaps. But I do feel like this minimizes the idea of earning your spot.

Marion Barber is not the best running back on this team. As a result, he should not be first string in actuality or in name.

I think that by starting the best players, you reward them for being the best, and you encourage someone else to go try to take their job from them.

It's the equivalent of starting the senior over the sophomore even though the younger player is much better. It's just not right to me.

 

[CATCH17]

This comes across as weak, imo.

I didn't like it when they did this to Anthony Spencer.

What is the message to the team, especially the young players.

This is the kind of wishy-washy stuff that opens Phillips up to his critics.

You are right.

At least, Felix Jones got the football last week like he deserved it. I guess, we will have to watch what they do and not what they say.

I'll tell you one thing.

One of this coaching staff's great failures is the way they have handled Felix Jones since he was a rookie. Jones was the best running back on the field in Cleveland, his rookie year.

I'd give Felix Jones 15-20 carries in this game.

Andre Gurode is hurt now, so that could spell doom for this game, passing or running. We'll see. I hope he isn't hurt bad and can play. Kyle Kosier would probably start at center.

Last year, Jones rushed 14 times for 69 yards against the Vikings, but his last four rushes were right up the middle, on the last four plays of the game. Jones still rushed for good yards when the Vikings knew it was coming up the middle. Dallas was waiving the white flag. Jones' carry total in that game was deceptive. It was really a 10/8 spit in favor of Jones. That was a terrible split and dumb coaching, imso. Why?

Felix Jones had just hung 272 total yards on the Philadelphia Eagles in two weeks. Yet, Marion Barber just had to get his 8 carries for 14 yards in that playoff game.

Why the coaches don't have the guts or courage to send Felix Jones out to start the game is beyond me?

That's fine.

Felix Jones made his statement on the football field last week.

If they are worried about another player's feelings or ego so much, then I guess we shouldn't be shocked that this team is 1-3. I guess that I shouldn't be shocked, because evidently, it took an "organizational agreement" to make Felix Jones the priority in the running game and get him the football enough.

The coaches look ridiculous when they send Barber out for the first play and then replace him. What a great message to send the young players or all the players. The coaches looked the same way when they let Greg Ellis do the same thing.

I think Dallas had Marion Barber's role about right last week. He should get Choice's third downs and limited carries. Barber could still be used to close games when the game is in hand, late in the fourth quarter.

Glad to see Choice benched.

I called for it and explained why, and it came two games late, imo.

Ok you changed my mind. It is kind of wishy washy.

 

[TNCowboy]

So it doesn't matter....yet Phillips says “It’s important that he’s in there. He’s been the guy, and I think he still is.” :

laugh2: how pathetic, whether it comes from Phillips or Jones. To save face for a veteran jag, they pretend he's an important part of the team. No wonder only rock-ribbed Cowboy homers take the organization seriously.

 

[7footer]

I don't agree with this at all...This is the type of behavior that breeds contentment among starters. If they actually felt their jobs were on the line, maybe they would stay hungry instead of being secure in their roles. It usually takes an injury to a starter before a change is finally made. And even then, remember how the coaches still named Roy as the starter throughout the entire season even when Miles was putting up the most gaudy numbers the league had ever seen?

It just doesn't make sense...

Put Felix in as the starter and use Marion for short-yardage and 4th quarter runs...It only makes sense.

 

[Hoofbite]

You'd think people would get it. What's even worse, the second Felix becomes the starter everyone is going to fall in love with the backup. Who would just happen to be........Barber.

I agree. Fans always love the less productive and less capable player.

[/sarcasm]

 

[ThreeSportStar80]

It's a pride thing, everyone knows Felix Jones should be the starting running back! What a dumb coaching staff....

 

[trickblue]

I could care less who the "starter" is...

Give Felix 20+ carries per game and I am happy...

 

[windward]

Does it matter?

 

[gimmesix]

As long as Felix gets the ball like he did last week than all is well and Barber can be the starting tail back.

That's all that matters to me. Jones needs enough chances to break off big runs, it's no big deal if one of those chances isn't the first play of the game.

 

[Thomas82]

I don't agree with this at all...This is the type of behavior that breeds contentment among starters. If they actually felt their jobs were on the line, maybe they would stay hungry instead of being secure in their roles. It usually takes an injury to a starter before a change is finally made. And even then, remember how the coaches still named Roy as the starter throughout the entire season even when Miles was putting up the most gaudy numbers the league had ever seen?

It just doesn't make sense...

Put Felix in as the starter and use Marion for short-yardage and 4th quarter runs...It only makes sense.