ESPN Mosley: Cowboys worried about Barber

[WoodysGirl]

December 2, 2008 11:01 AM

Posted by ESPN.com's Matt Mosley
Barber

Moments ago, a source at Valley Ranch told me that linebacker DeMarcus Ware's left knee sprain is healing nicely and that he should be able to participate in practice this week. Running back Marion Barber (dislocated pinkie toe) is the biggest concern for the Cowboys at this point.

He'll certainly try to gut it out, but there's a good chance he won't practice this week. Commanders running back Clinton Portis sits out practices on an almost weekly basis, but it's not something Barber has been faced with. If Barber can't play in Pittsburgh on Sunday, it would put a lot of pressure on rookie Tashard Choice, who's had a limited role in the offense this season.

Without Barber in the lineup, the Steelers could focus most of their attention on pressuring quarterback Tony Romo. The Steelers lead the NFL in sacks with 42, and the pressure comes from all over the field. Romo hasn't seen a pass rush like this in 2008.

The Cowboys would also be concerned about Choice's ability to pick up the blitz. They'd probably have to use tight ends Jason Witten and Martellus Bennett in the backfield more than usual to account for the Steelers' linebackers.

 

[DaBoys4Life]

Choice will be fine if MB3 can't go and if the Steelers think for a second that he won't put up huge numbers on them they're mistaken.

 

[The Panch]

Choice will be fine if MB3 can't go and if the Steelers think for a second that he won't put up huge numbers on them they're mistaken.

???



Choice hasnt done anything to prove he can have "huge numbers" against the best run defense in football.

 

[Cowboy Bill Watts]

Choice will be fine if MB3 can't go and if the Steelers think for a second that he won't put up huge numbers on them they're mistaken.

choice is going to put up big numbers on the steelers?

why would we think this?

 

[jcollins28]

The Cowboys would also be concerned about Choice's ability to pick up the blitz.

I could be mistaken given the Turkey and Wild Turkey haze I was watching the game but, I thought I saw Choice not only pick up a blitz but damn near pancake the guy he blocked. Please correct me if I'm wrong.

 

[Idgit]

If only there was a way for Romo to practice playing a 3-4 defense that is really able to get after the passer.

Re: Choice, I have no concerns at all with him starting a game in place of Barber. Barber wasn't going to run wild on this Steeler defense, anyway. And I don't care what anyone says, Choice is going to be a player in this league.

 

[Dave_in-NC]

This ain't good. We can hope Choice can put up numbers but we have no proof he can. Guess we might find out.

 

[YosemiteSam]

Put Pacman in the backfield! :laugh2:

 

[MCowboys]

Without Barber in the lineup, the Steelers could focus most of their attention on pressuring quarterback Tony Romo. The Steelers lead the NFL in sacks with 42, and the pressure comes from all over the field. Romo hasn't seen a pass rush like this in 2008./QUOTE]

Shouldn't Roethlisberger have more to worry about? We have 40 sacks, and the Steelers can't pass block anyone.

 

[Dave_in-NC]

I could be mistaken given the Turkey and Wild Turkey haze I was watching the game but, I thought I saw Choice not only pick up a blitz but damn near pancake the guy he blocked. Please correct me if I'm wrong.

You aren't wrong. It was right after Joe Buck said that was the reason they didn't play him.:laugh1:

Still, I won't be comfortable with him playing in some pretty hostile conditions.
The Seahawks are a far cry from the Steelers.

 

[YosemiteSam]

You aren't wrong. It was right after Joe Buck said that was the reason they didn't play him.:laugh1:

Still, I won't be comfortable with him playing in some pretty hostile conditions.
The Seahawks are a far cry from the Steelers.

I'm a bit more worried about Holland than Choice right now. As far as I'm concerned Barber is playing.

 

[ThreeSportStar80]

Choice will be fine if MB3 can't go and if the Steelers think for a second that he won't put up huge numbers on them they're mistaken.

No running back has put up "huge" numbers on Pittsburgh in 3 or 4 years since Corey Dillion ran wild on them in the New England game. I doubt seriously Choice will be any different.

 

[Dave_in-NC]

I'm a bit more worried about Holland than Choice right now. As far as I'm concerned Barber is playing.

Good point.

 

[juck]

If If If.blah. MBIII will be there with bells and whistles on.

 

[sbark]

Not sure about Choice putting up huge numbers...but I think enough numbers to keep Pitts LB's honest....

May I say I actually think Choices straight ahead, slip & slide thru small gaps, disappear behind Andre & Bigg, Flo & Columbo...plays well against Pitt, Ravens, Gints run D.....

The Lead Draw should be back in play....I like his straight ahead style against top run D's than MBIII's bounce it out......Choice will get his 5 and move chains.....

He is a solid character guy.....he'll be ready.....a coming out party...Emmitt II

 

[DaBoys4Life]

???



Choice hasnt done anything to prove he can have "huge numbers" against the best run defense in football.

choice is going to put up big numbers on the steelers?

why would we think this?

No running back has put up "huge" numbers on Pittsburgh in 3 or 4 years since Corey Dillion ran wild on them in the New England game. I doubt seriously Choice will be any different.

Choice can put up 100+ yards

 

[Velvet Jones]

Choice can put up 100+ yards

Well, as long as he has two legs, I guess this is a factual statement. And it must be true since a fan thinks so.

 

[CrazyCowboy]

Heck, I was worried about Barber when he went to the locker room on Turkey day!

 

[InmanRoshi]

Considering the vast majority of Pittsburgh's pass rush comes from their 2 OLB's from the outside, I would suspect we were keeping Witten and Bennett in to block regardless. Either TO or Roy are going to have to beat a double team, which very good WR's should be able to do. This is a game where Jerry needs to get a return from the investment he's put in his WR's.

 

[YosemiteSam]

No running back has put up "huge" numbers on Pittsburgh in 3 or 4 years since Corey Dillion ran wild on them in the New England game. I doubt seriously Choice will be any different.

I hope they feel that way. **** seems to pop up when you least expect it. Choice like Barber is a pounding back and not a finesse back. The weather favors both Barber and Choice.

It also favors elusive pocket passers (QB that know how to slide in the pocket) over pass rushers as kinetic energy becomes more pronounced on slick surfaces.

It also increases the favor for recievers because defensive backs have less ability to plant their feed when a reciever makes a break / double cut / stop and go.

What doesn't favor the offense is high wind, slick footballs, timing routes, and plays that go east west rather than north and south. The last one is a major reason why powerful back that pound the ball are so much better in bad weather. Our offensive line averaging 325lbs won't hurt either!