ESPN Mosley: Cowboys worried about Barber

[Dave_in-NC]

he's talking about the Steelers offense.

Gotchya, I need to quit trying to work while reading this forum.

 

[Disturbed]

Dallas offense is ranked #8 overall in the league and Pittsburgh is ranked #24, so it looks like the comment must refer to the steelers. And one must admit that Dallas is just now getting their offensive timing back with Romo getting healthy.

Defense is another matter, although Dallas has played better the past month against weak competition, we rank #9 overall. Steelers are #1 in all categories on defense which is very impressive...they control the game with their defense.

Dallas O = 24.9 pts game.....D = 21.9 pts given up
Pitts O = 22.4 pts game.....D = 14.2 pts given up

This does not look good....playing on the road...maybe without Barber and Ware....Romo still not 100%. We need our defense and special teams to step up big time.

 

[kramskoi]

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.

i think Pittsburgh has 42, which leads the league...

 

[MrMom]

how do you figure?

Remember who you're talking to.

I wish you guys wouldn't quote his crap. I prefer not to read any of it.

 

[Da Hammer]

if Barber is unable to go his pass protection will be whats most missed because with or without him we will not be able to run. Even the Giants couldnt run on Pitt and its been years since a RB had a great day against them. If Choice can do a solid job in blitz pickup we will be fine but thats a huge question and i doubt he will be very successful against the stud Steelers LB's and safeties...

 

[JohnnyHopkins]

If I were to wager, I would probably bet that a Dallas Running Back would get 100 yards receiving over 100 yards rushing. If MBIII plays, he could end up with a lot of touches via dump-offs.

 

[TNCowboy]

This will be a physical game that probably isn't going to be won with big #s. Choice may get 15 carries for 30 yards.

I think our pass offense is almost unstoppable, but if the weather is bad, we won't be seeing 300 yds and 3 TDs from Romo. What we can hope for is a game of few penalties, no more than one turnover, and a good job by our special teams. We're going to have to win this game the old-fashioned way. Punting won't always be a bad thing, as long as our new punter does his job.

 

[Route 66]

If the field's muddy, then Barber won't be able to cut well with that toe.

 

[Cowboy Bill Watts]

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.

:laugh1:

 

[Disturbed]

Playing in the snow is fun. Dallas may be much harder to defend in the slippery snow -- TO, Witten, and Williams are all big strong receivers who will have an advantage in bad weather.

 

[Don Corleone]

If the field's muddy, then Barber won't be able to cut well with that toe.

The big toe is more critical for cutting, not the pinky toe.

 

[Route 66]

The big toe is more critical for cutting, not the pinky toe.

That doesn't change anything. ANY toe can affect cutting and especially in a soft playing field.

 

[2much2soon]

And against all of those teams you can stack eight in the box right ?

This is really the key.

They may be better off to try to take away the pass and take their chances with Dallas' inconsistent run game, be it Choice or Barber.

 

[Don Corleone]

This is really the key.

They may be better off to try to take away the pass and take their chances with Dallas' inconsistent run game, be it Choice or Barber.

I don't think our run game is as inconsistent as it may seem on paper. Just look back to the 2nd Skins game this year. We've had big plays in the passing game recently, and we've taken what the defenses have given us. We've been going for the quick stike instead of pounding the rock. Nothing wrong with that if the defense is willing to give that to you.

I do agree that if I'm Pittsburgh, I guard against the pass first and force the Cowboys to run the ball. This is a safer bet because you force MB3 to run on a bum toe.

 

[DaBoys4Life]

I don't think our run game is as inconsistent as it may seem on paper. Just look back to the 2nd Skins game this year. We've had big plays in the passing game recently, and we've taken what the defenses have given us. We've been going for the quick stike instead of pounding the rock. Nothing wrong with that if the defense is willing to give that to you.

I do agree that if I'm Pittsburgh, I guard against the pass first and force the Cowboys to run the ball. This is a safer bet because you force MB3 to run on a bum toe.

So how do you think Pittsburgh will stop our passing attack?

 

[silver]

we'll have to beat them through the air. i still think barber will be ok. otherwise choice and prolly coleman will have to do. hope they're ready for the challenge. there's a reason their on the roster (as opposed to say brad johnson where there's no reason to have him on the roster). it will be an ugly game regardless. our defense will be ready and that's good news.

 

[zeromaster]

That doesn't change anything. ANY toe can affect cutting and especially in a soft playing field.

Thanks, doc...

 

[Route 66]

Thanks, doc...

If you actually read at least more than one page, you would find I was addressing the added hassle of a muddy field with the toe injury Einstein.

 

[Quarterback Coach]

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.

If we cannot find a story with drama...we will take something obvious, throw in some colorful adjectives, and say we have an undercover report.

 

[Sarge]

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 concern, at least for me, isn't so much that he can't run the ball effectively, it's whether he can pick up the blitz effectively.