ESPN Watkins: Barber expected to start vs. Atlanta

[Coakleys Dad]

Barber expected to start vs. Atlanta
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By Calvin Watkins
ESPNDallas.com
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DALLAS -- Running back Marion Barber will continue to start for the Dallas Cowboys, but backup Tashard Choice will get more carries, owner Jerry Jones said Tuesday on his weekly radio show.

Barber suffered a thigh injury against Carolina on Sept. 28, and he's still not fully recovered heading into Sunday's game against the Atlanta Falcons.

"I can tell you Barber is going to be in better shape than he was last week or two weeks ago," Jones said. "But Tashard is certainly earned and going to get a big part of the load."

Choice's carries have fluctuated since Barber's injury. He carried 14 times for 33 yards in a loss at Denver on Oct. 4, but had just eight carries in the overtime victory over Kansas City on Oct. 11. His 92-yard effort against the Chiefs included a 36-yard touchdown run.

Choice started three games last season while Barber was injured and rushed for 234 yards and one touchdown on 53 attempts.

Choice was supposed to be the Cowboys' third-down back this season, but he's moved up the depth chart after injuries to Barber and Felix Jones (knee).

Jones participated in practice Monday and moved around pretty good. His status for Sunday's game against Atlanta hasn't been determined, though he expects to play.

"We were pleased with how Felix moved around [Monday]," Jerry Jones said. "But we don't know how sore he's going to be [Tuesday]. I think what we've got, the strength of our team is the running back position. It's the most strength that we've had at any spot and we need to use it and we will use it."

 

[Chocolate Lab]

Almost made a thread on this but I'll put it here...

But is anyone else worried about putting Felix out there this week? That Choice interview on DC.com made it sound like he was definitely going to play, and I hope that's a good idea. The way he stops on a dime and changes directions puts a lot of stress on the knee. I don't want him trying to prove he's not injury prone and getting out there before he's healthy.

Back to this article, though, good news on Barber.

I also wonder why Wade seemed so adamant last Monday that TC would get more carries. TC has always performed well when he's gotten a chance, but it's like the final straw broke the camel's back and the coaches finally decided it was time to give him more work.

 

[HoleInTheRoof]

Well, this is a tough game so we'll need all our horses.

I just hope Barber is coming back because he's ready. Because if he's not 100%, then TC is the better back.

 

[Boyzmamacita]

Well, this is a tough game so we'll need all our horses.

I just hope Barber is coming back because he's ready. Because if he's not 100%, then TC is the better back.

I agree. We need Barber's fire, but not at the expense of his health for the rest of the season. If Barber is healthy enough to play, he should start and close and Choice should do everything in between. That's assuming that Felix is not ready to go. Of course if he is, watch out Atlanta.

 

[MapleLeaf]

...do their jobs and properly assess which player can contribute to the team's efforts on the field.

If this is a start just to appease a vet then they better be ready for hell from the fans and the media.

It's high time this team, staff and players, thought seriously about all the variables that affect the results on the field.

I felt very strongly last game that (2) excellent run plays were wasted on Barber and his gimpy leg. This team can't afford to throw away opportunities like this.

It's not a great enough team to overcome missed opportunities.

 

[kramskoi]

...do their jobs and properly assess which player can contribute to the team's efforts on the field.

If this is a start just to appease a vet then they better be ready for hell from the fans and the media.

It's high time this team, staff and players, thought seriously about all the variables that affect the results on the field.

I felt very strongly last game that (2) excellent run plays were wasted on Barber and his gimpy leg. This team can't afford to throw away opportunities like this.

It's not a great enough team to overcome missed opportunities.

...i've said it before...watch Choice as he slowly becomes indispensable to the Cowboys...proof?

PECKING ORDER

Tashard Choice is easily the Cowboys most productive running back over the last 10 games.

Player Rushes-Yards-TDs Rec Total yds

Tashard Choice 117-607-4 TDs 30-261 868
Marion Barber 81-344-4 TDs 10-122 466
Felix Jones 21-212-1 TDs 1-20 232

Cowboys' top rusher over the last 10 games Choice, 6 times Barber , 3 Jones, 1

...he seems to be more durable than Barber and Jones...and Dallas may end up having to part ways with one of these guys...they could all start on any NFL team...J.Jones will be hard pressed to keep all three with the price tags they would command, considering other skill positions that need attention...Lattimore could get his chance to move up with Barber the most likely to be traded as Choice continues to impress...i know it's heresy to speak this but decision time is coming and Choice is looking better and better as time goes on...Jones/Choice are only two years into their respective careers while Barber is a veteran...

...the story of this year could be the continued emergence of both Choice and Austin as important pieces of the offense...

...Garrett did'nt look too smart against the Chiefs...everyone could see that Barber was'nt 100% and the running game suffered because of it...holes don't stay open forever and the split second that Barber loses with the quad injury is time that the offensive line does'nt have to sustain the blocks that free him...

 

[MapleLeaf]

...i've said it before...watch Choice as he slowly becomes indispensable to the Cowboys...proof?

PECKING ORDER

Tashard Choice is easily the Cowboys most productive running back over the last 10 games.

Player Rushes-Yards-TDs Rec Total yds

Tashard Choice 117-607-4 TDs 30-261 868
Marion Barber 81-344-4 TDs 10-122 466
Felix Jones 21-212-1 TDs 1-20 232

Cowboys' top rusher over the last 10 games Choice, 6 times Barber , 3 Jones, 1

...he seems to be more durable than Barber and Jones...and Dallas may end up having to part ways with one of these guys...they could all start on any NFL team...J.Jones will be hard pressed to keep all three with the price tags they would command, considering other skill positions that need attention...Lattimore could get his chance to move up with Barber the most likely to be traded as Choice continues to impress...i know it's heresy to speak this but decision time is coming and Choice is looking better and better as time goes on...Jones/Choice are only two years into their respective careers while Barber is a veteran...

...the story of this year could be the continued emergence of both Choice and Austin as important pieces of the offense...

...being the case of youth over experience, but right now I don't have an issue with Barber except that he is not 100%. It's really an issue of injured versus healthy.

He's just not able to do the things he is capable of doing. Choice can right now. Jones - who knows. I'm not sour on Jones, I'm just wary. As a fan I can't trust him right now.

He's great for three weeks then he's gone for two. If anybody has spent anytime in football on a team or coaching you just get players like that.

They have achilles heels that they just can't shake off. You hate to say he is injury prone, but he isn't on the field to contribute.

"You can't be a football player if you aren't on the football field!" That applies to Jones also.

 

[big dog cowboy]

Tashard Choice is easily the Cowboys most productive running back over the last 10 games.

He has also been the most healthy of the three. So I would expect him to be th most productive.

 

[MaineBoy]

Are there other teams in the NFL where the owner/GM is the one making comments about how a player ran in practice ?

 

[Rampage]

Are there other teams in the NFL where the owner/GM is the one making comments about how a player ran in practice ?

or telling everybody who will start and who will get the bulk of the carries? the bulk of the carries thing shouldn't be known till the game is over.

 

[TheMarathonContinues]

I don't mind Barber starting. I think you have to start him with a hobbled Barber then Choice ends up being the change of pace back. I'd rather have him in this role with Felix out than have him start and Barber be the change of pace back.

 

[Gaede]

I don't see why Choice doesn't just start. He's the healthiest, most productive back...so why not? Barber can still play here and there, but why not give the bulk of the carries to the guy who's shown that he can actually handle it?

 

[TheMarathonContinues]

I don't see why Choice doesn't just start. He's the healthiest, most productive back...so why not? Barber can still play here and there, but why not give the bulk of the carries to the guy who's shown that he can actually handle it?

You can get the bulk of the carries without starting. Starting means nothing lol. Actually Choice I believe got most of the carries last game without starting.

 

[jobberone]

...i've said it before...watch Choice as he slowly becomes indispensable to the Cowboys...proof?

PECKING ORDER

Tashard Choice is easily the Cowboys most productive running back over the last 10 games.

Player Rushes-Yards-TDs Rec Total yds

Tashard Choice 117-607-4 TDs 30-261 868
Marion Barber 81-344-4 TDs 10-122 466
Felix Jones 21-212-1 TDs 1-20 232

Cowboys' top rusher over the last 10 games Choice, 6 times Barber , 3 Jones, 1

...he seems to be more durable than Barber and Jones...and Dallas may end up having to part ways with one of these guys...they could all start on any NFL team...J.Jones will be hard pressed to keep all three with the price tags they would command, considering other skill positions that need attention...Lattimore could get his chance to move up with Barber the most likely to be traded as Choice continues to impress...i know it's heresy to speak this but decision time is coming and Choice is looking better and better as time goes on...Jones/Choice are only two years into their respective careers while Barber is a veteran...

...the story of this year could be the continued emergence of both Choice and Austin as important pieces of the offense...

...Garrett did'nt look too smart against the Chiefs...everyone could see that Barber was'nt 100% and the running game suffered because of it...holes don't stay open forever and the split second that Barber loses with the quad injury is time that the offensive line does'nt have to sustain the blocks that free him...

Now this is how to bring an argument. It's not complete as you can't look at just the last ten games. But it is the most germane now. Let's see how well Barber is and how he does.

 

[Gaede]

You can get the bulk of the carries without starting. Starting means nothing lol. Actually Choice I believe got most of the carries last game without starting.

If starting means nothing, then why start Barber at all?

 

[TheMarathonContinues]

If starting means nothing, then why start Barber at all?

I'm speaking in regards to touches. Starting means nothing. As far as the production from this team? I think starting Barber over Choice benefits the Cowboys running game. It makes Choice the change of pace back and catch the defense off guard. But s far as touches goes? He's going to get more than Barber and has been.

 

[DandyDon1722]

I don't see why Choice doesn't just start. He's the healthiest, most productive back...so why not? Barber can still play here and there, but why not give the bulk of the carries to the guy who's shown that he can actually handle it?

Yes, exactly right. If Barber and Jones aren't right, pound Choice for 25 carries. He's up to it, it used to be the norm in the NFL and one game isn't going to ruin a career.

I'd rather have three at 100% in two weeks than one at 100, one at 80 and one at 70.

 

[Aikbach]

Barber needs to heal up, he's no good to anyone playing wounded.

 

[ThreeSportStar80]

Jerry Jones the coach is at it again....

 

[reddyuta]

bad decision.we need a relatively healthy barber late in the game and if barber starts on that injured leg then he will be no good to us .