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October 20, 2009, 3:00 PM
By: Tim MacMahon
Tashard Choice has earned a significant role in the Dallas Cowboys' offense. Wade Phillips said so last week. Jerry Jones reiterated the point today.
So that begs the question: how should the load be split between Marion Barber and Choice?
Felix Jones is a separate part of the equation because his big-play ability provides a different dimension. Of course, that's when Jones is healthy, which isn't often. In order to maximize his effectiveness and minimize the injury risk, the Cowboys have to keep Jones in a change-of-pace role, limiting his touches to less than 10 per game and leaving the bulk of the workload for the other two backs.
Choice deserves to split the rest of the work with Barber. That would also be in the best interests of Barber, a bruising runner who hasn't been able to stay healthy since becoming a starter.
With Choice available, there's no reason to push Barber past a dozen carries per game, which appears to be his optimum production point. That's especially true as long as Barber's quadriceps is less than completely healthy, which could be the case for most of the season.
Choice isn't as powerful as Barber, but he's just as well-rounded. Choice has also been more productive than Barber when given chances. His career averages per carry (5.1-4.3) and catch (8.4-7.6) are better than Barber. And that can't be considered a fluke, since a bunch of Choice's work came against elite defenses (Steelers, Giants, Ravens, Eagles) last December.
Barber was at his best in 2006 and '07, when he was a part-time back who excelled in the red zone and at the end of games. He parlayed that production into a superstar deal (seven years, $45 million), but the Cowboys can't let his contract cloud their thinking.
At some point, Choice's success could make Barber and his big salary expendable. For now, Choice is a proven back who allows the Cowboys to put Barber in position to succeed in smaller doses.
By: Tim MacMahon
Tashard Choice has earned a significant role in the Dallas Cowboys' offense. Wade Phillips said so last week. Jerry Jones reiterated the point today.
So that begs the question: how should the load be split between Marion Barber and Choice?
Felix Jones is a separate part of the equation because his big-play ability provides a different dimension. Of course, that's when Jones is healthy, which isn't often. In order to maximize his effectiveness and minimize the injury risk, the Cowboys have to keep Jones in a change-of-pace role, limiting his touches to less than 10 per game and leaving the bulk of the workload for the other two backs.
Choice deserves to split the rest of the work with Barber. That would also be in the best interests of Barber, a bruising runner who hasn't been able to stay healthy since becoming a starter.
With Choice available, there's no reason to push Barber past a dozen carries per game, which appears to be his optimum production point. That's especially true as long as Barber's quadriceps is less than completely healthy, which could be the case for most of the season.
Choice isn't as powerful as Barber, but he's just as well-rounded. Choice has also been more productive than Barber when given chances. His career averages per carry (5.1-4.3) and catch (8.4-7.6) are better than Barber. And that can't be considered a fluke, since a bunch of Choice's work came against elite defenses (Steelers, Giants, Ravens, Eagles) last December.
Barber was at his best in 2006 and '07, when he was a part-time back who excelled in the red zone and at the end of games. He parlayed that production into a superstar deal (seven years, $45 million), but the Cowboys can't let his contract cloud their thinking.
At some point, Choice's success could make Barber and his big salary expendable. For now, Choice is a proven back who allows the Cowboys to put Barber in position to succeed in smaller doses.
