FWST Blog: Would you start Felix Jones over The Barbarian?

[TheCount]

With 3 backs splitting carries does it really matter who starts?

Exactly, who cares who starts? The gameplan should determine who has the better chance for being effective, and that person should be used more or less depending on in-game success.

Barber has certainly earned the right to come out with the starting group, and he's still the best back we have in my opinion, but if there's a game where Choice or Felix have to get 20 touches, so be it.

 

[EPL0c0]

I *KNEW* this topic would come up eventually by the media.

The answer: no. The problem with the running game in 2008 had nothing to do with Marion Barber, Felix Jones, Tashard Choice or anything about them (injuries, style of running, etc).

The problem with the running game in 2008 was (what I feel was) Garrett's lack of gameplan to take advantage of what those three running backs could do. We didn't see Tashard Choice until the end of the season and he seemed to be able to step into a starting role with no problems.

We have amazing talent at RB and it's my hope that in 2009, Garrett figures it out and puts the focus of the offense on the feet of those three guys, no matter what order they start/play; as long as they all play.

 

[Alexander]

Felix Jones is like Reggie Bush. He is not a featured back but you can line him up anywhere and create mismatches. Choice should start and Felix does his Reggie Bush thing and then bring Barber in the second half when the other team is tired. That's when Barber is at his best and his bruising style actually works.

Jerry overpaid Barber. No doubt. His agent got him a very good deal considering he was never the featured back. Jerry does tend to be to loyal at times and he has overpaid many times. But at least he drafted Felix and Choice, they come pretty cheap.

Why would you start the least talented back?

Choice is a good solid running back, but he is not the most talented of the three.

 

[jobberone]

Why would you start the least talented back?

Choice is a good solid running back, but he is not the most talented of the three.

I don't know Alexander. You're probably right. But I think of them as complementary. Each one does something pretty well. TC is probably the most rounded RB right now running wise. Felix may be the most talented but neither of those can pound it like Barber in my estimation. That opinion could change.

 

[Spectre]

I would alternate them much in the way we used JJ and MB3.
Gimme MB3 on the goaline and FJ on down-and-distance situations, also.

 

[Merlin]

Why would you start the least talented back?

Choice is a good solid running back, but he is not the most talented of the three.

Barber is the least talented of the 3. Choice will improve and so will Felix but Barber wont. So we were already starting the least talented back for most of last year.

 

[BulletBob]

First-half Felix, second-half Barber? How about Flash and Bash?
- Rick Herrin

Posted at 09:12 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)

What, no takers?

I thought that was pretty clever!



Include Choice and you could have "Flash, Dash, and Bash."

 

[Alexander]

Barber is the least talented of the 3. Choice will improve and so will Felix but Barber wont. So we were already starting the least talented back for most of last year.

I disagree completely. No offense to Choice, but I think starting him would be a mistake. I simply believe Barber is better and being blunt, he's not going to be squeezed out to the extent that he simply "closes". So you are left with two backs; there is not a "three-headed" attack that could function like this, not with the way Garrett prefers to throw the football. Could Choice start? Absolutely. But Barber's status and contract will affect that. And of course, I think he's better and I would wager so does the staff. Felix Jones is the most dangerous and gifted of all three. If I went with one "starter" I would have him in the "Julius Jones" role and have Barber back to splitting carries.

Back to Choice. There are backs all of the time that look good filling in as injury replacements but eventually peter out once teams get used to them and are prepared. Earnest Graham in Tampa is a classic example. Not a slam on him, but you notice that it did not take the Buccaneers but a year to discover he wasn't what they thought and now they just spent quite a bit to get Derrick Ward.

 

[mmillman]

No, but I would use all 3 RBs differently than last year. First of all Felix on a screen would be pure dangerous. No one is better inside the Red Zone than Marion. I would use Choice to spell Barber the way Barber spelled Julius in 2006. Felix would be in on 3rd downs regardless of any formation.

Go with the hot hand. If Marion is killing people, give him the football. If Tashard is having one of those kinds of days, give it to him. If Bennett has a day where he cannot be covered throw it to him. I would definitely look to utilize his and Roy's jumping abilities in the end zone.

Create matchup problems and go with the hot hand. Some days guys simply have it. Some days they don't. Don't force the issue. There are too many weapons to need to force the issue.

I think that is an excellent way to use them. There are several ways to look at their possible uses:

1) Barber starts and wears down defenses with Felix used on passing downs (long 2nd and 3rd downs) and as a change of pace. With Choice getting a handful of first down plays to spell Barber.

2) Start Jones and give Barber the ball when Dallas is ahead late in the game.

3) Alternate series, go with the hot hand

4) Alternate quarters

Personally I would start Barber and Dallas' identity would be a power run game. Bring Choice in as a breather for Barber and Jones as a long 2nd down and third down back. Lots of swing passes, draws, screens, sweeps etc.... Thunder and lightning. Dallas needs an offensive identity and personnel wise they fit a power running team. One more reason Owens needs to be gone because in that kind of scheme he will sulk, take plays off and pout.

 

[BulletBob]

What, no takers?

I thought that was pretty clever!



Include Choice and you could have "Flash, Dash, and Bash."

Come on ... sign a quality fullback and you have:

"Flash, Dash, Bash, and Smash!"

Who's with me?




** Crickets **

:

 

[BulletBob]

Come on ... sign a quality fullback and you have:

"Flash, Dash, Bash, and Smash!"

Who's with me?




** Crickets **

:

Sign Quinthy back at QB and in the backfield you've got:

"Flash, Dash, Bash, Smash, and .... wait for it ... Hash!"

 

[wileedog]

And in my opinion, Tashard Choice might be the player best-suited for a 'starter' role anyway. .

This.

I'd start Choice, and work Barber and Felix in heavily throughout the game, not just Barber in the 2nd half.

If he really is a Genius, this is where Garrett is going to earn his money next season, figuring out how to create opportunities for 3 very different (and good) backs, not just trying to get TO the ball.

 

[CF74]

I'd start Choice, use Felix like Westbrook/Bush, and Barber for short yards and the 4rth quarter. Choice is the most consistent positive yard runner we have, Felix is the home run master, and Barber is the punisher.

 

[Apollo Creed]

What a great problem to have.

The days of JuJo's 3 yards and a cloud of dust are over.

 

[jobberone]

Sign Quinthy back at QB and in the backfield you've got:

"Flash, Dash, Bash, Smash, and .... wait for it ... Hash!"

If we agree will you stop with it.

Actually I like it. You need to talk to the media though. They get to steal stuff from the players but are the ones responsible for labels.

 

[CATCH17]

It doesn't matter who starts and our media and fan base need to understand that.

Its all about how many carries the player gets and when he gets them.

Barber should be the starter for respect reasons. But i'd like to see his first half touches limited and 2nd half touches increased.

Also Barber needs to be in on almost every red zone opportunity we get as well because he is a Touchdown machine.

 

[wileedog]

Back to Choice. There are backs all of the time that look good filling in as injury replacements but eventually peter out once teams get used to them and are prepared. Earnest Graham in Tampa is a classic example. Not a slam on him, but you notice that it did not take the Buccaneers but a year to discover he wasn't what they thought and now they just spent quite a bit to get Derrick Ward.

You could almost make the same argument about Barber, who was never really in a 'featured' role until this year and his production suffered even before the injuries.

Personally I think Choice just looks like a more complete back to me, and has a little better burst through the hole than Barber, but I don't disagree at all with your point above. Hambrick averaged 5 yards a carry one season too as a backup.

Good problems to have for a change.

 

[CATCH17]

You could almost make the same argument about Barber, who was never really in a 'featured' role until this year and his production suffered even before the injuries.

Personally I think Choice just looks like a more complete back to me, and has a little better burst through the hole than Barber, but I don't disagree at all with your point above. Hambrick averaged 5 yards a carry one season too as a backup.

Good problems to have for a change.

Barber struggled because of injuries and his lack of touches do to Jason Garretts "panic mode" offense.

If we were losing or tied we abadoned the run.

Barber was still amazing at times this year and what he brings to the table is rare.

AS far as I am concerned he is the heart beat of this team. Once you get him going is when Dallas is at their toughest to stop.

 

[BulletBob]

If we agree will you stop with it.

Actually I like it. You need to talk to the media though. They get to steal stuff from the players but are the ones responsible for labels.

Nope - I'm here all week.

Try the veal!

 

[wileedog]

Barber was still amazing at times this year and what he brings to the table is rare.

.

He was even more amazing years prior. I don't mean this as a knock on Barber at all, I still think he is a very good back, I just liked Choice better. That Pitt game was awful impressive.

Although I fully admit I may just have "look, shiny!!" syndrome.

On the whole though, the guy I am most excited to watch next season is Felix. If they don't get him on the field enough again next year someone better be arrested.