How close is Felix Jones to being our Westbrook

[Galian Beast]

I have to admit I like the idea of getting rid of BOTH Barber and Choice. I think our running back corps needs to be reshuffled. I like Choice a lot but I would like to get a bruiser back to complement Jones as our #2.

And this will make Felix Jones more featured in our offense.

Jones got 48 receptions on 52 targets for 450 yards receiving. Im not sure how espn is reporting this stat but his YAC is 562 yards.

Felix just had his 3rd year in the nfl. And his numbers compare very similiarly to how westbrook developed except he is certainly a better running back.

The difference though is that by year 3 westbrook got 73 receptions over 13 games.... 5.6 catches per game, compared to jones' 3 per game.

I definitely think Felix needs to be more featured in our offense.

Marion Barber had 113 rushes, and 11 receptions that should more aptly gone to felix. Choice actually had 17 receptions.

We're about to see a top 10 running back next year out of Felix if he can stay healthy.

P.S. I'm not saying run him as many times as Chris Johnson or AP. But definitely more.

8 running backs are featured more often in the passing game than Felix Jones. He's up there, but I think he should be higher.

I cant wait to see what Felix could do with a consistent and more athletic offensive line.

 

[zrinkill]

Not.

I have given up hope that we will ever use Felix as creatively as they used Westbrook.

 

[JeffInDC]

I have to admit I like the idea of getting rid of BOTH Barber and Choice. I think our running back corps needs to be reshuffled. I like Choice a lot but I would like to get a bruiser back to complement Jones as our #2.

And this will make Felix Jones more featured in our offense.

Jones got 48 receptions on 52 targets for 450 yards receiving. Im not sure how espn is reporting this stat but his YAC is 562 yards.

Felix just had his 3rd year in the nfl. And his numbers compare very similiarly to how westbrook developed except he is certainly a better running back.

The difference though is that by year 3 westbrook got 73 receptions over 13 games.... 5.6 catches per game, compared to jones' 3 per game.

I definitely think Felix needs to be more featured in our offense.

Marion Barber had 113 rushes, and 11 receptions that should more aptly gone to felix. Choice actually had 17 receptions.

We're about to see a top 10 running back next year out of Felix if he can stay healthy.

P.S. I'm not saying run him as many times as Chris Johnson or AP. But definitely more.

8 running backs are featured more often in the passing game than Felix Jones. He's up there, but I think he should be higher.

I cant wait to see what Felix could do with a consistent and more athletic offensive line.

Felix will be OUR Tiki Barber. I went back to look at Tiki's career and his 1st 3 years are "eerily" similar in yardage, how he was used, etc....................not to mention that they are EXACTLY the same damn size. What I saw of Felix at the end of the season is a guy that is much better running between the tackles than I originally thought and can really catch the football - all of this WITHOUT MUCH OF AN O-LINE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!. Once he masters pass blocking and holding onto the ball, I see NO REASON AT ALL that he can't carry the ball 15 times a game and catch 3-5 passes. Get a TRUE bruiser back (Jaime Harper, Anthony Allen, Allen Bradford, or John Clay) to spell him and take almost half the load (ala the Jets and Panthers), and I think we haven't even come close to see what Felix could be. I'm pretty sure that NO ONE in NY saw what Tiki would become after his 1st 3 years. I see a similar track with Felix.

 

[Cowboys2008]

I just have the concern he can't stay healthy enough over the next 10 years. The last thing we want to find ourselves intangled in is being in a routine of finding viable backups for him when he goes down. Look at the worry Grant gave GB this season by going down. They held their breath all season long and it wasn't until the playoffs before they found a single person to step up into that roll.

I'd rather sacrafice potential explosivness in favor of dependablity, even if it costs us a couple houndred yards a season at that position.

 

[theebs]

Going back to when we drafted him the team, garrett in particular said they thought of him as charlie garner.

and looking at felix numbers this year they all kind of resemble garners numbers in 01 with oakland when skip peete was his coach under gruden.

 

[T-RO]

The RB position doesn't even register with me right now. Choice and Jones are fine.

It's all about the o-line. Gimme maulers.

There are about 75-100 RBs in and around the league, where there just isn't that much that separates one from another in abilities.

Consider James Starks, Arian Foster, etc, etc.

 

[LarryCanadian]

Westbrook was a pretty darn good all around player. I think Felix might be long speed faster, but not as agile or quick as Westbrook was in his prime.

Felix can catch the ball well and is bigger now, so probably can do some things Westrbook couldn't.

I don't think they are all that similar, but I am in favour of using Felix in many different ways, and don't really think Felix is a great pile mover up the middle, BUT that he can do it once in awhile. I wouldn't mind a power back to replace Barber since we'd save money to use elsewhere on roster holes.

I'd keep Tashard Choice until end of his contract as 2nd back and hope he steps up. They just don't seem to believe in him.

LarryCanadian

 

[jobberone]

I see no reason to get rid of Choice. I don't even know why some people are even concerned about the RB position. I do think something needs to be done about Barber. I do agree Felix is a talent.

 

[adbutcher]

I see no reason to get rid of Choice. I don't even know why some people are even concerned about the RB position. I do think something needs to be done about Barber. I do agree Felix is a talent.

No stuff and I believe that this is the Barbarian's last year as a Cowboy.

 

[28 Joker]

Felix Jones is bigger and more explosive than Westbrook, but they are both major threats out of the backfield in the receiving game. Westbrook was a space player, too.

I think Marshall Faulk and Tiki Barber are good comparisons. You wanted these two players in space and on the edge or outside.

Faulk was not a very high volume carry guy in his prime with the Rams, and he was a great all-purpose weapon at RB. Faulk averaged 16 carries per game during his first 3 years with the Rams. Faulk missed 4 games in that time period. Garrett had Jones at 14 carries per game in the last 8 games of 2010. Garrett had it about right. 14-16 carries per game is Felix's range, imo. However, if you need him to do it, Jones can carry the football 20 times in a single game (see the Colts game/22).

Tiki Barber came into the league as a "change of pace back", but he ended up being the feature back. There is some similarities in their running styles, too.

When I look at Felix, I see a lot of Marshall Faulk. The 28 makes it even more interesting. I see that explosive weapon out of the backfield. They are similar in size, too.

 

[28 Joker]

Felix Jones had 1250 total yards this year, and his arrow is pointing up.

Jones should catch 4-5 passes per game. Set those plays up and torch defenses.

Jones caught 48 passes for 450 yards and probably lost 500+ yards receiving when Kitna got hurt.

 

[Fletch]

Yep. Not worried about Jones or Choice one bit. The line needs to be addressed, then you'll see some great runs by both RB's.

 

[28 Joker]

Felix will be OUR Tiki Barber. I went back to look at Tiki's career and his 1st 3 years are "eerily" similar in yardage, how he was used, etc....................not to mention that they are EXACTLY the same damn size. What I saw of Felix at the end of the season is a guy that is much better running between the tackles than I originally thought and can really catch the football - all of this WITHOUT MUCH OF AN O-LINE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!. Once he masters pass blocking and holding onto the ball, I see NO REASON AT ALL that he can't carry the ball 15 times a game and catch 3-5 passes. Get a TRUE bruiser back (Jaime Harper, Anthony Allen, Allen Bradford, or John Clay) to spell him and take almost half the load (ala the Jets and Panthers), and I think we haven't even come close to see what Felix could be. I'm pretty sure that NO ONE in NY saw what Tiki would become after his 1st 3 years. I see a similar track with Felix.

I missed your post. Good thoughts.

Remember Ron Dayne.. Tiki Barber was his "change of pace" back. Then, Barber became the feature back. They are similar in size and both like that jump cut. Tiki was 215, I think. Felix stated that he was exactly 215 back in early October, and he stated that he averaged 216 in 2009.

The Giants run zone plays for Bradshaw to give him the cut back option and open up space for him or lanes, and they did the same thing for Tiki Barber. I would like to see Felix get some zone running plays to open up some space. He just needs a small crack. Plus, he would get the cutback option. Zone is designed to give you the cut back. Zone blocking plays would be a very good supplement to what Dallas is doing with him now. It would play to his strengths as a runner, too.

If you put this roster up for sale, Felix Jones is going to be near the very top of the list or players to go first. He wouldn't last very long. RBs like him come at a premium, and he is 23 and has very, very, very low mileage on his tires. There are no Felix Jones type of players in this coming draft that I know about. C.J. Spiller went 9th, and he isn't a tough inside runner like Jones That is straight from scouts who stated that. I read that.

That 2008 draft for RBs was the best that I've ever seen. That was just ridiculous.

If you put Miles Austin, Jason Witten, Dez Bryant, and Felix Jones on waivers at the same time, I think almost everyone would be surprised at who would not be claimed last.

Jones has been underrated and disrespected, and I think he is hungry to prove his critics wrong. I would move Barber and Choice and get both of them out of Dallas. If I was the GM, I would make that statement in full support of Jones. It wouldn't hurt chemistry, and the atmosphere for Jones would be better, imo.

If Garrett had his preference, he would keep Barber to complement Jones. However, the contract my not allow it. I still think there is a chance Choice is moved and a big, bruising back is brought in to complement Jones.
JMO based on what I see and hear.

 

[Califan007]

Jones got 48 receptions on 52 targets for 450 yards receiving. Im not sure how espn is reporting this stat but his YAC is 562 yards.

Um...huh? lol....

He had more yards after the catch than he had total receiving yards? That's a neat trick.

 

[28 Joker]

Tiki Barber rushed for 1662 yards (5.1 YPC) and 5 TDs during his 10th and final season. Barber was 31 years old. He had 58 receptions for 465 yards. Barber averaged 19.8 carries per game and averaged 23.6 touches per game during his last 5 seasons, regular season only.

Tiki Barber's carries per game over his 10 year career (ascending order):

11
3.2
3.8
13
11.8
19
17
20
22
20

Barber didn't get to 1,000 yards rushing until his 4th year, and he tallied 5 straight 1.000 yard seasons to close his career out.

If you look at Marshall Faulk's career numbers (excluding the playoffs), you will see his carries go down and his rushing production go up slightly or stay about the same when he gets to the Rams. During his first year in St. Louis, the Rams (a better team) decreased his carries by 71 (from the previous year) and received about same production rushing (1300+ yards) that the Colts got out of him the year before. The Colts ran Faulk 314, 289, 198, 264,and 324 times. However, the Rams never ran Faulk over 260 times and ran him exactly 253 times his first two years and 260 in his third year. Faulk averaged 17.4 carries per game (not including playoffs) during his first three years with the Rams. I think Jones should be in the 14-16 carry range and catch 4-5 passes per game.

Faulk's receptions per game first four years with the Rams:

5.4
5.7
5.9
5.7

During Faulk's first four years with the Rams (not including the playoffs), he averaged 16.8 carries per game and averaged 5.6 receptions per game. Faulk touched the football 22.4 times per game.

During his first three years with the Rams (not including the playoffs), Faulk averaged 17.4 carries per game and averaged 5.7 receptions per game and touched the football 23.1 times per game (as stated above).

I think that I stated that Faulk averaged 16 carries per game during his first three years with the Rams (in a previous post); it was just a shade over it, at 17.4. The 16.8 carries per game occurred over his first 4 years with the Rams. This falls within Felix Jones' range, imso.

Again, I think Felix Jones is a very similar player to Faulk, and Jones' carries should average in the 14-16 range. Again, Garrett had Jones at 14 carries per game over the last 8 games; furthermore, Garrett had Jones at 17 touches per game over the last 8 games. Garrett had it about right, because Jones should touch the football close to 20 times per game.

Faulk's first four seasons with the Rams can provide Garrett a template to work from, in regards to Jones. It doesn't have to be exact, but 16.8 carries per game and 22.4 touches per game for Faulk is really close to what I think Jones should get.

Jason Witten is here, so catching 5 balls per game in this offense could be tough. However, Jones is capable of putting up big time receiving numbers with 3-5 passes per game. Jones only averaged 3 receptions per game in 2010 and missed 500 receiving yards, by only 50 yards.

I think the Rams had it right when it came to Faulk's carries. His touches are a little above 20, because the Rams didn't have a dominate TE, imo. Dallas' offense is similar to the Rams.

Some people clamor for the 20-25 carry back or bruising hammer, but a Hall of Fame player like Faulk was not a 20-25 carry guy. He averaged 16.8 carries per game duing his prime with the Rams.

I say get Felix Jones some offensive line help and a fullback and watch his 1250 total yards go up.

 

[ThreeSportStar80]

Felix Jones just needs to stay healthy... If I'm not mistaken, this was the first time he played all 16 games?

 

[Idgit]

Felix Jones is bigger and more explosive than Westbrook, but they are both major threats out of the backfield in the receiving game. Westbrook was a space player, too.

I think Marshall Faulk and Tiki Barber are good comparisons. You wanted these two players in space and on the edge or outside.

Faulk was not a very high volume carry guy in his prime with the Rams, and he was a great all-purpose weapon at RB. Faulk averaged 16 carries per game during his first 3 years with the Rams. Faulk missed 4 games in that time period. Garrett had Jones at 14 carries per game in the last 8 games of 2010. Garrett had it about right. 14-16 carries per game is Felix's range, imo. However, if you need him to do it, Jones can carry the football 20 times in a single game (see the Colts game/22).

Tiki Barber came into the league as a "change of pace back", but he ended up being the feature back. There is some similarities in their running styles, too.

When I look at Felix, I see a lot of Marshall Faulk. The 28 makes it even more interesting. I see that explosive weapon out of the backfield. They are similar in size, too.

Not similar enough when it comes to running routes, yet.

 

[goshan]

Felix isn't near the receiver of Westbrook or Faulk. They ran all sorts of routes and caught balls all over the field.

Felix catches the screen pass.

 

[reddyuta]

Felix isn't near the receiver of Westbrook or Faulk. They ran all sorts of routes and caught balls all over the field.

Felix catches the screen pass.

this .Felix is no mug though,he can wreck some havoc on screens if we blocked well.If the o-line improves then felix will have a great year.

 

[LittleBoyBlue]

Westbrook was a pretty darn good all around player. I think Felix might be long speed faster, but not as agile or quick as Westbrook was in his prime.

Felix can catch the ball well and is bigger now, so probably can do some things Westrbook couldn't.

I don't think they are all that similar, but I am in favour of using Felix in many different ways, and don't really think Felix is a great pile mover up the middle, BUT that he can do it once in awhile. I wouldn't mind a power back to replace Barber since we'd save money to use elsewhere on roster holes.

I'd keep Tashard Choice until end of his contract as 2nd back and hope he steps up. They just don't seem to believe in him.

LarryCanadian

You read my mind. I always thought Westbrook was a playmaking slasher and dasher. Felix is more of a one cut and take it to the house kinda player. He is a gamechanger though.

I think it we really practice a cavalry type of play on the left or right side of the line he can find that one hole and take it to the house more times than not.