Hypothetical Situation Question

[hendog]

I've been of the opinion, for a long time, that the Cowboys would be well served to attempt to add a modern day Preston Pearson. That's a tall order, because Pearson might have been the best third down back to play the game.

This is a long winded way of saying that I'm intrigued by the thought of adding Warrick Dunn. Obviously, Dunn would be, very much, a short term answer to that Pearson role. But Dunn still can do some interesting things in the passing game.

Julius Jones, I think, still can be a decent NFL running back. I don't dismiss the idea of his value as a "counterpunch" backup to Barber. But Jones has been a disappointment, to me, in his contributions to the passing game (which might be more a fault of scheme than of the player). Jones would be a solid backup, but I like the idea of getting that player in the draft. I'm still not completely sold on the notion that Barber, given his running style and past workload, is a long term 20-30 carries a game guy. I think the Cowboys would do well to have another option, the younger the better.

Because I would love to see Dallas pick up a third down back who could be a dangerous threat as a receiver, I probaby would prefer to see them move past the Jones era.

It's not likely Jones will be an option, in any case. If he is, the Cowboys certainly would be better off with him than with some of the other players available, so the idea shouldn't be dismissed.

But wouldn't it be nice to have a number three back who offers something different? Again, a Preston Pearson...

I told my son the other day that Preston Pearson was one of my all time favorites.

 

[THUMPER]

I've been of the opinion, for a long time, that the Cowboys would be well served to attempt to add a modern day Preston Pearson. That's a tall order, because Pearson might have been the best third down back to play the game.

This is a long winded way of saying that I'm intrigued by the thought of adding Warrick Dunn. Obviously, Dunn would be, very much, a short term answer to that Pearson role. But Dunn still can do some interesting things in the passing game.

Julius Jones, I think, still can be a decent NFL running back. I don't dismiss the idea of his value as a "counterpunch" backup to Barber. But Jones has been a disappointment, to me, in his contributions to the passing game (which might be more a fault of scheme than of the player). Jones would be a solid backup, but I like the idea of getting that player in the draft. I'm still not completely sold on the notion that Barber, given his running style and past workload, is a long term 20-30 carries a game guy. I think the Cowboys would do well to have another option, the younger the better.

Because I would love to see Dallas pick up a third down back who could be a dangerous threat as a receiver, I probaby would prefer to see them move past the Jones era.

It's not likely Jones will be an option, in any case. If he is, the Cowboys certainly would be better off with him than with some of the other players available, so the idea shouldn't be dismissed.

But wouldn't it be nice to have a number three back who offers something different? Again, a Preston Pearson...

Good post. I don't think Julius would want to come back here knowing that he might be the 2nd or even 3rd option depending on what we do in the draft. He is not a bad RB but I believe he needs to be in a system that is better suited to his skillset.

I have wanted a Preston Pearson type of back since Preston retired but those guys are very difficult to find. There have been a few but they were more feature backs who were excellent receivers than 3rd down specialists (Marshall Faulk, Larry Centers, Tomlinson, etc.). I was hoping Avion Cason would be that guy when we brought him in a few years back but he didn't work out as hoped.

This will sound crazy but I've always thought Terrell Owens would make a better RB than WR. Not that I'm advocating moving him back there now as that would be foolish but early in his career he seemed to be better AFTER he had the ball in his hands.

 

[Wolfpack]

I think he has to much pride to return to the Cowboys. The only way I see that happening is if he doesn't get an offer anywhere else.

No question.

He'd be good for depth but really it is time for new blood and some attitude adjustment back there.

 

[ABQCOWBOY]

I have felt as if Jones getting resigned was the most likely scenario for a while now. To me, it's a good situation for both Jones and the Cowboys. He knows the offense. He can step in and produce if Barber goes down. He is certainly going to be better in the passing game then anybody else we can bring in simply because he already knows the blitz pickups. What is it worth to make sure that the guy in the backfield can keep Romo upright? A year contract, another opportunity to test the market next year, a good solid year here in Dallas and lets see what happens.

Some times, situations like this provide real good insight. Jones now understands a little better how the rest of the league views him. Occasionally, these kinds of deals work to the advantage of the player and the team. The player comes back with a renewed sense of what he needs to do, rather then believing that he is being treated unfairly or that he is worth more then he is. It provides clarity with respects to ones role on a team. I would not be surprised if this happens. I wish JJ the best but I would not be surprised to see him here for another year.

 

[L-O-Jete]

For the vet min. yes

 

[Verdict]

I have been a pretty harsh critic of Julius Jones over the past year or so. I haven't thought he was "the man" for a long time.


That being said, if Jones came back for the vet minimum, I would snatch him up. You know what you are getting with him, he knows the system, and you are getting it at a decent (but not great) price.

The other side of the coin is that you could use a premium pick on a rb this year and reload for the future and use the coin that you would have given to Jones and have little if any cap impact and keep your team's youth movement going and keep the cap numbers down, which is eventually going to cost us some players.

I think it was a gutsy move for Jones to tender Barber at the lower tender (1st round tender, rather than 1st and 3rd). It looks like we are going to slide Barber through and save about 500k in cap space. Those are the kinds of moves the Patriots have been known for.

I think the Patrick Crayton deal might have been overpaying, but I do see the logic in keeping him.

If we resign Jones, I recommend we rent him on a one year deal. That is a position we could upgrade with a low round pick this year and groom that pick as a cheap replacement for Jones next year. Despite Jones' relatively inadequate production over the past year you have 67 million reasons to make sure you have a running back in there who can pickup a blitz and Jones is adequate in that capacity.

 

[Verdict]

I have felt as if Jones getting resigned was the most likely scenario for a while now. To me, it's a good situation for both Jones and the Cowboys. He knows the offense. He can step in and produce if Barber goes down. He is certainly going to be better in the passing game then anybody else we can bring in simply because he already knows the blitz pickups. What is it worth to make sure that the guy in the backfield can keep Romo upright? A year contract, another opportunity to test the market next year, a good solid year here in Dallas and lets see what happens.

Some times, situations like this provide real good insight. Jones now understands a little better how the rest of the league views him. Occasionally, these kinds of deals work to the advantage of the player and the team. The player comes back with a renewed sense of what he needs to do, rather then believing that he is being treated unfairly or that he is worth more then he is. It provides clarity with respects to ones role on a team. I would not be surprised if this happens. I wish JJ the best but I would not be surprised to see him here for another year.

Well said ABQ.

 

[DFWJC]

Julius needs 20 carries in a game to be effective and he will just not get that here.

We need a guy who can do more with less.

Sorry Julius but your out.

Well put.

 

[CF74]

I'll be honest.

We have 2 open positions at RB. You can either fill both with rookies which I'm not real comfortable with or you can fill 1 with a vet and 1 with a rookie. Why throw money at an aging vet from another system is you can have Jones back for the right deal and still be able to draft a RB?

In the right situation with no promises and for the right price I would prefer to have Jones back and draft a RB then any of the other options avaliable.

Maybe humility has taught him a valuable lesson and he plays better as a #2 or a #3. Still wish we would consider trying him out along side Austin for kick returns. And I hope he doesn't expect a huge salary here...

 

[LittleBoyBlue]

This doesnt work me.

I want Barber to remain the backup or atleast split carries with a SPEEDY starter.

Julius as backup does nothing for us - he had his chances to shine with Bill and post Bill in a non-robot approach.

 

[theebs]

I would be fine with jj again.

However I think there is a zero percent chance he would even consider it after the way the fans treated him all year and the way he was used in the playoff game against the giants.

 

[Hoofbite]

Come back for a reasonable contract and play backup?

I'd do it.

I'd still draft a guy but I would do it and let Julius and Rook battle it out for playing time. Julius knows the offense and understands the blocking. I'd gladly ask him to come back as a backup if he would be willing.

As a starter...NO THANKS.

 

[EveryoneElse]

Let's say Julius Jones doesn't get an offer that he likes enough to leave. If he were to go to Jerry and say he wanted to stay and be Barber's backup, would you be okay with it? Why or why not?

I may be in the minority, but I would actually like to see him come back as a backup on the cheap. I think he could be a fine 3rd down back, not to mention his finest runs as a Dallas Cowboys have come out of the shotgun formation as a draw run.

 

[Big Dakota]

That bridge is burnt, or as y'all in the south would say, that dog won't hunt.

 

[Shake_Tiller]

During my blatant stroll down memory lane, I looked at the 1977 Cowboys’ rushing statistics (keep in mind, 14 games), and was pretty amazed at the balance from a truly loaded backfield. Tony Dorsett ran for 1,007 yards (a 4.8 yards/carry average), and that was less than half of the team’s rushing total. Now Dorsett, a rookie, started only four games, technically, but he was the unquestioned workhorse at tailback.

Amazingly, Dallas ran for 2,369 yards that season. Those were the days when the fullback was still a bona fide ball carrier, and Bobby Newhouse gained 721 yards by averaging 4.0 yards/carry. Preston Pearson added another 341 yards by averaging 3.8 yards/carry. Of course, Roger Staubach tacked on another 171 yards (3.4 yards/carry). There were dribs and drabs from a few others.

Here’s what helped give that offense great balance, though: Pearson caught 46 passes for 535 yards (11.6 yards/catch). Add to that 29 catches by Dorsett for 273 yards (9.4 yards/catch), and the tailback position was responsible for 808 yards receiving.

Staubach threw for 2,620 yards that season (and in 1977, that was a lot of yards). But the output from running backs, both in the rushing and the passing game, was superlative: 2,172 yards rushing and 983 yards receiving. In 14 games, Cowboys running backs racked up a combined 3,155 yards (225 yards/game). Dallas backs also rushed for 18 touchdowns and caught seven TD passes. That’s almost 1.8 TDs/game from running backs.

Wide receivers and tight ends were almost an afterthought – combining for 11 TD catches. But Drew Pearson averaged 18.1 yards/catch. When defenses concentrated on stopping the run, or containing Preston and Tony as receivers out of the backfield, Staubach made them pay.

Today’s game is different, of course. The FB is a blocker now, primarily. But I can’t help but be nostalgic for an offense that sees its top two tailbacks combine for 1,348 yards rushing (96 yards/game) and 808 yards receiving (58 yards/game).

Starting or not, Dorsett was the Man. But Pearson changed games – he moved the chains, and he scored touchdowns.

In three playoff games, including the Super Bowl, Dallas outscored its opponents that year 87-23. Dallas rushed for 243 yards in the divisional playoff game against the Bears. I liked this from Bob St. John’s account of the following week’s win over the Vikings: “Besides the key block on Dorsett's TD, Preston Pearson also made an outstanding 32-yard run with a screen pass to set up Efren Herrera's 21-yard field goal…”

Preston Pearson made a difference, which is all you can ask of your number two tailback. He did things other players didn’t do.

Oh, while waxing elderly, I had to add this quote about what was also a great defense that year, from Vikings QB Bob Lee, after the playoff game: “The Dallas defense wasn't particularly fired up, they weren't playing with a lot of emotion. They just went out and did a job on us play after play... Dallas doesn't have to depend on emotion. They put people out there who can beat you with coaching and ability.”

Tom Landry football.

 

[dalboy]

No he has said that he wants to be the starter where ever he goes and he has had shots to beat the Barbarion but at the end he failed. Heis 90% going to Tampa Bay becuase they like those use throw little passes to the RB over there and that is JJ.

 

[silverbear]

Let's say Julius Jones doesn't get an offer that he likes enough to leave. If he were to go to Jerry and say he wanted to stay and be Barber's backup, would you be okay with it? Why or why not?

I think he's lost his instincts, and won't likely ever get them back... pass...

 

[hairic]

No thanks, I want a compensatory pick.

 

[Dallas4ever]

I've been a huge JJ fan/supporter since his first year when he displayed flashes of great potential. He just doesn't bring the same energy for whatever reason and he's had a hard time hitting the seams. I feel that it would be best for him and the Cowboys to part company. I'd be surprised if he was re-signed.

 

[ABQCOWBOY]

That bridge is burnt, or as y'all in the south would say, that dog won't hunt.

:laugh2:

Yep, those old Redbones are funny that way.

Good one Dakota.