I was just thinking...

[KDWilliams85]

That with all of this talk of "Wow" players being only wide receivers. What about all of the other players that would make you better for having them? The players that make you go, "Wow!"

I think that Jerry could be blowing smoke because he wants a threat at running back and isn't going to look at the draft to find him. I think any number of the top ten backs can be had for either one of our top three picks. Some of the backs for even later picks. Some of the targets I think we could conceivably have are:

Clinton Portis
Edgerrin James
Reggie Bush
Ronnie Brown
Carnell Williams
Thomas Jones
Willie Parker
Fred Taylor

Those running backs have produced for their teams or former teams. Some moreso than others but if we want to have legitmate threats, then either one of these guys could do it for us.

I do not believe Barber is the long-term answer we seek and trading up for McFadden is implausible. So, we can spend a pick on one of these players to spell Barber but also present a conundrum to a defense as to which one we are going to use as a primary threat.

 

[SDogo]

That with all of this talk of "Wow" players being only wide receivers. What about all of the other players that would make you better for having them? The players that make you go, "Wow!"

I think that Jerry could be blowing smoke because he wants a threat at running back and isn't going to look at the draft to find him. I think any number of the top ten backs can be had for either one of our top three picks. Some of the backs for even later picks. Some of the targets I think we could conceivably have are:

Clinton Portis
Edgerrin James
Reggie Bush
Ronnie Brown
Carnell Williams
Thomas Jones
Willie Parker
Fred Taylor

Those running backs have produced for their teams or former teams. Some moreso than others but if we want to have legitmate threats, then either one of these guys could do it for us.

I do not believe Barber is the long-term answer we seek and trading up for McFadden is implausible. So, we can spend a pick on one of these players to spell Barber but also present a conundrum to a defense as to which one we are going to use as a primary threat.

HUH!

Clinton Portis-yeah the Commanders will be quick to dump him off in Dallas
Edgerrin James-We send the OLD RB's to them, not the other way
Reggie Bush-Are you kidding?
Ronnie Brown-Can't stay helathy
Carnell Williams-See above
Thomas Jones-Just what we need, one Jones brother for another
Willie Parker-Icon in Pittsburgh
Fred Taylor-Is there some kind of infactuation with RB's over 30 here?

I'm really surprised Jamal Lews and Sawn Alexander did not make this list

 

[Sarge]

Duck!..............

 

[superpunk]

I don't understand this, so I'm going to assume that it's some sort of satire.

 

[KDWilliams85]

I love this.

I love how every member on this board wants to get younger at key positions when youth isn't necessary. Depending on your team's goals and aspirations, youth is not necessarily vital to success.

As an owner, you have to consider only the financial investment. Jerry is unique in that aspect is he as an appreciation for both the owner and general manager positions.

You do not give a 34 year old LT a six year/$42 million incentive laced contract if you know damn well that he won't be playing until he's 40. He gave him that contract because he can still play at 34 in the same manner he was playing when he was 24.

Terrell Owens continues to perform despite him being 33 and has earned every penny of his three year/$25 million contract that he got when he signed when he was 31. Who honestly gives an aging player big-money if they are not under the assumption he can still play. Age simply means that you have miles on you. It doesn't mean that your engine can't run any faster than it used to. If you want a legitimate reason why either one of these players belong here, well here they are:

Clinton Portis can still gain 1,300 yards in a season. A feat that no Cowboys running back has done since Emmitt Smith left. Why wouldn't we want to chase a back that can do that? So what he plays for a division rival. We can beat the Commanders with him. It stands to reason that the Commanders will lose to us if he played for us.

Edgerrin James posted 1,200 yards behind an offensive line not suited to each other yet. So what he had a bad first year with a new team. He's on the rebound and demonstrated he can still play. He has the patience for the holes to develop and the discipline to not force things. Something we haven't had since when... Emmitt left.

Reggie Bush may not be financially feasible, but one cannot deny his physical gifts. He is a receiving threat out of the backfield. Oh wait, don't we need one of those? Doesn't seem so stupid now, does it?

Ronnie Brown and Cadillac have caught the bad end of the injury stick, no question. But, if you eliminate the injuries, they both were on pace for 1,200+ yard seasons. Something we haven't had in a while. Starting to see the pattern?

Willie Parker may be an icon in Pittsburgh and them dumping him into our laps may take some work, but he's a genuine student of the game. Has stayed out of trouble and can torch a defense. If you give him an inch, he'll take a mile. I will take that kind of player any day.

Thomas Jones can play better than his brother, Julius. I don't see the gripe here. If we lose Julius but gain someone better in Thomas, how is this a losing situation for us?

Fred Taylor may be old, but he can still turn some yards as evidence of his Pro Bowl season. Who honestly cares if he'd be here for two or three years. That's two or three years of a starting caliber running back backing up a not-so-legitimate back.

The consensus that we need a back in the first two rounds suggests that Barber isn't our long-term solution. If a part-time player on our team can go to the Pro Bowl, imagine a full-time player with the skill set of Barber on the team. It might be just what we need.