Is Barber the new RW31?

[Chocolate Lab]

I've rarely seen a relatively young layer decline so rapidly. He almost reminds me of Roy Williams in that he was never quick to begin with, but then he seemed to lose a step and was done.

Really, what good is Barber right now? He can't seem to bulldoze people anymore, and the big runs he does get are through huge holes where Felix or Choice would get more yards than he does.

I'm not really bashing the guy, because we all love his heart and effort, but he's a total spare right now. I just can't believe how fast it seemed to happen.

 

[TheCount]

This definitely needed a new thread.

 

[Chocolate Lab]

This definitely needed a new thread.

Okay, then merge.

I see one Barber thread on the first page, and that's about the three consecutive goal line carries.

 

[casmith07]

He wasn't ever a starting back. We messed up when the coaches decided he should start. The 120+ yards against the Giants in the playoffs were a fluke. He is a closer at best, and I would say a short yardage back but he apparently can't even do that anymore.

Barber in 2006 or 2007 gets that touchdown on the goal line and drags half the Chargers defense with him. I've seen enough - running backs are a dime a dozen in today's multi-back league.

 

[JBell]

Just two years ago he was the hardest guy to tackle in the league.

It's Felix/Tashard platoon time.

 

[superpunk]

Et tu, Chocolate Lab?

 

[Zman5]

He's the new Eddie George.

Didn't he supposedly lose some weight to gain speed last off season?

He should have kept his weight and stayed as a physical power runner. He's not faster and not as powerful/physical this year. I haven't seen him run people over or stiff arm the crap out of the DBs this year . Instead, I see DBs shoe string tackle him one on one with ease.

 

[RealCowboyfan]

Yeah I believe Barber and Newman should be traded for good to great compensation.

 

[LucaBrasi]

I don't think so, or at least I hope that's not the case. I watched the first Giants game about 10 days ago and MBIII looked as explosive as ever, hit the hole quick and looked for contact. I'm hoping that his regression is due to the quad strain lingering all year and we have not seen the demise of the Barbarian.

 

[Gaede]

He looked pretty fast at the beginning of the season, IIRC. But ever since then, he hasn't been the same. Doesn't seem to run with nearly as much passion, at all. In that way, he really does remind me of Roy. Almost like the fire has been extinguished

 

[Hook'em#11]

Nope, the whole team is taking that role.

 

[Yeagermeister]

It's hard to pick up yards when you have defenders hanging on you. When the line does their job he picks up yards.

 

[Jarv]

I don't think so, or at least I hope that's not the case. I watched the first Giants game about 10 days ago and MBIII looked as explosive as ever, hit the hole quick and looked for contact. I'm hoping that his regression is due to the quad strain lingering all year and we have not seen the demise of the Barbarian.

Me too.

But it is obvious that he has regressed, probably due to the injury...and should not bet getting the bulk on the plays.

I would start Choice on Saturday just to change things up.

 

[Yeagermeister]

He looked pretty fast at the beginning of the season, IIRC. But ever since then, he hasn't been the same. Doesn't seem to run with nearly as much passion, at all. In that way, he really does remind me of Roy. Almost like the fire has been extinguished

I don't think he's completely healed from the thigh injury.

 

[TheCount]

It's hard to pick up yards when you have defenders hanging on you. When the line does their job he picks up yards.

No one takes notice of that. Nevermind that when the blocking was good, ALL the backs were getting theirs.

 

[JBell]

Yeah I believe Barber and Newman should be traded for good to great compensation.

Madden called. It's for you.

 

[DasTex]

Compared to the last couple games - I thought Barber looked pretty decent yesterday.

Of course I went through extensive shock therapy lastnight to remove the goalline stand from my memory....

 

[JD_KaPow]

There's a theory that Bill James had about baseball players, and I wonder if it isn't part of the story. He found that fast players tended to age better than ones with average speed. The reason is that when fast guys get older and lose a couple steps, they still have acceptable speed, even if it's no longer an asset. When guys with average speed lose a step or two, they simple can't cut it anymore.

Barber's speed was barely adequate when he started out, but he did so many things well and ran so hard that he was a big plus overall. If he's lost a step or two (not that he's old, but he's taken a ton of pounding), maybe his lack of speed is simply too much of a liability to overcome the way he used to.

 

[casmith07]

Madden called. It's for you.

LOL!

Seriously though, the only way I trade Newman is for one of the following:

Asomugha, C. Bailey, Samuel, Revis.

 

[5Stars]

I think part of his problems of late is that the NFL defenders recognize him as a bad MOFO and gameplan him like hell. When he is in the game, I would bet that every defensive lineman and linebacker eyes are right on him, IMO.

Also, he is a little banaged up, as most players are during the season.