*IS* Marion Barber an "ELITE" RB?

[EPL0c0]

Was just watching MB3's agent, Drew Rosenhause on SportsCenter and he was talking about the kind of contract/money that MB3 deserves.

He said that he is a Pro Bowl running and should be paid like a Pro Bowl running back. He then said MB3 is an elite running back and he should be paid like an elite running back (not verbatim 'cept for "elite").

My question, IS Marion Barber III an "elite" running back in the NFL? Has he proven enough in his 2 years to warrant that label?

I love MB3, but I'd say no. Not as a 3year, 3game starter. We do have to realize that many of his yards came later in games w/ Dallas carrying a lead. Is he the kind of RB that can break open a game and take a lead away from an opponent? I most certainly hope so, but right now... I don't think we've seen enough to say yes for sure.

I'm just weary of ending up w/ a high priced change-of-pace guy

 

[Chocolate Lab]

Nope.

 

[theebs]

Nope.

CL your killing me.

 

[Canadian BoyzFan]

NO....hope that helps...lol

 

[TheCount]

Not yet, he hasn't carried the load. Hopefully he gets his chance to show it this season.

 

[sago1]

I love MBIII & certainly want to see him remain a Cowboy; also feel we need a good RB to pair with him to keep MBIII fresh. Also need a good RB in case MBIII gets hurt. But I don't see MBIII as an elite back like LT, Larry Johnson & some of the other RBs in the NFL. I simply can't see Romo giving the ball to MBIII throughout the game whenever we need that 3rd & 2 yards consistently. In fact MBIII's record when we do that isn't very good. Now if we a few yards aware from the goal line then I'd lay odds MBIII gets in there. He is not an elite RB. Now I voted him to the pro bowl because I believe he is one of the most feared runners in the game in certain situations, particularly in the last quarter. But as a #1 RB who must carry us in every game throughout the season -- no way.

But then, his agent is saying what he must say to get the best contract he can for MBIII. Hopefully MBIII himself isn't demanding $40-60M or he wants to leave. As much as I love MBIII, not at the expense of losing Ware. Got to wonder what will be the result of those demands with us holdilng 2 first rounders & Jerry perhaps wondering if we can afford keep MBIII.

 

[tomson75]

As far as we can tell so far, I'd say he's a second tier RB. He's not going to carry a team, but he can make a good team better.

 

[speedkilz88]

Nope, he's a good back.

 

[CoCo]

Nope, he's a good back.

ditto.

 

[DFWJC]

Not yet, he hasn't carried the load. Hopefully he gets his chance to show it this season.

I'll 2nd this one.

 

[Little Jr]

Right now no. Only becasue he hasn't had to carry the load. I believe he'll get his chance to carry the load this year and I have no dought he'll become an elite back.

 

[WoodysGirl]

Too soon to tell

 

[Nors]

YES

Look at his TD production last two years.

 

[Dhragon]

A RB can NOT be considered elite if he can't take it to the house further than 20 yards away. He lacks the speed to be elite.

 

[ThatsmyQB]

We do have to realize that many of his yards came later in games w/ Dallas carrying a lead

Which makes him that much better sine the defense KNOWS we're gonna run the ball and he STILL almost averages 5 yards a carry!
He's a great running Back, he's no ELITE R.B. cause of his lack of long runs, but there's not many R.B.'s I'd want carrying the ball late in the game to protect a lead!
He's a BEAST and is worthy of the contract we offeredm, maybe slightly more, but not Tomlinson type money, that's just crazy!
But if he becomes the full tim starter as expected, he will EASILY get 1,500+ yads rushing with about 15 T.D.'s, how much is that kind of production from your R.B. worth?

 

[wood28]

Could be ........ but not yet. By the way i love your sig

 

[CowboyWay]

Nope. Let him carry the load this year and see how he does. If he is great, we'll pay him accordingly. But dropping 40 mill on him now I think is ridiculous. We have him signed for next year, lets see how he does.

 

[Eskimo]

Barber may be elite, but he has yet to prove it.

To be elite you've got to be amongst the 5 most productive backs in the leage for about 3 straight years - then you can be elite. Elite is reserved for the Emmitt Smiths, LTs and Barry Sanders of the RB world.

Barber is a very good complimentary back - that is all he has proven thus far. I even think the $6M/year offer is to steep for such an unproven commodity.

 

[Sandman]

A RB can NOT be considered elite if he can't take it to the house further than 20 yards away. He lacks the speed to be elite.

His running style will ensure his carreer is short. Beside what has he done to warrant 30 million, he was a probowler by default. Injuries and down season by others is the only way a non-starter who barely get to 1000 yds make the probowl. Trade him now.

 

[Eskimo]

His running style will ensure his carreer is short. Beside what has he done to warrant 30 million, he was a probowler by default. Injuries and down season by others is the only way a non-starter who barely get to 1000 yds make the probowl. Trade him now.[/QUOTE]

I absolutely agree. Let Rosenhaus and Barber pursue trade options. If none are found, he can play out the season with his tender and leave in FA next year to the highest bidder - we'll get a 3rd round compensatory for him probably. He'll go to some basement team and be miserable and deserve it.