It Worked at CB, Can it Work at RB

[Hostile]

Last year Wade began the season alternating starts at RCB between Mike Jenkins and Orlando Scandrick. Each got PT until Jenkins took the job for good. I believe it helped both players gain some confidence.

How would you feel if the RBs began the season taking turns starting or being the designated back? It would be a way to give the hot hand the bulk of the work, keep all 3 fresh for the season, and maybe we find out something about each one.

I doubt it happens. Just thinking. I would kind of like it. Choice getting a start and a bulk of work in a game that the other 2 Backs are both healthy for a change. Maybe, just maybe, he'd earn the starting job so many want him to have? You never know.

 

[jobberone]

I think they will go more with the hot hand this year. They should see them as roughly equal but with differing talents. Choice should get more carries IMO. So should Felix. I could see them getting roughly the same amount of carries over a season. I don't see that happening this year but I think it would be good overall for the Dallas Cowboys. My guess is Felix will get more carries this year followed by Barber then Choice a distant third.

 

[JustDezIt]

Last year Wade began the season alternating starts at RCB between Mike Jenkins and Orlando Scandrick. Each got PT until Jenkins took the job for good. I believe it helped both players gain some confidence.

How would you feel if the RBs began the season taking turns starting or being the designated back? It would be a way to give the hot hand the bulk of the work, keep all 3 fresh for the season, and maybe we find out something about each one.

I doubt it happens. Just thinking. I would kind of like it. Choice getting a start and a bulk of work in a game that the other 2 Backs are both healthy for a change. Maybe, just maybe, he'd earn the starting job so many want him to have? You never know.

I like the idea, if for simply no other reason then it would get choice on the field and help to keep Barber anf Felix more healthy and rested.

 

[21Savage]

It didn't work at CB. We probably win that Giants game if Jenkins had firmly entrenched his position as the starter and Scandrick had concentrated on playing the slot position.

Regardless, it's a moot point when it comes to RB because they're all interchangeable for most facets of the game and changing the order shouldn't hurt too much. Having said that, leave it as it is.

 

[Hostile]

I like the idea, if for simply no other reason then it would get choice on the field and help to keep Barber anf Felix more healthy and rested.

I am thinking a lot of teams may do variations of this when there is an 18 game schedule. You almost will have to in order to keep these guys upright. Plus each one will have to make the most of each opportunity when they get in there.

The possible downside is, will any of them ever get the hot hand? I think it is inevitable that at least one will, but we have to find out who it is.

 

[fffiasco]

I wouldn't mind this at all. However, I still want felix to get the most touches. I do agree that choice deserves more carries.

 

[KJJ]

Last year Wade began the season alternating starts at RCB between Mike Jenkins and Orlando Scandrick. Each got PT until Jenkins took the job for good. I believe it helped both players gain some confidence.

How would you feel if the RBs began the season taking turns starting or being the designated back? It would be a way to give the hot hand the bulk of the work, keep all 3 fresh for the season, and maybe we find out something about each one.

I doubt it happens. Just thinking. I would kind of like it. Choice getting a start and a bulk of work in a game that the other 2 Backs are both healthy for a change. Maybe, just maybe, he'd earn the starting job so many want him to have? You never know.

The difference with the CB situation was both Jenkins and Scandrick were second year players and neither had established themselves. Barber's been the starter since 07 and it appears the Cowboys don't want to hurt his feelings. If it were me I would alternate Felix and Choice as the feature backs and put Barber back in the role he had prior to the 07 season. He's clearly a better finisher than a starter and his old role kept him healthy.

 

[ShiningStar]

Doesn't it hurt the RB to rotate that much because they need a rythym faster than most?

After hearing the field and the talk during shows you get the feeling the RB's need that rythym and see which side is working them harder and which player is doing better and whos slacking off.


Id rather JJ do what everyone else has been saying and just put Barber as the closer and goaline situations, thats what i want, but it wont happen.

Id rather Felix and Choice do the big bulk and Barber play the bowling bowl and knock the pins over when they are tired and be done with it all.


I think the big big problem with this would be, who do you pay and what rookie is going to have the ego to accept that role. The RB is changing in the league and frankily we are finding good RB's all the way into the 4th and 5th rounds. They are getting a short shelf life and its already cutting down even more with the RB by committee, and now threefold RB's. Wow, thats really going to shorten the pay scale of the position. Just my opinion tho.,

 

[tomson75]

For it.

 

[Galian Beast]

hostile i think thats a great idea.

Its the exact philosophy that pitchers have in baseball. You don't start a pitcher every game. You let them rest, and while games are a week away from each other, the ability to rest for the most part 2 games in a row I think would do wonders for the freshness and longevity of a running back.

I mean it still wouldn't be them carrying the rock the entire game, but it would be their game for the lionshare of carries.

 

[Galian Beast]

Doesn't it hurt the RB to rotate that much because they need a rythym faster than most?

After hearing the field and the talk during shows you get the feeling the RB's need that rythym and see which side is working them harder and which player is doing better and whos slacking off.


Id rather JJ do what everyone else has been saying and just put Barber as the closer and goaline situations, thats what i want, but it wont happen.

Id rather Felix and Choice do the big bulk and Barber play the bowling bowl and knock the pins over when they are tired and be done with it all.


I think the big big problem with this would be, who do you pay and what rookie is going to have the ego to accept that role. The RB is changing in the league and frankily we are finding good RB's all the way into the 4th and 5th rounds. They are getting a short shelf life and its already cutting down even more with the RB by committee, and now threefold RB's. Wow, thats really going to shorten the pay scale of the position. Just my opinion tho.,

I think thats more like in an individual series. Not necessarily over a period of games.

 

[FLcowboy]

Last year Wade began the season alternating starts at RCB between Mike Jenkins and Orlando Scandrick. Each got PT until Jenkins took the job for good. I believe it helped both players gain some confidence.

How would you feel if the RBs began the season taking turns starting or being the designated back? It would be a way to give the hot hand the bulk of the work, keep all 3 fresh for the season, and maybe we find out something about each one.

I doubt it happens. Just thinking. I would kind of like it. Choice getting a start and a bulk of work in a game that the other 2 Backs are both healthy for a change. Maybe, just maybe, he'd earn the starting job so many want him to have? You never know.

I'd like to see Jones as the featured back for once. His running style reminds me a little of Emmitt. I'm frankly a little disappointed with Barber, because he has lost a lot of what made him a star in 2008. Choice deserves a shot too. I'd use Barber in the red zone, if he could return to the smash-mouth style he used to have, and use Choice and Jones to get the ball into the red zone.

 

[NextGenBoys]

Last year Wade began the season alternating starts at RCB between Mike Jenkins and Orlando Scandrick. Each got PT until Jenkins took the job for good. I believe it helped both players gain some confidence.

How would you feel if the RBs began the season taking turns starting or being the designated back? It would be a way to give the hot hand the bulk of the work, keep all 3 fresh for the season, and maybe we find out something about each one.

I doubt it happens. Just thinking. I would kind of like it. Choice getting a start and a bulk of work in a game that the other 2 Backs are both healthy for a change. Maybe, just maybe, he'd earn the starting job so many want him to have? You never know.

I think it is a phenomenal idea that should be implemented.

And I've been against giving Choice the starting nod...but each one deserves an opportunity.

I still fully believe though that Barber and Felix give us the best chance to win though.

 

[NextGenBoys]

People also forget Barber was hurt most of last year.

In the two games before his pulled quad, he played very well.

I picked him up in like round 14 of fantasy this year, and I think he's going get a lot of TD's this year.

 

[Randy White]

Norm Hitguez had a segment of his show designated towards the Cowboys players and their value in fantasy leagues. He basically insinuated that the perception of Felix Jones being handcuffed to the other RBs in Dallas is exaggerated. He said that the Cowboys are working on packages specifically designed for Felix that they've yet to show and believes that Felix will touch the ball more than many people think he will. While he doesn't claim that Felix will be the " featured back ", ala Emmitt Smith, he let it be known that it won't be a 40, 40, 20 type of deal for the trio in Dallas ( my numbers, not his ). More like 50, 25, 25.. Cowboys believe ( captain obvious here ) that Felix is a legit threat to take it to the endzone every time he touches the ball so he'll get more touches.

Personally speaking, I had adjusted my evaluation of Felix for my upcoming fantasy drafts before hearing Norm today. While I believe that Marion is running MUCH better than he was last year, and Choice is set to become a bigger factor, I had a feeling that Dallas was going to get Felix involved more this season. Being a copy cat league that it is, the success Chris Johnson had in Tennessee, I'm sure didn't go unnoticed to the powers that be in Valley Ranch and although I cannot say it is a fact, I think they started working on the strategy as early as last season, when Columbo went down. There were several reasons why FLO was released this off-season and Free inserted at LT, most of them have been well documented. However, one of them has not been mentioned ( or I missed it if it was ), and that is: Felix Jones.

Flo could not do what Free has proven over and over again in his short starting career he can do just as good as anybody: pull and block in open space. I believe that when Free showed the ability to do that, scenarios of getting him into the open field clearing lanes for Felix to run ( like he did in a game last season ) became a goal for Garrett and the rest of the offensive coaching staff. So far I've only noticed them doing that once ( although they've probably done it more ) against the Chargers last week and it was with Marion who gaining 10 yards and a 1st down. Well, if it's Felix instead of Marion, the odds that the 10 yard run turns into 20, or 30 yard run, or even a 50 yards run TD, increase dramatically.

That was Chris Johnson's game last year and although Felix might not be as fast as Johnson, both belong to the same exclusive speed club.

 

[Hostile]

Norm Hitguez had a segment of his show designated towards the Cowboys players and their value in fantasy leagues. He basically insinuated that the perception of Felix Jones being handcuffed to the other RBs in Dallas is exaggerated. He said that the Cowboys are working on packages specifically designed for Felix that they've yet to show and believes that Felix will touch the ball more than many people think he will. While he doesn't claim that Felix will be the " featured back ", ala Emmitt Smith, he let it be known that it won't be a 40, 40, 20 type of deal for the trio in Dallas ( my numbers, not his ). More like 50, 25, 25.. Cowboys believe ( captain obvious here ) that Felix is a legit threat to take it to the endzone every time he touches the ball so he'll get more touches.

Felix is going to see time in the slot and also will get touches on screens. No, I'm not guessing for anyone who is going to ask.

 

[Randy White]

[youtube]NKuadD07SBg[/youtube]

Cowboys hope, will happen frequently this season...

 

[Galian Beast]

People also forget Barber was hurt most of last year.

In the two games before his pulled quad, he played very well.

I picked him up in like round 14 of fantasy this year, and I think he's going get a lot of TD's this year.

Hes been playing the same way this year. He is always quick to go to the ground, even before contact. He looks like a slow julius jones out there.

 

[big dog cowboy]

I'm frankly a little disappointed with Barber, because he has lost a lot of what made him a star in 2008.

What makes you believe that? He has been hurt for the last two years. Go rewatch last years carries until he got hurt. He was still the Barbarian.

 

[UnoDallas]

Its the exact philosophy that pitchers have in baseball. You don't start a pitcher every game. You let them rest, and while games are a week away from each other,

back in my day the pitcher only got 4 days rest

whats next ten days between starts ?