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If I'm so pretty, why am I available?
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Saw this on ESPN site. Sorry if it is a repost.
Barber, Jones to share time in backfield? In providing impossible-to-solve puzzles for every opposing defensive coordinator, Dallas mastermind Jason Garrett has created problems for himself as well. It was Garrett who persuaded others in the organization to make running back Felix Jones the Cowboys' first-round draft choice even though the team had a slightly higher grade on Rashard Mendenhall, who was chosen by the Pittsburgh Steelers with the very next pick.
"The guy has been unbelievable,'' Garrett said. "He just takes everything we give him.''
The Cowboys preferred Jones because of his special-teams ability and potential to be on the field with Marion Barber, whereas Mendenhall would be limited to a traditional backup role. Although Barber and Jones rarely have been in the backfield simultaneously, there will be more of that in future weeks. Already, Jones has scored on a 98-yard kickoff return and a 60-yard run while becoming the first rookie in team history to score in each of his first three NFL games. The achievement is remarkable considering he has only 19 offensive touches in three games.
That's why Garrett must expand Jones' role even though that will cut into the playing time of Barber, a Pro Bowler and first-year starter.
"We are going to give [Jones] more carries as the tailback in a single-back formation,'' one member of the coaching staff said. "We don't know how Marion is going to feel about that, but hopefully he will be all right with it.''
Because both Barber and Jones shared playing time with other prominent runners in college, the arrangement might be more palatable. Either way, it will happen because this is how the Cowboys can expand Jones' opportunities to create big plays. The reduced carries should also benefit Barber, whose punishing style exposes him to injury and could lead to fatigue toward the end of the season, when Dallas traditionally has faltered.
Quarterback Tony Romo and Garrett had a discussion just this week about how fortunate they are to have so much offensive talent to exploit. Romo dismisses the potential for ego clashes, saying it is the unselfishness of his teammates that impresses him most.
"You don't try and keep people happy,'' Romo said. "You try and throw to the guy who's open. Try and throw to the guy who has one-on-one coverage, you know. That's what this game is. You get it to the guy who's open and can get the most yards. This team understands we have talented players.''
--Ed Werder
Barber, Jones to share time in backfield? In providing impossible-to-solve puzzles for every opposing defensive coordinator, Dallas mastermind Jason Garrett has created problems for himself as well. It was Garrett who persuaded others in the organization to make running back Felix Jones the Cowboys' first-round draft choice even though the team had a slightly higher grade on Rashard Mendenhall, who was chosen by the Pittsburgh Steelers with the very next pick.
"The guy has been unbelievable,'' Garrett said. "He just takes everything we give him.''
The Cowboys preferred Jones because of his special-teams ability and potential to be on the field with Marion Barber, whereas Mendenhall would be limited to a traditional backup role. Although Barber and Jones rarely have been in the backfield simultaneously, there will be more of that in future weeks. Already, Jones has scored on a 98-yard kickoff return and a 60-yard run while becoming the first rookie in team history to score in each of his first three NFL games. The achievement is remarkable considering he has only 19 offensive touches in three games.
That's why Garrett must expand Jones' role even though that will cut into the playing time of Barber, a Pro Bowler and first-year starter.
"We are going to give [Jones] more carries as the tailback in a single-back formation,'' one member of the coaching staff said. "We don't know how Marion is going to feel about that, but hopefully he will be all right with it.''
Because both Barber and Jones shared playing time with other prominent runners in college, the arrangement might be more palatable. Either way, it will happen because this is how the Cowboys can expand Jones' opportunities to create big plays. The reduced carries should also benefit Barber, whose punishing style exposes him to injury and could lead to fatigue toward the end of the season, when Dallas traditionally has faltered.
Quarterback Tony Romo and Garrett had a discussion just this week about how fortunate they are to have so much offensive talent to exploit. Romo dismisses the potential for ego clashes, saying it is the unselfishness of his teammates that impresses him most.
"You don't try and keep people happy,'' Romo said. "You try and throw to the guy who's open. Try and throw to the guy who has one-on-one coverage, you know. That's what this game is. You get it to the guy who's open and can get the most yards. This team understands we have talented players.''
--Ed Werder
