Julius Jones, Kevin Jones or Stephen Jackson? Who would you rather have straight up?

[Waffle]

Insufficient data. I think all three have a chance to be great NFL backs. But I'll go w/ Tio and pick our guy, Julius. If he's truly the player we saw in the last 7 games of 2004, how can you not pick the guy?

 

[SkinsandTerps]

Hostile, IMO If anything Julius' career would be shortest.

Jackson plays in a pass happy offense and KJ plays in a WCO.

Julius in fact plays in an offense where pounding the ball late (sometimes even early) in the game to protect a lead is the norm, same as Portis (Which trust me, brings up concern about his durability).

 

[Billy Bullocks]

Julius Jones had the "it" factor. You could see greatness when he ran. The cuts, the vision, just the way he was out there. There's good reason to be excited, when you watch him run, you can just see that he has a gift to do it.

Kevin Jones will be a good receiver and runner, and he is really fast.

I honestly don't think Jackson was the best, even though his draft status indicated this. He's a North South runner, straight forward, and it's not a bad thing, but he just can't do some of the things Julius does. Watch some of the ankle breakers he ripped on teams.

What about Chris Perry?

And no, I'm not a Cowboys Homer, I'm telling you straight up that IMO Jones looked the best. Regardless of teams. Most people who actually saw the Cowboys play last year agree as well(non cowboys fans).

 

[Tio]

Hostile, IMO If anything Julius' career would be shortest.

Jackson plays in a pass happy offense and KJ plays in a WCO.

Julius in fact plays in an offense where pounding the ball late (sometimes even early) in the game to protect a lead is the norm, same as Portis (Which trust me, brings up concern about his durability).

WHile I agree with that and was very concerned about this after the seahawks game (the day after, way too excited during it ) I think with anthony thomas and marion barber, we will find his longterm backup that will take 8-12 carries a game from him for both of their careers. My money is on Barber, as he will also contribute on special teams, which you have to do to be a longterm backup outside of qb.

JJ also seems to have trouble so far avoiding the big hit. That is a horrible trait for an rb to have, and I hope he gets rid of it. Of course with his adding strength and mass, some of those hits won't seem as bad next year.

 

[wxcpo]

IMO I think Jackson will turn out to be the best of the 3 and I still wish we would have taken him. I am in the same boat as Hos as to why I prefer Jackson. I'm glad that they'll both be full time starters this season because we may get a better idea who truly is the better back as I think all 3 teasm are pretty evenly strengthed.

I just think Jackson is more of a complete back and has better speed than some give him credit for.

 

[dmq]

My question is why did all the analysts say this was a very average to below average draft class?
It is exciting to see even Julius say that he wasn't at full strength last year....What is a seasoned Julius at full strength going to look like!!!!

 

[Outlaw Heroes]

My question is why did all the analysts say this was a very average to below average draft class?

I think you're thinking of the most recent (2005) draft class. The 2004 draft class was widely considered to be one of the best in years in terms of talent and depth.

As for the question originally posed in this post: I would take Julius ahead of the others, knowing what we know today. He's the biggest home-run threat of the three. Others can have Jackson: "three yards and a cloud of dust" is a thing of the past.

 

[burmafrd]

There is no doubt that JJ is the quickest- he was making moves in the Giant game that was actually humilating the D. I fail to see where he is taking big hits though- I watched him in both the Seattle and Giant games, plus the Bears game, and did not see him take a big hit in any of them.
Overall speed JJ has the edge- at least in 40 time. Also he has the fastest 10 and 20 time- due to his great acceleration. AND THAT may be his greatest asset- look how many times he just ran away from defenders that were close to him. His top end speed after 40 yds is not that great- he will get caught by the faster CB's in the league- but that is OK- I will take those 20-40 yd runs quite happily.
Jackson runs upright and is tall to boot- he is going to take a lot of shots- I think he will have the shortest career, and start his downside earlier.

 

[BrAinPaiNt]

Before the Draft I would say S.Jackson and K.Jones.

After the Draft I would say the Jones Boys.

Bill may not the guru of talent evaluation in some areas....but in one area, without a doubt, I think he does pretty darn good and that is Running Back.

At the time of the draft it looked like they were poised to take Kevin Jones...then buffalo gave them an offer they could not pass up. So even then they tried to trade back up to get Kevin Jones....when they could not they selected Julius Jones, which by all accounts was the plan if they did not get a running back in the first round.

I may be wrong but I think there was something said by bill or someone in the organization that noted bill saying something to the effect of for a big back he felt S.Jackson ran too upright and soft.

I trust bill in this area.

 

[Tio]

I think you're thinking of the most recent (2005) draft class. The 2004 draft class was widely considered to be one of the best in years in terms of talent and depth.

As for the question originally posed in this post: I would take Julius ahead of the others, knowing what we know today. He's the biggest home-run threat of the three. Others can have Jackson: "three yards and a cloud of dust" is a thing of the past.

People considered 04 a very weak RB class.

 

[SuspectCorner]

People considered 04 a very weak RB class.

compare it to the '05 RB class and it really pales. but, as we all know, it's too early to adequately judge either class.

so far my only concern is with julius' durability. outside of that - no regrets whatsoever.

 

[DallasDW00ds0n]

Kevin, although Julius is looking great....

 

[Aikmaniac]

I'd take Julius...however, that's not a fair assessment since I've only seen KJ in action once.

Hostile, if you like Jackson's style, keep an eye down in Jax when Fred decides to move on. Greg Jones fits that style perfectly. Unfortunately, they're using him more as a fullback.

 

[QT]

Julius Jones cause i'm a COWBOYS homer!!!! How coincidental. When Emmitt was playing he had Barry Sanders to compare with. I remember when the Cowboys played the Lions and Emmitt would walk off the field with his arms around Barry. Another Cowboy/Lions running back battle?

 

[ravidubey]

It's a toss up between Kevin and Julius.

ditto

 

[ABQCOWBOY]

I thought then, as I do now. I liked Julius Jones probably better then any back because of the value he represented and the fact that I did not see a big difference in talent between all three in 04. I think many will also be pleasently surprised once he is incorporated into the passing game a bit more.

Here is a thread from April of 04 that discusses my thoughts on Jones. I appoligize in advance, it is not a thread from this board. Never the less, my opinion really hasn't changed much from then.

http://www.dallascowboyscentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=49&highlight=Julius+Jones

 

[Gaede]

Tie between Kevin and Julius. They were both injured, but proved once they got back to normal they could play. Kevin might have a bit of an edge though cause he's bigger.

I think Steven Jackson is gonnd be like Chris Brown. Very good player, but too big to stay healthy

 

[StevenOtero]

Forget that we got an extra pick. What guy do you like the most and why?

Julius baby! He has already developed into a true cowboy. Doesn't he remind anyone of emmitt? Just a lil??? Like when he messes up , he gives 200% on the next play. Lets not start sayin blah blah blah i'll take kevin , or stephen. TRAITORS Julius is the man. Leave it be.... Go be a lions or rams fan if you like those guys. Kevin Jones hahaahhah. Julius is the best outta the two... FOOLS

 

[DanTanna]

Before the draft I really wanted Kevin Jones because of his "quicks" and his father saying he ran 4.2 fortys. After a few 4.6-4.7 runs I still liked him but knew he wouldn't be a massive homerun hitter.

JJ proved to me he is the better pick because he is faster, just as shifty, has good vision and is built solid. Not to take anything away from KJ, but I just hate Detroit.

S.Jackson remind me of Christian Okoye with about 1/10 the power. Greg Jones on the other hand treats DB's like rented mules and is better IMO.

 

[2much2soon]

Julius Jones had the "it" factor. You could see greatness when he ran. The cuts, the vision, just the way he was out there. There's good reason to be excited, when you watch him run, you can just see that he has a gift to do it.

Kevin Jones will be a good receiver and runner, and he is really fast.

I honestly don't think Jackson was the best, even though his draft status indicated this. He's a North South runner, straight forward, and it's not a bad thing, but he just can't do some of the things Julius does. Watch some of the ankle breakers he ripped on teams.

What about Chris Perry?

And no, I'm not a Cowboys Homer, I'm telling you straight up that IMO Jones looked the best. Regardless of teams. Most people who actually saw the Cowboys play last year agree as well(non cowboys fans).

The first time I saw Jackson play in college, all I heard about how he was far and away the best back in the college ranks. If you live in the Pacific NW you probably know what I mean.
He is a nice back, but I was expecting a lot more from him based on the hype. I don't think he is better than either of the Jones and I think Julius has the skills to best of the bunch. There is just something electric about him when he gets the ball.