Julius Jones, RB, Dallas Cowboys

[Gryphon]

April 20, 2007 - 11:34 p.m.

With Jones as the feature back last season, the Cowboys used zone blocking on many of their running plays to take advantage of his vision and quick feet. The blocking scheme should change this season because the Cowboys have significantly increased the size of their offensive line by committing to center Andre Gurode, right guard Leonard Davis and right tackle Marc Colombo. The additional size means the Cowboys will use of a power-blocking scheme this season, which really doesn't fit Jones' style. The Cowboys are going to have to adapt their offense when he's in the game. (Jean-Jacques Taylor for SN)
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[The30YardSlant]

What does it matter? Jones will still manage to miss the 20 yard lane 2 feet to the right, instead opting to dive straight into the mass of defenders for a 2 yard gain.

 

[WDN]

Jones didn't have vision last year.

 

[InmanRoshi]

Yep, I'm really afraid Garrett is going to install a power running game similar to Norv, and its not going to fit Julius at all. I think Julius' lack of vision, balance and lower body strength will always make him a limited back, but he would be best utilized in a one cut zone blocking system like Denver's where he can run stretch plays to the cut back into creases.

 

[Future]

I'm a fan of Julius, but I'm an even bigger fan of smash-mouth power running games.

 

[Wolfpack]

something wasnt right last year in spite of the decent stats for the running game. I think it was more of a OL/RB confidence issue inspired by Bill himself than anything. We'll see I guess.

 

[Jake0]

We need that Peterson guy to take advantage of the power running game... pray..

 

[Jenky]

I agree something wasnt right, like he was playing not to get hurt. First two seasons, everyone saw sick cuts and jukes, but last season he ran into piles. The guy never complained when he ran the ball all the way down to the 1 yard line, only to have Marion Barber come in and score the TD. Much respect for him. This year, he'll return to his regular running style now that Parcells is gone.

 

[dcboy]

Yep, I'm really afraid Garrett is going to install a power running game similar to Norv, and its not going to fit Julius at all. I think Julius' lack of vision, balance and lower body strength will always make him a limited back, but he would be best utilized in a one cut zone blocking system like Denver's where he can run stretch plays to the cut back into creases.

I gotta disagree with you on a few things. I think JJ is better suited to a power run blocking scheme. I think he has good vision and balance, but I agree with you that he lacks lower body strength. Hopefully, he is squatting right now. lol He will look a lot better if he is allowed to improvise a little. I remember listening to press conferences where reporters were trying to get Parcells to explain about JJ. They were asking if he was pleased with JJ after games where he seemed to run into the backs of his linemen. It was almost like they wanted to ask what many fans wanted to know: What is going on? Parcells explained that he was happy with Jones. He wouldn't go into a lot of detail, but he emphasized that Jones was running like he wanted. BP wants a runner that runs to the exact hole and this works when you have good run blocking. Don't give up 2 or 3 for the chance at 10. I think thats where the problem was. I think with a pre-Cowboys Rivera, Parcell's plan would have worked well. As good as he was, imagine how BP would have clashed with Barry Sanders. (I'm not comparing JJ to Bary)

I do have questions about his durability though. I thought he wasn't run enough to get into a good rythm last year. It could be because he couldnt take it, but I'd like to see him given an opportunity to prove that he can't. My durability questions are not because of his past injuries, but because he seems to look dinged up a lot.

That being said, short of getting Peterson, I want to see JJ for another season. I just don't see anyone else as an elite back and we already have a heck of a 1-2 punch as it is. If JJ proves that he is limited, we can get someone in the draft next year.

 

[Big D]

I like Julius and think he's going to break out this year. His first year he was the cutback king, which is why we were all excited. He gained some nice yards then BP up and coaches him into a ball control robot. Thats not always a bad thing, in key situations its considered playing smart, but it contrasts with Julius' natural abilty to break the cutback. Now that Wade's in charge I think Julius is gonna have more freedom to pick and choose his spots and after BP's tutilage(sp?) I trust him to make the smart decision.

He's got it all going for him now, a big powerful line creating lanes, a nice combo of wr's / te's drawing attention with a qb to match, Knowledge of the system and what it takes to make it work and, the freedom to use it at his discretion.

Just watch, Julius is going to make 'em pay!

 

[jrumann59]

his best season per game was when we had LA and running a power running game.

 

[AMERICAS_FAN]

I'm a fan of Julius, but I'm an even bigger fan of smash-mouth power running games.

I'm a fan of Seven Jackson, who by the way, can play the smash-mouth power running game. Now that's something to think about with all the talk from Jerry of potentially moving down in the draft.

**

 

[masomenos]

I'm a fan of Seven Jackson, who by the way, can play the smash-mouth power running game. Now that's something to think about with all the talk from Jerry of potentially moving down in the draft.

**

That's a bit different of a situation than what we'd be facing with a trade down this year. Jackson was widely considered the best RB but ended up falling, we had a chance to draft the #1 guy (though not on our board because Parcell's wasn't a fan of big RBs) at a position and passed. This year we most likely won't have any chances to draft a #1 rated guy as the highest rated CB, FS, DT, OT and WR will almost certainly be gone already. If we trade down this year then I highly doubt we'll be missing out on a Jackson type of player.

 

[CrazyCowboy]

Jones didn't have vision last year.

Could he need contacts perhaps?