Julius Vs Marion Vs Other

[gbrittain]

Kind of curious about something here. I know many people feel that Dallas was a kicker away from the playoffs and better play out of the OL from being a top notch NFC contender.

Me, I am a little more skeptical of this team than many. I still think we are not ready to be contenders, but never mind that.

You should go into next season assuming BP improved the kicking situation and the OL.

So my question is this for those who believe Dallas is really close to contending for the Superbowl.

How comfortable are you that Marion could be the guy Dallas will rely on in BPs offense?

Of course JJ will be the man I would assume to start the season, however if the trend of the first two years were to continue it would not be smart to rely on JJ.

Assuming I were to believe that Dallas is a legitimate Superbowl contender next year, I would not be the least bit comfortable assuming JJ will be healthy the whole year and Marion Barber leading the way to a Superbowl run.

I like Barber a lot, just not as a featured back. I do not even want to bring Tyson Thompson into the equation at this point. He is clearly not a featured back type of guy. Lots of speed and really not much else.

In summary, if you believe Dallas is contending for a Superbowl next year, are you comfortable with our RB stable or would you want to bring another RB in via FA or draft?

 

[burmafrd]

What we have is more then good enough IF THE LINE IS BETTER.

 

[gbrittain]

What we have is more then good enough IF THE LINE IS BETTER.

For the record. I am fine with what we have, but I also dont truly believe Dallas is ready to contend for a Superbowl either.

That being the case, I am more than willing to go into next year with JJ and seeing if he can shake the injury bug and if he cant see what Marion can do.

 

[joseephuss]

Not through free agency. The free agents I do like are just too expensive for Dallas. They would not be able to address their other needs. I don't mind them trying to find someone through the draft. I just don't foresee the team pursuing a running back in the first two rounds. This season will determine Julius Jones long term status with the team. He could go either way. He has shown me enough talent wise that he can be the guy. He just has to stay healthy. If Dallas makes a big move at running back, it will be next off season.

 

[gbrittain]

Not through free agency. The free agents I do like are just too expensive for Dallas. They would not be able to address their other needs. I don't mind them trying to find someone through the draft. I just don't foresee the team pursuing a running back in the first two rounds. This season will determine Julius Jones long term status with the team. He could go either way. He has shown me enough talent wise that he can be the guy. He just has to stay healthy. If Dallas makes a big move at running back, it will be next off season.

I agree.

 

[Yakuza Rich]

You should go into next season assuming BP improved the kicking situation and the OL.

So my question is this for those who believe Dallas is really close to contending for the Superbowl.

I believe the kicking situation will be better. They'll probably wind up with a pretty decent FA kicker, which would be far better than Cortez/Cundiff/Suisham.

However, fixing the OL isn't a given by any stretch. I think they would be better with a healthy Flozell and a decent RT. But, to really improve, they need to find a good LT and move Flozell to RT. And they will also have to replace at least one of the guards.

It's still too early to tell, but if they can legitimately improve the O-Line, get a LOLB, a kicker, and a FS while staying relatively healthy, I can't see why they couldn't win a SB.

But, that's easier said than done.

How comfortable are you that Marion could be the guy Dallas will rely on in BPs offense?

Somewhat comfortable. He reminds me a lot of Terry Allen, a guy who was a tough runner, incredible in short yardage, and could catch passes and block. He won't put up Shawn Alexander stats, but as of now I have no qualms about him being the future starter if the situation arises.

In summary, if you believe Dallas is contending for a Superbowl next year, are you comfortable with our RB stable or would you want to bring another RB in via FA or draft?

I like our RB corp right now and I honestly believe that if you took all 3 RB's and stacked them up against the other NFC East RB corps.....I think ours is better.

The other NFC East teams have better starting RB's, but I'd take Dallas has with Barber and Thompson over the other #2 and #3 RB's.

Ladell Betts is the only NFC East #2 that competes with Barber and Barber had a far better year statistically. Considering where Thompson came from and wound up being a top 10 KR this season, his upside and production is too great to ignore.

But first they've got to improve the O-Line, especially the run blocking. The Panthers had one of the most stout run defenses this year and when Julius got some pretty good blocking and was healthy, he ran wild on them this year. And in his rookie year, he ran wild despite having a poor O-Line and very little as far as a passing threat goes.

Hopefully Peter King won't rave about Julius as a fantasy football stud next season.

Rich.......

 

[Ashwynn]

With a solid Oline, Glenn will put up numbers, Key will move the chains, Witten will be Witten again, Jones and Barber will be running fools. Both backs are real good. Different style. Jones is gunna be a dazzeler. Barbers the tough, get out of my way or I will just run you over type runner. I like Jones better.

 

[gbrittain]

I believe the kicking situation will be better. They'll probably wind up with a pretty decent FA kicker, which would be far better than Cortez/Cundiff/Suisham.

However, fixing the OL isn't a given by any stretch. I think they would be better with a healthy Flozell and a decent RT. But, to really improve, they need to find a good LT and move Flozell to RT. And they will also have to replace at least one of the guards.

It's still too early to tell, but if they can legitimately improve the O-Line, get a LOLB, a kicker, and a FS while staying relatively healthy, I can't see why they couldn't win a SB.

But, that's easier said than done.



Somewhat comfortable. He reminds me a lot of Terry Allen, a guy who was a tough runner, incredible in short yardage, and could catch passes and block. He won't put up Shawn Alexander stats, but as of now I have no qualms about him being the future starter if the situation arises.




I like our RB corp right now and I honestly believe that if you took all 3 RB's and stacked them up against the other NFC East RB corps.....I think ours is better.

The other NFC East teams have better starting RB's, but I'd take Dallas has with Barber and Thompson over the other #2 and #3 RB's.

Ladell Betts is the only NFC East #2 that competes with Barber and Barber had a far better year statistically. Considering where Thompson came from and wound up being a top 10 KR this season, his upside and production is too great to ignore.

But first they've got to improve the O-Line, especially the run blocking. The Panthers had one of the most stout run defenses this year and when Julius got some pretty good blocking and was healthy, he ran wild on them this year. And in his rookie year, he ran wild despite having a poor O-Line and very little as far as a passing threat goes.

Hopefully Peter King won't rave about Julius as a fantasy football stud next season.

Rich.......

I am sold on JJ from talent perspective it is only durability where I now have some doubts.

I can not put my finger on it at this point, but I do not trust Marion a bit. Of course he was a rookie last year and that could be it. I also dont see Marion as someone teams will have to game plan for like they would JJ if healthy.

Tyson Thompson, I predict will never be more than what he is today. A special teams guy that occasionaly gets to run.

I have no fears about this year. I am fine with our RB stable. My fears become reality if JJ fails to stay healthy again this year.

 

[Ashwynn]

I am sold on JJ from talent perspective it is only durability where I now have some doubts.

I can not put my finger on it at this point, but I do not trust Marion a bit. Of course he was a rookie last year and that could be it. I also dont see Marion as someone teams will have to game plan for like they would JJ if healthy.

Tyson Thompson, I predict will never be more than what he is today. A special teams guy that occasionaly gets to run.

I have no fears about this year. I am fine with our RB stable. My fears become reality if JJ fails to stay healthy again this year.

Valid concern too. I wont label him injury prone, but I would love nothing more then 16 games started by jones this year. (and finished too btw). make that 19 if you count the postseason. Thats with our first round bye. 20 it we dont get that.

 

[hogwild]

I wouldn't be a bit surprised if we draft a FRANCHISE back
with the 18th pick. (L. Maroney)
JJ is what he is a 3rd down back/ change of pace type guy
Marion is a powerful 3rd down / short yardage back.
Maroney is a STUD every down back, who would be a steal at 18
Jerry Jones will fix the OL in FA.
Bill can't be trusted to fix any thing draft-wise . He will only
be used as an advisor-only with very little input. Jerry runs the Draft
people, always has always will

 

[gbrittain]

I wouldn't be a bit surprised if we draft a FRANCHISE back
with the 18th pick. (L. Maroney)
JJ is what he is a 3rd down back/ change of pace type guy
Marion is a powerful 3rd down / short yardage back.
Maroney is a STUD every down back, who would be a steal at 18
Jerry Jones will fix the OL in FA.
Bill can't be trusted to fix any thing draft-wise . He will only
be used as an advisor-only with very little input. Jerry runs the Draft
people, always has always will

I would be amazed with a capital A if they took a RB in the first round.

 

[hogwild]

I would be amazed with a capital A if they took a RB in the first round.

BPA could very well be a back at 18. are you saying they shouldn't
take best player available?

 

[gbrittain]

BPA could very well be a back at 18. are you saying they shouldn't
take best player available?

No not at all, but I would still be very surprised if Dallas took a RB in the first round.

If Dallas pulled the trigger on a RB I would not be upset. It would tell me either this guy is a stud or they are uncertain about Marion and JJ.

I just dont see it happening no way no how.

 

[burmafrd]

Blindly going BPA- and deciding the difference between a LB and a RB and a DT as BPA is pretty much of a joke- gets you the Lions and taking a WR three straight drafts in the first. STUPID.
We are in good shape at RB- taking one in the first is DUMB.

 

[Yakuza Rich]

Tyson Thompson, I predict will never be more than what he is today. A special teams guy that occasionaly gets to run.

I like what I saw out of Thompson this year. For a guy that only played one year of D-1 ball at San Jose State, he was able to get some playing time and look pretty good for some stretches (i.e. first Philly game). As I pointed out in my statistical analysis, he had the 9th best kickoff return average, but his longest return was only 49 yards......meaning he was extremely consist at providing good returns.

He still needs work on picking up the blitz, but was far better at catching passes than I ever expected and generally picked up things quicky.

He's got nice size and great speed, so athleticism and size shouldn't be a concern. So when you consider that and having to make a gargantuan leap from small D-1 ball to the speed, mental and physical aspect of the NFL....I think it's safe to say he has a lot of upside.

As far as Barber goes....I'm not comparing him to these players......but most fans fell in love with Barry Sanders and I'll take an Emmitt Smith over Barry every day of the week and 3 times on Sunday.


Rich.........

 

[hogwild]

Blindly going BPA- and deciding the difference between a LB and a RB and a DT as BPA is pretty much of a joke- gets you the Lions and taking a WR three straight drafts in the first. STUPID.
We are in good shape at RB- taking one in the first is DUMB.

I disagree with you and i'm glad Jerry and not you are doing our drafting
I don't want to be in "good-shape" I want to be in the best
possible shape. I believe an upgrade can be made there, if you
disagree fine but JJ is an injury waiting to happen. Instead of realizing
he is what he is ,they want to change him to something he ain't.
which will slow him down and make him less effective IMO

But if getting better at a position is STUPID lets get stupid

 

[BigDFan5]

He (Bill Parcells) will only
be used as an advisor-only with very little input. Jerry runs the Draft
people, always has always will

dumbest thing I have heard in awile thanks!

 

[burmafrd]

What is stupid is getting a RB when a FS or a LB or a OT of equal value is sitting there as well.

 

[austintodallas]

BPA could very well be a back at 18. are you saying they shouldn't take best player available?

They should take the best player available that addresses a need.

Running back...not a need.

 

[gbrittain]

I like what I saw out of Thompson this year. For a guy that only played one year of D-1 ball at San Jose State, he was able to get some playing time and look pretty good for some stretches (i.e. first Philly game). As I pointed out in my statistical analysis, he had the 9th best kickoff return average, but his longest return was only 49 yards......meaning he was extremely consist at providing good returns.

He still needs work on picking up the blitz, but was far better at catching passes than I ever expected and generally picked up things quicky.

He's got nice size and great speed, so athleticism and size shouldn't be a concern. So when you consider that and having to make a gargantuan leap from small D-1 ball to the speed, mental and physical aspect of the NFL....I think it's safe to say he has a lot of upside.

As far as Barber goes....I'm not comparing him to these players......but most fans fell in love with Barry Sanders and I'll take an Emmitt Smith over Barry every day of the week and 3 times on Sunday.


Rich.........

Rich,

As usual you are making excellent points. Really enjoy reading your stuff by the way.

Tyson from a physical stand point can be a great RB and not just a serviceable back. My concerns with Tyson is his patience and vision.

Normally, RBs come out of the gate pretty strong. I know his background is much more limited than that of a normal back who is just being drafted, but I think vision is something you have or do not.

I also believe that his Kick off returns are good because he does not mess around. Turn on the afterburners and go. Usually, the returners who try all this lateral movement are the ones who get no where.

The same thing which would be a strength during kick off returns could be a liability when running the ball. Got to feel the wholes and those around you.

I hope it is just a matter of getting more experience though, because the guy physically could be a great one.

As far as Barber goes....I'm not comparing him to these players......but most fans fell in love with Barry Sanders and I'll take an Emmitt Smith over Barry every day of the week and 3 times on Sunday.

Those who think Barry was a better RB than Emmitt are off their rocker IMO. So yes, I do get what you are saying about Marion.