Julius

[Crown Royal]

true, but you have to give thought about how hes running more tentavily now. he doesn't seem to make a cut to the out side or juke and make a defender miss any more.

I never thought he did.

We talk a lot about how Barber takes guys on but doesn't have the speed, but Jones best runs were always down the middle when the line blocked well, whereas Barber tends to do well by cutting outside the tackle and running down a defensive back.

 

[goshan]

Crown sorry.
Watch some of Julius 125+ yard games his rookie year.
He made guys miss all over the place.
He clearly has lost quickness.

 

[Crown Royal]

Crown sorry.
Watch some of Julius 125+ yard games his rookie year.
He made guys miss all over the place.
He clearly has lost quickness.

You mean like the 60 yard TD against the bears his rookie year, where he went straight down the hash marks through an excellent run blocking line?

Or maybe the Seattle game his rookie year where he singlehandedly won the game on middle draws?

I think you missed my point - Jones is an inside runner with speed, but he needs blocking. His best runs are usually when the guard and center do a great job in getting up field, something we aren't doing.

 

[joseephuss]

You're right. I just jumped on pro-football-reference.com and he was great to finish the 2004 season with a 29 carry 149 yard performance against the Giants.

We start the 2005 season and it's:

26 carries for 93 yards
22 carries for 81 yards
26 carries for 85 yards
22 carries for 76 yards
16 carries for 72 yards (before he went out with the high ankle sprain)

He came back and he basically was just the same back except for a 34 carry 194 yard game against Carolina.

I'm not sure. Something happened in the offseason before the 2005 season began. Or perhaps he just wasn't as good as we all thought to begin with.

He was not as great as his big games in 2004. I really never thought he was great, but he looked as if he could be good. I would take those stats from early 2005 every week from him. Those are solid numbers and they came against some good rush defenses in 2005.

Those numbers along with Barber's production would provide a potent rushing attack. Dallas is not getting that right now. Some of it is on Jones, but some of it is on the O-line. They just are not good at opening holes no matter who is running the ball.

 

[joseephuss]

I've said it before....I think he is washed up...EVEN at a young age....I think he was never an EVERY DOWN BACK and that 3 game span where Parcells tested his will by giving him more carries than any RB in Cowboy history did it for him. Don't laugh...it can happen....look no further than Clinton Portis...he is already a shell of himself and he is not even 25. Using him as an every down back for a couple of years robbed him of his explosiveness

Portis is 26 years old(born 9-1-81) and is currently averaging 4.5 yards per carry and has 299 yards in 4 games.

 

[Seven]

You mean like the 60 yard TD against the bears his rookie year, where he went straight down the hash marks through an excellent run blocking line?

Or maybe the Seattle game his rookie year where he singlehandedly won the game on middle draws?

I think you missed my point - Jones is an inside runner with speed, but he needs blocking. His best runs are usually when the guard and center do a great job in getting up field, something we aren't doing.

Yep. His open field elusiveness is his gig. he needs better blocking and our run blocking is messy at best. It's a matter of OL cohesion 'cause we're moving the DL just not where it's designed, IMO. I think that will come.

 

[Zman5]

Go look at the Giants(Monday night) game from his rookie year. He was making something out of nothing all night. I thought we had the next Barry Sanders on our team. He had quick feet and amazing balance. Something happened since then. I don't know what but he is definately not the same runner.

Check this vid out.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bPLCcUyFwl4

He used to hit the hole quicker and with more determination.

 

[NoLuv4Jerry]

Portis is 26 years old(born 9-1-81) and is currently averaging 4.5 yards per carry and has 299 yards in 4 games.

ok...so I was off a year...but I live in DC...and Skins fans will tell you Portis has already lost a step...he does not make people miss anymore....and it never bodes well when little guys cannot make people miss

 

[BrassCowboy]

I have been a Julius fan from the start, but now after watching him... I am thinking he is becoming more of a liability than helping our offense.

It was said earlier, but he runs much too stiff now and has very little to no elusiveness at all.
Everyone who knows me knows how much I have rooted for Julius, but during the game I am catching myself saying get Marion in there.

That is just the way I see it.