Marion Barber and his lack of carries versus the eagles.

[theebs]

Last year We played a number of big games. We lost most of them. There are alot of reasons/blame/speculation etc. around those games.

I just want to point out something that I think should and will change starting this week. The use of Marion Barber in Big games.

Lets take the game at philly for starters. Last year we went to philly and as usual it was an important game and a big game. Julius Jones was given the ball 26 times for 100 yards and 0 touchdowns, his longest run was 11 yards. He caught one ball for 22 yards.

Marion Barber at philly last year ran the ball 7 times for 22 yards, 1 TD and a long of 11 yards. He caught 3 passes for 26 yards.

I believe this year Barber should be given a huge dose against the eagles, he is the type of physical back they have struggled with. I also believe Julius Jones should be thrown the ball more. He appears to be an excellent receiver and when he catches the ball in open space he can then just use his instincts, I think he struggles with vision and finding the correct area to run.

This is a pretty obvious thing, but I really think one of the major keys to this game and the rest of the seasons big games is keeping barber involved.

If your wondering, in 05 at home vs. philly Barber was inactive and jones rushed for72 yards on 16 carries. At philly barber ran for 46 yards on 13 carries and Jones 16 yards on 8 carries.

In most of our losses the numbers are similar to this, last year at washington Julius got the ball 20 times for 73 yards with a long of 10 and barber 7 times for 45 yards with a long of 10.

The philly home game last year jones was given the ball10 times for 38 yards and a long of 7 while barber was given the ball 6 times for 3 yards, with a long of 4. We basically gave up on the running game so it is tough to gauge either guy on that game.

The playoff game at seattle last year was the same deal, Julius 22 carries for 112 yards and barber 3 for 4 yards and that was a game where they were just giving us the running yards.

Again I know this is an obvious thing, but I really think barber needs to be given the ball a ton this week. And please dont make this a julius jones bashing thread, I like jones, I think he has big time potential as a wr out of the backfield. I would love to see Jones get about 14 carries and catch 5 balls.

I am trying to determine why this is in my head, Barber is excellent against the pass, understands the blitz pickups and always seems to move the chains. So what am I missing? Did the coaching staff think Julius speed would give them the ability to make big plays somewhere inside? Is julius smaller stature and quicker burst harder to tackle for the eagles defenders in their view? Is it just a matchup they liked more?

I dont know help me out here. I do think Barber should be given the bulk of the work this week and the next three meanwhile getting the ball to Julius though the air more.

 

[dbair1967]

well MBIII did get the ball on 3 straight runs inside the 1 last yr when we played Philly on Christmas day, and got stoned on everyone of them

I'm all for seeing him get the ball more, but you failed to point out he was ineffective when he did get it vs them (vs Philly), then noted Jones' numbers in a couple of the games, but they are very good...which kinda defeats your argument..

and Jones was one of the few players who showed up vs Seattle

David

 

[Doomsday101]

I need both backs to perform this weekend. As for Barber I can promise he will get more carries than he has vs Philly in the past. This is a different team with a different plan of attack from past seasons.

 

[BehindEnemyLinez]

well MBIII did get the ball on 3 straight runs inside the 1 last yr when we played Philly on Christmas day, and got stoned on everyone of them

I'm all for seeing him get the ball more, but you failed to point out he was ineffective when he did get it vs them (vs Philly), then noted Jones' numbers in a couple of the games, but they are very good...which kinda defeats your argument..

and Jones was one of the few players who showed up vs Seattle

David

Yeah, if you look at JJ's numbers in those games, they were pretty damn good! If we're getting solid production from the running game then it DOESN'T matter who's getting the carries. I don't think MB3's lack of touches is why Dallas lost any of the above mentioned games.

 

[miamicowboy21]

MB3 will get his this sunday night. We need his toughess playing against this team and in that enviornment. Running lanes should be there due to the fact that they have to double T.O and they must pay attention to witten.

 

[theebs]

well MBIII did get the ball on 3 straight runs inside the 1 last yr when we played Philly on Christmas day, and got stoned on everyone of them

I'm all for seeing him get the ball more, but you failed to point out he was ineffective when he did get it vs them (vs Philly), then noted Jones' numbers in a couple of the games, but they are very good...which kinda defeats your argument..

and Jones was one of the few players who showed up vs Seattle

David

Which game was he ineffective? The home game, Yes he didnt punch it in on the goalline when we went on 4th down, but that game we basically abandoned the running game. I said that.

Which game were jones numbers good? At philly? And again I like Julius jones, I am not asking why barber didnt get the ball more because julius is not a good player. I am asking because the team lacked offensive rhythm in a couple of those games and would barber bring that like he always seems to?

as far as the seattle game, It was hard for jones not to have good numbers, the seahawks were giving us the running game that day.

I am just curious as to why the carries against the eagles last year were the way they were.

 

[Longboysfan]

I need both backs to perform this weekend. As for Barber I can promise he will get more carries than he has vs Philly in the past. This is a different team with a different plan of attack from past seasons.

With the defense the Eagles use a quick hit to the right place kills them.
MB III does not have it where JJ does.

 

[theebs]

With the defense the Eagles use a quick hit to the right place kills them.
MB III does not have it where JJ does.

that is the only reasoning I can come up with also. It is an interesting thing to me. They attack gaps and blitz and having jones in there gives you the opportunity to take one a long way.

The funny thing is though, the teams that beat the eagles in the past beat them with a power running game and big backs. Barber fits in that role.

I guess none of us really know. It will be interesting to see how this staff attacks the eagles.

 

[AmishCowboy]

Some of those games we fell behind early and yes, I would like to see Barber pound on that smallish Eagle front seven.

 

[Idgit]

It'd be nice for this offense in general to see Julius break off a long run for a TD at some point. Barber's had a few from outside the redzone, but we really haven't seen any 50-60 yard plays from scrimmage this year. It'd be a nice dimension to have.

 

[Bob Sacamano]

I am trying to determine why this is in my head, Barber is excellent against the pass, understands the blitz pickups and always seems to move the chains. So what am I missing? Did the coaching staff think Julius speed would give them the ability to make big plays somewhere inside? Is julius smaller stature and quicker burst harder to tackle for the eagles defenders in their view? Is it just a matchup they liked more

it's simple really, Julius was the starter because Marion was the perfect 3rd down back, and last year on Christmas Day we didn't have much opportunity to use Barber in his best role, as closer

 

[Future]

well MBIII did get the ball on 3 straight runs inside the 1 last yr when we played Philly on Christmas day, and got stoned on everyone of them

I'm all for seeing him get the ball more, but you failed to point out he was ineffective when he did get it vs them (vs Philly), then noted Jones' numbers in a couple of the games, but they are very good...which kinda defeats your argument..

and Jones was one of the few players who showed up vs Seattle

David

It seems that Julius does not get credit where it is due (Seattle) and MBIII gets a free pass when he makes a mistake.

 

[Rampage]

It'd be nice for this offense in general to see Julius break off a long run for a TD at some point. Barber's had a few from outside the redzone, but we really haven't seen any 50-60 yard plays from scrimmage this year. It'd be a nice dimension to have.

would help playaction a lil bit

 

[theebs]

It seems that Julius does not get credit where it is due (Seattle) and MBIII gets a free pass when he makes a mistake.

again, read my original post, I like Julius Jones, sometimes I get the feeling I am only one of the people that do. I would love to see him catch the ball about 5 times a game, he seems to really have a great knack for making people miss as a receiver.

I am simply asking why people think there was such a large disparity in jones and barbers carries in the eagles game.

And please go watch the seattle game again, seattle let us run the football. They were intent on staying back and not giving up the big one outside.

Barber struggled on that goalline stand, other than that where did he make mistakes?

 

[Future]

Barber struggled on that goalline stand, other than that where did he make mistakes?

Off the top of my head...the TD run against the Giants was a bad run that he made a play on. The one he should have been safetied was a mistake. Of course he was able to get away with them, but they were still bad decisions IMO.

 

[SupermanXx]

I need both backs to perform this weekend. As for Barber I can promise he will get more carries than he has vs Philly in the past. This is a different team with a different plan of attack from past seasons.

you do?

 

[Doomsday101]

you do?

Yes I do as a fan of this club I really need to see both backs start performing. :laugh2:

 

[theebs]

So I guess giving to barber worked out pretty well.

I love it when we throw the ball to JJ. Nothing but good can happen when you throw it to jones, he is terrific in the open field when he catches the ball.

Using the other teams aggression against them with those passes to jones and barber could be a big key this week.

I think tonight was the kind of mix with the backs we should see more..

i was hoping julius would get about 14 runs and 5 catches, he actually got 13 runs and 3 catches....and barber got the ball 16 times and 3 catches....

that seems like the perfect mix...