Marion Barber should be the 1st team RB.

[mmohican29]

My final thought for the night.

Ok. First off this is not to say that I don't think Julius is a good RB. He is. This is not a knack on his playmaking ability or talent. He has both. This is not in any way shape or form questioning his heart and will to win. I think he has plenty.

But.

Marion Barber deserves to be the starting RB.

Barber gives the offense more options than Julius Jones does on each possession. Barber is the guy who sacrifices his body for yardage. Barber is a punishing, violent runner who makes defenders pay for their insolence. Barber is the hungrier player by far.

This team needs an attitude adjustment. Barber is a living, breathing example of one. In extended roles Barber has also cleared the 100yd mark several times when Julius was hurt. Barber is a tone setter, he is the offensive equivalent of catching a cannonball. And he can do it down to down vs. an exploitive back like Julius.

Julius makes defenses pay for their mistakes. Barber just makes them pay period. Let MBIII soften defenses and then hit them with Julius. I think it would benefit the offense and #9 specifically to have the switchblade back behind him. He brings the knife, and the can-opener. It would be easier to audible to play action with Marion in the backfield more often.

As good a season as Julius is having overall, the team might be better served to deal him in the offseason and find themselves a speed demon back ala Chester Taylor, Reggie Bush, or Warrick Dunn like player to back up MBIII. He is everybit as good as Addai in Indy, and is closer to Maroney in terms of physical skills. He's a smaller version of Steven Jackson, with better quickness and wiggle at worst.

Barber definitely can withstand the rigors of a bigger load. It might be time we give him the feature spot. Anyone agree?

 

[Zaxor]

I am beginning to believe this also...I would like to see him more often in the games

 

[BigDFan5]

My final thought for the night.

Ok. First off this is not to say that I don't think Julius is a good RB. He is. This is not a knack on his playmaking ability or talent. He has both. This is not in any way shape or form questioning his heart and will to win. I think he has plenty.

But.

Marion Barber deserves to be the starting RB.

Barber gives the offense more options than Julius Jones does on each possession. Barber is the guy who sacrifices his body for yardage. Barber is a punishing, violent runner who makes defenders pay for their insolence. Barber is the hungrier player by far.

This team needs an attitude adjustment. Barber is a living, breathing example of one. In extended roles Barber has also cleared the 100yd mark several times when Julius was hurt. Barber is a tone setter, he is the offensive equivalent of catching a cannonball. And he can do it down to down vs. an exploitive back like Julius.

Julius makes defenses pay for their mistakes. Barber just makes them pay period. Let MBIII soften defenses and then hit them with Julius. I think it would benefit the offense and #9 specifically to have the switchblade back behind him. He brings the knife, and the can-opener. It would be easier to audible to play action with Marion in the backfield more often.

As good a season as Julius is having overall, the team might be better served to deal him in the offseason and find themselves a speed demon back ala Chester Taylor, Reggie Bush, or Warrick Dunn like player to back up MBIII. He is everybit as good as Addai in Indy, and is closer to Maroney in terms of physical skills. He's a smaller version of Steven Jackson, with better quickness and wiggle at worst.

Barber definitely can withstand the rigors of a bigger load. It might be time we give him the feature spot. Anyone agree?

JJ is the unquestioned starter he has about 700 yards rushing which is ranked top 10 in the NFL

In extended roles Barber has also cleared the 100yd mark several times when Julius was hurt

If by several you mean once against arizona then you are correct

 

[Dale]

My final thought for the night.

Ok. First off this is not to say that I don't think Julius is a good RB. He is. This is not a knack on his playmaking ability or talent. He has both. This is not in any way shape or form questioning his heart and will to win. I think he has plenty.

But.

Marion Barber deserves to be the starting RB.

Barber gives the offense more options than Julius Jones does on each possession. Barber is the guy who sacrifices his body for yardage. Barber is a punishing, violent runner who makes defenders pay for their insolence. Barber is the hungrier player by far.

This team needs an attitude adjustment. Barber is a living, breathing example of one. In extended roles Barber has also cleared the 100yd mark several times when Julius was hurt. Barber is a tone setter, he is the offensive equivalent of catching a cannonball. And he can do it down to down vs. an exploitive back like Julius.

Julius makes defenses pay for their mistakes. Barber just makes them pay period. Let MBIII soften defenses and then hit them with Julius. I think it would benefit the offense and #9 specifically to have the switchblade back behind him. He brings the knife, and the can-opener. It would be easier to audible to play action with Marion in the backfield more often.

As good a season as Julius is having overall, the team might be better served to deal him in the offseason and find themselves a speed demon back ala Chester Taylor, Reggie Bush, or Warrick Dunn like player to back up MBIII. He is everybit as good as Addai in Indy, and is closer to Maroney in terms of physical skills. He's a smaller version of Steven Jackson, with better quickness and wiggle at worst.

Barber definitely can withstand the rigors of a bigger load. It might be time we give him the feature spot. Anyone agree?

I think we have the good fortune of having what equates to two starting-caliber running backs.

Julius has been running well this season. I don't think he's done anything to deserve to be "benched." I will agree, though, that Barber's a punishing runner. And he's definitely justified more and more carries with the way he's played.

I don't think you bench Julius though. I'm still not certain Barber would run that way every play if he were getting the ball 25 times a game, week in and week out. I actually like the rotation as it is, with the possible exception of an extra carry here or there to Barber.

 

[mmohican29]

I never said bench JJ. For what? I'm saying I think that Barber is a better fit as starting RB.

Look it pains me to say it... I know where JJ's yardage sits. He's having a very good year. I just think in totality, Barber is the better back and deserves the starting job. He's more consistent, has more complete skills, and brings a violence to the offense that is missing alot of times.

JJ would still get his carries. I just think MBIII should be the lead back.

 

[ThreeSportStar80]

My final thought for the night.

Ok. First off this is not to say that I don't think Julius is a good RB. He is. This is not a knack on his playmaking ability or talent. He has both. This is not in any way shape or form questioning his heart and will to win. I think he has plenty.

But.

Marion Barber deserves to be the starting RB.

Barber gives the offense more options than Julius Jones does on each possession. Barber is the guy who sacrifices his body for yardage. Barber is a punishing, violent runner who makes defenders pay for their insolence. Barber is the hungrier player by far.

This team needs an attitude adjustment. Barber is a living, breathing example of one. In extended roles Barber has also cleared the 100yd mark several times when Julius was hurt. Barber is a tone setter, he is the offensive equivalent of catching a cannonball. And he can do it down to down vs. an exploitive back like Julius.

Julius makes defenses pay for their mistakes. Barber just makes them pay period. Let MBIII soften defenses and then hit them with Julius. I think it would benefit the offense and #9 specifically to have the switchblade back behind him. He brings the knife, and the can-opener. It would be easier to audible to play action with Marion in the backfield more often.

As good a season as Julius is having overall, the team might be better served to deal him in the offseason and find themselves a speed demon back ala Chester Taylor, Reggie Bush, or Warrick Dunn like player to back up MBIII. He is everybit as good as Addai in Indy, and is closer to Maroney in terms of physical skills. He's a smaller version of Steven Jackson, with better quickness and wiggle at worst.

Barber definitely can withstand the rigors of a bigger load. It might be time we give him the feature spot. Anyone agree?

You're joking right?? Stop with the madness and if you think Chester Taylor is a speed demon then I seriously doubt you've watched him play.

 

[BigDFan5]

I never said bench JJ. For what? I'm saying I think that Barber is a better fit as starting RB.
.

You realize that in order to start barber JJ has to be benched, I doubt we start them both :laugh2:

 

[Hoofbite]

The running game isn't the problem......even with poor *** blocking from the TEs, running the ball has been a surpise success to me......I didn't think Dallas would have the success they do each week. Barber runs with authority but I wouldn't want him to have to do if for 15-20 carries a game.....get broken down quick. I like barger with 7-10 carrries a game and 4 or 5 receptions.


If Dallas could just get away from shooting themselves in the foot, everything would be solved. Penalties and missed chances are the biggest problems.....having barber run won't make Witten any better of a blocker and won't stop the flags from coming. Those are things you just have to figure out.....Witten especially. I hope he doesn't get a Pro Bowl nod this year because he really doesn't deserve the way he has been blocking all season.


If it ever clicks for these guys.....it will be fun to watch.......if it doesn't mediocrity is where they stay.........

 

[mmohican29]

Don't patronize me. I'm expressing an opinion. We are fans of the same team.

 

[Dale]

Don't patronize me. I'm expressing an opinion. We are fans of the same team.

I don't think anyone is trying to patronize you, mmohican.

The reason I called starting Barber "benching" Julius is because it would most certainly send that message. On the one hand, it sends the message that we're going with the -- as you nicely put -- "violent" runner. I just wonder if, on the other hand, giving less carries to a guy who has been so productive could turn out to be counter productive.

At the end of the day this is my question (to which I do not know the answer):

We know that Julius is a good starter and that Barber is a good backup/3rd-down guy/goal-line back/finisher. Would the reverse be just as good? Could Julius succeed with reduced carries, and would Barber be even better if he were getting the 20 carries?

I'm curious if such a reduced role might really negate Jones' effectiveness. Could be wrong, though!

 

[Aikbach]

If it ain't broke don't fix it and the running game is one of lone positions on the team not in need of an overhaul or an enema.

 

[thekavorka]

I'm afraid if Barber gets more carries, there's more chance of him getting worn down. The way he goes head first into some defenders is kind of scary to watch. I'm always afraid he'll get injured.

 

[TheHustler]

The #2 RB always looks good. Remember Hambrick when he was backing up Emmitt near the end of his career? Then remember Hambrick as the #1?

 

[SkinsandTerps]

Jones has much better vision, hands, and blocking skills.
Barber may be the bruiser, but bruiser backs dont always equate to solid starters. There are exceptions, and instances where the bruiser has a great game or two. But typically it doesnt seem to work out as well.

Now if a FB was always leading the way ...thats a different story.

 

[TwoSteppinJJ]

Barber should have more drives where he carries the ball at least 3 times and pretty much just carrys the load. Give JJ a couple drives off when hes struggling at times. Julius should remain the starter though he hasnt done anything worthy of losing his job he has played awesome football in my opinion.

 

[TNCowboy]

Don't patronize me.

Someone needs to, because you obviously don't have a clue what you're talking about.

 

[SultanOfSix]

Our defense let's us down and people are complaining about Julius who went over 100 yards. How silly. Julius and Barber are the least of our worries. They're bright spots and are being used effectively.

 

[Dave_in-NC]

Would Barber be as effective as an every down back? Thats what starters are right?
As has been said, the running game is the least of our problems. Shooting ourselves looms large in my book.

 

[BlueStar22]

I think Jones should be the starter but I worry if we will be able to re-sign Barber when he comes free.

 

[burmafrd]

With the troubles this team has you want to change what has been very consistent and good- about the ONLY thing on this team of which THAT can be said. Really smart.