MB3 - 2nd String Is Where He Belongs

[dargonking999]

Of course, he will have occasional success going outside -- and that makes folks scream that he should be the starter.

I think he is so successful in short yardage because those are the situations where he is forced to just hit the hole and try to make a few yards.

I can tell you this -- if BP were still the coach, Barber would have been sitting - some of those decisions were awful. I hope someone on the offensive staff gets on MBIII about that.

I agree. I remember one play where he got stoned, instead of dropping his head and running through the guy to get an extra yard, he pulled back got out the tackle and tried to run around the guy, and the CB came up and slammed him into the ground a yard behind his orginal spot. I wanted Wade to yank him so bad then.

 

[AbeBeta]

Precisely. You get cut down. Unless you possess breakaway speed, which, obviously, he does not.

When I look at how Bettis ran, I saw a guy who would always be looking for 3 yards - he's shoot for that and good stuff would sometimes happen to allow him to break one. That is how Barber needs to run.

I think the problem here is that Barber thinks he's a different type of back.

 

[GimmeTheBall!]

I know it was only the first preseason game, but IMO, JJ #1, MB3 #2, without question. I felt like our first drive stalled once JJ was taken out, was pleasantly surprised with the production from JJ on third down and out of the backfield, and felt MB3 may have been pressing just a bit (reading fan press clippings) trying to bounce, hop, etc.

I was not impressed at all with his performance against the 1st string. Not for the first time I am reminded of the clamoring for Hambrick based on his huge YPC on limited carries and what happened once he was inserted as the starter.

Don't they say the back-up is always the fan favorite? Not saying JJ set the world on fire, but I think the one-two pecking order is correct, and I think I'd rather see JJ get a series or three off rather than automatically come out every 3rd down and inside the 20.

I agree. Barber is a bruiser and is best used on the goal line and can and should spell JJ.
When Barber comes in the defense will adjust. Perfect time for a screen or short pass to the sidelines.
If anybody out there thinks Barber is featured-back material, let him start and carry the ball the whole game. He won't last into the third quarter.
JJ on the other hand, can run.
And I hear JJ is getting a swagger that will complete his transformation to good RB to one of the top 5 backs in the league. And that is saying something.

 

[stealth]

after barber's performance and julius performance that anyone is knocking on barber is ridiculous to me.

from all thre Rb's last night thompson was the only one that showedanything different than he normally does, he got some wiggle in the off season and it was promising to see. The other two looked exactly like they always do.

 

[odog422]

When I look at how Bettis ran, I saw a guy who would always be looking for 3 yards - he's shoot for that and good stuff would sometimes happen to allow him to break one. That is how Barber needs to run.

I think the problem here is that Barber thinks he's a different type of back.

I agree. He's still young and I don't think has come to terms with what he does and does not do well. If you play RB, you want to be able to do the Barry Sanders highlight runs and moves -- gets you on Sportscenter.

Like I said earlier, hopefully, once they break down the film, the RB coach, or maybe even Garrett, will show him the yards he left on the field looking for what wasn't there. And also remind him that the downhill running was what brought the attention and popularity, and most importantly, the results, for him last year.

And of course, if none of that gets his attention, theres always the bench, i.e., less opportunities.

 

[odog422]

after barber's performance and julius performance that anyone is knocking on barber is ridiculous to me.

from all thre Rb's last night thompson was the only one that showedanything different than he normally does, he got some wiggle in the off season and it was promising to see. The other two looked exactly like they always do.

I, on the other hand, saw nothing I had not seen from Thompson. He just looks bigger. Still no wiggle or make-em-miss. Just like on kickoffs, he seems to be a striaght line speed guy with the inability to stop/start/change direction effectively enough to produce consistently on this level. Remember, his was mop-up duty and he still didn't "shine."

Julius on the other hand, looked decisive, appeared to be seeing things better and produced. As I said originally, I especially liked seeing him in on third down and catching the little delay out of the backfield.

I'm not knocking Barber. My thought was he tried to do too much, or more accurately, tried to do what he is not particularly good at - attempting to bounce everything outside. He can and I'm sure, will produce. He just needs to remain focused on what he does best - downhill running.

 

[DBoys]

I like Barber, but I agree he's best used in short yardage in and in the second half.

After seeing Julius for a couple of years and Barber for over a year, unless something drastic changes, I'm totally leaning for a franchise caliber RB with our top pick next spring.

Yup yup gimme McFadden

 

[iceberg]

I like Barber, but I agree he's best used in short yardage in and in the second half.

After seeing Julius for a couple of years and Barber for over a year, unless something drastic changes, I'm totally leaning for a franchise caliber RB with our top pick next spring.

to think we passed up on stephen jackson a few years ago to get jjones. i think everyone agrees that we do need to address RB and WR in the next draft if not FA.

 

[AbeBeta]

after barber's performance and julius performance that anyone is knocking on barber is ridiculous to me.

In pre-season games, you can't focus on the stats -- a good performance for most starting backs who run 20 time a game might involve 15 short runs for about 50 yards and 5 longer runs that get another 50. Pre-season games don't give backs enough carries to see that.

It is far better to see if guys are playing to their ability. I saw Jones doing what he needs to do to be successful and Barber doing a little too much dancing. Jones looked like a back who knew how he needed to play whereas Barber looked like a guy who was trying to play like Julius.

 

[AbeBeta]

to think we passed up on stephen jackson a few years ago to get jjones. i think everyone agrees that we do need to address RB and WR in the next draft if not FA.

Come on, someone hit us with a "but Bill would have ruined Jackson too"

 

[ThreeSportStar80]

After watching both, I would agree that Julius Jones looked sharper, faster and quicker and even lowered the shoulder to get a few more inches...:laugh2: (pun intended)

 

[tunahelper]

One game folks is not enough to make a judgement call.

Barber looked better last year during the regular season, so we shall see?

 

[stealth]

I, on the other hand, saw nothing I had not seen from Thompson. He just looks bigger. Still no wiggle or make-em-miss. Just like on kickoffs, he seems to be a striaght line speed guy with the inability to stop/start/change direction effectively enough to produce consistently on this level. Remember, his was mop-up duty and he still didn't "shine."

I disagree completely he cut back a few times showed some hesitation for a hole to open up and all and all looked nothing like he has in the past.

 

[iceberg]

Come on, someone hit us with a "but Bill would have ruined Jackson too"

i hated bill as our coach.

i hate all the whining after he's gone even more. he IS gone, let it go.

 

[dargonking999]

i hated bill as our coach.

i hate all the whining after he's gone even more. he IS gone, let it go.

Never,

Cause i refuse to let you go

If i have to whine and moan

about your failures

I don't mind cause it means that much to me

aint to proud to whinneee

Sweet darling, please listen to me girl

Aint to proud to moooaann, baby, baby

please listen to me girl


Hmm, just not quite the catch, i should use different words, but im creativly challenged.

 

[AbeBeta]

i hated bill as our coach.

i hate all the whining after he's gone even more. he IS gone, let it go.

Well, the whining is fine if the players are right. But if they still suck then Bill needs to send them a mirror.

 

[WoodysGirl]

to think we passed up on stephen jackson a few years ago to get jjones. i think everyone agrees that we do need to address RB and WR in the next draft if not FA.

I still think it was a good trade. However, up until last year, his numbers weren't all that impressive. If Stephen puts up the same numbers as last year or better, then I'll consider him a top back. He's good, but I don't see "great" in him.

 

[QT]

Don't worry guys, we got Marcus Spears along with JJ instead of SJackson.

 

[JonJon]

In pre-season games, you can't focus on the stats -- a good performance for most starting backs who run 20 time a game might involve 15 short runs for about 50 yards and 5 longer runs that get another 50. Pre-season games don't give backs enough carries to see that.

It is far better to see if guys are playing to their ability. I saw Jones doing what he needs to do to be successful and Barber doing a little too much dancing. Jones looked like a back who knew how he needed to play whereas Barber looked like a guy who was trying to play like Julius.

I agree. What Barber lacks in speed, he makes up for in explosiveness, but his explosiveness is negated with all that dancing around...like someone said, he just needs to hit the hole hard and good things will happen because of his style. And stop watching film of Barry Sanders.

 

[LayingTheWood31]

Im sorry i disagree with most of you on here. i am a die hard cowboys fan, but i just dont like JJ at all. although he may be faster, the guy goes down on first contact,and as a fan watching that it makes me sick. Ive been campaiging for MB3 to be our starter since i first saw him run. i like his hard nose style and even when he loses yards it not on the first guy to hit him. And as for JJ being a home run threat, when was the last time he hit the homerun? its been a while. I really feel MB3 is the guy we need in the backfield he will get 3 to 4 everyplay and he might not break it all the way but if he gets through that first line hes going to lower the shoulder and lay the boom for some extra yards. He would be a great compliment to help our passing game even more. bottom line is MB3 is the key to a top 3 offense.