Ranking the Cowboy Running Backs

[Gryphon]

Ranking the Cowboy Running Backs


NFC East: Ranking the Running Backs Part 2
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1...g_Backs_Part_2
by Jeff Little (Columnist)
bleacherreport.com
March 22, 2008

Part two of a 32 part series, a running back position analysis of each franchise. This division was won by the Dallas Cowboys with a 13-3 record and home field advantage against their division opponent the New York Giants in the NFC Divisional Playoff game who Dallas defeated twice during the regular season. Dallas was the favorite in the game and was outplayed by the NY Giants to the dismay of the Dallas Cowboys. The Cowboys were outdone by costly penalties. The Cowboys finished with 11 flags thrown their way for 84 yards, many of them came at crucial times. The loss was tough to swallow and adds more fuel to the fire of this heated rivalry. The Cowboys as a team averaged 154 yards per game which was best in the league.


Dallas Cowboys

Marion Barber 6’ 0” 221 lbs. 204 Att. 975 Yards 4.8 YPC Avg. 10 TD’s (Post-Season 27 Att. 129 Yards 4.8 YPC Avg. 1 TD)

Julius Jones 5’ 11” 211 lbs. 164 Att. 588 Yards 3.6 YPC Avg. 2 TD’s
(Post-Season 3 Att. 8 Yards 2.7 YPC Avg.)

Alonzo Coleman 5’ 9” 207 lbs. 1st year player from Hampton

Ronnie Cruz 6’0” 237 lbs. 2nd year player from Northern State

Marion Barber was a Pro Bowl runner last year even though Jones was the starter. He is 24 years old & barring injury will lead the Cowboy rushing attack for the next 3-5years. Julius Jones saw the writing on the wall & walked as a free agent signing a deal with the Seattle Seahawks. The Cowboys have signed two free agents Alonzo Coleman & Ronnie Cruz as depth at the position this offseason. I feel the Cowboys will acquire a running back from this draft. There has been speculation that the Cowboys will attempt to work a trade to move to the top of the draft to select Darren McFadden out of Arkansas. This strikes me as a rumor that got out due to McFadden & owner Jerry Jones both attending the University of Arkansas. The move makes no sense having Marion Barber on the roster. The move would be extremely costly when the team will have several RB choices when selection #22 rolls around. The Cowboys have two 1st round picks and needs at RB & WR. Rashard Mendenhall & Felix Jones are good fits in round one. The Cowboys could look at Jamal Charles, Chris Johnson later in the draft either scenario allows them to continue the league wide trend of a two-headed rushing attack.

The question for the Cowboys: Can they add enough depth at the CB, Safety & WR positions to their solid core talent and match 2007's numbers? Another question would be is Wade Phillips a lame duck coach after 2008?
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[Sarge]

I agree with the "it makes no sense" to move up for McFadden.

 

[Manwiththeplan]

My Rankings for the cowboys RBs:

1.) Marion Barber III

feel free to add any different opinions

 

[DallasEast]

I keep asking myself how much value does Wade Phillips and Jerry Jones placed on Marion Barber as a running back? Do they truly consider him a Pro Bowl level running back capable of carrying practically the full load this season?

Last season, Barber certainly did enough as a backup to argue that he could do the job as a 25+ carry per game running back. If Phillips and Jones feel that he could be, it could decrease the important of using a first-round pick and downgrade a running back selection to the second round. After all, Julius Jones was a second rounder and was used in tandem with Barber. That combination accounted for the best rushing yardage in the league.

But if they decide to veer away from the established formula and seek an upgrade, they won't hesitate on using one or both first rounders at running back. Then, the questions evolve into, "Who is that upgrade?" and "Can we stand pat at the lower third of the first-round to get him?" and finally "When does the need at wide receiver and cornerback supercede that of running back?"

The author mentions Darren McFadden, Rashard Mendenhall, Felix Jones, Jamal Charles and Chris Johnson. McFadden is an upgrade and a no-brainer. It would take a small miracle for him to fall to #22. If Phillips and Jones target him, it will cost us picks and/or players to acquire him.

IMO, Mendenhall is the only other back solidly valued as a first-rounder, but is he seen as an upgrade to Phillips and Jones? I seriously doubt it and if Mendenhall is considered, I think that wide receiver and cornerback move squarely into the equation at #22 as well. Then, best player available will decide who's picked--as it should.

If Jones, Charles and/or Johnson remain on the board and one of them is targeted, I see another Julius Jones scenario where we trade out of the first round with the #28 selection with a team in the top five or ten of the second round. Anything less would be reaching on the part of Phillips and Jones, imo.