So I heard Barber will start

[sonnyboy]

Because it implies Felix will be on the bench about 60% (between the downs that Barber and Choice end up playing) of the plays which is a big mistake. This offense is much better with Felix on the field even if it is only for play action pass.

This FO is just so hesitant to put in the younger player. It is the one thing that sickens me about the current coaching staff. Their hand has to be forced to a ridiculous extent to play the young guy. It almost doesn't matter who has more to contribute on the football field. At almost every position we have the older guy starts - end of story. Meanwhile players like Free, Ogletree and Felix (previously Miles) were underused.

Hopefully the roster is cleared of the inferior vets before the start of next season for the good of the team.

You're right, but there's nothing special about our staff, NFL staffs are conservative by nature all fans of all teams have the same complaint.

 

[sonnyboy]

At best I see a 50:50 distribution with Barber starting.

Not sure sure about that. Barber is still "questionable". I'd guess 2 to1 for Felix in this game.

 

[sonnyboy]

No, it is a lack of courage from up top.

I know you're not referring to Jerry. There's no bigger fan of Felix.

 

[TooStupid]

If Felix doesn't get 2/3rds of the carries, something is wrong tomorrow. I want to see the ball in his hands 15-20 times.

I see your point but I still feel against a physical defensive line we need to see our physical running back to ware them down for the home run hitter. And like i said i think Barbers gonna bring alot to the table getting to play in a playoff game in his home state. Just my opinion though

 

[WoodysGirl]

If Felix doesn't get 2/3rds of the carries, something is wrong tomorrow. I want to see the ball in his hands 15-20 times.

15 carries makes it likely there will be a 50:50 run distribution. A couple of passes and kick returns and there's your 15-20 times. It doesn't take away from what Barber can contribute.

I do find it interesting that it's only been two years since the argument was Barber over Julius. Now it's Felix over Barber. In two years, it will [insert name] over Felix.

 

[sonnyboy]

I want to see Felix lined up with Barber in the backfield, then have him go in motion as a WR. That would be a major headache for the D to matchup against, especially switching on the fly!

I've been lobbying for this since the off season.

I'm certain Barber could be an outstanding FB. So much of his game/skill set screams FB.

Barber and Jones could be an awesome backfield combo.

 

[craig71]

I think part of the logic for starting Barber is that he sets up Felix for success.The running game is about match-ups and angles,the defense can't use the same angles they take on Barber to take down Felix.When a defense sees a slower power back a few series in row they get into a rhythym,you pop in a speed back and that rhythym is interupted and it can cause problems.


Craig

 

[big dog cowboy]

Why do we cares so much about who starts?

Great question. I don't care but some are obsessed.

 

[TD-33]

Some guys like MBIII and Colombo have intangibles that the stats don't measure like confidence and emotional leadership. It's not like they are scrubs either. :laugh2:

 

[Hostile]

Some guys like MBIII and Colombo have intangibles that the stats don't measure like confidence and emotional leadership. It's not like they are scrubs either. :laugh2:

Not to mention the fact their teammates feed off of them and have openly admitted as much.

 

[Boyzmamacita]

Never underestimate the power of a homecoming. Assuming Barber is healthy enough to be out there, he is a beast when motivated. It pumps up the whole team. We need that, especially on the road with a loud crowd. Felix will get plenty of carries. Contrary to what a lot of posters think, Garrett is not dumb.

 

[KJJ]

So I just heard on the radio that Barber practiced and is supposed to start. Why dont we just go with the hot hand?


Something about having Felix on the bench and someone else taking those carries just doesnt seem right.

If the Cowboys were smart they would save Barber for the second half. His knee hasn't been right all year it's just going to end up flaring up again and he'll be out of the game. He's not very affective unless he's 100%.

 

[DallasEast]

Why do we cares so much about who starts?

Because if the coaches strategy works, some will still be pissed.

 

[Boyzmamacita]

If the Cowboys were smart they would save Barber for the second half. His knee hasn't been right all year it's just going to end up flaring up again and he'll be out of the game. He's not very affective unless he's 100%.

Wasn't it his hamstring early on? I thought the knee (bursa sac) was something new.

 

[Eskimo]

I see your point but I still feel against a physical defensive line we need to see our physical running back to ware them down for the home run hitter. And like i said i think Barbers gonna bring alot to the table getting to play in a playoff game in his home state. Just my opinion though

You can't run through the Williams'. Barber couldn't do it in his prime and he sure as heck isn't going to do it now. You have to run around those two, end of story. There is no way Barber is a better choice to run against this run defense.

I'm not saying inactivate Barber. But I am saying that Felix should be getting the bulk of the snaps and carries - we are just a better team that way.

 

[Eskimo]

15 carries makes it likely there will be a 50:50 run distribution. A couple of passes and kick returns and there's your 15-20 times. It doesn't take away from what Barber can contribute.

I do find it interesting that it's only been two years since the argument was Barber over Julius. Now it's Felix over Barber. In two years, it will [insert name] over Felix.

Julius and Barber are JAGs. Julius was a good broken field runner with his speed and stop-start abilities. Barber was a load in the secondary and had a good hopstep move laterally to get to the edge. Neither of them was ever anything more than part of a RB by committee with their rather specialized skills. Barber especially could not be used in anything more than a complimentary nature due to the physical nature of his play.

Felix is a gamebreaking player at RB which is extremely hard to find in the NFL. There are never more than a couple of guys in the league who can break several 40 yard runs a year. He changes the complexion of the game when he is in there. We would be silly to do anything but make him the starter and primary back.

I do see the need for 3 decent RBs with the high rate of injury at the position and the extent we like to practice ball control against some of the opponents we have been playing lately (Philly, Minn, NO) and you need a couple of backs for that at the very least. I just want to make sure that if Barber is starting that we aren't forgetting to get Felix out there a lot.

 

[KJJ]

Wasn't it his hamstring early on? I thought the knee (bursa sac) was something new.

He hurt his quad in week 2 against NY and the bursa sac could be related to that. All I know is he hasn't looked right since that quad injury.

 

[Eskimo]

I've been lobbying for this since the off season.

I'm certain Barber could be an outstanding FB. So much of his game/skill set screams FB.

Barber and Jones could be an awesome backfield combo.

Barber is too small and the wrong body build for the FB position. He would need to add about 30 pounds and change his body to do it. Besides, you don't pay FBs $7-8M per year.

 

[Eskimo]

He hurt his quad in week 2 against NY and the bursa sac could be related to that. All I know is he hasn't looked right since that quad injury.

It is very likely unrelated.

My guess is he landed awkwardly in practice and caused a reactive bursitis - you see this more around the pointy part of the elbow. The knee actually has four bursa sacs associated with it.

The two most common are called "vicar's knee" and "housemaid's knee" and were named occupationally. There is also the controversial "anserine bursitis" but this isn't really part of the knee.

 

[hutch1254]

I know. Hopefully we're able to run the ball about 35 times and all 3 backs get plenty of work

I think all 3 back will see time. I think we need to continue with mixing up the packages during drives instead of going with a guy one drive and flipping on the next. I'm sure Felix will see more time overall. The news doesn't bother me at all and frankly others shouldn't think the world is ending due to this news.