Spears and Jones

[Bigdog]

I really don't like to bash players but these two guys were very critical of how Parcells used them last year and could not wait to prove to everybody their talent. I have seen nothing spectacular from them and their back-ups have done a better job. I just wish guys will just shut up an play. Roy Williams said that he was not upset that he was pulled out on passing plays. He appears to know his limitations.

Also why did we call Jones's number on the 4th and 2 during the open drive of the 2nd half and not Barber? I was happy that they went for it but was extremely shocked that Julius got the ball. I hope that Jerry does not trade away the two number ones for McFadden. I think those picks can be used for other positions of need. Plus there should be some very good RBs that will fall to the Cowboys and Barber can handle the load.

Just my two cents.

 

[kiheikiwi]

Wasn't shocked that Jones was in there for the play, it was his rotation. It was the play that was called that shocked me, if we were going to use Jones I thought a dump off into the flats or a screen - not just a run up the guts.
But hey, that was just one play, and Garrett has been calling the games pretty damm well.
I would not give up everything for McFadden. I like Stewert from Oregon for size, but not sure how fast he is - imagine Barber and Stewert together.

 

[QT]

I'm ok with Jones. The two RB load is working. If it aint broke, don't fix it.
Spears on the other hand is a wasted #1. I have been bashing him since he was drafted.

 

[Hoofbite]

I'm ok with Jones. The two RB load is working. If it aint broke, don't fix it.
Spears on the other hand is a wasted #1. I have been bashing him since he was drafted.

I like that idea of the RB as well. The system as a whole is working so why tinker with it?

But at the same time its so painfully obvious that the system is only working because Barber is the system. If you were to just find someone who can pair with barber and hold their own the running game would be much much better.

 

[LarryCanadian]

I have a bit of a different take.

I think Spears is coming on and improving. He's making plays. He's been solid in the run game all along, now he's getting more pressure on QB, making tackles in the back field, and batting balls down. He's more active. His body type is very thick. He will never be a speed rusher. Looking at him and Hatcher they are two entirely different bodies. I actually wonder if Spears could gain another 20-30 pounds of combo muscle/fat and be converted into an unmoveable Nose Tackle. Either way, he gets more time from me, and I didn't think he was living up to 1st round status until mid-season this year but he's really coming on.

Jones is another matter. I like the rotation. I like how Barber and Jones complement each other. With his contract up though, I think Jones can be upgraded. He is very quick and cuts well, but he isn't strong enough and isn't showing enough vision. He was better 3 years ago, which means he is regressing. He's a running back that isn't getting better. Spears is a DE in a 3-4 (so he isn't suppossed to get 10 sacks) who is still showing improvement.

As for the 4th and 2. I don't blame Julius as much as I blame the coaches for calling his name. It's not his strength. He's a decent back, but I think the team can add a star running back whose style can still be used in a very complementary fashion with Marion Barber. If Jones' contract wasn't up, I'd never cut him and I would keep the 2 headed dragon as we have it, EVEN if we drafted a 3rd back to groom. But, his contract is up and I think we can upgrade the position. I also think the writing is on the wall and Thompson is gone, so we need to draft a back anyway.

My hope is that unless Jones is willing to stay for cheap (which I highly doubt), we need to draft a running back as well as grab a savy veteran maybe who is at end of his career but can still move a pile on occassion. A guy that is an injury back up. Someone like Eddie George was for us, but hopefully who ends up having more tread on the tires than George did. I think RB's can be drafted, especially if you aren't looking for the everydown back like Emmitt was.

LarryCanadian

 

[ZeroClub]

LarryCanadian, nice post!

 

[Idgit]

Both of these guys have played decently, and both are ok guys and good teammates by all accounts. Neither has opened their mouth about anything since early in the season.

If you don't like to bash players, why start this thread now, at 11-1 and just after probably the biggest win of the season to-date?

 

[theogt]

LarryCanadian, nice post!

Seconded.

 

[sago1]

Actually I'm think Spears beginning to play pretty good. I don't think he's going anywhere.

 

[jay cee]

Both of these guys have played decently, and both are ok guys and good teammates by all accounts. Neither has opened their mouth about anything since early in the season.

If you don't like to bash players, why start this thread now, at 11-1 and just after probably the biggest win of the season to-date?

Excellent point. And notice how you did not see these Jones Sucks posts much the last 4 weeks when he put up pretty good numbers.

 

[Sarge]

What IS Julius Jones' strength?

 

[dallasfaniac]

What IS Julius Jones' strength?

Being the source of constant debate?

 

[Sarge]

Being the source of constant debate?

Then he's expendable.

 

[Future]

What IS Julius Jones' strength?

Speed, open space. He's had a 20+ yard play like 3 or 4 weeks in a row hasn't he?

 

[dallasfaniac]

Then he's expendable.

I agree. But you could probably say that about 40+ players on our team.

 

[mmohican29]

Spears is fine. He's a bit high priced and not living up to his draft status, but he's a SOLID ballplayer. We could have done much worse IMO (See: Bobby Carpenter).

He's an end that is a good building block of a stout defense, our weakness is still in coverage.

Our pressure is getting closer to where it needs to be. If the refs can take their hand off of the whistle trigger, Ware would be an even bigger factor than he already is. He's been burned I think three times on sacks/sack fumbles by an official who's brain is not as fast as DeMarcus break on the snap.

 

[5mics]

I really don't like to bash players but these two guys were very critical of how Parcells used them last year and could not wait to prove to everybody their talent. I have seen nothing spectacular from them and their back-ups have done a better job. I just wish guys will just shut up an play. Roy Williams said that he was not upset that he was pulled out on passing plays. He appears to know his limitations.

Also why did we call Jones's number on the 4th and 2 during the open drive of the 2nd half and not Barber? I was happy that they went for it but was extremely shocked that Julius got the ball. I hope that Jerry does not trade away the two number ones for McFadden. I think those picks can be used for other positions of need. Plus there should be some very good RBs that will fall to the Cowboys and Barber can handle the load.

Just my two cents.

*yawn.....We're 11-1, just won a BIG game, and secured a playoff spot and THIS is you want to focus on?! PLEASE, keep your $.02

 

[Crown Royal]

I have been a very big detractor of Spears - I felt that up until this season he was average at best, and average wasn't good enough. I think that he started this season this way, but I think he has upgraded himself to adequate. I can live with that now. I don't think he is unexpendable - I think both Canty AND Hatcher are playing better football than he is right now, although Hatcher was pretty close to committing some penalties yesterday on the passer.

 

[FLcowboy]

I really don't like to bash players but these two guys were very critical of how Parcells used them last year and could not wait to prove to everybody their talent. I have seen nothing spectacular from them and their back-ups have done a better job. I just wish guys will just shut up an play. Roy Williams said that he was not upset that he was pulled out on passing plays. He appears to know his limitations.

Also why did we call Jones's number on the 4th and 2 during the open drive of the 2nd half and not Barber? I was happy that they went for it but was extremely shocked that Julius got the ball. I hope that Jerry does not trade away the two number ones for McFadden. I think those picks can be used for other positions of need. Plus there should be some very good RBs that will fall to the Cowboys and Barber can handle the load.

Just my two cents.

Always something to complain about, even after a great win by the Cowboys.

Jones more than likely will be gone, but he does have value in the Cowboys' offense. He isn't a punishing style of runner, but there several examples in the NFL where runners are successful in his mode. My fear is Barber's style is going to9 result in an injury. I pray it doesn't happen, but the Cowboys need to find some running backs in the off season to backup Barber.

 

[Mansta54]

*yawn.....We're 11-1, just won a BIG game, and secured a playoff spot and THIS is you want to focus on?! PLEASE, keep your $.02