the cure...

[JPostSam]

this team is sick.

can't play tough.

can't keep its mouth shut.

well, that's the diagnosis, right?

here's the cure:

marion barber.

felix jones.

tashard choice.

forget the whining from terrell owens and roy williams. for this team to be a contender, it will have to reshape its identity. well, then, let it rally around the running game.

these guys are young. they are talented. they are humble. they put the team first.

they shut up and play. they shut. up. and. play.

heck, throw jason witten in there, too. might as well: with a heavy dose of these running backs and half a dozen witten grabs over the middle each game, dallas will send opposing defensive coordinators to trauma therapy.

if i could, i'd make these four my offensive captains for the coming season and direct all media inquiries to them.

...note something else: injuries hampered this group last season. if they can stay out of the training room this coming season, the cowboys are easily good for two or three more wins.

sure, there is plenty to worry about with this team, but having these guys back at full strength is reason enough to feel optimistic about 2009.

 

[HanD]

I really hope JG pounds teams with these 3 guys next year. we have the OL for it and will wear teams down playing this type of game. take pressure off of romo to carry the whole offense on his arm and force plays. protect the defense from getting worn down.

 

[CF74]

30+ touches per game, 10 minimum each:a-team:

 

[Hostile]

I like this thread. Power football. Attitude football. Leave your skirt at home football.

 

[BotchedLobotomy]

There is no cure for cancer.

 

[HanD]

I like this thread. Power football. Attitude football. Leave your skirt at home football.

smashmouth at it's best

 

[jday]

I like it. I love it. I want some more of it. And I don't even like country music.

But to take this thread in a different direction, how do we get the most out of all three players?

Personally, I see us using Barber exclusively deep into the 1st quarter and to close the 4th quarter. When the defense is sucking wind, I alternate Felix and Choice to keep the defense guessing until we are ready to put an exclamation mark on the game. Granted, Barber might not be happy with this type of role, but even he, I'm sure, could see the benefit of this approach. In his backup role of 2007, he was effective because he was always running on fresh legs when he came in. That's the Barber this team needs to see again.

 

[DallasEast]

There is no cure for cancer.

Can't we try irradiating the heck out of it first?!?

Just kidding.

 

[zrinkill]

this team is sick.

can't play tough.

can't keep its mouth shut.

well, that's the diagnosis, right?

here's the cure:

marion barber.

felix jones.

tashard choice.

forget the whining from terrell owens and roy williams. for this team to be a contender, it will have to reshape its identity. well, then, let it rally around the running game.

these guys are young. they are talented. they are humble. they put the team first.

they shut up and play. they shut. up. and. play.

heck, throw jason witten in there, too. might as well: with a heavy dose of these running backs and half a dozen witten grabs over the middle each game, dallas will send opposing defensive coordinators to trauma therapy.

if i could, i'd make these four my offensive captains for the coming season and direct all media inquiries to them.

...note something else: injuries hampered this group last season. if they can stay out of the training room this coming season, the cowboys are easily good for two or three more wins.

sure, there is plenty to worry about with this team, but having these guys back at full strength is reason enough to feel optimistic about 2009.

Great great post.

Punch the other team in the mouth and dare them to stop you ...... I love it.

 

[Woods]

I'd add bringing in a top FB as well to the mix.

 

[dillinger319]

Im all for this just as long as its not out of the shotgun and that dang draw play they do isnt the only one in the play book... I swear everytime they ran that play the defense knew it was coming...

 

[jday]

Imagine this:

A full house set that featured all three backs. Can you imagine the panic that would inspire in opposing defenses. Misdirections, draws, screens, and reverses; the coaches could have way too much fun with that alignment.

 

[AMERICAS_FAN]

the cure...

Answer: What is a queery band from the 80s!

Alex, what has AMERICAS_FAN won?

:laugh2:

 

[AsthmaField]

Personally, I see us using Barber exclusively deep into the 1st quarter and to close the 4th quarter. When the defense is sucking wind, I alternate Felix and Choice to keep the defense guessing until we are ready to put an exclamation mark on the game. Granted, Barber might not be happy with this type of role, but even he, I'm sure, could see the benefit of this approach. In his backup role of 2007, he was effective because he was always running on fresh legs when he came in. That's the Barber this team needs to see again.

Here is what I wrote about this subject in another thread. Right or wrong, that's how I think it needs to be done:

I've said it before and I'll say it again here: Barber shouldn't be starting, he should be coming in later like he did in '07 and '06.

I really, really wanted the Cowboys to start Barber after about mid-season in 2007. Julius Jones just wasn't getting the job done and I felt like every carry Julius got was a wasted play. In that case, starting Barber was the correct thing to do, IMO, and as the playoff game against the Giants showed, it was better than starting Julius.

However, Tashard Choice isn't Julius Jones. Choice is a much, MUCH better back and he can and will make far more big plays than Julius. Choice has instincts, vision and balance that Julius can only dream about. He has much more wiggle than Barber and can take a pounding much more easily than Felix Jones. In other words... Barber is better than Julius as a starting RB, but Choice is better than Barber as a starting RB.

Speaking of Felix... he is a phenom and he's going to get his plays (if the coaches are smart). He's going to be brought in for 10 or so touches every game where he will get a chance to make some big plays. So, IMO the only question is; who should start, Choice or Barber?

To me, the answer is an easy one. Let Choice be our every down back, let Barber relieve Choice in the closer role that he so excels in, and let Felix be the guy that comes in and out throughout the game. That is the option that makes the most sense. Barber is terrific in that role and the spark and enthusiasm that his style brings to the team is invaluable. Choice is a great all-around back that can do whatever the team needs him to. Felix will bring the big play ability and spark, no matter who starts the game.

So, by letting Choice start, Barber finish, and Felix come in throughout... I think Dallas would have the best RB group in the NFL. It's the only way to maximize both Choice, who deserves a big workload, and Barber, who's style works best as a closer. Whichever back is having a good day against that week's opponent should get to stay in the game until the other team proves they can stop him.

And of course we need to work Felix until he's ready to drop. At RB... split out in the slot... however. Give him all he can handle.

 

[AMERICAS_FAN]

Imagine this:

A full house set that featured all three backs. Can you imagine the panic that would inspire in opposing defenses. Misdirections, draws, screens, and reverses; the coaches could have way too much fun with that alignment.

Yeah, and T.O. can print a new T-Shirt for it, called the iBone (as in the new I-Bone formation). :laugh2:

 

[AsthmaField]

Yeah, and T.O. can print a new T-Shirt for it, called the iBone (as in the new I-Bone formation). :laugh2:

If we did what this thread is implying... it would say iBored... or simply i#$%@$%#.

 

[jday]

Here is what I wrote about this subject in another thread. Right or wrong, that's how I think it needs to be done:

Sounds good, for the most part. But since Choice didn't get an extended look this year as a primary back, I'm a little reluctant to designate him as the starter just yet.

I guess my biggest problem is he hasn't proven that he can maintain that intensity for a complete game throughout an entire season. The difference between Barber and Choice last year was the fact that Barber had been featured in every game in one capacity or another and was injured when Choice came in. At the point in the season, he was fresh compared to most players. His season was just beginning.

The reason I like Barber opening is the defenses angle of pursuit. If you start the slower guy and allow the defense to assess their angle of pursuit to him, when you introduce the faster players, their angles of pursuit have to adjust out and if they underadjust, it may lead to a touchdown. If your faster player starts, the defense angle of pursuit is an over-compensation, which may lead to more yards, but, at least, they'll be waiting on him when he gets there.

 

[JPostSam]

If we did what this thread is implying... it would say iBored... or simply i#$%@$%#.

all three backs can make plays on the ground and in the air. we all heard their teammates say how these guys electrified the team and gave everyone a boost with their play. personally, i thought some of those hard-fought runs were some of the most exciting plays of the season.

other than that, the running game opens up those big passes down the field. it helps tony romo by slowing the defense down. and it helps the defense by keeping the opponents' offense on the sideline.

i'm not talking about 3 yards and a cloud of dust, over and over.

i'm talking about, instead of forcing the ball to owens all game long, sending three good backs at the defense from all over the place, so that the defense will be softened up by the time owens goes across the middle on a slant or miles austin goes racing down the sideline.

and i'm talking about drawing inspiration from the work ethic of some humble, nose-to-the-grindstone guys -- instead of guys who make t-shirts and workout videos or guys who shoot up night clubs.

but, you know, if you can't relate to that...

 

[Arch Stanton]

this team is sick.

can't play tough.

can't keep its mouth shut.

well, that's the diagnosis, right?

here's the cure:

marion barber.

felix jones.

tashard choice.

forget the whining from terrell owens and roy williams. for this team to be a contender, it will have to reshape its identity. well, then, let it rally around the running game.

these guys are young. they are talented. they are humble. they put the team first.

they shut up and play. they shut. up. and. play.

heck, throw jason witten in there, too. might as well: with a heavy dose of these running backs and half a dozen witten grabs over the middle each game, dallas will send opposing defensive coordinators to trauma therapy.

if i could, i'd make these four my offensive captains for the coming season and direct all media inquiries to them.

...note something else: injuries hampered this group last season. if they can stay out of the training room this coming season, the cowboys are easily good for two or three more wins.

sure, there is plenty to worry about with this team, but having these guys back at full strength is reason enough to feel optimistic about 2009.

I'm on board. Is that you Mickey Spags? LOL

 

[Vintage]

The Problem?

The Cure