We do have a running game, its name is MARION BARBER!

[TruBlueCowboy]

The offensive line could be better, but stop going so easy on Julius. Many of you are only blaming the offensive line, probably because so many Cowboys fans had already made up their mind that Julius Jones was the next Emmitt Smith last year and were voting him for 1,500 yards this year on those Zone polls.

http://www.nfl.com/players/playerpage/406023/splits/2005
http://www.nfl.com/players/playerpage/492974/splits/2005

1st Down: Barber - 4.1 yards a carry, Julius - 3.4 yards a carry
2nd Down: Barber - 4.1 yards a carry, Julius - 3.7 yards a carry

Instead of letting Jones screw it up on 1st/2nd down and then bringing in Barber on 3rd and short when the run is looking obvious (especially because Barber is brought in), why not just keep him in more through the game? Barber has yet to run for less than 90 yards when he gets 20 or more carries. Can't say that about Julius. Barber already has two games with long runs of over 20 yards. Julius only has one game even with so many more rushing attempts.

When Barber fought for that first down yesterday and rolled over the defenders (the play that was challenged), can you imagine Julius doing that? Instead of admitting Barber is a better goalline runner, 3rd down back, or short yardage runner, how about just admitting that for whatever reason, he is better than Julius this year?

There comes a point when you have to give up on Julius because he ain't coming around and you have to start giving Barber more shots. I still think Julius can be a great runner, and I think many problems are from the blocking, but I feel Barber is a better fit for our struggling run game at this moment. Just my two cents.

 

[Dallas4ever]

I agree that JJ needs to get it in gear, but Denver was crashing our line all day. There were very few gaps in their defense because they were timing our snaps almost to perfection. We couldn't make them respect our passing so they could afford to bring up their DB's too. No back in the league would've done much with their Oline caving in the way ours did today.

 

[TruBlueCowboy]

I agree that JJ needs to get it in gear, but Denver was crashing our line all day. There were very few gaps in their defense because they were timing our snaps almost to perfection. We couldn't make them respect our passing so they could afford to bring up their DB's too. No back in the league would've done much with their Oline caving in the way ours did today.

Not saying I disagree but Barber just looks so much better running after that first hit. Worse moves or better moves than Julius, he fights for that extra yardage. I guess the only thing we have to worry about is it looks like Barber wears down faster than Julius and also has that fumble issue that hasn't become a problem yet but getting me a little nervous. I'm thinking the carries should be at least 50/50 by now and they should put Barber in for more series. Let him be a part of the entire drive.

 

[Dallas4ever]

Barber does do a better job getting the tough yardage. I was wondering why he didn't get back in there today. Our Oline unfortunately will be our downfall this year imo if we don't improve dramatically.

 

[Billy Bullocks]

TBC, i usually silently agree with you, but this time, im against numbers and stats. I think MB3 and JJ will forge a strong Dallas running attack for years to come, but facts are facts, even today, despite numbers you saw, Julius has that somethingl.

 

[burmafrd]

Could it be that the D was worrying about JJ more and concentrating on him more?
Kind of blows your theory out of the water. Stats can be twisted every which way.

 

[TruBlueCowboy]

Could it be that the D was worrying about JJ more and concentrating on him more?
Kind of blows your theory out of the water. Stats can be twisted every which way.

Did you see how many times Denver threatened to blitz and then put everyone back in coverage? Not exactly keying in on the run.

 

[Rack]

Could it be that the D was worrying about JJ more and concentrating on him more?
Kind of blows your theory out of the water. Stats can be twisted every which way.

Only if you're actually right.


Neither one of them had any room to run today. And when you're making Ekuban look like a probowler you know the guy blocking him *cough cough, Petitti, cough* must suck.

Our OL is horrible. We've got one good offensive lineman (Allen) and even he has his stretches where he plays like crap. Rivera is nothing special, but at least he's solid and consistent. Al Johnson, at this point, is average, and both our tackles suck.

 

[TruBlueCowboy]

TBC, i usually silently agree with you, but this time, im against numbers and stats. I think MB3 and JJ will forge a strong Dallas running attack for years to come, but facts are facts, even today, despite numbers you saw, Julius has that somethingl.

I think JJ is a special guy too, I'd just like to see Barber get more carries right now. Whatever the reason, offensive line, injuries to Julius, Barber just seems to get a yard or two more out of some of those tough run plays, and the main reason to play Julius is gone because he's no longer that home run hitter.

 

[diehard2294]

The difference I see between them right now is Barber runs harder. JJ seems to go down easily this year at first contact,where Barber will drive his legs and make something out of nothing. Just like the 3rd and short where he squirmed to get the first. The OL needs help though big time.

 

[Cbz40]

My problem with all three of our RBs, to put it simply, they can't make anyone miss.

 

[Redball Express]

He's got the speed to get thru some of those holes the other backs can't hit and he's also got exceptional speed if they can get him in the open field.

I mentioned in another thread..Thompson came in and posted 75 yards in the second half against the Iggles in the first game when Julius went down and he moved the chains well.

Other than a handful of carries against Seattle, he's otherwise sat.

We need to give Thompson the ball for about 20+ carries and let's see what he does.

Time to take the diapers off..IMO.

He's not going to do worst than JJ right now and MBIII is OK, but he's not the threat to take it all the way Thompson is.

You can always go back to MBIII and Julius in the remaining games if Thompson doesn't play well.

But I think we need to prepare Thompson this next week to start, install plays that he runs well and passing plays out of the backfield that get him open down field and change the offensive attack up some...especially running the ball.

parcellswaterboy

 

[Hollywood Henderson]

IMHO JJ is clearly the better runner, much better speed...However he rarley had any holes and was often crushed by big hits....

The oline is average and our play calling seems to be a good only 1/4 of the time as well...

Johnson & Rivy don't get a push on anyone, Tucker & Rob have lapses where they struggle vs the pass and LA isn't quite LA anymore...

Thats why we need our D to be unleashed & win games...

 

[dbair1967]

My problem with all three of our RBs, to put it simply, they can't make anyone miss.

JJ makes people miss...its the only reason he ended up wiht the rushing yds he had

and its why he's getting most of the carries again...Barber is more of a straight ahead type runner that does need some blocking to at least get going, whereas while Jones will be stopped alot with poor blocking he does have the ability to make a couple guys miss here or there and make some positive yds

David

 

[dch24]

What continues to amaze me is our fans obviously do not watch our O-Line play at all. We cannot handle a blitz at all. L. Allen as much as I like and respect his career here takes plays off like he did in the first quarter yesterday. Our backs have no chance on play after play. In short the O-Line has to be the # 1 priority this off season plus adding a replacement for K.Davis and getting another linebacker.

 

[AmericasTeam31]

My problem with all three of our RBs, to put it simply, they can't make anyone miss.

How many guys did Dayne "make miss" though. How many guys does Bettis make break their ankles? NONE. The problem isn't that JJ doesn't make a guy miss this year, it's that he can't run through them, and Barber seems to be doing that. Personally I'd like to see Barber more involved in the run game, esp. outside of the tackles. BTW did we run any draws yesterday? The way they were sending all the pressure to the outside edges, wouldn't it make sense to let them come up field, and run right by them in the middle?