What Happened to Julius?

[bbgun]

Remember that screen pass to JJ in the third quarter? He had two blockers in front of him and only one defender in the way. This had "40-yard gain" written all over it. The defender managed to bring him down. Enough.

 

[Rack]

I agree that MBIII is getting more 2nd and 3rd down calls and doing a lot with them. However, I think there is a difference in JJ's running technique. Remember Bill's saying he wanted JJ to "take on" the safety rather than trying to outrun him wide? Well, I think JJ's long runs have been eliminated this season because he runs straight at the safety. If he would make just a little move, I think his yards would go way up.

Sorry, but that's not the "problem".


The problem is JuJo is running into piles and when he does get a hole, he isn't exploding through it like he did earlier in the year.

He hasn't even had many opportunities to "take on the safety".

 

[DallasCowpoke]

WHY is it people are always wanting to change things that are WORKING?!?

:bang2:

 

[AbeBeta]

WHY is it people are always wanting to change things that are WORKING?!?

For many it is because they are more interested in fantasy football than in the real game.

 

[Hoov]

Sorry, but that's not the "problem".


The problem is JuJo is running into piles and when he does get a hole, he isn't exploding through it like he did earlier in the year.

He hasn't even had many opportunities to "take on the safety".

sometimes it seems that barber makes a quicker decision at finding the right hole than jones, rarely see barber tip toe or hesitate back there.

also he doesnt run through or bounce of tacklers like barber so barber can still get something positive when the blocking is not great.

 

[Concord]

What Happened to Julius?

Nothing he's still running into the pile just like always.

 

[Royal Laegotti]

Vision J.J. needs contacts, misses too many holes

 

[Doomsday]

Remember that screen pass to JJ in the third quarter? He had two blockers in front of him and only one defender in the way. This had "40-yard gain" written all over it. The defender managed to bring him down. Enough.

That is the same play I was referring to. He did gain 16 yards on the play but if he had been just a bit more patient and let the block develop he has a chance to take that one to the house.

 

[AbeBeta]

So let me get this straight... it's cuz he's not getting the ball on 2nd down?


So on 1st and 3rd downs he's not allowed to find the hole and explode through it? He can only do that on 2nd downs? Oh... ok.

You missed my point. 2nd and 3rd downs are more advantageous running situations. Julius is performing as well or better in 1st down situations as he did in 2004 and 2005. No change -- or even a change for the better there.

Of course we are arguing different points. You think Julius stinks and I'm providing context for a clearer evaluation of his performance.

 

[burmafrd]

One thing that BP said - JJ is always working the weights; maybe he has lost some quickness and burst. Worrying about getting stronger so as to take the punishment, or something. Also- gomers like Rack and company keep forgetting what BP has said all season long:" JJ is running the way I want him to run."

 

[Hoov]

You missed my point. 2nd and 3rd downs are more advantageous running situations. Julius is performing as well or better in 1st down situations as he did in 2004 and 2005. No change -- or even a change for the better there.

Of course we are arguing different points. You think Julius stinks and I'm providing context for a clearer evaluation of his performance.

i see the point that you are making. however in the past 2-3 games the cowboys have putting barber in the game earlier and giving him more play in the first half and he is doing well. he carried the ball on a first down in the first series for 16 yards yesterday. The arguement that barber goes against a tired defense and gets the call more on 2nd and 3rd down may have been accurate last year and the first few games this year, but the past couple games have shown a different trend. Maybe the difference is that the past few games barber has had more touches early than before and jones hasnt really been able to find his rhythm due to this. some backs seem to really get in a grove in the second half after having 15 or more carries.

 

[wileedog]

Expecting that he'd do the same as the feature back would be unreasonable.

I'm thinking its time to test that theory regardless.

24 yards on 11 carries is not "working". Its 11 wasted carries.

 

[Alexander]

I'm providing context for a clearer evaluation of his performance.

That is a very fancy way of saying you are making an excuse.

Well done.

 

[aikemirv]

That is the same play I was referring to. He did gain 16 yards on the play but if he had been just a bit more patient and let the block develop he has a chance to take that one to the house.

You and BBgun need to watch that play again and watch the blocker whiff, OK!!!

 

[bbgun]

You and BBgun need to watch that play again and watch the blocker whiff, OK!!!

I watched the play. I'm much more concerned with JJ's whiff. This guy requires perfect blocking all the time? Jeez.

 

[dallasfaniac]

I'm thinking its time to test that theory regardless.

24 yards on 11 carries is not "working". Its 11 wasted carries.

Kinda like the 11 for 30 Barber put up last year against the same Giants.

The Giants play the right defense to bottle up someone like Jones, but will have difficulty with Barber.

Jones problem is that he isn't getting the carries at the right times. However, this is about the teams needs and not 1 player on the team. I am thankful that Jones is getting the rest right now because I am looking forward to the post-season.

Both Barber and Jones are good runningbacks but not elite by any means. They each can be effective depending on the defense we play, which is why we see the rotation.

It ain't broke, Parcells doesn't need to listen to a bunch of internet professionals from their Grandma's basement.

 

[AmericasTeam31]

The point is that we see Marion carrying the ball in situations where a back will be more productive. Backs do better on 2nd down and in some 3rd down situations.

Want more?

JJ gets 30% of his carries in the 1st quarter, 23% in the 2nd, 28% in the 3rd, and 19% in the 4th.

MBIII? 6% in the 1st. 26% in the 2nd, 30% 3rd, 39% 4th.

Again, MBIII is getting the ball in advantageous situations. He's going against defenses that are worn down.

I'm not saying MBIII isn't great but we have to temper our evaluation of him in the context of his performances. Expecting that he'd do the same as the feature back would be unreasonable.

Here are some facts to chew on for this analysis....

Cowboys vs. Giants

Barbers carries

1st and 10 - 16yds
2nd and 8 - 5yds
1st and 15 - 7yds
1st and 10 - 7yds
2nd and 3 - 2yds
3rd and 1(next play) - 25yds
1st and 10 - 3yds
1st and goal (2ydl) - no gain
2nd and goal (7ydl) - 7yds TD

This is 9 of his 16 carries, not mentioning the 2 at the end of the game when trying to set up the field goal. Looks very productive on "predictable" running downs. Man alot of people here like to find a reason that he isn't as prodctive as JJ, but the bottom line is when we need it, we go to him and he gets it done. JJ rarely sees the field in the 4th quarter, especially LATE when we need to put it away.

 

[aikemirv]

I watched the play. I'm much more concerned with JJ's whiff. This guy requires perfect blocking all the time? Jeez.

If you want to talk about his patience, thats fine, but pick another play because that blocker was to his left and so was the defender. The blocker whiffed and that defender got him. He went where he should have.