Why all the trade Barber talk?

[CowboyMcCoy]

We hear a lot of trade talk about Barber. I just don't see it happening. Here's why.

Barber solidifies the "monster" I don't care what people say about the game and how it has changed with a shift towards high-octane passing, the running-back-by-committee approach still works.

Perhaps the Cowboys use him in the wrong role. And I think his role could be reduced some. But I really just like having all 3 backs. It give us options. The only problem I have is I think we're using the wrong option in the wrong situation. That's something I hope the staff looks at during the off-season. I think we can make this an even more explosive offense than it already is.

But guys like Marion Barber will have to humble himself for this to work. And guys like Marty B will have to step up. I really think he could really help us be one of the better running teams in the league. And while some may say that's not important in today's game, I think it is.

We have a good thing going for us in our running game. I don't have to be AdamJT13 to figure that out. Our ypc averages are through the roof.

Then what happens when Felix goes down and Choice is the only option you've got to lean on? He doesn't strike me as a 30 carries per game kind of guy. He's good, but the NFL has gotten more athletic on defense and we see what happens to most runners if they try to carry to much of the load--they wear down.

Emmitt Smith would target 25-30 yards per game at times. You gotta give it to Emmitt because that can rarely be done with much success in today's game. Most all good teams, even the passing ones, have multiple guys that run the ball well.

Even the Saints did it.

So that is my opinion. However, if someone does get traded (and we know it won't be Felix) then I'm going to be excited to see that guy from USC, who played behind Reggie Bush at USC.

I don't even remember his name.... Someone?

I also believe that we can't afford to waste a draft pick on a RB in this draft. We have too many other needs to fill. And we need to fill in depth behind other areas like defensive tackle and we might need fill in some depth as well along the the offensive line. The cost there is we pay a little more for Barber to have the luxury to fill in depth with talent from the draft. We might even need to even pick up a corner back or two.

But one thing is for sure, why would we need to create another need by trading away depth? That would be stupid.

That just doesn't explain all the talk. Unless we're playing Madden, I'm not sure that trading Barber makes a lot of sense.

 

[Monster Heel]

There is talk about trading him because we have two running backs that are clearly better than him and the Cowboys are handcuffed by his contract. If not for what he's being paid, he would've been largely a pine rider.

 

[BHendri5]

MOney, and the simple fact that Barber is not the same. I have been saying this for 2yrs now, Barber's style has caught up to him, this was confirmed on friday by Robert Jones a former Cowboys LB from the 3 SBs, he stated the same things I have said about Barber and what I said happened to Roy Williams the SS, all the hard hits takes, or has taken a toll on Barber's body after 3yrs of banging like he did it caught up to him.

 

[CowboyMcCoy]

MOney, and the simple fact that Barber is not the same. I have been saying this for 2yrs now, Barber's style has caught up to him, this was confirmed on friday by Robert Jones a former Cowboys LB from the 3 SBs, he stated the same things I have said about Barber and what I said happened to Roy Williams the SS, all the hard hits takes, or has taken a toll on Barber's body after 3yrs of banging like he did it caught up to him.

I'm not sure I buy that. He began the year with a quad injury, if I'm not mistaken.

 

[CF74]

Because he's had two years of fluke injuries and he's deemed to be washed up, plus his contract is kinda steep...

 

[Eskimo]

I'll break it down for you:

1. He is declining in ability

2. He is often injured lately

3. He takes away snaps from Felix and Choice

4. He cannot run with power anymore

5. His balance is quite poor

6. His burst is gone

7. His ability to convert in the red zone and short yardage is much below league average

8. He is expensive and becoming moreso each year.

He might hang on one more year here as it is uncapped but the end is nigh for Barber.

 

[mmillman]

There is talk about trading him because we have two running backs that are clearly better than him and the Cowboys are handcuffed by his contract. If not for what he's being paid, he would've been largely a pine rider.

Having three guys takes away from all three. Jones isn't touching the ball enough. Choice isn't touching the ball enough. Nobody can get into a groove and Barber makes way too much money to be the third best back on the team.

 

[JonJon]

I don't know why either. He was beastin' before that freak injury against the Panthers. He wasn't the same after that, but he is still a very capable back when healthy.

 

[Eskimo]

I don't know why either. He was beastin' before that freak injury against the Panthers. He wasn't the same after that, but he is still a very capable back when healthy.

You're thinking of Felix. He was averaging 9 ypc until the partially tore his PCL in a freak injury when tackled on the sidelines against the Panthers.

Barber got hurt against the Giants in the second game of the year.

 

[JonJon]

You're thinking of Felix. He was averaging 9 ypc until the partially tore his PCL in a freak injury when tackled on the sidelines against the Panthers.

Barber got hurt against the Giants in the second game of the year.

Yep, I stand corrected. Thats the game I was talking about.

 

[big dog cowboy]

However, if someone does get traded (and we know it won't be Felix) then I'm going to be excited to see that guy from USC, who played behind Reggie Bush at USC.

I don't even remember his name.... Someone?

LenDale White?

 

[fan62]

MOney, and the simple fact that Barber is not the same. I have been saying this for 2yrs now, Barber's style has caught up to him, this was confirmed on friday by Robert Jones a former Cowboys LB from the 3 SBs, he stated the same things I have said about Barber and what I said happened to Roy Williams the SS, all the hard hits takes, or has taken a toll on Barber's body after 3yrs of banging like he did it caught up to him.

Wow - we need to replace Coach Wade with Coach Robert Jones!

 

[Cowboys22]

Lots of good points already made but it simply comes down to a simple fact. The longer Barber is kept around, the more likely it is that Choice will not be a longterm Cowboy. I think most fans with an ounce of objectivity can see Barber is on the decline. Can he be useful for a few more years? Sure. Would it be better to have Choice splitting carries with Jones and keep that duo together for the next 5-7 years? Absolutely! If Barber is kept this year, the RB position will remain a strength but his trade value may evaporate if he even has any left at this point. I think Jones and Choice can hold down the RB spot very well and a 2nd-4th round rookie RB that can also return kicks can man the 3rd RB spot. If you can get a 3rd or 4th round pick for him, I say do it while you still can and you have good players to take his spot.

 

[BHendri5]

Wow - we need to replace Coach Wade with Coach Robert Jones!

Wade needs to be replaced period. If you have played football on any level, but we are speaking of the professional level, How many RBs have you known in the NFL that had the style that Barber runs with, how many of them continued their punishing style of running more than 3 or 4 yrs? They may have hung around a few years longer but they were not effective as they were in the begining when they first stepped on the scene.

Why do you think MB3 is injured so often now? His body is beat down, from his style of running.
He was seeking out the defenders to punish them, and it has caught up with him, that is why your former favorite SS is no longer effective in the NFL.

 

[BHendri5]

I'm not sure I buy that. He began the year with a quad injury, if I'm not mistaken.

You are right, but it does not change the fact that his style is not conducive to a very long career and he is now on the decline. He can still be effective if they scale back his role, to say the role that Choice had this past season, but unless they do that, we will not see the MB3 that we loved prior to the 2008 and 2009 seasons.

It is your choice if you want to buy it or not, but it is the a true fact

 

[Jon88]

So Garrett won't be able to ruin drives with him.

 

[CowboyMcCoy]

You are right, but it does not change the fact that his style is not conducive to a very long career and he is now on the decline. He can still be effective if they scale back his role, to say the role that Choice had this past season, but unless they do that, we will not see the MB3 that we loved prior to the 2008 and 2009 seasons.

It is your choice if you want to buy it or not, but it is the a true fact

I agree that if we reduce his workload, he can be come a better player and could have a longer career.

 

[Hostile]

Because it is the off season and every off season we have one player who absolutely needs to be traded and it is Barber's turn because of injuries and the progress of Choice.

Last year it was Anthony Spencer who was traded all the time.

 

[Americas_Team]

If he stays he will have to go back to being a closer and short yardage player. I would start either Choice or Jones and stick Barber in the game late in the 2nd and 4th quarter.

 

[BrassCowboy]

Lots of good points already made but it simply comes down to a simple fact. The longer Barber is kept around, the more likely it is that Choice will not be a longterm Cowboy. I think most fans with an ounce of objectivity can see Barber is on the decline. Can he be useful for a few more years? Sure. Would it be better to have Choice splitting carries with Jones and keep that duo together for the next 5-7 years? Absolutely! If Barber is kept this year, the RB position will remain a strength but his trade value may evaporate if he even has any left at this point. I think Jones and Choice can hold down the RB spot very well and a 2nd-4th round rookie RB that can also return kicks can man the 3rd RB spot. If you can get a 3rd or 4th round pick for him, I say do it while you still can and you have good players to take his spot.

this sums it up about as fair as anyone can.

It is one thing to say MBIII can ride the bench, but he just makes too much money to do that, so he will only take away from better RBs in choice and felix.