Why bust on Barber?

[gimmesix]

I will never understand the need on message boards to badmouth one player at a position in order to promote another player at that position.

A good example of this was when fans were talking bad about Jenkins at the beginning of the season in order to build up Scandrick. Then, late in the season, fans were talking bad about Newman in order to build up Jenkins.

We seem to play favorites with our Cowboys instead of appreciating all our players. There is nothing wrong with legitimate criticism, but why do we have to bring down one guy in order to build up another?

That brings me to Barber. Fans want to bench him or trade him because of their favoritism toward Felix Jones and/or Tashard Choice.

What did Barber do to deserve this treatment? He only averaged 4.4 yards per carry during the regular season while being the back the Cowboys called upon primarily in short-yardage situations. He only rushed for almost 1,000 yards (923) on 214 carries. He only rushed for 7 touchdowns in the regular season. He only played with his usual frenetic style that is exciting for us and the team but often leads to injury.

It's amazing that only a couple of seasons ago, fans were singing his praises and looking forward to him being the starter when he averaged 4.8 yards per carry and rushed for 10 touchdowns while subbing with Julius Jones. But now, partly because of his playoff performance while hurt, fans want to get rid of him.

Now, I'm all for the right division of labor at a loaded position, but can we hold off on undermining the play of a player who has been part of the reason for this team's success? It's OK to want more playing time for Felix and even Choice, but can we do so on their own merits not by tearing down Barber?

Thanks

 

[Doomsday]

I wanted MB3 benched because he was obviously not 100% and I didnt think it made any sense to have him out there when he was ineffective when we have two other RBs that are healthy and in Felix Jones' case producing at a high level. Especially when we are talking about a playoff game.

One luxury of having 3 running backs should be the ability to ride the guy who is hot, I didnt feel like Dallas did a good job of recognizing it and taking advantage of it.

As far as trading him goes, I dont see what the point of that is. You arent going to get much for a RB with his miles, so he is more valuable to the team being on the roster then what you can get for him in the draft.

 

[TwoCentPlain]

Because Felix is better.

Because Choice is better.

Because Barber fumbles a lot.

Because Barber can't pick up the short yards when needed.

Because I'm sick of him celebrating after a 6 yd run.

Because I'm tired of patting other teams' players on the helmet at all times.

I'm tired of him not hitting the hole and trying to bust everything outside.

I'm tired of watching him lose yardage.

But, hey, other than that...

 

[chuffly]

Barber's biggest sin is that he has two backups better than him and is therefore overpaid. It's not that he's a bad option, it's just that we have better options that were used less. I don't personally have an issue with Barber though.

 

[texmex]

We just think that Felix Jones and Tashard Choice are better football players.

Both players averaged well over 1 yard per carry than Marion Barber. That's a 25% improvement, which can be significant

 

[gimmesix]

I wanted MB3 benched because he was obviously not 100% and I didnt think it made any sense to have him out there when he was ineffective when we have two other RBs that are healthy and in Felix Jones' case producing at a high level. Especially when we are talking about a playoff game.

One luxury of having 3 running backs should be the ability to ride the guy who is hot, I didnt feel like Dallas did a good job of recognizing it and taking advantage of it.

I have no problem with this line of thinking for the playoff games. Barber was hurt and someone needs to step in in that situation and say we've got to turn to the others. To his credit or the coaches', that was done against Philadelphia after Barber tried to go.

 

[gimmesix]

Because Felix is better.

Because Choice is better.

Because Barber fumbles a lot.

Because Barber can't pick up the short yards when needed.

Because I'm sick of him celebrating after a 6 yd run.

Because I'm tired of patting other teams' players on the helmet at all times.

I'm tired of him not hitting the hole and trying to bust everything outside.

I'm tired of watching him lose yardage.

But, hey, other than that...

See, this is the stuff that's ridiculous.

Choice and Jones play different roles than Barber, it doesn't mean they are better just like it didn't mean that Troy Hambrick was better when he averaged around a yard more per carry as a backup than Emmitt Smith.

Jones brings a different dynamic that Dallas needs on the field, but Barber does the grunt work. He does not fumble any more than any of the others (3 in 116 carries for Jones; 2 in 214 for Barber this year). He's a better short-yardage back than given credit for and the failings he has had aren't all on him. His celebrations are all about him being pumped and excited.

There is just a complete lack of credit and understanding here.

 

[gimmesix]

Barber's biggest sin is that he has two backups better than him and is therefore overpaid. It's not that he's a bad option, it's just that we have better options that were used less. I don't personally have an issue with Barber though.

OK, Felix has absolutely earned his due, but can you really say Choice is better than Barber. Based on what, Choice having a better average as a backup?

He might well be a better player, but what Barber has proved is that he's a very solid starter. We need to be careful not to dismiss that because it's tougher to be a good starter in this league than a good backup.

 

[gimmesix]

We just think that Felix Jones and Tashard Choice are better football players.

Both players averaged well over 1 yard per carry than Marion Barber. That's a 25% improvement, which can be significant

You've got to look at their roles. How many times did Barber get the ball in goal-line or short-yardage situations compared to the others? How many times did he get it when Dallas was trying to run out the clock in comparison?

If their roles continue to be the same, he's going to have a lesser average than the others, but what he provides is just as important.

 

[blindzebra]

You've got to look at their roles. How many times did Barber get the ball in goal-line or short-yardage situations compared to the others? How many times did he get it when Dallas was trying to run out the clock in comparison?

If their roles continue to be the same, he's going to have a lesser average than the others, but what he provides is just as important.

The problem is he isn't playing well in that role. He is running less and less like Barber and more and more like Hambrick. He's gets happy feet and starts bouncing east/west. We need him all north/south.

 

[gimmesix]

The problem is he isn't playing well in that role. He is running less and less like Barber and more and more like Hambrick. He's gets happy feet and starts bouncing east/west. We need him all north/south.

I don't believe he's running any different than he was when fans were clamoring for him. He's always had a tendency to bounce things and not trust his blocking very well (which has worked well for him at times and poorly at other times).

Again, his average was 4.4 ypc compared to 4.8 when he was "running like Barber."

I believe those short-yardage plays he failed to convert skew people's view of how well he played for us overall this season.

 

[Thomas82]

Barber's biggest sin is that he has two backups better than him and is therefore overpaid. It's not that he's a bad option, it's just that we have better options that were used less. I don't personally have an issue with Barber though.

We just think that Felix Jones and Tashard Choice are better football players.

Both players averaged well over 1 yard per carry than Marion Barber. That's a 25% improvement, which can be significant

 

[Frosty]

Its obvious that Barber is not a 16 game starter in this league. Dallas did the same stupid mistake it did with Julius Jones, gave him the starter role... as both MB3 and JJ failed to succeed /stay healthy for 16 games. MB3 is a great roll player but is paid like a starter. The coaches are trying to get their money's worth out of the player...But again, the project failed, just like Hamlins, and Newmans monster contracts that have come back to bite the Cowboys.....

MB3 should be a traded while his stock has value or used primarily in the red zone, I would push for the trade...no need for 3 RB's.. I'll take youth and fresh legs over beat-up and injury-prone and over paid.

 

[blindzebra]

I don't believe he's running any different than he was when fans were clamoring for him. He's always had a tendency to bounce things and not trust his blocking very well (which has worked well for him at times and poorly at other times).

Again, his average was 4.4 ypc compared to 4.8 when he was "running like Barber."

I believe those short-yardage plays he failed to convert skew people's view of how well he played for us overall this season.

So we all imagined him being below 4 YPC in 8 of 15 games with 3 more games where he was over because YPC was skewed by 30+ yard runs?

Or we missed him being below 4 YPC when we are ahead?

Or that whopping 2.5 YPC inside the 20?

 

[gimmesix]

Its obvious that Barber is not a 16 game starter in this league. Dallas did the same stupid mistake it did with Julius Jones, gave him the starter role... as both MB3 and JJ failed to succeed /stay healthy for 16 games. MB3 is a great roll player but is paid like a starter. The coaches are trying to get their money's worth out of the player...But again, the project failed, just like Hamlins, and Newmans monster contracts that have come back to bite the Cowboys.....

MB3 should be a traded while his stock has value or used primarily in the red zone, I would push for the trade...no need for 3 RB's.. I'll take youth and fresh legs over beat-up and injury-prone and over paid.

What about 4.4 yards per carry as a starter makes paying Barber a stupid mistake? How high do we set the bar in Dallas?

I can't understand why so many dismiss a very good year overall by a starting running back because he was injured in the playoffs or failed on some high-profile short-yardage plays.

Are we so sure those fresh legs can replace what Barber gives us? Be careful what you wish for.

 

[Cover 2]

OK, Felix has absolutely earned his due, but can you really say Choice is better than Barber. Based on what, Choice having a better average as a backup?

He might well be a better player, but what Barber has proved is that he's a very solid starter. We need to be careful not to dismiss that because it's tougher to be a good starter in this league than a good backup.

Choice wasn't a backup against the Steelers. Now I'll give you that he was fresh from sitting for most of the season, and the Steelers starters weren't the same way, so he did look better because of that.

I "bust" on Barber because I think he's misused. He needs to go back to the closer role where he is more effective. I would like to see Barber close the halves out, and also be put in on certain 3rd downs where his pass protection could come in handy. I like Barber, but he is our least effective back currently.

Just because I think Felix and Choice are better doesn't mean I dislike Barber. I just think they are a better option.

 

[gimmesix]

Or that whopping 2.5 YPC inside the 20?

So he averaged 5.2, 4.3 and 4.7 on plays outside of the 20, and 2.5 on plays inside the 20? Hmm, I wonder what could have caused that or skewed his average in some of those games.

And isn't it strange how long runs skew every running backs average? Take away Choice's two runs over 30 yards and his average suddenly drops to 3.98 per carry.

Plus, every back has games where the defense limits them. Choice rushed for 2.3 yards per carry against Denver, and that was one of only two games where he received more than 10 carries.

I'm not busting on Choice by the way. I like him, just like I like our other backs and think we're in a good situation having all three of them.

 

[gimmesix]

Choice wasn't a backup against the Steelers. Now I'll give you that he was fresh from sitting for most of the season, and the Steelers starters weren't the same way, so he did look better because of that.

I "bust" on Barber because I think he's misused. He needs to go back to the closer role where he is more effective. I would like to see Barber close the halves out, and also be put in on certain 3rd downs where his pass protection could come in handy. I like Barber, but he is our least effective back currently.

Just because I think Felix and Choice are better doesn't mean I dislike Barber. I just think they are a better option.

I don't disagree on Barber having a specific role on this team, but I would have to argue with him being our "least effective back." He scored seven touchdowns for us. Do we know that Choice or Jones could have scored in those situations? Effectiveness is not just measured by average per carry.

 

[Dave_in-NC]

Choice wasn't a backup against the Steelers. Now I'll give you that he was fresh from sitting for most of the season, and the Steelers starters weren't the same way, so he did look better because of that.

I "bust" on Barber because I think he's misused. He needs to go back to the closer role where he is more effective. I would like to see Barber close the halves out, and also be put in on certain 3rd downs where his pass protection could come in handy. I like Barber, but he is our least effective back currently.

Just because I think Felix and Choice are better doesn't mean I dislike Barber. I just think they are a better option.

Then you should be "busting" on the coaching staff no?

 

[ThreeSportStar80]

Felix Jones and T-Choice are better fits for the Cowboys offense.