First, this is a very good problem to have. Second, its easy to see the problem. Its hard to bench Barber when he is such a good runner and has that "knack" for scoring. Also, Barber is much better in pass protection. But Felix has the "wow" factor Barber lacks. Jones is averaging 8.2 ypc. That is certainly deserving of more carries. The tough part is balancing the need for Barber with the raw playmaking ability of Jones.
i disagree that felix has a wow factor that barber lacks. barber running over defenders and stiff arming them to the ground is more of a "wow" to me than felix being able to break a long run with speed. i think the cowboys should look towards getting felix about 10 carries a game along with having him return kickoffs. barber should be around the 20 carry mark per game.
I guess big play ability is more what I meant with "wow." As in one touch, can score. Barber has limited speed and isn't really that kind of threat.
I wouldn't say Barber has limited speed. He definitely has solid speed, he just doesn't have that explosiveness that Felix does. Personally, I think Felix needs to be getting around 15 touches offensively per game, plus kickoff returns. He's been explosive so far, so why not try to get some increased production out of him by giving him the ball more, makes sense to me.
well if we have to take touches away from barber to give them to felix, there is a problem there because barber is the better rb. but like i said before, barber 20 carries and felix 10 carries(and kickoff returns) sounds about right to me. and then receptions just happen when they happen.
They could start by putting them on the field at the same time more often. The article kind of hinted at it, but it makes for some flexibility and versatility. Between the two of them, you have just about every attribute you could want in a running back.
I think Felix is needed, because sooner or later Marion is going to get hurt with his running style. Wear and tear over the season with the way he runs is going to take effect.
Barber def. has average speed (at best) for a RB. Which is ok. His vision, toughness, and cutting ability more than make up for it. But he isn't the explosive player Felix is... the threat to take it the distance every time he touches it. That's all. There is no doubt who the better RB is between the two. Which is why its hard to take Barber out of the game. Rather, this thread is about the need to get an explosive player more touches.
That's the one thing that has surprised me. We haven't used Jones in the passing game much. Of course... the reason for that could be as simple as Barber is the better pass protector, so on passing downs, he's in the game. But I still think we need to use him in the passing offense more. (Though... Barber is an excellent receiver as well). The obvious answer to this problem is.... run the ball more. If we can run the ball like we did against Green Bay, run the ball more. Barber still gets his touches; Felix increases his touches.
I think with our FB injured, we'll see more of that. We haven't seen a lot of that... but I do suspect we will as the season progresses and Felix becomes better adjusted to the offense/the NFL. People said that about Payton too, initially. What people forget... is Barber is the one dishing out the punishment; not taking it. Its rare to see Barber take a square hit. He does a good job of avoiding it. I'm not too worried.
Yea, I was about to add that too. Its the same thing people say about Brandon Jacobs, but Barber's much better at avoiding tackles and his running style allows him to absorb contact better despite not being nearly as big as Jacobs is. I don't think its as big a problem as some people are making it seem.
He's productive, which means, you need to find a way to get him the ball. Marion Barber is one hell of a RB, but Moo, his speed is average at best, Like Vintage posted out. Marion needs to put the team first, which I think he would, so give him around 20-22 carries a game and give Jones 8-10 carries. Jones can also return kicks. Also like Chutney suggested, you can run a 2 RB set.
barber putting the team first isn't an issue. he's always played in a system that rotated rbs. in dallas it was julius. in college at minnesota if was him and maroney. now it's felix.
Yeah, Barber has always put the team first. Last year was a classic example. EVERYONE knew who the better RB was. Julius started. Julius doesn't start the playoff game, he complains. Not a word from Barber all season long.
