This week the red hot Dallas Cowboys (8-4) will face the much improved New Orleans Saints (8-4). It will be a battle of the running games as both teams will showcase their dynamic duos of running backs in Deuce McAllister/Reggie Bush and Julius Jones/Marion Barber. We all know Deuce McAllister has the upper hand over the rookie/USC sensation Reggie Bush, but is Marion Barber a better back than Julius Jones?
If you take a look at the NFC stats you might find Marion Barber on top of the list for TDs. Marion Barber has a knack for finding the endzone this year with a career high 13 touchdowns only through 12 games. He has averaged 5.2 yards per carry, but has been primarily the 3rd down back for the Dallas Cowboys this season. You might ask why he isn’t starting over Julius Jones who only has 3.9 yards per carry and has only scored three times this season. This is why:
First off, Marion Barber is very elusive when running threw traffic and is able to dance his way for extra yards. That being said he is used in short yard situation (some near the endzone) and takes away many touchdowns from the starter Julius Jones. That’s why the touchdown numbers can be misleading.
Second, Julius Jones runs the ball on first and second down almost exclusively. This is when the defenses most likely are ready to stop the run. On third and long plays when the defense is expecting the pass and back in the nickel formation, Barber gets the call and picks up lots of yards.
Third, I feel like if their roles were reversed the Dallas Cowboys running game would suffer. Julius Jones is built to hit the holes and make big plays early in the down, while Marion Barber is a bit tougher and can get the short yardage plays when it counts.
The Dallas Cowboys have been highly successful with their position changes during the season. First it was Romo, second it was Mr. Dramatica (Martin Gramatica was Mr. Dramatica last night!), but a move in running backs wouldn’t help the Dallas Cowboys at all. Right now the combination of Julius Jones and Marion Barber are getting the job done. If it ain’t broke don’t fix it, and this is why I believe the Dallas Cowboys won’t change running backs.
- Big-D Sports
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5 comments:
are you joking! look at it this way, since marion started eating into julius carries a significant amount, our rushing offense has been fantastic, one of the best in the league....think theres soemthing to that?
ok mr sheffey you are correct on this one you make marion the starter and you trade jones for an offensive linemen/draft pick in other news vincente is back w/the rangers and the streak is over but it was a nice comeback effort after being down 30+ how come you never post stars related things...hockey is a sport too
stick with the combo. it is working for the cowboys and i couldn't agree with you more
yeah the cowboys need to stay with what they have
nice blog btw
first very good blog, but i think the cowboys need to use barber more than just third down plays. let him take some of the 2nd or 1st down play and see what happens
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