09-21-2007, 11:02 AM
|
#1 (permalink)
|
|
Both of them
Join Date: Sep 2006
Posts: 10,225
|
Cowboys' Jones, Barber thriving as duo
Cowboys' Jones, Barber thriving as duo | Dallas Morning News | News for Dallas, Texas | SportsDay: Football: Cowboys
Quote:
Only a brain rotted by years of fantasy football would look at the Cowboys backfield and think something is wrong.
It's true the Cowboys don't have a lead back to consume the carries and adulation. But this team does lead the NFL in scoring as it enters Sunday's game in Chicago. If you combine the yards gained by Julius Jones and Marion Barber, the Cowboys four-legged back ranks second only to Denver's Travis Henry in rushing.
Still, with each touchdown he scores, with each joyous romp downfield or helmet-ejecting run into the heart of the defense, the feeling grows that Barber needs to get more touches.
Wade Phillips is sensitive to this mounting perception outside his team. That's why the Cowboys coach redirected the conversation to Jones earlier in the week after fielding three consecutive questions about Barber's style and effectiveness.
Dividing the workload between Jones and Barber is just part of the equation. The coaching staff must also balance egos and divide praise to make this arrangement work. Phillips is conscious of that responsibility.
"Sure I am," Phillips said. "Why wouldn't I be?
"I mean, this is our football team. All of these guys are important to me. I believe that, not because I'm trying to help one guy or whatever. I believe our football team is awfully good the way we're doing it and I believe in Julius just as much as I believe in Marion.
"That's where we are."
The model isn't unique. More and more teams are employing this division of labor in the backfield.
The benefits are apparent. One is that it helps keep the backs fresh.
Cowboys running backs Julius Jones (left) and Marion Barber have combined to rush for 252 yards in two games.
AP
Cowboys running backs Julius Jones (left) and Marion Barber have combined to rush for 252 yards in two games.
Use Barber as an example. He's carried the ball 25 times this season for an average of 6.2 yards a carry. Would his average remain that high if he carried the ball 25 times a game for an entire season?
Barber's aggressive style is aesthetically pleasing. But at 6-0, 221 pounds, there's a question as to how he would hold up over the course of the season as a lead back.
That doesn't mean he wouldn't hold up. But with a 1,000-yard rusher in Jones, it lessens the need or desire to find out. Remember, Jones rushed for 150 yards and two touchdowns against Chicago the last time these teams met.
Another benefit of the Jones/Barber arrangement is that it forces defenses to spend more time in preparation.
Bears linebacker Brian Urlacher describes Jones as "a straight-ahead speed guy." He labels Barber as a more patient, cut-back runner. That alters how the defense attacks.
The Cowboys also use both players differently in the passing game.
"I definitely think it's an adjustment if the running backs are different types of runners," Chicago coach Lovie Smith said. "Barber and Jones both do a lot of things well. Both have good hands. Both are powerful runners with speed. It would be hard for me to say which one is best or any of that. Both of them give you a lot of problems.
"If you have two good players who can get the job done, to me, it's about letting them both play. Get their carries, get their touches on the ball, and everyone is happy.
"Guys just want to be involved and get their opportunities to play."
The Cowboys are monitoring those opportunities.
Running backs coach Skip Peete charts how many touches each back has during the course of the game. Jones and Barber know they'll get the ball more if they're on a roll. Otherwise, the Cowboys and offensive coordinator Jason Garrett are committed to keeping those touches close.
"I think they're both very, very conscientious guys and they're both very proud individuals and they push each other," Peete said of Jones and Barber. "If one does something, I think the other wants to get in there and do something, too. The peer pressure of pushing each other makes them better."
Barber has gotten off to the quicker start. He has 56 more yards on the ground in six less carries. Barber is tied with San Francisco's Frank Gore for the league lead in rushing touchdowns with three and has earned the nickname 'Marion the Barbarian' from receiver Terrell Owens.
"I see everybody's point certainly that Marion is doing some great things for us," Phillips said. "And that's what we hope he'll do, but the other guy is doing some good things for us, too."
Jones ripped off a 21-yard run in the third quarter of the opener to spark a touchdown drive. His 24-yard reception in the first quarter against Miami helped set up a Nick Folk field goal.
Remember that talk about fresh legs? Well, Jones faces fresh legs on defense since he's the back to start.
Jones believes he may be pressing a bit to make something happen because he knows he will come out during or after the second series. But he's not complaining about his role.
Barber appreciates his growing fan support but recognizes the coaches will determine how much he plays. Peete said both backs are supportive and exchange information during the game, a clear sign they have bought into the arrangement.
"It's kind of a good tandem to have back there," Jones said.
That doesn't mean it will be together long term.
Jones, 26, is a free agent at the end of the season. Barber, 24, is a restricted free agent. Age, a desire to carry more of the load and the economics of the open market make it unlikely that Jones and Barber will be together long. But they are together now and sharing the load.
Don't look for that to change anytime soon.
"I think it's working the way we're doing it." Phillips said. "Both of them have been pretty good."
|
So far im happy with the way they are working together.
Heres the breakdown of carries.
Code:
Julius Jones Quarter Marion Barber
RUSH: 11-34 yds. REC.: 2-35 1st RUSH: 4-17. REC.: 1-(-3)
RUSH: 8-18. REC.: none. 2nd RUSH: 6-31. REC.: 2-38.
RUSH: 4-29. REC.: none. 3rd RUSH: 5-29. REC.: none.
RUSH: 8-17. REC.: none. 4th RUSH: 10-77. REC.: none.
RUSH: 31-98. REC.: 2-35. Total RUSH: 25-154. REC.: 3-35
Working well with Julius taking the majority of first half snaps and Marion coming in and pounding it home in the second half.
__________________
|
|
|
Cowboys' Jones, Barber thriving as duo
Linear Mode
