Cowboys coach Wade Phillips won't admit to Marion Barber's emergence as the team's primary runner. He tactfully says Barber and Julius Jones are key to the team's success.
However, that Barber, with his hard-running style, is the workhorse back in the fourth quarter is no coincidence, Phillips says. Barber rushed 11 times for 67 yards in the fourth against Minnesota on Sunday, giving him 32 carries for 232 yards in fourth quarters this season. Julius Jones has 74 fourth-quarter yards on 20 carries.
Barber is "a powerful inside runner, and you want to hammer it inside as much as you can late in the game," Phillips said. "He's the type of guy, if the team is worn down a little bit, he can punish them."
Hatcher making noise
Second-year defensive end Jason Hatcher has been one of the biggest playmakers in the team's line rotation. He stripped the ball from Vikings running back Adrian Peterson in the fourth quarter, and the turnover helped set up a Nick Folk field goal that gave the Cowboys a 24-14 lead.
"He's forcing fumbles, and we think he's going to be a good player," Wade Phillips said.
Hatcher, who primarily plays in the Cowboys' nickel package, had a 29-yard fumble return for a touchdown last week against New England.
Hatcher has been producing. Maybe get some time rotating with Spears.
I like Barber coming in fresh in the fourth, thats when its time to beat people up.
I like Barber coming in fresh in the fourth, thats when its time to beat people up.
Hatcher IMO is our most talented lineman. I dont think this was the year for him to become a full time player, but I think he will beat out Canty or Spears next year. Dudes a physical freak