Slow Trains Drive Dallas Past Arizona, 34-13
Posted: October 31, 2005 @ 1:35 am
Marion Barber was the problem child of the ‘05 draft. The early fourth round pick was wound tight and had the type of learning curve all teachers understand and dread: he would make every mistake at least once before he got the lesson down.
It was clear Barber had talent. He had good hands. He was the best blocker in camp and splattered at least one blitzing linebacker or safety a day. But for every good run, he would drop a pass. For every good block, he would fumble. On a team loaded with running back talent, Barber fell to fourth on the depth chart. His sloppy play prompted whispers that he might be the bust of this year’s stellar crop.
Barber had company in his misery. Nobody drew more open criticism at Oxnard than third year tackle Torrin Tucker. When he was embarrassed in a long forgotten team scrimmage by a long-shot nose tackle named Thomas Johnson, the regular mediots claimed he was not long for the team. When this mediot watched him take a withering verbal lashing for Parcells, then observed him joking with the coach the next day, I wrote that he was probably too dumb to understand his predicament.
What did we know?
Both slow learners were prepared when injuries thrust them into play. Both had strong games Sunday, helping Dallas pull away from Arizona 34 to 13. Tucker squared off against sack maven Bert Berry and stalemated him for much of the afternoon. Barber put his well rounded game on full display, becoming the first Cowboys back to top 100 yards this season. Of equal importance was his blocking, which put Drew Bledsoe’s game back on track. Bledsoe regained his September form, throwing accurately and judiciously. For the first time since the Eagles blowout, he avoided the bad throw.
These three were joined by the rest of the offense, which had its best performance in three weeks. The offensive line went four quarters without a penalty. The receivers and backs held onto the ball.
The defense continued its high level of play. The front seven kept the anemic Cardinals rushing attack in check. This allowed it to harass and then finally subdue a game Josh McCown. Though Anquan Boldin beat Anthony Henry for one deep score, the defense prevented any more big passes.
The Cowboys now enter their bye week at 5-3, half a game out of first place. They leapfrogged the Redskins and Eagles, who both suffered brutal road defeats.
The Cowboys let McCown know he had little margin for error on the game’s opening drive. McCown converted two third and long passes for first downs, but was hit hard on both throws. A blitzing Roy Williams rattled McCown on his second successful pass. He was slow to get up and failed to convert on the Cardinals next set of downs. Neil Rackers hit a long field goal to give Arizona a 3-0 lead.
Dallas took only three plays from scrimmage to seize the lead. Cardinals DC Clancy Pendergast, a former Cowboys assistant, set up his defense in a funky 5-2-4 formation. He lined up five linemen across from the Cowboys linemen, hoping for force both tackles and center Al Johnson into constant one-on-one situations. He walked strong safety Adrian Wilson up to the line, giving his team a 5-3 look. He clearly intended to take the Cowboys running game away, blitz Bledsoe and force him to win the ball throwing down the field — if he got the time.
Cowboys OC Sean Payton’s calls made it appear that he had stolen Pendergast’s call sheet. On first down, Arizona looped its left end inside on a blitz. Dallas was running wide to that side, which made it easy for RT Rob Petitti to seal the end. When center Al Johnson pulled and got a block on MLB Karlos Dansby, Barber had a huge lane outside. He ran for 18 yards.
On second down, the Cardinals again stunted their ends inside. Dallas lined up two tight ends right. Dan Campbell released downfield. Jason Witten dropped back, faked a block, and then took a screen pass 34 yards to the Arizona 28. On the next play Arizona blitzed Wilson and Dansby inside from the Cowboys left. Dallas was running a stretch play right. When fullback Lousaka Polite cleaned up Dansby, Barber was free. He slashed to the five, where he was finally grabbed by a Cards defender. He spun free and dove into the end zone. The drive had covered 80 yards in only a minute and seven seconds.
The defense forced a three and out on Arizona’s subsequent possession. Greg Ellis drew an intentional grounding call, forcing Scott Player to punt out of his end zone. Dallas took to the air and raced into Arizona’s red zone. An eleven yard pass to Witten, a 20 yard pass to Terry Glenn and a twelve yard slant to Keyshawn Johnson on third and seven gave the Cowboys a first down on the Arizona eleven. Two Barber runs sandwiched around a flat pass to Polite gained nine yards. Parcells here took the points. Rookie Shaun Suisham made his first NFL field goal and Dallas had a 10-3 lead.
Arizona equalized with its only touchdown drive of the day. McCown mixed short passes and Marcel Shipp runs to stay out of third and long. He converted three consecutive third and short situations, staying one step ahead of constant pressure. The defense seemed to break McCown’s rhythm when Arizona crossed the Dallas 40. Chris Canty threw Shipp for a three yard loss on first down. LT Leonard Davis was flagged for motion on the next snap.
Facing second and 18 at the Dallas 44, McCown sent Boldin on a fly route down the left sideline and let fly. Boldin jammed his hand in Anthony Henry’s shoulder, creating an arms length of separation and knocking the Cowboys’ corner off balance. Boldin did it so effortlessly in the course of his stride that the refs never noticed. It’s the type of stealth shove that Jerry Rice perfected in his prime. Boldin pulled away from the stumbling Henry and snagged McCown’s throw for a score.
Arizona had momentum and stopped Dallas cold when a blitzing Wilson flew past Barber and sacked Bledsoe on first down. The Cowboys had to punt, but the defense forced Arizona into a three and out, smothering Larry Fitzgerald on a third and long pass.
Dallas took over at its own 25 and used Barber’s hands to grind past midfield. Facing third and one on its 34, Dallas kept two tight ends and Barber in to block as Bledsoe looked for Terry Glenn, who was running a deep post. Pressure forced Bledsoe to check down to Barber, who had released late over the middle. He gained four. Four plays later, on second and ten from the Arizona 48, Dallas ran one of its rare five receiver plays. The Cowboys had been keeping a tight end or back in around two thirds of the time to help tackles Tucker and Petitti. The Cards expected Dallas to do the same and dropped their linebackers deep to help cover Jason Witten and the Dallas receivers. When Barber released out of the backfield, there was no linebacker within five yards of him. He gained eleven yards to the 37.
On the next play, Bledsoe hit Glenn running a skinny post to the Arizona five. After a Barber run gained one, Bledsoe threw a stop fade to Keyshawn on the left sideline. He snagged the ball before CB David Macklin could find it, giving Dallas a 17-10 lead.
Another Arizona three and out gave Dallas the ball with 2:03 left. A thirteen yard pass moved Dallas to Arizona’s 46. A pass interference penalty moved the ball to the 40. From there, Barber’s legs did the rest. He gained eleven off right tackle, then nine running behind RG Marco Rivera. A facemask penalty added ten yards to the play. On second and goal, Barber followed TE Jason Witten left on a draw. He cut sharply to his right, away from two blitzing Cardinals linebackers and dove in for his second score. Suisham’s PAT sent Dallas to the intermission with a 24-10 lead.
Arizona got an early second half break when Bledsoe and Al Johnson bungled an exchange. Bert Berry recovered at the Dallas 39. The defense squelched those hopes by throwing McCown for a one yard loss on third and one. Rackers field goal made the score 24-13, but the Cardinals were hoping for a touchdown.
The Cowboys played keep away for most of the third quarter, responding with a 13 play, 8:10 second drive that ended with Suisham’s second short field goal of the day. Dallas again had a fourteen point lead and Arizona had just over 15 minutes to respond.
The defense put the exclamation point on the win early in the fourth quarter. After the teams had exchanged punts, Anthony Henry intercepted a deep out intended for Fitzgerald and weaved 58 yards down the right sideline for a touchdown. Suishams’s PAT put Dallas ahead 34-13, closing the day’s scoring.
Notes:
– How do you protect two green tackles on pass plays? Dallas alternated between three, four and five man routes all day. On 24 attempts, Torrin Tucker got solo help on three plays. Petitti got solo help seven times. On six plays, Dallas gave both of them help. Dallas ran five man routes on eight passes, or 33% of its calls.
– A work on progress: Centers are usually the helpers of the line, sliding to assist guards on pass plays, or getting help themselves if nose tackles line up across from them. Arizona’s five man line meant Al Johnson had no help the entire game. He held his own. More impressive was his pulling on several long Marion Barber runs. Pulling centers are a rarity, and Johnson was effective.
His game still has warts, however. He again bungled a third quarter snap that was recovered by Arizona. Later, his man bull-rushed him backwards and swatted the ball from Bledsoe’s hands. Johnson took a step forward overall, but he still needs work at a position that calls for zero tolerance on snap mistakes.
– Check the status on DT Jay Ratliff’s injury. The radio announcers suggested he injured his knee. To my eyes he appeared to injure his ankle. In any event, a serious injury would diminish the d-line rotation.
– Competition is good. Barber’s play is sure to prod Julius Jones, which can only help the Cowboys’ running game.
– The light seems to have come on for good in Bradie James’ head. Today is the fourth strong game for the ILB since his dreadful performance in Oakland.
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83 Responses to “Slow Trains Drive Dallas Past Arizona, 34-13”
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The bye week sure came at a good time. With injuries to Crayton, and now Henry and Ratliff (it was an ankle injury according to DC.com), this team is going to need every bit of time to heal. Julius Jones should be ready to play in the next game. If he duplicates this year what he did in the second half of last year, then the division crown will be ours.
Wow.
A solid all around win.
Great review Raf.
Gotta love MBIII and TTUcker.
Berry got his but he was not allowed to dictate the offense when dallas had the ball.
They looked very good. Sure the Cards are looking like crap again, but the Cowboys looked good.
when did Bert Berry get his two sacks and against whom?
Also, will we really miss singleton? I figured he’d be cut next year.
finally, I think Eddie George, er’ the A-Train is leaving the station for good. We could use his active roster spot.
oh, and great job Raf! I can’t believe someone isn’t paying you to do this type of work.
Marion Barber seems to have knack for finishing runs, both his touchdowns were Emmitt like for the last 5 yards. Very impressive finishes to all his runs, a continuation of last weeks extra yards at the finish of each.
J-Man,
One of Berry’s sacks was against Tucker. Flat out beat him. The other, I don’t know. They moved him around a lot. It may have been on a play where Bledsoe fumbled the ball and recovered it. Tucker had help but he didn’t let Berry take over. Far from it.
Henry status? groin? And how long?
Great point about Competition and Barber and Jones. Hech if Thompson learns to block he might leap into that competition too. At any rate it is a great thing that the Cowboys got 3 or even 4 guys that can carry the rock instead of Eddie George last year. Barber fits the Parcells mold as far as being a former players son, and he seems to be one of those utility guys that can carry the ball, return kicks and play some special teams coverage. Great to see our entire draft class minus Bierault on the field and contributing to victories!!!
Jimmy Johnson called for Parcells to keep Barber as the 20 carry back and use Julius Jones as a 10 touch guy that can hit the home run. Funny Barber had longer runs from scrimmage than our home run hitter, albeit maybe against a lesser quality defense. At any rate I could see Parcells letting Jones toil behind Barber for a game or two longer as punishment. Hey you get hurt you ain’t helping the team. I still see Julius as a better overall back, but hey the difference between he and Barber seems to be getting smaller smaller each week.
In all those years with Emmit Smith we never had a good backup. Sherman Williams? An old Chris Warren was probably the best of the bunch………at least we had DJ to take a carry or two and catch a few balls. This could be a Denver like Backfield with Barber and Jones getting a number of touches each and both staying fresh and then you still got the real home run hitter and strike out king Tyson Thompson learning his way. I remember the Giants under Parcells having a lot of guys get touches in the backfield and they still managed to win two Super Bowls. It is nice that we can miss a guy like Julius Jones and our running game improves. Which is got a lot to do with the line play.
Loving Anthony Henry out there. Worth every penny. I know many of us called for a CB last year but if you look at the guys that were available and the guy we waited another year for. We got not only the best cover corner available………..we also got a guy that likes to tackle. This kid is good big strong and young. Keep it up Henry and you are going to be having a lot more highlights and finally get your name mentioned more often than Champ Bailey, Charles Woodson, Ty Law, and Fred Smoot……….from what I have seen of Anthony Henry and the guys he has to cover week in and week out………he is at least on par with any of those guys and a better tackler than all but Law. TNew is rejuvenated and looks healthy………..and even Keith Davis and Willie Pile at FS have not really been exposed yet.
Well enjoy the bye week. Get healthy boys. Let’s go to Philly on that Monday night and put an exclamation point on the NFC EAST by beating the Eagles again. Unfortunately the Giants have SF next week so I doubt we gain ground while out a week.
Raf,
great prediction on this week being the first game the Defense will score points….
I lot of people are saying JJ lost his job or should to MB. I don’t think so but his style might fit better. TNew is looking great I know AH is getting all the numbers but TNew is not giving anything up, they don’t even throw his way. Ware is making everybody else better on the line.
Please do any record the games to provide me with a copy. Please I live in Redstinks town and don’t catch any games. Please somebody help me out.
On this week’s win, Rafeal do you think JJ will still be the starter after this impressive performance by MBIII?
My favorite thing about this win was the design and execution of the blitzes. Its funny how people were ripping the signing of Scott Fijita, like if a teams defense sucks then that must mean that every player on that defense sucks. There is little more anoying than the sports idiot.
I think last year stats will keep JJ the starter. The only way I see him not starting is if he doesn’t have a good next game and MB comes in and does his thing. So the next game is going to be real important to JJ.
JJ knows he has to produce like last year. So now I hope he ignores BP stupidity about always going where the play is designed and just find the hole and blast through it. Considering how well JJ did last year, BP’s BS about negative plays was totally unwarranted.
Monday night countdown: only two weeks away. For Dallas, as the O-line goes, so goes the team. Al Singelton’s injury does not seem devestating to the team, as the Linebacker corps has some death and versatility, especially with Dat Nguyen back at full speed after the bye week.
I hope that having two or three running backs who are effective and rearing to go does not create an unintened consaquence of a running back controversy.
Burmafrd
JJ had three great game last year but the rest he looked like he as looked this year. MB runing style fits better because he can run inside. MB can’t take his job yet JJ has to give it to him.
BPs BS as some are calling it about negative plays was sort of like………hey do you want to be an Emmit Smith style runner that almost always gained 3 or 4 yards………even after being hit……..and still finding a way……..or do you want to be a Barry Sanders that gave up plenty of takcles for loss and then would hit the home run.
They were two different style runners and while Barry never had Emmits power Emmit never had Barrys speed or elusiveness. I think JJ can have a little of both. He definitely showed it last year. Also we played teams with 8 and sometimes 9 guys in the box dedicated to stopping the run. In the end they failed to stop Drew Bledsoe, KJ, TG, Witten, and Crayton. There is nothing wrong with a back gaining 80 yards a game and us getting a victory. We should have beat Washington and Seattle. Washington dedicated to stop JJ and he still got yards. He outran LT in SD, and yet he is supposedly the best back in football? I have not heard BP complain about what JJ has done with the ball in his hands thus far. He has questioned his toughness and rightfully so, but I think JJ is coming back with a monster 2nd half like last year. The fact that we got another rookie sensation at RB MBIII well all the better. BP loves having two good players at the same important position. He relishes the fact of Jones watching MB run for 127. He knows the sophomore wants to get out there and show his stuff now. Or like someone else pointed out, he loves the horse track……….nothing wrong with having two thoroghbreds in the stable……….nothing at all!!!
I am happy MBIII played well. He did not fumble. JJ has some vision and speed and elusiveness, and has yet to get on track this year for that kind of game. I don’t see this as a problem for us, rather as a benefit…….if JJ and MBIII both split time………..great………we are finding a back that is looking better and better each week and did not have the fumbles of last week……….Drew and AJ had plenty for the whole team.
NO PENALTIES……….was beautiful. Great Defense that scores points………….Old Tired and worn out Greg Ellis getting to the QB in the DE spot is still a thing of beauty………I don’t think we’ll hear him complaining about the 3-4 or whatever situation he’s in……….he and Glover are fresh in the 4th for the first time ever. Ware, Spears, Ferguson, and others are all adding to the front 7 that is getting better and better each week. Drew Bledsoe still looks like an enigma sometimes. I don’t blame AJ totally for the fumbles………those two need to work together and figure that snap thing out.
This defense continues to do what it is doing we could win a Super Bowl with Trent Dilfer………..or Brad Johnson……….and I still say Bledsoe is better than those two. You are starting to see this team take shape and take the Defensive Stance of a Bill Parcells coached team. You are also seeing the running and passing attack of a BP team. While we may be frustrated with some of our earlier red zone mistakes……….this team is starting to look better and better each week. I say come week 16 we are sitting on a 11-5 record and have won the division. We go into the playoffs with a bye week and a home game in Dallas. Two weeks to prepare and we are in the NFC Championship game. Buy your tickets boys and girls this team is ready to make some noise. Starting in two weeks in Philly!!!!
Hey guys,
I also wanna jump on the MB bandwagon,but lets be realistic.The cardinals have been lit up all year so you can just automatically put him in a controversy wit JJ,its his job to loose,and i dont think he this year unless he plays with greatness and i doubt that will happen againts the better defensive teams of the league,guys calm down….a full time back has to replicate its performance week after week and teams eventually start preparing for you.Which is why its hard to beleive he’ll do it again especially after one performance like that.JJi also wanna add that they were not letting julius run to his strengths earlier this season,beacause BP wants him to run it his way,its stupid thats like telling a grown man you will walk like me and crawl like me,julius couldve had a better start but i think sean payton the moron with his earlier play calling that even a monkey could read and pick up,but thats the first half of the season any way how over you look at it.
I think Julius is gonna shut alot of mouths up and end this retarted controversy once and for all.
Jon
First of all JJ is not the best back in the game( I know you didn’t say that but that’s is the way you make it look) He is not the only back to see 8 or 9 in the box. JJ is nowhere close to LT period. Lets be real. What gamed have you seen JJ get tough yards or run inside without it being a delayed draw? JJ stats from last year will keep him the starter. If we were just going by this year he wouldnt be the starter. I don’t like the split time, a good back need 20-25 carries. I would like to see the back up get about 10 at the most. I think MB would be a more consistent running than JJ. The same reason Anderson is starting over TBell in Denver. I think TT could be our TBell once he learns how to block.
aw,
I love MBIII but JJ will be back and when he is healthy he is more elusive than MBIII. but you gotta see that MBIII gets yards after he hits the pile. Somehow he winds up two or three yards from where he entered the pile.
OLINE PLAY,
The Oline played well. The baby Tackles did a Man Up job on the DEnds. All those who wanted TTucker gone have got to give him his due today. He made BBerry all but Invisible. Pettitti needed a little more help, but Okefor - spelled right? - was a non factor as well. Finally Rivera came to play.
Strong Oline play = big running numbers, and steady QB play.
When we look at Marion Barber vs Julius Jones, its really not going to come to the fans to decide. The other players on the team will. Its a huge burst of confidence to hit big plays in the running game, finish off drives running the football, and be able to empose your will on a defense late in a game. Some say, “Its only the Cardinals”, well we played the 49ers too, why didn’t we do this to them? Had a 13 point lead against the Redskins, we just couldn’t put them away by running the football. If you listen to what the players said after the game, they have some confidence in the rookie. There is no way, no way, at this point Parcells will rattle what is starting to form on the field … confidence. No penalties, less pressure on the QB and WRs to make all the big plays, and the defence getting long breaks in between drives so they are rested late in the game. Its all coming together with Barber in there. It is the TEAM’S CONFIDENCE that will determine who plays, and right now their play says “Marion Barber”.
Jesse
I would start JJ too but if he continue to play the way he has I would put him on the sideline. You say MB ran against a poor D well JJ hasn’t had a good game against a good D yet last year or this year. He has had three good game but the rest he wasn’t look good. MB can un better inside than JJ. I just don’t know if JJ is the answer at RB he hasn’t shown me enough. At the end of last year I thought we got the best back out of the draft but now he is at best the third best back. But like you said the job is JJ to loose. People need to start being realistic about JJ.
Techincally, in the opening drive McCown converted only one third-and-long (3rd & 9) pass for a first down. The other pass resulting in a first down came on first and ten following Marcel Shipp’s twelve-yard run on second and ten. But who’s counting?
Rafael,
Great analysis as usual. I always look forward to reading them.
It looks like Marion Barber is starting to emerge as a solid back. I hope to see it continue. Depth is always a good thing. It was nice to see the Cowboys put together a solid game. Now it’s on to the BYE to get some rest for the weary.
Technically, I’m just glad we got off at the right station. Otherwise, this would have been a long two weeks.
AlanTdot
You are right JJ is more elusive than MB, but he hasn’t been this year. MB is more consistent and can run inside. MB has vision too and cut back ability. MB get tough yards. I could see MB getting 100 yard against a good team over JJ. But I could see JJ get 170 on a poor D. MB looks more like a BP type RB.
aw,
BP had a LOT of very complimentary things to say about MBIII. I don’t like the RB by committee also. If JJis a top quality back then he needs 25 carries a game. If MBIII is the guy, he needs 25 carries a game. We won’t run 50 times a game so what is the answer.
Nice problem to have.\
What does everybody think about TT playing in the slot? He ain’t getting any carries when JJ is back and MBIII is definately the #2 - 1a? - RB in Dallas, so how do we get his speed on the field? Slot reciever has less blocking responsibility…….
AW………JJ was on pace for almost 1400 yards? So what his avg per carry was down a bit. He gained tough yards against the Redskins……He outplayed the best back in football if he is……..I ain’t sure it ain’t Alexander in Seattle…….but hey……LT is good very good…….I would love to have him putting up 150 yards a game too…..but you know what…….Emmit Smith had a whole lot of games where he only got 80 or 90 yards……….but we won……..cuz you had to stop the QB, WR, and TE…….if a team is committed to stopping JJ fine……..let him grind out the clock and get his 25 touches……..and all that is fine with me. I would rather have a win than a 100 yard rusher…….they don’t always go hand in hand if the Defenses are stacking to box and committed to stopping the run. Julius Jones has the speed to get outside and hurt folks on the outside…….but I don’t see us utilizing that in the running plays we have him in on. Always sending a fast back in the middle ain’t smart play calling………Jones is a better back than MBIII. How many fumbles did MBIII have last week? How about that bonehead play in Oakland on 3rd and short. I ain’t sure that Jones did not have a sore or pulled groin in that game……..and never recovered fully before he hurt his ankle.
He comes back and he goes for 800 plus yards in the 2nd half of the season. Against teams that are going to stack the line. I never said JJ was the best back in football…….I just said his yards were higher than the guy who gets that title.
Besides the one thing that will make a player work harder and try to play harder is another younger guy coming on the field and doing your job as good or better than you. Ask Drew Bledsoe and see er uh Tom Brady. Er ask Thomas Jones is rejuventated in Chicago after they draft Cedric Benson. How about that cat in TB after Cadillac took his job and then got injured………these are competitive atheletes who are used to being the best player on the field for most of the careers (although Barber split time with Maroney in Minn very nicely)……..if they did not all want and try to start they would not be in the NFL in the first place.
TB had a nice combination of Dunn and Alstott………Atlanta has it in Dunn, Vick and Duckett……….Denver always has two or three good backs………and traded away Droughns and Portis……..who contribute on two other teams……….Jets had Martin and Jordan……….and you can look around the league over the history and find other guys that shared backfields successfully. Although it has not been the Cowboys style……as we had two of the best ever in Tony Dorsett and Emmit Smith. We tried it unsuccessfully with Herschel Walker and TD………..
While I agree giving a back 25 touches a game usually gives him a better chance to break one……..or get in his groove……..some backs like a Tyson Thompson or Julius Jones………..have the ability to break it on any touch……..they don’t have to have 25 touches to find a whole and go down the field like Tatum Bell has been doing for Denver. He gets outside the D it is 6 points or 50 yards………I would take either one. Julius Jones has had three bad injuries since arriving on the Cowboys…..he can either learn to heal faster………..train harder…….work harder……..and get on the field more often……..like he came back from injury last year……….or he will find himself out of football………..that is his choice……..not ours……….but I ain’t seen enough of MBIII to say he is the “back” and I am happy that we got at least two instead of none half of last year. Like Jimmy Johnson said……not everybody is Emmit Smith………and even he thought he would run Emmit to death for 4 or 5 years then stick in another drafted RB to fill the spot. Nobody knew Emmit would have the durability he had. It is a testament to his hard work, something that LT seems to have developed from his idol Emmit.
Two or three good running backs ain’t a problem like two or three good QBs……..if anything it just makes the draft that much easier and takes pressure off a team if we do have an injury. Does anybody think we make it to the Super Bowl and Win it……….if Emmit does not came back from that Separated Shoulder? Or if he was out for 10 games……..I remmber him holding out for two weeks and we took two losses. It would be much better for the team and the cap if we had a couple of pretty good backs then one great back. I would say Julius gets the pretty good nod and things are looking up for MBIII. Tyson is a long shot but has speed and could very well develop into something. For some reason he is getting plenty of tender loving care from Bill Parcells where Reshard Lee just got a couple of comments about not being able to block and then cut. Not sure why that is……….but hey Thompson has shown him something he likes. So maybe he does turn into that lightning strike. I say we can cut A Train anytime JJ is healthy and go with MBIII, Tyson, JJ and Polite.
Bye bye to Al Singleton and Good Riddance. Bradie James is for real this year and much improved since Dat went down. Way to step up. Fujita played well……..and if we can get Burnett out there too we might see even more improved play from the LBs……….who are good and getting better. Ware was in the backfield and near the QB all day….despite not getting another Sack he contributed to plenty of pressure and hit McCown on that INT to Henry for 6. He is also drawing more attention which is why guys like Fujita, Ellis and others are getting sacks………spreading em around is a great sign of a good defense……….and that is better than one Pro Bowl LB…….just aske New England!!!!
Wow, that was a fun one! Now time to add a few facts to the thoughts I’ve heard here and elsewhere:
“We shut down Bertrand Berry.” Wrong. He had been averaging about a sack and 3.3 tackles per game. We allowed him to get 2 sacks and 5 tackles.
“Peerless is as good as Crayton.” Wrong. Price is averaging 7.7 yards per catch and 5.3 yards per punt return. Crayton was averaging 15.1 and 7.8, respectively. And let’s not even talk receptions per game. Hopefully this will improve for Price.
“We stuffed the run.” Yes, but…. Coming in, Arizona averaged 3.0 yards per carry. We allowed them exactly 3.0 yards per carry. Note that they are statistically the league’s worst rushing team.
“We got to their QB all game.” Yes, but…. Coming in, Arizona allowed 3 sacks per game. That’s exactly what we got, too, 3 sacks.
“MBIII is the real deal.” Yes. Coming in, Arizona allowed 4.1 yards per carry. MBIII got 4.7–and using mostly the same line that had only helped JJ to 3.6 yards per carry. And Arizona is an average rushing D (now ranked 16th in yards per carry).
So we just won a game against one of the worst teams in the NFL, as we should. But a win is a win, and we won big. And MBIII looked very good. Go Cowboys!
why all this running back controversy? Look at the 4 or 5 games…there were not any holes for JJ to run thru. Com’on, the kid was getting hit in the back field more times than I can remember. The offense started creating lanes in the philly game, and JJ busted out with 70+ in the first half…the he got injured ofcourse.
To the o-lines credit, they have continued to open up lanes, in which MB has had the luxury of working with that JJ didn’t. You give the type of lanes that MB has been receiving to JJ, and he would have taken it to the house several times by now.
JJ is a much better back, although I give MB his props. But if the o-line continues to create the same type of lanes they have these past few weeks, JJ will silence all this RB controversy crap. Again, MB is doing a great job, but he has a long way to go before he can dethrone JJ as far as ability is concerned.
My only concern with JJ is durability. As parcells said it, something like JJ missing have the games since he has been with Dallas. SO, is he to fragile for the featured back position in the NFL? Or has it been just bad luck.
Let’s look at it:
1st injury, bruised rib: He asked to come out for a second, and parcells sat him out for doing so…learned his lesson there.
2nd injury: broken clavical. In respects to the hit he took to break that bone, would the same result of happened to someone like Shaun Allexander ot LT? Maybe!
3rd injury: High Ankle sprain. Would that have put out any other back in the leage out for about 3 weeks? Actually, that would but anyone out for a few weeks. Happened to Marcus Spears in camp, curtis martin several years ago (missed 3 weeks) and recently Carnell Williams. So..Yes.
Personnaly, I do not think that it is a durability problem, as much as it has been bad luck, wrong place at the wrong time. Other than the bruised rib thing, same scenario would have probably happened to anyone else in the NFL.
Funny thing is, players and teams are usually only remember by the last game played. Think about that one!
Everyone,
Frankly I could care less who is getting the start against who at RB, I want them to do a good job. Now let me have my input about the Running back Situation. First off, MBIII had 1 100 yard game against a defense that cant hold water in a cup. JJ came out at the half in a game with 72 yards rushing against a defense that is a heck of alot better than the Cardinals. If you replace JJ with MB its going to be just like the Hambrick incident. you will get a Half time running back thinking that he can carry the load, and he will get slammed. Just leave him where he is. He will be a great backup running back, but he will never be able to carry the load for an entire season.
Remnant,
BBerry was a non factor. Yes he got his avg stats, but he was invisible until late in the third quarter. TTucker did not allow him to alter our offense.
He had zero impact on the final score.
That is impressive Mr Tucker.
Yes Peerless has not lived up to his name ( bet he has heard that before) and Crayton was a better fit on ST and as the third WR.
yes we got three sack and also a whole boatload of QB pressure.
Look past the numbers and admire the way this team put away an opponent that was not its equal.
Finally,
MBIII had a really good game in all facets. He was impressive hands down.
Dallas wasn’t playing Temple here. This is still an NFL team.
AlanTDot,
I agree across the board, just pointing out some facts.
On Tucket, keep in mind that BBerry was moving around some, so Tucker didn’t have to block him on every play. Having said that, Tucker still played very well. Given the preseason fright he gave us all, I’m shocked to say that I think he looks better right now than Petitti. On the other hand, most of the good runs came to the right yesterday (where Petitti was often joined by Campbell).
First off I didn’t say MB is better than JJ. When I look at JJ and MB I look at how they run and what runs they make. JJ hasn’t put up a good game against a good D yet. MB can make all the runs, I haven’t seen JJ do that. I think the RB we have that can score anytime he gets it would be TT with that speed. JJ was on pace for this or that JJ was on his way to do this or that in the philly game. I don’t care what he would have done or could have done the bottom line is he didn’t….. JJ hasn’t lost his job. People need stop looking at those three games last year and look at all his games. If you look at his 800 yards from last year most of the yards came from three games. As long as JJ come back and does what everybody think he can do he will be fine. I’m just one of the few people that doesn’t get too high or too low after one game.
AlanTdot
I think if TT learns how to block he could become the starter in a year or two.
Some comments:
AW: You’re talking about the though yards MB made throughout the game, well, in the plays in which he racked up more yards he had avenues opened by the play of the line, those weren’t the tiny openings JJ used to see in the first 4 games. On Sunday when the line only managed to open tiny holes MB got from 0 to 5 yards, just what JJ used to make.
Yeah, MB seems to have some things that JJ doesn’t have, he’s a though SOB and can catch the rock out of the backfield, and that according to Parcells is what’s going to make him a perfect change of pace back, Parcells also has been saying that JJ is faster and more elusive. Sounds to me like some Curtis Martin and Richie Anderson… I’m not meaning that MB coud become a FB, he’s 5-11! and couldn’t be build like one, what I mean is that Anderson used to be the lone back in 3rd downs.
Remnant: You can’t compare the two guys, Price and Crayton, the first one has been a flanker for his whole career, the other is a nickel receiver trained to make 1st downs. Price doesn’t have a shot to make plays unless he starts playing some at flanker.
There’re some things to like about the game, I think that the first one has to be the play of the line, especially from the center of the line, but you also need to remember that neither Kolodziej nor Dockett nor Moore are prime time players, hell not even Kolodziej was a starter Russell Davis was the starter at NT but is on IR now. So we must read between the lines, Arizona D only had 3 playmakers: Berry, Dansby and Wilson.
BTW, the other sack of Berry came on a tricky play, Dansby blitzed Tucker took him and Berry went through Allen. That’s Allen’s fault, not Tucker’s.
I liked the Denver game, Parcells will review the film and will see that he could plan with his team what Denver made on that game, if Dallas capitalizes, just like Denver did, then look for a huge victory at Philly.
You have be pretty excited about the Cowboys. They look like a team on the verge of dominating the NFC, maybe the NFL. Two suffocating performances this season and two very painful losses in the last minutes. But, there hasn’t been one game that they have been out of. They have competed with everyone. The next half of the season will tell a great deal as to how far they have come. I personally think that they will do well. They have shut down the NFL’s best offenses and have moved the ball against some of the staunchest defenses. There is no reason that they should struggle with the next 8 teams.
They are just beginning to get noticed in the media and by the end of the year I think they will be the best in the NFC. Look for a record of 11-5, a bye in the playoffs and a SB this year. This team is showing that they do have the depth and talent to do it.
aw,
I don’t know if TT is that good. He is vfast. What else is he? We don’t know really. We know MBIII and JJ are Players. We’ll see. Should be interesting.
Can TT catch?
AW, remember last year and Vinny and no real WR’s except Key? And an O line that was not blocking all that well? ANd JJ was up against Baltimore, Wash, Philthy- the 3 of the 4 best D’s in the game. Look at the stats- NO RB lit those D’s up. But he got serious yds and got the job done.
Now as regards to running inside- of course Barber will have the edge since he is bigger and stronger. BUT JJ has the edge outside- and that is more important. Our O line did not start run blocking WELL untill the Philthy game- and you did notice what JJ was doing before he got rolled.
He would have done 120-150 in that game easy. You also remember that Barber did not exactly shine, did he. As a strict matter of fact- BARBER stank running the ball untill LAST week. Barber is the better receiving RB, no doubt. So that makes him a great 3rd down and long or third down and medium back. Fine. But he cannot scare a d the way JJ can- and that is CRITICAL. And by the way- Kevin Jones is not looking good this year; Jackson is; and tatum bell is inconsistent- not to mention injured a lot.
So right now Jackson is looking better- but JJ is right there- he is NOT third. And I PREDICT that when JJ starts against Philthy, he will settle this SO CALLED controversy REAL FAST.
how did the kicker look on kickoffs?does he have the leg?give price a chance i can`t believe he is washed up at what is he 27?29?and rb`s even if jj comes back barber will get his carries he`s earned it and should only get better.
alan………i said in the preseason maybe TT would get some looks at WR………..we did it with Herschel………..the rams loved doing it with Marshal Faulk………and a few other backs have done it over the years…..
i think BP wouldn’t mind it if TT got the mental errors out of his game, and showed he understood the RB position before he put more plays and more languange and new learning curve running routes and catching the ball downfield……….i think the guy needs to focus on his mental aspects……he failed out of college once…….and has shown flashes of great speed………and according to BP in practice flashes of ingnorance…….he is probably a practice squad guy if not for his good preseason play and incredible speed………maybe he gets sent to Europe for a year to devlop like Kincade………but I would love to utilize his speed on the field if he can get the mental aspect under control……..
AW……..last year we looked Pedestrian with Eddie George out there. When JJ showed up it was a different offense even when he did not get 150 yards. Even despite having the older than old Vinny at QB. We played much better and you saw the defenses starting to respect the run! Something they did not have to do with Eddie. It made a difference and is why teams are stacking the line this year whether it is JJ or MB or TT or AB. I don’t care if we win. Hech I don’t care who gets the sacks……..I don’t play fantasy football and really ain’t worried about stats. The Redskins are a great statistical team…….but I think they are not as good as there record and will fall flat in the 2nd Half.
All I know is when you open a whole up and play good offensive football with no penalties you are likely to win ballgames whether the running back is Julius Jones, Emmit Smith or Timmy Smith. Any NFL RB should be able to run through a whole and gain 3 or 4 yards………and occassionally more. Our offensive line had yet to have a great run blocking game other than Philly with JJ on the field. That can and should change as teams are recognizing that Drew can hit KJ, Witten, or TG for 6 or 10,20, or 60 yards. That should open up the Draw play even more for Julius and the play action for JJ or MB or TT. A balanced offense and a line that plays well makes all the difference. A defense that scores ain’t a bad thing either.
Personally I ain’t worried if Jones doesn’t have the highest Madden rating or rushes for 1500. I will take the playoffs and going farther into postseason over any individuals accomplishments. Teams are going to be facing a good rushing attack with multiple weapons…….a passing game with a great TE and two clutch WRs……..and a Defense that is getting nastier by the hour. That is a recipe for going far in the playoffs especially with the Giant void created by the Eagles in the NFC………that sound you are hearing is the sound of a once proud Eagle that got their wings clipped…….and things aren’t going to get better for Philly anytime soon. They will lose TO and Westbrook next year. TO will demand to be traded and take less money to go play for Atlanta. Westbrook will either get paid or leave watch for him to haul tail………Donovan will be left with LJ Smith and the ghosts of Freddy……..and the Eagles will watch as the Cowboys take over the NFC East and return to the Super Bowl……….just like Buddy Ryan and Randal Cunningham did a decade ago.
LOL……….I hate Philly. Good Riddance………..saw some of their fans walking in the bar I had to watch the game on satellite yesterday cuz of the Giants and Redskins being a virginia team………….bs…..but hey. Would have loved to have seen those Eagles fans in the 2nd half when McNabb threw that pick! LOL.
Let’s all thank Denver for wacking the Eagles. I’m more worried about the Giants now. They look to have a few cupcakes on the back half (SF, Min minus Culpepper, Redskins again, Oak at the end of the year after they’ve given up).
I was not impressed with the kicker. KO’s were short (about the 10). Unless he improves and shows more confidence there will be an open seat at the International House of Kickers.
Chandus
All good points.
Parcells review of the Denver/Philly film will likely be a study of the Broncos more so than the Eagles. I think as a division rival and as evidenced in the first game, they have their own a winning formula for Philly and it was Denver likely taking a page from Dallas on how to defend McNabb & company. The Broncos, however, will be the challenge for the Cowboys on turkey day and on a short week of preparation at that. Film prep will probably begin this week.
Starstruck-Thanksgiving prep time will be much shorter for Denver than us due to travel for them. They also play the late game on the Sunday before.
Burmafrd
“and tatum bell is inconsistent- not to mention injured a lot.” Is that right because that sound a lot like JJ…………..I thought that same thing after JJ had 80 or 88 yards against Bal but then I saw other backs put up good not great number against Bal last year. Well Homes put up a great game against them. 80 yards is not serious yards. All good backs have bad games but they will put up good numbers against good team too.
“He would have done 120-150 in that game easy” Bottom line is he didn’t. All I’m saying is MB fits more than JJ. I go by what my eye see not what they can see. I haven’t seen JJ make all the run and run inside yet. If you didn’t know who JJ was and was just looking at what he has done this year you wouldnt be saying what you are saying.
We average 29 in a win, 12 in a loss. It looks like our offense will dictate the rest of the season.
MBIII looked good, but lets not get carried away. JJ could have put up that many with those holes. It looks like we got 2 solid backs who can spell each other. Hoepfully JJ will be back for the Eagles.
Ellis has looked great this year, and Ware has alot to do with that.
I say to win the division, we need 2 out of 3 against our division rivals at all their stadiums. I say we beat the Redskins and either the Giants or Eagles, possibly both (wishful thinking).
Sean
Nice…every little thing helps!
All year the word was “consistancy”. The fact is Julius Jones has missed about 9 of a possible 24 games in his carreer. That is about 37% of the time. A team just can’t form confidence around a player that may or may not show up to play.
In the 7 previous games the pressure was on the passing game to win games and also hold down leads. Yesterday in more ways than one Bledsoe wasn’t under the gun. For the first time all year, Dallas was able to get a lead, hold a lead, and keep the opposing offense off the field … all with the running game.
EricR
He has missed 11 and half games.
Barber is 2 for 2, as far as I am concerned. Playing at Seatle, a very tough place to get a road victory, he had about 100 yards. Then yesterday was the fisrt game Dallas won the way they would like to. Arizona? The fact is 5 of the other 7 teams that Dallas has played have a worse rush defense than Arizona. Julius never put them away. Washington’s the worst, and we all know, we couldn’t close the deal then! Even with a 13 point 4th quarter lead.
Nice to see everyone in a happy mood…but lets not forget Bledsoe is still making a lot of mistakes. In first quarter he nearly got decapitated because blitzing safety timed his cadence perfectly. That is an inexcusable mistake for a veteran like himself. And the center QB exchange is a freaking joke. It is the most embarassisng thing I have ever seen on an offense that the center and QB can’t get the exchange down correctly 100 percent of the time. When Parcells questioned Bledsoe about it as he came off the sidelines Bledsoe made some wise ass comment like I wasnt trying to drop the ball. Just get it together Drew. The Eagles monday night at the link won’t be so forgiving.
I was one of the few if not the only one on here was wasn’t worried about JJ missing time and wanted to see what the others could do. TT was in the driver’s seat for the starts and give it to MB. I want to see TT get 20 plus carries in a game. I hope he can get his mind right.
Everyone who was calling for Petitti and Tuckers heads last week owe them an apology. It wasnt Barber who made run offense so strong. The wholes he was running through were big enough we could have stuck marcus Spears in their and handed him the ball off all game and run for 150 yards. Just is really funny to hear so many of you kill o line when the play bad and praise Barber for their good play. Its not like Tucker or Petitti get any help blocking in run game.
Since the beginning of the season, I have been on the team about getting “tough”. We have it on defense a bit with Roy and Keith Davis and the vets up front. Keyshawn, Cambell, and Witten are tough as s%!t!! Now we have it at the RB position. No penalties, good defense, and 125+ yards on the ground = a comfortable win. Its the way Parcells builds his teams. Bledsoe, the O-line, and the defensive players will be lobbying for Barber to play. When things start to come together, teams often would rather stick with what is working now. There is just that comfort factor of knowing what to expect. Julius has 8 games to show that he can stay healthy and show that he can add a lot to this team, but right now Barber has earned the right to be the guy. .. He was a sparkplug! No penalties! 125+ yards! 2 rushing TDs! A “no pressure” win!! .. Just as one blogger pointed out “Julius could have done this or that”, but the fact remains he didn’t and Barber did! … Worse case scenario, if Barber gets the starting nod, we find that the Cowboys have similar problems running the football than they did with Julius. Best case scenario, we find the team is simply insinct with him in there. Less penalties are due to his ability to follow his blocks, and the offensive line gains more and more confidence as the running game takes over more games late. .. Worse case scenario, if JJ gets the starting nod, is never knowing if Barber was the answer to the rushing woes. The penalties are there again, the inabilty to close out opponents is there again, they can’t run inside the red zone again. … At least putting Barber in there it gives us a chance to find out.
Smart Cowboy
The o-line is not as bad as people would like to say they are. The play calling was better and help the line with the early screen call. And again our offence didn’t do anything in the second half.
Rushing Statistics
NAME ATT YDS AVG LNG TD FUM LST
Julius Jones 112 407 3.6 25 3 1 1
Marion Barber 62 253 4.1 28 2 2 0
Tyson Thompson 44 180 4.1 16 0 0 0
Anthony Thomas 36 80 2.2 12 0 0 0
“Marion Barber was the problem child of the ‘05 draft.” Raf, is this a reference to me? Is my user name subcociously influencing your choice of words? Thanks man!
Bottom line here at week 8 (IMO):
Dallas has played better than EVERY team they’ve played against thus far. In my mind, we’re undefeated. NOBODY has handed our hats to us this year, leaving us thinking our team was inferior. From the start of the year, we’ve BEEN the better team.
You think washington, oakland, and seattle were releaved after their “victories” against us? Damn right they were, cuz they know they were LUCKY to pull those out.
It’s the half-way point. And what do we got? I’ll say it: DALLAS IS THE BEST TEAM IN THE NFC. Ands that’s not homer crap I’m talk’n. Dallas has as good a chance at being in the Superbowl as ANY other team in the conference. To say this after week 1 was homerish. But it’s week 8 now, fellas.
Our team’s kicking ass, and it’s only gonna get better. We’ve come from behind in games, blown other teams out, or stalled in the final minutes to lose. We’ve also shown we can come back and play hard after those tough losses. This team has confidence. We’ve never been out of a game.
Who’s better? The giants- we’ve beaten them already. The eagles- not anymore. The skins? HA! The Falcons? Good, but not better than us. The Bucs? Maybe… I dunno. I like our offense better. Carolina? Alright, I don’t know much about them….
It’s safe to say the post-season is a certainty now, and our defense is GONNA be a terror in the playoffs. These next three games- eagles, giants, and denver- are gonna establish us as the class of the conference.
by the way, give some credit to roy williams for the defensive touchdown by anthony henry? it was beautiful. first, henry catches the ball. then, without a bat of the eye, roy, the punisher williams enters the scene flying in like a mad torpedo knocking down the wide receiver who was closest to tackling henry. the most impressive thing about williams was his anticipation that first there was an interception about to happen and second, he reacted the right way by going after the guy who could prevent henry’s defensive touchdown. williams definitely compensates for a few of his homer simpson game changing snafoos committed earlier this season with this smart play.
Amen.
rich i agree, and i was saying it preseason as well…though i`ve been saying for the last ten yrs as well. tuckers play i`m not surprised i knew he had the talent,petit he`s a 6th rd pick so he`s gonna struggle however he could be the surprise story of the nfl 05 draft, or maybe barber deserves that claim let see benson of the bears rd 1 barber rd 4 who`s having a better yr?
Rich,
I will say that we had no answeres for Oakland’s run game. Everything else I agree with.
AlanTDot,
Thompson doesn’t know how to play running back yet at the NFL level. I doubt that we will try to saddle him with a complete position change in the middle of the season.
Don’t forget, too, that the slot receiver has important run-blocking responsibilities.
This might be something to think about for future years. It wouldn’t be the first time a running back converted to receiver.
EricR,
How on earth can you possibly attribute our lack of penalties to the presence of a running back? That doesn’t pass the giggle test. You might as well attribute it to Shaun Suisham. After all, he was the only new guy playing on Sunday.
Forgetting for a moment that special-teams players and defensive players also commit penalties from time to time, how does a running back affect false starts, or illegal formations, or delays of game, or holding calls on pass plays.
That is amusing since on this very thread there are posts about Jones blindly following his blockers into the designated hole. Please provide an example of where a penalty resulted from Julius Jones failing to properly follow his blocks. Just one example will do.
You make it sound as though if Jones starts, Barber will never play again. Barber has definitely earned significant playing time, if not the starting job. Playing both will allow us to compare results against the same defense. Answers will be found, not lost.
EricR
Emotionalism does not prove anything.
You have no hard facts to back up your claims that the
players will lobby for Barber. Who has had TWO good games all year.
And the game before- HE STANK.
no offense, but when u barber vs. jones talkers saw the game, did u happen to notice anything else besides barber? the cowboys as a whole played excellent. and in my opinion, the running backs are only a portional factor to the success. did u forget about our amazing defense? if three and out were counted as stats, dallas d would probably lead the league or somewhere close. bledso was solid, which is partly due to the offensive line affording their qb more time in the pocket. the fact that the entire team didn’t commit a turnover is amazing. and most of all, the fact that we got a decisive win over the mediocre cardinals shows dallas is for real.
it doesn’t really matter who is going to be the most relied upon running back. they’re both good and this issue will naturally sort itself out through time. either one will be beneficiaries of the dallas system as a whole.
Mr.Bill- A running back that is in sync with the offense allows the line (and other blockers) to play with confidence and rhythm which results in fewer penalties. Each piece can make the whole better(or worse) and feeds the momentum for the game. And yes, Suisham gets credit for not missing his opportunities and putting more stress on the D and then the O which could have led to penalties.
We could have won on Sunday playing our worst game this year but the players came out and showed that they may be a champion in development by taking care of the games that they were suppose to win. I attribute the lack of penalties to a well prepared and focused team effort. Could it have been just a good or better with JJ in the game? Yes, but he wasn’t there. “You are what you are” and JJ has shown himself to be injury prone so far. I hope that changes.
Mr Bill,
if we don’t have TT playing some slot - or outside even! - how are we going to get him on the field otherwise????
He sure isn’t taking any carries from JJ. He isnt taking any away from MBIII.
Is he just going to run back kicks?
How do we get him on the field then??
FOOD FOR THOUGHT: How many of JJ’s runs were brought back due to penalties. I know he has had at least three rushes over 20 yards that were called back for penalties. Not to mention there have been several others between 5 and 15 yards. MM didn’t have a single run called back in either games. Is that because he is so great, or because of the rest of the teams play?
Airtyme-would JJ had those long runs without the holding???? i’ll have to go back and see. I remember one on Rivera when he pulled that was totally unnecessary.
Sean,
I call ‘psycho-babble’!
Do you think the Cowboys didn’t have penalties when Emmitt Smith was running the ball?
What happened to Barber’s ‘mojo’ when Rivera was called for holding, bringing back a long screen pass to Barber which would have set us up in Seattle’s territory?
Your second paragraph, however, has much merit.
AlanTdot,
Until he learns what he is supposed to do, I’m not all that interested in seeing Thompson on the field as a running back. It would be nice to get his speed on the field, but it won’t be all that crucial if Barber and Jones can do together what we all think they can. I certainly don’t see Thompson, as inexperienced as he would be at slot receiver, as an upgrade over Price, much less Crayton. So I don’t see how he would get all that much playing time there either.
I’m willing to wait until next year for Thompson. Perhaps he can use the offseason to learn some position … any position will do. Seriously, Thompson would be a great candidate to send to NFL Europe. The guy has had only one year in a major-college program. The rest of his experience comes from high school and junior college.
Airtyme,
Run? Perhaps not. But, in the Seattle game, Barber did have a long gain on a screen pass called back because of Rivera’s holding call.
Mr Bill,
I think TT needs to learn another position in addition to rb. I am sure that everyone drools over the speed and running ability he has shown thus far.
It might be early to say this, but it doesn’t seem like any rb not named Jones or Barber is going to be getting any significant time.
Will TT be another Mel Grey and be a ST standout for his career? Or will he wash out every year ala Woody Dantzler.
Will BP put in a Diamond formation to take advantage of his RB riches?
Is NFL Europe the answer? Maybe a season as the WR/Slot/RB/ST player will give him what he needs to succeed in the NFL.
Alan- I think you’d be throwing too much at TT to change his position right now. The reason why MB3 got the playing time is because TT kept blowing assignments in practice. Lets not overload his mind with a change right now. There is still a lot of games left and we might need him at RB yet this year. As for the future of Thompson, if he can’t learn the RB position he probably can’t learn WR. If he doesn’t have the mental horsepower to produce in an area we have depth he might be good for trade bait.
All this talk about TT’s speed as if it is the most important thing. For a RB, speed is one of the most highly overrated aspects of an RB’s ability. Does Jerome Bettis have great speed? Did Emmitt have great speed? I could go on and on. Do not get me wrong it is important, but give me someone who has vision and can run and block over a speed demon any day. But if speed were the most important thing, the NFL would be recruiting olympic sprinters all the time.
Unless the name is Bob Hayes, probably not going to happen because speed doesn’t mean a thing if you can’t execute the other aspect of the position. That goes for any position.
Airtyme,
I am not talking about TT’s speed per se, I am talking about his acceleration or change of speed, and that is what the Bus has and Emmitt had and all good backs have.
Speed is certainly not the most important thing in a running back. Good hands has to be first formost. You cannot have a back that fumbles. Vision, cutting, low center of gravity, ability to break tackles, then you get the other things……….does he block, catch, play every play………
Tyson Thompson would be on the practice squad if not for his speed. Speed kills……..and if you can find a back with it……..that can also hang on to the ball and not be a liability on the field………then by all means it is a great weapon.
Tony Dorsett had speed, as did a few other RBs……OJ, Marcus Allen are a few of the greats with speed…..Barry Sanders……Eric Dickerson…..Marshal Faulk…Bo Jackson had speed and power and Herschel had speed but questionable power……..but if you look at the hall of fame………the guys that could take the hits and dish em out are more abundant than a Mercury Morris, or a Gale Sayers. Franco Harris, Emmit Smith, John Riggins, Csonka, Curtis Martin, Jerome Bettis, Roger Craig, Thurman Thomas, Earl Campbell, and Walter Payton……Jim Brown…..those guys could dish out as much punishment as they took………the were hard runners who could and did gain most of their yards between the tackles………and never backed away from being hit………they were also durable and maybe Payton or Martin might have been the fastest of the 2nd bunch but none of them were necessarily the fastest player on the field or even the fastest running back on the team for that matter. But despite their not being the fastest I have seen Franco, Emmit, Jerome, Riggo, and Payton rumble for a lot of yards and make long and short yardage. Also if you look at the small shifty scat back……..like a Reggie Bush those guys are going to lose more as their speed declines with age. Probably one reason Barry stepped when he did………if he started to lose his speed he would have looked pedestrian before a guy like Martin or Smith.
Guys talk about Terry Glenn as not having great speed……..but I read some CBs say he has “Game speed”………I think a lot of those backs had Game Speed and that is much more important than a 40 time………..can you do it in pads while hanging on to the ball? That is the thing that makes a running back……….Julius Jones and Marion Barber both have a lot of potential at this point. I for one wish em both the best………..it only makes us better………if we as fans are arguing over which is the better back……..then the opposing teams really don’t know who is coming to dinner on Sunday. It could be a helping of 25 to Jones……..5 to MB and 5 to TT…………or it could be 30 to MB and 10 to Jones……….or 20 to JJ and a bunch of passing downs with MB3………….who knows………but it makes the opposing defenses study more film for tendencies of the team and the RB………it is in our best interest to have a couple guys that can make it happen.
Let Jimmy Johnson of the Eagles and Tom Coughlin of the Giants worry about who is the better back and who is going to carry the rock!
Fresh legs later in the year and in the 4th Q will be easier with two, and you can even sit JJ or MB3 some if we are sittting pretty going into the playoffs. TT develops even better we got 3 face cards in the backfielf instead of crap. Quite a turn around from the days of Troy Hambrick and Eddie George. JJ or MBIII both have a long way to go to even be mentioned with the above company………..but I for one am looking forward to watching both over the next few years!
Jon,
You took the words right out of my mouth and said what I was wanting to say.
Nicely done!
Ya’ll crack me up! Those of you saying that Bledsoe, the O-line, etc will all lobby for Barber can give that one a break! Lets see, did BARBER CLOSE OUT THE SEATTLE game for us - HADES NO!!! WE LOST, just like we LOST the Washington game. Troy Hambrick could have got 127 yards with the size of holes opened up against Arizona. Every team, except the Philly game, the opposing D’s lined up with 8 and 9 in the box, with every intent to stop Julius first and foremost. Since the Philly game (Julilus 72 yards in first half) teams have respected out passing game. Since then you are looking at more 7 man fronts or less to run on. Barber is good, don’t get me wrong, but Julius is the better back. For those of you that don’t think so, just watch the Philly game….Julius is gonna thrash them.
Also, leading up the Arizona game, Jason Witten, Bledsoe and Cambell were all quoted hoping for Julius to return soon. They were talking about what they were missing with him out. What they were missing was teams loading up to stop the run, causing teams to darn near go man to man against our passing game. Since Julius went down, the WR’s/TE’s are getting double-teamed much more often. Reason being, nobody respected our running game without Julius.
Has anyone heard if JJ practiced on Saturday? What’s the latest news on his recovery? I’m afraid JJ is going to try to come back before he’s ready.
Madcowboy,
Jones did not participate in the early portion of practice on Saturday, which was witnessed by reporters. While they were there, they saw Jones doing resistance work on the sidelines. Players have claimed that he did participate in the later portion, which was not viewed by reporters. Since no one from the media saw Jones practice, none of them can comment on how much he did or how good he looked, and Parcells hasn’t had a press conference since then.