When KRLD-FM asked Jerry Jones about Marion Barber’s role, he gave a very candid and (believe it or not) accurate response. According to ESPN.com, Jerry said,
I think the real question is, should he be finishing rather than beginning? In his Pro Bowl year, where he had his best year, [Barber was] finishing the game. If you recall, Julius Jones started the game. We injected the quickness of his speed there early.
I’ve only been saying this since Week 3. Why does Jerry understand the problem better than his head coach? Here’s what Wade had to say on the subject:
He’s able to carry the load. We want the power guy early in the game to start out to physically attack the other team, I think, and you want the same thing at the end of the game. Plus, he’s our best player. He’s our best back. You want your best player out there to start the game and finish it.
Let’s give Wade the benefit of the doubt and assume he didn’t actually intend to call Marion Barber their “best player”. Let’s move on to the REAL issue at stake here: you have a player who was a Pro Bowler when he was positioned as the closer. You gave him starter money and now you play him as a starter. And since the change, he’s not been nearly as effective. This is basic logic, Mr. Phillips. You compare the past with the present and you go back to what worked! This is not rocket science.
If you actually watched the damn games you were supposed to be coaching instead of arguing how much your players are “winners”, you might actually realize that starting Marion Barber isn’t working. It’s not the best use of his skillset.
The way it should be
Starter: Tashard Choice. I’ve been saying this since the season began. Give me Tashard to start. Will he break away for 20, 30, 40 yard runs? Maybe. Maybe not. He does have better speed than Barber in the open field. He has better moves and toughness than Felix. If anything, Choice is the closest thing to an all-around running back. I think Red Jesus would be pleasantly surprised with Choice’s production.
Specialty / Backfield Receiver: Felix Jones. Is there ANY doubt that Felix Jones could do EXACTLY what Brian Westbrook has done for the Philadelphia Eagles? They’re practically the same player. Give Felix a few handoffs throughout the game, but keep him in the backfield and swing him out into the wing as your last option receiver. He will make some plays. Guaranteed.
Closer: Marion Barber. IT JUST MAKES THE MOST SENSE. Barber played his best pro ball when he closed behind Julius Jones. That was the scenario that enamored all the fans and coaches and caused Jerry to cough up the big money. I don’t care what kind of logic Wade Phillips thinks he possesses. On this, he is flat wrong. You don’t find a gem and pay a star and then change up his approach. That’s just stupid.
Put Barber back in the closer position and let him punish tired defenses in the Second Half.
Unconvinced? Todd Archer of the Dallas Morning News put together some game changing stats.
Here’s Barber’s average quarter-by-quarter breakdown from 2009:
First – 4.1 carries, 18 yards
Second – 3.4 carries, 12 yards
Third – 2.5 carries, 8.3 yards
Fourth – 3.7 carries, 22.5 yards
Here’s Barber’s average quarter-by-quarter breakdown from 2007:
First – 2.1 carries, 9.3 yards
Second – 3.1 carries, 14 yards
Third – 2.6 carries, 12.6 yards
Fourth – 4.9 carries, 25 yards
You can clearly see that the 4th Quarter has always been his best slot for yards per carry. And the 2nd Quarter barely edges out the 3rd for next best. But it’s clear as day that Barber is historically weakest in the 1st Quarter. The stats don’t lie.
Take your “best player starts” mentality and go coach little league.
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