Posted on
8/14/2007 6:23:44 PM
Will Cowboys Backfield Balance Be Unbalanced
By Charles Jay
The rushing attack for the Dallas Cowboys is both a blessing and a curse. The Cowboys possess two very serviceable running backs who can plug into most any situation, but neither of them, at least to date, have proven to be Pro Bowl caliber. This season it will be hard to tip the scales too much in the direction of either running back, as both will find significant playing time. But there will be a battle as to who receives the starting nod for the first game of the season.
New coach Wade Phillips, who took over for Bill Parcells, will make his decision between Notre Dame alumnus Julius Jones (brother of RB Thomas Jones, now with New York Jets) and Marion Barber, son of a former Jet who once shared the University of Minnesota backfield with New England's Lawrence Maroney. Jones burst into prominence in 2004, when, as a rookie, he rushed for 819 yards in just eight starts, then totaled 993 yards in '05 and 1084 last season. In a league where the 1000-yard mark isn't that hard to reach (just 63 yards a game will do it), that doesn't blow anyone away.
Jones doesn't reach the end zone all that much, and he is not a prolific receiver either (just nine catches last year). Barber is the guy Dallas has used in most short yardage and goal line situations, and scored 14 touchdowns last year. He made the most of his carries as well, averaging 4.8 yards an attempt as compared to just 4.1 for Jones. With 23 receptions, he is more of an all-around threat out of the backfield than Jones. But he's not as explosive as Jones, nor has he ever been an every-down back.
It will be Tony Romo's first full year as the starting quarterback, and his receivers are basically the same - Terrell Owens, Terry Glenn and Jason Witten. The only difference in the offensive dynamic will be whether Barber's role expands or pretty much stays the same.
Most likely there will be some splitting of time behind Romo, with Barber and Jones each sharing in the role, spelled on occasion by someone like Tyson Thompson. There is nothing wrong with running back-by-committee, if it works. For the Cowboys, it is going to have to.
THE CHARLES JAY LINE
Who will start at running back for the Cowboys in Game 1?
* Julius Jones -150
* Marion Barber +110
Who will gain more rushing yards for the Cowboys in 2007?
* Julius Jones -289.5 yds -120
* Marion Barber +289.5 yds -120
Who will gain more rushing + receiving yards for the Cowboys in 2007?
* Julius Jones -235.5 yds -120
* Marion Barber +235.5 -120
Will Julius Jones gain at least 1000 yards rushing in 2007?
* Yes -150
* No +110
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Charles Jay of TotalAction.com is a freelance writer and oddsmaker who contributes with gusto to the BetUS.com Locker Room