For Julius Jones, it might be third and long gone
STAR-TELEGRAM/RON JENKINS
Julius Jones hopes his third year will be something to smile about.
OXNARD, Calif. -- Julius Jones knows how to count to three.
There are times he wishes he didn't, but he can't run away from it any more than he can run away from every NFL linebacker he meets.
Some things you just have to meet head on.
Jones is in his third year as a Dallas Cowboy, and when you're playing for Bill Parcells, that means it's time to either put up or shut up.
Or, more likely, hit the road, Jack.
Jones, who even heard his name whispered in trade rumors this past off-season, would rather not do that.
"It's a big year for me," Jones admitted after a recent practice session at Cowboys camp. "Parcells likes to see what a player can do in their third year.
"He gives you three years to prove something. I still have something to prove."
Julius can rest assured that he has Parcells' full attention in that endeavor.
"I just hope I see an improved player, a guy who has a little better sense of timing and what we're doing," Parcells said.
The thing Big Bill didn't add to that observation -- the "or else" -- is understood.
This needs to be Julius Jones' year.
What does he have to prove?
"Everything," Jones replied. "That I can stay on the field. That I can be an all-down back. I've got to prove that every year."
It's especially important this year, entering a season in which the Cowboys have high expectations of not just making the playoffs, but of making a run for the Super Bowl.
It's no secret that Parcells will trot out his tried-and-true formula of building his team around a strong defense and a reliable running game.
That's where Jones comes in, of course.
"I'm hoping he can be a key guy for us in that respect," Parcells said.
It's not that Jones has been an abysmal failure since the Cowboys drafted him out of Notre Dame in the second round (43rd overall pick) in 2004. Far from it.
But, from the Cowboys' perspective, he has been more sizzle than steak.
After missing eight of his first nine games his rookie season with injuries, Jones showed flashes of brilliance with 33 carries for 150 yards against the Bears, 30 carries for 198 yards in a comeback victory over Seattle and 29 carries for 149 yards in the season's final game against the Giants.
That just whetted the appetite for more in 2005, but Jones again missed three games with a high ankle sprain and only delivered one game of more than 100 yards, carrying 34 times for 194 yards in the Cowboys' next to last game of the season at Carolina.
The Cowboys have seen the potential. What they want now is the consistency.
That said, Jones' dreams of being the Cowboys' every-down back in 2006 probably won't come true. The plan right now is to pair him with Marion Barber in hopes of keeping both of them, but Jones especially, healthier and fresher.
The era of the big, durable running back carrying the ball 30 times a game for 16 games is over, Parcells said.
"I don't think the colleges are producing those kinds of guys on a consistent basis anymore," he said. "I think the colleges themselves are rotating players. Most of the top schools, like Southern Cal and Texas, are running two or three backs in there. As a result, those are the kind of players they are producing.
"Eventually, whatever the colleges do gets to the pros. It's just the natural evolution you see. That's what becomes available to you. You have to look a long time in college now to find a real big back."
Sounds like a decent argument, I suppose, until you remember that Emmitt Smith was about Jones' size and stuck around long enough to become the NFL's all-time leading rusher.
Then again, maybe that only emphasizes what an anomaly Smith was.
"You see more backs by committee than ever before," running backs coach Anthony Lynn said. "A lot of that is to keep backs healthy. Last year, Julius averaged about 71 snaps a game, and he wore down. It may have led to his injury. I don't know.
"If we can get Barber in there more to split the time, give him a breather, I think we have a better chance to get both backs through the season."
Lynn is convinced that Jones can be a bona fide NFL star. If he can stay on the field.
"If he can stay healthy, you're going to see a very productive back," Lynn said. "When he's been on the field, he's been productive. You can't take that away from him.
"You saw it last year in Carolina. When he's healthy, that's what you see."
It's understandable that Parcells would be somewhat skeptical after Jones' first two injury-plagued seasons, but he would be wise to consider the extent of Jones' upside before turning him into a part-time back.
None of the Cowboys' other backs has Jones' explosiveness or ability to turn a game around on one play.
"He's a threat on the second level," Lynn said. "Anytime he's on the second level [in the secondary], he's got a chance to take it to the house. A lot of backs in this league can't say that."
No, they can't. It's what makes Jones special.
This is the year he needs to show the Cowboys -- and especially Mr. Third-Year Parcells -- just how special he can be.
Julius Jones hopes his third year will be something to smile about.
OXNARD, Calif. -- Julius Jones knows how to count to three.
There are times he wishes he didn't, but he can't run away from it any more than he can run away from every NFL linebacker he meets.
Some things you just have to meet head on.
Jones is in his third year as a Dallas Cowboy, and when you're playing for Bill Parcells, that means it's time to either put up or shut up.
Or, more likely, hit the road, Jack.
Jones, who even heard his name whispered in trade rumors this past off-season, would rather not do that.
"It's a big year for me," Jones admitted after a recent practice session at Cowboys camp. "Parcells likes to see what a player can do in their third year.
"He gives you three years to prove something. I still have something to prove."
Julius can rest assured that he has Parcells' full attention in that endeavor.
"I just hope I see an improved player, a guy who has a little better sense of timing and what we're doing," Parcells said.
The thing Big Bill didn't add to that observation -- the "or else" -- is understood.
This needs to be Julius Jones' year.
What does he have to prove?
"Everything," Jones replied. "That I can stay on the field. That I can be an all-down back. I've got to prove that every year."
It's especially important this year, entering a season in which the Cowboys have high expectations of not just making the playoffs, but of making a run for the Super Bowl.
It's no secret that Parcells will trot out his tried-and-true formula of building his team around a strong defense and a reliable running game.
That's where Jones comes in, of course.
"I'm hoping he can be a key guy for us in that respect," Parcells said.
It's not that Jones has been an abysmal failure since the Cowboys drafted him out of Notre Dame in the second round (43rd overall pick) in 2004. Far from it.
But, from the Cowboys' perspective, he has been more sizzle than steak.
After missing eight of his first nine games his rookie season with injuries, Jones showed flashes of brilliance with 33 carries for 150 yards against the Bears, 30 carries for 198 yards in a comeback victory over Seattle and 29 carries for 149 yards in the season's final game against the Giants.
That just whetted the appetite for more in 2005, but Jones again missed three games with a high ankle sprain and only delivered one game of more than 100 yards, carrying 34 times for 194 yards in the Cowboys' next to last game of the season at Carolina.
The Cowboys have seen the potential. What they want now is the consistency.
That said, Jones' dreams of being the Cowboys' every-down back in 2006 probably won't come true. The plan right now is to pair him with Marion Barber in hopes of keeping both of them, but Jones especially, healthier and fresher.
The era of the big, durable running back carrying the ball 30 times a game for 16 games is over, Parcells said.
"I don't think the colleges are producing those kinds of guys on a consistent basis anymore," he said. "I think the colleges themselves are rotating players. Most of the top schools, like Southern Cal and Texas, are running two or three backs in there. As a result, those are the kind of players they are producing.
"Eventually, whatever the colleges do gets to the pros. It's just the natural evolution you see. That's what becomes available to you. You have to look a long time in college now to find a real big back."
Sounds like a decent argument, I suppose, until you remember that Emmitt Smith was about Jones' size and stuck around long enough to become the NFL's all-time leading rusher.
Then again, maybe that only emphasizes what an anomaly Smith was.
"You see more backs by committee than ever before," running backs coach Anthony Lynn said. "A lot of that is to keep backs healthy. Last year, Julius averaged about 71 snaps a game, and he wore down. It may have led to his injury. I don't know.
"If we can get Barber in there more to split the time, give him a breather, I think we have a better chance to get both backs through the season."
Lynn is convinced that Jones can be a bona fide NFL star. If he can stay on the field.
"If he can stay healthy, you're going to see a very productive back," Lynn said. "When he's been on the field, he's been productive. You can't take that away from him.
"You saw it last year in Carolina. When he's healthy, that's what you see."
It's understandable that Parcells would be somewhat skeptical after Jones' first two injury-plagued seasons, but he would be wise to consider the extent of Jones' upside before turning him into a part-time back.
None of the Cowboys' other backs has Jones' explosiveness or ability to turn a game around on one play.
"He's a threat on the second level," Lynn said. "Anytime he's on the second level [in the secondary], he's got a chance to take it to the house. A lot of backs in this league can't say that."
No, they can't. It's what makes Jones special.
This is the year he needs to show the Cowboys -- and especially Mr. Third-Year Parcells -- just how special he can be.
posted by The Gryphon at 7:25 AM
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