Running game shifts into gear
By Rick Herrin
Star-Telegram Staff Writer
IRVING - The Cowboys' running game finally showed the dual-threat punch Bill Parcells is seeking.
Running backs Julius Jones and Marion Barber raced through San Francisco's defense in the first half of Saturday night's 17-7 victory. In the first two preseason games, the Cowboys averaged 3 yards a carry. They averaged 4.6 against the 49ers.
Jones and Barber had a combined 105 yards on 24 carries. Jones had 15 carries for 56 yards (3.7 average per carry) and Barber had nine carries for 49 yards and a 5-yard touchdown run.
Before Saturday, Jones and Barber had combined for 40 carries and 103 yards (2.5 average per carry) in the preseason.
Backup Tyson Thompson had 65 yards on 11 carries in the second half.
Allen returns
Former Cowboys 10-time Pro Bowl guard Larry Allen made his return to Texas Stadium.
Allen, wearing No. 71 in honor of the late former Cowboys offensive lineman Mark Tuinei, started at left guard for the 49ers. In the off-season Allen was a salary-cap casualty after playing 12 seasons in Dallas.
The 49ers' No. 73, Allen's number in Dallas, is retired in honor of Hall of Famer Leo Nomellini.
Nguyen honored
The Cowboys honored former linebacker Dat Nguyen at halftime.
Nguyen was forced to retire last spring because of injuries after playing seven seasons with the Cowboys.
The former third-round pick from Texas A&M was the Cowboys' leading tackler in his final three full seasons. He started 65 games and had 665 career tackles.
Briefly
Rookie Pat McQuistan started at left tackle in place of Flozell Adams, who was out with a strained left calf.
Rookie free safety Pat Watkins started for the second consecutive week. Keith Davis did not suit up after having surgery to remove a bullet from his thigh Friday.
The Cowboys said they are not interested in trading for New England wide receiver Deion Branch.
Gaining ground
With all the talk centered on Bledsoe vs. Romo, much hadn't been made of the Cowboys' inability to run the ball during the preseason. On Saturday night, the Cowboys finally showed some improvement on the ground. How Dallas' top three runners have fared this preseason:
GAME 1: COWBOYS 13, SEAHAWKS 3
Runner Att. Yds. Avg. Long
Julius Jones 7 14 2.0 4
Marion Barber 7 20 2.9 7
Tyson Thompson 9 29 3.2 7
GAME 2: COWBOYS 30, SAINTS 7
Runner Att. Yds. Avg. Long
Julius Jones 13 29 2.2 11
Marion Barber 13 40 3.1 11
Tyson Thompson 10 45 4.5 25
GAME 3: COWBOYS 17, 49ERS 7
Runner Att. Yds. Avg. Long
Julius Jones 15 56 3.7 9
Marion Barber 9 49 5.4 15
Tyson Thompson 11 65 5.9 24
Star-Telegram Staff Writer
IRVING - The Cowboys' running game finally showed the dual-threat punch Bill Parcells is seeking.
Running backs Julius Jones and Marion Barber raced through San Francisco's defense in the first half of Saturday night's 17-7 victory. In the first two preseason games, the Cowboys averaged 3 yards a carry. They averaged 4.6 against the 49ers.
Jones and Barber had a combined 105 yards on 24 carries. Jones had 15 carries for 56 yards (3.7 average per carry) and Barber had nine carries for 49 yards and a 5-yard touchdown run.
Before Saturday, Jones and Barber had combined for 40 carries and 103 yards (2.5 average per carry) in the preseason.
Backup Tyson Thompson had 65 yards on 11 carries in the second half.
Allen returns
Former Cowboys 10-time Pro Bowl guard Larry Allen made his return to Texas Stadium.
Allen, wearing No. 71 in honor of the late former Cowboys offensive lineman Mark Tuinei, started at left guard for the 49ers. In the off-season Allen was a salary-cap casualty after playing 12 seasons in Dallas.
The 49ers' No. 73, Allen's number in Dallas, is retired in honor of Hall of Famer Leo Nomellini.
Nguyen honored
The Cowboys honored former linebacker Dat Nguyen at halftime.
Nguyen was forced to retire last spring because of injuries after playing seven seasons with the Cowboys.
The former third-round pick from Texas A&M was the Cowboys' leading tackler in his final three full seasons. He started 65 games and had 665 career tackles.
Briefly
Rookie Pat McQuistan started at left tackle in place of Flozell Adams, who was out with a strained left calf.
Rookie free safety Pat Watkins started for the second consecutive week. Keith Davis did not suit up after having surgery to remove a bullet from his thigh Friday.
The Cowboys said they are not interested in trading for New England wide receiver Deion Branch.
Gaining ground
With all the talk centered on Bledsoe vs. Romo, much hadn't been made of the Cowboys' inability to run the ball during the preseason. On Saturday night, the Cowboys finally showed some improvement on the ground. How Dallas' top three runners have fared this preseason:
GAME 1: COWBOYS 13, SEAHAWKS 3
Runner Att. Yds. Avg. Long
Julius Jones 7 14 2.0 4
Marion Barber 7 20 2.9 7
Tyson Thompson 9 29 3.2 7
GAME 2: COWBOYS 30, SAINTS 7
Runner Att. Yds. Avg. Long
Julius Jones 13 29 2.2 11
Marion Barber 13 40 3.1 11
Tyson Thompson 10 45 4.5 25
GAME 3: COWBOYS 17, 49ERS 7
Runner Att. Yds. Avg. Long
Julius Jones 15 56 3.7 9
Marion Barber 9 49 5.4 15
Tyson Thompson 11 65 5.9 24
posted by The Gryphon at 12:57 PM
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