Cowboys' Jones, Barber bring 1-2 punch
Tom Orsborn
Express-News Staff Writer
IRVING - Don Perkins and Dan Reeves in the 1960s. Calvin Hill and Walt Garrison in the '70s. Tony Dorsett and Ron Springs in the '80s.
With the Emmitt Smith era in the '90s being the one exception, each decade of the Dallas Cowboys' existence has included a talented tandem of running backs on the team's roster.
The tradition continues this season thanks to coach Bill Parcells and the potent one-two punch of Julius Jones and Marion Barber.
"When you keep these guys fresh, they just play a lot better," said former Cowboys personnel director Gil Brandt, who provided Tom Landry with a steady stream of talented runners from 1960-88. "Bill's believed in that for a long time. He used change-of-pace backs years ago when he was with the Giants."
Only three tandems in the league have combined for more rushing yards than the 680 produced by Jones and Barber. The Cowboys' running game is averaging 151.8 yards per game, which was tied with the New York Giants for third in the league after last week's games.
The Cowboys and Giants play Monday night in an important NFC East Division game between 3-2 teams. Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m. at Texas Stadium.
"I kind of like the way our running game has gone so far," Parcells said. "We're starting to be effective, and I do like the tandem we are using."
Parcells' lead horse is Jones, who has 108 attempts for 494 yards and two touchdowns. The former Notre Dame star notched his third consecutive 100-yard game in last Sunday's 34-6 victory over the Houston Texans, gaining 106 yards on 22 carries.
The effort included a 33-yard dash early in the third quarter that set up the Cowboys' first TD.
"It looked like somebody shot him out of a cannon," Cowboys linebacker Akin Ayodele said.
In his third season, Jones has developed into a more patient runner. Instead of relying on instincts, he's using his blockers more and plotting his moves downfield.
"I trust my linemen," Jones said. "I trust they're going to get the job done. I run where I'm supposed to, but if the hole's not there, it's my job to create something."
Such determination has impressed his teammates.
"The thing that separates a back from being just an ordinary guy are the yards he makes after contact, and Julius is doing a great job of running through tackles and getting those extra yards," quarterback Drew Bledsoe said. "When he goes down, he's always going forward."
Barber is just as determined. And at 6-foot, 220 pounds, he's 2 inches taller and 9 pounds heavier than Jones.
"Marion is a hard runner who wants contact," Ayodele said. "You have to bring your big-boy pads if you're going to come up and tackle him."
Used primarily as a third-down and red-zone back, Barber has chipped in 186 yards. The second-year player leads the team in yards per carry (5.0) and rushing TDs (four).
Parcells said last week he's considering giving Barber more work, mainly because the Minnesota alumnus has scored nine TDs in 18 games.
"That's something to pay attention to," Parcells said. "And he blocks pretty well, and he can catch the ball. I think we might think about expanding (his role) a little bit."
Brandt, now an analyst for NFL.com, said he thinks more work for Barber can only benefit Jones.
"(Parcells) is really enhancing (Jones') career as far as longevity goes," Brandt said. "I think everyone is recognizing the benefits of having their backs share duty. Instead of getting 24-25 carries, lead backs are getting 18-19. That allows them to play better. It may not show up statistically, but it's obvious toward the end of games when their legs are fresh."
Express-News Staff Writer
IRVING - Don Perkins and Dan Reeves in the 1960s. Calvin Hill and Walt Garrison in the '70s. Tony Dorsett and Ron Springs in the '80s.
With the Emmitt Smith era in the '90s being the one exception, each decade of the Dallas Cowboys' existence has included a talented tandem of running backs on the team's roster.
The tradition continues this season thanks to coach Bill Parcells and the potent one-two punch of Julius Jones and Marion Barber.
"When you keep these guys fresh, they just play a lot better," said former Cowboys personnel director Gil Brandt, who provided Tom Landry with a steady stream of talented runners from 1960-88. "Bill's believed in that for a long time. He used change-of-pace backs years ago when he was with the Giants."
Only three tandems in the league have combined for more rushing yards than the 680 produced by Jones and Barber. The Cowboys' running game is averaging 151.8 yards per game, which was tied with the New York Giants for third in the league after last week's games.
The Cowboys and Giants play Monday night in an important NFC East Division game between 3-2 teams. Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m. at Texas Stadium.
"I kind of like the way our running game has gone so far," Parcells said. "We're starting to be effective, and I do like the tandem we are using."
Parcells' lead horse is Jones, who has 108 attempts for 494 yards and two touchdowns. The former Notre Dame star notched his third consecutive 100-yard game in last Sunday's 34-6 victory over the Houston Texans, gaining 106 yards on 22 carries.
The effort included a 33-yard dash early in the third quarter that set up the Cowboys' first TD.
"It looked like somebody shot him out of a cannon," Cowboys linebacker Akin Ayodele said.
In his third season, Jones has developed into a more patient runner. Instead of relying on instincts, he's using his blockers more and plotting his moves downfield.
"I trust my linemen," Jones said. "I trust they're going to get the job done. I run where I'm supposed to, but if the hole's not there, it's my job to create something."
Such determination has impressed his teammates.
"The thing that separates a back from being just an ordinary guy are the yards he makes after contact, and Julius is doing a great job of running through tackles and getting those extra yards," quarterback Drew Bledsoe said. "When he goes down, he's always going forward."
Barber is just as determined. And at 6-foot, 220 pounds, he's 2 inches taller and 9 pounds heavier than Jones.
"Marion is a hard runner who wants contact," Ayodele said. "You have to bring your big-boy pads if you're going to come up and tackle him."
Used primarily as a third-down and red-zone back, Barber has chipped in 186 yards. The second-year player leads the team in yards per carry (5.0) and rushing TDs (four).
Parcells said last week he's considering giving Barber more work, mainly because the Minnesota alumnus has scored nine TDs in 18 games.
"That's something to pay attention to," Parcells said. "And he blocks pretty well, and he can catch the ball. I think we might think about expanding (his role) a little bit."
Brandt, now an analyst for NFL.com, said he thinks more work for Barber can only benefit Jones.
"(Parcells) is really enhancing (Jones') career as far as longevity goes," Brandt said. "I think everyone is recognizing the benefits of having their backs share duty. Instead of getting 24-25 carries, lead backs are getting 18-19. That allows them to play better. It may not show up statistically, but it's obvious toward the end of games when their legs are fresh."
posted by The Gryphon at 9:28 AM
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