Cowboys Mailbag: Increased workload benefits Barber, Cowboys
by Tom Orsborn
Express-News Staff Writer
Ever notice how Marion Barber sometimes jukes and jives before plowing over defenders?
Bill Parcells has. And Parcells being Parcells, he shared his observation with the media as a way to poke fun at Barber, one of the coach's favorite players.
"He's got a very good nose for the goal line," Parcells said of Barber, who is tied with Terrell Owens for the team lead in touchdowns with seven. "He is a very aggressive runner near the goal line.
"But he thinks he's Gale Sayers, too, and he's not."
Barber recorded his seventh rushing TD of the season in Sunday's 27-10 victory over Arizona. The total is the most by a Cowboys back since Julius Jones had seven in 2004. Only three other backs in the NFL have more rushing TDs than Barber.
For the past several weeks, Parcells has been talking about giving Barber more carries. On Sunday, Barber finally wound up with more attempts than Jones after entering the game averaging just seven carries a game.
Barber bulled his way to 65 yards on 14 carries against the Cardinals, both season highs. Jones finished with 45 yards on 15 carries, both season lows. The game also marked the first time this season Jones hasn't led the Cowboys in rushing.
Barber got the bulk of his carries against Arizona in the fourth quarter, when he logged eight attempts for 35 yards and one TD, a 5-yard dash that gave the Cowboys a commanding 27-3 lead with 14:17 left.
"Once you get him in the flow, he's good to go," Parcells said of Barber. "You've got to get him going."
Through nine games, Jones lead the Cowboys with 734 yards on 180 carries. Barber has 374 yards on 73 attempts for a team-best 5.1 average.
It's good to see Barber get more playing time. He always gives the offense a spark and the rest does Jones good.
Now if Parcells can only convince Barber that jukes and jives aren't necessary.
Express-News Staff Writer
Ever notice how Marion Barber sometimes jukes and jives before plowing over defenders?
Bill Parcells has. And Parcells being Parcells, he shared his observation with the media as a way to poke fun at Barber, one of the coach's favorite players.
"He's got a very good nose for the goal line," Parcells said of Barber, who is tied with Terrell Owens for the team lead in touchdowns with seven. "He is a very aggressive runner near the goal line.
"But he thinks he's Gale Sayers, too, and he's not."
Barber recorded his seventh rushing TD of the season in Sunday's 27-10 victory over Arizona. The total is the most by a Cowboys back since Julius Jones had seven in 2004. Only three other backs in the NFL have more rushing TDs than Barber.
For the past several weeks, Parcells has been talking about giving Barber more carries. On Sunday, Barber finally wound up with more attempts than Jones after entering the game averaging just seven carries a game.
Barber bulled his way to 65 yards on 14 carries against the Cardinals, both season highs. Jones finished with 45 yards on 15 carries, both season lows. The game also marked the first time this season Jones hasn't led the Cowboys in rushing.
Barber got the bulk of his carries against Arizona in the fourth quarter, when he logged eight attempts for 35 yards and one TD, a 5-yard dash that gave the Cowboys a commanding 27-3 lead with 14:17 left.
"Once you get him in the flow, he's good to go," Parcells said of Barber. "You've got to get him going."
Through nine games, Jones lead the Cowboys with 734 yards on 180 carries. Barber has 374 yards on 73 attempts for a team-best 5.1 average.
It's good to see Barber get more playing time. He always gives the offense a spark and the rest does Jones good.
Now if Parcells can only convince Barber that jukes and jives aren't necessary.
posted by The Gryphon at 7:05 PM
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