Marion III - the unknown Barber
By Andy Targovnik on December 7, 2006 12:46 AM
Before the Dallas Cowboys beat the New York Giants this past Sunday, if you would have asked casual NFL fans for the first name of the "Barber" who leads the NFC in total touchdowns, probably nine out of 10 would have answered, "Tiki."
Of course, serious NFL enthusiasts would have known that the correct answer was "Marion III." For a guy who has played this well, he sure does fly under the radar.
But after the nation saw the second-year running back slice up the Giants' defense, everyone certainly knows who he is now.
Who could have expected that Barber would be this good coming into the season? After all, Julius Jones was Dallas' feature back. Barber was supposed to simply spell the injury-prone Jones, playing mainly on third down and other passing situations, because of his superior blocking ability.
Although Jones started strong, he has really struggled the last seven weeks, averaging a mere 3.3 yards per rush. So little by little, Bill Parcells increased Barber's workload and started to use him exclusively inside the 10-yard line.
"He's [Barber] earned that," Parcells said. "He's pretty versatile, he blocks, he runs, he doesn't complain...and he's competitive."
And the head coach omitted one crucial thing: He's productive - very productive.
Barber is averaging 5.2 yards per carry and has become automatic at the goal line, leading the entire NFC with 11 rushing touchdowns. He also has two receiving touchdowns. Hitting paydirt 13 times in 12 games is nothing to sneeze at.
And it's just not the results of Barber's work that are impressive. He's running, cutting and slashing with authority. His touchdown scampers aren't twinkle-toed dances into the end zone, either. Barber is putting his head down and simply running over people.
During last Sunday's game against the Giants, Jones had his worst rushing day of the season, gaining only 24 yards on 11 carries. It was Barber to the rescue as he rushed for 76 yards on just 12 tries, including a punishing, 7-yard touchdown run that temporarily put the Cowboys up by seven points in the fourth quarter.
Tony Romo keeps getting the majority of media attention for the Cowboys, and rightly so. But where would this team be without Marion Barber III this season? I'm not sure Cowboy fans want to know.
Before the Dallas Cowboys beat the New York Giants this past Sunday, if you would have asked casual NFL fans for the first name of the "Barber" who leads the NFC in total touchdowns, probably nine out of 10 would have answered, "Tiki."
Of course, serious NFL enthusiasts would have known that the correct answer was "Marion III." For a guy who has played this well, he sure does fly under the radar.
But after the nation saw the second-year running back slice up the Giants' defense, everyone certainly knows who he is now.
Who could have expected that Barber would be this good coming into the season? After all, Julius Jones was Dallas' feature back. Barber was supposed to simply spell the injury-prone Jones, playing mainly on third down and other passing situations, because of his superior blocking ability.
Although Jones started strong, he has really struggled the last seven weeks, averaging a mere 3.3 yards per rush. So little by little, Bill Parcells increased Barber's workload and started to use him exclusively inside the 10-yard line.
"He's [Barber] earned that," Parcells said. "He's pretty versatile, he blocks, he runs, he doesn't complain...and he's competitive."
And the head coach omitted one crucial thing: He's productive - very productive.
Barber is averaging 5.2 yards per carry and has become automatic at the goal line, leading the entire NFC with 11 rushing touchdowns. He also has two receiving touchdowns. Hitting paydirt 13 times in 12 games is nothing to sneeze at.
And it's just not the results of Barber's work that are impressive. He's running, cutting and slashing with authority. His touchdown scampers aren't twinkle-toed dances into the end zone, either. Barber is putting his head down and simply running over people.
During last Sunday's game against the Giants, Jones had his worst rushing day of the season, gaining only 24 yards on 11 carries. It was Barber to the rescue as he rushed for 76 yards on just 12 tries, including a punishing, 7-yard touchdown run that temporarily put the Cowboys up by seven points in the fourth quarter.
Tony Romo keeps getting the majority of media attention for the Cowboys, and rightly so. But where would this team be without Marion Barber III this season? I'm not sure Cowboy fans want to know.
posted by The Gryphon at 7:01 PM
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