Barber Shows His Toughness To Porter, Dolphins
Nick Eatman - Email
DallasCowboys.com Staff Writer
September 17, 2007 12:05 AM
MIAMI - He said he didn't hear it. He said he wasn't aware of anything even after the game. He also said he didn't have any words with a certain Dolphins linebacker during the game.
While that might just be the case, Cowboys running back Marion Barber definitely played as if he heard the comments Miami's Joey Porter made earlier in the week, questioning the running back's toughness and saying he would be "looking for him" during the game.
In fact, Porter and Barber found each other before the game, when the two had a few heated words as the Cowboys exited the field and went back into the locker room.
And on Barber's first carry from scrimmage, Porter was flagged for unsportsmanlike conduct after ripping Barber's helmet off after the play had ended.
But it was Barber who certainly got the last laugh on Sunday as the Cowboys rolled to a 37-20 win over the Dolphins.
The third-year tailback led the Cowboys with 89 yards on just 14 carries (6.4 yards per attempt) and scored two touchdowns, including a 40-yard game-clincher late in the fourth quarter.
"I don't really know about any of that," Barber said of Porter's comments. "We just went out and played football. That's all. I really don't know what you're talking about."
But it seems unlikely that Porter's comments, which appeared this week in a FOXSports.com story, didn't get back to Barber before kickoff.
Porter, a former Pro Bowl linebacker who signed with the Dolphins this past off-season, was rather opinionated about Barber, who is becoming one of the NFL's toughest runners.
"Barber thinks he's a tough guy sometimes," Porter reportedly said. "He likes to get into the secondary and lower his shoulder and try to run people over to see if he's this real physical running back. I love running backs who play like that. It's a challenge.
"I love a cocky guy. He's a cocky guy. That makes two cocky guys in the game. Somebody has to give. That's my type of fight, so I'm going to be looking for him."
He didn't have to look too far. While Barber fell short of getting his second 100-yard game, he did score two more touchdowns, giving him three in two games. Barber led the NFC last year with 14 rushing touchdowns.
While Barber might not have heard, or simply wanted to comment on Porter' statement, wide receiver Terrell Owens wasn't afraid to address the topic.
"I think Marion handled that situation very nicely - getting into the end zone twice," Owens said. "Marion, by no means, is going to shy from anyone. His name should be 'Marion Barbarian' because he has a nose and a knack for the goal line. If there is contact to be made, he's going to make it."
And for the record, Porter finished the game with two tackles.
DallasCowboys.com Staff Writer
September 17, 2007 12:05 AM
MIAMI - He said he didn't hear it. He said he wasn't aware of anything even after the game. He also said he didn't have any words with a certain Dolphins linebacker during the game.
While that might just be the case, Cowboys running back Marion Barber definitely played as if he heard the comments Miami's Joey Porter made earlier in the week, questioning the running back's toughness and saying he would be "looking for him" during the game.
In fact, Porter and Barber found each other before the game, when the two had a few heated words as the Cowboys exited the field and went back into the locker room.
And on Barber's first carry from scrimmage, Porter was flagged for unsportsmanlike conduct after ripping Barber's helmet off after the play had ended.
But it was Barber who certainly got the last laugh on Sunday as the Cowboys rolled to a 37-20 win over the Dolphins.
The third-year tailback led the Cowboys with 89 yards on just 14 carries (6.4 yards per attempt) and scored two touchdowns, including a 40-yard game-clincher late in the fourth quarter.
"I don't really know about any of that," Barber said of Porter's comments. "We just went out and played football. That's all. I really don't know what you're talking about."
But it seems unlikely that Porter's comments, which appeared this week in a FOXSports.com story, didn't get back to Barber before kickoff.
Porter, a former Pro Bowl linebacker who signed with the Dolphins this past off-season, was rather opinionated about Barber, who is becoming one of the NFL's toughest runners.
"Barber thinks he's a tough guy sometimes," Porter reportedly said. "He likes to get into the secondary and lower his shoulder and try to run people over to see if he's this real physical running back. I love running backs who play like that. It's a challenge.
"I love a cocky guy. He's a cocky guy. That makes two cocky guys in the game. Somebody has to give. That's my type of fight, so I'm going to be looking for him."
He didn't have to look too far. While Barber fell short of getting his second 100-yard game, he did score two more touchdowns, giving him three in two games. Barber led the NFC last year with 14 rushing touchdowns.
While Barber might not have heard, or simply wanted to comment on Porter' statement, wide receiver Terrell Owens wasn't afraid to address the topic.
"I think Marion handled that situation very nicely - getting into the end zone twice," Owens said. "Marion, by no means, is going to shy from anyone. His name should be 'Marion Barbarian' because he has a nose and a knack for the goal line. If there is contact to be made, he's going to make it."
And for the record, Porter finished the game with two tackles.
posted by The Gryphon at 6:51 PM
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