Cowboys notes: Barber is perfect closer
By CLARENCE E. HILL JR.
chill@star-telegram.com
IRVING -- Coach Wade Phillips won't admit to Marion Barber's emergence as the team's primary runner. He chooses to be political and say that both backs (Barber and Julius Jones) are key to the team's success.
But Phillips says it's no coincidence that Barber, and his barbarian style, is the team workhorse running back in the fourth quarter. Barber rushed 11 times for 67 yards in the fourth quarter against Minnesota on Sunday, giving him 32 carries for 232 yards in the fourth quarter this season. Julius Jones has only 74 fourth-quarter yards on 20 carries this season.
"He's a powerful inside runner and you want to hammer it inside as much as you can late in the game," Phillips said. "He's the type of guy, if the team is worn down a little bit, he can punish them."
Hatcher making noise
Second-year defensive end Jason Hatcher has been one of the biggest playmakers in the team's line rotation. He stripped Minnesota running back Adrian Peterson in the fourth quarter and the turnover helped set up a Nick Folk field goal.
"He's forcing fumbles and we think he's going to be a good player," Phillips said.
Hatcher, who primarily plays in the Cowboys' nickel package, had a 29-yard fumble return for a touchdown last week against New England.
chill@star-telegram.com
IRVING -- Coach Wade Phillips won't admit to Marion Barber's emergence as the team's primary runner. He chooses to be political and say that both backs (Barber and Julius Jones) are key to the team's success.
But Phillips says it's no coincidence that Barber, and his barbarian style, is the team workhorse running back in the fourth quarter. Barber rushed 11 times for 67 yards in the fourth quarter against Minnesota on Sunday, giving him 32 carries for 232 yards in the fourth quarter this season. Julius Jones has only 74 fourth-quarter yards on 20 carries this season.
"He's a powerful inside runner and you want to hammer it inside as much as you can late in the game," Phillips said. "He's the type of guy, if the team is worn down a little bit, he can punish them."
Hatcher making noise
Second-year defensive end Jason Hatcher has been one of the biggest playmakers in the team's line rotation. He stripped Minnesota running back Adrian Peterson in the fourth quarter and the turnover helped set up a Nick Folk field goal.
"He's forcing fumbles and we think he's going to be a good player," Phillips said.
Hatcher, who primarily plays in the Cowboys' nickel package, had a 29-yard fumble return for a touchdown last week against New England.
posted by The Gryphon at 7:41 PM
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