Cowboys report: Barber expects larger workload
Paul Willis Special to the Rocky
Originally published 04:12 p.m., August 14, 2008
Updated 04:44 p.m., August 14, 2008
Dallas running back Marion Barber certainly looks like he would be a good fit in Denver's system, a powerful north-south runner with a dose of breakaway speed.
The Broncos, along with 30 other NFL team, could have selected Barber in the 2005 NFL draft, where he now looks like a fourth-round steal by the one that did get him. That was the same year the Broncos used the last pick of the third round to select troubled Maurice Clarett, who was cut in training camp and never played a down for the team.
Barber, with Julius Jones' departure, could be in line in 2008 for his first career 250-carry season. He finished with 204 carries last season for 975 yards. And he has scored 29 rushing touchdowns in his three seasons in the league.
"He's a very strong runner," Broncos linebacker D.J. Williams said. "His speed is deceptive. He's a lot faster than people give him credit for."
While the Cowboys did use a first-round pick on running back Felix Jones in the April draft, Barber is expected to be the team's primary ballcarrier this season.
"It's going all right," Barber said. "Right now I've got to keep proving it, keep coming out here every day like I'm a rookie."
Things get heated
Cowboys offensive tackle Flozell Adams and Broncos defensive tackle Marcus Thomas had to be pulled apart during Thursday's morning practice after Adams pulled off Thomas' helmet and then swung the helmet to hit Thomas during run-game drills.
"You can expect that, especially from those interior guys, because they're pretty much more hands-on and face-on every day," Cowboys wide receiver Terrell Owens said. "I think everybody regrouped and just got on with practice."
The two sides quickly returned to their drills on their second, and last, day together on the practice field.
"It's that time of year," Cowboys defensive end Greg Ellis said. "Guys are tired and ready to go back to where their home place is and get out of camp mode. You're going to have a fight here and there, but if it all just stays on the field, it's fine."
New day, new message
The sparring between Cowboys cornerback Adam Jones and Broncos wide receiver Brandon Marshall continued Thursday.
Jones, whose nickname is Pacman, said on Wednesday that Marshall "ain't no T.O." when asked to compare Marshall and Cowboys wide receiver Terrell Owens. Jones went on to say Owens was "10 times" faster and stronger than Marshall."
In Wednesday's afternoon practice, Marshall wore a sign on his back that "21's no Champ," in reference to Jones' number and Broncos eight-time Pro Bowl cornerback Champ Bailey.
Then, on Thursday morning, Marshall wore a sign bearing the words "Adam is no" followed by a yellow Pacman character from the video game.
"I already tore it up," Jones said after practice. "I put the Pacman part on his helmet. But me and 'B' (are) cool, man. It's just something to get us through so we can compete and have fun."
Giving credit
Rod Smith credits current Cowboys coach Wade Phillips for signing him as an undrafted free agent during Phillips' tenure as Denver's head coach (1993-94).
"It does mean a lot to me that he thinks that, but somebody would have found him anyway," Phillips said of Smith, who officially announced his retirement on July 24. "He's a Hall of Fame receiver. Really, you would have had to been a bad coach not to notice him."
They said it
"Hey, 53, you wouldn't have a chance to tackle me."
Jones, after being bumped during punt drills by Denver's Niko Koutouvides.
"I've been tackling you. You're old news."
Koutouvides' response to Jones.
Etc.
* Cowboys linebacker Kevin Burnett was sent back to Dallas for arthroscopic knee surgery, believed to be his fifth operation since joining the team. Phillips classified it as a "clean-out." Burnett's absence means Bobby Carpenter, a first-round pick in 2006, will play more.
* Phillips said he had not yet decided on how the playing time will be distributed Saturday night.
* The Cowboys will practice this afternoon at Invesco Field.
Staff writer Jeff Legwold contributed to this report.
Originally published 04:12 p.m., August 14, 2008
Updated 04:44 p.m., August 14, 2008
Dallas running back Marion Barber certainly looks like he would be a good fit in Denver's system, a powerful north-south runner with a dose of breakaway speed.
The Broncos, along with 30 other NFL team, could have selected Barber in the 2005 NFL draft, where he now looks like a fourth-round steal by the one that did get him. That was the same year the Broncos used the last pick of the third round to select troubled Maurice Clarett, who was cut in training camp and never played a down for the team.
Barber, with Julius Jones' departure, could be in line in 2008 for his first career 250-carry season. He finished with 204 carries last season for 975 yards. And he has scored 29 rushing touchdowns in his three seasons in the league.
"He's a very strong runner," Broncos linebacker D.J. Williams said. "His speed is deceptive. He's a lot faster than people give him credit for."
While the Cowboys did use a first-round pick on running back Felix Jones in the April draft, Barber is expected to be the team's primary ballcarrier this season.
"It's going all right," Barber said. "Right now I've got to keep proving it, keep coming out here every day like I'm a rookie."
Things get heated
Cowboys offensive tackle Flozell Adams and Broncos defensive tackle Marcus Thomas had to be pulled apart during Thursday's morning practice after Adams pulled off Thomas' helmet and then swung the helmet to hit Thomas during run-game drills.
"You can expect that, especially from those interior guys, because they're pretty much more hands-on and face-on every day," Cowboys wide receiver Terrell Owens said. "I think everybody regrouped and just got on with practice."
The two sides quickly returned to their drills on their second, and last, day together on the practice field.
"It's that time of year," Cowboys defensive end Greg Ellis said. "Guys are tired and ready to go back to where their home place is and get out of camp mode. You're going to have a fight here and there, but if it all just stays on the field, it's fine."
New day, new message
The sparring between Cowboys cornerback Adam Jones and Broncos wide receiver Brandon Marshall continued Thursday.
Jones, whose nickname is Pacman, said on Wednesday that Marshall "ain't no T.O." when asked to compare Marshall and Cowboys wide receiver Terrell Owens. Jones went on to say Owens was "10 times" faster and stronger than Marshall."
In Wednesday's afternoon practice, Marshall wore a sign on his back that "21's no Champ," in reference to Jones' number and Broncos eight-time Pro Bowl cornerback Champ Bailey.
Then, on Thursday morning, Marshall wore a sign bearing the words "Adam is no" followed by a yellow Pacman character from the video game.
"I already tore it up," Jones said after practice. "I put the Pacman part on his helmet. But me and 'B' (are) cool, man. It's just something to get us through so we can compete and have fun."
Giving credit
Rod Smith credits current Cowboys coach Wade Phillips for signing him as an undrafted free agent during Phillips' tenure as Denver's head coach (1993-94).
"It does mean a lot to me that he thinks that, but somebody would have found him anyway," Phillips said of Smith, who officially announced his retirement on July 24. "He's a Hall of Fame receiver. Really, you would have had to been a bad coach not to notice him."
They said it
"Hey, 53, you wouldn't have a chance to tackle me."
Jones, after being bumped during punt drills by Denver's Niko Koutouvides.
"I've been tackling you. You're old news."
Koutouvides' response to Jones.
Etc.
* Cowboys linebacker Kevin Burnett was sent back to Dallas for arthroscopic knee surgery, believed to be his fifth operation since joining the team. Phillips classified it as a "clean-out." Burnett's absence means Bobby Carpenter, a first-round pick in 2006, will play more.
* Phillips said he had not yet decided on how the playing time will be distributed Saturday night.
* The Cowboys will practice this afternoon at Invesco Field.
Staff writer Jeff Legwold contributed to this report.
posted by The Gryphon at 5:55 PM
<< Home