Marion Barber The Starter

The refrain has been heard since last year. And it's not likely to disappear as long as Julius Jones remains a Dallas Cowboy. "Marion Barber should be the starter!" And everyone uses the playoff game against the New York Giants as proof.

Upon closer examination, I think Marion's performance against the Giants proves just the opposite. True, he did gain more than 100 yards in the first half. But the second half was a different story. He didn't gain all that much. Why? Because he was worn out. He didn't have that same aggessiveness in the second half. And if you were watching closely, you could tell he was simply tired.

There is a reason for this. It's his agressive running style. He doesn't look to avoid contact. He, instead, looks to initiate it. And in the first half, he had ample contact with many Giants defenders. Believe me, alot of energy is expended by making contact and then dragging multiple would be tacklers several yards every other play. And it showed in the latter stages of the Giants game. It seems that Bill Parcells had a method to his madness of using Barber late in the game and in short yardage situations. Would that Wade Phillips had not changed that methodology for such an important game. It could have made a huge difference late in the game.

This is not to say that Marion Barber is not a good running back. He is. But as long as his running style remains the same and lacks the speed of a top tier back, he needs another back to share the load. Is that back to be Julius Jones? It could be, but I don't know.

I think that question will be answered by the market more than anything. I don't think the Cowboys want to get rid of Jones, but I'm not sure they really want him to stay, either, especially if they have to pay too much. If the Cowboys draft a back in the first couple of rounds, I believe Jones is gone. If they don't, however, they might be content to at least attempt to sign Jones and keep Tyson Thompson as the third running back. If they decide to not sign Jones for whatever reason, they might be willing to give Tyson Thompson the shot at taking the load off of Barber.

But whoever the other back is next year, just ask yourself this question about the Giants game. Would you have rather seen Barber gain 100 yards in the first half or the second half?

That's what I thought!!!