Marion Barber Projections

[FlaHawker 24]

As I am putting together my draftboard for the 2009 season, one RB I am having hard time figuring out is Marion Barber. The compiler has him as RB #4 which is very high IMO. Last year Barber finished as RB #13 in my league. Is Barber a top 10 back this year? TO is gone, the Cowboys might rely on the run more, especially since both Felix Jones and Tashard Choice looked good in limited roles last year. Even though the Cowboys run more do Choice and Jones steal enough from Barber to keep him out of the top 10 at season's end. What say you all?

[yostevo 0]

I think people will under value Barber based entirely on his end game stats without taking into consideration all the variables involved last year.

• First, Romo gets hurt
  
• Then, Brad Johnson was completely inept which had defenses stacking the line
  
• Finally, Marion gets hurt and then was babied by the Cowboys down the stretch in an attempt to get him healthy for the playoffs
  

All in all, it was a bit of a lost year for him based on prior expectations. However, he still finished 10th in my scoring system which is remarkable.

 

Let's not forget who owns crunch time on this team though. He'll lose some carries to Felix and perhaps even Tashard in the 1-3rd quarters but he'll own the 4th. I can still see 20 touches a game which easily says 100+ in total yards and no one is more money around the goal line right now.

 

With T.O. gone, I'd expect a more conservative Carolinaesque run heavy game plan. All the RB rushing options actually help Marion IMO.

 

1,600 total yards and 14 TDs is very realistic

[nyjetsfan 0]

dont think he will be top 5 but i would take him at the bottom of round 1

[Mike MacGregor 21]

It's the catches moving him into the top 5, correct?

 

Great player. Undervalued. The worry for me is whether the Cowboys have learned to properly use him, i.e. don't overwork him. Based on last year I would think this would be obvious. I agree the other RB options (mainly Felix, I don't think Choice is going to be much of a factor barring injury) actually help him. Fewer carries, greater health, more production.

 

I'd be unlikely to take him in the top 5 but love the value if I'm drafting late 1st. I got him at 2.04 in the mock draft I participated in recently.

[FlaHawker 24]

It's the catches moving him into the top 5, correct?

 

Great player. Undervalued. The worry for me is whether the Cowboys have learned to properly use him, i.e. don't overwork him. Based on last year I would think this would be obvious. I agree the other RB options (mainly Felix, I don't think Choice is going to be much of a factor barring injury) actually help him. Fewer carries, greater health, more production.

 

I'd be unlikely to take him in the top 5 but love the value if I'm drafting late 1st. I got him at 2.04 in the mock draft I participated in recently.

Yes, my main league is a PPR league so I do believe the catches are indeed moving him top 5. In 2007 and 2008, using this league's scoring system, Barber has scored 254 and 250 fanatsy points, which put him at RB # 8 and # 13. Darn good, no doubt. The # 5 RB scored 286 and 296 respectively in those years. Prior to 2007, the top 5 put up mid 340s to over 400 fanatsy points (this is a high performance scoring league). Hpowever, since RRBC has become so dominat those numbers have declined, which probably means for Barber to hit top five in my league he needs to pick up roughly 40 points or so over the course of the year, which could mean simply staying healthy and playing in all games. Not a mission impossible by any stetch of the imagination. I am picking 12th in this league and may need to rethink my strategy as I have been thinking of going WR/WR.

[Skanker 0]

dont think he will be top 5 but i would take him at the bottom of round 1

 

I agree with this.

[Mike MacGregor 21]

Yes, my main league is a PPR league so I do believe the catches are indeed moving him top 5. In 2007 and 2008, using this league's scoring system, Barber has scored 254 and 250 fanatsy points, which put him at RB # 8 and # 13. Darn good, no doubt. The # 5 RB scored 286 and 296 respectively in those years. Prior to 2007, the top 5 put up mid 340s to over 400 fanatsy points (this is a high performance scoring league). Hpowever, since RRBC has become so dominat those numbers have declined, which probably means for Barber to hit top five in my league he needs to pick up roughly 40 points or so over the course of the year, which could mean simply staying healthy and playing in all games. Not a mission impossible by any stetch of the imagination. I am picking 12th in this league and may need to rethink my strategy as I have been thinking of going WR/WR.

 

I'm of the belief that Roy Williams is no Terrell Owens, and think there is a good chance Barber's catches will go up this season as a result. Krueger seems to follow that logic too with his projections. Barber's catches each of the past 3 years: 23 in 2006, 44 in '07 and 52 in '08. Projected for '09: 67. link That is +15 points right there, or +23 from 2 years ago.

 

I know many people are advocating WR/WR this year, but I'm not so sure. I still like RB/WR or WR/RB ... just like I did when everyone was pro RB/RB ... for the simple reason that it allows you to stay flexible on the come back in the 3rd/4th. If amazing value falls to you there at RB, great, you only have 1 RB and could use another. If amazing value falls to you there at WR, great, you only have 1 WR and could use another. No lost opportunities. I think that is the strategy with the highest probabilty of success through the early part of the draft, when drafting in the back half of the 1st.

[Cara 0]

I know many people are advocating WR/WR this year, but I'm not so sure. I still like RB/WR or WR/RB ... just like I did when everyone was pro RB/RB ... for the simple reason that it allows you to stay flexible on the come back in the 3rd/4th. If amazing value falls to you there at RB, great, you only have 1 RB and could use another. If amazing value falls to you there at WR, great, you only have 1 WR and could use another. No lost opportunities. I think that is the strategy with the highest probabilty of success through the early part of the draft, when drafting in the back half of the 1st.

 

 

Agreed. Those drafting WR/WR are going to get burned. I've posted this before, but will again.... I've been playing fantasy football since the days we were mailing in our selections and putting a checkmark in a box to pick one of the WR's we wanted to use that week (I'm 30 -- It's not THAT old!). In my time playing, I've yet to see an overall league champion that has started by going WR/WR with his first two choices. I've seen numerous teams get close, even as far as the championship game, but none that have ever won the entire league with that strategy. Considering I normally have at least 7 cheap leagues ($100 or less), and at least one higher stakes team ($500 minimum), that is on the low estimate about 130 competitive leagues or so I have been in and not seen someone win a title with that strategy. Just sayin.......

[Gladiators 2,032]

Agreed. Those drafting WR/WR are going to get burned. I've posted this before, but will again.... I've been playing fantasy football since the days we were mailing in our selections and putting a checkmark in a box to pick one of the WR's we wanted to use that week (I'm 30 -- It's not THAT old!). In my time playing, I've yet to see an overall league champion that has started by going WR/WR with his first two choices. I've seen numerous teams get close, even as far as the championship game, but none that have ever won the entire league with that strategy. Considering I normally have at least 7 cheap leagues ($100 or less), and at least one higher stakes team ($500 minimum), that is on the low estimate about 130 competitive leagues or so I have been in and not seen someone win a title with that strategy. Just sayin.......

 

That logic may be flawed. Notice I said may. You would have to took at the total number of teams that have drafted WR/WR vs other combintations and figure out the % of teams that won using the different combinations. One problem is that there's probably a relatively small sample of individuals that went WR/WR vs other combinations. Another big thing that plays into consideration is your league setup. If you have to start 3 WR's and you get PPR, they become much more valuable.

 

Saying, "Those drafting WR/WR are going to get burned" is simply a false statement. While the first few rounds are obviously important, you can go back and look at how players end up doing and compare to they're draft position to find true value. When it comes down to it, many times a championship is won based on mid-to-late round draft picks.

 

In one of my leagues last year, the champion actually drafted Moss and Wayne in the 10 spot (10 team league). We start 2 RB's, 2 WR's and 1 RB/WR flex spot. He won the championship because he drafted Lendale White in round 7, Forte in round 9, and DeAngelo Williams in round 16.

 

I'm not saying that I advocate drafting WR/WR. I'm just saying going that route doesn't necessarily mean you're going to get burned. I obviously don't expect someone to draft those types of RB's in round 7, 9, and 16 again...

 

As for the main topic of this thread:

 

We know Barber has the potential to be a top 10 back, but I wouldn't touch him until the early to mid second round. I think this is the year we find out what Romo's made of, which will have a direct affect on how Barber does.

[FlaHawker 24]

I'm of the belief that Roy Williams is no Terrell Owens, and think there is a good chance Barber's catches will go up this season as a result. Krueger seems to follow that logic too with his projections. Barber's catches each of the past 3 years: 23 in 2006, 44 in '07 and 52 in '08. Projected for '09: 67. link That is +15 points right there, or +23 from 2 years ago.

 

I know many people are advocating WR/WR this year, but I'm not so sure. I still like RB/WR or WR/RB ... just like I did when everyone was pro RB/RB ... for the simple reason that it allows you to stay flexible on the come back in the 3rd/4th. If amazing value falls to you there at RB, great, you only have 1 RB and could use another. If amazing value falls to you there at WR, great, you only have 1 WR and could use another. No lost opportunities. I think that is the strategy with the highest probabilty of success through the early part of the draft, when drafting in the back half of the 1st.

Funny, Barber was down to 3.7 per rush last year from 4.8 and 4.7 the previous two years. It looks like Krueger has him bouncing back with a 4.5 this year, which is more in line with his first two years. I'll buy that. As several posters have mebntioned there are several reaosns for Barber's fall to 3.7--the injury, the rest he was given late in the year, and also Brad Johnson's ineffectiveness. So with a healthy Romo, Barber should be able to bounce back to his previous YPC average.

 

I have never taken a WR in round one before but was considering it based on my reservations regarding some of the RBs available at the tail end of the first, top of the second (Gore, Westy, Portis).

[The Moz 71]

180 car - 750 yds 28 rec 200 yds 10 TD's

[Cara 0]

That logic may be flawed. Notice I said may. You would have to took at the total number of teams that have drafted WR/WR vs other combintations and figure out the % of teams that won using the different combinations. One problem is that there's probably a relatively small sample of individuals that went WR/WR vs other combinations. Another big thing that plays into consideration is your league setup. If you have to start 3 WR's and you get PPR, they become much more valuable.

 

Saying, "Those drafting WR/WR are going to get burned" is simply a false statement. While the first few rounds are obviously important, you can go back and look at how players end up doing and compare to they're draft position to find true value. When it comes down to it, many times a championship is won based on mid-to-late round draft picks.

 

In one of my leagues last year, the champion actually drafted Moss and Wayne in the 10 spot (10 team league). We start 2 RB's, 2 WR's and 1 RB/WR flex spot. He won the championship because he drafted Lendale White in round 7, Forte in round 9, and DeAngelo Williams in round 16.

 

I'm not saying that I advocate drafting WR/WR. I'm just saying going that route doesn't necessarily mean you're going to get burned. I obviously don't expect someone to draft those types of RB's in round 7, 9, and 16 again...

 

I don't consider ten team leagues to be real leagues. lol Sorry, but I've played in them. Of course someone could win going WR/WR in a 10-teamer. You have RB's available in round 4/5 that a 12 or 14 team league wouldn't have.

[Gladiators 2,032]

I don't consider ten team leagues to be real leagues. lol Sorry, but I've played in them. Of course someone could win going WR/WR in a 10-teamer. You have RB's available in round 4/5 that a 12 or 14 team league wouldn't have.

 

That claim does absolutely nothing to support your argument that going WR/WR will burn a fantasy owner, as not everyone plays in the same type of league you play in. In addition, it is very possible for someone to have drafted Fitzgerald and AJ for example last year in the 11 or 12 spot in a 12 team league. If they happend to grab a combination of 2 or 3 the following RBs that could be had in rounds 3-10, they could have easily won: Thomas Jones, Michael Turner, Lendale White, Matt Forte, DeAngelo Williams, Chris Johnson, and Steve Slaton.

 

If you want, I can do some digging to see if my 16 team league has ever had a champion that drafted WR/WR. However, our starting lineup requires 2 RB's and 3 WR's. Do you play in a league like that, or would that not count for you?

[Gladiators 2,032]

180 car - 750 yds 28 rec 200 yds 10 TD's

 

I like the carries/rush yards, I think the receptions go up a little, and I think TD's will probably be in the 8-12 range with 10 being a solid expectation.

[shutdown 40]

Agreed. Those drafting WR/WR are going to get burned. I've posted this before, but will again.... I've been playing fantasy football since the days we were mailing in our selections and putting a checkmark in a box to pick one of the WR's we wanted to use that week (I'm 30 -- It's not THAT old!). In my time playing, I've yet to see an overall league champion that has started by going WR/WR with his first two choices. I've seen numerous teams get close, even as far as the championship game, but none that have ever won the entire league with that strategy. Considering I normally have at least 7 cheap leagues ($100 or less), and at least one higher stakes team ($500 minimum), that is on the low estimate about 130 competitive leagues or so I have been in and not seen someone win a title with that strategy. Just sayin.......

 

I did it last year in a 14 team single keeper league taking Steve Smith and Brandon Marshall with my first 2 picks (arguably they were my 2nd & 3rd picks in the keeper format, but I kept Addai and he was useless). My thought was that they were more consistent than any RB's available in those positions and that comparable RB's could still be had at later picks. I got Thomas Jones in the 3rd, Deangelo in the 7th and Cutler in the 8th so you can argue that my success was more based on those picks than the two WR's. However had I taken some of the RB's available in that spot I may have missed out on stealing Jones and Williams later in the draft.

 

Again, I feel that there are a few WR's (Moss, Fitz, A. Johnson and some others) that have less risk than most of the RB's as nearly all teams now employ the committee approach, this makes most RB's a much more risky proposition than they used to be.

[listen2me 23 1,952]

"Jerrah" Jones didn't want his boy from Arkansas in the 1st round for nothing. And before injury Felix looked like he was the real deal in terms of being an explosive RB. Felix will never be a carry the load guy, but I see him cutting into MBIII's carries.

 

I will say:

 

200/880/9 35 rec 275 yards.

 

I don't expect the Cowboy's offense to be as good as in years past. I am not a Roy fan at all, and Crayton is a career 3rd. Miles Austin? Come on. Less scoring chances for Barber.

[Jarvis Basnight 119]

Agreed. Those drafting WR/WR are going to get burned. I've posted this before, but will again.... I've been playing fantasy football since the days we were mailing in our selections and putting a checkmark in a box to pick one of the WR's we wanted to use that week (I'm 30 -- It's not THAT old!). In my time playing, I've yet to see an overall league champion that has started by going WR/WR with his first two choices. I've seen numerous teams get close, even as far as the championship game, but none that have ever won the entire league with that strategy. Considering I normally have at least 7 cheap leagues ($100 or less), and at least one higher stakes team ($500 minimum), that is on the low estimate about 130 competitive leagues or so I have been in and not seen someone win a title with that strategy. Just sayin.......

 

Depends on how big your league is and the rules. (I play in 10 team leagues that start 3 WR's to 2 RB's per week)

 

I've won the overall going WR/WR 2 years ago.

 

It seems to me the top WR's are less volatile than the top RB's from year to year. And with RBBC's all over the place and rookies making immediate impact in the NFL, RB is not as imporant as it once was. Guys who had Deangelo last year were winning, guys who pick Deangelo in the 1st this year could be sorry.

[GhostofMeanMachine99 1]

Depends on how big your league is and the rules. (I play in 10 team leagues that start 3 WR's to 2 RB's per week)

 

I've won the overall going WR/WR 2 years ago.

 

It seems to me the top WR's are less volatile than the top RB's from year to year. And with RBBC's all over the place and rookies making immediate impact in the NFL, RB is not as imporant as it once was. Guys who had Deangelo last year were winning, guys who pick Deangelo in the 1st this year could be sorry.

 

If a team can gauge when to take the top flight rookie RB's, they'll most definitely be rewarded.

 

I, too, play in a 2 RB/3 WR league, and that you only need one solid RB early, and can grab something later on. Too much RBBC to warrant taking 2 RBs in the early rounds.

[jdon 28]

180 car - 750 yds 28 rec 200 yds 10 TD's

 

bump it to 50 catches (350 yds) and we have a winner

[eagles115 23]

Last year I went with the WR/WR as well and banked on Chris Johnson and Turner as my 3rd and 4th round picks.....I lost in the title game. I had Moss and Wayne. I feel as if Brady didnt go down I would have won it all. Also had Marshall and Witten PPR

 

 

This year I think Marion will be top 15, they really have love for Felix this year as he will take alot of production away from Marion. If I am sittin with the 9-12 picks, I am taking Fitz and Andre Johnson hands down over any Rb's there including Barber

[stonewall 647]

I

 

1,600 total yards and 14 TDs is very realistic

 

 

Pass the crack. It is amazing to me how everyone is underestimating the # of carries/yards that Felix and Tashard are gonna steal from MB3. I will not be the sucker that takes Marion in the 1st or 2nd.

 

I predict nearly even total yards between the 3 backs (because MB3's running style will cost him a few games to injury) with MB3 having more TD's.

 

900 total yards/8 TD's.

[Melissa Stark 1]

It's tough to gauge Barber for this coming season.

All points taken from above.

 

I'll go with 900 yds rush/ 250yds rec and total 10tds.

 

He's on my avoid until late 2nd or in the 3rd.

[49ers_suck 0]

I don't consider ten team leagues to be real leagues. lol Sorry, but I've played in them. Of course someone could win going WR/WR in a 10-teamer. You have RB's available in round 4/5 that a 12 or 14 team league wouldn't have.

i'm sure no one cares what you consider to be a real league. you might like 14 teamers. i think thats too many. i dont want to be drafting 5th string RB's at the end of a draft.

 

as for MBIII, i think he will top 15 maybe top 10. top 5, could happen.

 

bottomline is MBIII is a good football player. he's gonna get his opportunities, and is one of the best redzone RB's in the NFL. the one-two punch of MB and Felix should be VERY successful this yr. the Cowboys have a HUGE O-line, but have been less than stellar at run blocking in the past. they have also made too many mental mistakes, i.e. penalties, missed assignments. what they do have is continuity, especially if Kosier can get back in the lineup. and Flozell being 100%. he played injured most of the yr, and his play suffered.

 

IF the Cowboys O-line can progress in the area of run blocking and cut down on the mistakes, MB SHOULD have a career yr.

 

1300 total yds 14 TD's.

 

of course, take it FWIW, cause i am a Cowboys fan.

[Portis26 0]

Felix Jones will become the feature back if he can learn the O, pick up the blitz....

 

Barber going back to the role that made him successful, a change of pace guy.... they can start Barber all they want, but by days end Felix is the guy who will have more touches

[typhus 13]

Agreeing with and adding to what 49ers_suck was saying....

 

In his first season as the offensive coordinator, Jason Garrett brought with him a pass first offensive mentality.

Well, with TOs departure, that has changed somewhat. Not saying that Dallas will transform into a Bears/Ravens offense, but they will definitely favor the run this season.

 

Heres why..

 

Hudson Houck returned to Dallas last year as the OL coach, and in his first year back, its my belief that he took his appropriate "back seat" as far as installing his run heavy, mauling blocking style that he employed during his 1993-2001 stint as OL coach for the Boys. Garrett was not only the OC, but also the assistant HC, and obviously had more say as to how he perferred Hudson to design the blocking schemes.

 

That will change this season IMO. Minus a T.O., and birng into the fold a healthy Felix Jones, healthy MB3, and proven rook in Tashard Choice, and I dont think even a blind man could ignore that Hudson will be given the go ahead to turn this massive OL into the run first, mauling type OL that its best suited for anyway.

 

I think Dallas is probably the one team that I have ranked highest as far as RBBC teams, that you will get RB1 numbers each week out of 2 backs in Jones and Barber, with Choice being one of the best handcuffs going. They will be using alot of 2TE formations with 2RBs in the backfield alot this season, and if either Barber or Jones goes down, Choice will step right in.

 

Just one more tid bit about MB3.... this offseason, MB3 was working out in his hometown in Min, with Sydney Rice, and Sydney Rice had told reporters that he has never in his entire life had such a physical work out regime that MB3 had put him through. The workouts were so extreme that they would carry buckets to the gym each day so that they would have something to throw up in.

 

I saw MB3 during the sweet sixteen at a game this off season, and he is shredded! He is even more of a Barbarian now.

[sirensong 111]

It is amazing to me how everyone is underestimating the # of carries/yards that Felix and Tashard are gonna steal from MB3.

 

agree strongly. both felix and choice have demonstrated that they are legitimate weapons. if one estimates 1800-1900 total rush yards (which i think is reasonable given the scheme dynamics and offensive personnel) divided 3 ways, i really can't see anyone emerging with 1000+. there's a lot of talk coming out of camp about returning MB to the "closer/finisher" role, but we'll have to see how things look once camp really starts.

[49ers_suck 0]

Agreeing with and adding to what 49ers_suck was saying....

 

In his first season as the offensive coordinator, Jason Garrett brought with him a pass first offensive mentality.

Well, with TOs departure, that has changed somewhat. Not saying that Dallas will transform into a Bears/Ravens offense, but they will definitely favor the run this season.

 

Heres why..

 

Hudson Houck returned to Dallas last year as the OL coach, and in his first year back, its my belief that he took his appropriate "back seat" as far as installing his run heavy, mauling blocking style that he employed during his 1993-2001 stint as OL coach for the Boys. Garrett was not only the OC, but also the assistant HC, and obviously had more say as to how he perferred Hudson to design the blocking schemes.

 

That will change this season IMO. Minus a T.O., and birng into the fold a healthy Felix Jones, healthy MB3, and proven rook in Tashard Choice, and I dont think even a blind man could ignore that Hudson will be given the go ahead to turn this massive OL into the run first, mauling type OL that its best suited for anyway.

 

I think Dallas is probably the one team that I have ranked highest as far as RBBC teams, that you will get RB1 numbers each week out of 2 backs in Jones and Barber, with Choice being one of the best handcuffs going. They will be using alot of 2TE formations with 2RBs in the backfield alot this season, and if either Barber or Jones goes down, Choice will step right in.

 

Just one more tid bit about MB3.... this offseason, MB3 was working out in his hometown in Min, with Sydney Rice, and Sydney Rice had told reporters that he has never in his entire life had such a physical work out regime that MB3 had put him through. The workouts were so extreme that they would carry buckets to the gym each day so that they would have something to throw up in.

 

I saw MB3 during the sweet sixteen at a game this off season, and he is shredded! He is even more of a Barbarian now.

back to basics. RUN SETTIN UP THE PASS, BABY!!

 

i'll add that MBIII is not a RB that's gonna run away from too many defenders. that toe injury really limited him. if he's 100% he'll be back to Marion the Barbarian. and Felix will be the homerun hitter.

 

agree strongly. both felix and choice have demonstrated that they are legitimate weapons. if one estimates 1800-1900 total rush yards (which i think is reasonable given the scheme dynamics and offensive personnel) divided 3 ways, i really can't see anyone emerging with 1000+. there's a lot of talk coming out of camp about returning MB to the "closer/finisher" role, but we'll have to see how things look once camp really starts.

i dont see Choice being much more than a backup at this point. a very capable backup.

 

if the Cowboys run more this yr, theres a good chance Choice gets a legitmate shot due to injury.

[sirensong 111]

i dont see Choice being much more than a backup at this point. a very capable backup.

 

i woould have agreed with you, barring the pittsburgh game. IIRC, choice put up more rush yards than any other back against the pit defense, and did it by tough running and good vision rather than by sterling Oline play. for this reason alone, i think garrett will attempt to get him more than simply backup touches. with all three guys being significant run threats, the possibilities for creating mismatches are just too much to ignore.

 

choice won't get a ton of yards, but i think 300-350 subtracted from the total rush output of the offense will cut into MB's numbers significantly.

[49ers_suck 0]

i woould have agreed with you, barring the pittsburgh game. IIRC, choice put up more rush yards than any other back against the pit defense, and did it by tough running and good vision rather than by sterling Oline play. for this reason alone, i think garrett will attempt to get him more than simply backup touches. with all three guys being significant run threats, the possibilities for creating mismatches are just too much to ignore.

 

choice won't get a ton of yards, but i think 300-350 subtracted from the total rush output of the offense will cut into MB's numbers significantly.

i see your point. you might be right. whatever happens though, MB will still get lots of redzone opportunities. in a TD heavy league he will be gold.

 

as a fan, i would like to see all 3 have significant roles. the Dallas backfield has the potential to be the best in the league.

[mrgymrat 0]

If you take MBIII make sure you have Felix. He was pretty exciting last year. He could easily split carries and post some great numbers.

[Dr. Octopus 0]

i woould have agreed with you, barring the pittsburgh game. IIRC, choice put up more rush yards than any other back against the pit defense, and did it by tough running and good vision rather than by sterling Oline play. for this reason alone, i think garrett will attempt to get him more than simply backup touches. with all three guys being significant run threats, the possibilities for creating mismatches are just too much to ignore.

 

choice won't get a ton of yards, but i think 300-350 subtracted from the total rush output of the offense will cut into MB's numbers significantly.

 

Choice had fresh legs facing tired defenses at the end of the season. I'm not trying to take anything away from Choice as he's a solid back and showed that he is more than capable. However all of the Choice talk reminds me of the 2008 offseason where everyone though Ahmad Bradshaw would pass Ward and seriously cut into Jacobs carries because of how he played down the stretch the prior Super Bowl season (I was included in that) or how everyone thought it would be a 50/50 split in Washington after Betts filled in so well for an injured Portis the year before. Well we all know that both backs went back to their respective places on the depth chart and that's what will happen in Dallas. Choice will see very limited carries unless Baber gets injured again (and that's always possible with the way he runs).

 

Babrer was nicked up most of last season and stuggled mightily when Brad Johnson pretended to still be an NFL QB.

 

Hopefully all this offseason chatter drops him down to round 3, as he'll still have a significant role, score double digit TDs and catch a ton of passes.

[FeelingMN 273]

Choice had fresh legs facing tired defenses at the end of the season. I'm not trying to take anything away from Choice as he's a solid back and showed that he is more than capable. However all of the Choice talk reminds me of the 2008 offseason where everyone though Ahmad Bradshaw would pass Ward and seriously cut into Jacobs carries because of how he played down the stretch the prior Super Bowl season (I was included in that) or how everyone thought it would be a 50/50 split in Washington after Betts filled in so well for an injured Portis the year before. Well we all know that both backs went back to their respective places on the depth chart and that's what will happen in Dallas. Choice will see very limited carries unless Baber gets injured again (and that's always possible with the way he runs).

 

Babrer was nicked up most of last season and stuggled mightily when Brad Johnson pretended to still be an NFL QB.

 

Hopefully all this offseason chatter drops him down to round 3, as he'll still have a significant role, score double digit TDs and catch a ton of passes.

 

Excellent points.

 

 

Choice will have a role in the Cowboys' offense, but I think it will be purely to spell MBIII. I'd expect no more than 5-6 touches per game though. Keep in mind that a lot of running backs need several carries to get going....get into rhythm. There's no way the Cowboys split the carries evenly amongst the three backs. I'm thinking Felix/MBIII split carries pretty evenly, with MBIII getting the majority of the carries in the redzone.

 

I have no reservations drafting either MBIII as a RB1, or Felix as a RB3. They'll each put up respectable numbers this year. But I've been steering clear of Choice so far, electing instead to draft guys like Michael Bush and Jerious Norwood....each of whom will see more touches per game than Choice in my opinion.

[VaTerp 0]

Choice had fresh legs facing tired defenses at the end of the season. I'm not trying to take anything away from Choice as he's a solid back and showed that he is more than capable. However all of the Choice talk reminds me of the 2008 offseason where everyone though Ahmad Bradshaw would pass Ward and seriously cut into Jacobs carries because of how he played down the stretch the prior Super Bowl season (I was included in that) or how everyone thought it would be a 50/50 split in Washington after Betts filled in so well for an injured Portis the year before. Well we all know that both backs went back to their respective places on the depth chart and that's what will happen in Dallas. Choice will see very limited carries unless Baber gets injured again (and that's always possible with the way he runs).

 

Babrer was nicked up most of last season and stuggled mightily when Brad Johnson pretended to still be an NFL QB.

 

Hopefully all this offseason chatter drops him down to round 3, as he'll still have a significant role, score double digit TDs and catch a ton of passes.

 

Agree with this.

 

Many here see MBIII as a 3rd rounder this year. I will start to consider him late 1st in 12 teamers. Sure he will lose touches to Felix and a few to Choice. But how much does this really hurt him? There are so few true feature backs now that the presence of 2 other quality runners could help keep MBIII fresh and healthy. Not to mention that I think the explosiveness of Jones will keep Dallas on the field more and present MBIII with continued scoring opportunities.

 

Bottom line is that the guy should catch 40-50 passes and score double digit TDs. And I think a lot of people are underestimating his total yardage potential. If not for injuries to MBIII and Romo the guy would likely have finished in the top 5 range last year. Given all of the other concerns with so many RBs this year, I think MBIII is right in the mix as a lower tier RB1. I wouldnt project top 5 but I think top 10 is very reasonable.

[Ray_T 786]

As I am putting together my draftboard for the 2009 season, one RB I am having hard time figuring out is Marion Barber. The compiler has him as RB #4 which is very high IMO. Last year Barber finished as RB #13 in my league. Is Barber a top 10 back this year? TO is gone, the Cowboys might rely on the run more, especially since both Felix Jones and Tashard Choice looked good in limited roles last year. Even though the Cowboys run more do Choice and Jones steal enough from Barber to keep him out of the top 10 at season's end. What say you all?

 

Well, with TO gone, I would not be surprised to see the cowboys run the ball more.

 

The issue with MBIII is his punishing running style will not only beat up the defense, it will also beat him up.

 

I can see the guy putting up top 3 numbers one year if he manages to stay healthy the full year (especially if one of the other RB's in dallas gets hurt). But If I were a betting man, I'd say that would be the only time that this ever happens.

 

One top 3 year, and a bunch of top 10 or top 15 seasons with one or two injury prone years towards the end of his career.

 

That is my prediction for his career.

 

the question is..... when does the top 3 year come?

 

Now, next year? 3 years from now? It's tough to say.

 

all I know is when he's on his game he runs over people and is very hard to stop.

[kutulu 1,703]

I'd be happy with 2 or all 3 of the Cowboys RBs this year. Yeah, Barber might get hurt again, but Felix got hurt his first year so who knows how he holds up in the PROs. I picked up Choice in one league last year on a hunch the week before Barber got hurt and got some nice production out of him . Got Barber and Choice in one league this year and in another have to regretfully throw Felix back in the free agent pool.

[Mike MacGregor 21]

FWIW, Barber got a slight downgrade in his projections this past week and is no longer in the top 5 PPR rankings in the Compiler. He comes in at #8 after Steven Jackson and before Steve Slaton.

[sirensong 111]

Choice had fresh legs facing tired defenses at the end of the season.

 

good point. they were, however, 4 of the top 5 defenses in the league, and choice averaged 80+.

 

(sorry for the thread resurrection--my online time is spotty lately)

[PATSSOX 22]

If you take MBIII make sure you have Felix. He was pretty exciting last year. He could easily split carries and post some great numbers.

 

 

if you take Barber with a first round pick you probably should reach a little higher than normal and make sure you get Jones!!! before he got hurt last year Jones looked awful good!! Jones will get the yardage but Barber will get the TDs. ME I WOULDNT TOUCH BARBER

[mgs316 14]

If I was the Cowboys it would be Felix/Choice between the 30's and Marion inside the 30. Once you start getting close, stick Marion in there because he's a threat to run and catch effectively. I wouldn't waste any of his energy and punishment in the middle of the field.

 

Felix is the real deal, if you don't get Felix to backup or even platoon with Marion, you'll have an ulcer by the end of the season.