Can we talk about something other than TO? Or even who we're not signing in free agency?

by mdlusk on Mar 9, 2009 6:38 AM CDT

How about next season's running back rotation? Barber is reportedly returning to a closer role (that suits him best, I believe). So how do we effectively use Felix Jones and Tashard Choice?

I can see some Pro-T formations with Barber or Choice on one side, and Felix on the other . Then flare them out (deadly with Barber and Felix, especially, I'm not sure how Choices' hands are yet), or run them, fake inside handoffs with a HB toss to Felix to the outside. A lot of misdirection possible there.

Who should get the majority of carries? The NY Giants might have been a blueprint, but I don't think even Bradshaw for them would compare to Felix's speed (so I would put Felix in more than Bradshaw), and Barber is not as big as Jacobs (so I wouldn't put Barber in for as much as Jacobs was). Choice seemed to be too good to keep off the field even though he doesn't have Barber's power (though he does seem to be more North-South runner than Barber), or Felix's speed (Choice does have Emmitt's old smoothness to his maneuvers, though, if Felix had that, he'd be Barry Sanders).

I don't think any of the three can handle a true workhorse load, though Choice might be the closest to it.

I can almost see a 33%-33%-33% split in carries and touches. Our season next year, now that we are TO-less, will probably have to depend on the running game to succeed, so finding the proper rotation and usages is going to be absolutely critical to this team. I just don't see the passing game hitting more than 3200 yards and 20-25 TDs.

On the other hand, I want to see about 2000 rushing yards with about 20-25 rushing TDs. I think with these three than can be very possible. Or we can just watch them try to do workhorse loads and go down one-by-one, along with our season, again.

What would you say is the proper rotation? I'm very curious, because 3 viable running backs is a unique situation for me (I didn't keep an eye on the Giants much).

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Lets see some running.

You’ve got a big O-line and 3 guys that can run the ball. If defenses want to put 8 men in the box that means that the receivers will have 1 on 1 coverage.

I wouldn’t have any problem seeing all 3 RBs getting about the same number of carries per game.

Lets get it on!!!

by DaBoys on Mar 9, 2009 8:30 AM CDT reply actions

I'm a huge Tony Romo fan and really enjoy watching him throw for 300+ yards per game

But the prospect of seeing our 3 RB’s destroying opposing defenses has me drooling. I really think that we should become a run oriented team and then it will be amazing to see the things that Romo can do to defenses selling out to stop the run. Hopefully Red Jesus can figure out how to handle all of these weapons.

"So you can’t stiff arm at all? What about the throat?"- Marion "Barbarian" Barber

by DC_fan on Mar 9, 2009 8:42 AM CDT reply actions

The superbowl champion squeelers

had the 17th ranked offense in passing last year, and gained 2 yards less per game rushing the ball than the Boys did last year.

The squeelers had the #1 defense and the Boys had the #8 defense. 57 yds per game was the difference.

Other than the Rams a few years back, defense and rushing is what seems to win championships.

So it’s time to draft a NT, S, and G in whatever order gives the team the best value.

by DaBoys on Mar 9, 2009 8:47 AM CDT reply actions

You nailed it on the head

So it’s time to draft a NT, S, and G in whatever order gives the team the best value.

Couldn’t agree more draft at the highest value in those positions then take some athlete picks in the later rounds

by rioplayer7 on Mar 9, 2009 9:04 AM CDT up reply actions

Colts?

Their defense wasn’t bad, but their offense won them that SB.

Also, I think I’m more interested in OT’s than OG’s at this point.

by GhettoBear04 on Mar 9, 2009 6:22 PM CDT up reply actions

+1

by oldboysfan on Mar 9, 2009 6:48 PM CDT up reply actions

Add ILB to that list

James and Brooking are solid, but Carp still hasn’t proven he could step in and play if he had to. Unless Burnett is re-signed, which doesn’t look promising, they are thin there.

Agree 100% with your other position needs.

Feb. 27 -- Veteran free agency signing period begins. Trading period begins.
April 25-26 -- NFL Draft

by APerfectStar on Mar 9, 2009 9:19 PM CDT up reply actions

+1 ...Drafting a ILB is a MUST.....heck, I hope they draft two of them...

by CowboysRnumba1 on Mar 10, 2009 11:27 AM CDT up reply actions

One thing I'd like to see continue is Felix returning KOs

That might mean a little less of a load on offense. But I have memories of the 98 yard TD KO return this past year. Then pair him with another real speedster that we draft or maybe Austin (if he can start being a threat on KOs), and see how the KOs start landing on our 30 yard line. lol

We still need a punt returner.

Bottom line though, Felix should get as many touches as we can get him, but with the fine line of not giving him so many he wears down, or making him run right up the middle a bunch. Put him in space, isolate him, create mismatches with linebackers or safeties, use misdirection, and above all, be creative.

by mdlusk on Mar 9, 2009 10:34 AM CDT reply actions

Completely agree!

I don’t want them to shy away from letting Felix return kicks because of the risk for injury. You risk injury when you climb out of bed every morning. You risk 100 yard TD returns when you put El Gato back there. I’ll take that risk haha…

by AikmanNailedMySis on Mar 9, 2009 1:13 PM CDT up reply actions

33% Barber - 33% Jones - 33% Choice....perfect

That leaves 1% of the running game for us to hand to Lawrence Phillips…

by BombDiggity on Mar 9, 2009 3:04 PM CDT reply actions

Or Tony Romo perhaps?

So long as he can tuck that &^( ball away.

by mdlusk on Mar 9, 2009 6:55 PM CDT up reply actions

Vision, Power and Speed

Choice has the vision and “wiggle” to find the seam in the line. As others have said he reminds me of Emmitt in the way he “Knifes” through the line.

We all know Barber has the power to run through tacklers and the will not to go down on first contact.

Felix has shown the speed to get outside or break a big one up the middle if he gets a crease.

I have said this before, if it were my team Choice would start and Felix would see some time in the backfield with him. I’d find ways to get Felix the ball in space. Toss sweeps, screens or flare passes in the flat. Motion him and send the receiver on the motion side deep.

Barber would return to the short yardage / closer role to beat down defenses in the second half.

I’d still love to see them all on the field in goal liine situations… Who does the defense key on?

Garrett needs to get a clue!

by BulletBob on Mar 9, 2009 4:39 PM CDT reply actions

I love Barber

He’s a beast, but if they’re going to pay him so much money, he needs to play a lot more than just short yardage and goal line situations. I have been an advocate for decreasing his workload and giving Felix and Tashard more opportunities, but I still think Barber needs to do what he makes the big bucks for. Maybe let him pound defenses, then let Felix and Tashard have their cracks at a battered defense? I dunno’. Sounds like it could work, to me.

Epic Fail since 1985

by the red scare on Mar 10, 2009 5:29 AM CDT reply actions