C
Cr122
Guest
Cowboys' 3-pronged running attack keeps defenses guessing
11:55 PM CDT on Tuesday, August 17, 2010
Column by GERRY FRALEY / The Dallas Morning News | gfraley@dallasnews.com
OXNARD, Calif. – The Cowboys featured the No. 2 rusher in the NFL last year: MarFelTas BarJonCho.
Marion Barber, Felix Jones and Tashard Choice shared the running back spot and combined for 1,966 yards rushing. Only one individual surpassed that total: Tennessee 's Chris Johnson, with 2,006 yards.
"You need to have a couple of backs," offensive coordinator Jason Garrett said. "We're fortunate to have three of them. Each of them is versatile. They can play in different situations."
Therein lies the appeal of the Cowboys' building-the-better-back approach, which goes against the grain of conventional NFL thinking.
The league thought process has been a team that employed multiple running backs had no back at all. Using backs based on situations was a sure way to tip off the defense on what was coming. Each back had tendencies.
Every offense, even the Cowboys with Hall of Fame running back Emmitt Smith, has tendencies, Garrett said. The Cowboys avoid here-it-comes tendencies, because their backs have blurred into one creation that utilizes the best of each. There is just enough overlap to keep defenses guessing.
"There's versatility," Garrett said. "It's not like one of them is only going to run inside, one is only going to run outside and the other guy is only going to do this."
That said, there are differences. A look at each of the three runners, with observations from running backs coach Skip Peete:
Marion Barber
He's no longer the big back. Jones outweighs him by about four pounds. Barber remains the starter, with short-yardage situations and the fourth quarter his domain.
Barber was good in the fourth quarter last season. He ranked fourth in the league in fourth-quarter yards with 295 and averaged 5.7 per try.
Barber was bad on short-yardage situations. He picked up a first down only 10 times in 17 tries on third- and fourth-and-one situations. His conversion rate (52.7) was 18th among 22 backs with at least 10 tries.
Peete: "When you look at Marion, you're looking at power and strength. Pass-protection ability. Ability to catch the ball out of the backfield."
Felix Jones
Jones is the home-run hitter. He had five runs of 20-plus yards in 116 carries last season. Barber had five runs of 20-plus yards in 214 carries. Jones' role in the passing game could increase. He caught 19 of the 22 passes thrown to him last season for an average gain of 6.3 yards. The Cowboys view short throws to Jones as another way to get him the ball in the open field.
Peete: "With Felix, you've got explosion, quickness, the ability make people miss in the open field and make big plays."
Tashard Choice
That the Cowboys have Choice handle the ball in the "Razorback" single-wing speaks to his skill set. He is not as powerful as Barber or as quick as Jones, but he has sharp vision and can adjust quickly.
In two seasons with the Cowboys, Choice has been remarkably consistent. He has averaged more than 5.0 yards per carry annually and been the most productive receiver among the backs with 8.8 yards per catch in each season.
"Tashard is a combination of both," Peete said. "He can run with power inside. He has the ability to make a good decision and has good vision with good balance. Good pass-protector, too."
Put the pieces together, and a top-flight back emerges.
11:55 PM CDT on Tuesday, August 17, 2010
Column by GERRY FRALEY / The Dallas Morning News | gfraley@dallasnews.com
OXNARD, Calif. – The Cowboys featured the No. 2 rusher in the NFL last year: MarFelTas BarJonCho.
Marion Barber, Felix Jones and Tashard Choice shared the running back spot and combined for 1,966 yards rushing. Only one individual surpassed that total: Tennessee 's Chris Johnson, with 2,006 yards.
"You need to have a couple of backs," offensive coordinator Jason Garrett said. "We're fortunate to have three of them. Each of them is versatile. They can play in different situations."
Therein lies the appeal of the Cowboys' building-the-better-back approach, which goes against the grain of conventional NFL thinking.
The league thought process has been a team that employed multiple running backs had no back at all. Using backs based on situations was a sure way to tip off the defense on what was coming. Each back had tendencies.
Every offense, even the Cowboys with Hall of Fame running back Emmitt Smith, has tendencies, Garrett said. The Cowboys avoid here-it-comes tendencies, because their backs have blurred into one creation that utilizes the best of each. There is just enough overlap to keep defenses guessing.
"There's versatility," Garrett said. "It's not like one of them is only going to run inside, one is only going to run outside and the other guy is only going to do this."
That said, there are differences. A look at each of the three runners, with observations from running backs coach Skip Peete:
Marion Barber
He's no longer the big back. Jones outweighs him by about four pounds. Barber remains the starter, with short-yardage situations and the fourth quarter his domain.
Barber was good in the fourth quarter last season. He ranked fourth in the league in fourth-quarter yards with 295 and averaged 5.7 per try.
Barber was bad on short-yardage situations. He picked up a first down only 10 times in 17 tries on third- and fourth-and-one situations. His conversion rate (52.7) was 18th among 22 backs with at least 10 tries.
Peete: "When you look at Marion, you're looking at power and strength. Pass-protection ability. Ability to catch the ball out of the backfield."
Felix Jones
Jones is the home-run hitter. He had five runs of 20-plus yards in 116 carries last season. Barber had five runs of 20-plus yards in 214 carries. Jones' role in the passing game could increase. He caught 19 of the 22 passes thrown to him last season for an average gain of 6.3 yards. The Cowboys view short throws to Jones as another way to get him the ball in the open field.
Peete: "With Felix, you've got explosion, quickness, the ability make people miss in the open field and make big plays."
Tashard Choice
That the Cowboys have Choice handle the ball in the "Razorback" single-wing speaks to his skill set. He is not as powerful as Barber or as quick as Jones, but he has sharp vision and can adjust quickly.
In two seasons with the Cowboys, Choice has been remarkably consistent. He has averaged more than 5.0 yards per carry annually and been the most productive receiver among the backs with 8.8 yards per catch in each season.
"Tashard is a combination of both," Peete said. "He can run with power inside. He has the ability to make a good decision and has good vision with good balance. Good pass-protector, too."
Put the pieces together, and a top-flight back emerges.