Marion the Barbarian

[FALACIDA]

What do you guys think he should do this year? Felix scares me a little but im tired of the Tashard Choice talk. Yeah he stepped up out of neccesity but the kids not going to take carries from the Barbarian. Please stop with that! Barber could have easily went over 1000 yds with 15Tds if Romo didnt go out with his injury. I watched Dallas without Romo and it seemed like every defender was in the box against Brad Johnson. I actually attribute MB3's injury to the fact that Romo was out. SO .. Barring injury to Romo or MB3 , what do u guys think stat wise and also draft pick wise.

[captainmorganjosh]

Jerry Jones has said the he wants Barber back in his "closer" role. I think that F. Jones and T. Choice will both take carries from him. It might be something like it was when J. Jones was there.

[grover99]

Jerry Jones has said the he wants Barber back in his "closer" role. I think that F. Jones and T. Choice will both take carries from him. It might be something like it was when J. Jones was there.

I agree, you will probably get stats similar to 2006 and 2007.

[Indibuck]

Jerry Jones has said the he wants Barber back in his "closer" role. I think that F. Jones and T. Choice will both take carries from him. It might be something like it was when J. Jones was there.

I agree, you will probably get stats similar to 2006 and 2007.

I am not high on Barber at all this year... I may be wrong but I don't know that he will even approach his '06-'07 numbers.

In a keeper league, I would trade him for what I can get before his value takes more of a hit. In a redraft league, I am going to let someone else take him.

Don't get me wrong -- I LOVE his style of play -- but I think Dallas will be winning a lot of games this year, and his role as "closer" likely means grinding it out for a few yards against 8 or 9 in the box -- the D knows the run is coming. Maybe he gets the goal-line work, maybe he doesn't. There's just way too many signs that keep me from ratin him higher for '09.

[FALACIDA]

I think we will see what we seen last year with MB and Felix Jones personally. Just because Barber got injured and didnt finish the year strong doesnt mean that the Cowboys are going to throw him to the side of the road. The offense moves when hes in the game , he catches the ball, hes a hell of a blocker and he brings an attitude to that offense. Hes also a veteran and by far the best back Dallas has on the roster. Dallas would be stupid to not have such a threat on the field. As far as the passing game goes and D's stacking the box well thats just absurd , you still have Witten and Roy WIlliams. Patrick Crayton, Miles Austin and Bennet are all servicable and Romo has an arm. Coaches and owners say many things but when the chips are down you have to put your best product on the shelf right?

[Minnesota Guy]

Not to scare you away from Barber or anything but I heard through several websites that Marion might take on the role inside the twenties and have Felix/Choice work inside the twenties as well. They know Marion is a workhorse type back but at the same time they don't want to give him too many carries especially with his style running. It proved last year that with his type running style over time the body wears down. So don't be surprised to see Barber get carries inside the 20's, 4th quarter closer and goaline carries. So his numbers could vary from week to week making him a risky #1 starter but solid #2. Some games he could get 20 carries 120 yards and 2TD and others he might get 40 yards and 0 TD. What scares me most as it all depends on what type of game the Cowboys are in on how many carries Barber will get. If its a blowout in the 4th quarter, you won't see Barber. But if Dallas is up by a little in the 4th then you will see a heavy dose of Barber. Too risky for my likings, especially as a 1st rounder

As for predictions for Marion, I would dare say 950 rushing yards 200 receiving 11 total TDs

He will probably go late 1st round, but I would never take him in the 1st round. If I did, I would definitely take another runner in the early second round to compliment him.

[thriftyrocker]

He's still one of the only RBs with 15 TD potential.

He will do what Jacobs did last year but with 40 receptions instead of 6.

[FALACIDA]

Those were some good points Minnesota. There is no RB in the league that goes for over 100 and 2 tds a game so that's not a valid argument. No matter what RB you have if his team is down in the 4th quarter than most likely the RB will not be carrying the rock too much (maybe ADP) but that's it. So every RB basically has the same situations to deal with as far as how game situations will be. MB3 did not wear down last year either and if he did its because Brad Johnson isn't good enough to play pee wee football and Barber got killed with 8 and 9 men in the box. Injuries happen and I believe that was the only one I can ever remember MB having in his pro career. Talent speaks for itself and MB has proven he has it. He may not get 20 carries a game but who really does nowadays? A few but not many. I don't think people should sleep on him this year! He will be a #1 FF back at the end of the year.

[Minnesota Guy]

Those were some good points Minnesota. There is no RB in the league that goes for over 100 and 2 tds a game so that's not a valid argument. No matter what RB you have if his team is down in the 4th quarter than most likely the RB will not be carrying the rock too much (maybe ADP) but that's it. So every RB basically has the same situations to deal with as far as how game situations will be. MB3 did not wear down last year either and if he did its because Brad Johnson isn't good enough to play pee wee football and Barber got killed with 8 and 9 men in the box. Injuries happen and I believe that was the only one I can ever remember MB having in his pro career. Talent speaks for itself and MB has proven he has it. He may not get 20 carries a game but who really does nowadays? A few but not many. I don't think people should sleep on him this year! He will be a #1 FF back at the end of the year.

Oh, no doubt he is a top back talent, all I am saying is that I wouldn't spend a 1st round pick on him because his numbers are not going to be as consistant as you would like for a 1st rounder. And you're right, most backs don't get 20+ carries every game besides the workhorse guys like AP, Turner, Portis etc... Just mark my words, that if you do spend a 1st rounder on Marion, be prepared to be frustrated with his work load "at times". Good luck!

[Poe]

I like Barber, he had a bad year last year, but wasn't his injury something nagging? It wasn't a serious injury that would have had an effect long-term, plus he's only what? 25 yo? It's interesting that MBIII's injury is discussed more than F. Jones' when he was the unproven rookie who didn't last the entire season. He's definitely a home run threat, and if he stays healthy he'll get some carries, but I wouldn't assume he'll last an entire season...he still has to prove it to me.