The first installment of the “Position Breakdown” series focused on the quarterbacks, probably the most stable position on the entire roster. For our second edition, we move to the other end of the stability spectrum and take a look at the Cowboys’ running backs.
KEY PLAYERS
Felix Jones – To little fanfare, Jones had a solid 2010 season with yardage of 800 rushing and 450 receiving. One reason he went under the radar was that he was rarely seen in the endzone; just one touchdown each as a runner and receiver. Perhaps his biggest accomplishment last year was simply staying healthy as he missed just one game. This should be a pivotal season for Jones as he tries to finally become the consistent game-changer the team was hoping for when they used a first-round pick to draft him.
Marion Barber – Marc Colombo is the most predictable upcoming roster cut but Barber isn’t far behind him. While his effectiveness did increase after returning to his “closer” role in the second half of the year, his salary and personal issues outweigh his production. If the Cowboys plan on adding free agents to other positions on the team this offseason, the immediate savings gained by releasing Barber are vital.
Tashard Choice – I’ve seen some who believe it should be Choice, not Barber, who is released. I’ve even seen theories about both not returning. But why cut a guy who’s making a minimal salary and going into a contract year, plus has experience in your system and is an exceptional teammate and locker room guy? Even if you have no plans of bringing Choice back, he’s still a much better option than anything else you could get. Plus, if another team has running back injuries during the season, he could be worth a decent draft pick in a trade.
DRAFT CLASS IMPACT
The third-round selection of DeMarco Murray surprised and even seemed to frustrate Cowboys fans initially. However, I’ve seen the collective reaction become much more positive in the weeks since. All draft analysts seemed to be praising this pick and the college highlights have been very intriguing. Murray’s exceptional blocking skills have already been talked about by Cowboys’ coaches, making it a reasonable assumption that he will be the team’s 3rd-down back. His running style would also seem to lend itself to taking on much of the “closer” role that Barber specialized at.
FREE AGENCY POTENTIAL
The trio of Jones, Choice, and Murray should keep Dallas from making any noise in the free agent market. The only alternative would be if they actually do release Choice along with Barber and then look to bring in a true bruiser for goal-line and short yardage carries. I don’t see that happening.
2011 OUTLOOK
The Cowboys’ running attack was better than advertised last year but still needs to increase its big play potential and first-down production. I may be a little too excited about Murray right now, but I expect a healthy mid-season debate about who should be our “feature back” between he and Felix. Choice will probably struggle for playing time if everyone’s healthy.
Another big factor for the backs will be what happens in front of them. Hopefully Kyle Kosier is brought back or someone of at least equal ability takes his place. He was arguably our best interior lineman last season. Perhaps the addition of the athletic Tyron Smith, with the proven Doug Free playing opposite of him, will give the offense an edge as they can threaten to go left or right with Felix’s ability to get to the outside.
Hopefully, the slight improvements seen when Garrett took over mid-season last year will be amplified during a full season (minus lockout issues) with him as coach. If both the running backs and offensive linemen continue to increase their effectiveness, the running attack should go from “adequate” to “exceptional” with the personnel we have in place and an always-potent passing attack.
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