Totally Hypothetical, but....Marion Barber?

by DCRamFan on Jul 24, 2011 11:27 PM CDT

Look, I hate the Cowboys. Let me just preface with that. But one thing I've noticed is how Marion Barber has taken a diminished role on the Dallas Cowboys, and looks to be on his way out. To my knowledge, there's no other team in the NFL tied to his (potential/impending) free agency, but I thought I'd compare his worth to our team to that of the newly popular Jason Snelling.

I, for some reason, am not sold on Snelling. I don't claim to be an NFL expert, but I don't know that I see how he compliments Steven Jackson, or how bringing him into the game will change the look of the defense. To that point, I don't think we need to overpay for someone like Darren Sproles or Reggie Bush, but I see their added value of being pass catching, agile, play-makers. That's probably why I also lean towards the (potential steal) UFA, Derrick Locke. Again, personal preference..... I don't run an NFL organization. I just like to think I know what's best for the team.

But I digress.....Marion Barber has been a stud in seasons past. He run's (or ran) with speed, power, and can catch the ball out of the backfield. The intriguing part of his potential free agency is that, again, he's become secondary if not tertiary, in Dallas' running attack, making him more affordable in my eyes. I'm probably interested because I feel he possesses a lot of the same qualities as SJAX. That, coupled with the fact that the richest team in football obviously wants to part ways with him...

We seemed to have narrowed ourselves to the three 'most likely' candidates of Snelling, Sproles, and Bush, but as you all might have noticed, this God-awful lockout is only pushing free agency further and further to the brink of absolute insanity, which will ultimately lead to some dark horse team snatching all three up with brevity. I'd imagine that some surprising roster cuts, hence free agents, are yet to come. Have we limited ourselves to these 3 RB's, or are there others to come that might be just as valuable (in terms of on the field ability, and the all important $)? I know from reading the posts from day to day that there are many that see the backup RB position far less a necessity than, let's say, Guard, DT, or S, but...

Just wondering your thoughts......Snelling has proven himself over the past season or two, and although a 7th rounder, he's certainly upped his value. Barber, less than a year older, seems to be headed in the opposite direction. Is that because his abilities are truly declining, or because the Cowboys interest in handing him the ball are? I'm inclined to believe it's the latter. In summation, I hate the Cowboys!

And even if it's not Barber, what happens if the three oft-mentioned FA's are gone? 31 other teams in a frenzy for FA's...... What's our plan, if any, then? I just know there's more out there than these particular names, and in no way do I think it's a lock that we end up with any of them.....

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Forgot to mention...

Dreads make him that much better

by DCRamFan on Jul 24, 2011 11:40 PM CDT reply actions

+1

always want RBs with dreads lol

http://brotherspork.wordpress.com/

by Infemous on Jul 25, 2011 10:19 AM CDT up reply actions

He was a stud...for like 5 yrs then just took a back seat to Choice and Jones

now he’s mostly like a short yard/goal line guy and with SJax I doubt we need him…….And to think the reason why he’s leaving is because the ’Boys drafted the Guy I wanted the entire time before and during the draft…..shoot man how all the RB talk could have been avoided if we got DeMarco Murry.

"Victory at all costs, victory in spite of all terror, victory however long and hard the road may be; for without victory there is no PLAYOFFS."
Winston Churchill

by SMASH44 on Jul 25, 2011 2:03 AM CDT reply actions

Snelling

can pass block, lead block as a fullback, and catch passes at a high level for a running back. He’s not gonna compliment SJ, but he’ll give him a break without us losing production at all.

"I kind of stepped my swagger up. You look at the Madden game and the swagger's so low, maybe they'll bump me up. Before it was a meatball flex, so you've got to liven it up a little bit." - Animal Jr.

by douchiedude on Jul 25, 2011 2:29 AM CDT reply actions

How often will he be on the field as a lead blocker, though...

if we’re going to run two tight end sets? It’s been pointed out that the fullback/lead blocker position has kind of died over the past few years

I dont disagree with any of your points on Snelling. Again, my thoughts are just that if it’s 3rd and 4, I’d feel more comfortable seeing Sproles or Bush on the field, as I see them as more of a threat due to their big play ability

….look at me talking myself into Sproles and Bush

by DCRamFan on Jul 25, 2011 7:27 AM CDT up reply actions

To your point, though

Pass blocking is a huge plus for Snelling, and something I dont see either of the aforementioned having as a strong suit

by DCRamFan on Jul 25, 2011 7:28 AM CDT up reply actions

I'm not trying to give Bush or Sproles

starters money for a backup position. That’s what people fail to realize. We have at the very least four positions that have questionable starters that need to be filled first. Backup running back is the least important with safety OLB, DT and guard above it. I don’t want my premier free agent signing to be a backup player.

by douchiedude on Jul 25, 2011 3:25 PM CDT up reply actions 1 recs

Yea why use him there when we have 2+ TE's and a FB already to do the blocking

and a better pass catcher with actual speed is out there.

"Victory at all costs, victory in spite of all terror, victory however long and hard the road may be; for without victory there is no PLAYOFFS."
Winston Churchill

by SMASH44 on Jul 25, 2011 2:02 PM CDT up reply actions

Now you're just ignoring his other strong points.

My point is he’s the most versatile backup out there, not that we should get him because he cab play fullback too. Jeez.

by douchiedude on Jul 25, 2011 3:23 PM CDT up reply actions

Ronnie Brown is versatile, as is Caddy Williams among others

I don’t see what makes him any more different then some of the faster, more productive, agile change of pace guys that are out there. He can block great so can Darby but he isn’t on team anymore is he? If we go after a FA RB to makes a significant difference on the team then we better go after a guy with more to add then blocking.

"Victory at all costs, victory in spite of all terror, victory however long and hard the road may be; for without victory there is no PLAYOFFS."
Winston Churchill

by SMASH44 on Jul 25, 2011 6:15 PM CDT up reply actions

There's 2 seperate issues here

I’m not particularly interested in signing Barber but here’s my take on the possible thinking behind signing a b/u RB.

If the Rams are looking for someone who will give a defense something different to gameplan for then someone like Bush or Sproles would be the type of player you’d target. Of the UDFA’s a player like Locke would be a good fit for this role.

If the plan is to spell Jackson on running downs then someone like Snelling would be ideal. Barber could do some work between the tackles on 1st and 2nd downs or in goalline situations too. He’s also a decent pass catcher.

However Steven Jackson is still the best 3rd down option for the Rams in my opinion. OK his pass blocking is a bit suspect at times but he’s an excellent pass catcher and still has the skills to be effective in the screen game.

I hope the Rams sign a player like Snelling or an UDFA like Fannin who can help out on running downs and leave the 3rd down stuff to Jackson

by IrishRamsFan on Jul 25, 2011 7:38 AM CDT reply actions

i don't mind Barber

Although not sure about the pillars. hasn’t he had run ins with the law?
and he’s always nicked up, hence the diminished role.

I don’t think we’d go for him, but I wouldn’t be upset if we did.

Guard is more important atm.

http://brotherspork.wordpress.com/

by Infemous on Jul 25, 2011 10:18 AM CDT reply actions

Willis McGahee just got let go...

any takers? He’s not the future, but he could come cheap…

by DCRamFan on Jul 25, 2011 6:42 PM CDT reply actions

We coulda took Lynch who is a better back last season

so i doubt we’ll go after him.

"Victory at all costs, victory in spite of all terror, victory however long and hard the road may be; for without victory there is no PLAYOFFS."
Winston Churchill

by SMASH44 on Jul 25, 2011 7:19 PM CDT up reply actions

Unfortunately

every pic of Lynch is a mug shot, so as a criminal who commits no crime, that’s very unfortunate that he cannot meet the requirements of the four pillars

by DCRamFan on Jul 25, 2011 7:24 PM CDT up reply actions