Marion Barber, on his own blog, stated that he was well rested after Dallas' bye week and that his strained left quadriceps is "no longer a problem". Meanwhile, Felix Jones, who hasn't played since Week 3, is back at practice this week -- he's wearing a brace to protect his left knee, but he's still practicing. With Barber and Jones back, why is it that Tashard Choice is going to get even more carries this week against Atlanta? The simple answer -- because Jerry Jones said so.
On his weekly radio show, Jerry Jones said that even though Barber was as healthy as he's been in two weeks, Choice would see more playing time. "Tashard certainly earned and is going to get a big part of the load."
This decision comes after Choice stepped in against Kansas City and rushed for 92 yards and a touchdown on just eight carries. In fact, over the last three games the second-year running back out of Georgia Tech is averaging 69 yards per game and almost 5.2 yards per carry. Those numbers seem to warrant an increase in touches, but who will lose out if Choice handles the ball more?
That may not be an issue this Sunday against Atlanta. Even though Barber says his quad is healthy and that he's not banged up anymore, he still has a fractured left thumb. Barber may be able to run just fine but if he can't hold on to the ball he'll see less time on the field.
Felix Jones may also be able to return to play this Sunday but he's probably going to have to wear a knee brace. The bulky brace will not only slow him, but should sap his explosive play-making ability just a bit. And it's still not a certainty that he'll be able to play. Felix Jones said that the pain is still there at times, and he's still not 100%.
Just how much of an extra load Choice will carry remains a mystery. All we know is that Dallas expects Barber to be the starting running back and the rest of the plan will unfold within the game.
Fantasy Football Spin:
There aren't enough carries in a healthy Dallas backfield for Choice, Barber and Jones. Since there's never really a time when all three backs are completely healthy, you won't run into complaints for lack of playing time. With Choice earning this extra work he's now a usable FLEX starter, limited to weeks when he's facing a good matchup.
There also isn't enough information to determine if this new role is just for the Atlanta game or if Choice will be more involved moving forward. A lot of that will be determined by the health of Jones and Barber, but also watch to make sure that Choice keeps his high yards per carry average up.
If any of these three backs is on your fantasy football roster, it's imperative that you check the injury report every week. Their health will go a long way on a week-by-week basis to determine who sees more action.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
10-22-2009 @ 3:34PM
cherylmachin said...
Why is Jerry making coaching decisions? Isn't that why he pays the coaches? Why doesn't he just stay in the owners box and leave the coaching to the coaches? LET THEM DO THEIR JOBS!! Maybe that's why the Cowboys aren't playing as good as they could be, because he won't leave them ALONE Jerry!!
You want the Cowboys to win Jerry? Let the coaches COACH! Let the Boys PLAY! That's what they all train for, that's what they all get PAID for! Let them do what they are good at! Stay in your box and stay out of it! Thanks! I am a huge Cowboys fan, always have been..but you commercializing them for your sake really pisses me off..and makes me want to hate them.. I only watch them for the game.. not because of the stadium or any of that crap you've blown money on, especially in these times ~ It's all about the game man!
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10-22-2009 @ 9:35PM
alpetrecca said...
Jerry Jones cares about what he does. He cares about winning and wants to win badly. But since 1996 the Cowboys have not one a playoff game. The fact is if he did not own the team he would of had to fire himself. A long list of idiot coaches after Jimmy Johnson proves my point. The Cowboys have talent. Yes they do. But they are the mosy undisciplined team in the NFL. Games with 13 penalties, 12 penalties, 11 penalties only show that the team is not coached well. Wade Phillips is a joke and a another Jerry Jone's Patsy. He looks like a mope on the sideline and does not have a clue what he is doing. The team plays erractic and is not a champion quality team. They needed to address the penalties, Romo's inconsistent play and decision making,And team chemistry in the off season. They done noe of these. The Cowboys will not win 8 ganes because of this and another new stadium and new season will soon go down the drain. The roof caving in on their practice facility was only a symbol of things to come in Dallas. Until Jone's steps aside and lets a real football man run this team. The Cowboys will be losers. It is just the plain truth. 12 years of frustrating seasons proves my point. Jerry I know you love your team and I love your team. But the truth is your hurting people who want to see you win. Step aside and get a real coach before we both never see another Super Bowl. I hope you print this because it is true. A Cowboy fan since 1971. Thanks for letting me share. Al
10-22-2009 @ 11:19PM
mikewenzlaff1 said...
hahaha this is exactly what's going on with the redskins right now so we can both say that we're no good
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10-23-2009 @ 9:59AM
Robin said...
No Mike we can't say that. At least Jerry Jones has 3 Superbowls under his belt. Deadskins Snyder has none.....NO COMPARISON AT ALL!!!
10-22-2009 @ 11:24PM
brownpride57 said...
the cowturds arent going anywhere,if they had to play teams with awinning record week in and week out the cowturds would have a loosing record as a matter of fact they would be o forever, they would be in last place just like the oaktown clowns raiders,now wouldnt that be a beautiful sight al davis and goober hand in hand next to each other hahahahahahhaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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10-23-2009 @ 7:57AM
deitrade said...
BrownPRIDE, as in "Cleveland BROWNS pride"??? LOLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL......kick my Boys while they are down but at least we have NOT been buried since the days of Brian Sipes and the Cardiac Kids LOLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL.
10-24-2009 @ 9:23AM
cjohn2112 said...
give it about 10 more seasons deitrade...right now yall are on the same list as the lions and browns(and 4 other "hard luck" teams) that havnt won a playoff game since 96
cherylmachin, you seem 2 be just now figuring out what ive know since jerry "the moron" jones canned jimmy johnson n got barry switzer.
and robin, while the cowboys did win 3 titles since jones became owner, i really dont think it was because of his GM abilities.....does any1?
tex schram pretty much built that team(although johnson did pretty good finishing what schram started)
alpatreca, your dead-on....jery "the moron" really does need 2 fire himself n hire sum1 who actually knows what their doing...doubt it's ever gonna happen tho
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10-24-2009 @ 3:21PM
deitrade said...
You don't know what you are really talking about CJOHN. The problem with the Cowboys is that they have managed to keep winning just enough to keep them in the middle of the PACK during drafts. Parody has played a big part in helping LOSERS get the Franchise players they need to have that one year wonder season before they fall back to the bottom to pick up other top 10 picks year after year. Teams like the Cowboys are just too good for their own sake. Now with Parody it may take the BOYS longer to get to the very TOP but they are not in the same class as the Teams you mentioned. NO Excuses just Fact!
10-24-2009 @ 6:35PM
Robin said...
DITTO!!! Like I said "NO COMPARISON AT ALL"
10-25-2009 @ 10:57AM
cjohn2112 said...
funny how u blame it on the draft....or not picking in th top ten deitrade...that hasnt hurt the patriots has it?...or giants, or steelers, or any of the other teams actually winning playoff games.....and you said "teams like th cowboys are just too good for their own sake"....???...huh?..so i guess the lions, browns, chiefs, bengals, texans, and bills are all 2 good for their own sake 2?....lol...keep dreaming up excuses dude, cuz til jerry "the moron" dies yall aint winnin squat...but im betting u n all the other dallas faithful pretty much know that....ahahahahahahaha
p.s.,,.stephen "moron jr." jones dont look too bright either, but maybe he'll have sense enough 2 hire a good GM n yall can finally win a playoff game
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