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By GERRY FRALEY / The Dallas Morning News
Felix Jones, Marion Barber and Tashard Choice (left to right) haven't produced the numbers many Cowboys fans hoped for.
Need meter: Six out of 10 stars.
On the roster: Marion Barber, Tashard Choice, Chris Gronkowski, Felix Jones, Lonyae Miller.
The concept of a three-headed running back is dead. Felix Jones emerged at the end of the season as superior to backfield partners Marion Barber and Tashard Choice, which could be seen as damning with faint praise.
Jones’ workload increased in the final eight games, and he showed well as a runner and a receiver. He ranked eighth among league running backs for yards from scrimmage during the final eight games with 98.9 yards per game. Houston’s Arian Foster led with 130.1 yards per game.
The next step for Jones is to show that he can produce at that rate for a full season.
Barber, the honorary starter, continued his downward arc. He averaged 3.3 yards per carry, third-lowest rate among the 47 backs with at least 100 rushes. In the best of times, Barber counted on power to make up for a lack of elusiveness. Now, the power has noticeably diminished. Barber picked up a first down only 11 times in 17 carries on third- and fourth-and-one plays. Barber’s future with the club is uncertain.
Choice was noteworthy for the wrong reasons: a costly fumble in the season opener at Washington; an ill-advised autograph request of Philadelphia’s Michael Vick after a narrow loss to the Eagles. Add in a decline from 5.5 to 3.7 yards per carry, and it was a lost season for Choice. He needs a strong off-season to return to favor.
Rookie fullback Chris Gronkowski has offensive skills, but he must improve as a lead blocker to remain in the club’s plans. Rookie Lonyae Miller made some plays on special teams.
Who’s available
Ahmad Bradshaw NYG - 1,235 yards rushing but led all backs in fumbles lost with six.
Cedric Benson Cin. - Consecutive seasons of 1,100-plus yards rushing and 300-plus carries.
BenJarvus Green-Ellis NE - Joined 1,000-yards club in first year as featured back.
Mike Tolbert SD - Produced a 10-plus yard run once every 10 carries.
Ricky Williams Mia. - Just for old times’ sake.
Felix Jones, Marion Barber and Tashard Choice (left to right) haven't produced the numbers many Cowboys fans hoped for.
Need meter: Six out of 10 stars.
On the roster: Marion Barber, Tashard Choice, Chris Gronkowski, Felix Jones, Lonyae Miller.
The concept of a three-headed running back is dead. Felix Jones emerged at the end of the season as superior to backfield partners Marion Barber and Tashard Choice, which could be seen as damning with faint praise.
Jones’ workload increased in the final eight games, and he showed well as a runner and a receiver. He ranked eighth among league running backs for yards from scrimmage during the final eight games with 98.9 yards per game. Houston’s Arian Foster led with 130.1 yards per game.
The next step for Jones is to show that he can produce at that rate for a full season.
Barber, the honorary starter, continued his downward arc. He averaged 3.3 yards per carry, third-lowest rate among the 47 backs with at least 100 rushes. In the best of times, Barber counted on power to make up for a lack of elusiveness. Now, the power has noticeably diminished. Barber picked up a first down only 11 times in 17 carries on third- and fourth-and-one plays. Barber’s future with the club is uncertain.
Choice was noteworthy for the wrong reasons: a costly fumble in the season opener at Washington; an ill-advised autograph request of Philadelphia’s Michael Vick after a narrow loss to the Eagles. Add in a decline from 5.5 to 3.7 yards per carry, and it was a lost season for Choice. He needs a strong off-season to return to favor.
Rookie fullback Chris Gronkowski has offensive skills, but he must improve as a lead blocker to remain in the club’s plans. Rookie Lonyae Miller made some plays on special teams.
Who’s available
Ahmad Bradshaw NYG - 1,235 yards rushing but led all backs in fumbles lost with six.
Cedric Benson Cin. - Consecutive seasons of 1,100-plus yards rushing and 300-plus carries.
BenJarvus Green-Ellis NE - Joined 1,000-yards club in first year as featured back.
Mike Tolbert SD - Produced a 10-plus yard run once every 10 carries.
Ricky Williams Mia. - Just for old times’ sake.
