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Column by JEAN-JACQUES TAYLOR / The Dallas Morning News
jjtaylor@dallasnews.com
Felix Jones (28) had 113 combined rushing and receiving yards in Thursday's loss to the Saints.
It's pretty obvious the Cowboys drafted the wrong running back in the first round a few years ago, when they took Felix Jones.
Rashard Mendenhall. Chris Johnson. Ray Rice.
Jones is solid and, at times, he can be breathtaking.
But each of those other runners would've been a better choice. Let's not even waste time discussing it.
While the Cowboys continue this silly charade of starting Marion Barber, Jones is now the epicenter of the running game and Jason Garrett has finally figured out how to maximize his skill set.
It's about time.
In the Cowboys' loss to New Orleans, Jones carried 13 times for 44 yards and caught seven passes for 69 yards. It represented just the second time in his three-year career that he has touched the ball at least 20 times in a game.
That, friends, is why the Cowboys drafted the wrong runner. You don't take niche backs in the first round.
Ever.
You can find them later in the draft. And much cheaper.
You take workhorses – guys capable of consistently carrying the ball 20 times a game – in the first round.
Jones has never been a workhorse. He shared the ball in college with first-round pick Darren McFadden.
Understand, none of this is Jones' fault. He didn't beg the Cowboys to draft him. Anyone studying his college career would rightfully assume he would be the same type of player in the NFL.
Garrett has finally committed to getting Jones the ball in position to take advantage of his speed and acceleration.
Better late than never, as Grandma used to say.
In the past eight games, Jones has touched the ball 122 times – 89 rushes and 33 receptions – for 668 yards, while Barber has touched it 74 times – 66 carries and eight catches – for 231 yards.
And in the past three games, Jones has carried the ball at least 10 times for the first time this season. During this eight-game stretch, Jones has had more touches than Barber six times.
Jones demonstrated game-breaking ability in each of his first two seasons with a bevy of long-range touchdowns. Coaches are supposed to make sure players like that touch the ball a certain amount of times every game because of their propensity for breaking big plays.
The more Jones touches it, the more he finds a rhythm and the more likely he is to break a long one.
The difference: The Cowboys are throwing it to him quite a bit. He already has a career-high 37 receptions for 346 yards. Last year, he caught 19 passes for 119 yards.
In case you didn't notice, Jones is averaging 9.5 yards per catch this season, and in the last three games he has had gains of 71, 28 and 25 yards on screen plays. They're also getting him the ball on swing passes, where he's matched up with a linebacker.
Jones is doing his part by making defenders miss, and showing some toughness.
He injured his hip last week but returned to the game after missing time to get some X-rays. He didn't participate in a full practice last week because of the hip injury, but he played well on Thursday.
This is what the Cowboys need from Jones.
Now, he hasn't been as effective running the ball this year as he was in his first two season, when he averaged 6.5 per carry.
You can blame some of that on an ineffective offensive line and some of it on Jones, who added muscle in the off-season but lost elusiveness.
Still, it's good to see him getting the most from his ability.
jjtaylor@dallasnews.com
Felix Jones (28) had 113 combined rushing and receiving yards in Thursday's loss to the Saints.
It's pretty obvious the Cowboys drafted the wrong running back in the first round a few years ago, when they took Felix Jones.
Rashard Mendenhall. Chris Johnson. Ray Rice.
Jones is solid and, at times, he can be breathtaking.
But each of those other runners would've been a better choice. Let's not even waste time discussing it.
While the Cowboys continue this silly charade of starting Marion Barber, Jones is now the epicenter of the running game and Jason Garrett has finally figured out how to maximize his skill set.
It's about time.
In the Cowboys' loss to New Orleans, Jones carried 13 times for 44 yards and caught seven passes for 69 yards. It represented just the second time in his three-year career that he has touched the ball at least 20 times in a game.
That, friends, is why the Cowboys drafted the wrong runner. You don't take niche backs in the first round.
Ever.
You can find them later in the draft. And much cheaper.
You take workhorses – guys capable of consistently carrying the ball 20 times a game – in the first round.
Jones has never been a workhorse. He shared the ball in college with first-round pick Darren McFadden.
Understand, none of this is Jones' fault. He didn't beg the Cowboys to draft him. Anyone studying his college career would rightfully assume he would be the same type of player in the NFL.
Garrett has finally committed to getting Jones the ball in position to take advantage of his speed and acceleration.
Better late than never, as Grandma used to say.
In the past eight games, Jones has touched the ball 122 times – 89 rushes and 33 receptions – for 668 yards, while Barber has touched it 74 times – 66 carries and eight catches – for 231 yards.
And in the past three games, Jones has carried the ball at least 10 times for the first time this season. During this eight-game stretch, Jones has had more touches than Barber six times.
Jones demonstrated game-breaking ability in each of his first two seasons with a bevy of long-range touchdowns. Coaches are supposed to make sure players like that touch the ball a certain amount of times every game because of their propensity for breaking big plays.
The more Jones touches it, the more he finds a rhythm and the more likely he is to break a long one.
The difference: The Cowboys are throwing it to him quite a bit. He already has a career-high 37 receptions for 346 yards. Last year, he caught 19 passes for 119 yards.
In case you didn't notice, Jones is averaging 9.5 yards per catch this season, and in the last three games he has had gains of 71, 28 and 25 yards on screen plays. They're also getting him the ball on swing passes, where he's matched up with a linebacker.
Jones is doing his part by making defenders miss, and showing some toughness.
He injured his hip last week but returned to the game after missing time to get some X-rays. He didn't participate in a full practice last week because of the hip injury, but he played well on Thursday.
This is what the Cowboys need from Jones.
Now, he hasn't been as effective running the ball this year as he was in his first two season, when he averaged 6.5 per carry.
You can blame some of that on an ineffective offensive line and some of it on Jones, who added muscle in the off-season but lost elusiveness.
Still, it's good to see him getting the most from his ability.
