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Cowboys Mailbag
BRYAN WALSH - MOUNT AIRY, MD: What kind of game does Tashard Choice need to have this weekend to earn more carries the rest of the season?
Rob: A big game. A game that convinces the coaching staff he and Barber should completely switch roles. They've decided mixing in three backs just doesn't allow them to get in a rhythm, and Felix Jones will get his touches. So something would have to give. I just don't see that scenario playing out if Barber is healthy, even though Choice is a good player.
Nick: I think he needs 10 carries, 250 yards, 2 TDs, including a 60-yarder in overtime to win. That's how Miles Austin took advantage of an injury start. That's how Choice takes over next week. But to be the overall starter, he needs to do things Barber and Jones haven't done, like pick up goal-line and short-yardage plays, and show the ability to break longer runs in the open field.
Josh: Well, if he's going to get anything close to a fair shot, it shouldn't take much. The guy he's replacing hasn't exactly put up big numbers. Simply a nice game ought to be enough to earn him more chances. Do you realize Marion Barber hasn't run for more than 55 yards in a game this year? I think Choice beats that on Sunday, and if he does there's no way the Cowboys can justify putting Barber back in there.
RICK MATHEWSON - ALEXANDRIA, VA: Do you see the promotion of Martin Rucker as the beginning of the end for Martellus Bennett, since he continues to be a non-factor in the offense this season?
Rob: How good is his blocking? I'm not sure he provides that like Bennett does. There's more to it than pass-catching. Bennett hasn't been targeted much - not a surprise with Dez Bryant becoming a focal point - but he's been more efficient than last year.
Nick: No, I don't see you. I see Rucker's promotion as a chance to show what he can do instead of Scott Chandler. Bennett is the best blocking tight end they've got. So I don't think the Cowboys are looking to get rid of him and I know they don't consider him a non-factor. It's called churning and that's what they're doing.
Josh: No, I don't think Martin Rucker's promotion means anything for Martellus Bennett. I think he's actually been pretty good this year - much improved as a receiver, and he's the best blocking tight end they've got. There aren't a lot of passes for him in the offense, but you can't blame him for that. Not his fault Cowboys traded a perfectly good No. 2 tight end in Anthony Fasano just to draft another.
BRYAN WALSH - MOUNT AIRY, MD: What kind of game does Tashard Choice need to have this weekend to earn more carries the rest of the season?
Rob: A big game. A game that convinces the coaching staff he and Barber should completely switch roles. They've decided mixing in three backs just doesn't allow them to get in a rhythm, and Felix Jones will get his touches. So something would have to give. I just don't see that scenario playing out if Barber is healthy, even though Choice is a good player.
Nick: I think he needs 10 carries, 250 yards, 2 TDs, including a 60-yarder in overtime to win. That's how Miles Austin took advantage of an injury start. That's how Choice takes over next week. But to be the overall starter, he needs to do things Barber and Jones haven't done, like pick up goal-line and short-yardage plays, and show the ability to break longer runs in the open field.
Josh: Well, if he's going to get anything close to a fair shot, it shouldn't take much. The guy he's replacing hasn't exactly put up big numbers. Simply a nice game ought to be enough to earn him more chances. Do you realize Marion Barber hasn't run for more than 55 yards in a game this year? I think Choice beats that on Sunday, and if he does there's no way the Cowboys can justify putting Barber back in there.
RICK MATHEWSON - ALEXANDRIA, VA: Do you see the promotion of Martin Rucker as the beginning of the end for Martellus Bennett, since he continues to be a non-factor in the offense this season?
Rob: How good is his blocking? I'm not sure he provides that like Bennett does. There's more to it than pass-catching. Bennett hasn't been targeted much - not a surprise with Dez Bryant becoming a focal point - but he's been more efficient than last year.
Nick: No, I don't see you. I see Rucker's promotion as a chance to show what he can do instead of Scott Chandler. Bennett is the best blocking tight end they've got. So I don't think the Cowboys are looking to get rid of him and I know they don't consider him a non-factor. It's called churning and that's what they're doing.
Josh: No, I don't think Martin Rucker's promotion means anything for Martellus Bennett. I think he's actually been pretty good this year - much improved as a receiver, and he's the best blocking tight end they've got. There aren't a lot of passes for him in the offense, but you can't blame him for that. Not his fault Cowboys traded a perfectly good No. 2 tight end in Anthony Fasano just to draft another.
