bags030404: I never said anywhere in this article that “Marion can only play the finisher role!”
I never said that you said that. You did say though that ““We are all aware of the fact that Marion is better suited to be fresh in the fourth quarter!”.”
That’s your opinion (and a theory) but hardly a fact. Those particular statistics by themselves only show a small percentage of the picture and do not make your opinion a fact, that’s all I’m saying. It’s a bit pompous of you to post your opinion as fact, though I admit it is your right. Blogs are well sutied for personal opinions and observations. I’m glad you have some passion about it and will continue to read more of your opinions in the future cause I love talking Cowboys.

bags030404: there was a little guy named TC and he had zero problems finding the holes that the OL opened!
Yes he did very well, but notice these were in later games. It was my contention that the OL under performed in the MIDDLE OF THE SEASON (October\November as stated). Choice had all of 20ish attempts in those months so your statement has nothing to do with my point. We just don’t know what MB3 would’ve done in December if he was healthy so it’s moot.
On the subject of Choice though, since you brought it up, my opinion is that the verdict is still out. He had a great December, but I seem to remember Julius Jones having a decent season in there before slipping into mediocrity.

Another fact – he made the Pro Bowl as the closer but not as the starter. It’s not a definite ideal since Pro Bowl voting can be fickle at times.

The numbers you posted seem to indicate that he was more successful in the closer role because his yards per carry were higher, his total yards were higher, and he had more TDs. Factors such as injuries and the passing game/quarterback play do factor into it, of course, but you have to take everything as a package. 2008 showed that Barber is more effective as a closer.

As for the O-Line, you are close to being right about Kosier. Kosier missed most of the season. The running game got better when Holland was in there, but when Proctor was in there, Adams and Gurode were both helping him keep his blocks which diminished their own production and in turn hurt the running lanes.

Barber is a good back, he gets the job done. He isn’t a home run hitter by any means, though. To me, MBIII is better suited as a fullback because he is tough, has a strong running style, and he can block very well. An NFL team can still utilize a fullback in today’s league and if we did so as the early 90′s Cowboys, then we could see similar success with Jones and Choice to what Emmett saw back then with Moose blocking for him.

Last year as a starter
15 games played (several which he played injured)… 238 attempts for 885 and 7 TDs

Do not believe this info prooves your point that “we are all aware of the fact that Marion is better suited to be fresh in the fourth quarter!”. It’s no where as simple as that.

You forget that:
They played 3 games with Brad Johnson as QB. Defenses were playing the run for these game. Looking at the first 5 games of the season, before Romo’s injury, he was averaging 4.12 yards a carry, and had 5 TDs. The next game Romo got injured. And the next few games (TB, Giants, and Skins) he did have a decline while defenses keyed on the run. Shortly after he got injured. He tried to play injured against some very tough defenses late in the season and it really dragged down his “yards per carry” stat. Still he had 7 TDs and only 90 less yards than the year before.
I’ll add too that I believe that the OL under-performed in middle part of the season. Just my opinion.. but just didn’t seem like they were doing very well in creating holes for the run in Oct\Nov (because Kosier was out?)

So, my point is that you can’t really say that the stats above clearly show that “15 carries a game” is where he “NEEDS to be”, and that “better suited to be fresh in the fourth quarter!”.

I defintely agree with you that I’d rather them split the carries up and use all 3 backs (in any order that works). My reasoning though is that they have 3 good RBs, so they might as well use them all to keep them all fresh and the defenses off balance. My reasoning ISN’T that MB3 cannot handle the load and can only be most successful as a “finisher”.

“In the “finisher role”
16 games played.. 204 attempts for 975 yards and 10 TDs

Last year as a starter
15 games played (several which he played injured)… 238 attempts for 885 and 7 TDs

If you will look at that in one less game in which he averaged 3 more carries per game he scored 3 less TD’s and 90 less yards and his YPG went from 4.78 p/g down to 3.7 p/g!
I am not saying he cannot be a starter, what I am saying is that about 15 carries a game is where he needs to be. I would rather have him fresh and ready to deliver 8-10 of those carries when it counts most!

The only thing I disagree with is your statement “we are all aware of the fact that Marion is better suited to be fresh in the fourth quarter!”. I don’t agree. I think he can be solid when ever he plays. I wouldn’t be opposed to starting MB3, and using Tashard Choice in the cleanup roll. (I wouldn’t be opposed to TC starting and MB3 finishing either.)

His numbers are comparable in both roles..
In the “finisher role”
16 games played.. 204 attempts for 975 yards and 10 TDs

Last year as a starter
15 games played (several which he played injured)… 238 attempts for 885 and 7 TDs

My point is that MB3 is a solid back who runs hard and tough and can be used anytime. He may or may not be a “full time back”, but I don’t think he HAS to be with the 3 guys the Cowboys have. And I don’t buy that he is best used only in the configuration from 2007 (Julius Jones starting and MB3 finishing).

Also Felix Jones doesn’t really have an injury history so I wouldn’t be a worry wart or be overly concerned about his “ability to stay off the injured list”.