Post by Wild88 on Jun 2, 2010 14:16:20 GMT -7
Dallas Cowboys' Barber to be choosier with running style
Posted Tuesday, Jun. 01, 2010
By CLARENCE E. HILL JR.
chill@star-telegram.com
IRVING -- Look for a leaner and smarter Marion Barber next season.
The Dallas Cowboys running back has lost 10 pounds and is taking advice on how to pick and choose when to use his barbaric running style.
Running backs coach Skip Peete said it should make Barber quicker, more durable and more productive.
"He has lost a noticeable 10 pounds," Peete said. "He is quicker now than he was last year at this time. He still has the ability to run with power. He has worked extremely hard this off-season."
At age 27, Barber is not considered old. But his body has taken a pounding over the last few years because of his workload and running style.
It is likely the reason behind some of the injuries he has had the last two years.
Peete said it's only natural for him to think of a smarter way of doing things when the opportunities exist.
If that means running out of bounds rather than running over a guy for 1 yard, then that's what he should do.
And the Cowboys have used video from last season to illustrate the point.
"We talk to Marion all the time," Peete said. "'You probably didn't need to take that hit. It would be been smart to get down. You are not going anywhere with one guy on your ankle. Be smart.'
"I remember talking to Barry Sanders about why he ran out of bounds when he was close to the sidelines, and he said, 'why should I take that hit if it was unnecessary,'" Peete continued. "I feel the same way. You see a guy lower his shoulder to get the extra yard, but why do if it's not going to benefit the team. It looks good on TV but you chance losing him. What does that do if it's only going to be second-and-7 instead of second-and-8? You didn't need to take that hit. If it's third-and-5, then you drive for the first down. You have to be smart."
Bryant still wearing Nike
With rookie receiver Dez Bryant still undecided on whether he will go back to wearing Under Armour cleats, the apparel company sent in reinforcements to Cowboys practice Tuesday.
Former Cowboys defensive end Eric Ogbogu, who helped bring the company prominence with his "We must protect this house!" commercials, stopped by to chat with Bryant.
"I just came to see where his head was at and what the problem is," Ogbogu said. "As a former player, maybe I can understand where he is coming from."
The rookie receiver signed a marketing deal with Under Armour before the draft but has worn Nikes since having problems with his footing at his pro day in April. Bryant has worn Nike during all of his practices with the Cowboys without incident. He said he still hasn't made a final decision.
"It's a business decision," Bryant said. "We are just going to see what we are going to do."
Ball still corner option
Depth at cornerback was already a concern for the Cowboys. They had few answers at fourth cornerback behind starters Mike Jenkins and Terence Newman and nickel back Orlando Scandrick.
The concern only increased last week when Scandrick fractured his finger, sidelining him until at least training camp.
The injury presents an opportunity for rookie Jamar Wall or veteran Cletus Gordon to step in.
Until then, the Cowboys are going to work safety Alan Ball as the slot guy in the nickel, even though he is competing with Mike Hamlin for the starting spot at free safety.
"He needs to play other positions, that is one of his strengths," coach Wade Phillips said of Ball. "He is versatile as a second nickel, as well as a safety."
If Ball is the starter at safety, then the Cowboys would bring Hamlin off the bench to play deep safety and use Ball on the slot receiver. Unless someone else steps up, Ball is going to be the second nickel cornerback behind Scandrick when teams go four-wide against the Cowboys.
Sloppy practice
The Cowboys worked on their 2-minute offense and defense for the first time Tuesday and Wade Phillips was not pleased with their performance.
It included an interception on the 3-yard line by quarterback Tony Romo after it bounced off the hands of receiver Dez Bryant and into the arms of cornerback Jamar Wall.
"We didn't do well," Phillips said. "We will do it again. The effort was good. But I wasn't real happy with the [execution]."
Phillips said he will talk to the team before today's practice and expects a better performance from players and coaches.
Missing and limited
Linebacker Bradie James missed practice Tuesday for personal reasons. He should be back and ready to go today.
Defensive ends Igor Olshansky (back) and Jason Hatcher (hamstring) were held out of practice for precautionary reasons. Wade Phillips said neither injury is serious.
Nose tackle Jay Ratliff (elbow) and linebacker Keith Brooking (knee) are not expected back until next week's minicamp, if not training camp, after undergoing off-season surgeries.
They said it
"I'm comfortable in a T-shirt in a snowstorm."
-- receiver Miles Austin on playing the slot as he did in Tuesday's 2-minute offense with Roy Williams and Dez Bryant on the outside.
"We have been mixing in all the guys inside and outside. Anytime a guy can play all the spots, that is an advantage." -- offensive coordinator Jason Garrett
"There is a lot of excitement when he does it the right way. What we really like about him is he is such a good kid. He is willing and eager and enthusiastic about playing football. He has a good football IQ. But he is so eager to get better. He is fun to be around." -- Garrett on Dez Bryant
Clarence E. Hill Jr., 817-390-7760
Read more: www.star-telegram.com/2010/06/01/2231977/dallas-cowboys-barber-to-be-choosier.html#ixzz0pjU2fbYK
Posted Tuesday, Jun. 01, 2010
By CLARENCE E. HILL JR.
chill@star-telegram.com
IRVING -- Look for a leaner and smarter Marion Barber next season.
The Dallas Cowboys running back has lost 10 pounds and is taking advice on how to pick and choose when to use his barbaric running style.
Running backs coach Skip Peete said it should make Barber quicker, more durable and more productive.
"He has lost a noticeable 10 pounds," Peete said. "He is quicker now than he was last year at this time. He still has the ability to run with power. He has worked extremely hard this off-season."
At age 27, Barber is not considered old. But his body has taken a pounding over the last few years because of his workload and running style.
It is likely the reason behind some of the injuries he has had the last two years.
Peete said it's only natural for him to think of a smarter way of doing things when the opportunities exist.
If that means running out of bounds rather than running over a guy for 1 yard, then that's what he should do.
And the Cowboys have used video from last season to illustrate the point.
"We talk to Marion all the time," Peete said. "'You probably didn't need to take that hit. It would be been smart to get down. You are not going anywhere with one guy on your ankle. Be smart.'
"I remember talking to Barry Sanders about why he ran out of bounds when he was close to the sidelines, and he said, 'why should I take that hit if it was unnecessary,'" Peete continued. "I feel the same way. You see a guy lower his shoulder to get the extra yard, but why do if it's not going to benefit the team. It looks good on TV but you chance losing him. What does that do if it's only going to be second-and-7 instead of second-and-8? You didn't need to take that hit. If it's third-and-5, then you drive for the first down. You have to be smart."
Bryant still wearing Nike
With rookie receiver Dez Bryant still undecided on whether he will go back to wearing Under Armour cleats, the apparel company sent in reinforcements to Cowboys practice Tuesday.
Former Cowboys defensive end Eric Ogbogu, who helped bring the company prominence with his "We must protect this house!" commercials, stopped by to chat with Bryant.
"I just came to see where his head was at and what the problem is," Ogbogu said. "As a former player, maybe I can understand where he is coming from."
The rookie receiver signed a marketing deal with Under Armour before the draft but has worn Nikes since having problems with his footing at his pro day in April. Bryant has worn Nike during all of his practices with the Cowboys without incident. He said he still hasn't made a final decision.
"It's a business decision," Bryant said. "We are just going to see what we are going to do."
Ball still corner option
Depth at cornerback was already a concern for the Cowboys. They had few answers at fourth cornerback behind starters Mike Jenkins and Terence Newman and nickel back Orlando Scandrick.
The concern only increased last week when Scandrick fractured his finger, sidelining him until at least training camp.
The injury presents an opportunity for rookie Jamar Wall or veteran Cletus Gordon to step in.
Until then, the Cowboys are going to work safety Alan Ball as the slot guy in the nickel, even though he is competing with Mike Hamlin for the starting spot at free safety.
"He needs to play other positions, that is one of his strengths," coach Wade Phillips said of Ball. "He is versatile as a second nickel, as well as a safety."
If Ball is the starter at safety, then the Cowboys would bring Hamlin off the bench to play deep safety and use Ball on the slot receiver. Unless someone else steps up, Ball is going to be the second nickel cornerback behind Scandrick when teams go four-wide against the Cowboys.
Sloppy practice
The Cowboys worked on their 2-minute offense and defense for the first time Tuesday and Wade Phillips was not pleased with their performance.
It included an interception on the 3-yard line by quarterback Tony Romo after it bounced off the hands of receiver Dez Bryant and into the arms of cornerback Jamar Wall.
"We didn't do well," Phillips said. "We will do it again. The effort was good. But I wasn't real happy with the [execution]."
Phillips said he will talk to the team before today's practice and expects a better performance from players and coaches.
Missing and limited
Linebacker Bradie James missed practice Tuesday for personal reasons. He should be back and ready to go today.
Defensive ends Igor Olshansky (back) and Jason Hatcher (hamstring) were held out of practice for precautionary reasons. Wade Phillips said neither injury is serious.
Nose tackle Jay Ratliff (elbow) and linebacker Keith Brooking (knee) are not expected back until next week's minicamp, if not training camp, after undergoing off-season surgeries.
They said it
"I'm comfortable in a T-shirt in a snowstorm."
-- receiver Miles Austin on playing the slot as he did in Tuesday's 2-minute offense with Roy Williams and Dez Bryant on the outside.
"We have been mixing in all the guys inside and outside. Anytime a guy can play all the spots, that is an advantage." -- offensive coordinator Jason Garrett
"There is a lot of excitement when he does it the right way. What we really like about him is he is such a good kid. He is willing and eager and enthusiastic about playing football. He has a good football IQ. But he is so eager to get better. He is fun to be around." -- Garrett on Dez Bryant
Clarence E. Hill Jr., 817-390-7760
Read more: www.star-telegram.com/2010/06/01/2231977/dallas-cowboys-barber-to-be-choosier.html#ixzz0pjU2fbYK