Has anyone thought about moving Barber to Full Back?
Think about it, he’s got the strength, he can block better than most, and he can field passes in the flats.
Look, nobody is doubting that Barber has been a good running back for this team, but his style is obviously closer to that of a full back. You usually see power running backs with a little bit of speed, a great vision for the field, and the explosiveness to burst through holes on a moments notice. Barber doesn’t quite fit the bill of a power back, though he certainly is powerful.
And Deon Anderson, the only full back on the roster currently, has never really stepped up to be that guy. We’re all a little spoiled here after witnessing the terror of Moose Johnston for so many years, granted, but Anderson would have a hard time making it as a full back on any team, let alone these Dallas Cowboys.
Plus, it just makes sense, and arouses the most competitive side of me, to think about lining up in the offset I formation with T.O., Roy Williams, Jason Witten, and Tony Romo ahead of both Marion barber at full back and Felix Jones at tail back. Talk about a challenge for the defense.
You get two great blockers, run and pass, in both Jason Witten and Marion Barber. You get speed across the field with Felix Jones, Williams, and Owens. You get power running up the middle or to the outside with Barber, or you can have the lightning quick striking ability of Jones anywhere on the field. You’ve got the physical, tough, and in your face receiving styles of both Owens and Williams, plus Romo can make something all on his own. And let’s not forget the reliability of Witten in the passing game.
How could we not try to make use of such weaponry as we could have with Barber at full back? That doesn’t even start on Choice, a running back resembling a nice hybrid of Barber and the great Emmitt Smith.
I know you could make a case for this without switching Barber to full back, but that just doesn’t do as much. Yeah, we can still do the offset I like I described above if he is a tail back, but then every time he comes in to line up next to either Choice or Jones, the opposing defense already has some clue of what’s going on.
Moving Barber to full back makes the best use of his best skills. Why wouldn’t we make that kind of move? Just think about it.
