BACK UP RB

[Pete Johanson]

1. How important is a back up RB?
2. Does anyone else think Rashard Lee isn't given enough consideration?
3. How, if at all, will Bickerstaff fit in?
4. IF we need a back up RB, how high should we draft one?

Comment: I don't know how good Rashard Lee is or can be, but shouldn't we have given him a closer look while Julius Jones was hurt last year? We knew Eddie George and . . . (oh what the heck is his name - the FB/RB we got from the Jets in free agency - I'm blank) were very limited and couldn't provide a good running game, and Lee had shown flashes of ability, so why didn't we give him a try? Reminds me of . . . . (again - my mind is blank - the guy in 2003 that Parcells thought was too small) who was very fast and made a few big plays in a handful of chances, but Parcells refused to play even though the running game was pathetic. He was about the same size as Julius Jones, right? And probably bigger than Joe Morris, who was a star for Parcells in NY? Not saying he was going to be outstanding, but didn't that offense need some big play potential. Parcells seems very tough on backup RB's.

[TNMK]

1. Dallas has a big need for a backup RB, Besides Julius Jones the depth at RB is unproven yet young. The janitor from Wisconsin in Erik Bickerstaff is a pounding back but not one that teams game plan to stop. Reshard Lee is a good kick returner but is still learning at RB. Richie Anderson the former FB adds quality veteran depth but is on the edge of a cliff and will soon retire.

2. Lee could turn out to be a nice addition, maybe a special teams player. But out of the 4 RB's on active roster I say Bickerstaff and Lee are about even when it comes down to talent. I think Lee will end up being the backup for Jones when the depth chart id finalized.

3. Bickerstaff may not make the squad. If we go RB, and I'm pretty sure we will then Lee could end up on the practice squad for the takings.

4. I dont think Parcells and Jones will get one first day. Now if a top RB in Benson or Williams fell to 20, which is doughtful, then they would highly consider drafting one of them. Parcells is VERY interested in getting Maurice Clarett in the 4th round. They also like Louisianna Tech's Ryan Moats, he came to Irving for a private visit.

[devman90]

Parcells said "Lee is a liability when the ball isn't in his hands" he can only return kicks and he fumbles

i hope we get Sproles

[Pete Johanson]

That's the problem with Parcells, you fumble early on and he labels you a "fumbler" - maybe Lee is a fumbler, but he has to play to prove it. Parcells is a great coach, but he does get too fixated on labels and stereotypes sometimes (ie. LB's have to be a certain size ala Lawrence Taylor).

That said, we probably still need to take a RB in the later rounds, especially with Anderson out. That is, unless they are comfortable with Bickerstaff . . . .

[devman90]

Bickerstaff sucks, come on parcells


WE WANT SPROLES

[Pete Johanson]

Barber was a good choice, though I thought the Cowboys would wait a little longer to get a RB. I believe PArcells is concerned about the durabilty of small backs, so he may have felt the need to have not only a back up who can give Jones an ocassional break, but one who can step in and play fulltime if need be. Of course, that's what you always want in a back up, but it can sometimes be too costly or result in ignoring other needs.

[devman90]

barber was an excellent choice and i think him and Julius will make a fierce duo in a couple of years

[Pete Johanson]

Why should they wait a couple of years?

[devman90]

He'll need a year to get the system down and understand what it's like to play in the big leagues

[Pete Johanson]

Maybe, but it sure didn't take Jones long. Or Steven Jackson. Or Kevin Jones. He may get better as he learns, but he can certainly be a quality back-up right away.