Marion Barber Looks for Running Mate

Though Marion Barber III has not thrown his name into the ring for the Presidential nomination, he is searching for a running mate.

When Julius Jones was allowed to become a free agent and sign with the Seattle Seahawks, a significant void was created in the Dallas backfield.

Jones accounted for 588 of the 1,563 yards the tandem gained in the 2007 regular season. Jones also contributed in the passing game, averaging almost nine yards per catch.

The Cowboys seem content on finding a young back to fill Jones’ role, as they passed on backs like Warrick Dunn this offseason.

Finding a “scat-back” to compliment “Marion the Barbarian” does not necessarily have to come in the first round of April’s draft.

The consensus among most draft gurus is that the Cowboys will take Felix Jones with one of their first round picks. Jones has proven to be very effective as a sidekick, the role he fulfilled at Arkansas.

Jones averaged 7.6 yards per carry and ran for over 1,100 yards while sharing time with Darren McFadden last season. Jones also served as an explosive kick returner, another area of need in Dallas.

If the Cowboys take a running back from Arkansas, it will be Jones.

While the Jones pick seems like a shoe-in on most mock drafts, there has been growing interest from teams like the Arizona Cardinals, who pick ahead of the Cowboys.

Also, the Cowboys just gave Barber a big contract. They may not want to add a first round running back’s salary for a rookie running back who won’t be the main runner.

If the Cowboys decide to pass on taking a running back with one of their first round picks, there will still be plenty of good options available in the second or third round.  

Chris Johnson

Chris Johnson is one guy who does not have to worry about speed. Johnson recorded the fastest 40 time at the combine, running a 4.24.

He may be the best fit for the Cowboys, especially is they pass or miss on Jones. Johnson seems to have the complete package, amassing almost 7,000 all-purpose yards during his career at East Carolina.

Johnson is an explosive player, with home-run potential on every play.

Jamaal Charles

The best option to replace Julius Jones may have been in Texas all along. The biggest knocks on this Longhorn are his struggles running between the tackles and his fumbling.

As a change-of-pace guy, he won’t be asked to run between the tackles as often. He will be able to get outside and use his track speed to run away from people.

He has big play potential, as he posted runs of 80 and 70 yards in the same game. The fumbling is an issue that Charles will have to work to resolve, but he can be an excellent sidekick to Marion Barber.

Ray Rice

The man who brought Rutgers football to national prominence is more of a power back than his size might indicate. He is an inside runner more than an elusive change-of-pace back.

However, his productivity in college can’t be denied, as he gained just under 5,000 yards during his tenure as a Scarlet Knight. He also worked to become more of a receiving threat last season, and caught 37 passes.

The big knock on Rice is his 40 time. He does not have the breakaway speed that a team would look for as a change-of-pace runner.

Steve Slaton

Steve Slaton has been part of one of the most productive rushing tandems in college football history.

Slaton is a bit of a quandary. His production has gone down every year. He has a tendency to miss time because of injuries. However, West Virginia’s offense only struggled when Pat White, not Steve Slaton, was missing.

Slaton was gradually replaced by Noel Devine last season. His slower than expected 40 times at the combine has dropped him to a second day pick at best.

However, he was a very productive player in Morgantown. He ran for almost 4,000 yards and 52 touchdowns in his career. He ran for over 200 yards against Georgia in the 2006 Sugar Bowl and scored five touchdowns in a game against Louisville.

I don’t think the Cowboys will get through the first day without taking a running back. If they don’t get Jones in the first round, Johnson would be a steal in the second round.

Charles would be a third round prospect. Rice will be gone in the second round, but I don’t think he fits Dallas’ needs very well. Slaton will be a gamble that another team will more than likely be more willing to take.

As the political season is ramping up, the race to be on the ticket with Barber is reaching the home stretch.

If this political season has shown us anything, it’s that we shouldn’t count on the shoe-in.