Marion Barber Trade: Is It Realistic?

We hear the phrase “trade Marion Barber” more from fans than any other string of words outside of “trade Roy Williams.” 

We have long said that trading Barber, even in an uncapped year, is impossible. No one will want to take on an oft-injured running back with a big contract.

Todd Archer of Dallas Morning News took a look at the possibility yesterday.  Like us, he admitted he initially saw no way that Barber could be let loose. He is due $8 million this year between his salary and roster bonus and $24 million over the next three seasons.

Archer, though, has changed his tune, claiming that a Barber trade is actually possible (although still unlikely).  Barber’s base salary of $3.8 million this year, he says, is workable for other teams.  A running back-needy team might just be willing to jump at the opportunity to grab Barber.

However, we still don’t see Barber being traded. First, running backs are a dime-a-dozen nowadays. Why trade for an aging one when you can simply plug in a rookie? With the third-or fourth-round pick a team might yield for Barber, they could possibly draft Tennessee’s Montario Hardesty or Auburn’s Ben Tate.

Secondly, Barber’s contract in future years won’t be as workable as it is for 2010 .

Trade partners would be off the hook for Barber’s roster bonus in 2010, but not so in the coming years.  Is Barber $16 million over the next two seasons?  There is a reason the Cowboys don’t have teams pounding down their door for his services.

For reasons three and four, visit DallasCowboysTimes.com .