Cowboys’ Jones has something to prove

By Carlos Zepeda  |   Friday, July 20, 2007  |  Comments( 6 )

Dallas Cowboys
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Running back Julius Jones has a chip on his shoulder. He's out to prove that he can be the Dallas Cowboys' No. 1 option in the backfield.

Jones still hasn't had that breakout season, and some NFL analysts believe this is his year. In 2004 Dallas traded its first-round pick (22nd overall) to Buffalo for the Bills' second-rounder (43rd overall), fifth-rounder (144th overall) and a first-round pick in the 2005 draft.

After, it was rumored that then-head coach Bill Parcells had coveted Arkansas guard Shawn Andrews, who went to Philadelphia with the 16th pick. Dallas was in need of a running back with more upside than Troy Hambrick, the leading rusher for the Cowboys in 2003, and fresher legs than Eddie George. They passed up the chance to draft Steven Jackson, Kevin Jones and Tatum Bell. Instead they traded down, scooped up more draft picks and selected Jones (Dallas chose DE Marcus Spears with Buffalo's 2005 first-rounder).

Now, in 2007, Parcells, Hambrick and George are all gone. Jones has been a steady performer, gaining over 1,200 total yards for the last two years. He has had one 1,000-yard rushing season, which came last year (1,084 yards), even though his carries have decreased since Dallas drafted fellow back Marion Barber in 2005.

Kevin Jones, the Detroit Lions' back, had been on pace for a breakout year in 2006 before tearing up his knee. Bell had the luxury of running behind the Denver Broncos' offensive line for his first three years, but he was limited in the team's system, which utilized multiple backs. After an offseason trade, he will be sharing a backfield with Jones in Detroit.

The one who got away was Jackson, who has blossomed into a star in St. Louis. His 2,334 total yards and 16 total touchdowns made him a fantasy football hero last year, and those numbers made Parcells look foolish for passing on him.

The only thing that Julius Jones has lacked in his first three years is touchdowns. He has 16 career scores, which is fewer than Jackson (30), Barber (21), and Kevin Jones (19).

As the '07 season nears, the Cowboys' Jones has been vocal about his role in last year's offense. He said that Parcells had a rigid and conservative running game that did not take advantage of his abilities. Jones had to wear down the opposing defense, then Barber would replace him in the red zone.

This is the last year of Jones' rookie contract and he will be trying to prove that he is the future for the Cowboys' backfield. It will be interesting to see how new offensive coordinator Jason Garrett handles the crowded backfield, whether he will stay with the two-back system or switch to one primary ball carrier.

Jones must prove in training camp that he is that primary RB. If he doesn't, then Dallas might use one of its two first-round picks next year on a running back, forcing Jones to head elsewhere.

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CommentsComments: 6  |  Sign Up  View all comments
No.1
dakota day		02:15 PM
07/20/2007
Julius Jones might have something to prove, but Marion Barber III is the best RB in Dallas right now and Barber will prove that...
No.2
Warren		05:11 PM
07/20/2007
I disagree. MBIII looked great against worn down defenses. Put him in a few games in a row as the feature back and his...
No.3
tipton		08:48 PM
07/21/2007
Well i disagree too. I believe that julius will have a big breakout season. He has been working really hard this off season.. and...
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