-
What to expect from; Barber, Williams & Hurd.
What to expect from ex-Cowboys trio
August, 1, 2011Aug 1
10:15
PM CT
By Tim MacMahon
US PresswireWhat kind of an impact will former Cowboys Roy Williams, Marion Barber and Sam Hurd have on the Bears?
DALLAS -- If the Chicago Bears believe they’ll get much of an offensive boost from the three former Dallas Cowboys they signed, it certainly wasn’t based on the film from the teams’ meeting last season.
Running back Marion Barber rushed for 31 yards on 11 carries in the Cowboys’ 27-20 loss to the Bears, a typical performance for him last season. Roy Williams caught four passes for 53 yards, which was actually a very productive day by his Dallas standards. Sam Hurd didn’t catch a pass, as was the case in six other games last season.
Maybe Mike Martz, the man Williams considers the smartest offensive mind in the game, can work his magic on the former Cowboys.
Here’s what the Bears are getting based on the perspective of what the ex-Cowboys did for Dallas:
Barber: The man dubbed “Marion the Barbarian” by Terrell Owens still has a warrior’s heart, but his physical running style has taken a toll on his body. He played through a variety of nagging injuries the past two seasons, but he often didn’t play well. He especially struggled in 2010, when Barber rushed for only 374 yards on 113 carries. Barber was never a burner, but he has lost burst since his 2007 Pro Bowl campaign, when he rushed for a career-high 975 yards and 10 touchdowns. He still runs hard, but Barber doesn’t break nearly as many tackles as he did during his days as one of the league’s best backups.
Williams: The blockbuster trade bust not-so-subtly points the finger at Jason Garrett for his lack of production with the Cowboys, but Owens and Miles Austin managed to be Pro Bowl receivers in the same system. Williams’ biggest issues in Dallas were poor route running and inconsistent hands, which resulted in never earning the trust of Garrett and Tony Romo. As much as Jerry Jones hates to admit it, Williams wasn’t that productive in Detroit, either. He’s only had one 1,000-yard season, which came when he was coached by Martz.
Hurd: He’ll be one of the Bears’ special teams players. He’s strong and absolutely fearless, attributes that also make him a tremendous blocker for a receiver. Hurd was known for making acrobatic catches during training camp, but he never solidified a role in the Cowboys’ offense despite being considered even with Austin on the depth chart as recently as two summers ago.
I'm getting to that age where a lifetime warranty just doesn't mean as much to me anymore as an afternoon nap. 
Honey Badger Don't Care. Honey Badger Don't Give a Shit.
-
-
Seems to me like Hurd is the best bargain of the bunch coming in the door. They even gave him Rashied's old number. I don't expect much out of him offensively but his blocking and tackling on ST should be a real help. This is a move that along with getting him Podlesh should let Toub know that he and his guys still count.
Personally I think we overpaid for Barber much like we did for Taylor, even if it was only about half as much, but I'm so thrilled they brought in somebody who may allow us to send Taylor packing that I don't care. The competition for 3 or 4 spots in the backfield should be fierce with Barber and Taylor competing for the #2 spot followed by Bell and Unga and lastly Will T and E Will banging heads for the FB spot.
Roy Williams is a cheap gamble on his showing some glimmer of the guy he was back in Detroit with Martz. I doubt he'll be anything more than a #2 type guy who becomes that bigger target that Jay wants. He's no Brandon Marshall but if catches Cutler's eye he may give Knox and Bennett a run for the top WR spot.
I'm getting to that age where a lifetime warranty just doesn't mean as much to me anymore as an afternoon nap. Honey Badger Don't Care. Honey Badger Don't Give a Shit.
-
expect nothing - I will not be disappointed
-
High Fives / Like - 2 BEAR DOWN!, 0 Dislikes
-
Originally Posted by
GermansbombedPH 
expect nothing - I will not be disappointed
Sorry but that not very characteristic of a Bears fan! Our motto is expect nothing but complain about everything and be disappointed with most of it. 
I'm getting to that age where a lifetime warranty just doesn't mean as much to me anymore as an afternoon nap. Honey Badger Don't Care. Honey Badger Don't Give a Shit.
-
High Fives / Like - 1 BEAR DOWN!, 0 Dislikes
-
I know, but I keep telling this to myself every year, in the end I'm still disappointed
-
High Fives / Like - 1 BEAR DOWN!, 0 Dislikes
-
Williams nothing, along the linges of what GBPH said.
Barber, little more then that. I heard one guy state, he lost most his speed already, and now he's going to the slowest field...kinda hit me hard and I've come down off liking this move. And it makes me wonder if that was one of the problems w/CT last year that has gone over looked. Old legs on a guy that wasn't a burner to begin with+Soldier field is not going to be a pretty site.
Hurd is an upgrade as a ST and WR over Davis, well maybe equal to ST's, but definately a better WR. Hell I'd take him over Roy Williams to be honest.
I dared to say something negative about the great and powerfull Roy Williams, Nick hurry up and thumbs down me!!!!
-
Although the price was a bit high for Barber, he is not expected to be the primary RB for for the franchise. So even though he has probably lost a step, he may still be useable in short yardage/goal line situations. The Bears aren't expecting Barber to (using a snow analogy) plow through 6ft. deep snow all day, every day; Just to get the team through the occasional 6ft. drift 10 or so times a game. I'd say the risk/reward is reasonable.
"Professional Armchair Quarterback" and other oxymora.....
-
Originally Posted by
GermansbombedPH I know, but I keep telling this to myself every year, in the end I'm still disappointed
I just posted that because we're Bears fans and we bitch. That's what we do, LOL. Don't feel alone brother.
I'm getting to that age where a lifetime warranty just doesn't mean as much to me anymore as an afternoon nap. Honey Badger Don't Care. Honey Badger Don't Give a Shit.
-
Originally Posted by
XaosGorilla Although the price was a bit high for Barber, he is not expected to be the primary RB for for the franchise. So even though he has probably lost a step, he may still be useable in short yardage/goal line situations. The Bears aren't expecting Barber to (using a snow analogy) plow through 6ft. deep snow all day, every day; Just to get the team through the occasional 6ft. drift 10 or so times a game. I'd say the risk/reward is reasonable.
Good analogy XG. I think that's exactly what they're looking for him to do. Despite his size Matt Forte will never be a great short yardage or goaline guy. He runs too upright and he's not nifty enough to pick through traffic. Taylor showed signs of the latter but any power he may have had at one time was absent last year for certain.
They didn't call Barber "the Barbarian" for nothing. In his prime he could flatten tacklers as well as guys 20-30 lbs heavier than he was. I loved watching him pair with Julius Jones who, much like his brother, was not exactly a battering ram. If he hasn't worn out and can still bring it 10-12 times a game he should be the perfect compliment to Mr. Outside Forte. I'm really hoping he can still do it because I want Taylor gone in the worst way so that we can bring along Unga and Bell. I don't want to risk losing good young back by having them signed off our PS.
I'm getting to that age where a lifetime warranty just doesn't mean as much to me anymore as an afternoon nap. Honey Badger Don't Care. Honey Badger Don't Give a Shit.
-
When the bears are getting blown out I expect to see Williams do that stupid first down play he usually does. I expect Barber to get the crap beat out of him when he faces 8-9 men in the box. I don't know what to expect out of the special teamer.
LinkBack URL
About LinkBacks
Reply With Quote
