Anthony Spencer more than lived up to the 8.8 million dollar billing he received in 2012. That 8.8 million paid for 106 combined tackles, which led the team, and a career high 11.0 sacks. His sacks proved to be crucial as well, as seven of his eleven sacks occurred in the 4^th quarters of games.

His moments of suspended brilliance finally caught up to him in 2012. We saw flashes of that brilliance in 2009 and even in 2011, BOTH of which, he put up 6.0 sacks which was his previous high for single season sacks prior to 2012. (more…)

There just wasn’t a very good reason to make a trade like that.

Enter Felix Jones and Tashard Choice and suddenly the Cowboys backfield turned into one of the biggest threats in the NFL because there were three running with play-making talent.

Since then, the value of the two young guys grows while the value of Barber plummets.

But I never would have thought his value would be THIS bad.

Rick Gosselin: Barber has never been a 1,000-yard back and it appears his physical running style has left him pretty battered. I’d be surprised if he commands more than a mid-round pick at best, a fourth or fifth. The Cowboys drafted him in the fourth round and have put a lot of miles on him over the last five years. Ideally, at this stage of his career, you’d like to get a fourth back for him.

Barber is worth only a 4th or 5th round pick? Just because he has never rushed for more than 1,000 yards?

The top rushers in the NFL usually carry the ball more than 23 times, and some as much as 40 carries per game. Marion Barber usually gets about 20 carries and sometimes it might just be 10. That’s how it’s been since he started his career, from when he shared the field with Julius Jones to his current situation that takes away even more run attempts.

I never really expected Barber to run for 1,000 yards; not when Felix gets 650 yards and Choice gets 350 yards. When you add all of their rushing, it is about 2,000 yards.

Barber has never been a true featured back in any offense. If he were given that opportunity, maybe he would fail and get injured to often because of his running style or maybe he would rush for more than 1,000 yards.

But to lower his value to a mid-level pick in this draft just because he has never rushed for more than 1,000 yards is a bit of juvenile thinking.

If Donovan McNabb gets a 2nd round pick and a fourth round pick, Barber is certainly worth as much, if not more.

What’s McNabb done?

I don’t like the Eagles. I am not trying to fluff their feathers. I hate every darn player on that team. In fact, I only dislike the Washington Redskins more, and it is barely more. Both teams make me cringe. With that said, I don’t have the same vitriol for head coach Andy Reid. The guy makes bold moves like benching his star quarterback in the middle of the season, and he agrees to drop their top wide receiver because he was arguing with other players.

All Donovan McNabb has cried about ever since Terrell Owens was fired has been “Give me a No. 1 wide receiver.”

Boldin would be that guy. He will really be that guy. And I can see him connecting with McNabb real quick, for big gains, and freeing up sophomore DeSean Jackson. Brian Westbrook will look pretty, too.

So, shall we get down on our knees and pray they do not get him?

The Cowboys will have potential to win playoff games probably for the next five years straight, no matter who is coaching. The question will be: can they do it?

Insidetheiggles

ESPN