Okay, so Marion Barber took limited part in practice with the Cowboys Wednesday and Thursday after it was believed the quad injury he suffered against the Giants would keep him out for certain against Carolina. Barber wants to play Monday night.
Of course he does. He’s Marion the Barbarian, and he believes what is best in life is to play hurt, crush your enemies, see them driven before you, and listen to the lamentation of their women.
"I'm good," Barber told the gathered media. "I'm good today, I'll be [good] tomorrow and then up to Monday." Asked if this was good news, Barber said understatedly, "Can't complain. Great news."
Great news, indeed. But part of me wonders if the Cowboys should reign in their star back. Barber is one of those guys who would play on a broken leg if he could. “Just pour some tussin on it.” Doesn’t mean he SHOULD play. In fact, I think the Cowboys should play it safe and bench Barber for Monday Night.
What’s that, you say? I’m only demanding this because I have Felix Jones on two fantasy teams? No, no that’s absurd. I would never do that. I just think the Cowboys should announce today that they will deactivate Barber for Monday’s game, so that there’s no question whatsoever about his playing status. That way, he doesn’t get all fired up over the weekend and strain himself yet again. Sure, it also means I have adequate advance notice to set my lineup. BUT THAT’S IMMATERIAL HERE.
My concern is strictly for Barber’s welfare. It has nothing to do with the fact that I lost in both leagues last week, and that Chris Johnson assaulted my team with a lead pipe. It has nothing to do with the fact that I’d love to see what kind of numbers Felix would put up with Marion out of the way. That would be terribly crass and unthoughtful. In no way does that factor into my thinking.
Nor does it factor into my thinking that, should Felix perform well in Barber’s absence, that I could potentially trade him at the peak of his value. Nope. Not a lick. Again, I’m doing this because I CARE. Truly. Deeply. And with no money wagered of any sort on the outcome.
So please Wade, sit Marion down and let him know that he needs to rest up. At least for a week. Maybe two. Maybe all season on IR, just as a precaution. You can never be too careful.
