Philadelphia, PA (Sports Network) -
Two events this week could have Marion Barber fantasy owners putting the struggling Dallas Cowboys tailback in the starting lineup for Week 11.
The first is a report out of Washington that star defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth (ankle) is unlikely to go on Sunday. He has been listed as doubtful all week and did not participate in Friday practice.
For a team which is already struggling to stop the ground game, they are ranked 24th yielding 125.7 ypg, losing Haynesworth will make them especially vulnerable to Barber's forays. Barber is finally looking quick after being slowed by a hamstring problem early in the season.
The second item of note was that Dallas offensive coordinator Jason Garrett admitting that calling 27 consecutive passing plays at the end of the Green Bay game wasn't what he game-planned for.
"You want balance," Garret said. "You want to be able to run the ball, play- action, drop back. The more you can do, the harder it is on the defense."
The Cowboys averaged 193.7 rushing yards during the first three games of the 2009 season (2-1), but over the last six they've averaged just 98.2 ypg. They still rank eighth overall and a 5.1 yard-per-carry average indicates when they try to run, they can be successful.
The last time they played Washington at home (Week 4, 2008), they ran the ball just 11 times - and lost.
Assuming that Garrett returns to the running game on Sunday, it should have success against the Redskins. Although owner Jerry Jones voiced his opinion this week that Felix Jones should also get a few extra touches, Jones' pass protection is below average and he's usually hurt anyway, so you can discount his carries and Tashard Choice has a total of 13 touches in the last four games.
Barber should get 15-18 touches this week. Don't hesitate in starting him, I am.
| 2009 Marion Barber Statistics |
| Week | Opp | Att | Yds | TDs | Rec | Yds | TDs |
| 1 | @TB | 14 | 79 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2 | NYG | 18 | 124 | 1 | 2 | 31 | 0 |
| 4 | @DEN | 111 | 41 | 1 | 2 | 27 | 0 |
| 5 | @KC | 15 | 53 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 7 | ATL | 14 | 47 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| 8 | SEA | 14 | 53 | 1 | 1 | -2 | 0 |
| 9 | @PHI | 12 | 50 | 0 | 3 | 20 | 0 |
| 10 | @GB | 5 | 26 | 0 | 3 | 11 | 0 |
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