MKRob Sports

There has been a clamor in Dallas to replace Marion Barber as the starting running back and give backups Felix Jones and Tashard Choice more carries.

The Cowboys remain resistant to changing the running back rotation and remain firmly behind Barber.

“I think we re-visit the philosophy of who’s getting the football all the time. All the time,” offensive coordinator Jason Garrett said. “I think the thing you’ve got to be careful of is letting the numbers skew you.

Marion has been a guy who has been a short-yardage runner for us. He’s been a goal-line runner for us, so a lot of times you can be effective in those areas and don’t have a lot of yards per attempt. He gets some of those touches that some of the other guys don’t, but I think each of them have played well in all the areas throughout the year. We’ve just got to keep giving them chances to play.”

Barber is averaging 4.3 yards a carry for the season. But his numbers have declined of late.

In the last five games, Barber has averaged 3.96 yards on 68 carries. Choice and Jones have combined to average 5.85 yards on 47 carries.

“The mix has been pretty good. Marion has been awfully good running inside between the tackles,” Garrett said. “Felix has made some plays in there as well as making some of the space plays.

“And we like the role that Tashard is in. He doesn’t touch the ball as much as the other guys, but when he gets the ball, he’s been effective too. Give them all a chance to play, get them going, keep the run game going as it’s been and hopefully that will carry us in this ballgame.”