Dec 6th 2008 7:44PM by JJ Cooper (author feed)
Filed under: Cowboys, Steelers, AFC North, NFC East, NFL Injuries
Marion Barber has been doubtful for the Steelers game all week, but unless he surprises everyone and catches his own flight, the Cowboys starting tailback will be sitting this one out.
Barber did not make the trip to Pittsburgh with the team as he tries to recover from a bad turf toe. That means that Tashad Choice, the Cowboys’ fourth-round pick this year, will make his first NFL start. Choice rushed for 57 yards on 11 carries last week in his most extensive action of the season.
The absence of Barber may be expected to really hinder the Cowboys running game, which will already be facing the NFL’s number one rushing defense (71 yards per game), but the biggest impact will actually probably be in the passing game. Barber has 47 catches (only five less than Terrell Owens), but he’s also an outstanding blocker in blitz pickup. Choice may be able to match Barber’s running ability, but he’s going to get a graduate course in blocking assignments from Steelers defensive coordinator Dick LeBeau, who never likes to show the same blitz twice.
