RB Snaps - Week 12 vs Indianapolis

What a difference a week makes for the running game. They run the ball for 217 yards in a week where they lost their "starting RB" and nobody is too terribly shocked that they didn't miss their "starter". Hmm. Sounds like perhaps everyone was right (except those who actually had to make the decisions) about the caliber of that supposed starter, Marion Barber.

Now, in fairness, nobody thought they were going to run for 217 yards, but we were given some indication that there would be some level of success when we scanned the Colts ability or inability, that is, to stop the run of pretty much anyone on their schedule. Now, I understand why Chris Johnson, Maurice Jones Drew, and Arian Foster don't seem to mind playing the Colts twice a year in that division. You would sure think with those enemy runners, the Colts would make run stopping a top priority, but it never seems like they can get that totally figured out.

The Cowboys, as we discussed earlier in the week, spent 11 snaps with no RB at all, so that explains why there is a gap in the workload numbers this week.

Tashard Choice not only was given a tremendous work load, but it matched Barber's season high in snaps as well. And as you know, snaps are only worth something if you accomplish great things why you are on the field. Choice should be given credit for that, and as the game went along, he was out there more and more. After halftime, Choice out played Jones 20 snaps to 16.

It will be very interesting to see if the Cowboys remain stubborn on Barber or if they use the final month for much more of Jones and Choice as the 1-2 punch.

TOTAL SNAPS FOR RBs vs Colts (74 plays)

Half	24-Barber	28-Jones	23-Choice
1st	0	16	11
2nd	0	13	15
OT	0	3	5
Total	0	32	31

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TOTAL SNAPS FOR RBs SEASON TO DATE (760 Total Plays)

Half	24-Barber	28-Jones	23-Choice
WK 1	28	28	13
Wk 2	31	33	7
Wk 3	30	17	10
Wk 4	23	51	1
Wk 5	24	33	0
Wk 6	13	42	0
Wk 7	22	38	8
Wk 8	9	27	13
Wk 9	15	31	0
Wk 10	25	27	5
Wk 11	22	44	6
Wk 12	0	32	31
Total	242 (32%)	403 (53%)	94 (12%)

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In case this is your first time to check these numbers, this is all about snaps on the field - not touches or run plays. This is merely intended to see who is on the field and who is on the sideline for the Cowboys offense.

Bob Sturm is host of BaD Radio on The Ticket 1310 AM Mondays through Fridays at 12-3 p.m. He also hosts The Ticket's Cowboys pregame show. Follow Bob on Twitter at www.twitter.com/bobanddan Bob offers his exclusive analysis after games on SportsDayDFW.com

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