(8-27-08)

Cowboys want Barber to be same as starter

IRVING, Texas (AP) - Marion Barber holds up his left arm and
points at his wrist, absent a watch, as a way to indicate that he
doesn't have time to talk. He then leaves the locker room.
The running back known as "Marion the Barbarian" because of
his hard-charging, take-on-anybody approach on the field remains an
elusive interview subject -- despite his new role as a starter for
the Dallas Cowboys.
What the Cowboys don't expect Barber to change is the bruising
running style that made him a Pro Bowl selection without starting a
regular-season game last year, a short-yardage scoring specialist
the past two years -- and the NFL's leading rusher in the fourth
quarter of games.
In his only extensive action of the preseason, Barber had 13
carries for 75 yards and a touchdown in the first half last week
against Houston.
But Barber and the rest of the Dallas starters won't play much,
if at all, tomorrow night in the final preseason game against
Minnesota.

(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)