COWBOYS' NEED METER

Deon Anderson, Marion Barber, Tashard Choice, Herb Donaldson, Felix Jones

Marion Barber is in decline. In the last two seasons, 19 backs have had 400-plus carries. Barber ranks 14th in that group for per-carry average at four yards and 16th in yards per game at 60.6. He had only 18 yards on 11 carries in the postseason.

The Cowboys took the protective wrapping off Felix Jones, and he prospered. Jones had double-figure carries in each of the final six games and produced 475 yards with a per-carry average of 6.01 yards. Jones had four runs of 40-plus yards, the third-highest total in the league, in only 116 carries last season.

Tashard Choice inexplicably disappeared. After gaining 207 yards on 40 carries in games Nos. 3-5, he had only 20 carries for the duration. He is the wild-card of the group.

Deon Anderson, a one-dimensional blocking fullback, is in limbo because of a charge of misdemeanor deadly conduct after an incident outside an Addison restaurant earlier this month.

* Darren Sproles, San Diego: Smallish change-of-pace back; electric kick returner.

Chester Taylor, Minnesota: Has more than 40 catches in four of last five seasons.

Kevin Faulk, New England: Third-down specialist but nearing end at age 33.

* Leon Washington, NY Jets: Trying to return from broken right leg incurred last season.

* Leonard Weaver, Philadelphia: Punishing lead blocker at fullback; skills improving.

* restricted free agent

As owner and general manager Jerry Jones said late in the season, the Cowboys must "keep piling them up" in the backfield because backs have a short career span. The Cowboys are more likely to find an appealing runner in the draft, but a well-rounded fullback such as Philadelphia's Leonard Weaver would be an upgrade.

Running back Adrian Peterson is there for the taking, as an unrestricted free agent.

No, not that Adrian Peterson.

The free-agent Adrian Peterson is not to be confused with the Adrian Peterson out of Oklahoma. The free-agent Peterson, from Georgia Southern, has run for 1,283 yards in seven seasons with Chicago. The other Adrian Peterson has rushed for more than 1,300 yards in each of his three seasons with Minnesota.