Marion Barber was once considered one of the better running backs in fantasy football. But after two disappointing seasons in a row, it appears that he’ll be in a fight to keep the top spot on the depth chart in Dallas.

Last month, a report surfaced that Barber’s proneness to injuries could alter his role in the offense. Cowboys owner and general manager Jerry Jones seemed to echo that sentiment.

“We have had an injury issue there at the end of each of the last two seasons,” Jones told the Dallas Morning News. “That may have something to do with the amount of time we can give the other backs. That could impact that decision.”

Now a new report suggests that Barber “could slip to the bottom of the pecking order at running back” if he doesn’t show improvement, especially now that Felix Jones and Tashard Choice have proven themselves as viable alternatives.

Jones became the most valuable back in Dallas late in the 2009 season and during the team’s playoff run. Choice, who was a star down the stretch in 2007, can also be an impact maker if allowed the chance.

How this situation plays out remains to be seen, but it’s pretty certain that Barber’s role is on the decline.

Whether it was due to injuries or other factors, it was very evident that Barber was dancing behind the line of scrimmage instead of putting his head down and running hard through it late in the season.

He’ll have to get back to that hard-nosed running style if he wants to hold off Jones and Choice in 2010. Regardless, we’re going to be looking another dreaded RBBC straight in the face.

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