Tiki Barber Provides Solution To DeMarco's Fumbling Problem
DALLAS (105.3 THE FAN) -- DeMarco Murray is having a career season, leading the league with 785 rushing yards through six games. The only problem: he's already surpassed his career high in fumbles.
Murray has put the ball on the ground four times through six games. The Cowboys have lost all of them.
A former Cowboys enemy and fumble whisperer -- Tiki Barber -- discussed the secret to ball control with Shan & RJ on 105.3 The Fan.
(Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
"It's amazing that it's so hard to instill in guys' heads," said Barber. "Most fumbles occur as a runner is going down. It's not like you're running and all of a sudden the ball just pops out of your hand, or someone hits you and the ball pops out of your hand. It's mostly when you are going to the ground after you've already gone into contact."
Barber explained that most players instinctively use the "old school" technique when a defender makes contact, covering the ball with two hands while holding it parallel to the ground.
"That's still exposed. The ball can still come out underneath," said Barber."The way to actually do it, when you feel any type of pressure from a defender, take your off-hand and wrap it on your ball carrying wrist. and you just squeeze it to your body like it's a baby you're holding onto for dear life. Go to the ground like that."
Barber also stressed the importance of carrying the ball high.
Why should Murray listen to Barber?
From 2000-2003, Barber fumbled the ball a staggering 29 times.
After making the correction, he fumbled the ball just 9 times over the final three years of his career.
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