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Marion Barber | Running Back

Team: Chicago Bears
Age / DOB:  (29) / 6/10/1983
Ht / Wt:  5'11' / 218
College: Minnesota
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Recent News

Bears announced RB Marion Barber's retirement from football.
Barber isn't yet 29, but his body has begun to break down, particularly in the legs, and he's no longer an effective NFL runner. After a highly promising start to his career in Dallas, Barber averaged under 3.8 yards per carry in three of the past four seasons. The 2005 fourth-round pick was one of the NFL's most physical backs during the 2005-2007 campaigns, however, scoring 33 all-purpose touchdowns in his first three years. Ultimately, Barber was the personification of short shelf lives for power running backs in the NFL. Fri, Mar 23, 2012 02:31:00 PM

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Player News

Date:
Marion Barber - RB - Bears

Bears RB Marion Barber, expected to be released, is reportedly drawing interest from the Rams and Eagles.

Barber would be purely a backup for either team, replacing Cadillac Williams and Ronnie Brown respectively. He won't be guaranteed to make a roster this summer after averaging a paltry 3.5 yards per carry over the past two seasons.
Related: Eagles, Rams
Source: Vaughn McClure on Twitter
Fri, Mar 23, 2012 11:23:00 AM
Marion Barber - RB - Bears

The Bears would save $1.7 million in salary cap space by releasing Marion Barber.

We're surprised the move hasn't been made yet. The Bears aren't in hot pursuit of any top remaining free agents, but they could use the savings to lock up in-house players long term. Franchise player Matt Forte comes to mind, as does Jay Cutler. Forte is under control only through 2012; Cutler through 2013.
Source: Chicago Sun Times
Mon, Mar 19, 2012 07:00:00 PM
Marion Barber - RB - Bears

Marion Barber has reportedly made it clear that he does not expect to be back with the Bears for the 2012 season.

He's already moved out of the Chicago-area apartment that he lived in last season. Bypassed by Kahlil Bell in the backfield pecking order, the 29-year-old (in June) Barber will likely be released in the coming days.
Source: Vaughn McClure on Twitter
Mon, Mar 12, 2012 04:10:00 PM
Marion Barber - RB - Bears

Marion Barber is a "prime candidate to be released" this offseason.

He's as good as gone after restricted free agent Kahlil Bell's late-season emergence as a viable insurance policy for Matt Forte. Turning 29 in June, Barber carries a $2.25 million cap charge in addition to a $1.9 million base salary.
Related: Kahlil Bell
Source: ESPN Chicago
Thu, Mar 8, 2012 04:23:00 PM
Marion Barber - RB - Bears

According to the Chicago Tribune, "it would not be surprising" if the Bears release Marion Barber this offseason.

The Bears are likely going to franchise tag Matt Forte and pay Kahlil Bell over $1 million, so it wouldn't make sense to keep Barber as a third-stringer for over $2 million. Releasing Barber would also create salary cap room.
Source: Chicago Tribune
Wed, Jan 11, 2012 03:01:00 PM
Marion Barber - RB - Bears

Bears declared RB Marion Barber, QB Nathan Enderle, OG Mansfield Wrotto, OT Levi Horn, TE Andre Smith, DT Jordan Miller, and DE Corey Wootton inactive for Week 17 at Minnesota.

Kahlil Bell and Josh McCown are locked in as full-time players with Barber and Enderle out. Bell is a top-10 fantasy play this week, according to Rotoworld's Gregg Rosenthal and Chris Wesseling.
Sun, Jan 1, 2012 11:48:00 AM
Marion Barber - RB - Bears

Marion Barber (calf) did not practice Friday and is listed as doubtful for Week 17.

Kahlil Bell and undrafted rookie Armando Allen will handle backfield duties against Minnesota. Barber will finish the season with 422 rushing yards on 114 carries (3.70 YPC). While he flashed an improved burst at times this year, it's clear Barber has lost the majority of his explosiveness and passing-game value. He'll be an offseason release candidate in Chicago.
Fri, Dec 30, 2011 02:29:00 PM
Marion Barber - RB - Bears

Marion Barber (calf) was held out of Bears practice for the second straight day Thursday.

Barber isn't going to suit up for Sunday's finale, leaving Armando Allen to back-up Kahlil Bell against the Vikings. Bell is Rotoworld's 11th ranked running back for Week 17.
Source: Vaughn McClure on Twitter
Thu, Dec 29, 2011 04:50:00 PM
Marion Barber - RB - Bears

Marion Barber (calf) was held out of Bears practice Wednesday.

Barber was originally expected to give it a go today, but apparently couldn't get loose. Severely out-played by Kahlil Bell since Matt Forte was lost for the season, Barber will only be used in a change-of-pace role if he's active for Week 17.
Source: Sean Jensen on Twitter
Wed, Dec 28, 2011 04:45:00 PM
Marion Barber - RB - Bears

Bears coach Lovie Smith expressed frustration Monday with Marion Barber's proneness to injuries.

"It's a concern always when a player has missed time," said Smith. "He's been a player who's been injured quite a bit." Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune speculates Barber will have "an awful hard time" being the Bears' No. 2 back next season. Kahlil Bell has passed him on the depth chart, making it questionable to doubtful that the Bears would pay Barber's $2.25M in salary and bonuses.
Source: Brad Biggs on Twitter
Mon, Dec 26, 2011 01:29:00 PM
Marion Barber - RB - Bears

The Chicago Tribune reports Marion Barber (calf) will sit out Saturday's game in Green Bay.

Barber's absence leaves Kahlil Bell as the primary ball-carrier and potential three-down back. "There are bigger concerns I have, and Kahlil is not one of them," coach Lovie Smith said. "... I'm excited about the opportunity he has." A candidate for 20+ touches, Bell is now a top-25 fantasy option for Week 16.
Related: Kahlil Bell
Source: Chicago Tribune
Fri, Dec 23, 2011 08:05:00 AM
Marion Barber - RB - Bears

Marion Barber (calf) was held out of Bears practice for the second straight day Thursday.

Barber has an extra day to get back on the practice field with the Bears playing in this week's only Sunday game, but all signs are pointing toward Kahlil Bell operating as Chicago's lead back against the Packers' 12th ranked run defense. Bell is Rotoworld's 34th ranked running back for Week 16, while Barber is 38th.
Related: Kahlil Bell
Source: Michael C. Wright on Twitter
Thu, Dec 22, 2011 05:00:00 PM
Marion Barber - RB - Bears

Marion Barber (calf) was held out of Bears practice Wednesday.

After receiving just two second-half carries in Sunday's loss to the Seahawks, Barber's Week 16 status is up in the air. What he does Thursday should go a long way toward determining if he's active against the Packers. Even if Barber does play, he'll be a weak flex play in deeper leagues after clearly being surpassed on the depth chart by Kahlil Bell in Week 15.
Source: Sean Jensen on Twitter
Wed, Dec 21, 2011 05:01:00 PM
Marion Barber - RB - Bears

Marion Barber managed just 33 yards on 11 carries in the Bears' Week 15 loss to the Seahawks.

Barber's straight-line, high-effort style didn't give Seattle's mammoth front seven any problems, and Kahlil Bell once again looked like the better option for the Bears. This week, the coaching staff treated Bell as such with 21 touches compared to Barber's 11. Feel free to cut the cord on Barber in fantasy leagues.
Sun, Dec 18, 2011 05:56:00 PM

Depth Charts

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PosRoleName
QB1Jay Cutler
2Josh McCown
3Matt Blanchard
RB1Matt Forte
2Michael Bush
3Armando Allen
4Harvey Unga
5Michael Ford
GLB1Michael Bush
2Matt Forte
3RB1Matt Forte
2Michael Bush
FB1Evan Rodriguez
WR11Brandon Marshall
2Earl Bennett
3Eric Weems
4Joseph Anderson
5Brittan Golden
WR21Alshon Jeffery
2Marquess Wilson
3Devin Hester
4Dale Moss
5Terrence Toliver
WR31Earl Bennett
TE1Martellus Bennett
2Kyle Adams
3Steve Maneri
4Brody Eldridge
5Fendi Onobun
K1Robbie Gould
2Austin Signor