"The trading deadline came and went, and despite some far-fetched rumors, Marion Barber still is part of the Dallas Cowboys. His carries might have diminished, but the Cowboys view his role as a big one.Barber, the starting running back in name only, has become the team's short-yardage and third-down back.Jones has 29 carries for 141 yards the past two games; Barber has 16 carries for 50 yards."I'm just ready to play, man," Barber said. "Whatever they want me to do, I'm going to do.... Carries were never an issue. It's just about winning these games. However they feel we can do that, we've got to do that."Barber had five short-yard opportunities in Sunday's 24-21 loss to the Minnesota Vikings, and he converted all five. After going only 12 of 21 on third or fourth down with 2 or fewer yards to gain for the first down, Barber is 9 for 9 this season, according to STATS, Inc.Eighteen of his 52 carries have gone for first downs, with that 34.6 percentage ranking third in the NFL."I never lost [his short-yardage mojo]," said Barber, who is 70 for 103 in his career in short-yardage situations on third or fourth down. "They have put me in that situation. I just try to make the best out it every time I'm in it."Barber, who began his career as the closer behind Julius Jones, has never had a 1,000-yard season. Twice, he has gained more than 900 yards.Injuries the past two seasons -- a dislocated toe in 2008 and a left knee injury in 2009 -- slowed him down."You set personal goals for yourself," Barber said. "But at the end of the day, it's about winning games, and as a player you have to remain healthy."The Cowboys signed Barber to a seven-year, $45 million deal in 2008. He is the team's sixth-highest paid player this season at $9.9 million. His contract is what made a trade impossible. It's also what could get him released after this season."