Sunday, April 16, 2006

USC's White to visit Valley RanchStaff and Wire Reports

Posted on Sun, Apr. 16, 2006email thisprint this
NFL NOTES
USC's White to visit Valley RanchStaff and Wire Reports

A player once thought to be unavailable to the Cowboys, who pick 18th overall in the NFL Draft later this month, might be there for the taking at a position the team once thought it had filled.

USC running back LenDale White, who was once considered a top-15 selection, is scheduled to visit the Cowboys on Tuesday at Valley Ranch, according to a source.

White's draft status took a hit recently when it was learned he has a partially torn right hamstring and will not be able to run the 40-yard dash until after the draft. The injury could push him further down the draft board, possibly to the Cowboys.

The Cowboys currently have Julius Jones and Marion Barber as the team's top two running backs. They will be entering their third and second NFL seasons, respectively.

But the Cowboys have not had a 1,000-yard rusher since Emmitt Smith in 2001. And there is some concern whether Jones has the durability to be an every-down back. Jones missed eight games his rookie season in 2004 and missed three games last season.