NFL: RB Choice gives Cowboys another backfield bruiser
By Tom Orsborn
IRVING — It didn't take long for Dallas Cowboys' fourth-round pick Tashard Choice to have a memorable day in the NFL.
And he has Cowboys legend Emmitt Smith to thank for it.
The NFL's all-time leading rusher dropped by the team's rookie minicamp Saturday for an up-close look at Felix Jones, the Arkansas running back Dallas chose in the first round.
Jones was excited to see Smith and receive some advice from the three-time Super Bowl champion, but the visit meant even more to Choice, who grew up idolizing Smith and wore No. 22 at Georgia Tech in honor of him.
“I had to catch myself a little bit when I saw him,” Choice said. “He's the all-time leading rusher and you know what he stands for and how he used to work. I love 22. I was ecstatic. I couldn't do nothing but look at him and tell him, ‘Nice to meet you. My name is Tashard,' but he already knew who I was.
“I was a little ecstatic too after learning that.”
The Cowboys had a similar reaction when they saw Choice was still available in the fourth round.
After passing on Illinois workhorse Rashard Mendenhall to take the speedy, versatile Jones, Dallas began looking for more of a traditional bellcow type to back up 2007 Pro Bowl pick Marion Barber.
In the 5-foot-10, 215-pound Choice, the Cowboys have a runner whose bruising, workmanlike style has drawn comparisons to Barber, a fourth-round pick in 2005.
“With Choice, you don't have a wow-wow factor based on a big, long run or a spectacular catch, but at the end of the game you are going to say he ground out 105 yards,” Cowboys running backs coach Skip Peete said.
While an assistant at UCLA in 1996, Peete faced another back that hit the century mark without making any jaw-dropping plays.
“We were playing at the University of Washington, and it was raining, a dreary day,” Peete said. “Midway through the fourth quarter, they announced, ‘Corey Dillon has now rushed for 150 yards,' and he didn't have a run over five yards.
“Choice is like that. He just grinds it out.”
Cowboys coach Wade Phillips is also high on Choice, the ACC's leading rusher the past two seasons.
“He's a solid player,” Phillips said. “He has shown everything on the field that we thought he had. He can do it all. He's very versatile. He runs really good routes, catches really well and he moves well in space.”
Smith feels the same way about both Jones and Choice. He gave both rookies pointers on route running and how to separate from linebackers.
Smith also suggested they watch film of Marshall Faulk, one of the league's all-time two-way backs.
“Man, it was amazing seeing somebody of his stature coming around,” Jones said. “And then coming around to give me some advice. ... I appreciate that. The information he gave me will help me the rest of my career.”
Choice agreed.
“Whenever you get something from Emmitt Smith, you are going to listen and pay attention,” Choice said. “This is a day I'll never forget.”
Notebook: Phillips said he doesn't think the offense needs to add a veteran receiver opposite Terrell Owens.
“Certainly with the quarterback we have and the receivers we have and the same offense another year, we might even get better without adding some big-name guy,” Phillips said.
Phillips also said Sam Hurd, Miles Austin and Isaiah Stanback could all develop into “all-star caliber” wideouts
Smith said Dallas made the right choice by taking Jones.
“I think Mendenhall is a very good back,” Smith said. “I just think Felix has a lot better hip movement and cuts better in traffic.”
Smith is also a fan of the trade for suspended cornerback Adam “Pacman” Jones.
“Look at the makeup of that secondary now. It can be pretty strong.”
Asked about Jones' checkered past, Smith said, “If he's not getting arrested, I'm OK. As long as you aren't killing somebody or getting somebody shot or going to jail, I have no issues with (you).
“Your personal life is your personal life.”
IRVING — It didn't take long for Dallas Cowboys' fourth-round pick Tashard Choice to have a memorable day in the NFL.
And he has Cowboys legend Emmitt Smith to thank for it.
The NFL's all-time leading rusher dropped by the team's rookie minicamp Saturday for an up-close look at Felix Jones, the Arkansas running back Dallas chose in the first round.
Jones was excited to see Smith and receive some advice from the three-time Super Bowl champion, but the visit meant even more to Choice, who grew up idolizing Smith and wore No. 22 at Georgia Tech in honor of him.
“I had to catch myself a little bit when I saw him,” Choice said. “He's the all-time leading rusher and you know what he stands for and how he used to work. I love 22. I was ecstatic. I couldn't do nothing but look at him and tell him, ‘Nice to meet you. My name is Tashard,' but he already knew who I was.
“I was a little ecstatic too after learning that.”
The Cowboys had a similar reaction when they saw Choice was still available in the fourth round.
After passing on Illinois workhorse Rashard Mendenhall to take the speedy, versatile Jones, Dallas began looking for more of a traditional bellcow type to back up 2007 Pro Bowl pick Marion Barber.
In the 5-foot-10, 215-pound Choice, the Cowboys have a runner whose bruising, workmanlike style has drawn comparisons to Barber, a fourth-round pick in 2005.
“With Choice, you don't have a wow-wow factor based on a big, long run or a spectacular catch, but at the end of the game you are going to say he ground out 105 yards,” Cowboys running backs coach Skip Peete said.
While an assistant at UCLA in 1996, Peete faced another back that hit the century mark without making any jaw-dropping plays.
“We were playing at the University of Washington, and it was raining, a dreary day,” Peete said. “Midway through the fourth quarter, they announced, ‘Corey Dillon has now rushed for 150 yards,' and he didn't have a run over five yards.
“Choice is like that. He just grinds it out.”
Cowboys coach Wade Phillips is also high on Choice, the ACC's leading rusher the past two seasons.
“He's a solid player,” Phillips said. “He has shown everything on the field that we thought he had. He can do it all. He's very versatile. He runs really good routes, catches really well and he moves well in space.”
Smith feels the same way about both Jones and Choice. He gave both rookies pointers on route running and how to separate from linebackers.
Smith also suggested they watch film of Marshall Faulk, one of the league's all-time two-way backs.
“Man, it was amazing seeing somebody of his stature coming around,” Jones said. “And then coming around to give me some advice. ... I appreciate that. The information he gave me will help me the rest of my career.”
Choice agreed.
“Whenever you get something from Emmitt Smith, you are going to listen and pay attention,” Choice said. “This is a day I'll never forget.”
Notebook: Phillips said he doesn't think the offense needs to add a veteran receiver opposite Terrell Owens.
“Certainly with the quarterback we have and the receivers we have and the same offense another year, we might even get better without adding some big-name guy,” Phillips said.
Phillips also said Sam Hurd, Miles Austin and Isaiah Stanback could all develop into “all-star caliber” wideouts
Smith said Dallas made the right choice by taking Jones.
“I think Mendenhall is a very good back,” Smith said. “I just think Felix has a lot better hip movement and cuts better in traffic.”
Smith is also a fan of the trade for suspended cornerback Adam “Pacman” Jones.
“Look at the makeup of that secondary now. It can be pretty strong.”
Asked about Jones' checkered past, Smith said, “If he's not getting arrested, I'm OK. As long as you aren't killing somebody or getting somebody shot or going to jail, I have no issues with (you).
“Your personal life is your personal life.”
posted by The Gryphon at 9:31 PM
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