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Rookie wants to find a role
9:19 AM Tue, Aug 19, 2008 | Permalink | Yahoo! Buzz
Tim MacMahon E-mail News tips
The Cowboys believe they've significantly upgraded their third RB, and not just because fourth-round pick Tashard Choice is a better runner, receiver and blocker than Tyson Thompson.
Choice, who blocked a punt against the Broncos (never mind the fluke of Denver getting a first down on the play), appears to be capable of contributing on special teams. Thompson was an OK kick returner, but once the Cowboys replaced him in that role, he couldn't do anything else to help the team. As a result, they were basically forced to make him inactive on game day. That won't be the case with Choice, who is working first- or second-team on every special teams unit.
"He's just a young player that hasn't done it but wants to," Wade Phillips said of Choice on special teams. "Part of special teams is want-to. ... He definitely has that."
Choice actually does have some special teams experience from when he was a freshman at Oklahoma. He didn't play any special teams after transferring to Georgia Tech, but he's eager to find a niche in the kicking game for the Cowboys. He understands that it's his best chance to contribute right away with Pro Bowler Marion "The Barbarian" Barber and first-rounder Felix Jones ahead of him on the depth chart.
"I know I can run the football," Choice said. "I know I can play offense. But sometimes you have to be patient and figure out where you fit in."
Choice will find a way to help the Cowboys this season, even if his maturity and work ethic don't rub off on fellow rookie Martellus Bennett.
9:19 AM Tue, Aug 19, 2008 | Permalink | Yahoo! Buzz
Tim MacMahon E-mail News tips
The Cowboys believe they've significantly upgraded their third RB, and not just because fourth-round pick Tashard Choice is a better runner, receiver and blocker than Tyson Thompson.
Choice, who blocked a punt against the Broncos (never mind the fluke of Denver getting a first down on the play), appears to be capable of contributing on special teams. Thompson was an OK kick returner, but once the Cowboys replaced him in that role, he couldn't do anything else to help the team. As a result, they were basically forced to make him inactive on game day. That won't be the case with Choice, who is working first- or second-team on every special teams unit.
"He's just a young player that hasn't done it but wants to," Wade Phillips said of Choice on special teams. "Part of special teams is want-to. ... He definitely has that."
Choice actually does have some special teams experience from when he was a freshman at Oklahoma. He didn't play any special teams after transferring to Georgia Tech, but he's eager to find a niche in the kicking game for the Cowboys. He understands that it's his best chance to contribute right away with Pro Bowler Marion "The Barbarian" Barber and first-rounder Felix Jones ahead of him on the depth chart.
"I know I can run the football," Choice said. "I know I can play offense. But sometimes you have to be patient and figure out where you fit in."
Choice will find a way to help the Cowboys this season, even if his maturity and work ethic don't rub off on fellow rookie Martellus Bennett.
