FWST: Decision to pass on Jackson in 2004 could haunt Dallas

[WoodysGirl]

NFL Insider

Decision to pass on Jackson in 2004 could haunt Dallas

By CHAREAN WILLIAMS
Star-Telegram staff writer

Steven Jackson should have been a Cowboy. He thought he was going to be a Cowboy.

Instead of taking Jackson, though, Dallas traded the 22nd choice in 2004 to the Buffalo Bills. St. Louis selected Jackson two choices later, and the Cowboys took Julius Jones in the second round.

The rest is history.

Jackson's 2,334 yards from scrimmage last season was the fifth-best in league annals. Only Marshall Faulk (2,429 in 1999), Tiki Barber (2,390 in 2005), LaDainian Tomlinson (2,370 in 2003) and Barry Sanders (2,358 in 1997) had better seasons.

"I really thought I was going to be drafted before the Cowboys," Jackson said. "I have high hopes always. But when a team finally decided it needed a running back, I was the first one taken."

Jones had 1,226 total yards last season for the Cowboys, giving him 3,365 for his career. In the last year of his contract, he could be in his last season in Dallas. He no longer is used on third down or on the goal line, and he was stuffed 26 times last season, according to STATS Inc., tying him for 11th.

Jackson has become one of the best in the NFL at his position, even if no one has noticed.

"We didn't make the playoffs," Jackson said. "That's when the rest of the nation gets to see you. This year the accolades will definitely come. I expect to play even better, and we expect to play even better."

Jackson arguably has become the second-best all-around back to Tomlinson.

No longer sharing carries with the retired Faulk, Jackson rushed for 1,528 yards last season. He led the league with 14 first downs on third-and-1, showing toughness as an inside runner, and he was fourth in the league with 74 total rushing first downs.

"Statistically, I'm up there," Jackson said, "but I just want to win."

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[DallasEast]

I hope that Phillips can step in and make Marcus Spears into a force at defensive end. Spears was chosen in 2005 as a result of the 2004 trade with the Bills. If he finally demonstrates his potential this year, it will put this article in this place. :crossed:

 

[superpunk]

Could? It already haunts us. What is this "could" nonsense? lol.

 

[ThreeSportStar80]

Well I hate to be the one to say "I told you so" but I was really pissed when Dallas passed on him back in 04'. I thought he was the best RB in that draft and he's proving it right now.

 

[ZeroClub]

And certainly Stephen Jackson would have gained even more had he been a Cowboy, given the Cowboys' dominant run-blocking offensive line (particularly the Tucker Petitte tackle tandem) and the dynamic quarterbacking of Testaverde and Bledsoe.

 

[Phrozen Phil]

And certainly Stephen Jackson would have gained even more had he been a Cowboy, given the Cowboys' dominant run-blocking offensive line (particularly the Tucker Petitte tackle tandem) and the dynamic quarterbacking of Testaverde and Bledsoe.

Bingo. ShouldaCouldaWoulda. Hindsight and not terribly useful. This season will tell us if the trade was a winner. Marcus Spears, we're counting on you.

 

[tomson75]

We should bench Eddie George.

 

[peplaw06]

I hope that Phillips can step in and make Marcus Spears into a force at defensive end. Spears was chosen in 2005 as a result of the 2004 trade with the Bills. If he finally demonstrates his potential this year, it will put this article in this place. :crossed:

Spears was chosen with the Bills pick in 2005, but there was a chance if we didn't have that pick we would have taken Spears at 11 instead of Ware.

Bill wanted them both and decided to take Ware first because he thought Spears would be available later, and he was right. If we had only the one pick that season it could have been Spears at 11. Ware has to be taken into consideration at least a little when you look at that trade.

 

[Disturbed]

We can try to justify why not picking Jackson was good, but this is delusional...we all should regret not picking up this pro-bowl running back who will be good for years to come.

Please note that during the offseason Jackson talked about improving his game to help his team. Julius talked about how Parcells overcoached him and whinned like a little girl. Not only is Jackson heads and shoulders better than Jones, but he has a better attitude....he is the winner. We have the little girl running for us....

 

[peplaw06]

We can try to justify why not picking Jackson was good, but this is delusional...we all should regret not picking up this pro-bowl running back who will be good for years to come.

There are many more guys you can regret the Boys not drafting if you want to let yourself get consumed by that little game. But for your sanity's sake, it's much better to live with what you got.

 

[CrazyCowboy]

This player is special........and we got robbed.....but, let's get over it!

 

[gazmc_06]

I like Julius but he frustrated me a lot last year, I know he said Bill was telling him this and that but if you get out there and there is no hole then it is your job to find a hole somewhere else - not Bill's.

we shoud have took Jackson but we didn't..........move on.

 

[peplaw06]

When we get McFadden next year, the "haunting" will cease.

 

[Sarge]

Well I hate to be the one to say "I told you so" but I was really pissed when Dallas passed on him back in 04'. I thought he was the best RB in that draft and he's proving it right now.

Me too. Those guys who were in the chatroom back then will recall how I flipped my noggin' when they passed over him.

STUPID, STUPID, STUPID move.

 

[Paniolo22]

Me too. Those guys who were in the chatroom back then will recall how I flipped my noggin' when they passed over him.

STUPID, STUPID, STUPID move.

I remember not being able to control myself seeing that we were going to get the number 1 rb at pick 22. Then feeling like throwing up when we traded out. it was a terrible decision that I hate reliving.

 

[CactusCowboy]

Let It Go!

 

[Pats Fan]

I remember that draft. Well, actually I watch them all and think about what the heck are teams thinking.

This year I give the absolute bum award to Miami. What were you thinking?? Last year, the award went to the Texans. What were you thinking???

When Dallas passed on Jackson in 2004, I said to myself, what are you doing??? It was a total suprise and I still cannot believe Parcells made that move. Dumb.

But teams on all occassions make dumb decisons. Some worst than others. Not drafting Jackson was not as bad as the Texans passing on Bush, and in my opinion Miami passing on Quinn. I don't think Quinn will be a bust. Not the Ryan Leaf of years past. But what the heck do I know??

But, yes I remember the year you passed on Jackson and I said -- what are you thinking Bill??

 

[McCordsville Cowboy]

Passing on Quinn will hurt us more.....

 

[tunazboyz]

I think Parcells used Julius wrong and from what I've heard from Wade thus far with regards to JJ, I think this season will be much better for his style of running. Let's face it, dude is not a Steven Jackson with the inside running. We all saw what JJ was capable of his rookie season once he finally got on th field and was being utilized to his skill-set. BP always liked the bigger tougher guys so JJ had no chance in that offense. Whereas more draw plays, outside running and passes out of the backfield will show what he's about. I like Steven Jackson too but why in the hell are we crying over spilled milk here.. This is JJ's make it or break it season and I think the game plan in place has him making it...

 

[ringmaster]

Passing on Quinn will hurt us more.....

Stop it already with this Quinn nonsense, we didn't need the sooner you accept this the better off you'll be.