MySa Blog: Tashard Choice on T.O. and possibly starting w/audio post #37

[WoodysGirl]

Tashard Choice on T.O.: 'I'll miss him tremendously'

By Tom Orsborn on Apr 03, 2009 5:49 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) Save & Share

Count Tashard Choice among the players mourning the departure of Terrell Owens.

The second-year running back from Georgia Tech suggested Thursday the jury is still out on whether quarterback Tony Romo and tight end Jason Witten orchestrated the release of Terrell Owens. Asked if he thought Romo and Witten might have played a role in Owens' departure last month, Choice said in a phone interview, "You never know. We don't really know the whole situation behind it. But it shocked everybody. When (Owens) called me, I was shocked. The players wanted him to stay."

Choice, who called Owens his "big brother" and said he would miss the mercurial receiver "tremendously," will be at the opening of the Sports Authority at U.S. Highway 281 and Evans Road from 1-2 p.m. Saturday.

Throughout today, I'll be posting excerpts from my interview with Choice. There will be a story on him in the print edition of Saturday's Express-News. He'll also be the subject of a Cowboys Insider that will be posted on mysanantonio.com later today.

Will Choice supplant Barber as the starter at RB this season?
By Tom Orsborn on Apr 03, 2009 1:10 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) Save & Share

All that talk about Marion Barber possibly returning to the closer role he held earlier in his career has caught the attention of second-year tailback Tashard Choice.

With Wade Phillips making it clear he wants a three-back rotation next season, it's pretty clear Choice should get plenty of opportunities this season to prove the flashes of brilliance he showed last year weren't a fluke.

Choice gained 382 of his 472 rushing yards in the final five games, taking advantage of injuries to Barber and fellow rookie Felix Jones.

In a phone interview Thursday, Choice suggested starting would be his preference. He pointed out that his best game of the season came against the Steelers, which just happened to be his first NFL start.

"When I started against the Steelers, I got in the flow really well," said Choice, who gained 166 all-purpose yards, including 88 rushing, in the 20-13 December loss to the Steelers. Choice got the nod at tailback because Barber was left at home with an ailing toe.

Barber returned to the starting lineup the following week against the Giants. Coming off the bench, Choice gained a game-high 91 yards on nine carries and added 52 receiving yards on four receptions in a win over New York.

"I did good against the Giants, but when I am in the game from the start, it gives me a better feel for the defense," Choice said. "But you got to always be a team guy. All of us (himself, Barber and Felix Jones) are very good....We are all good friends."

But Choice did concede that it would be "cool" to start.

 

[dcfanatic]

I know someone who knows someone who says Tashard Choice has been saying that Romo led the charge in getting T.O. removed from the team.

Here's my advice for TC.

Shut up kid. Don't start running off at the mouth.

I love this kid right now. And I hope it stays that way.

But his PUBLIC comments in this blog are not good IMO.

Don't say 'You never know. We don't know the situation behind it.' to a reporter. Why? Because it's going to be twisted and reshaped into the following headline/thought.

'Tashard Choice thinks it's possible Romo was behind the Cowboys releasing Terrell Owens.' And that's not a good thing.

 

[slick325]

Thanks for posting WG. I like Choice. I hope to see a lot of these three backs. Garrett has his hands full for sure trying to balance the carries among them and what situations to use each in. It's a good headache to have though.

On a sidenote, I hope Choice isn't gonna be despised now because he actually liked T.O.

 

[slick325]

Oops! Too late.

 

[KingintheNorth]

I think Barber should play the 1st quarter (to establish the ground game) and the 4th quarter (to grind out the clock) with T Choice playing the 2nd and 3rd quarters. Felix Jones can play all throughout the game. I'd also see if Felix has the ability to return punts.

All 3 RB can have equal roles(touches) and help make us a very good offense.

 

[Woods]

Heck, I wouldn't mind F Jones starting.

He's just so explosive. Any time he handles the football, he can take it all the way.

 

[thechosen1n2]

I know someone who knows someone who says Tashard Choice has been saying that Romo led the charge in getting T.O. removed from the team.

Here's my advice for TC.

Shut up kid. Don't start running off at the mouth.

I love this kid right now. And I hope it stays that way.

But his PUBLIC comments in this blog are not good IMO.

Don't say 'You never know. We don't know the situation behind it.' to a reporter. Why? Because it's going to be twisted and reshaped into the following headline/thought.

'Tashard Choice thinks it's possible Romo was behind the Cowboys releasing Terrell Owens.' And that's not a good thing.

are you joking when you say the whole you know someone who knows someone?

 

[dcfanatic]

are you joking when you say the whole you know someone who knows someone?

No, I am not. I actually wish I hadn't heard this. But there is a chatter that players are talking about this theory of Romo, Witten and Garrett having him released.

It's not really news to me. But I don't think any players should even give the media a nibble on this. That's all I am saying.

 

[Chocolate Lab]

I know someone who knows someone who says Tashard Choice has been saying that Romo led the charge in getting T.O. removed from the team.

Here's my advice for TC.

Shut up kid. Don't start running off at the mouth.

I was just about to say... This sounds like something The Player would say.

I would almost welcome back Hard Knocks if it meant I could see the coaches sit everyone down the first day of vet minicamp and tell them, "Listen up. All of you who want to bellyache about TO being gone, there's the ****ing door."

Choice, you're not a pimple on Romo's *** right now. Backs like you are a dime a dozen in this league. Shut the *** up and play.

 

[thechosen1n2]

No, I am not. I actually wish I hadn't heard this. But there is a chatter that players are talking about this theory of Romo, Witten and Garrett having him released.

It's not really news to me. But I don't think any players should even give the media a nibble on this. That's all I am saying.

Yeah, I agree that tashard should not give the media anything to sink their teeth into, true or not. (I guess thats one thing we will agree upon). I really hope this is not true though. I like and support any tony, but if Romo did have anything to do with this, then I have no respect for the guy (here is where whe will disagree...AGAIN) His, blaze' blaze' attitude was more of a problem (to me) than TO (and romos attitude was not that high on my list as to why this team failed) but even more so than that, you just dont lobby against a guy who backed you thorougly at your most disappointing moments. Romo is on record saying TO was the first person to call and lend moral support. Then he backed him again when Romo was being bashed (for no reason in my opinion) after the NY loss, and he was integral part of Romos success. If Romo did that he is an ingrate...and not even you DC or theebs can deny that.

 

[FCBarca]

Missed in all of this is the subtext to what Choice had to say...Where are the leaders on the club?...And just how prominently did TO figure into the team chemistry?...Prior to Dallas, TO was persona non grata at SF & Philly by the time it was all said and done.

Yet, still, former teammates are voicing their disappointment in the decision to let TO go...What does that tell you about who players look to for leadership?...Romo or TO?

 

[McCordsville Cowboy]

Choice pretty much saying players believe Romo and Witten were responsible for TO's release..... Duh TC.

 

[Doomsday101]

Choice pretty much saying players believe Romo and Witten were responsible for TO's release..... Duh TC.

I thought he said "We don't really know the whole situation behind it" I think this team and Choice will move on from all of this it seems fans can't.

 

[McCordsville Cowboy]

I thought he said "We don't really know the whole situation behind it" I think this team and Choice will move on from all of this it seems fans can't.

But to say that.... it is implying alot. If the team weren't thinking that he would said its the past , lets move on. If he isnt sold, Im sure 75% of that locker room isnt either.

Regardless, its funny when anyone other than Witten, Romo, Ware says anything about the team that might or should be kept in house, people rave for them to shut the hell up. But when the forementioned players do.. its I love that guy!

I see a double standard amongst the fan base. Sure they are stars and guys like TC, Crayton, Ellis, Newman might just appear as whiners but there opinion is one that should be just as readily listened too.

 

[Doomsday101]

But to say that.... it is implying alot. If the team weren't thinking that he would said its the past , lets move on. If he isnt sold, Im sure 75% of that locker room isnt either.

Regardless, its funny when anyone other than Witten, Romo, Ware says anything about the team that might or should be kept in house, people rave for them to shut the hell up. But when the forementioned players do.. its I love that guy!

I see a double standard amongst the fan base. Sure they are stars and guys like TC, Crayton, Ellis, Newman might just appear as whiners but there opinion is one that should be just as readily listened too.

Choice is here to do a job and I have no doubt he will do so to the best of his ability regardless if TO is on the team or not. I think others will as well. They understand this is business this is how they make their living.

I also do not doubt TO has his share of supporters and those who felt different about him it seems to be the same story no matter where he goes. I'm not asking any player to shut up I do expect every player to go out and perform to their best but when a player flaps his lips and does not back it up on the field he will catch hell.

 

[McCordsville Cowboy]

Choice is here to do a job and I have no doubt he will do so to the best of his ability regardless if TO is on the team or not. I think others will as well. They understand this is business this is how they make their living.

I also do not doubt TO has his share of supporters and those who felt different about him it seems to be the same story no matter where he goes. I'm not asking any player to shut up I do expect every player to go out and perform to their best but when a player flaps his lips and does not back it up on the field he will catch hell.

Agreed. We dont need any Pat Crayton's talking big and playing small in Giants games. I hope we can get it together.

 

[Chocolate Lab]

Missed in all of this is the subtext to what Choice had to say...Where are the leaders on the club?...And just how prominently did TO figure into the team chemistry?...Prior to Dallas, TO was persona non grata at SF & Philly by the time it was all said and done.

Yet, still, former teammates are voicing their disappointment in the decision to let TO go...What does that tell you about who players look to for leadership?...Romo or TO?

What? This is exactly what happened at Philly.

 

[Oh_Canada]

Regardless of what anyone thinks about TC or Crayton or Newman or anyone else for that matter who have spoken on the issue, one thing is clear both Witten and especially Romo have some major fence mending to do. No one likes a back stabber.

 

[Doomsday101]

Agreed. We dont need any Pat Crayton's talking big and playing small in Giants games. I hope we can get it together.

Well he will get his opportunities as will many others on the offense to step up and show what they can do. I think we will see more players involved in this offense, it is up to them to make the most of it. I’m not going to say we will be better without TO I will say we will be different without TO as I think this team will look to the running game more and will look to get the ball in many different players hands and I for one think we can win doing it that way.

 

[Bullet22]

If Romo didn't want him here...then it was for a good reason.....