By Jaime Aron
Associated PressIRVING, Texas ó Not as barbaric as Marion Barber, not the breakaway threat of Felix Jones, Tashard Choice was merely the “other” running back for Dallas.
Then Jones went on injured reserve and Barber messed up his foot.
Three dazzling games later, Choice is no longer defined by what he isn’t. Cowboys owner Jerry Jones has even compared him to Emmitt Smith.
“The kid can play the game,” said Marshall Faulk, among the best dual-threat running backs in NFL history.
Over his three breakout games, Choice has 49 carries for 269 yards (5.5 average), plus 16 catches for 155 yards.
Choice had 88 yards rushing and 78 yards receiving against Pittsburgh. He ran for 91 yards against the New York Giants the next week.
“It’s been pretty cool,” he said. “It’s not been a shock to me at all. It’s football, man. A defense is a defense. I know all of them are really good, so I just go out there and play.
Although The 5-foot-10 Choice led the ACC in rushing as a junior and senior at Georgia Tech, he ran a slow 40-yard dash at the combine.
That’s where the Emmitt comparisons come in. Think about it: not big, but big enough; not fast, but fast enough.”He’s no Emmitt Smith,” Jones said, “but he does remind you with his running style. Give him a chance, and he’s going to do some good.”