With all the disaster that we fans had to endure this past season, there is excitement for any fan dispite Dallas losing 3 of their last 4 ! A silver lining came out of the injury to pro bowl runningback Marion Barber. It was 4th round pick GT, rb. Tashard Choice. Still a rookie who had played little as the 3rd runningback  behind #1 pick Felix Jones. Well when Jones went down in game 6 with an injury, Tashard was moved to backup rb. Then Barber had a toe injury and Choice was the guy.  Choice was forced into a starter's role. Oh boy vs the #1 or #2 best defense, the Steelers! A far cry from the Georgia Bulldogs. While losing on an INT return to Pittsburgh, a star was born in Dallas.  Choice unfazed had 23 carries for 88 yards 3.8. avg., Tashard added 78 yards receiving.  One hell of a sign that this guy is a player. He was a rookie! A  rookie!!!?  First start as a pro! Hello!!!  Where was the media talk!? Too busy watching Owens!?  The following week  Tashard faced another top defense. Against the Giants Choice shined with 9 carries for 91 yards in his 2nd start in his career vs. the World Champs!!! Thats a bulgng 9.1 per carry average. Choice added 52 yards on 4 receptions. The game included a long Choice TD run to put the game away. Yet another good defense was ahead. Dallas faced the Ravens, Choice had 17 carries for 90 yards, an average of 5.3 per carry. he added 7 catches for 25 yards. These 3 games were vs. top notch defenses. Lets see thats 49 carries 269 yards  and an impressive 5.4 avg. with 2 touchdowns. His receiving numbers were 16 receptions for 155 yards. Is this guy another Westbrook? In the final game at Philly, he had 13 carries for 56 yards for an average of 4.3 per carry. Earlier in the year Choice had a nice game vs. the Seahawks with 11 carries for 57 yards, an average of 5.1.

                                       TASHARD CHOICE 2008 ROOKIE YEAR 

                RUSHING               92 carries         472 yards         5.1 avg.         2 TDs

               RECEIVING            REC. 21                  YARDS 185            AVG 8.8

In his last 4 games vs. playoff teams, Piitsburgh, New York, Baltimore & Philadelphia............

       RUSHING                     63 carries                   325 yards            5.2 avg.           2 TDs 

       RECEIVING                       REC. 16              YDS. 155          AVG.  9.6  

    Choice isn't the only budding young star in the backfield, #1 pick Felix Jones shined in his short time in Dallas. Felix Jones had quite a rookie year as well. He averaged 8.8 per carry with just 30 carries. He got injured in game 6. He had 3 touchdowns including a KO return. Jones showed a burst and a unique running style. Oh theres another bruising back in Dallas,  Marion Barber who'll return to the role of the 4th quarter undertaker he was in 07. Dallas fans, be excited in 09 because excitement is "RUNNING" wild in Dallas!!!