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Troy Hambrick: Living the "Longest Yard" dreamThe names Quincy, Chad, Drew, Vinny, Ryan, Randall, Anthony, Clint and, well, Drew are all synonymous with about a decade of futility as the Dallas Cowboys searched for a starting quarterback, a replacement for Troy Aikman.
Those names are borderline legendary. Just as familiar as Roger, Drew (sorry, again) Emmitt, Troy, Mike, Darren, Daryl, Bob, Tony and Randy.
As hard as its been to find a decent starting quarterback (or so we think in Tony Romo), I think it's been equally as difficult finding a replacement in Emmitt Smith.
Unlike Troy's replacement, there's been legitimate guys roll through Dallas that looked like they might have potential to be a nice running back for 10 years. Whereas, most Sundays, the likes of Quincy Carter, Anthony Wright, Vinny Testaverde and Drew Bledsoe just made us hope they wouldn't throw four interceptions.
With the running backs, we felt there was room to improve. There were glimpses, unlike the quarterbacks.
Still, it's been a tough road. Not that DeMarco Murray is the answer. He could flame like like many of these others. However, I think it's safe to say that he's looked like a different breed of runner. Something I don't remember saying about these guys:
Troy Hambrick
2000-2003
This list is moot. That's because Hambrick was the heir apparent to Smith. In fact, Smith was holding Hambrick back. Or Hambrick was holding Smith back. He was big and plodding fans were in love. He was allowed to walk and spent a marginal year in Arizona, not unlike his predecessor. More than running, he liked selling coke and beating up on women. He was in prison the last I checked.
Aveion Cason
2003
If you were privy to the 10-game Cason experiment, you are a hardened Cowboys fan. Dark days.
Adrian Murrell
2003
Guess who used to play for the New York Jets under Bill Parcells? For about three years of his career, he was a salty character. Played sparingly for the Cowboys.
Eric Bickerstaff
2003
Dark. Days. Move on. It gets better.
Richie Anderson
2003-04
Anderson was a Bill Parcells guy through and through. A former Jet, Anderson was inserted as the team's fullback/tailback combo. He blocked, caught the ball, lined up as receiver, drew short yardage duty and even threw a couple of passes. Never meant to be a replacement for Smith as much as an improvement or bridge. Anderson never played another game after the 2004 season.
Eddie George
2004
George had a brilliant career with Tennessee. Came to the Cowboys as a free agent and flamed out. Started just eight games and looked as old as you can get.
ReShard Lee
2004
Why do I remember these names? What's wrong with me!?
Julius Jones
2004-08
Had more than 800 yards in half a season his rookie year with a 4.2 average and everyone was excited, although his initial pick in the second round out of Notre Dame was a bit underwhelming. the next season he missed a handful of games, but still managed nearly 1,000 yards before breaking that barrier the next season. By 2007, the Marion Barber effect was in full swing and Jones saw his productivity drop.
Tyson Thompson
2005-07
I could do a whole different post on the guys that were going to remake the Cowboys' return game. Thompson was one with the option of being a running back once the carries were available. The Irving native had one good year of returning kicks and spent another two years being hurt. At least he was undrafted.
Marion Barber
2005-10
Ran hard, tough. A fourth rounder taken in the 2005 draft, Barber was a warrior. He was brought into the fourth quarter by Bill Parcells with the sole purpose of punishing defenders and milking the clock. For at least one season, this worked out. Then fans and management got the bright idea that he should start. The Cowboys dumped Julius Jones and inserted Barber into the starting line-up and he could never stay healthy and with the injuries, the edge left him a bit. He flamed out last season.
Tashard Choice
2008-11
Has gotten a shot in every season despite being the No. 3 back due to injuries to Barber and Felix Jones. Each time he's shown something. I doubt we'll ever forget that game in Pittsburgh when he grunted for more than 100 yards. A fumble against the Redskins and a request for an autograph and he quickly grew out of favor with coaches and fans.
Felix Jones
2008-Present
Rocked our world with his speed and people got very excited. Again, another rather high draft pick (first round) he was sort of an underwhelming pick due to Darren McFadden, his backfield mate out of Arkansas, was taken first in the draft. Still, Jones impressed with his blazing speed. No one's been impressed with his inability to stay healthy. He's missed 16 games in four seasons including five this year and 10 his rookie year.
Phillip Tanner
Present
Won over the hearts of minds of Cowboydom by running in a pre-season game without his helmet. Despite the playing being called dead once the helmet flew off.
DeMarco Murray
Present
If you makes you feel better, at this pace, Murray will pass most the names on this list for rushing yards as a Cowboy before the season's out. If he hasn't already.
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