Jones isn't the 2nd coming of Emmitt Smith. Period

While I have been very hopeful that Jones would be as great as Emmitt, folks, it just isn't going to happen. It's amazing how accustomed I am to seeing a top level running back on the field every week for the Cowboys. Dorsett, Walker, Emmitt, others before those three. We aren't accustomed to having a mediocre running back around this joint.

And Jones has shown some real potential at times. That thanksgiving game really had my hopes up.

But the injuries happened. And then Parcells got here and I think he realized that Jones wasn't the man to carry the load like his predecessors did. So we have the "running back by committee" routine going on now. And I believe it's the best way to handle our present RB situation. I don't think we have the next Emmitt Smith on this team at present. The ones we have are pretty good. And by using them the way Parcells is using them, we wind up with a decent running game. Relying on either of them extensively would reduce our total running yards, I do believe.

Now, I do believe a large part of Jones' lack of huge yardage is the OL which isn't opening up holes for him. But great running backs make their own holes. A perfect example is Walter Peyton. The Bears teams he played on weren't the greatest teams that ever stepped on the field. But Peyton made it happen. Jones just doesn't have the vision nor the strength and conditioning to do what Peyton did. Yes, defenses are faster now, and larger. But so are running backs and offensive lines.

This isn't a slam against Jones. It's more of a reality check. As much as we would love for him to outdo Emmitt's performances, it just isn't going to happen.

With the committee routine going, and working fairly well overall, I can't see the Cowboys investing in a Top Ten Drafted running back while Parcells is coach.

So I said all that to say this. Your poll is kind of silly because it serves no real purpose. It's not like the more of us that vote he'll get 1000 yards will help him actually get them. The ones that vote him low yardage won't cause him to lose yards either. At best, you'll get a concensus of opinions. And a lot of those won't actually be opinions. Many will be optimistic desires. If we're doing optimistic desires, put me down for 2400 yards, not counting the 280 he gains in the SuperBowl win.

If you're really wanting a reasonable expectation, I'm guessing maybe 850 or so. And that's wishful thinking on its own merit. The wish being that he doesn't have another injury. His durability isn't something that gives me the warm fuzzies.

Jones is good enough to play in the NFL. I don't think he's good enough to play in the NFL very long. And so far, his history shows us that if we're counting on him playing 16 games and leading us into the playoffs while playing with a dislocated shoulder against the Giants so we have homefield advantage, we're going to be greatly disappointed.

I wish it were different. But it isn't.