GREEN BAY, Wisc. - As Cowboys rookie tailback Felix Jones faced a huddle of reporters following Sunday night's win over the Packers, he was asked to comment about this year's rookie class of tailbacks.
Fellow rookie tight end Martellus Bennett, who was trying to get to his neighboring locker that had some media members in the way, gave his own answer to the question.
"He's not Reshard Mendenhall!!!" shouted Bennett, referring to the former Illinois running back who many thought the Cowboys should've drafted with 22nd pick.
Instead, the Cowboys took Jones, while Mendenhall went one spot later to Pittsburgh. The Cowboys went for Jones, a player the club thought would give the team a different dimension right away.
Three games down, that's exactly what has happened.
And it was rather evident here in the Cowboys' 27-16 win over the Packers at Lambeau Field, where Jones made some history with a second-quarter touchdown run that displayed his breakaway speed.
Jones took a handoff around the left end, made a move on a defender, and then simply outran the defense, and maybe even wide receiver Terrell Owens, too, on his way to a 60-yard touchdown run that gave the Cowboys a 10-6 lead.
"It was designed to go to the left side and we thought it would be a big play," said Jones. "It was a great feeling to get out there in clear and just go. It was great blocking and I just took off."
It's safe to say Jones' career has already taken off as well.
With that touchdown, Jones became the first Cowboys' rookie to score a touchdown in his first three games, surpassing "Bullet" Bob Hayes, who scored in his first two games back in 1965.
Jones' 60-yard touchdown was also the longest run from scrimmage by a Cowboys' rookie running back since Tony Dorsett's 84-yard run against the Eagles in 1977.
Jones finished the night with 76 rushing yards on six carries, along with one reception for three yards.
"Felix Jones really gives us a boost in the offense," offensive coordinator Jason Garrett said. "We're still finding ways to get him involved. But he keeps showing that he can handle everything we give him."
Jones scored on his first carry of his career two weeks ago in Cleveland on an 11-yard run. Last week, he had a 98-yard kickoff return against the Eagles, helping him win the NFL's Diet Pepsi Rookie of the Week.
"It's a dream come true to start my career like this," Jones said. "The best part is that we're winning and we're 3-0. But I'm glad I can contribute and I just want to keep it going."
As for the other rookie running backs, Jones said he's got enough on his plate to worry about that.
"I try to focus on getting better here," Jones said. "There were a lot of good backs in the draft. I think they're doing pretty good. The only one I really try to follow is Darren McFadden, who went to school with me at Arkansas."
Jones also shares the college, and the last name of his owner, who gave him a personal salute in the locker room.
"Hey Felix," owner Jerry Jones shouted to get his rookie running back's attention. "Woo pig sooie!"
But while Felix Jones gave his Arkansas fans plenty to scream about in college, it's taken just three games for him to prove he can make the same impact in the pros.
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