Editor's Note: Throughout the off-season, DallasCowboys.com staff writers will take a closer look at the roster, analyzing more than 50 players on their impact last season and just how they fit into the team's 2009 plans. Today's featured player is Cowboys running back Tashard Choice.

Name: Tashard Choice
Position: Running Back
Height/Weight: 5-10, 208
Experience: One season
College: Georgia Tech

Contract Status: Signed through 2011 season.

Key stat: Although his longest run from scrimmage was only 38 yards, Choice managed to have a 5.1 yard average per carry among his 92 rushing attempts last season.

Other Notes:

• Choice was one of three Cowboys voted by announcer John Madden as the "Horse Trailer" Players of the Game for his 91 rushing yards and a touchdown against the Giants at the end of last season. Choice joined DeMarcus Ware and Terence Newman.
• Choice's 166 all-purpose yards against Pittsburgh were the most yielded by the Steelers last season to any running back. In his first career start, Choice rushed for 88 yards and had 78 more receiving.
• Choice's pre-game speech in college before Georgia Tech's game against Clemson was not only captured on video but is one of the most popular YouTube videos, with nearly 150,000 viewings.

2008 Impact: Relegated to mostly a special teams player and occasional spot-duty tailback for more than half of the season, things changed dramatically for Choice when Felix Jones not only was lost for the season, but Marion Barber suffered nagging injuries as well. Choice got the start in the last four games, which happened to be against Pittsburgh, NY Giants, Baltimore and Philadelphia. Those defenses all finished the year in the top five in overall defense. Choice had rushing days of 88, 91, 90 and 56 yards with two touchdowns. He also had 78 and 52 receiving yards against the Steelers and Giants. Of his 21 receptions, all but one occurred in the final six games of the season.

Where He Fits: That's one of the best questions for the Cowboys' coaching staff heading into this season. Just where does Tashard Choice fit into the offense? But he proved late last season that the answer has to be "somewhere." Surely, the Cowboys can find a spot for Choice, along with Barber and Jones. But looking at what Choice was able to accomplish at the end of the season, especially against four of the top five defenses in the league, speaks volumes for his ability.

Writers Analysis:

Nick Eatman: You wouldn't think that a team's third running back would have a major overall effect on an offensive game plan, but when you look at Choice, and figure that he's still behind Barber and Jones, you realize that something has to give. And if you're offensive coordinator Jason Garrett, the presence of Choice should make him realize that running the ball HAS to be a bigger priority this year. Choice proved in the final month of the season that he needs to have some role in the offense. Even if he remains the third back, getting a few carries away from both Barber and Jones, it's still important for Choice to have a more active role in the offense.

Josh Ellis: Everyone can agree Choice deserves to get regular carries after the way he played in December. The real question is how can the Cowboys manage their stable of backs, maybe the best in the league, so as to get the most out of all three. Marion Barber has earned his carries, and Felix Jones' home run ability means he needs touches too. As much as you like what Choice did at the end of the year, he'll probably still comes out on the short end. But that's OK. The Cowboys have worlds of confidence in him, and he'll play when someone is banged up or ineffective. Choice is one of the hardest workers on the team, and he has a great attitude, so while it may be tough for him to get to even 100 carries this year, he's going to be a starter at some point in his career.

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