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IRVING, Texas - Every Cowboy seemed to have a great game in the 34-9 Thanksgiving Day stuffing of the Seattle Seahawks, and the 2008 rookie class was no exception.
All three active Cowboys rookies - running back Tashard Choice, cornerback Orlando Scandrick and tight end Martellus Bennett - made big plays here Thursday afternoon at Texas Stadium. If only injured first-round picks Felix Jones and Mike Jenkins had been here, too.
Scandrick registered six tackles, second-most on the team, and a pass break-up.
Bennett caught his fourth touchdown pass of the season in his third consecutive game with a touchdown catch. The last time the Cowboys had a rookie catch three touchdown passes in three consecutive games was in 2002, and that rookie was wide receiver Antonio Bryant, now with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. And to think the only other Cowboys rookie to do so was Bob Hayes.
"I'm feeling like the Lakers with a three-peat," the 21-year-old Bennett said.
Choice entered the game for good in the second half when starter Marion Barber left with a dislocated toe. When he left the game, he was the team's leading rusher, running for 57 yards on 11 carries. On one drive in the fourth quarter, Choice seemed unstoppable, with four consecutive runs of at least five yards, including a 27-yarder. And to think his 13-yarder was called back thanks to a holding penalty on Bennett.
"I've been working hard," Choice said. "Just continue what I've been doing, just go in there and give the coaches confidence."
The coaches' confidence in Choice was no different before his fourth quarter romp, according to running backs coach Skip Peete.
"I know I've always had confidence in him, and I think all the offensive coaches have confidence in him," Peete said. "He kind of showed that in the preseason when he had the opportunity to come in the game and perform."
For Cowboys owner Jerry Jones, the increased production from his most recent draft class is a by-product of the time of the year. With the Cowboys are entering the stretch run, most college teams' seasons are ending.
"The time that we've gotten to invest in them playing, they're at a full college season right now, and so you've got players that now have that kind of experience," Jones said.
But perhaps the most impressive rookie performance came from the other team. Seattle tight end John Carlson hauled in a team-high six catches for 105 yards. Even though when asked about his performance, both Cowboys defensive coordinator Brian Stewart and starting middle linebacker Bradie James responded with a puzzled "Who?" But after Carlson's first 100-yard game, they'll likely become familiar with his name.
"We know this, but I think the country perhaps got a glimpse of what's to come with John Carlson," Seattle head coach Mike Holmgren said. "I think he is going to develop and give us a lot to look forward to. He has a pretty good future."
The Return Of Julius
For 60 minutes, the Cowboys defense did everything to stop former Cowboys and current Seahawks running back Julius Jones, holding him to 37 yards rushing on 11 carries and forcing two fumbles. But after the game, the reception became much warmer for Jones, who made his first trip back to Texas Stadium since leaving in free agency in the spring.
"Great to see Julius," James said. "He's been a good friend. I've known him for four or five years, and I still talk to him. But it was good to see him. He's doing good, so we're happy about that."
After the game, several Cowboys met Jones at the middle of the field to say hello, including James, fullback Deon Anderson and tight end Jason Witten.
"He has a different hairstyle, but he looked excited," said Peete of Jones' "fro-hawk" do. "It's unfortunate that things like that happen, because in this business you obviously meet nice people, but sometimes they've got to move on."
The reception from the Cowboys fans, though, was not quite as warm. Fans booed after every time the PA announcer called Jones' name after a run. But Jones said he wasn't fazed by it.
"It's a term of endearment for me," Jones said. "I don't mind being booed. That just means they respect you."
Thanksgiving For Holland
Montrae Holland's name wasn't called again after the pre-game introductions. But for the left guard, receiving his first start in place of Kyle Kosier, that's a good thing since it means he didn't have any penalties.
The Cowboys, who traded for Holland in the preseason by sending a fifth-round draft pick to Denver, started giving the six-year veteran more first-team reps in the team's short week of practice with the intention of starting him on Thursday. The Cowboys had previously started Cory Procter in Kosier's absence while waiting for Holland to become comfortable in the offense.
"I had my eye on him specifically tonight," Jerry Jones said. "He had a good day. He protected well, he didn't turn anybody loose. I think when they review and grade they're going to find out he didn't have any penalties. I don't know if he made any mental errors. It looked like he played well."
A Jonas Brothers Thanksgiving
The Cowboys game may have been already out of hand by halftime, but the 63,253 in attendance at Texas Stadium had plenty of reason to forestall the rush home to fill up on Thanksgiving turkey - a halftime performance by pop sensation Jonas Brothers.
With four Salvation Army red kettles lined up against a guitar-shaped stage backed by the lit-up blue star that hung over the field during the game, the Jonas Brothers played three of their hit songs for the Texas Stadium and national TV audience - "Tonight," "Lovebug" and their hit single "Burnin' Up."
Fans in the stadium were even treated to a rapping cameo by Jonas Brothers' bodyguard Big Rob, donning a No. 12 Cowboys jersey with his name on the back. Former Cowboys quarterback Roger Staubach, who wore 12 throughout his career, probably felt honored until Big Rob turned and pointed to the new name on the jersey's nameplate.
Short Shots
Newly signed safety Tra Battle arrived Tuesday night, practiced on Wednesday for the first time and played on Thursday, recording one special teams tackle on the Cowboys' first kickoff . . . While they were slow coming at the beginning of the season, the Cowboys recorded two takeaways during the game, a Julius Jones fumble caused by defensive end Marcus Spears and recovered by cornerback Anthony Henry, and a interception by cornerback Terence Newman . . . Wide receiver Isaiah Stanback proved to be a capable kickoff returner in the absence of Miles Austin and Felix Jones, returning one kick 58 yards. The other two he caught went for touchbacks . . .
Cowboys linebacker DeMarcus Ware upped his season sack total to 15, establishing a single-season career-high and a club linebacker record . . . Ware's 15 sacks thus far are the most by a Dallas defender in a season since sacks became an official statistic in 1982. He now owns the most single-season sacks since Randy White had 16.0 in 1978 - before sacks were an official stat . . . This was Ware's second multi-sack game of the season and the eighth of his career . . .
Tight end Jason Witten had nine catches to become the 21st tight end in league history to have 400 career receptions. He is the fifth Dallas pass catcher to accomplish the feat. He now has 406 for his career . . . Witten surpassed 400 catches in 91 games, the third-fastest tight end to reach that total . . . Tony Romo's 331 passing yards was the fourth-most by a Cowboys quarterback on Thanksgiving Day. Troy Aikman has the record with 455 yards vs. Minnesota in 1998 . . .
Romo extended his Cowboys' record with his 16th 300-yard passing day. The Cowboys are 13-3 when Romo throws for more than 300 . . . With two sacks, Bradie James had his first multi-sack game of his career. He also has five sacks this season, establishing his single-season high . . . Thursday's win upped the Cowboys Thanksgiving Day record to 26-14-1. This was also the club's third straight on Thanksgiving Day - tying the club's second-longest Thanksgiving Day win streak . . .
The Cowboys had seven quarterback sacks, the most since collecting nine against Arizona (11/9/97) . . . Thursday's win marked the second consecutive Thanksgiving
Day game in which the Cowboys have not allowed a touchdown. Dallas now has not allowed a touchdown on Thanksgiving Day seven times . . . By collecting their eighth win, the Cowboys are on the verge of their fourth straight winning season for the first time since they had six straight from 1991-96.
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