It happens every year and it occurred again after this camp. We watch two weeks of practice and a buzz starts to create around a certain player and before you know it, you all but have him penciled onto the roster . . . and there hasn't even been one preseason game played.
To me, that sort of happened here with Lonyae Miller. I mean, this guy was one of the camp surprises and most of us have the team keeping him around for Tashard Choice.
Well after Thursday's game with Denver, that third tailback spot is definitely up for grabs but the backup job seems to be open, too.
After Felix Jones, who had a few nice plays in a limited role Thursday night, it's hard to tell how it might play out.
DeMarco Murray (hamstring) is supposed to start working into practice this week and the same goes for Choice, who missed all but one play of camp with a calf strain.
Obviously Murray will get plenty of chances to shine, but at the risk of Tony Romo's health, the Cowboys won't put any player on the field if he's not 100 percent ready both physically and mentally.
Then you've got the third spot and Miller didn't exactly look so sharp once the defense actually got to hit. He had just 11 yards on nine carries.
Now the guy who made some noise was Phillip Tanner, a rookie free agent from Middle Tennessee State. He had 44 yards on nine attempts (4.9 average) and showed a little more burst at the line.
As a back, Tanner might be a better option but than Miller, but then again, so is Choice. That third back has to contribute on special teams and it could be Miller's saving grace.
Right now, with three preseason games to go, this running back position might be one position that will remain up in the air for a while.
