This Year’s…Tashard Choice?

Which running back is coming out of nowhere to make a significant impact late in the season?

Last year in early September a friend and I got to talking about the Dallas Cowboys upcoming season. (He’s from Dallas, that’s why.) After some mild disagreement over who would make a better girlfriend, Simpson or Underwood, we moved on to less important issues, like depth charts. More specifically, a talented former all-conference Yellow Jacket. Both of us agreed that Tashard Choice was the perfect dark horse candidate to make a significant contribution at some point during the year. You might say we were reaching a bit with the spotlight shining brightly on feature backs Marion Barber and the rookie Razorback, Felix Jones, but Tashard wasn’t just a name we drew out of at. While every team has a 3rd string running back who’s only a few bumps and bruises away from an opportunity, Tashard jumped out as something much more than just an insurance policy on a solid team. Here’s what we were thinking:

Tashard Choice is really good. Tech fans and opponents will tell you no different. I was rudely introduced to this guy in week 1 of ‘07 when he ripped the Irish to the tune of 196 yards and 2 scores. Not that Notre Dame had any Manti Te’o’s to contain him at the time, but he looked every bit the part of a future Major Leaguer. He continued to tear it up all year and became a first team All-ACC selection. Come April though, NFL scouts failed to see any “elite” quality in him. He’s not the “take it to the house every time” burner that Felix is, and he’s not the bone-crushing punisher that Marion is. His 40 time was slower than expected, and he fell in the draft. What Tashard did offer though was a solid combination of the two runners. He’s a guy who can do a bit of everything. He catches well, he can run through the tackles, he can bounce outside, he has the size and strength and awareness to pass block and pick up a blitz, ANNNND he’s a badass vocal leader. Check out this fantastic movie-like motivational speech.

When Felix Jones went down for the year with hamstring and toe injuries, and Barber was day to day with his turf toe, Tashard finally got his number called. Against the Pittsburgh Steelers of all defenses, the number 1 defense at the time, he rushed for 88 yards and caught 5 passes for 78 more. His next two games he went on to put up 258 total yards and 2 TDs against the brutal Giants and Ravens D’s. Fantasy monster, NFL gold.

So when a player like this jumps out at me, and my hunch pans out, (rare to never) I’m always interested in finding out who’s next. Who else will give me that “coming out of nowhere to make an impact” feeling? Who else given the right opportunity has the staying power? Well, I think found him. I was watching some preseason re-runs on The Network a few weeks back and it only took a few plays to get that all too familiar feeling. There, running like he had something to prove, was Javon Ringer of the Tennessee Titans. Ah, yes, that old friend. The talented workhorse Michigan State Spartan/Notre Dame killer. There he was catching passes, looking shifty and powerful as ever. That’s him, Javon Ringer, that’s my guy. Call me crazy, but Javon Ringer is going to make an impact this year. Now, I’m not saying all the fantasy owners should go out and grab him and stash him away, nor am I in any way suggesting or hoping that CJ or LenDale go down, but I do think he’ll have an important role at some point this season, much like Tashard did for the Cowboys, because it’s a long season, and people get banged up, and Javon is really good.

Here’s a more in depth look at why I think he’s the next TC. Take a look at the similarities on my official “How to become the next Tashard Choice” check list and it all starts to make sense.

How to become the next Tashard Choice

1. Have a Cool name

No Kevin Smith’s or Donald Brown’s in here. Fancy names only. Javon Ringer. That has superstar written all over it. Priest Holmes, LaDainian Tomlinson, Clinton Portis, you know the type. And Javon’s name has an even better ring to it than Mr. Choice himself.

2. Single handedly destroy Notre Dame

Ringer, much like TC, stomped the Irish in 2008 for 201 yards and 2 TDs on 39 carries! Ridiculous. That’s all I’m saying about that.

3. Be stuck behind two big name feature backs

One thunder-like, one lighting-like – Tashard was sitting behind The Barbarian and Felix. Javon is stuck behind CJ and LenDale. One bruising back and one flashy back. I’m not sayin’, but I’m just sayin’, it looks similar. And if something should happen to either of these guys, enter Javon, the talented Spartan who showed tons of potential in the preseason.

4. First team All-Conference in college

Tashard ran 1,379 and 10 TDs in his final season earning him first team All-ACC honors. Javon ran for 1,637 and 22 TDs in his final season to become a unanimous first team Big Ten Selection. Beast.

5. Fall in the draft because of a weaker than expected 40 time

Tashard was projected in the 3rd round, and maybe even 2nd depending on team needs. He ended up the 122nd pick overall falling to the 4th round because he lacked the high end speed. Javon was projected as one of the better running backs available before injuries hampered his off season. He decided to run his 40 anyway and registered a paltry 4.6. He ended up falling all the way to the 5th round at pick 187.

6. Be a leader and a class act

We saw Tashard’s vocal leadership abilities earlier in the article. In addition to that he made a splash in community this summer by inviting 300 kids to his first annual Tashard Choice Football camp. I want to go. Coaches at MSU called Javon Ringer the perfect student athlete. He was a model citizen and very coachable guy. He says his family has always been his number one inspiration. He was also active in MSU’s multicultural program and he helped tutor middle school kids. What a guy.

7. Be a great all-around player

Some guys have all the physical tools in the world but they can’t seem to pick up a blitz, or make adjustments during a game, or get open in space, etc. Players like Tashard and Javon get where they are because they are all-around athletes. Football players. Kerry Collins said this about Ringer, “Some guys are just football players, and Javon Ringer is a football player. He is patient, remarkably patient for a rookie running back. He sees blocking schemes well and has a good feel for when to cut back and when not to cut back. He has shown a lot of moves. I think the kid has a bright future.”

Sounds like a winner to me.

So there you have it. Seven entirely legitimate reasons why the obvious choice for the next Tashard Choice is… Javon Ringer.

(Please don’t get hurt CJ.)