Thursday was Football Outsiders say on SB Nation, and the Cowboys got the full treatment, thanks to Blogging The Boys and Mike Tanier of Outsiders. They topics ranging from FO's pessimistic (and accurate) win projections for the Cowboys in recent years to this year's projection, Jason Garrett, offensive line play, Jay Ratliff and more.
↵One of FO's impressive projections in recent years has been their top prospect list, which has picked out guys like Mike Wallace and Miles Austin for top breakout seasons. Tanier was asked about recent Cowboys picks on that list:
↵↵↵BTB: In the 2010 Almanac, you projected Tashard Choice and Orlando Scandrick as number 4 and number 6 on your top prospect list. For what it's worth, Scandrick just signed a 6-year, $28M extension with the Cowboys. Choice though was largely a no-show in 2010, yet this year, he once again makes your list at no. 8. What makes you so confident in Tashard Choice?
↵FO: He had a pretty strong three-game stretch near the end of last year. He's a back who does a lot of things well. He catches well, he can run direct snap plays, he's sound as an every-down runner. He got caught in a numbers game last year, but with Marion Barber gone, he makes a very good complement to Felix Jones, and a guy who could get a few starts because of Jones' injury history. Apparently, the coaches aren't that high on him because he's not good on special teams, but we think he makes a good running back.
↵
Check out the entire Q&A on BTB, and FO's almanac in digital form here.
↵