Choice warming up in a 2009 game against the Chiefs |
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| No. 30 Buffalo Bills | |
| Running back | |
| Personal information | |
|---|---|
| Date of birth: November 20, 1984 | |
| Place of birth: Thomasville, Georgia | |
| Height: 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m) | Weight: 210 lb (95 kg) |
| Career information | |
| College: Georgia Tech | |
| NFL Draft: 2008 / Round: 4 / Pick: 122 | |
| Debuted in 2008 for the Dallas Cowboys | |
| Career history | |
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| Roster status: Active | |
| Career highlights and awards | |
| Career NFL statistics as of Week 16, 2011 | |
| Rushing yards | 1,212 |
| Rushing average | 4.4 |
| Rushing TDs | 8 |
| Stats at NFL.com | |
Tashard J. Choice (born November 20, 1984 in Thomasville, Georgia [1]), is an American football running back for the Buffalo Bills of the National Football League. He played collegiately at Georgia Tech. He was drafted by the Dallas Cowboys in the fourth round of the 2008 NFL Draft.
Choice began his collegiate career at The University of Oklahoma but transferred to Georgia Tech in 2005. Choice played high school football for Lovejoy High School, in Lovejoy, Georgia where he recorded for 40 career all-purpose touchdowns.[2] Choice graduated with a degree in History, Technology and Society in December 2007,[3] and earned All-Big 12 Academic Honor Roll in 2004 along with All-ACC Academic Honor Roll in 2005-2006.[4]
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Choice redshirted in 2003. Kejuan Jones and Renaldo Works led the Oklahoma rushing attack into the BCS National Championship Game. Oklahoma featured Heisman Trophy winner Jason White quarterbacking the high-powered Sooner offense, which scored over 42 points per game.[5]
In 2004, Choice served as a backup to true freshman Adrian Peterson. Peterson went on to be a Heisman Trophy finalist and Oklahoma found itself in the BCS title game once again. Choice only took 22 carries and gained 100 yards the entire year (all in two games). His best game at Oklahoma saw him garner 71 yards on 16 carries against Texas Tech. At the end of the season, his mother fell ill and Choice applied for a medical hardship to return home and play for Georgia Tech. His hardship was granted and he transferred to Tech by Spring 2005.[4]
In 2005, Choice arrived at Georgia Tech and found himself behind P. J. Daniels on the depth chart. Daniels and Choice combined for over 150 all-purpose yards per game and 11 total touchdowns.[6] Choice's most notable appearance occurred in the upset of then #3 Miami Hurricanes. P. J. Daniels was injured in practice so Choice was announced the starter for the game. He carried the football 29 times for 84 yards and a touchdown.[7] The victory guaranteed Tech a bowl appearance and solidified Choice's role as a competent starter for the 2006 season.
Choice led the Yellow Jacket rushing attack in 2006, becoming the first Yellow Jacket to rush for 1,000 yards since P. J. Daniels' in 2003. Choice set several Tech records in 2006. He rushed for over 100 yards 9 times and had 7 straight 100 yard efforts, both Tech records. Choice accounted for 12 of Tech's 42 offensive touchdowns. Choice along with All-American Calvin Johnson and senior quarterback Reggie Ball took Tech to the Atlantic Coast Conference Title Game as the Coastal Division Champions. Choice would also lead Tech to its tenth straight bowl game against West Virginia in the 2007 Gator Bowl.[4] Choice sliced and diced his way through opponents in 2006 and worked his way towards becoming a preseason pick on several 2007 Heisman Trophy lists.[8][9]
Choice led the Yellow Jackets powerful ground game behind four returning starters on the offensive line and veteran fullback Mike Cox. As the reigning ACC Rushing Champion, Choice looked to improve upon 2006's 9-win season with new offensive coordinator John Bond featuring the single back formation.[10] Choice had 1,310 yards rushing on 249 attempts and 10 touchdowns even with injuries to his hamstring and to his knee. Choice concluded his NCAA career on the "Smurf Turf" of Boise against the Fresno State Bulldogs in the Humanitarian Bowl. He was used in a limited role in Georgia Tech's 40-28 defeat. His best statistical game was against the University of Miami, posting 204 yards rushing with a sore hamstring. he also recorded his first passing touchdown of his career to Taylor Bennett.[10]
The accolades Choice picked up during his college career include:
Choice was selected in the fourth round of the 2008 NFL Draft by the Dallas Cowboys. His first career carry came in the season opener against the Cleveland Browns, where he had 5 carries for 26 yards. He was used primarily on special teams during his rookie season. He did not receive another carry until week 7 against the St. Louis Rams, where he had 2 attempts for 13 yards. After injuries to Marion Barber and Felix Jones, Choice had his largest workload of the year against the Pittsburgh Steelers, who had the league’s best rushing defense.[17] Choice amassed 23 carries for 88 yards, and caught 5 passes for 78 yards. The following week against the New York Giants, Choice scored his first career touchdown. He finished his rookie campaign with 472 yards rushing, 185 yards receiving, and 2 touchdowns.[18]
Choice began the season behind Marion Barber and Felix Jones on the depth chart, but injuries gave Choice more playing time in week 3 against the Carolina Panthers. Choice had 18 carries for 82 yards and one touchdown in a Dallas win. Choice was used by the Dallas Cowboys mostly in what they called the Razorback formation, a variation of the Wildcat offense. Choice finished the season with 349 yards rushing, 132 yards receiving, and 3 touchdowns.[18]
Injuries including a hamstring strain and a minor knee injury allowed him to play in only one out of four preseason games. He began the 2011 season as the backup running back behind Felix Jones.[19] He was waived on October 29. Tashard Choice finishes his stint with the Dallas Cowboys with 250 rushing attempts for 1,139 yards for a 4.6 yard rushing average, 3 fumbles lost and 8 rushing touchdowns. His longest rushing play went for 66 yards. Choice also added 64 receptions for 497 yards for a 7.8 yard reception average and no receiving touchdowns. [20]
On October 31, 2011, Choice was claimed off waivers by the Washington Redskins. He was waived on November 22.
The Buffalo Bills claimed Choice off waivers on November 23.
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