IRVING – Dallas Cowboys running backs coach Gary Brown said over the weekend that he was surprised Joseph Randle was still available in the fifth round of last month's NFL Draft.
But Brown, a former Houston Oilers running back who's in his first year with the Cowboys, is glad Dallas made the selection. He just can't explain why nine running backs were drafted before the Oklahoma State standout who rushed for 38 touchdowns over the last two seasons.
"It's a lottery," Brown said. "I don't know why Terrell Davis slipped to the sixth and he had a 2,000-yard season. You don't know why Arian Foster never got drafted. Things just happen. This whole draft thing, it ain't a perfect science. We make mistakes, so that's what it is."
Brown said he doesn't know what Randle's exact role will be in his first season. But it shouldn't surprise anyone if the 6-0, 198-pounder ends up being the Cowboys' No. 2 option behind DeMarco Murray.
However, Randle's immediate impact is difficult to predict because he's wearing a cast on his right hand. He had surgery on his thumb but Cowboys owner and general manager Jerry Jones said he thinks Randle will be able to participate in some action during OTAs next week. During last weekend's rookie minicamp, Randle was able to participate in some of the running back drills and work on his conditioning off to the side with Cowboys trainers.
"I think he is very into it mentally," Brown said. "He wants to be out there. His drive, his determination, you've got to hold him back. So, that's a good thing. Hopefully, when he gets his cast off, he will be ready to go. He'll be in great shape. We'll be ready to see what he can do."
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