Dallas' Jones being compared to Smith

The Notre Dame rookie just wants to be himself.
IRVING, Texas (AP) -- Julius Jones is already getting used to hearing the name Emmitt Smith.
The comparisons seem inevitable for the first draft pick of the Dallas Cowboys, who are still trying to replace the NFL's career rushing leader.
Sure, Jones is flattered to be mentioned along with Smith. But he also realizes his only NFL experience is a three-day rookie minicamp that wrapped up Sunday.
"Anytime you can get compared to Emmitt Smith, one of the best running backs to ever play the game, it's a huge compliment," Jones said. "I can't be like him or anything like that, so I'm just going to go out and play how I play. That's all I can do."
And that's all coach Bill Parcells wants.
"I'll keep it in perspective for him if it looks like it is getting too far out of hand," Parcells said. "He's not under any illusions about anything like that. He knows better."
Similar in size
Jones will accept one comparison to Smith: "Similarities in size, that's about it," said the 5-foot-10, 217-pound running back.
When it came time for the Cowboys to make their first-round pick in the NFL draft April 24, no running backs had been picked. But they traded down 21 spots and, after four top running prospects had been picked, took Jones in the second round with the 43rd overall pick.
Parcells said there are no expectations of Jones being the second-coming of Emmitt, though the rookie did wear No. 22 -- the same as Smith -- at Notre Dame.
"That is the evolution of the game. The people that have had Hall of Fame players at that position, that's just the way it is," Parcells said. "The bus station is full of those guys who were going to be the next this or the next that."
The Cowboys assigned Jones the No. 21 jersey. No. 22 wasn't worn last season after Smith was released, following 13 seasons and three Super Bowl championships, and went to Arizona.
Role still uncertain
Parcells won't say yet what role he plans for Jones. But the Cowboys have indicated the desire to trade Troy Hambrick, the leading rusher last season with 972 yards.
Jones was only the fourth running back at Notre Dame with more than 3,000 career yards, but started just 17 of his 45 games. His college career was disrupted when he missed 2002 because of academic problems.
During his year away from Notre Dame, Jones moved to Phoenix to live with his brother, Thomas, who didn't live up to expectations after being the No. 6 overall pick in the 2000 draft by the Cardinals.
Julius Jones returned to college to run for 1,268 yards as a senior, including a single-game school record 262 against Pittsburgh.
"I definitely appreciated football a lot more," Jones said. "I had it taken away from me. It's something I love to do and I had it taken away. I just learned just to appreciate every thing."
Julius Jones got drafted by Dallas. And Thomas Jones, who the Cowboys had considered in free agency, will get another chance with the Chicago Bears, who play in Dallas on Thanksgiving Day.
"He's been through his ups and downs in the NFL and really hasn't had the career that he's wanted," Julius Jones said. "He got a fresh start this year. We're both kind of starting over again."
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