What made it interesting was that he never actually mentioned Marion Barber's name. It's been widely speculated that Barber will likely be released at some point this offseason, based mainly because of his large contract and lack of production.
But according to Dorsett, he believes the Cowboys have plenty of talent at the running back spot between Felix Jones and Tashard Choice. And yes, for now, that's the order Dorsett is putting them in, but he's not so sure it won't flip around.
"I've always said, if I was the coach, it would be Felix's job to lose," Dorsett said Tuesday. "Now that being said, I look at Tashard Choice right now . . . I like Choice's game. And he's tough. He's not as fast and he's not as shifty, but he's a guy that can play on my team.
"Still, I would give the nod to Felix, but Choice would play a whole hell of a lot."
Earlier this week, Jones spoke about the challenges of preparing his body to take the regular beatings applied to starting tailbacks and learn how to adapt to the grind of the position.
Never mistaken for a giant, Dorsett could certainly relate.
"You have to learn mental toughness," Dorsett said. "You don't have to learn how to take a beating. But you have to be tough. There's a distinct difference."
Dorsett added that it's time for Jones to take that leap to the next level.
"Felix Jones is a great talent, but it's yet to be seen if he can do it over the long haul, year in and year out," Dorsett said. "When I look at him, he's got shake, he's got speed, he's a bigger guy because he's bigger than I am. You really have to have that intestinal fortitude. I learned that a long time ago when I was back in college. When I went to the University of Pittsburgh, Pitt had won about one game a year for the previous 10 years. I was getting my butt knocked around pretty good.
"But I had a conversational with Jackie Sherrill, our assistant head coach at that time. After a few games of getting knocked around, I realized if I was going to be in this business, I'm going to have to be a little tougher than what I was when I got there. But mental toughness is just as importance as your physical attributes. You have to be tough or you won't survive."
