Seahawks
Keyshawn on Julius — "He has it."

By Greg Bishop
Seattle Times staff reporter

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Julius Jones talked while Julius Jones ran and juked and spliced his way through the Seahawks defense.

It wasn't an illusion. Just a highlights package playing on a television high above Jones' left shoulder as he dissected the most telling performance of his rookie season in front of a multitude of microphones and cameras.

It was fitting, really, the man who decided the game talking over his own highlights like NFL Films was in the building for a game that deserves its place among the wildest in league history.

There went the Cowboys running back, cutting up the left sideline for 53 yards in the first quarter, good for the longest run the Seahawks defense allowed this season.

There was Jones again, driving up the middle, high-stepping into the end zone for an 8-yard touchdown and a 19-14 lead.

The highlight reel didn't stop for all five minutes of the interview, not until Jones galloped nearly untouched into the end zone for the touchdown that would decide this game, 43-39, first place in the NFC West and possibly two teams' playoff hopes.

And not until Jones put the finishing touches on his third start — a 30-carry, 198-yard, three-touchdown if-you-don't-know-now-you-know party.

"I have confidence in myself, but this is really unexpected," Jones said. "I'll never forget this game right here."

After the game, as the 5-7 Cowboys actually talked about playoff possibilities and Jones sauntered around the giddy locker room with blood splattered on his pants, Keyshawn Johnson could only wonder.

What if Jones didn't miss eight of the Cowboys' first nine games? Where would Big D be now?
 
"It's your fault," Johnson said, telling Jones jokingly — well, sort of — "If you get hurt again, I'm going to shoot you, and you're just going to die."

Johnson laughs, then smiles, then stops, realizing he might offend someone such as aging running back Eddie George, the man Jones displaced en route to all this newfound glory.

"That's not a knock on any of our other running backs," Johnson said. "But some guys just have it. He has it."

If three games provide any indication, then King Julius has a head start on proving something out of Johnson's mouth correct. Those three games provide the glimpse, an act of aging quickly, sort of like fine wine all souped up on steroids.

Baltimore: 30 carries, 81 yards.

Chicago: 33 carries, 150 yards, two touchdowns.

Seattle: 30 carries, 198 yards, three touchdowns (and one called back for holding).

"Our running back runs pretty good, in case you didn't know," said Cowboys coach Bill Parcells, tongue planted firmly in cheek. "I'd just say he's doing well. Quite honestly, we're better off right now than at any point during this year. There's more balance in our attack."

Johnson summed it more succinctly.

"Scary" is the word he offered.

Not bad for a guy the Cowboys took with the 11th pick in the second round, passing on backs like Kevin Jones and Steven Jackson, opening Parcells up to second-guessing.

Johnson compares Jones to backs such as Tiki Barber (New York Giants) and Curtis Martin (New York Jets). But to his credit, Jones says and does all the right things, crediting his linemen, finding his way to another touchdown.

"This is big, not only for me, but for our team," Jones said. "These are the types of games we need."

Greg Bishop: 206-464-3191 or gbishop@seattletimes.com

Run over
Julius Jones' rushing effort last night was the fourth best by a Seahawks opponent.
Yards	Player	Team	Date
221	Bo Jackson	L.A. Raiders	Nov. 30, 1987*
219	Edgerrin James	Indianapolis	Oct. 15, 2000
208	Terrell Davis	Denver	Oct. 11, 1998
198	Julius Jones	Dallas	Dec. 6, 2004*
197	Priest Holmes	Kansas City	Nov. 24, 2002
*Monday night game