Hambrick released

The Dallas Cowboys released running back Troy Hambrick on Thursday.

Hambrick got his change at the starting position when future Hall of Famer Emmitt Smith was not retained after the 2002 season. He started all 16 games last season.

But with the drafting of Notre Dame running back Julius Jones, it became apparent that Hambrick would be the odd man out.

"I told Troy I wanted to be fair with him," Cowboys coach Bill Parcells said last month. "I told him if we drafted a front-line runner then we might consider doing something with him."

Hambrick signed his one-year offer for $628,000 in the hopes of a trade. The offers never came and the Cowboys' release allows him to become an unrestricted free agent.

Hambrick's best game during the four seasons in Dallas was 189 yards rushing in December at Washington. That was one of his five career 100-yard games, and the third-best game total in team history.

But Hambrick failed to eclipse the 1,000-yard mark last season, ending up with 972 yards and a paltry 3.5-yard average.

"Troy gave us a good effort for all of his time with the Cowboys," owner Jerry Jones said. "We appreciate his contributions and wish him the best as he explores his future options in the NFL."