IRVING, Texas - When Julius Jones ripped off a 62-yard touchdown run in the season opener for the Seahawks, it looked for a moment like the veteran running back had a big year in store for him.

But since that 117-yard effort against the Rams, not only has the season soured for the Seahawks, who are now just 2-4, but Jones only has 173 rushing yards combined in the last five games. To make it worse, he doesn't have another rushing touchdown, although he does have two receiving scores.

Jones is still waiting for yet another breakout performance in his second season with the Seahawks. Of course, he would love nothing more than to do it against his former team Sunday at Cowboys Stadium.

When asked Wednesday if playing the Cowboys, who drafted him 43rd overall back in 2004, is still a big deal, Jones dodged that question, but said he's looking forward to seeing old friends.

"It's always good for me to see some of the guys that I played with down there," said Jones, who spent four seasons in Dallas from 2004-07. "Bradie James, (Terence) Newman, Jason Witten, it'll be good to see them before the game. And then beat them up during the game and then talk to them afterwards."

Obviously, Jones' years in Dallas were tumultuous at times, including his hot/cold relationship with former head coach Bill Parcells. Things weren't much better for Jones in 2007 when Wade Phillips took over. While Jones remained the starting tailback throughout the Cowboys' 13-3 season, he was splitting time with Marion Barber, who made the Pro Bowl that year, and ended up replacing him as the starter in the NFC Divisional Playoff game against the Giants.

At this point, Jones didn't feel the need to bite when asked about his moments in Dallas.

"There's some good and bad," Jones said. "You guys kept up with me, you know I had some good times there and not some good times."

In an attempt to land a fresh start, Jones went to Seattle last year but only started 10 games, rushing for 698 yards and two scores. In his first outings against the Cowboys last November, he rushed for just 37 yards on 11 carries, with a lost fumble as the Cowboys cruised to a 34-9 Thanksgiving Day win.

But not only is Jones looking for a better effort this time around, he said his team as a whole needs a shot in the arm, too.

"Yes, it's been up and down, literally," Jones said of the Seahawks, who have won games 28-0 and 41-0 this year, but have also lost 27-3 and 34-17. "We've had some injuries. It's really the same thing that happened to us last year. The guys haven't played together very long. We're trying to get this thing back on track. But there's not a better time to do it than this week."

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