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Know Your Dallas Cowboys: The Blog

America’s Team Trivialities

13 May

Greatest Cowboys By Their Jersey Numbers: Numbers 1-30

Here is a recap of the leaders of the polls for Greatest Players by Their Jersey Numbers thus far.

Number Name Pos. College Years
1 Mat McBriar (62%) P Hawaii 2004-present
2 Lin Elliott (64%) K Texas Tech 1992-1993
3 Billy Cundiff (30%) K Drake 2002-2005
4 Mike Saxon (75%) P San Diego St. 1985-1992
5 Clint Stoerner (81%) QB Arkansas 2000-2002
6 Nick Folk (93%) K Arizona 2007-present
7 Steve Beuerlein (70%) QB Notre Dame 1991-1992
8 Troy Aikman (91%) QB UCLA 1989-2000
9 Tony Romo (98%) QB Eastern Ill. 2003-present
10 Ron Widby (76%) P Tennessee 1968-1971
11 Danny White (96%) QB/P Arizona State 1976-1988
12 Roger Staubach (96%) QB Navy 1969-1979
13 Jerry Rhome (86%) QB Tulsa 1965-1968
14 Craig Morton (75%) QB California 1965-1974
15 Tony Fritsch (78%) K Vienna, Austria 1971-1973, 1975
16 Vinny Testaverde (64%) QB Miami 2004
17 Don Meredith (87%) QB SMU 1960-1968
18 Chris Boniol (66%) K Louisiana Tech 1994-1996
19 Lance Rentzel (36%) WR Oklahoma 1967-1970
20 Mel Renfro (89%) DB Oregon 1964-1977
21 Deion Sanders (96%) DB Florida St. 1995-1999
22 Emmitt Smith (91%) RB Florida 1990-2002
23 Robert Williams (35%) DB Baylor 1987-1993
24 Everson Walls (82%) DB Grambling 1981-1989
25 Pat Watkins (37%) DB Florida St. 2006-present
26 Kevin Smith (30%) DB Texas A&M 1992-1999
27 Ron Fellows (40%) DB Missouri 1981-1986
28 Darren Woodson (99%) DB Arizona St. 1992-2003
29 Kenneth Gant (64%) DB Albany St. 1990-1994
30 Dan Reeves (72%) RB South Carolina 1965-1972
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11 May

Greatest Cowboys By Their Jersey Numbers: #30

Part of the Greatest Players by Number Series

Jersey #30

Ten players have worn #30, including five defensive backs, three running backs, a kicker, and one linebacker/fullback.

Mike Dowdle, RB/LB, Texas, 1960-62

Statistics: Dowdle recorded two interceptions with the Cowboys as a linebacker.

Accolades: None.

Longevity: He lasted three seasons with the Cowboys.

Intangibles:Dowdle was drafted by San Francisco but released before the season started. After Dallas picked him up, he played as a backup fullback in 1960. He moved to linebacker in 1961 and started several games there.

Lance Frazier, CB, West Virgina, 2004

Statistics: Frazier had two interceptions for the Cowboys.

Accolades: None.

Longevity: He lasted one season in Dallas.

Intangibles: Dallas picked up Frazier after he was released by Baltimore in 2004. He now plays in the Canadian Football League.

Issiac Holt, CB, Alcorn State, 1989-92

Statistics: Holt had nine interceptions with the Cowboys and ran two of those back for touchdowns.

Accolades: None with Dallas.

Longevity: Holt played four seasons in Dallas.

Intangibles: He was part of the Herschel Walker trade and was probably the best player of those acquired. He made some big plays and held on to his starting job until Kevin Smith took over in 1992.

Timmy Newsome, RB, Winston-Salem, 1980-88

Statistics: Newsome rushed for 1226 yards and scored 19 touchdowns for the Cowboys.

Accolades: None.

Longevity: He played nine seasons with Dallas.

Intangibles: Newsome was a quality fullback, though perhaps not remembered quite as fondly as others, such as Walt Garrison or Robert Newhouse. He was a good back coming out of the backfield.

Dan Reeves, RB, South Carolina, 1965-72

Statistics: Reeves rushed for 1990 yards and scored 25 touchdowns in Dallas.

Accolades: None.

Longevity: He played eight seasons in Dallas before becoming a full-time coach.

Intangibles: Reeves was a multi-talented player. In 1966, he caught 41 passes for 557 yards and scored eight touchdowns through the air. By the end of his career, he was overshadowed on the field by the likes of Duane Thomas and Calvin Hill. By that time, he served as a player-coach.

Darren Studstill, S, West Virginia, 1994

Statistics: Studstill recorded no stats.

Accolades: None.

Longevity: He played in one game for Dallas in 1994.

Intangibles: Studstill was on the inactive list for most of his one season with the Cowboys. He played two more years with Jacksonville.

Dick Van Raaphorst, K, Ohio State, 1964

Statistics: He made 14 of 29 field goal attempts for the Cowboys.

Accolades: None with Dallas.

Longevity: He lasted just one season in Dallas.

Intangibles: With a low success rate on field goals, he was replaced in 1965 by Danny Villanueva. He later became a Pro Bowl kicker with the Chargers.

Bryant Westbrook, CB, Texas, 2002

Statistics: Westbrook did not record any stats worth noting.

Accolades: None with Dallas.

Longevity: He lasted one game in 2002.

Intangibles: Westbrook, a former first-round pick in 1997 by Detroit, was the fall guy when the Cowboys lost to the Houston Texans to start the 2002 season, thanks to his poor coverage during the game. He finished the season with the Packers but never played again.

Kenny Wheaton, CB, Oregon, 1997-99

Statistics: Wheaton recorded one interception with the Cowboys.

Accolades: None.

Longevity: He lasted parts of three seasons with Dallas.

Intangibles: A former third-round pick, Wheaton saw quite a bit of action in 1998, but he lacked much talent. He played in only five games in 1999. He moved on to play in the Arena Football League and now plays in Canada.

Charles Young, RB, North Carolina State, 1974-76

Statistics: Young rushed for 638 yards with the Cowboys.

Accolades: None.

Longevity: He lasted three seasons in Dallas.

Intangibles: Young alternated between fullback and tailback and saw quite a bit of action during his three seasons with the team. He lost favor with Tom Landry in 1976, though, after dropping two key passes against the Cardinals, and he missed all of the 1977 season with an injury. He never played again.

Poll

Here are the results of the poll for this number:

Greatest #30

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My Vote: Newsome

I am going to go with Newsome here thanks to longevity. He was a pretty good blocker but better remembered as a receiver out of the backfield. I can’t seem to find a picture of him, but here is a video that I posted several months ago:

Note: Please read the comments to this post for more on Reeves, who is probably the better pick here.

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07 May

Greatest Cowboys By Their Jersey Numbers: #29

Part of the Greatest Players by Number Series

Jersey #29

Ten players have worn #29, including six defensive backs, three running backs, and a kick returner.

Chris Akins, S, Arkansas-Pine Bluff, 1999-00

Statistics: Akins had minimal statistics during his time in Dallas.

Accolades: None.

Longevity: Akins played in parts of two seasons with Dallas.

Intangibles: He was mostly a special teams player in his limited time with the team.

Michael Bates, WR/KR, Arizona, 2003

Statistics: Bates returned four kickoffs with a 22.5-yard average.

Accolades: None with Dallas.

Longevity: Bates played in one game with the Cowboys in 2003.

Intangibles: Bates appeared in the season finale against New Orleans in 2003. The former all-pro returner did not play in the playoffs and retired after that season.

Terry Billups, CB, North Carolina, 1998

Statistics: Billups had no recorded stats with the Cowboys.

Accolades: None.

Longevity: He played in one game.

Intangibles: All but forgotten.

Alundis Brice, CB, Mississippi, 1995-96

Note: Brice also wore #21 and #23.

Statistics: Brice recorded one interception with the Cowboys.

Accolades: None.

Longevity: Brice lasted two seasons with Dallas.

Intangibles: He is probably best remembered for giving up #21 to Deion Sanders.

Woodrow Dantzler, RB, Clemson, 2002-05

Statistics: Dantzler averaged 22.3 yards per return on kickoffs for the Cowboys.

Accolades: None.

Longevity: Dantzler played in part of one season for the Cowboys.

Intangibles: He was a former college quarterback and something of a fan-favorite in Dallas. However, Bill Parcells let him go late during training camp in 2003, ending his career in Dallas.

Keith Davis, S, Sam Houston, 2002-

Statistics: Davis recorded 99 tackles with the Cowboys.

Accolades: None.

Longevity: Davis lasted five seasons in Dallas but recently signed with the Miami Dolphins.

Intangibles: Davis was a very good special teams player, earning the title of captain.

Kenneth Gant, CB, Albany St., 1990-94

Statistics: Gant recorded three sacks, seven interceptions and 130 tackles with the Cowboys.

Accolades: None.

Longevity: Gant played five seasons in Dallas before playing three years in Tampa Bay.

Intangibles:Gant was widely known for his “Shark Dance,” which was a staple during the early 1990s. He was a very good special teams player and an unforgettable character.

Robert Lavette, RB, Georgia Tech, 1985-87

Statistics: Lavette averaged 19.6 yards per return on kickoffs.

Accolades: None.

Longevity: Lavette played less than three full seasons with the Cowboys.

Intangibles: Lavette was a star at Georgia Tech but had trouble finding room to play with Tony Dorsett and Herschel Walker sharing the backfield. He finished his career in 1987 with the Eagles.

Adrian Murrell, RB, West Virginia, 2003

Statistics: Murrell rushed for 107 yards with the Cowboys.

Accolades: None with Dallas.

Longevity: Murrell played in only three games for Dallas.

Intangibles: He had some success with the Jets and Cardinals but only saw limited action with Dallas.

Greg Myers, S, Colorado State, 2000

Statistics: Myers recorded 13 tackles with the Cowboys.

Accolades: None.

Longevity: He played in six games for Dallas in 2000.

Intangibles: Myers was a former Bengal who started four games at safety in a dismal 2000 season.

Poll

Here are the results of the poll for this number:

Greatest #29

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My Vote: Gant

Kenneth GantMost of these guys were role players, but few were as memorable as Gant. He was also a great special teams player– better than Davis, in fact.

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05 May

Greatest Cowboys By Their Jersey Numbers: #28

Part of the Greatest Players by Number Series

Jersey #28

Five players have worn #28, including four running backs and a defensive back.

Note: This list does not include first-round pick Felix Jones, who has been assigned #28.

Alvin Blount, RB, Maryland, 1987

Statistics: Blount rushed for 125 yards and 3 TDs with the Cowboys.

Accolades: (Replacement player).

Longevity: (Replacement player).

Intangibles: Blount was a 9th round pick in 1987 but only appeared in two replacement games that season.

Norm Granger, RB, Iowa, 1984

Statistics: Granger had limited statistics during a short career in Dallas.

Accolades: None.

Longevity: Granger dressed for 15 games in 1984 but seldom played.

Intangibles: Granger later appeared as a replacement player with the Atlanta Falcons in 1987.

Curtis Stewart, RB, Auburn, 1989

Statistics: None.

Accolades: None.

Longevity: Stewart played in two games for Dallas in 1989.

Intangibles: He saw some action on special teams but was gone very quickly.

Tyson Thompson, RB, San Jose State, 2005-07

Statistics: Thompson averaged 24.7 per kickoff return and rushed for a total of 266 yards.

Accolades: None.

Longevity: Thompson lasted three seasons in Dallas but has not been resigned for 2008.

Intangibles: He was something of a Cinderella story by virtue of making the team three straight years. He was not a bad kick returner but had difficulty in 2007 after returning from an injury suffered in 2006.

Darren Woodson, S, Arizona State, 1992-03

Statistics: Woodson is the franchise’s all-time leading tackler, with 803. He also had 23 career interceptions.

Accolades: Woodson was named to five Pro Bowls and was named All-Pro three times.

Longevity: He played 12 seasons as a pro, all in Dallas.

Intangibles: Woodson combined several attributes that made him an all-time great. He was a sure tackler who could also play in coverage. A leader-by-example, he was very much an integral part of the dynasty of the 1990s.

Poll

Here are the results of the poll for this number:

Greatest #28

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My Vote: Woodson

Darren WoodsonThis one clearly isn’t a contest. Woodson rivals Cliff Harris as the greatest safety in team history. A former college linebacker with enough speed to cover, Woodson was in many ways a prototype for the modern strong safety.

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04 May

Greatest Cowboys By Their Jersey Numbers: #27

Part of the Greatest Players by Number Series

Jersey #27

Twelve players have worn #27, including eight defensive backs and four running backs.

Courtney Brown, S, Cal Poly, 2007-

Statistics: Brown recorded one fumble recovery in 2007.

Accolades: None.

Longevity: Brown will enter his second season in 2008.

Intangibles: A seventh-round pick last year, Brown played in eight games for the Cowboys in 2007. He will need to show more next season if he is going to remain here long-term.

Mario Edwards, CB, Florida State, 2000-03

Statistics: Edwards recorded four interceptions with the Cowboys.

Accolades: None.

Longevity: Edwards played four seasons in Dallas.

Intangibles: He was part of the 2000 draft, when the Cowboys took three cornerbacks. Edwards lasted longer than Dwayne Goodrich and Kareem Larrimore, starting 47 games in four seasons. He left via free agency in 2004 but played only one season with Tampa Bay.

Thomas Everett, S, Baylor, 1992-93

Statistics: Everett had four interceptions with the Cowboys.

Accolades: He made the Pro Bowl in 1993.

Longevity: After Dallas acquired him from Pittsburgh, Everett played two seasons in Dallas.

Intangibles: Everett was a very important part of the Cowboys’ title years in 1992 and 1993. He was also one of the first big losses when free agency began after the 1993 season.

Ron Fellows, CB, Missouri, 1981-86

Statistics: Fellows recorded 17 interceptions with Dallas. He also averaged 6.8 yards per punt return and 20.2 yards per kickoff return.

Accolades: None.

Longevity: Fellows played six seasons in Dallas.

Intangibles: He was a member of Thurman’s Thieves who started 43 games opposite Everson Walls at corner. Prior to taking over as starter, he was one of the best nickel corners in the league.

Mike Gaechter, S, Oregon, 1962-69

Statistics: Gaechter recorded 21 interceptions during his time in Dallas.

Accolades: None.

Longevity: Gaechter played eight seasons with Dallas.

Intangibles: A free agent speedster from Oregon, Gaechter started his career at corner. However, he moved to safety in 1963, where he remained for the rest of his career. His final game was the 1969 Playoff Bowl vs. Los Angeles, during which he ruptured his Achilles’ tendon, ending his career.

Eddie George, RB, Ohio State, 2004

Statistics: George rushed for 432 yards with Dallas.

Accolades: None with the Cowboys.

Longevity: George lasted one season in Dallas before retiring.

Intangibles: Dallas signed George in 2004, hoping he had something left in the tank while Julius Jones was still developing. As it turns out, George showed little of his former self, and he finished the season with a 3.3 per-carry average.

Tommy Haynes, S, Southern California, 1987

Statistics: Haynes had three interceptions in 1987 as a replacement player.

Accolades: (Replacement player)

Longevity: (Replacement player)

Intangibles: He never played in the NFL other than the three strike games in 1987.

Keylon Kincade, RB, Southern Methodist, 2006

Statistics: Kincade had four carries for nine yards with Dallas.

Accolades: None.

Longevity: Kincade played in one game for Dallas.

Intangibles: His long appearance came in a blowout win vs. Arizona in 2006.

Signor Mobley, S, Washington State, 1997-99

Statistics: Mobley played in 44 games with Dallas.

Accolades: None.

Longevity: Mobley lasted three seasons with the Cowboys.

Intangibles: He was mostly a special teams player for the Cowboys.

Curvin Richards, RB, Pittsburgh, 1991-92

Statistics: Richards rushed for 180 yards with the Cowboys.

Accolades: None.

Longevity: Richards lasted two seasons in Dallas.

Intangibles: He is best remembered for being cut on the eve of the playoffs in 1992 after fumbling twice in the season finale vs. Chicago. He played one year in Detroit before he was out of the league.

Bill Thomas, RB, Boston College, 1972

Statistics: Thomas returned two kickoffs for 50 yards.

Accolades: None.

Longevity: Thomas played in seven games with the Cowboys.

Intangibles: Thomas was a first-round pick in 1972 who was a complete bust. He injured his shoulder in training camp and did not join the team until midway through his rookie season. Dallas sent him to Houston in 1973.

Greg Tremble, S, Georgia, 1995

Statistics: Tremble played in seven games with Dallas.

Accolades: None.

Longevity: Tremble lasted less than half of the 1995 season.

Intangibles: He was mostly a special teams player before being released in mid-October in 1995.

Poll

Here are the results of the poll for this number:

Greatest #27

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My Vote: Everett

Thomas EverettEverett was a major part of two Super Bowl teams, which is why he gets my vote. He is the only one on this list to earn a spot on the Pro Bowl. Though Brock Marion filled in well for Everett after Everett left for Tampa Bay, Dallas missed his playmaking ability.

This was another tough one. Gaetcher contributed to the team for most of the decade of the 1960s, as did Fellows for the first half of the 1980s. Neither, however, accomplished quite as much as Everett even though he spent much less time on the team.

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03 May

Resolved: Rookie Jersey Numbers (at least for now)

Felix JonesTwo days ago, I offered some suggested jersey numbers for the newest members of the Dallas Cowboys. The rookies wore their initial numbers at rookie camp today, and as it turns out, I was way off… at least for now.

Here are the new numbers of the rookies, including free agents.

Draft Choices

(1) Felix Jones, RB

Suggested #: 25
Actual #: 28

(2) Mike Jenkins, CB

Suggested #: 44
Actual #: 31

(3) Martellus Bennett, TE

Suggested #: 87
Actual #: 80

(4) Tashard Choice, RB

Suggested #: 32
Actual #: 29

(5) Orlando Scandrick, CB

Suggested #: 28
Actual #: 32

(6) Erik Walden, LB

Suggested #: 95
Actual #: 53

Free Agents

Danny Amendola, WR (Texas Tech): #18

Drew Atchison, TE (William & Mary): #87

Mark Bradford, WR (Stanford): #13

Andrew Brecher, T (Harvard): n/a