Greatest Cowboys By Their Jersey Numbers: #38
Part of the Greatest Players by Number Series
Jersey #38
Seven players have worn #38, including four defensive backs, two running backs, and a kicker.
Note: Roy Williams will wear #38 beginning in 2008. I included him with #31, so he is not listed here.
Sam Baker, P/K, Oregon State, 1962-63
Statistics: Baker averaged 44.7 yards per punt and made 48.9% of his field goals.
Accolades: He made the Pro Bowl once with Dallas and otherwise a total of four times.
Longevity: Of his 15 years in the NFL, Baker played two in Dallas.
Intangibles: Baker was a great punter, a good kicker, and also a running back. He was known for raising hell off the field, which is why Dallas traded him to Philadelphia prior to the 1964 season.
Obvious Note: This Sam Baker should not be confused with USC tackle Sam Baker, who was selected by Atlanta in this year’s draft.
Ron Francis, CB, Baylor, 1987-90
Statistics: Francis had four interceptions with the Cowboys.
Accolades: None.
Longevity: He played four seasons in Dallas.
Intangibles: The Baylor graduate was a second round pick in 1987 but started just 17 games during his career. Many of his problems were due to injury.
Chris Hall, S, East Carolina, 1993
Statistics: None.
Accolades: None.
Longevity: He played one season in Dallas, mostly on the practice squad.
Intangibles: The former ninth round pick was cut in 1992 but brought back in 1993, which was his only season as a pro.
Duane Hawthorne, CB, Northern Illinois, 1999-02
Statistics: Hawthorne had six interceptions with the Cowboys.
Accolades: None.
Longevity: He played four seasons in Dallas before being released.
Intangibles: Hawthorne developed into a starter by 2001, his third season in the league, but he was released during the following season.
David Lang, RB, Northern Arizona, 1995
Statistics: Lang had one carry for seven yards with the Cowboys.
Accolades: None.
Longevity: He played one season in Dallas.
Intangibles: Lang was a part-time starter with the Rams before joining the Cowboys, but he did very little in Dallas.
Lynn Scott, S, Northwestern Oklahoma, 2001-05
Statistics: Scott had 41 tackles and one interception with the Cowboys.
Accolades: None.
Longevity: He played five seasons with Dallas.
Intangibles: Scott started several games in 2004, the team’s first without Darren Woodson. However, he lacked speed and was never considered a long-term solution at strong or free safety.
John Williams, FB, Wisconsin, 1985
Statistics: Williams gained 40 yards in 13 carried with the Cowboys.
Accolades: None.
Longevity: He played in part of one season with Dallas.
Intangibles: Williams was once a USFL player before he signed with Dallas. He later played with Seattle, New Orleans, and Indianapolis.
Poll
Here is your chance to vote for the greatest player to wear #38:
Note: There is a poll within this post, please visit the site to participate in this post’s poll.
My Vote: Baker
My paycheck might tell me to go with Francis, but Baker is the only Pro Bowler on this list. His 45.4 yards-per-punt average in 1962 stood along as a record until Mat McBriar broke it in 2006. McBriar and Baker are currently tied for the highest career average with Dallas, with both averaging 44.7 yards-per-punt.
Francis, Hawthorne, and Scott really never did much, though each started a few games.
Glenn Unhappy With Settlement Proposal
After not allowing WR Terry Glenn to practice in last week’s OTA’s at Valley Ranch, the Cowboys are now asking him to sign a $500,000 settlement agreement should he reinjure his right knee again and not finish the season. Glenn, who had worked out vigourously in the off-season to get his knee rehabbed and ready for this year’s upcoming training camp, now feels that he hasn’t been shown the proper respect and faith from the Cowboy’s organization.
Glenn showed up last Tuesday ready to participate in the OTA’s, but was told to continue his work-out and rehab sessions while the team evaluated the younger players. According to the Dallas Morning News, Glenn was surprised by the request by the Cowboys and thought that the team had confidence in what he was doing in the off-season. The offer basically would provide that he would only receive $500, 000 instead of his current contract amount of $1.7 million should he reinjure the knee. He is also still under contract for three more years and due several other incentive payments should he play.
Since Dallas did not draft a wide receiver in last month’s draft or sign any veteran free-agent receivers, I think it only fair that he should return the favor by agreeing to some financial protection for the team. After all, he is getting older and recovering from a serious knee injury that limited his playing time last season to one game. There are several young receivers on the roster who could step-up and fill the void should he reinjure himself, but if not, then he still has the opportunity to show he still can be the No. 2 receiver and deep threat he was before the injury. Patrick Crayton did a decent job last season filling his position and was rewarded with a multi-million, multi-year contract. Sam Hurd, Isaiah Stanback and Miles Austin have some experience under their belts now also, so it only makes sense for the Cowboys to have a “wait and see” attitude with Glenn.
If he comes through TC fine and looks 100 percent to play again, then the settlement will not likely be factor, but if not, they may be forced to look elsewhere for someone to play receiver if none of the above do step up when needed.
Other OTA stories have S Ken Hamlin not attending while his contract negotiations continue and, once again, Greg Ellis is unhappy and not participating as well. It would seem obvious that the Cowboys will do what they can to re-sign Hamlin after his performance last year, but he has yet to sign the franchise-tag offer of $4.4 million made in the off-season. He does have until July 15th to get a new contract before he is restricted to the offer for this season and there is hope a contract will be signed by then.
Ellis, after a terrific season last year with 12.5 sacks and winning Comeback Player of the Year, is apparently unhappy and insecure about his future when younger players, like Anthony Spencer, were getting more reps in the OTA’s. So he decided not to show up the rest of the week, which isn’t that big of a deal, considering his history, but he will most likely return when camp starts.
Roy Williams has been the subject of much debate so far this off-season and start of OTA’s, and rightfully so, but can we please just give him a chance. With Dave Campo back as secondary coach and with his renewed devotion to making himself better, it’s quite possible he can return to the player who instilled such fear in opponents. In other words, I hope the constant criticism can let up at least until a couple of games into the season to see where he really stands. I don’t think any player on the team really has a problem with Williams that can’t be solved by some playing time together.
Greatest Cowboys By Their Jersey Numbers: #37
Part of the Greatest Players by Number Series
Jersey #37
Nine players have worn #37, including five defensive backs and four running backs.
Phil Clark, DB, Northwestern, 1967-69
Statistics: Clark recorded three interceptions with the Cowboys.
Accolades: None.
Longevity: He played three seasons with Dallas.
Intangibles: Clark showed promise during the late 1960s. However, after a disappointing 1969 season, along with the signing of several new defensive backs in 1970, he became expendable. He was traded that year to Chicago.
Perry Lee Dunn, RB, Mississippi, 1964-65
Statistics: Dunn rushed for 274 yards and three touchdowns with the Cowboys.
Accolades: None.
Longevity: He played two seasons in Dallas.
Intangibles: Dunn was a converted college quarterback who saw some action in 1964 and 1965. However, he left for Atlanta after the Cowboys acquired Walt Garrison.
Jim Jensen, RB, Iowa, 1976
Statistics: He averaged 24.1 yards per kickoff return with Dallas.
Accolades: None.
Longevity: He played one season in Dallas.
Intangibles: Not to be confused with the Miami Dolphins’ Jim Jensen, who played during the 1980s, the Jensen who played for Dallas had few opportunities to shine. Prior to the 1977 season, he was traded to Denver.
Dennis Morgan, RB, Western Illinois, 1974
Statistics: Morgan averaged 15.1 yards per punt return and 23.5 yards per kickoff return for the Cowboys.
Accolades: None.
Longevity: He played one season in Dallas.
Intangibles: Known as “Strawberry” due to his red hair, Morgan tied an NFL record when he returned a punt 98 yards for a touchdown against the Cardinals. He was traded to Philadelphia the following season.
Ike Thomas, CB, Bishop, 1971
Statistics: Thomas averaged 42.1 yards per kickoff return on seven returns.
Accolades: None.
Longevity: He played one season in Dallas.
Intangibles: Thomas had only seven kickoff returns for Dallas, but two of them went for touchdowns– quite an amazing feat. He was not a good defensive back, however, and was traded to the Packers in 1972.
Lee Vaughn, DB, Wyoming, 1997
Statistics: He did not record a stat with the Cowboys.
Accolades: None.
Longevity: He was on the practice squad for one season.
Intangibles: Nothing to mention here.
James Washington, S, UCLA, 1990-94
Statistics: Washington recorded 14 interceptions with the Cowboys.
Accolades: If there were a co-MVP of Super Bowl XXVIII, he would be it.
Longevity: He played five seasons with Dallas.
Intangibles: Washington’s performance in SB XXVIII is legendary. He caused one fumble, returned another for a touchdown, and recorded a key interception that led to the game-clinching touchdown in the fourth quarter. Originally signed as a Plan B free agent from the Rams, Washington started 58 games at both strong and free safety.
Gerald White, FB, Michigan, 1987
Statistics: White caught five passes for 46 yards for the Cowboys.
Accolades: Replacement player.
Longevity: Replacement player.
Intangibles: Replacement player.
Tyrone Williams, CB, Nebraska, 2004
Statistics: Williams recorded one sack and seven tackles with the Cowboys.
Accolades: None.
Longevity: He played in part of one season with Dallas.
Intangibles: Williams was a starter for the Packers for several years and signed with Dallas in 2004. He was injured that season after playing in three games, and he never played again.
Poll
Here is your chance to vote for the greatest player to wear #37:
Note: There is a poll within this post, please visit the site to participate in this post’s poll.
My Vote: Washington
Really no contest here. Washington was a quality starter throughout most of the glory days of the early 1990s. His performance in SB XXVIII was more important than was Larry Brown’s in SB XXX, given that Washington made the plays that turned the game around, while Brown was mostly in the right place at the right time on his two famous interceptions.
My Favorite Piece of Spam
I’m really getting used to receiving all sorts of spam on this site, either through email comments, post comments, or otherwise. The one I received today has somehow become my all-time favorite, though, which may tell more about my sense of humor than I care to reveal. But here it goes…
[If you can’t see this, it is an email from “Louisa Winkler,” who informs me that “your life is crap”]
Something about someone taking the time to write an email to me to tell me that my life is crap…is pretty damn funny.
So this now leaves me wondering whether my life is crap because of the Greatest Cowboys by Jersey Number series, or perhaps because of my stint in the news regarding academic tenure at a certain Baptist university in the South (see also here, here, here, here, and more…). I certainly hope it’s not the series about the jersey numbers.
Greatest Cowboys By Their Jersey Numbers: #36
Part of the Greatest Players by Number Series
Jersey #36
Nine players have worn #36, including two defensive backs, six running backs, and a tight end/kicker.
Vince Albritton, S, Washington, 1984-91
Statistics: Albritton had one interception and three sacks during his career. He recorded a career-high 111 tackles in 1989, he only year as a starter.
Accolades: None.
Longevity: Albritton played eight season for the Cowboys, mostly on special teams.
Intangibles:He was mostly a special teams player during his career. He won the starting job at strong safety during the dismal 1989 season, but he suffered through some injuries after that and was never again a full-time starter.
Darian Barnes, FB, Hampton, 2004
Statistics: Barnes caught ten passes for 59 yards with the Cowboys.
Accolades: None.
Longevity: He lasted one season in Dallas, starting ten games.
Intangibles: Barnes was a serviceable blocking back and not a bad pass receiver. He most recently played for the Jets.
Dick Bielski, TE/K, Maryland, 1960-61
Statistics: Bielski caught 30 passes for 415 yards with the Cowboys. He also made six of nine field goal attempts.
Accolades: He was named to the Pro Bowl in 1961.
Longevity: He lasted two seasons in Dallas.
Intangibles: Dallas picked up Bielski in the 1960 expansion draft from the Philadelphia Eagles. He had a fine year in 1961, catching 26 passes for 377 yards. Dallas traded him to Baltimore the following season, however.
Larry Brinson, RB, Florida, 1977-79
Statistics: Brinson rushed for 172 yards with three touchdowns with the Cowboys.
Accolades: None.
Longevity: He played three seasons with Dallas.
Intangibles: Brinson was originally signed as an undrafted free agent. He was originally released during training camp in 1978 but came back to the team later in the season. An injured derailed his 1979 season, and he finished his career with Seattle in 1980.
Quincy Butler, CB, TCU, 2006
Statistics: Butler had no statistics of note.
Accolades: None.
Longevity: He has seen action in one game with the Cowboys.
Intangibles: Butler has been a practice squad player for two seasons. He is still on the roster, but maybe not for long.
Dominique Ross, RB, Valdosta State, 1995-96
Statistics: Ross dressed for a few games but never recorded a statistic.
Accolades: None.
Longevity: He was on the roster for two seasons.
Intangibles: Ross was mostly a practice squad player who dressed for a total of three games during a two-year period.
Tarik Smith, RB, California, 1998-99
Statistics: Smith recorded no statistics.
Accolades: None.
Longevity: He was on the Cowboys’ roster for two seasons but never appeared in a game.
Intangibles: Not much to note, except that he was named to the Oak Park (Cal.) Hall of Fame in 2003.
Tony Taylor, RB, Northwestern Louisiana, 2001
Statistics: Taylor had one career attempt for the Cowboys.
Accolades: None.
Longevity: He saw action in one game for the Cowboys.
Intangibles: Not much to note.
Joe Williams, RB, Wyoming, 1971
Statistics: He rushed for 67 yards with one touchdown for the Cowboys.
Accolades: None.
Longevity: He played one season with the Cowboys.
Intangibles: After spending a season on the taxi squad in 1970, Williams saw limited action in 1971. He finished his career after playing a season with New Orleans.
Poll
Here is your chance to vote for the greatest player to wear #36:
Note: There is a poll within this post, please visit the site to participate in this post’s poll.
My Vote: Bielski
Talk about limited choices. Bielski is the only Pro Bowler on this list, which earned him my vote. He also had multiple duties, serving as a kicker in addition to his job as tight end.
Of the others, Albritton deserves some recognition for his longevity, but he really never did much to stand out. The others were either spot players or barely played at all.
Free Cowboys Star Tattoo
FREE DALLAS COWBOYS STAR TATTOO! NFL Films is shooting the open for the HBO Hard Knocks: Dallas Cowboys series. We are looking for a die-hard Dallas Cowboys fan to volunteer to get a tattoo of the Cowboys Star logo on his arm. WHERE: NFL Films Studio in Mount Laurel, NJWHEN: Monday, June 23, 2008 – around 9amDETAILS: · Looking for Caucasian male, must be physically fit – at least in the arms, preferably entire upper body.
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- Must be willing to get a real, permanent Cowboy Star logo tattooed on the arm.
- There is no payment for this and there is no reimbursement for travel expenses.
- The tattoo is free of charge.
- Must be over 18 years of age
- Must be willing to sign a release from the NFL of all images and possible injury.
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ONLY REPLY IF SERIOUSLY INTERESTED Respond with your contact information (Please include Phone Number) and pictures to:
FREE DALLAS COWBOYS STAR TATTOO!
NFL Films is shooting the open for the HBO Hard Knocks: Dallas Cowboys series. We are looking for a die-hard Dallas Cowboys fan to volunteer to get a tattoo of the Cowboys Star logo on his arm.
WHERE: NFL Films Studio in Mount Laurel, NJ
WHEN: Monday, June 23, 2008 ¡V around 9am
DETAILS:
Looking for Caucasian male, must be physically fit ¡V at least in the arms, preferably entire upper body.
Must be willing to get a real, permanent Cowboy Star logo tattooed on the arm.
There is no payment for this and there is no reimbursement for travel expenses.
The tattoo is free of charge.
Must be over 18 years of age
Must be willing to sign a release from the NFL of all images and possible injury.
ONLY REPLY IF SERIOUSLY INTERESTED
Respond with your contact information (Please include Phone Number) and pictures to:
COWBOYSTAR@FILMS.NFL.COM
Glenn Set to Watch OTA?s From the Sidelines Again This Week
According to the Dallas Morning News, Cowboys Wide Receiver Terry Glenn, who missed fifteen games in 2007 and was forced to sit out OTA’s last week because of injury, will have to watch from the sideline again this week. Last week, owner Jerry Jones met with Glenn and told him the Cowboys don’t want to push him at this stage of the off-season. “I just want to play football,” said Glenn, who will attend meetings if he doesn’t practice. “I’m frustrated, but I agree with what Jerry said in the meeting.”
Can We Just Shut This Site Down?
This content on recent posts is embarrassing, and this Brian Smith guy authored a page long post in which he called Brady Quinn a future Hall of Famer. I feel like Tex is running the place. Whoever’s running this thing now, I would give it up.
2. (61) Martellus Bennett, TE
The Cowboys felt that they needed another TE after trading Anthony Fasano to the Dolphins so that’s the reason for the drafting of Bennett. Bennett is a big guy at 6′5″, 250 pounds and he runs a 4.6 40 so he has the physical skill to succeed in the NFL. But, coaches say that he doesn’t always work hard and that could be a problem in the NFL. Bennett played in 36 games (24 starts) at Texas A&M and he caught 102 passes for 1,197 yards (11.7 avg) with 9 TD grabs. He will likely back up Jason Witten and be on the field if the Cowboys go to two TE sets.