Flozell Adams #76
Height: 6-7 Weight: 355
Born: 05/18/1975
College: Michigan State NFL Experience: 4
After a rookie season where Flozell Adams saw extensive
time as a starting guard, the Michigan State product made a very smooth transition to his
more natural position of left tackle in his second NFL season. With tremendous natural
strength and fine athletic ability for a man of his size, Adams should rapidly develop
into one of the league's finest performers at tackle and a fixture on the Dallas line for
years to come. He has great reach and the proper disposition for performing in the
trenches at one of the most difficult positions in professional football. His natural
athletic gifts also have made him an imposing figure on the Cowboys field goal defense
unit where he blocked two opponents, field goal attempts in 1999. He also has outstanding
work habits and a desire to be successful. Evidence of Adams, effectiveness in just two
years as a starter can be seen in Emmitt Smith's improved rushing production over the past
two seasons. Smith has run for over 100-yards in 14 of Adams, 28 career starts on the
Dallas offensive line. Adams was the Cowboys second round draft choice (38th overall),
making him the highest offensive lineman drafted by the Cowboys since the team selected
Howard Richards with the 25th pick in 1981
Larry Allen #73
Height: 6-3 Weight: 326
Born: 11/27/1971
College: Sonoma State NFL Experience: 8
Widely recognized
as one of the NFL's finest offensive linemen, Larry Allen has come farther in six years
than anyone could have expected. In six NFL seasons since being drafted out of tiny Sonoma
State, he is already a five-time All-Pro selection, four times at guard (1995-97, 1999)
and one at tackle (1998). With his selection at tackle in 1998, he became just the third
player in league history to be selected to the Pro Bowl at more than one offensive line
position during his career, joining Bruce Matthews (guard/center) and Chris Hinton
(guard/tackle). Allen also joined William Roaf (New Orleans), Randall McDaniel (Minnesota)
and Bruce Matthews (Tennessee) as the only members of the NFC and AFC starting offensive
lines on the 1999 Pro Bowl squad to be making his fifth straight appearance. Allen has
played all but one position along the offensive line in his six seasons in Dallas, moving
between right tackle (1994), right guard (1995-97), left tackle (1997-98) and left guard
(1999). During that time, he has been part of a group that has allowed just 139 sacks in
96 games (1.4 per game), fewest in the NFL during that time (Kansas City is second with
161 sacks allowed). He has also been a member of an offensive unit that has posted the
four lowest sacks allowed totals in club history with 18 in 1995, 19 in 1996 and 1998, and
20 in 1994.
Dexter Coakley #52
Height: 5-10 Weight: 230
Born: 10/20/1972
College: Appalachian State NFL Experience: 5
Despite being considered an undersized linebacker
from a small college, Dexter Coakley has made a lasting impression on the rest of the NFL.
After earning the starting weakside linebacker job as a rookie third-round draft choice,
Coakley has strung together three impressive seasons, finishing in the top three on the
team in tackles each year, that culminated with All-Pro honors and a Pro Bowl selection
following the 1999 season. He is just the second Dallas linebacker in the last 17 years to
earn a spot on the NFC Pro Bowl roster and only the seventh linebacker in club history to
do so. But none of these accomplishments came as a surprise to Coakley, who has been
exceeding expectations throughout his entire athletic career with his quickness, speed and
intensity. His enthusiasm for the game, aggressive nature and determination to succeed are
perhaps the best package of attributes that any Dallas player has brought to the
organization in recent history.
Greg Ellis #98
Height: 6-6 Weight: 275
Born: 08/14/1975
College: North Carolina NFL Experience: 4
Despite having his season cut short in 1999 due to
injury, Greg Ellis laughed in the face of any sophomore jinx and put together an
outstanding year. Having already overcome the pressure and expectations of being the
Cowboys highest draft pick (eighth overall) since Russell Maryland was taken with the
first overall pick in 1991, Ellis has emerged as one of the top young defensive ends in
the game. While he exhibited his intelligence, tenacity and consistent play as a rookie,
developing into a solid run stopper that had the burst to get past the block and put
pressure on the quarterback, it was during his second season that he displayed a knack for
the game-breaking play. With an 87-yard interception return and a 98-yard fumble return
for touchdowns, along with a team-high 7.5 sacks, Ellis solidified his place as the
cornerstone of the defensive line for the next generation.
Joey
Galloway #84
Height: 5-11 Weight: 197 Born:
11/20/1971
College: Ohio State NFL Experience: 7
On February 12, 2000, the Cowboys finalized a trade
with the Seattle Seahawks to bring wide receiver Joey Galloway to Dallas. One of the
league's most explosive offensive threats, Galloway immediately becomes an even more
imposing threat with Troy Aikman delivering the strikes and Emmitt Smith keeping defenses
honest on the ground. Teamed with Raghib Ismail, Dallas now boasts one of the fastest
receiving tandems in the NFL. Originally the eighth overall pick of the 1995 NFL Draft,
Galloway went on to start 67-of-71 games in his Seattle career and was an AFC Pro Bowl
alternate in both 1997 and 1998. He led the Seahawks in receiving yards and touchdowns in
each of his first four seasons and also led the club in receptions from 1996-98 after
finishing second on the team as a rookie in 1995. His 12 100-yard receiving games are the
third-best total in Seahawks history. In addition to his 37 receiving touchdowns, Galloway
has one touchdown rushing and four touchdowns on punt returns. With 5,688 all-purpose
yards in 71 games, he has averaged 80.1 yards-per-game and has caught a pass in all 71
games of his five-year career.
Jackie
Harris #88
Height: 6-4 Weight: 250
Born: 01/04/1968
College: Louisiana-Monroe NFL Experience: 12
In returning to an offensive scheme that utilizes
the tight end, the Dallas Cowboys were looking to add a pass catching tight end to
compliment David LaFleur when they signed former All-Pro Jackie Harris. Harris is
considered one of the NFL's finest pass-catching tight ends, finishing near the top of the
tight ends receptions list several times during his 10-year career. His ability to catch
the ball and get down field has Dallas coaches excited, as does the postseason and Super
Bowl experience he brings to the club.
Raghib
Ismail #81
Height: 5-11 Weight: 183 Born:
11/18/1969
College: Notre Dame NFL
Experience: 9
One of the most recognized names in the recent
history of college football, Raghib. Rocket. Ismail (Rah-GIBB ISS-my-ell) joined the
Cowboys in 1999 and immediately put on display the game breaking ability that earned him
his appropriate nickname. After posting back-to-back career best seasons with the Carolina
Panthers in 1997 and 1998, Ismail disappointed no one in producing his finest season as a
pro in his first year as a Dallas Cowboy. Signed as an unrestricted free agent on April
15, 1998, he immediately filled a void at speed receiver for the Dallas offense. The
future prospect of Ismail joining Joey Galloway offers what should be the fastest tandem
of starting receivers in the NFL. Since coming into his own with Carolina in 1997, he has
posted career-high figures for receptions and yardage in each of the past three seasons:
36 receptions for 419 yards in 1997, 69 for 1,024 in 1998 and 80 for 1,097 in his first
year with Dallas. Not only a big-play threat, he has developed into a consistent performer
over the past three seasons, and currently has a streak of 45 consecutive games with a
reception. Armed with ability as both a rusher and a receiver, his explosiveness forces
defenses to account for him while his speed has added a vertical dimension to the Cowboys
passing game. With six-time Pro Bowl quarterback Troy Aikman delivering the ball, Ismail
strikes fear in opposing secondaries with his ability to go the distance from any spot on
the field.
Dat Nguyen #59
Height: 5-11 Weight: 243 Born: 09/25/1975
College: Texas A&M NFL Experience: 3
Dat Nguyen (pronounced WIN) has been overcoming long
odds his entire life. The son of Vietnamese immigrants, Nguyen has battled the perception
that he was too small to play football for as long as he has been involved in the game.
Now, after winning numerous honors at Rockport-Fulton High School and Texas A&M
University, he has reached the NFL, and in 2000, he will have the opportunity to prove
that he can be a starting middle linebacker at the game's highest level. Before he left
A&M, Nguyen had established Aggie career records with 51 consecutive starts, 517
career tackles and a 10.7 tackles-per-game average. After such an illustrious collegiate
career, the, undersized, criticism was still heard from NFL personnel. The Cowboys
overlooked that criticism and drafted the most productive linebacker in Texas A&M
history in the third round of the 1999 NFL Draft. Nguyen is a fearless competitor who
flies around the field and makes plays. He has always displayed an uncanny knack for being
around the ball, and that style of play has followed him to the NFL. His use of proper
angles in pursuit allows him to penetrate into the backfield and to drop into pass
coverage. It is his keen instincts, feel for the crease and ability to string plays wide
that has Cowboys coaches excited about the prospect of Nguyen playing fulltime in the
middle of the Dallas defense. In addition to his physical gifts, Nguyen is also considered
one of the hardest working individuals, in the classroom and in the weight room, in the
Cowboys organization.
Brandon
Noble #75
Height: 6-2 Weight: 304 Born: 04/10/1974
College: Penn State NFL Experience: 3
Another NFL Europe success story, Brandon Noble was
signed by the Cowboys on Feb. 2, 1999 with a chance to provide depth at defensive tackle.
After an impressive spring in NFL Europe and a solid training camp, he made Dallas, final
roster. He is a tenacious competitor who overcompensates for any physical shortcomings
with a non-stop desire to make plays. He quickly found a spot in the Cowboys tackle
rotation last year and responded by consistently showing up with positive results and
tackles. He's a tackle that has the ability to get into opponent's backfields, creating
havoc with the running and passing game. As he develops, he will push for more playing
time in the Cowboys defensive line rotation. Noble originally signed with San Francisco as
a free agent in 1997 and was waived during training camp. In between brief stops on the
49ers practice squad in 1997 and 1998, he went on to enjoy two very successful NFL Europe
campaigns in 1998 and 1999 with the Barcelona Dragons. Noble was one of four 1999 NFL
Europe veterans to make the Cowboys, active roster.
Emmitt
Smith #22
Height: 5-9 Weight: 216 Born:
05/15/1969
College: Florida NFL Experience: 12
In 10 seasons, Emmitt Smith has made an impact on
the NFL that few players can match at any position or in any era. As the third ranked
rusher on the NFL's all-time list, Smith has also won four NFL rushing titles, three Super
Bowl titles and a league (1993) and Super Bowl (XXVIII) MVP award. When looking at Smith's
career numbers, NFL history provides a short list of players with which to compare him.
His career rushing total of 13,963 yards, which is the best among active NFL runners, has
him trailing only Walter Payton (16,726) and Barry Sanders (15,269). Smith is the NFL's
career rushing touchdowns leader with 136 and stands second in league annals in total
touchdowns with 147, trailing the all-time leader, Jerry Rice, by 33. Already the first
player in NFL history with five straight seasons with over 1,400 yards rushing, Smith and
Jim Brown are the only players with seven straight 10-touchdown seasons to start their
career. With 1,397 yards rushing in 1999, Smith became just the second player in NFL
history to rush for 1,000 yards in nine consecutive seasons (Barry Sanders, 10). He is
also ranked second on the NFL's all-time rushing attempts list with 3,243, trailing only
Payton (3,838). With an NFL record 25 touchdowns in 1995, Smith scored 100 career
touchdowns in just six seasons, the fastest anyone in league history has reached that mark
(he tied Brown's NFL record by scoring 100 touchdowns in just 93 career games). His 136
career rushing touchdowns in 155 games gives him a 0.88 touchdown-per-game scoring
average, second behind Brown's 0.90 for tops among the all-time rushing touchdown scorers
(John Riggins 0.59 and Walter Payton 0.58 are next on the list). Smith is one of only
three players in Dallas history with three career 100 point seasons, and he is the only
non-kicker to accomplish the feat. His value to the Cowboys, success can be seen in the
club's 88-19 mark (including playoffs) when he carries the ball 20-or-more times a game
and 57-14 record (including playoffs) when he rushes for 100 yards. The century mark has
become a big number in Smith's career, having rushed for 100 yards in 141-of-255 games
dating back to high school (45-of-49 at Escambia H.S., 25-of-34 at Florida and 71-of-172
at Dallas, including playoffs). Included in Smith's club-record 64 regular season 100-yard
rushing games are 11 of the top 15 performances in team history and 17 days with over 150
yards (the fifth highest total of 150-yard games in NFL history). In NFL annals, Smith's
64 100-yard rushing games are tied with Eric Dickerson for third all-time. One reason
Smith has become such a workhorse in the Dallas offense over the years has been his
ability to answer the bell at gametime, starting 170 of a potential 175 games with Dallas,
including playoffs. The only two missed starts of his career due to injury came in the
season finale at the N.Y. Giants on Dec. 24, 1994 and in a November 14, 1999 game at Texas
Stadium against Green Bay. That durability has enabled Smith to lead the Cowboys in
rushing in 142 of his 155 career regular season games. Smith has accumulated a number of
NFL postseason records, including rushing touchdowns (19), consecutive games with a
rushing touchdown (nine) and 100-yard rushing games (seven). His 1,586 yards rushing is
also tops on the NFL postseason chart, and he shares the total playoff touchdown mark of
21 with Thurman Thomas. Not limited to rushing and scoring, Smith is fourth on the Cowboys
all-time reception list with 442 career catches. He trails No. 3 Tony Hill (479) on that
list by 37 receptions. He is one of only three NFL players who have amassed over 10,000
career-rushing yards and 400 career receptions. He is also eighth on the NFL's all-time
combined yardage list with a club record 16,691 yards. Eric Metcalf is seventh at 16,727.
He is also the Cowboys all-time leading scorer with 884 points, having moved past Rafael
Septien (874) in 1999.
Was a consensus All-America running back and prep Player of the Year by
Parade Magazine and USA Today as a senior at Esacmbia High School...He posted the third
highest career rushing and scoring totals in national high school history with 8,804 yards
and 106 touchdowns...In 1986 he represented the nation's prep football players at The
White House as part of the "Just Say No" anti-drug campaign...He was the
Cowboys' United Way spokesman in 1994-95 and is the founder of Emmitt Smith Charities
whose mission is to provide educational scholarships to under served youth in Pensacola,
FL...He was the Miller Lite NFL Player of the Year in 1993 and donated all the money he
received from that award to the Sickle Cell Anemia Foundation...Very active in the Make A
Wish Foundation, hosting many visits with children at the club's practice facility...Smith
also works with the Salvation Army, The American Lung association, the Battered and Abused
Children's Foundation and B.A.D. (Boxers Against Drugs)...His annual holiday food drive
supports over 3,000 families in the Dallas/Fort Worth and Pensacola areas...Emmitt
received his degree in public recreation from the University of Florida in May, 1996.
Mark
Stepnoski #53
Height: 6-2 Weight: 265 Born: 01/20/1967
College: Pittsburgh NFL Experience: 13
After a four year visit to the AFC, Mark Stepnoski
returned to his NFL origins and rejoined many of his former teammates in Dallas in 1999.
He brought back a very high level of play at his position, and quickly re-established
himself as one of the NFC's premier centers. Throughout his career, Stepnoski has
displayed intelligence, outstanding technique and a desire to excel at one of the NFL's
more demanding offensive line positions. He spent his first six NFL seasons with the
Cowboys and was a member of two Cowboys Super Bowl championship teams (XXVII, XXVIII).
During that time, he started a string of five consecutive Pro Bowl appearances (three with
the Cowboys, 1993-95 and two with the Oilers, 1996-97). He was only the second center in
Cowboys, history to earn a spot in the Pro Bowl, and he was the first to make more than
one trip to Hawaii. Stepnoski was originally drafted by the Cowboys in the third round
(57th overall) in 1989, and he later signed with the Oilers as an unrestricted free agent
on March 23, 1995. In seven of his 11 NFL seasons, he has helped a running back crack the
top five in NFL rushing yards. He was a member of the Cowboys 1989 draft that provided the
cornerstones for the Super Bowl success that made Dallas the team of the decade. That
draft produced Troy Aikman (first round), Daryl Johnston (second), Stepnoski (third) and
Tony Tolbert (fourth). That quartet collected a combined total of 15 Super Bowl rings and
14 Pro Bowl appearances.
George
Teague #31
Height: 6-1 Weight: 204 Born:
02/18/1971
College: Alabama NFL Experience: 9
George Teague returned to the Dallas Cowboys
secondary on May 6, 1998, bringing with him experience and big play ability. He has played
a prominent role at the starting free safety position, where he has continually displayed
his knack for the big play. In his original tour of duty in Dallas during the 1996 season,
he turned the tide for Dallas in a 1996 playoff game against Minnesota when he forced two
fumbles and returned an interception for a touchdown. Last season he was responsible for
two interception returns for touchdowns, covering 32 yards (vs. Arizona) and 95 yards (vs.
Green Bay), in two Dallas wins. Against Detroit in a 1993 playoff game as a member of the
Packers, he returned an interception 101 yards for a touchdown (the longest in NFL
postseason history), and he returned an interception 74 yards against Cincinnati in 1995.
Not just exuding style over substance, Teague also posted a career-high 102 tackles last
year, the first 100-tackle season of his career
Darren
Woodson #28
Height: 6-1 Weight: 219
Born: 04/25/1969
College: Arizona State NFL Experience: 10
Through eight NFL seasons, Darren Woodson has
established himself as one of the NFL's premier strong safeties. His consistency,
athleticism, aggressiveness and ability to perform in the big game have put him in the
elite level of performers in the NFL. And his versatility at playing both the run and pass
at an extremely productive level have separated Woodson from the rest of the strong safety
field. In eight NFL seasons, he has been selected to five Pro Bowls, been named first team
All-Pro four times and played in three Super Bowls. A converted college linebacker,
Woodson is the complete NFL package at safety. He combines size (6-1, 219) and speed (4.4
in the 40-yard dash) with great football instincts and hitting ability. He has maintained
the aggressive nature that he displayed as a college linebacker, but has used his
quickness and speed to make a very smooth transition to the secondary. Woodson has
finished first or second on the team in tackles in five of the last seven seasons
(1993-96, 1998), missing out in 1997 when injuries kept him out of two starts and 1999
when he missed one game due to injury. He also went over the 100 tackle mark for four
consecutive seasons (1993-96), becoming the first Dallas player to accomplish that feat
since Michael Downs (1983-86). In 1995, he became the first Dallas defensive back to lead
the team in tackles (144) since Bill Bates in 1988 while duplicating the feat in 1998. In
1993, he established a Dallas single-season record for tackles by a defensive back (155).
A very strong and sure tackler, Woodson has 32 double-figure tackle games in his career.
In the Cowboys base defensive alignment, Woodson lines up at strong safety, but he has
also shown great production when lining up at outside linebacker in certain nickel pass
defenses, often covering a slot receiver. His versatility and aggressive attitude makes
him a very valuable special teams performer, posting a combined total of 50 special teams
tackles in the past four seasons. He has started 119 of the last 123 Cowboys games,
including playoffs. Woodson's next selection as an All-Pro will enable him to earn that
honor more times (five) than any other Dallas safety. He is currently tied with Mel Renfro
(1965, 1967, 1969 and 1971) and Cliff Harris (1975-1978), who were each named All-Pro four
times during their Dallas careers. Renfro earned a fifth All-Pro selection as a cornerback
in 1973. Woodson is one of the team's hardest workers, and his character and leadership
ability make him a very valuable asset within the framework of the team.
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