1960 Dallas Cowboys season
Encyclopedia
The 1960 Dallas Cowboys
season was the inaugural season for the franchise in the National Football League
. The team finished with no wins, 11 losses, and 1 tie, which placed them last in the Western Conference, and was the worst record in the NFL for that season.
, and Bedford Wynne on January 28, 1960. The franchise hired former Los Angeles Rams executive Tex Schramm
as their general manager. Tom Landry
, an assistant coach with the New York Giants
, was named head coach. Landry was offered the coaching job before the 1959 NFL championship game. Landry was offered a five year contract. The same day that Landry accepted the offer, it was reported by the UP, that Landry would become coach of the AFL’s Houston Oilers.
Gil Brandt
, who had served as a part-time scout for the Los Angeles Rams under Schramm, was named player personnel director. According to Schramm, the team's name was originally the Dallas Steers, but then was changed to the Dallas Rangers, which was the name of the minor league baseball team
that was supposed to move out of town at the end of the baseball season.
The franchise was admitted to the league too late to participate in the 1960 NFL college draft
. However, majority owner Clint Murchison signed two college players, quarterback Don Meredith
from SMU
, and running back Don Perkins
from New Mexico
, to personal services contracts before the draft (and before the franchise was voted into the league). The NFL honored these contracts after the franchise was voted in, although the Chicago Bears
actually drafted Meredith in the third round, and the Baltimore Colts
drafted Perkins in the ninth round. The franchise was allowed to retain both players, but had to give their third-round and ninth-round choices in the 1962 draft to the Bears and Colts, respectively.
On March 13, 1960, the franchise selected 36 players in an expansion draft
. Each of the other 12 NFL teams were allowed to protect 25 players from their 36-man roster. The franchise was then were given 24 hours to select three players from those unprotected by each other team.
The franchise was placed in the league's Western Conference. However, since they were the league's thirteenth franchise in addition to being an expansion franchise, it was decided that they would play every team in the league once, instead of playing each team in their conference twice, as the other teams did.
Eddie LeBaron
from the Washington Redskins
, offensive end
Billy Howton
from the Cleveland Browns
, and signing former San Francisco 49ers
fullback
Gene Babb
. During training camp the team signed quite a few players who were released by other teams. Notable signings included center
Mike Connelly
, a rookie who was released by the Los Angeles Rams, and veteran Don Bishop, a defensive back
who was released by the Chicago Bears
.
Dallas Rangers
baseball team.
and the Pittsburgh Steelers
early in their first game and led throughout before succumbing in the fourth quarter 35–28. The next week they played the eventual league champion Philadelphia Eagles
to a near deadlock, losing 27–25, the difference being two blocked extra points.
The lack of talent on the roster caught up with them as the season went on, however. Their first ever road game was against the woeful Washington Redskins
, and it ended in defeat, 26–14, spoiling quarterback Eddie LeBaron
's return to the city where he starred for the Redskins during the '50s. The next week the team was annihilated at home by one of the league's top teams, the Cleveland Browns
, 48–7. The team would go on to suffer more lopsided defeats, including a 45–7 loss to the defending champion Baltimore Colts, and a 41–7 loss to the eventual Western Conference champion Green Bay Packers
. Squeezed in between blowout losses was rookie quarterback Don Meredith
's first start, which came against the Los Angeles Rams. Predictably, Meredith struggled in a 38–13 loss.
The Cowboys also suffered heartbreaking losses, including a 12–10 defeat in St. Louis to the Cardinals
, a game in which they led late only to lose on a field goal in the last minute, and a 26–14 defeat against the San Francisco 49ers
, in which the Cowboys surrendered 17 points during the last 6 minutes of the game.
The Cowboys' lone highlight of the season came near the end of the season, when they traveled to New York and tied the Giants
31–31, ending the Giants' hopes of winning the Eastern Conference crown for the third year in a row.
The Cowboys struggled in almost every statistical category, finishing last in both points scored (177) and points allowed (369). Quarterback Eddie LeBaron
and the receiving corps provided some big plays in the passing game throughout the season, but LeBaron mostly struggled behind a porous offensive line, and the quarterbacks threw a league-high 33 interceptions. Rookie halfback Don Perkins
was lost prior to the season after breaking a bone in his foot, and the Cowboys rushing attack suffered all season long, finishing last in the league in rushing at 1049 yards, and averaging a paltry 3.4 yards per carry.
Defensively the team was gashed by opposing running games all season long, giving up 2242 yards rushing and allowing 5.0 yards per carry, both last in the league. The team's pass defense had its moments, particularly in games against the Chicago Bears
and the St. Louis Cardinals
, but gave up too many big plays and didn't provide much of a pass rush.
The kicking game proved to be average, and the kick returners were among the worst in the league, despite an ample number of opportunities (a league high 69 kick returns).
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Dallas Cowboys
The Dallas Cowboys are a professional American football franchise which plays in the Eastern Division of the National Football Conference of the National Football League . They are headquartered in Valley Ranch in Irving, Texas, a suburb of Dallas...
season was the inaugural season for the franchise in the National Football League
National Football League
The National Football League is the highest level of professional American football in the United States, and is considered the top professional American football league in the world. It was formed by eleven teams in 1920 as the American Professional Football Association, with the league changing...
. The team finished with no wins, 11 losses, and 1 tie, which placed them last in the Western Conference, and was the worst record in the NFL for that season.
Offseason
The NFL granted a franchise to Clint Murchison, Jr.Clint Murchison, Jr.
Clint William Murchison Jr., was a businessman and founder of the Dallas Cowboys football team.A son of Clint Murchison, Sr...
, and Bedford Wynne on January 28, 1960. The franchise hired former Los Angeles Rams executive Tex Schramm
Tex Schramm
Texas Earnest "Tex" Schramm, Jr. was the original president and general manager of the National Football League's Dallas Cowboys franchise. Schramm became the head of the Cowboys when the former expansion team started operations in 1960.-Early life and career:Despite his name, Schramm was not born...
as their general manager. Tom Landry
Tom Landry
Thomas Wade "Tom" Landry was an American football player and coach. He is ranked as one of the greatest and most innovative coaches in National Football League history, creating many new formations and methods...
, an assistant coach with the New York Giants
New York Giants
The New York Giants are a professional American football team based in East Rutherford, New Jersey, representing the New York City metropolitan area. The Giants are currently members of the Eastern Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League...
, was named head coach. Landry was offered the coaching job before the 1959 NFL championship game. Landry was offered a five year contract. The same day that Landry accepted the offer, it was reported by the UP, that Landry would become coach of the AFL’s Houston Oilers.
Gil Brandt
Gil Brandt
Gil Brandt was a Vice President of player personnel for the Dallas Cowboys from 1960 to 1988.Brandt served as the Cowboys' chief talent scout since the club's birth in 1960. He had served as a part-time scout for the Los Angeles Rams under General Manager Tex Schramm in the 1950s...
, who had served as a part-time scout for the Los Angeles Rams under Schramm, was named player personnel director. According to Schramm, the team's name was originally the Dallas Steers, but then was changed to the Dallas Rangers, which was the name of the minor league baseball team
Dallas Rangers
The Dallas Rangers were a high-level minor league baseball team located in Dallas, Texas, from 1958-64. The team was known by the Dallas Rangers name in 1958-59 and 1964 and as the Dallas-Fort Worth Rangers from 1960-63...
that was supposed to move out of town at the end of the baseball season.
The franchise was admitted to the league too late to participate in the 1960 NFL college draft
1960 NFL Draft
The 1960 National Football League Draft Annual Player Selection Meeting in which NFL teams take turns selecting amateur college American football players and other first-time eligible players, was held in secret in order to fend off increased competition for college players from the American...
. However, majority owner Clint Murchison signed two college players, quarterback Don Meredith
Don Meredith
Joseph Don "Dandy Don" Meredith was an American football quarterback, sports commentator and actor. He spent all nine seasons of his professional playing career with the Dallas Cowboys of the National Football League . He was named to the Pro Bowl in each of his last three years as a player...
from SMU
Southern Methodist University
Southern Methodist University is a private university in Dallas, Texas, United States. Founded in 1911 by the Methodist Episcopal Church, South, SMU operates campuses in Dallas, Plano, and Taos, New Mexico. SMU is owned by the South Central Jurisdiction of the United Methodist Church...
, and running back Don Perkins
Don Perkins
Donald Anthony Perkins is a former American football halfback who spent eight seasons with the NFL's Dallas Cowboys.-Early years:...
from New Mexico
University of New Mexico
The University of New Mexico at Albuquerque is a public research university located in Albuquerque, New Mexico, in the United States. It is the state's flagship research institution...
, to personal services contracts before the draft (and before the franchise was voted into the league). The NFL honored these contracts after the franchise was voted in, although the Chicago Bears
Chicago Bears
The Chicago Bears are a professional American football team based in Chicago, Illinois. They are members of the North Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League...
actually drafted Meredith in the third round, and the Baltimore Colts
Indianapolis Colts
The Indianapolis Colts are a professional American football team based in Indianapolis. They are currently members of the South Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League ....
drafted Perkins in the ninth round. The franchise was allowed to retain both players, but had to give their third-round and ninth-round choices in the 1962 draft to the Bears and Colts, respectively.
On March 13, 1960, the franchise selected 36 players in an expansion draft
1960 NFL Expansion Draft
The 1960 NFL Expansion Draft was a National Football League draft in which a new expansion team, named the Dallas Cowboys, selected its first players. The NFL awarded Dallas, Texas a franchise to compete for revenue with Lamar Hunt's Dallas Texans of the upstart American Football League...
. Each of the other 12 NFL teams were allowed to protect 25 players from their 36-man roster. The franchise was then were given 24 hours to select three players from those unprotected by each other team.
The franchise was placed in the league's Western Conference. However, since they were the league's thirteenth franchise in addition to being an expansion franchise, it was decided that they would play every team in the league once, instead of playing each team in their conference twice, as the other teams did.
Transactions
Other notable transactions prior to the season included acquiring quarterbackQuarterback
Quarterback is a position in American and Canadian football. Quarterbacks are members of the offensive team and line up directly behind the offensive line...
Eddie LeBaron
Eddie LeBaron
Edward Wayne LeBaron, Jr. is a former American football quarterback in the 1950s and early 1960s in the National Football League.-Early years:LeBaron graduated from Oakdale High School in Oakdale, California....
from the Washington Redskins
Washington Redskins
The Washington Redskins are a professional American football team and members of the East Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The team plays at FedExField in Landover, Maryland, while its headquarters and training facility are at Redskin Park in Ashburn,...
, offensive end
Wide receiver
A wide receiver is an offensive position in American and Canadian football, and is the key player in most of the passing plays. Only players in the backfield or the ends on the line are eligible to catch a forward pass. The two players who begin play at the ends of the offensive line are eligible...
Billy Howton
Billy Howton
William Harris "Billy" Howton is a former American football end who played 12 seasons in the National Football League . He played college football at Rice University. He caught a total 503 career passes for a total of 8,459 yards...
from the Cleveland Browns
Cleveland Browns
The Cleveland Browns are a professional football team based in Cleveland, Ohio. They are currently members of the North Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
, and signing former San Francisco 49ers
San Francisco 49ers
The San Francisco 49ers are a professional American football team based in San Francisco, California, playing in the West Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The team was founded in 1946 as a charter member of the All-America Football Conference and...
fullback
Fullback (American football)
A fullback is a position in the offensive backfield in American and Canadian football, and is one of the two running back positions along with the halfback...
Gene Babb
Gene Babb
Gene Walter Babb is a former American football fullback and linebacker in the National Football League for the San Francisco 49ers and the Dallas Cowboys. He also played in the American Football League for the Houston Oilers in 1962 and 1963...
. During training camp the team signed quite a few players who were released by other teams. Notable signings included center
Center (American football)
Center is a position in American football and Canadian football . The center is the innermost lineman of the offensive line on a football team's offense...
Mike Connelly
Mike Connelly
Michael James Connelly is a former American football offensive lineman in the National Football League for the Dallas Cowboys and the Pittsburgh Steelers. He played college football at Utah State University and was drafted in the 12th round of the 1959 NFL Draft by the Los Angeles Rams.-Early...
, a rookie who was released by the Los Angeles Rams, and veteran Don Bishop, a defensive back
Defensive back
In American football and Canadian football, defensive backs are the players on the defensive team who take positions somewhat back from the line of scrimmage; they are distinguished from the defensive line players and linebackers, who take positions directly behind or close to the line of...
who was released by the Chicago Bears
Chicago Bears
The Chicago Bears are a professional American football team based in Chicago, Illinois. They are members of the North Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League...
.
Name Change
The franchise used the nickname "Rangers" during its draft. But on March 19, 1960, the organization announced that it would be called the Cowboys to avoid confusion with the American AssociationAmerican Association (20th century)
The American Association was a minor league baseball league at the Triple-A level of baseball in the United States from to and to . Together with the International League, it contested the Junior World Series which determined the championship team in minor league baseball, at least for the...
Dallas Rangers
Dallas Rangers
The Dallas Rangers were a high-level minor league baseball team located in Dallas, Texas, from 1958-64. The team was known by the Dallas Rangers name in 1958-59 and 1964 and as the Dallas-Fort Worth Rangers from 1960-63...
baseball team.
Schedule
| Week | Date | Opponent | Result | Game site | Record | Recap | Attendance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | September 24, 1960 | Pittsburgh Steelers Pittsburgh Steelers The Pittsburgh Steelers are a professional football team based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The team currently belongs to the North Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League . Founded in , the Steelers are the oldest franchise in the AFC... |
L 28–35 | Cotton Bowl Cotton Bowl (stadium) The Cotton Bowl is a stadium which opened in 1929 and became known as "The House That Doak Built" due to the immense crowds that former SMU running back Doak Walker drew to the stadium during his college career in the late 1940s. Originally known as Fair Park Stadium, it is located in Fair Park,... |
0–1 | http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/spt/football/cowboys/classic/recordbook/yearbyyear/1960/092560steelers.html | |
| 2 | September 30, 1960 | Philadelphia Eagles Philadelphia Eagles The Philadelphia Eagles are a professional American football team based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. They are members of the East Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League... |
L 25–27 | Cotton Bowl Cotton Bowl (stadium) The Cotton Bowl is a stadium which opened in 1929 and became known as "The House That Doak Built" due to the immense crowds that former SMU running back Doak Walker drew to the stadium during his college career in the late 1940s. Originally known as Fair Park Stadium, it is located in Fair Park,... |
0–2 | http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/spt/football/cowboys/classic/recordbook/yearbyyear/1960/100160eagles.html | |
| 3 | October 9, 1960 | at Washington Redskins Washington Redskins The Washington Redskins are a professional American football team and members of the East Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The team plays at FedExField in Landover, Maryland, while its headquarters and training facility are at Redskin Park in Ashburn,... |
L 14–26 | Griffith Stadium Griffith Stadium Griffith Stadium was a sports stadium that stood in Washington, D.C. from 1911 to 1965, between Georgia Avenue and 5th Street, and between W Street and Florida Avenue, NW. An earlier wooden baseball park had been built on the same site in 1891... |
0–3 | http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/spt/football/cowboys/classic/recordbook/yearbyyear/1960/101060redskins.html | |
| 4 | October 16, 1960 | Cleveland Browns Cleveland Browns The Cleveland Browns are a professional football team based in Cleveland, Ohio. They are currently members of the North Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League... |
L 7–48 | Cotton Bowl Cotton Bowl (stadium) The Cotton Bowl is a stadium which opened in 1929 and became known as "The House That Doak Built" due to the immense crowds that former SMU running back Doak Walker drew to the stadium during his college career in the late 1940s. Originally known as Fair Park Stadium, it is located in Fair Park,... |
0–4 | http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/spt/football/cowboys/classic/recordbook/yearbyyear/1960/101760browns.html | |
| 5 | October 23, 1960 | at St. Louis Cardinals Arizona Cardinals The Arizona Cardinals are a professional American football team based in Glendale, Arizona, a suburb of Phoenix. They are currently members of the Western Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League... |
L 10–12 | Busch Stadium Sportsman's Park Sportsman's Park was the name of several former Major League Baseball ballpark structures in St. Louis, Missouri, USA, all but one of which were located on the same piece of land, the northwest corner of Grand Boulevard and Dodier Street on the north side of the city.- History :From... |
0–5 | http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/spt/football/cowboys/classic/recordbook/yearbyyear/1960/102460cardinals.html | |
| 6 | October 30, 1960 | Baltimore Colts History of the Indianapolis Colts The Indianapolis Colts are a professional football team based in Indianapolis, Indiana. They play in the AFC South division of the National Football League. They have won 3 NFL championships and 2 Super Bowls.... |
L 7–45 | Cotton Bowl Cotton Bowl (stadium) The Cotton Bowl is a stadium which opened in 1929 and became known as "The House That Doak Built" due to the immense crowds that former SMU running back Doak Walker drew to the stadium during his college career in the late 1940s. Originally known as Fair Park Stadium, it is located in Fair Park,... |
0–6 | http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/spt/football/cowboys/classic/recordbook/yearbyyear/1960/103160colts.html | |
| 7 | November 6, 1960 | Los Angeles Rams St. Louis Rams The St. Louis Rams are a professional American football team based in St. Louis, Missouri. They are currently members of the West Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The Rams have won three NFL Championships .The Rams began playing in 1936 in Cleveland,... |
L 13–38 | Cotton Bowl Cotton Bowl (stadium) The Cotton Bowl is a stadium which opened in 1929 and became known as "The House That Doak Built" due to the immense crowds that former SMU running back Doak Walker drew to the stadium during his college career in the late 1940s. Originally known as Fair Park Stadium, it is located in Fair Park,... |
0–7 | http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/spt/football/cowboys/classic/recordbook/yearbyyear/1960/110760rams.html | |
| 8 | November 13, 1960 | at Green Bay Packers Green Bay Packers The Green Bay Packers are an American football team based in Green Bay, Wisconsin. They are members of the North Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The Packers are the current NFL champions... |
L 7–41 | Lambeau Field Lambeau Field Lambeau Field is an outdoor football stadium in Green Bay, Wisconsin, the home of the NFL's Green Bay Packers. Opened in 1957 as City Stadium, it replaced the original City Stadium as the Packers' home field... |
0–8 | http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/spt/football/cowboys/classic/recordbook/yearbyyear/1960/111460packers.html | |
| 9 | November 20, 1960 | San Francisco 49ers San Francisco 49ers The San Francisco 49ers are a professional American football team based in San Francisco, California, playing in the West Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The team was founded in 1946 as a charter member of the All-America Football Conference and... |
L 14–26 | Cotton Bowl Cotton Bowl (stadium) The Cotton Bowl is a stadium which opened in 1929 and became known as "The House That Doak Built" due to the immense crowds that former SMU running back Doak Walker drew to the stadium during his college career in the late 1940s. Originally known as Fair Park Stadium, it is located in Fair Park,... |
0–9 | http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/spt/football/cowboys/classic/recordbook/yearbyyear/1960/11216049ers.html | |
| 10 | November 27, 1960 | at Chicago Bears Chicago Bears The Chicago Bears are a professional American football team based in Chicago, Illinois. They are members of the North Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League... |
L 7–17 | Wrigley Field Wrigley Field Wrigley Field is a baseball stadium in Chicago, Illinois, United States that has served as the home ballpark of the Chicago Cubs since 1916. It was built in 1914 as Weeghman Park for the Chicago Federal League baseball team, the Chicago Whales... |
0–10 | http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/spt/football/cowboys/classic/recordbook/yearbyyear/1960/112860bears.html | |
| 11 | December 4, 1960 | at New York Giants New York Giants The New York Giants are a professional American football team based in East Rutherford, New Jersey, representing the New York City metropolitan area. The Giants are currently members of the Eastern Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League... |
T 31–31 | Yankee Stadium | 0–10–1 | http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/spt/football/cowboys/classic/recordbook/yearbyyear/1960/120560giants.html | |
| 12 | December 11, 1960 | at Detroit Lions Detroit Lions The Detroit Lions are a professional American football team based in Detroit, Michigan. They are members of the North Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League , and play their home games at Ford Field in Downtown Detroit.Originally based in Portsmouth, Ohio and... |
L 14–23 | Briggs Stadium | 0–11–1 | http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/spt/football/cowboys/classic/recordbook/yearbyyear/1960/121260lions.html | |
Season recap
Expectations certainly weren't high for the Cowboys heading into their inaugural season, but they got off to a hopeful start, as the team took a 14–0 lead on Bobby LayneBobby Layne
Robert Lawrence "Bobby" Layne was an American football quarterback who played for 15 seasons in the National Football League. He played for the Chicago Bears in 1948, the New York Bulldogs in 1949, the Detroit Lions from 1950–1958, and the Pittsburgh Steelers from 1958–1962...
and the Pittsburgh Steelers
Pittsburgh Steelers
The Pittsburgh Steelers are a professional football team based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The team currently belongs to the North Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League . Founded in , the Steelers are the oldest franchise in the AFC...
early in their first game and led throughout before succumbing in the fourth quarter 35–28. The next week they played the eventual league champion Philadelphia Eagles
Philadelphia Eagles
The Philadelphia Eagles are a professional American football team based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. They are members of the East Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League...
to a near deadlock, losing 27–25, the difference being two blocked extra points.
The lack of talent on the roster caught up with them as the season went on, however. Their first ever road game was against the woeful Washington Redskins
Washington Redskins
The Washington Redskins are a professional American football team and members of the East Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The team plays at FedExField in Landover, Maryland, while its headquarters and training facility are at Redskin Park in Ashburn,...
, and it ended in defeat, 26–14, spoiling quarterback Eddie LeBaron
Eddie LeBaron
Edward Wayne LeBaron, Jr. is a former American football quarterback in the 1950s and early 1960s in the National Football League.-Early years:LeBaron graduated from Oakdale High School in Oakdale, California....
's return to the city where he starred for the Redskins during the '50s. The next week the team was annihilated at home by one of the league's top teams, the Cleveland Browns
Cleveland Browns
The Cleveland Browns are a professional football team based in Cleveland, Ohio. They are currently members of the North Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
, 48–7. The team would go on to suffer more lopsided defeats, including a 45–7 loss to the defending champion Baltimore Colts, and a 41–7 loss to the eventual Western Conference champion Green Bay Packers
Green Bay Packers
The Green Bay Packers are an American football team based in Green Bay, Wisconsin. They are members of the North Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The Packers are the current NFL champions...
. Squeezed in between blowout losses was rookie quarterback Don Meredith
Don Meredith
Joseph Don "Dandy Don" Meredith was an American football quarterback, sports commentator and actor. He spent all nine seasons of his professional playing career with the Dallas Cowboys of the National Football League . He was named to the Pro Bowl in each of his last three years as a player...
's first start, which came against the Los Angeles Rams. Predictably, Meredith struggled in a 38–13 loss.
The Cowboys also suffered heartbreaking losses, including a 12–10 defeat in St. Louis to the Cardinals
Arizona Cardinals
The Arizona Cardinals are a professional American football team based in Glendale, Arizona, a suburb of Phoenix. They are currently members of the Western Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League...
, a game in which they led late only to lose on a field goal in the last minute, and a 26–14 defeat against the San Francisco 49ers
San Francisco 49ers
The San Francisco 49ers are a professional American football team based in San Francisco, California, playing in the West Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The team was founded in 1946 as a charter member of the All-America Football Conference and...
, in which the Cowboys surrendered 17 points during the last 6 minutes of the game.
The Cowboys' lone highlight of the season came near the end of the season, when they traveled to New York and tied the Giants
New York Giants
The New York Giants are a professional American football team based in East Rutherford, New Jersey, representing the New York City metropolitan area. The Giants are currently members of the Eastern Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League...
31–31, ending the Giants' hopes of winning the Eastern Conference crown for the third year in a row.
The Cowboys struggled in almost every statistical category, finishing last in both points scored (177) and points allowed (369). Quarterback Eddie LeBaron
Eddie LeBaron
Edward Wayne LeBaron, Jr. is a former American football quarterback in the 1950s and early 1960s in the National Football League.-Early years:LeBaron graduated from Oakdale High School in Oakdale, California....
and the receiving corps provided some big plays in the passing game throughout the season, but LeBaron mostly struggled behind a porous offensive line, and the quarterbacks threw a league-high 33 interceptions. Rookie halfback Don Perkins
Don Perkins
Donald Anthony Perkins is a former American football halfback who spent eight seasons with the NFL's Dallas Cowboys.-Early years:...
was lost prior to the season after breaking a bone in his foot, and the Cowboys rushing attack suffered all season long, finishing last in the league in rushing at 1049 yards, and averaging a paltry 3.4 yards per carry.
Defensively the team was gashed by opposing running games all season long, giving up 2242 yards rushing and allowing 5.0 yards per carry, both last in the league. The team's pass defense had its moments, particularly in games against the Chicago Bears
Chicago Bears
The Chicago Bears are a professional American football team based in Chicago, Illinois. They are members of the North Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League...
and the St. Louis Cardinals
St. Louis Cardinals
The St. Louis Cardinals are a professional baseball team based in St. Louis, Missouri. They are members of the Central Division in the National League of Major League Baseball. The Cardinals have won eleven World Series championships, the most of any National League team, and second overall only to...
, but gave up too many big plays and didn't provide much of a pass rush.
The kicking game proved to be average, and the kick returners were among the worst in the league, despite an ample number of opportunities (a league high 69 kick returns).
Standings
| Western Conference | ||||||
| Team | W | L | T | PCT | PF | PA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Green Bay Packers 1960 Green Bay Packers season *First Quarter**GB-Hornung 20 yard FG*Second Quarter**GB-Hornung 23 yard FG**Phi-McDonald 35 yard pass from Van Brocklin **Phi-Walston 15 yard FG*Third Quarter**No scoring*Fourth Quarter... |
8 | 4 | 0 | .667 | 332 | 209 |
| Detroit Lions 1960 Detroit Lions season The 1960 Detroit Lions season was the 27th in the Motor City, and 31st season overall in franchise history. The Lions went 7-5, one game short of the Western Conference championship... |
7 | 5 | 0 | .583 | 239 | 212 |
| San Francisco 49ers 1960 San Francisco 49ers season The 1960 San Francisco 49ers season was their 11th season in the league. The team was able to match their 7-5 output from the previous year, however they again failed to make the playoffs. The season did have a silver lining, though, as the 49ers' defense was top-ranked in the league, allowing only... |
7 | 5 | 0 | .583 | 208 | 205 |
| Baltimore Colts 1960 Baltimore Colts season The 1960 Baltimore Colts season was the 8th season for the team in the National Football League. The Colts finished the National Football League's 1960 season with a record of 6 wins and 6 losses and finished fourth in the Western Conference, while their two-year reign as NFL Champions came to an... |
6 | 6 | 0 | .500 | 288 | 234 |
| Chicago Bears 1960 Chicago Bears season The 1960 Chicago Bears season was their 41st regular season completed in the National Football League. The club posted a 5-6-1 record under George Halas finishing fifth in the NFL Western Conference, one game below .500, a rare sight under a Halas coached team.... |
5 | 6 | 1 | .455 | 194 | 299 |
| Los Angeles Rams 1960 Los Angeles Rams season The 1960 Los Angeles Rams season was the team's 23rd year with the National Football League and the 15th season in Los Angeles. The team won four and lost seven that year, with one game ending in a tie, placing the Rams in sixth place in the Western Conference, ahead of only the expanison Dallas... |
4 | 7 | 1 | .364 | 265 | 297 |
| Dallas Cowboys | 0 | 11 | 1 | .000 | 177 | 369 |
Roster
| Dallas Cowboys 1960 roster | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Quarterbacks
Running Backs
Wide Receivers
Tight Ends
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Offensive Linemen
Byron Bradfute Byron Gilbert Bradfute is a former American football offensive tackle in the National Football League for the Dallas Cowboys. He played college football at The University of Southern Mississippi and Abilene Christian University.... T Mike Connelly Michael James Connelly is a former American football offensive lineman in the National Football League for the Dallas Cowboys and the Pittsburgh Steelers. He played college football at Utah State University and was drafted in the 12th round of the 1959 NFL Draft by the Los Angeles Rams.-Early... C/G Paul Dickson For the football player of the same name see Paul Dickson .Paul Dickson is a freelance writer of more than 50 non-fiction books, mostly on American English language and popular culture. He has written many articles on a wide variety of subjects... T Mike Falls Michael Lee Falls is a former American football guard in the National Football League for the Dallas Cowboys... G Ray Fisher Ray Lyle Fisher was an American professional baseball pitcher. He pitched all or part of ten seasons in Major League Baseball. His debut game took place on July 2, 1910. His final game took place on October 2, 1920... G/T Bob Fry Robert Moellerig Fry is a former American football offensive lineman in the National Football League for the Los Angeles Rams and Dallas Cowboys. He played college football at the University of Kentucky and was drafted in the third round of the 1953 NFL Draft... T Buzz Guy Melwood Norman "Buzz" Guy, Jr. is a former American football offensive lineman who played professionally in the National Football League and the American Football League .... G John Wesley Houser, Jr. John Wesley Houser, Jr. was an American football offensive lineman in the National Football League for the Los Angeles Rams, the Dallas Cowboys, and the St. Louis Cardinals. He played college football at the University of Redlands.... C/G Duane Putnam Charles Duane Putnam is a former American football offensive guard who spent ten seasons in the National Football League for the Los Angeles Rams, Dallas Cowboys, and the Cleveland Browns.... G Defensive Linemen
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Linebackers
Tom Braatz Thomas Myron Braatz is a former American football linebacker in the National Football League for the Washington Redskins, Los Angeles Rams, and the Dallas Cowboys. He was selected by the Dallas Cowboys in the 1960 NFL Expansion Draft... OLB Gene Cronin Gene Edward Cronin is a former American football defensive end in the National Football League for the Detroit Lions, the Washington Redskins, and the Dallas Cowboys. He played college football at the University of the Pacific and was drafted in the seventh round of the 1956 NFL Draft... OLB Mike Dowdle Donald Michael Dowdle was an American football fullback and linebacker in the National Football League for the Dallas Cowboys and the San Francisco 49ers. Mike was born in Eliasville, Texas, and attended Graham Independent School district.]]... OLB Wayne Hansen George Wayne Hansen was an American football linebacker in the National Football League for the Chicago Bears and the Dallas Cowboys. He played college football at the University of Texas, El Paso and was drafted in the sixth round of the 1950 NFL Draft.... OLB Jack Patera John Arlen "Jack" Patera is a former American football player and coach in the National Football League. He played for the Baltimore Colts, Chicago Cardinals and Dallas Cowboys. He was an assistant coach for the Los Angeles Rams, New York Giants and the Minnesota Vikings. Patera was the first head... MLB Jerry Tubbs Gerald J. Tubbs is a former American football linebacker who played for ten seasons in the National Football League from 1957 to 1966, mainly for the Dallas Cowboys. He was selected by the Dallas Cowboys in the 1960 NFL Expansion Draft... MLB Defensive Backs
Special Teams
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Reserve Lists
Currently vacant Rookies in italics 44 Active, 0 Inactive |
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External links
http://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/dal1960.htmhttp://www.profootballhof.com/
The Football Encyclopedia ISBN 0-312-11435-4
Total Football ISBN 0-06-270170-3
Cowboys Have Always Been My Heroes ISBN 0-446-51950-2
http://www.dallasnews.com/sports/football/