1961 Dallas Cowboys season
Encyclopedia
The 1961
Dallas Cowboys
season was their second in the National Football League
. The team finished with 4 wins, 9 losses, and 1 tie, placing them 6th in the Eastern Conference.
following the 1960 season. Despite owning the league's worst record, the team picked second overall because the expansion Minnesota Vikings
received the first overall selection. However, the team previously traded away their first round pick in the 1961 draft to the Washington Redskins
for quarterback
Eddie LeBaron
. The Cowboys had another selection in the first round (13th overall) that they acquired from the Cleveland Browns
, and with that selection they chose defensive lineman Bob Lilly
from Texas Christian University
. Other notable selections in the draft included offensive linemen E.J. Holub, Billy Shaw
, and Stew Barber
. However, all three chose to sign with teams in the rival American Football League
.
Other notable acquisitions by the Cowboys during the offseason included trading for linebacker
Chuck Howley
from the Chicago Bears
, and signing rookie free agents Amos Marsh
and Warren Livingston
.
in the season opener, the winning points coming on a last second field goal. The Cowboys would go on to win two of their next three, both easy victories coming over the expansion Minnesota Vikings
, and a month into the season the Cowboys found themselves tied for first in the Eastern Conference with a record of 3–1.
While much improved over their first season, the Cowboys would continue to be outclassed by the better teams in the league. In between their victories over the Vikings the Cowboys suffered a 25–7 defeat at the hands of perennial powerhouse Cleveland
. The following weeks after their 3–1 start quickly dampened any realistic chance they had of contending for the Eastern Conference championship, with home losses to the New York Giants
and the defending champion Philadelphia Eagles
coming by a combined score of 74–17. However, the following week the team stunned the Giants at Yankee Stadium, 16–14, on another late field goal, and the Cowboys found themselves with a winning record at the midway point of the season at 4–3.
Unfortunately, it was all downhill from there, as the Cowboys didn't win another game all season. The Cowboys gave up 28 points or more in each of their remaining seven games, and were beaten by 14 or more points in five of them. The Cowboys managed a tie against the woeful Washington Redskins
in week 10, a game in which quarterback Don Meredith
, who had been splitting playing time at the position with Eddie LeBaron
, suffered an injury to his throwing shoulder, and wouldn't play again the rest of the season. The final game of the season saw the Cowboys lose to the Redskins at D.C. Stadium (the Redskins first win at their new home), 34–24, the only win of the Redskins season.
Offensively, the Cowboys were an improved lot across the board. The offense moved the ball at a decent pace, finishing 8th in the league in yards gained. Quarterbacks Eddie LeBaron
and Don Meredith
had quality targets at the receiver position, which helped the team finish 6th in passing yardage. Veteran Billy Howton
established a career high in receptions with 56, and Frank Clarke
developed into one of the league's top deep threats, averaging 22.4 yards per catch and scoring 9 touchdowns. Tight end
Dick Bielski
represented the Cowboys at the Pro Bowl
. The Cowboys may have showed the most improvement in the running game. Rookie Don Perkins
was one of the leagues top running backs with 815 yards, and Amos Marsh
and J.W. Lockett contributed as well, improving the Cowboys to 10th in total yards rushing, and improving the yards per carry from 3.4 in 1960 to 4.4 in 1961. On the negative side, the offense turned the ball over 48 times during the season, second worst in the league, and the offensive line continued to struggle protecting the quarterback. The team only scored 236 points (13th in the league) despite the Cowboys improved offensive play.
Defensively, the team continued to struggle against the run, allowing 2161 rushing yards (12th in the league) and 4.8 yards per carry. Against the pass, the secondary allowed too many long completions (a league worst 15.7 yards per completion) and the defensive front didn't apply much pressure on the quarterback. The defense did make more than its share of big plays, forcing 43 turnovers. Cornerback
Don Bishop had 8 of the defense's 25 interceptions.
Rookie kicker
Allen Green struggled much of the season. His 36.7 yards per punt was worst in the league, and after going 5 of 15 on field goal attempts (though two of the field goals provided the game winning points) he was replaced by Dick Bielski, who made 6 out 9 field goals the rest of the season. Rookie running backs Amos Marsh and Don Perkins helped improve the kick retun game, with Marsh in particular standing out with a 25.7 yard average on kick returns.
1961 NFL season
The 1961 NFL season was the 42nd regular season of the National Football League. The league expanded to 14 teams with the addition of the Minnesota Vikings, after the team's owners declined to be charter members of the new American Football League. The schedule was also expanded from 12 games per...
Dallas Cowboys
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 their second 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 4 wins, 9 losses, and 1 tie, placing them 6th in the Eastern Conference.
Offseason
The Cowboys participated in their first NFL college draft1961 NFL Draft
The 1961 National Football League Draft took place on December 27–28, 1960. The league would later hold an expansion draft for the Minnesota Vikings expansion franchise, and the Vikings were also awarded the first selection position in this draft. This draft was also the first regular draft for...
following the 1960 season. Despite owning the league's worst record, the team picked second overall because the expansion Minnesota Vikings
Minnesota Vikings
The Minnesota Vikings are a professional American football team based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Vikings joined the National Football League as an expansion team in 1960...
received the first overall selection. However, the team previously traded away their first round pick in the 1961 draft to 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,...
for quarterback
Quarterback
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....
. The Cowboys had another selection in the first round (13th overall) that they acquired 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 with that selection they chose defensive lineman Bob Lilly
Bob Lilly
Robert Lewis Lilly is a former American football defensive tackle in the National Football League and photographer. He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1980.-College career:...
from Texas Christian University
Texas Christian University
Texas Christian University is a private, coeducational university located in Fort Worth, Texas, United States and founded in 1873. TCU is affiliated with, but not governed by, the Disciples of Christ...
. Other notable selections in the draft included offensive linemen E.J. Holub, Billy Shaw
Billy Shaw
William Lewis "Billy" Shaw is an American former college and professional football player.Drafted in 1961 by the American Football League's Buffalo Bills, Billy Shaw of Georgia Tech was the prototypical "pulling guard" who despite his size held his own against much bigger defensive linemen like...
, and Stew Barber
Stew Barber
Stewart C. Barber is a former American collegiate and Professional Football player.An offensive tackle from Penn State University, He played his entire career in the American Football League with the Buffalo Bills from 1961 through 1969.He was an American Football League All-Star five consecutive...
. However, all three chose to sign with teams in the rival American Football League
American Football League
The American Football League was a major American Professional Football league that operated from 1960 until 1969, when the established National Football League merged with it. The upstart AFL operated in direct competition with the more established NFL throughout its existence...
.
Other notable acquisitions by the Cowboys during the offseason included trading for linebacker
Linebacker
A linebacker is a position in American football that was invented by football coach Fielding H. Yost of the University of Michigan. Linebackers are members of the defensive team, and line up approximately three to five yards behind the line of scrimmage, behind the defensive linemen...
Chuck Howley
Chuck Howley
Charles Louis "Chuck" Howley is a former American football linebacker in the National Football League...
from 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 signing rookie free agents Amos Marsh
Amos Marsh
Amos Marsh, Jr. was a professional American football running back in the National Football League for the Dallas Cowboys and the Detroit Lions. He played college football at Oregon State University. Amos attended, and graduated from high school at Wallowa High School in Wallowa, Oregon, as did...
and Warren Livingston
Warren Livingston
Warren Livingston is a former professional American football cornerback. He played six seasons for the Dallas Cowboys of the National Football League....
.
Schedule
| Week | Date | Opponent | Result | Game site | Record | Recap | Attendance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | September 17, 1961 | 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... |
W 27–24 | 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,... |
1–0 | http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/spt/football/cowboys/classic/recordbook/yearbyyear/1961/091861steelers.html | |
| 2 | September 24, 1961 | Minnesota Vikings Minnesota Vikings The Minnesota Vikings are a professional American football team based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Vikings joined the National Football League as an expansion team in 1960... |
W 21–7 | 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,... |
2–0 | http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/spt/football/cowboys/classic/recordbook/yearbyyear/1961/092561vikings.html | |
| 3 | October 1, 1961 | at 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 25–7 | Cleveland Stadium Cleveland Stadium Cleveland Stadium was a multi-purpose stadium, located in Cleveland, Ohio. In its final years, the stadium seated 74,438, for baseball and 81,000, for football. It was one of the early multi-purpose stadiums, built to accommodate both baseball and football... |
2–1 | http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/spt/football/cowboys/classic/recordbook/yearbyyear/1961/100261browns.html | |
| 4 | October 8, 1961 | at Minnesota Vikings Minnesota Vikings The Minnesota Vikings are a professional American football team based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Vikings joined the National Football League as an expansion team in 1960... |
W 28–0 | Metropolitan Stadium Metropolitan Stadium Metropolitan Stadium was a sports stadium that once stood in Bloomington, Minnesota, just outside Minneapolis. The area where the stadium once stood is now the site of the Mall of America... |
3–1 | http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/spt/football/cowboys/classic/recordbook/yearbyyear/1961/100961vikings.html | |
| 5 | October 15, 1961 | 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... |
L 31–10 | 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,... |
3–2 | http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/spt/football/cowboys/classic/recordbook/yearbyyear/1961/101661giants.html | |
| 6 | October 22, 1961 | 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 43–7 | 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,... |
3–3 | http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/spt/football/cowboys/classic/recordbook/yearbyyear/1961/102361eagles.html | |
| 7 | October 29, 1961 | 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... |
W 17–16 | Yankee Stadium | 4–3 | http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/spt/football/cowboys/classic/recordbook/yearbyyear/1961/103061giants.html | |
| 8 | November 5, 1961 | 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 31–17 | 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,... |
4–4 | http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/spt/football/cowboys/classic/recordbook/yearbyyear/1961/110661cardinals.html | |
| 9 | November 12, 1961 | at 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 37–7 | Forbes Field Forbes Field Forbes Field was a baseball park in the Oakland neighborhood of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, from 1909 to 1971. It was the third home of the Pittsburgh Pirates Major League Baseball team, and the first home of the Pittsburgh Steelers, the city's National Football League franchise... |
4–5 | http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/spt/football/cowboys/classic/recordbook/yearbyyear/1961/111361steelers.html | |
| 10 | November 19, 1961 | 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,... |
T 28–28 | 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,... |
4–5–1 | http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/spt/football/cowboys/classic/recordbook/yearbyyear/1961/112061redskins.html | |
| 11 | November 26, 1961 | at 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 35–13 | Franklin Field Franklin Field Franklin Field is the University of Pennsylvania's stadium for football, field hockey, lacrosse, sprint football, and track and field . It is also used by Penn students for recreation, and for intramural and club sports, including touch football and cricket, and is the site of Penn's graduation... |
4–6–1 | http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/spt/football/cowboys/classic/recordbook/yearbyyear/1961/112761eagles.html | |
| 12 | December 3, 1961 | 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 38–17 | 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,... |
4–7–1 | http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/spt/football/cowboys/classic/recordbook/yearbyyear/1961/120461browns.html | |
| 13 | December 10, 1961 | 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 31–13 | 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... |
4–8–1 | http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/spt/football/cowboys/classic/recordbook/yearbyyear/1961/121161cardinals.html | |
| 14 | December 17, 1961 | 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 34–24 | D.C. Stadium Robert F. Kennedy Memorial Stadium Robert F. Kennedy Memorial Stadium is a multi-purpose stadium, in Washington, D.C., United States, and the current home of MLS's D.C. United.... |
4–9–1 | http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/spt/football/cowboys/classic/recordbook/yearbyyear/1961/121861redskins.html | |
Season recap
Coming off of a winless first season, the Cowboys wasted no time getting their first win in franchise history in their second season, a 27–24 home victory over the Pittsburgh SteelersPittsburgh 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...
in the season opener, the winning points coming on a last second field goal. The Cowboys would go on to win two of their next three, both easy victories coming over the expansion Minnesota Vikings
Minnesota Vikings
The Minnesota Vikings are a professional American football team based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Vikings joined the National Football League as an expansion team in 1960...
, and a month into the season the Cowboys found themselves tied for first in the Eastern Conference with a record of 3–1.
While much improved over their first season, the Cowboys would continue to be outclassed by the better teams in the league. In between their victories over the Vikings the Cowboys suffered a 25–7 defeat at the hands of perennial powerhouse Cleveland
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...
. The following weeks after their 3–1 start quickly dampened any realistic chance they had of contending for the Eastern Conference championship, with home losses to 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...
and the defending 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...
coming by a combined score of 74–17. However, the following week the team stunned the Giants at Yankee Stadium, 16–14, on another late field goal, and the Cowboys found themselves with a winning record at the midway point of the season at 4–3.
Unfortunately, it was all downhill from there, as the Cowboys didn't win another game all season. The Cowboys gave up 28 points or more in each of their remaining seven games, and were beaten by 14 or more points in five of them. The Cowboys managed a tie 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,...
in week 10, a game in which 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...
, who had been splitting playing time at the position with 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....
, suffered an injury to his throwing shoulder, and wouldn't play again the rest of the season. The final game of the season saw the Cowboys lose to the Redskins at D.C. Stadium (the Redskins first win at their new home), 34–24, the only win of the Redskins season.
Offensively, the Cowboys were an improved lot across the board. The offense moved the ball at a decent pace, finishing 8th in the league in yards gained. Quarterbacks 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 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...
had quality targets at the receiver position, which helped the team finish 6th in passing yardage. Veteran 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...
established a career high in receptions with 56, and Frank Clarke
Franklin Clarke
Franklin Clarke is a former American football wide receiver in the National Football League for the Cleveland Browns and Dallas Cowboys.He was named after Franklin D...
developed into one of the league's top deep threats, averaging 22.4 yards per catch and scoring 9 touchdowns. Tight end
Tight end
The tight end is a position in American football on the offense. The tight end is often seen as a hybrid position with the characteristics and roles of both an offensive lineman and a wide receiver. Like offensive linemen, they are usually lined up on the offensive line and are large enough to be...
Dick Bielski
Dick Bielski
Richard Adam Bielski is a former American football running back in the National Football League for the Philadelphia Eagles, Dallas Cowboys, and the Baltimore Colts. He played college football at the University of Maryland and was drafted in the first round of the 1955 NFL Draft...
represented the Cowboys at the Pro Bowl
Pro Bowl
In professional American football, the Pro Bowl is the all-star game of the National Football League . Since the merger with the rival American Football League in 1970, it has been officially called the AFC–NFC Pro Bowl, matching the top players in the American Football Conference against those...
. The Cowboys may have showed the most improvement in the running game. Rookie 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 one of the leagues top running backs with 815 yards, and Amos Marsh
Amos Marsh
Amos Marsh, Jr. was a professional American football running back in the National Football League for the Dallas Cowboys and the Detroit Lions. He played college football at Oregon State University. Amos attended, and graduated from high school at Wallowa High School in Wallowa, Oregon, as did...
and J.W. Lockett contributed as well, improving the Cowboys to 10th in total yards rushing, and improving the yards per carry from 3.4 in 1960 to 4.4 in 1961. On the negative side, the offense turned the ball over 48 times during the season, second worst in the league, and the offensive line continued to struggle protecting the quarterback. The team only scored 236 points (13th in the league) despite the Cowboys improved offensive play.
Defensively, the team continued to struggle against the run, allowing 2161 rushing yards (12th in the league) and 4.8 yards per carry. Against the pass, the secondary allowed too many long completions (a league worst 15.7 yards per completion) and the defensive front didn't apply much pressure on the quarterback. The defense did make more than its share of big plays, forcing 43 turnovers. Cornerback
Cornerback
A cornerback is a member of the defensive backfield or secondary in American and Canadian football. Cornerbacks cover receivers, to defend against pass offenses and make tackles. Other members of the defensive backfield include the safeties and occasionally linebackers. The cornerback position...
Don Bishop had 8 of the defense's 25 interceptions.
Rookie kicker
Placekicker
Placekicker, or simply kicker , is the title of the player in American and Canadian football who is responsible for the kicking duties of field goals, extra points...
Allen Green struggled much of the season. His 36.7 yards per punt was worst in the league, and after going 5 of 15 on field goal attempts (though two of the field goals provided the game winning points) he was replaced by Dick Bielski, who made 6 out 9 field goals the rest of the season. Rookie running backs Amos Marsh and Don Perkins helped improve the kick retun game, with Marsh in particular standing out with a 25.7 yard average on kick returns.
Roster
| Dallas Cowboys 1961 roster | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Quarterbacks
Running Backs
Wide Receivers
Tight Ends
|
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 Andy Cvercko Andrew Bertram Cvercko is a former American football guard in the National Football League for four years. He played college football at Northwestern University and was drafted in the fifth round of the 1959 NFL Draft.... G Mike Falls Michael Lee Falls is a former American football guard in the National Football League for the Dallas Cowboys... G 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 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 Defensive Linemen
|
Linebackers
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... OLB/FB 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 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 Chuck Howley Charles Louis "Chuck" Howley is a former American football linebacker in the National Football League... 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
|
Reserve Lists
Currently vacant Rookies in italics 41 Active, 0 Inactive |
|||
Standings
| NFL Eastern Eastern and Western Divisions (NFL) 1933-69 The Eastern and Western Divisions of the National Football League, renamed the American and National Conferences in 1950 and then the Eastern and Western Conferences in 1953, were organized as a result of the disputed NFL championship of 1932... |
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|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| W | L | T | PCT | PF | PA | STK | |
| New York Giants 1961 New York Giants season The 1961 New York Giants season was the 37th season for the club in the National Football League. After relinquishing the NFL East title the previous season, the Giants reclaimed the title with a 10–3–1 record, only to lose to the Vince Lombardi-coached Green Bay Packers in the NFL Championship... |
10 | 3 | 1 | .769 | 368 | 220 | T-1 |
| Philadelphia Eagles 1961 Philadelphia Eagles season -Off Season:As since 1951 the Eagles hold training camp at Hersheypark Stadium in Hershey, Pennsylvania.-NFL Draft:The 1961 NFL Draft and the 1961 AFL Draft were 2 separate drafts and players could end up being drafted by both leagues.-Player Selections:... |
10 | 4 | 0 | .714 | 361 | 297 | W-1 |
| Cleveland Browns 1961 Cleveland Browns season The 1961 Cleveland Browns season was the team's 12th season with the National Football League.-Offseason:On March 22, Dave R. Jones sold the Browns to a group headed by Arthur B... |
8 | 5 | 1 | .615 | 319 | 270 | T-1 |
| St. Louis Cardinals 1961 St. Louis Cardinals (NFL) season The 1961 St. Louis Cardinals season was the 42nd season the team was in the league and their second in St. Louis. The team improved on their previous output of 6-5-1, winning seven games. Despite the improvement, they failed to qualify for the playoffs for the 13th consecutive season... |
7 | 7 | 0 | .500 | 279 | 267 | W-3 |
| Pittsburgh Steelers 1961 Pittsburgh Steelers season -Schedule:- Week 1 : Dallas Cowboys :at Cotton Bowl, Dallas, Texas* Game time:* Game weather:* Game attendance: 23,500* Referee:* TV announcers:Scoring Drives:... |
6 | 8 | 0 | .429 | 295 | 287 | L-1 |
| Dallas Cowboys | 4 | 9 | 1 | .308 | 236 | 380 | L-4 |
| Washington Redskins 1961 Washington Redskins season The 1961 Washington Redskins began with the team trying to improve on their 1-9-2 record from 1960. However, their 1-12-1 performance during the season placed the Redskins in last-place in the NFL Eastern Conference... |
1 | 12 | 1 | .077 | 174 | 392 | W-1 |