2003 Dallas Cowboys season
Encyclopedia
2003 marked the 44th season for the Dallas Cowboys
organization as the team, coming off three consecutive 5–11 seasons, hired former New York Giants
and New England Patriots
coach Bill Parcells
.
Despite the release of team legend Emmitt Smith
, the Cowboys' fortunes began to change with the introduction of Parcells as head coach
. Parcells began to reshape the team, particularly on offense, with an overhaul of the coaching staff, including former New York Giants
offensive coordinator
Sean Payton
. Parcells retained much of the defensive staff, including defensive coordinator
Mike Zimmer
, and maintained the team's basic 4-3 defense
instead of immediately installing the 3-4 defense
which was a trademark of all Parcells's prior teams. This proved a wise decision, as the Cowboys finished the season with the top-ranked overall defense. As in his previous stops, Parcells started to rebuild his team through the draft. In his first year in Dallas, Parcells picked future Pro Bowl
players cornerback
Terence Newman
, tight end
Jason Witten
and future Cowboys defensive captain linebacker
Bradie James
. One of the biggest rookie acquisitions came via free agency when the team signed undrafted rookie and future franchise quarterback Tony Romo
(although that move got little attention for a few years). Also typical of his prior teams, Parcells brought in veteran players who had played for him at his previous coaching stops, signing fullback
Richie Anderson
and speedy wide receiver
Terry Glenn
with whom Parcells had a checkered history.
Though the Cowboys opened the season with a loss, a dramatic come-from-behind victory the next week against the Giants at New York spurred the team's confidence, particularly in third-year quarterback
Quincy Carter
. This would be followed by a reunion with Emmitt Smith (now with the Arizona Cardinals
) in Dallas. Smith would injure his shoulder early in the game and not return. After starting with a 6–2 record, the Cowboys went 4–4 in the second half of the season including a loss to the eventual Super Bowl
champion New England Patriots
in Foxboro. The game received a lot of hype due to Bill Parcells and Patriots head coach Bill Belichick
seemingly strained relationship due to the events following their final season coaching together with the New York Jets
. Though the Cowboys finished 10–6 and earned a playoff berth, they lost in the first round to the eventual NFC
champions, the Carolina Panthers
.
The Cowboys ranked first in total defense (253.5 yards per game), second in scoring (16.3 points per game) and third against the run, helping the team qualify for the playoffs for the first time in the decade.
This turned out to be the final season for long-time (and oftentimes Pro Bowl) Cowboys safety Darren Woodson. Woodson represented the last player link to the Jimmy Johnson
Cowboys (and to all three Super Bowl teams of the 1990s). Woodson was on the roster the following season (2004) but never saw action due to injury.
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...
organization as the team, coming off three consecutive 5–11 seasons, hired former 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 New England Patriots
New England Patriots
The New England Patriots, commonly called the "Pats", are a professional football team based in the Greater Boston area, playing their home games in the town of Foxborough, Massachusetts at Gillette Stadium. The team is part of the East Division of the American Football Conference in the National...
coach Bill Parcells
Bill Parcells
Duane Charles "Bill" Parcells is a former American football head coach, most recently with the Dallas Cowboys from 2003 to 2006...
.
Despite the release of team legend Emmitt Smith
Emmitt Smith
Emmitt James Smith, III is a retired American football player who was a running back in the National Football League for fifteen seasons during the 1990s and 2000s. Smith played college football for the University of Florida, where he was an All-American; thereafter, he played professionally for...
, the Cowboys' fortunes began to change with the introduction of Parcells as head coach
Head coach
A head coach, senior coach or manager is a professional at training and developing athletes. They typically hold a more public profile and are paid more than other coaches...
. Parcells began to reshape the team, particularly on offense, with an overhaul of the coaching staff, including former 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...
offensive coordinator
Offensive coordinator
An offensive coordinator is a member of the coaching staff of a gridiron football team who is in charge of the offense. Generally, along with his defensive counterpart, he represents the second level of command structure after the head coach...
Sean Payton
Sean Payton
Patrick Sean Payton is the current head coach of the New Orleans Saints of the National Football League. Payton was a quarterback at Naperville Central High School and Eastern Illinois University and played professionally in 1987 and 1988...
. Parcells retained much of the defensive staff, including defensive coordinator
Defensive coordinator
A defensive coordinator typically refers to a coach on a gridiron football team who is in charge of the defense. Generally, along with his offensive counterpart, he represents the second level of command structure after the head coach...
Mike Zimmer
Mike Zimmer
Mike Zimmer is the Defensive Coordinator for the National Football League's Cincinnati Bengals. He is the son of former NFL player Bill Zimmer and the father of Adam Zimmer, the Defensive Assistant/Linebackers for the NFL's Kansas City Chiefs.-Playing career:In high school, Zimmer was a successful...
, and maintained the team's basic 4-3 defense
4-3 defense
In American football, a 4–3 defense is a defensive alignment consisting of four down linemen and three linebackers. It is probably the most commonly used defense in modern American football and especially in the National Football League. NFL teams that use the 4–3 defense as of 2011 include the...
instead of immediately installing the 3-4 defense
3-4 defense
In American football, the 3–4 defense is a defensive alignment consisting of three down linemen and four linebackers.The 3–4 defense declined in popularity over the years, but has found renewed use by modern professional and college football teams. The 3–4 defense is so named because it involves 3...
which was a trademark of all Parcells's prior teams. This proved a wise decision, as the Cowboys finished the season with the top-ranked overall defense. As in his previous stops, Parcells started to rebuild his team through the draft. In his first year in Dallas, Parcells picked future 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...
players 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...
Terence Newman
Terence Newman
Terence Newman is a starting American football cornerback for the Dallas Cowboys in the National Football League. He played in the 2008 pro-bowl and has 32 interceptions in his career....
, 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...
Jason Witten
Jason Witten
Christopher Jason Witten is an American football tight end who plays for the Dallas Cowboys of the National Football League. He played college football at the University of Tennessee....
and future Cowboys defensive captain 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...
Bradie James
Bradie James
Bradie Gene James is an American football linebacker for the Dallas Cowboys of the National Football League.-High school career :...
. One of the biggest rookie acquisitions came via free agency when the team signed undrafted rookie and future franchise quarterback Tony Romo
Tony Romo
Antonio Ramiro "Tony" Romo is a professional American football quarterback in the NFL for the Dallas Cowboys. Romo's career passer rating - at 95.8 - ranks third-best all time. Tony Romo didn't play in the regular season in 2003, 2004, or 2005...
(although that move got little attention for a few years). Also typical of his prior teams, Parcells brought in veteran players who had played for him at his previous coaching stops, signing 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...
Richie Anderson
Richie Anderson
Richard Darnoll Anderson is a former American football Fullback who played 13 seasons in the National Football League for the New York Jets from 1994–2002 and the Dallas Cowboys from 2003-2004. He was selected to play in the Pro Bowl in 2001...
and speedy wide receiver
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...
Terry Glenn
Terry Glenn
Terry Tyree Glenn is a retired American football wide receiver. He was drafted by the New England Patriots seventh overall in the 1996 NFL Draft...
with whom Parcells had a checkered history.
Though the Cowboys opened the season with a loss, a dramatic come-from-behind victory the next week against the Giants at New York spurred the team's confidence, particularly in third-year 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...
Quincy Carter
Quincy Carter
Lavonya Quintelle "Quincy" Carter is a former American football quarterback. He was drafted in the second round of the 2001 NFL Draft by the Dallas Cowboys...
. This would be followed by a reunion with Emmitt Smith (now with the Arizona 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...
) in Dallas. Smith would injure his shoulder early in the game and not return. After starting with a 6–2 record, the Cowboys went 4–4 in the second half of the season including a loss to the eventual Super Bowl
Super Bowl
The Super Bowl is the championship game of the National Football League , the highest level of professional American football in the United States, culminating a season that begins in the late summer of the previous calendar year. The Super Bowl uses Roman numerals to identify each game, rather...
champion New England Patriots
New England Patriots
The New England Patriots, commonly called the "Pats", are a professional football team based in the Greater Boston area, playing their home games in the town of Foxborough, Massachusetts at Gillette Stadium. The team is part of the East Division of the American Football Conference in the National...
in Foxboro. The game received a lot of hype due to Bill Parcells and Patriots head coach Bill Belichick
Bill Belichick
William Stephen "Bill" Belichick is an American football head coach for the New England Patriots of the National Football League. After spending his first 15 seasons in the league as an assistant coach, Belichick got his first head coaching job with the Cleveland Browns in 1991...
seemingly strained relationship due to the events following their final season coaching together with the New York Jets
New York Jets
The New York Jets are a professional football team headquartered in Florham Park, New Jersey, representing the New York metropolitan area. The team is a member of the Eastern Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
. Though the Cowboys finished 10–6 and earned a playoff berth, they lost in the first round to the eventual NFC
National Football Conference
The National Football Conference is one of the two conferences of the National Football League . This conference and its counterpart, the American Football Conference , currently contain 16 teams each, making up the 32 teams of the NFL.-Current teams:Since 2002, the NFC has comprised 16 teams,...
champions, the Carolina Panthers
Carolina Panthers
The Carolina Panthers are a professional American football team based in Charlotte, North Carolina. They are currently members of the South Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The Panthers, along with the Jacksonville Jaguars, joined the NFL as expansion...
.
The Cowboys ranked first in total defense (253.5 yards per game), second in scoring (16.3 points per game) and third against the run, helping the team qualify for the playoffs for the first time in the decade.
This turned out to be the final season for long-time (and oftentimes Pro Bowl) Cowboys safety Darren Woodson. Woodson represented the last player link to the Jimmy Johnson
Jimmy Johnson (American football coach)
James William "Jimmy" Johnson is an American former NCAA and National Football League head coach. As of 2010, he is currently an analyst for Fox NFL Sunday, the Fox network's NFL pregame show. He was the first football coach whose teams won both an NCAA Division 1A National Championship and a...
Cowboys (and to all three Super Bowl teams of the 1990s). Woodson was on the roster the following season (2004) but never saw action due to injury.
Schedule
| Week | Date | Opponent | Result | Kickoff Time | Attendance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | September 7, 2003 | Atlanta Falcons Atlanta Falcons The Atlanta Falcons are a professional American football team based in Atlanta, Georgia. They are a member of the South Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League... |
L 27–13 | FOX 4:00pm | |
| 2 | September 15, 2003 | 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 35–32 | ABC 9:00pm | |
| 3 | Bye | ||||
| 4 | September 28, 2003 | at New York Jets New York Jets The New York Jets are a professional football team headquartered in Florham Park, New Jersey, representing the New York metropolitan area. The team is a member of the Eastern Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League... |
W 17–6 | FOX 4:00pm | |
| 5 | October 5, 2003 | Arizona 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... |
W 24–7 | FOX 1:00pm | |
| 6 | October 12, 2003 | 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... |
W 23–21 | FOX 1:00pm | |
| 7 | October 19, 2003 | 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... |
W 38–7 | FOX 1:00pm | |
| 8 | October 26, 2003 | at Tampa Bay Buccaneers Tampa Bay Buccaneers The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are a professional American football franchise based in Tampa, Florida, U.S. They are currently members of the Southern Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League – they are the only team in the division not to come from the old NFC West... |
L 16–0 | FOX 1:00pm | |
| 9 | November 2, 2003 | 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,... |
W 21–14 | FOX 4:00pm | |
| 10 | November 9, 2003 | Buffalo Bills Buffalo Bills The Buffalo Bills are a professional football team based in Buffalo, New York. They are currently members of the East Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League... |
W 10–6 | CBS 4:00pm | |
| 11 | November 16, 2003 | at New England Patriots New England Patriots The New England Patriots, commonly called the "Pats", are a professional football team based in the Greater Boston area, playing their home games in the town of Foxborough, Massachusetts at Gillette Stadium. The team is part of the East Division of the American Football Conference in the National... |
L 12–0 | ESPN 8:30pm | |
| 12 | November 23, 2003 | Carolina Panthers Carolina Panthers The Carolina Panthers are a professional American football team based in Charlotte, North Carolina. They are currently members of the South Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The Panthers, along with the Jacksonville Jaguars, joined the NFL as expansion... |
W 24–21 | FOX 1:00pm | |
| 13 | November 27, 2003 | Miami Dolphins Miami Dolphins The Miami Dolphins are a Professional football team based in the Miami metropolitan area in Florida. The team is part of the Eastern Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League... |
L 40–21 | CBS 4:00pm | |
| 14 | December 7, 2003 | 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 36–10 | FOX 1:00pm | |
| 15 | December 14, 2003 | 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,... |
W 27–0 | FOX 4:00pm | |
| 16 | December 21, 2003 | 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 19–3 | FOX 1:00pm | |
| 17 | December 28, 2003 | at New Orleans Saints New Orleans Saints The New Orleans Saints are a professional American football team based in New Orleans, Louisiana. They are members of the South Division of the National Football Conference of the National Football League .... |
L 13–7 | FOX 1:00pm | |
Roster
| Dallas Cowboys 2003 roster | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Quarterbacks
Running Backs
Wide Receivers
Tight Ends
|
Offensive Linemen
Flozell Adams Flozell "The Hotel" Adams is an American football offensive tackle who is currently a free agent. He was drafted by the Dallas Cowboys in the second round of the 1998 NFL Draft. He played college football at Michigan State.... T Larry Allen Larry Christopher Allen, Sr. is a former American football guard of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Dallas Cowboys in the second round of the 1994 NFL Draft... G Andre Gurode -Dallas Cowboys:Gurode was drafted by the Dallas Cowboys in the second round of the 2002 NFL Draft as a center.Gurode was selected to help shore up the center position and started fast by becoming the first rookie in club history to start at center on opening day.... G/C Matt Lehr Matthew Steven Lehr is an American football guard who is currently a free agent. He was drafted by the Dallas Cowboys in the fifth round of the 2001 NFL Draft. He played college football at Virginia Tech.... C/G Torrin Tucker Torrin Tucker is an American football offensive tackle for the Sacramento Mountain Lions of the United Football League. He was signed by the Dallas Cowboys as an undrafted free agent in 2003... G/T Kurt Vollers Kurt Fredrick Vollers is a former American football offensive lineman in the National Football League for the Dallas Cowboys and Indianapolis Colts. He played college football at the University of Notre Dame... T Tyson Walter Tyson Barrett Walter is a former American football player who played offensive tackle and center in the National Football League. The Dallas Cowboys drafted Walter in the sixth round of the 2002 NFL Draft... C Ryan Young Ryan Young was an American football offensive tackle in the National Football League for the New York Jets, Houston Texans, and Dallas Cowboys. He played college football at Kansas State University and was drafted in the seventh round of the 1999 NFL Draft.... T Defensive Linemen
|
Linebackers
Jamal Brooks Jamal Benjamin Brooks is an American football linebacker who is currently a free agent. He was originally signed by the Dallas Cowboys as an undrafted free agent in 2001. He played college football at Hampton.... MLB Dexter Coakley William Dexter Coakley is a former American football linebacker who played 10 seasons in the National Football League. He was a third round draft choice of the Dallas Cowboys in the 1997 NFL Draft, out of Division I-AA school Appalachian State... OLB Bradie James Bradie Gene James is an American football linebacker for the Dallas Cowboys of the National Football League.-High school career :... OLB/MLB Dat Nguyen Dat Tan Nguyen is a former American football linebacker in the National Football League . He was the first Vietnamese American to play in the NFL. He played for the Dallas Cowboys from 1999 to 2005. He played college football at Texas A&M. He was the Cowboys' assistant linebackers coach and... MLB Keith O'Neil Keith Daniel O'Neil is a former American football linebacker of the National Football League. He was signed by the Dallas Cowboys as an undrafted free agent in 2003... MLB Scott Shanle -St. Louis Rams:Shanle made his NFL debut against the New York Giants on September 7, 2003. He also saw special teams action in six games for St. Louis. He was waived by the Rams on December 9, 2003.-Dallas Cowboys:... MLB Al Singleton Alshermond Glendale Singleton is an American football linebacker in the National Football League. He played college football at Temple University and was drafted in the fourth round of the 1997 NFL Draft by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers where he played for six seasons... OLB Markus Steele Markus Steele is an American football linebacker who played for the National Football League Dallas Cowboys and for the Denver Broncos.-College career:... OLB Defensive Backs
Special Teams
|
Reserve Lists
Leonardo Carson Leonardo Tremayne Carson is an American football defensive tackle in the National Football League. He played college football at Auburn University.-Career:... DT (IR)  Aveion Cason Aveion Marquel Cason is a former American football running back and kick returner who played in the NFL from 2001 - 2009. He was originally signed by the St. Louis Rams as an undrafted free agent in 2001... RB (IR) Gennaro DiNapoli Gennaro L. DiNapoli is a former center and guard in the National Football League for the Oakland Raiders, the Tennessee Titans, and the Dallas Cowboys. He was the Raiders starting right guard in 1999 and the Titans starting center in 2002... G/C (IR) Rookies in italics 53 Active, 4 Inactive |
|||