Following a 6-10 period of your time in 1997, Barry Switzer resigned as the mind mentor within of the Dallas Cowboys, Jerry Jones then proceeding to brand Chan Gailey as the fourth mind mentor inside the team's history. Gailey, who experienced previously served as the Pittsburgh Steelers offensive coordinator, seemingly restored the Cowboys' offense, which positioned ninth inside the NFL by season's end.
After winning the period of your time opener 38-10 in opposition to the Arizona Cardinals, Troy Aikman was injured within of a month 2 great loss at Denver and missed the following 5 games. Reserve quarterback Jason Garrett stepped in throughout Aikman's absence and went 3-2 as the starter.
The Cowboys dominated the NFC East to triumph the division name using the sixth time in 7 many years using a 10-6 record. inside the process, they started to be the major team actually to go undefeated inside the NFC East, sweeping all of the division rivals for an 8-0 record.
Dallas extended its NFL report for postseason appearances to 25, web hosting an NFC Wild Card Playoff gaming in opposition to division rival Arizona. The Cowboys experienced previously handled the Cardinals twice throughout the usual season, however, they have been stunned, dropping 20-7.
MVP: This honor is favored exemplified by the all round performance he fit on within of a Monday evening victory. Deion Sanders' all-round effort inside the Cowboys' 31-7 triumph much more compared to Giants was so unique, the NFL set up a brand new weekly award to honor him. Sanders, who lined up at cornerback, broad receiver and punt returner inside the game, was named the NFC's "Prime Time" participant within of the month within of a type named correct after his self-proclaimed nickname. Sanders scored the game's major touchdown using a 59-yard punt return. He set up up an extra touchdown using a 55-yard reception and sealed the victory using a 71-yard interception return for just about any score.
Sanders completed the period of your time with 5 interceptions, just one fumble recovery, 7 receptions for 100 yards, 375 punt return yards and three complete touchdowns. When he suffered a toe injury past due inside the year, the Cowboys have been 8-3 and riding high. without the need of him, the team went just 2-3 straight down the extend after which lost the playoff gaming when Sanders returned, but was clearly not 100 percent.
Best Win: The Cowboys closed the yr using a 23-7 victory much more than Washington, marking the 23rd period of your time by which Dallas recorded on the very lowest 10 wins - an NFL record. The triumph much more compared to Redskins also enabled the Cowboys to become the major team inside the qualifications within of the NFC East to article an 8-0 report in division play. Emmitt Smith's two touchdown scores inside the gaming (124) and (125) broke Marcus Allen's NFL occupation rushing touchdowns report (123).
Toughest loss: In month 14, the Cowboys suffered a 22-3 great loss in the direction of the Saints in New Orleans. inside the defeat, the Saints outgained the Cowboys 328-186. Smith rushed 15 instances for just about any complete of 6 yards as well as a career-low 0.4 yards per hold average. The Cowboys seemed doomed inside the start as Aikman was penalized for intentional grounding inside the finish off zone, providing the Saints a 2-0 guide inside the major quarter. it may be just one of nine penalties inside the morning using the Cowboys, which resulted within of a complete of 84 yards lost.
Change of Venue: using the major time inside the 1990s the Cowboys held instruction camp outside within of the cash neighborhood of Texas. The Cowboys moved from St. Edwards college in Austin to Midwestern suggest college in Wichita Falls. It marked the 10th yr the Cowboys held instruction camp within of the state.
The new surroundings proved getting a success in 1998 as mind mentor Chan Gailey aided guide the Cowboys to some 10-6 finish off as well as the NFC Eastern Division title. However, in retrospect the proceed to Wichita Falls wasn't especially optimistic as the Cowboys have however to create a extremely Bowl visual appeal since shifting from Austin.
Best Acquisition: The Cowboys set up two draft picks that proved getting amid one of the most beneficial in business history. using the eighth all round pick, the Cowboys drafted Greg Ellis, defensive finish off from North Carolina. In 11 seasons using the Cowboys, Ellis experienced 77 sacks, eighth in business history, and recorded 377 tackles. In 2007, he set up his lone expert Bowl visual appeal getting a linebacker correct after documenting 12.5 sacks in only 13 fixtures played.
With their next choose within of the draft (38 overall), the Cowboys selected offensive lineman Flozell Adams out of Michigan State. Adams, who began his rookie yr at correct guard, done in 182 fixtures using the Cowboys and set up the expert Bowl roster 5 instances at left tackle.
Achievements: at the same time to breaking Allen's touchdown record, Smith started to be the Cowboys all-time major rusher. With 163 yards on 29 carries within of a 16-6 triumph much more compared to Giants, Smith pushed past Tony Dorsett (12,036) and in to the Cowboys' best spot. With his seventh expert Bowl selection, Smith also started to be the only offensive participant in business qualifications getting invited in the direction of the expert Bowl that numerous times.
With his expert Bowl choice at tackle in 1998, Larry Allen started to be just the 3rd participant in league qualifications getting selected in the direction of the expert Bowl at additional than just one offensive collection placement throughout his career, joining Bruce Matthews (guard/center) and Chris Hinton (guard/tackle). Previously Allen was selected 6 instances getting a shield (1995-97, 1999-01).
Getting Mossed: within of a 46-36 great loss to Minnesota on Thanksgiving Day, Aikman passed for just about any career-high 455 yards. But that gaming will forever be remembered for obtaining torched by Vikings rookie Randy Moss, whom the Cowboys passed on using the eighth all round pick. Moss took it out inside the Cowboys, catching just three passes, but scoring on all three for just about any complete of 158 yards in amid the finest activities with a Cowboys' opponent in business history.
