MVN: Most Valuable Network

Greatest Cowboys By Their Jersey Numbers: #37

Part of the Greatest Players by Number Series Jersey #37 Nine players have worn #37, including five defensive backs and four running backs. Phil Clark, DB, Northwestern, 1967-69 Statistics: Clark recorded three interceptions with the Cowboys. Accolades: None. Longevity: He played three seasons with Dallas. Intangibles: Clark showed promise during the late 1960s. However, after a disappointing 1969 season, along with the signing of several new defensive backs in 1970, he became expendable. He was traded that year to Chicago. Perry Lee Dunn, RB, Mississippi, 1964-65 Statistics: Dunn rushed for 274 yards and three touchdowns with the Cowboys. Accolades: None. Longevity: He played two seasons in Dallas. Intangibles: Dunn was a converted college quarterback who saw some action in 1964 and 1965. However, he left for Atlanta after the Cowboys acquired Walt Garrison. Jim Jensen, RB, Iowa, 1976 Statistics: He averaged 24.1 yards per kickoff return with Dallas. Accolades: None....

My Favorite Piece of Spam

I'm really getting used to receiving all sorts of spam on this site, either through email comments, post comments, or otherwise. The one I received today has somehow become my all-time favorite, though, which may tell more about my sense of humor than I care to reveal. But here it goes... [If you can't see this, it is an email from "Louisa Winkler," who informs me that "your life is crap"] Something about someone taking the time to write an email to me to tell me that my life is crap...is pretty damn funny. So this now leaves me wondering whether my life is crap because of the Greatest Cowboys by Jersey Number series, or perhaps because of my stint in the news regarding academic tenure at a certain Baptist university in the South (see also here, here, here, here, and more...). I certainly hope it's not the series about...

Greatest Cowboys By Their Jersey Numbers: #36

Part of the Greatest Players by Number Series Jersey #36 Nine players have worn #36, including two defensive backs, six running backs, and a tight end/kicker. Vince Albritton, S, Washington, 1984-91 Statistics: Albritton had one interception and three sacks during his career. He recorded a career-high 111 tackles in 1989, he only year as a starter. Accolades: None. Longevity: Albritton played eight season for the Cowboys, mostly on special teams. Intangibles:He was mostly a special teams player during his career. He won the starting job at strong safety during the dismal 1989 season, but he suffered through some injuries after that and was never again a full-time starter. Darian Barnes, FB, Hampton, 2004 Statistics: Barnes caught ten passes for 59 yards with the Cowboys. Accolades: None. Longevity: He lasted one season in Dallas, starting ten games. Intangibles: Barnes was a serviceable blocking back and not a bad pass receiver. He...

Greatest Cowboys By Their Jersey Numbers: #35

Part of the Greatest Players by Number Series Jersey #35 Twelve players have worn #35, including three defensive backs, eight running backs, and a receiver. Jimmy Armstrong, DB, Appalachian State, 1987 Statistics: He started two games as a replacement player. Accolades: Replacement player. Longevity: Replacement player. Intangibles: Replacement player. Update: Thanks to the blog AppFan, which follows Appalachian State's athletics, we know a bit more about Armstrong: Armstrong wore No. 25 at App State from 1983-86. He was a hero in Sparky Woods first win as coach, and later was an all-conference DB (1986). He “played” just that one “season” in the NFL. Robert Chancey, RB, No College, 1999 Statistics: He gained 57 yards for the Cowboys. Accolades: None. Longevity: He played in three games in Dallas. Intangibles: Chancey gained all of his yards come in one game against Green Bay in 1999. He was gone after one season. Wendell...

Greatest Cowboys By Their Jersey Numbers: #34

Part of the Greatest Players by Number Series Jersey #34 Ten players have worn #34, including six running backs and four defensive backs. Tommie Agee, FB, Auburn, 1990-94 Statistics: Agee rushed for 304 yards with the Cowboys. Accolades: None. Longevity: Agee played five seasons with Dallas. Intangibles: He was primarily a special teams player and a backup fullback. His real value was in the locker room, where players nicknamed him "The Reverend" thanks to his positive influence. Deon Anderson, FB, Connecticut, 2007- Statistics: Anderson caught six passes as a rookie in 2007. Accolades: None. Longevity: He will enter his second season in 2008. Intangibles: He showed promise as a pass-receiving fullback in 2007, but an injury cut his season short. Expect good things from him. Fred Doelling, S, Pennsylvania, 1960 Statistics: Doelling started a few games at safety for the expansion Cowboys. Accolades: None. Longevity: He played only one NFL...

Greatest Cowboys By Their Jersey Numbers: #33

Part of the Greatest Players by Number Series Jersey #33 Eleven players have worn #33, including three defensive backs, a kicker, five running backs, a linebacker, and a linebacker/fullback. Gene Babb, LB/RB, Austin College, 1960-61 Statistics: Babb rushed for 115 yards with the Cowboys. Accolades: None. Longevity: Babb played two seasons with the Cowboys. Intangibles: Babb came out of semi-retirement to play for the upstart Cowboys in 1960 and 1961. He moved to linebacker from fullback in 1961 and was traded to Houston after the 1961 season. Jason Bell, CB, UCLA, 2001 Statistics: Bell recorded a couple of tackles with Dallas, but little else. Accolades: None. Longevity: Bell played one season in Dallas. Intangibles: Bell left Dallas after one year to join the expansion Houston Texans in 2002. Eric Brown, DB, Savannah State, 1989 Statistics: None. Accolades: None. Longevity: He played one season in Dallas and saw action in only...

Greatest Cowboys By Their Jersey Numbers: #32

Part of the Greatest Players by Number Series Jersey #32 Eight players have worn #32, including four defensive backs and four running backs. Tom Franckhauser, CB, Purdue, 1960-61 Statistics: Franckhauser had four interceptions with the Cowboys. Accolades: None. Longevity: He played two seasons in Dallas. Intangibles: He holds the distinction as the first member of the Dallas Cowboys to touch a football in a regular season game, returning the opening kickoff against the Pittsburgh Steelers in 1960. Walt Garrison, RB, Oklahoma State, 1966-74 Statistics: Garrison rushed for 3886 yards and 30 touchdowns with the Cowboys. Accolades: He made the Pro Bowl once (1972). Longevity: He lasted nine seasons in Dallas. Intangibles: One of the great characters in team history. He was one of the toughest players ever to wear a Cowboy jersey. Alonzo Highsmith, FB, Miami, Fla., 1990-91 Statistics: He rushed for 48 yards for the Cowboys. Accolades: None. Longevity:...

Greatest Cowboys By Their Jersey Numbers: #31

Part of the Greatest Players by Number Series Jersey #31 Twelve players have worn #31, including two running backs, seven defensive backs, a kicker, and two wide receivers. Gary Allen, RB, Hawaii, 1983-84 Statistics: Allen averaged 9.5 yards per punt return and 20.6 yards per kickoff return for the Cowboys. Accolades: None. Longevity: Allen lasted less than two full seasons with the Cowboys. Intangibles: Allen was the team's primary punt and kick returner in 1984. The team unsuccessfully tried to convert him to receiver in 1985, though, and he never played after that. Benny Barnes, DB, Stanford, 1972-82 Statistics: Barnes recorded 11 career interceptions. Accolades: None. Longevity: Barnes played 11 seasons in Dallas, including six as a full-time starter. Intangibles: Barnes was the special teams captain before moving into the starting role at cornerback in 1976. He started Super Bowls XII and XIII and was involved in the infamous pass...

Greatest Cowboys By Their Jersey Numbers: Numbers 1-30

Here is a recap of the leaders of the polls for Greatest Players by Their Jersey Numbers thus far. Number Name Pos. College Years 1 Mat McBriar (62%) P Hawaii 2004-present 2 Lin Elliott (64%) K Texas Tech 1992-1993 3 Billy Cundiff (30%) K Drake 2002-2005 4 Mike Saxon (75%) P San Diego St. 1985-1992 5 Clint Stoerner (81%) QB Arkansas 2000-2002 6 Nick Folk (93%) K Arizona 2007-present 7 Steve Beuerlein (70%) QB Notre Dame 1991-1992 8 Troy Aikman (91%) QB UCLA 1989-2000 9 Tony Romo (98%) QB Eastern Ill. 2003-present 10 Ron Widby (76%) P Tennessee 1968-1971 11 Danny White (96%) QB/P Arizona State 1976-1988 12 Roger Staubach (96%) QB Navy 1969-1979 13 Jerry Rhome (86%) QB Tulsa 1965-1968 14 Craig Morton (75%) QB California 1965-1974 15 Tony Fritsch (78%) K Vienna, Austria 1971-1973, 1975 16 Vinny Testaverde (64%) QB Miami 2004 17 Don Meredith (87%) QB SMU...

Greatest Cowboys By Their Jersey Numbers: #30

Part of the Greatest Players by Number Series Jersey #30 Ten players have worn #30, including five defensive backs, three running backs, a kicker, and one linebacker/fullback. Mike Dowdle, RB/LB, Texas, 1960-62 Statistics: Dowdle recorded two interceptions with the Cowboys as a linebacker. Accolades: None. Longevity: He lasted three seasons with the Cowboys. Intangibles:Dowdle was drafted by San Francisco but released before the season started. After Dallas picked him up, he played as a backup fullback in 1960. He moved to linebacker in 1961 and started several games there. Lance Frazier, CB, West Virgina, 2004 Statistics: Frazier had two interceptions for the Cowboys. Accolades: None. Longevity: He lasted one season in Dallas. Intangibles: Dallas picked up Frazier after he was released by Baltimore in 2004. He now plays in the Canadian Football League. Issiac Holt, CB, Alcorn State, 1989-92 Statistics: Holt had nine interceptions with the Cowboys and ran two...

Greatest Cowboys By Their Jersey Numbers: #29

Part of the Greatest Players by Number Series Jersey #29 Ten players have worn #29, including six defensive backs, three running backs, and a kick returner. Chris Akins, S, Arkansas-Pine Bluff, 1999-00 Statistics: Akins had minimal statistics during his time in Dallas. Accolades: None. Longevity: Akins played in parts of two seasons with Dallas. Intangibles: He was mostly a special teams player in his limited time with the team. Michael Bates, WR/KR, Arizona, 2003 Statistics: Bates returned four kickoffs with a 22.5-yard average. Accolades: None with Dallas. Longevity: Bates played in one game with the Cowboys in 2003. Intangibles: Bates appeared in the season finale against New Orleans in 2003. The former all-pro returner did not play in the playoffs and retired after that season. Terry Billups, CB, North Carolina, 1998 Statistics: Billups had no recorded stats with the Cowboys. Accolades: None. Longevity: He played in one game. Intangibles: All...

Greatest Cowboys By Their Jersey Numbers: #28

Part of the Greatest Players by Number Series Jersey #28 Five players have worn #28, including four running backs and a defensive back. Note: This list does not include first-round pick Felix Jones, who has been assigned #28. Alvin Blount, RB, Maryland, 1987 Statistics: Blount rushed for 125 yards and 3 TDs with the Cowboys. Accolades: (Replacement player). Longevity: (Replacement player). Intangibles: Blount was a 9th round pick in 1987 but only appeared in two replacement games that season. Norm Granger, RB, Iowa, 1984 Statistics: Granger had limited statistics during a short career in Dallas. Accolades: None. Longevity: Granger dressed for 15 games in 1984 but seldom played. Intangibles: Granger later appeared as a replacement player with the Atlanta Falcons in 1987. Curtis Stewart, RB, Auburn, 1989 Statistics: None. Accolades: None. Longevity: Stewart played in two games for Dallas in 1989. Intangibles: He saw some action on special teams but...

Greatest Cowboys By Their Jersey Numbers: #27

Part of the Greatest Players by Number Series Jersey #27 Twelve players have worn #27, including eight defensive backs and four running backs. Courtney Brown, S, Cal Poly, 2007- Statistics: Brown recorded one fumble recovery in 2007. Accolades: None. Longevity: Brown will enter his second season in 2008. Intangibles: A seventh-round pick last year, Brown played in eight games for the Cowboys in 2007. He will need to show more next season if he is going to remain here long-term. Mario Edwards, CB, Florida State, 2000-03 Statistics: Edwards recorded four interceptions with the Cowboys. Accolades: None. Longevity: Edwards played four seasons in Dallas. Intangibles: He was part of the 2000 draft, when the Cowboys took three cornerbacks. Edwards lasted longer than Dwayne Goodrich and Kareem Larrimore, starting 47 games in four seasons. He left via free agency in 2004 but played only one season with Tampa Bay. Thomas Everett, S,...

Resolved: Rookie Jersey Numbers (at least for now)

Two days ago, I offered some suggested jersey numbers for the newest members of the Dallas Cowboys. The rookies wore their initial numbers at rookie camp today, and as it turns out, I was way off... at least for now. Here are the new numbers of the rookies, including free agents. Draft Choices (1) Felix Jones, RB Suggested #: 25 Actual #: 28 (2) Mike Jenkins, CB Suggested #: 44 Actual #: 31 (3) Martellus Bennett, TE Suggested #: 87 Actual #: 80 (4) Tashard Choice, RB Suggested #: 32 Actual #: 29 (5) Orlando Scandrick, CB Suggested #: 28 Actual #: 32 (6) Erik Walden, LB Suggested #: 95 Actual #: 53 Free Agents Danny Amendola, WR (Texas Tech): #18 Drew Atchison, TE (William & Mary): #87 Mark Bradford, WR (Stanford): #13 Andrew Brecher, T (Harvard): n/a Julius Crosslin, FB (Oklahoma State): #39 Dowayne Davis, S (Syracuse): #47 Marcus...

Greatest Cowboys By Their Jersey Numbers: #26

Part of the Greatest Players by Number Series Jersey #26 Ten players have worn #26, including seven defensive backs, two running backs, and a wide receiver. Note: This was recently updated to include Aaron Glenn, who was inadvertently omitted from the original list. Herb Adderley, CB, Michigan State, 1970-72 Statistics: Adderley had nine interceptions with the Cowboys, including six in 1971. Accolades: He is a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame, due mostly to his play with the Green Bay Packers. Longevity: Adderley joined the Cowboys in 1970 and played three seasons. Intangibles: He was an important part of two Super Bowl teams. He was quick, had great coverage skills, and was a solid tackler. Bart Starr called the greatest corner to ever play the game. Andrew Davison, CB, Kansas, 2003 Statistics: He played in four games but did not record any statistics. Accolades: None. Longevity: Four games....

Suggested Jersey Numbers for the New Dallas Cowboys

I don't know that anyone is waiting anxiously for me to resume the Greatest Players by Number Series, but before I continue with that, here's a look at some possible numbers for these new players. [I assume that these players have not been assigned a number; if they have, just play along with me that they haven't...] Felix Jones, RB: #25 Pat Watkins currently has number 25, but since Watkins wore #22 at Florida State, he ought to consider what he could get from Jones for the number. Jones has a better chance of being a great #25-- perhaps the best ever (even if Watkins is leading our poll right now)-- so this deal should go through. Watkins could pick up #31 now that Roy Williams is changing to #38. Mike Jenkins, CB: #44 Jenkins wore #4 in college at Oregon, so he'll need a new number. I'd suggest #44,...