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: He played for Dallas in 1990 and part of 1991 before being traded to Tampa Bay.

Intangibles: We have a bit of a theme for running backs wearing #32: Famous College Backs Turned Busts and Signed by Dallas as Free Agents. Highsmith is Exhibit #1.

Tyrone Hughes, CB, Nebraska, 1998

Statistics: Hughes averaged 9.3 yards per punt return and 24.7 yards per kickoff return during a short Dallas career.

Accolades: None with Dallas.

Longevity: He played in four games for Dallas in 1998.

Intangibles: He was signed late during the 1998 season as a punt returner. That was his last season as a pro.

Tim Jackson, S, Nebraska, 1989

Statistics: None.

Accolades: None.

Longevity: He only saw action in one pro game.

Intangibles: The former Dallas Skyline star had few opportunities in Dallas.

ReShard Lee, RB, Middle Tennessee State, 2004

Statistics: Lee averaged 23.5 yards per kickoff return with the Cowboys.

Accolades: None.

Longevity: He played one season with the Cowboys.

Intangibles: Lee made the team as a free agent in 2004 and was not a bad returner. He later played with Green Bay and Oakland.

Anthony Thomas, RB, Michigan, 2005

Statistics: Thomas rushed for 80 yards with the Cowboys.

Accolades: None.

Longevity: He played in only six games for the Cowboys before being released.

Intangibles: Exhibit #2 of Famous College Backs Turned Busts and Signed by Dallas as Free Agents. He was a two-time 1,000-yard rusher for Chicago, but he never quite reached expectations. As a Cowboy, he did very little.

Blair Thomas, RB, Penn State, 1994

Statistics: Thomas rushed for 70 yards with the Cowboys.

Accolades: None.

Longevity: He played in two regular season games with Dallas, along with two playoff games.

Intangibles: Exhibit #3 of Famous College Backs Turned Busts and Signed by Dallas as Free Agents. Thomas was brought in when Emmitt Smith suffered a hamstring injury near the end of the 1994 season. Thomas showed very little.

Dennis Thurman, DB, Southern California, 1978-85

Statistics: Thurman had 36 interceptions as a Cowboy.

Accolades: His 36 picks rank fourth in team history. His four career touchdowns on interception returns is tied for the most in club history.

Longevity: He played eight seasons in Dallas.

Intangibles: The famous “Thurman’s Thieves” were named after Thurman, who was a part-time starter during the early 1980s. Few defensive backs in team history have had a nose for the ball quite like Thurman, who now coaches with the Baltimore Ravens.

Michael Wiley, RB, Ohio State, 2000-02

Statistics: He rushed for 503 yards with the Cowboys.

Accolades: None.

Longevity: He played three seasons for Dallas.

Intangibles: Wiley was the third-down back during three forgettable seasons with Dallas (2000 to 2002).

Poll

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My Vote: Garrison

As much as I want to vote for Thurman here, I’ve got to give this to Garrison. The former rodeo star and Skoal pitchman is an icon in team history, ranking up there with Bill Bates. He was also a very good running back, ranking sixth in rushing yards and rushing touchdowns in team history.

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 interference call by Fred Swearingen during SB XIII. Barnes finished his career as a strong safety.

Otto Brown, DB, Prairie View, 1969

Statistics: Brown had one interception as a member of the Cowboys.

Accolades: None.

Longevity: Brown lasted one season in Dallas.

Intangibles: He started a few games at cornerback in 1969 but was traded upon the arrival of Cliff Harris and Charlie Waters in 1970.

Fred Cone, K, Clemson, 1960

Statistics: Cone made 6 of 13 field goals for the Cowboys.

Accolades: None.

Longevity: He played one season in Dallas.

Intangibles: Cone came out of retirement to play for the Cowboys during their inaugural year, but he retired once again following that season.

Bill Hill, CB, Rutgers, 1987

Statistics: Hill did not record any stats. He started one of the replacement games in 1987.

Accolades: Replacement player.

Longevity: Replacement player.

Intangibles: Not much to remember.

Brock Marion, S, Nevada-Reno, 1993-97

Statistics: Marion recorded eight interceptions with the Cowboys.

Accolades: None with Dallas.

Longevity: He played five seasons in Dallas before joining Miami.

Intangibles: Marion was a solid free safety who started Super Bowl XXX. He later became a Pro Bowler with the Dolphins.

Amos Marsh, RB, Oregon State, 1961-64

Statistics: Marsh rushed for 2065 yards and 14 touchdowns with the Cowboys.

Accolades: None.

Longevity: He played four seasons with the Cowboys.

Intangibles: His best season with the club was 1962, when he gained 802 yards and had a 5.6 average. During that season, he had a 101-yard kickoff return for a touchdown. He finished his career with Detroit.

Billy Owens, DB, Pittsburgh, 1988

Statistics: Owens recorded one sack with the Cowboys.

Accolades: None.

Longevity: He lasted one season in Dallas.

Intangibles: He played in the nickel package during the dreadful 1988 season. Most probably don’t remember him.

Gloster Richardson, WR, Jackson State, 1971

Statistics: Richardson caught eight passes for 170 yards with the Cowboys.

Accolades: None.

Longevity: He lasted one year in Dallas.

Intangibles:Richardson arrived in 1971 to replace Dennis Homan, but he left for Cleveland the following year.

Sim Stokes, WR, Northern Arizona, 1967

Statistics: Stokes averaged 23.0 yards per kickoff return.

Accolades: None.

Longevity: He played in three games in 1967.

Intangibles: Memorable name, but not much else. However, he does serve an the answer of this trivia question: To whom did Don Meredith throw a long incomplete pass on the final play of the Ice Bowl? (question courtesy of The Dallas Cowboys Encyclopedia)

George Teague, S, Alabama, 1996, 1998-01

Statistics: Teague recorded seven interceptions with the Cowboys.

Accolades: None with Dallas.

Longevity: He played in a total of five seasons with Dallas, first in 1996 and then from 1998 to 2001.

Intangibles: Other than a very good game in the playoffs vs. Minnesota in 1996, he is known for…

Roy Williams, S, Oklahoma, 2002-

Statistics: Williams has recorded 19 interception in his career. His 414 tackles ranks seventh in team history.

Accolades: Five Pro Bowl appearances, and he was named All-Pro once.

Longevity: Assuming he remains, 2008 will be his seventh season.

Intangibles: He has changed numbers and will wear #38 in 2008. I’m leaving him on the list for #31 thanks to his accolades while wearing that number.

Poll

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My Vote: Williams

Williams may be getting worse in coverage, and frankly he deserves the criticism he’s received lately. But he has achieved more than anyone else on this list and, when it’s all said and done, he should be remembered as a great player for this franchise.

Teague will always be remembered as “Defender of the Star,” but he just wasn’t quite as good as Roy. Marion was also a good player but was better as a Dolphin than as a Cowboy.

Here is a recap of the leaders of the polls for Greatest Players by Their Jersey Numbers thus far.

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 of those back for touchdowns.

Accolades: None with Dallas.

Longevity: Holt played four seasons in Dallas.

Intangibles: He was part of the Herschel Walker trade and was probably the best player of those acquired. He made some big plays and held on to his starting job until Kevin Smith took over in 1992.

Timmy Newsome, RB, Winston-Salem, 1980-88

Statistics: Newsome rushed for 1226 yards and scored 19 touchdowns for the Cowboys.

Accolades: None.

Longevity: He played nine seasons with Dallas.

Intangibles: Newsome was a quality fullback, though perhaps not remembered quite as fondly as others, such as Walt Garrison or Robert Newhouse. He was a good back coming out of the backfield.

Dan Reeves, RB, South Carolina, 1965-72

Statistics: Reeves rushed for 1990 yards and scored 25 touchdowns in Dallas.

Accolades: None.

Longevity: He played eight seasons in Dallas before becoming a full-time coach.

Intangibles: Reeves was a multi-talented player. In 1966, he caught 41 passes for 557 yards and scored eight touchdowns through the air. By the end of his career, he was overshadowed on the field by the likes of Duane Thomas and Calvin Hill. By that time, he served as a player-coach.

Darren Studstill, S, West Virginia, 1994

Statistics: Studstill recorded no stats.

Accolades: None.

Longevity: He played in one game for Dallas in 1994.

Intangibles: Studstill was on the inactive list for most of his one season with the Cowboys. He played two more years with Jacksonville.

Dick Van Raaphorst, K, Ohio State, 1964

Statistics: He made 14 of 29 field goal attempts for the Cowboys.

Accolades: None with Dallas.

Longevity: He lasted just one season in Dallas.

Intangibles: With a low success rate on field goals, he was replaced in 1965 by Danny Villanueva. He later became a Pro Bowl kicker with the Chargers.

Bryant Westbrook, CB, Texas, 2002

Statistics: Westbrook did not record any stats worth noting.

Accolades: None with Dallas.

Longevity: He lasted one game in 2002.

Intangibles: Westbrook, a former first-round pick in 1997 by Detroit, was the fall guy when the Cowboys lost to the Houston Texans to start the 2002 season, thanks to his poor coverage during the game. He finished the season with the Packers but never played again.

Kenny Wheaton, CB, Oregon, 1997-99

Statistics: Wheaton recorded one interception with the Cowboys.

Accolades: None.

Longevity: He lasted parts of three seasons with Dallas.

Intangibles: A former third-round pick, Wheaton saw quite a bit of action in 1998, but he lacked much talent. He played in only five games in 1999. He moved on to play in the Arena Football League and now plays in Canada.

Charles Young, RB, North Carolina State, 1974-76

Statistics: Young rushed for 638 yards with the Cowboys.

Accolades: None.

Longevity: He lasted three seasons in Dallas.

Intangibles: Young alternated between fullback and tailback and saw quite a bit of action during his three seasons with the team. He lost favor with Tom Landry in 1976, though, after dropping two key passes against the Cardinals, and he missed all of the 1977 season with an injury. He never played again.

Poll

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My Vote: Newsome

I am going to go with Newsome here thanks to longevity. He was a pretty good blocker but better remembered as a receiver out of the backfield. I can’t seem to find a picture of him, but here is a video that I posted several months ago:

Note: Please read the comments to this post for more on Reeves, who is probably the better pick here.

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 but forgotten.

Alundis Brice, CB, Mississippi, 1995-96

Note: Brice also wore #21 and #23.

Statistics: Brice recorded one interception with the Cowboys.

Accolades: None.

Longevity: Brice lasted two seasons with Dallas.

Intangibles: He is probably best remembered for giving up #21 to Deion Sanders.

Woodrow Dantzler, RB, Clemson, 2002-05

Statistics: Dantzler averaged 22.3 yards per return on kickoffs for the Cowboys.

Accolades: None.

Longevity: Dantzler played in part of one season for the Cowboys.

Intangibles: He was a former college quarterback and something of a fan-favorite in Dallas. However, Bill Parcells let him go late during training camp in 2003, ending his career in Dallas.

Keith Davis, S, Sam Houston, 2002-

Statistics: Davis recorded 99 tackles with the Cowboys.

Accolades: None.

Longevity: Davis lasted five seasons in Dallas but recently signed with the Miami Dolphins.

Intangibles: Davis was a very good special teams player, earning the title of captain.

Kenneth Gant, CB, Albany St., 1990-94

Statistics: Gant recorded three sacks, seven interceptions and 130 tackles with the Cowboys.

Accolades: None.

Longevity: Gant played five seasons in Dallas before playing three years in Tampa Bay.

Intangibles:Gant was widely known for his “Shark Dance,” which was a staple during the early 1990s. He was a very good special teams player and an unforgettable character.

Robert Lavette, RB, Georgia Tech, 1985-87

Statistics: Lavette averaged 19.6 yards per return on kickoffs.

Accolades: None.

Longevity: Lavette played less than three full seasons with the Cowboys.

Intangibles: Lavette was a star at Georgia Tech but had trouble finding room to play with Tony Dorsett and Herschel Walker sharing the backfield. He finished his career in 1987 with the Eagles.

Adrian Murrell, RB, West Virginia, 2003

Statistics: Murrell rushed for 107 yards with the Cowboys.

Accolades: None with Dallas.

Longevity: Murrell played in only three games for Dallas.

Intangibles: He had some success with the Jets and Cardinals but only saw limited action with Dallas.

Greg Myers, S, Colorado State, 2000

Statistics: Myers recorded 13 tackles with the Cowboys.

Accolades: None.

Longevity: He played in six games for Dallas in 2000.

Intangibles: Myers was a former Bengal who started four games at safety in a dismal 2000 season.

Poll

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My Vote: Gant

Most of these guys were role players, but few were as memorable as Gant. He was also a great special teams player– better than Davis, in fact.