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| Previous S.A. trips are no indicator |
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| Wednesday, 18 July 2007 | |
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This year will mark the Dallas Cowboys' third training camp in San Antonio, after a two-year run in 2002 and 2003. And if the past is any indication, this season could go either way for the Cowboys. After all, their two previous preseason stints in San Antonio yielded a mixed bag of results in the regular season. Take a look back at how the Cowboys finished in 2002 and 2003. CLINT HALE | 210SA 2002 Record: 5-11 Coach: Dave Campo Star player: Emmitt Smith, who was the only remaining member of the Cowboys' “big three,” which consisted of Smith, quarterback Troy Aikman and wide receiver Michael Irvin. Other major players: OL Larry Allen, LB Dexter Coakley, FS Roy Williams Big win: A 27-20 victory over bitter rival Washington on Nov. 28. Crushing defeat: A 44-13 dismantling at the hands of Philadelphia on Sept. 22. Key stat: 14/16, the touchdown/interception ratio of Cowboys' quarterback combo Chad Hutchinson and Quincy Carter. The fallout: Campo, who assembled three straight 5-11 campaigns, was fired after the season, while Smith — the leading rusher in NFL history — was released. The 210 take: After this season, Cowboys owner/general manager Jerry Jones begrudgingly swallowed his pride and turned the team over to new coach Bill Parcells. 2003 Record: 10-7 overall Coach: Bill Parcells Star player: Roy Williams, who became a defensive leader in only his second NFL season. Other major players: QB Quincy Carter, WR Terry Glenn, DL La'Roi Glover Big win: A 35-32 overtime victory over the New York Giants on Sept. 15 — the Cowboys' first victory of the season. Crushing defeat: A 29-10 loss to Carolina in the Wild Card round of the playoffs, which ended the Cowboys' first season under Parcells. Key stat: 228. The number of first downs allowed by the Cowboys' defense; 63 fewer than they allowed in 2002. The fallout: Carter, after reportedly failing a drug test, was released before the start of the 2004 season, which gave way to the elderly Vinny Testaverde and a 6-10 finish for the Cowboys. The 210 take: After Parcells turned the Cowboys' fortunes around, fans expected more of the same over the next few years. Unfortunately, the Cowboys never won a playoff game in Parcells' underwhelming four-year tenure. |
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