Regular Season
After a lackluster draft which saw the team draft three cornerbacks to replace the departure of star cornerback Deion Sanders, the Dave Campo head coaching era would have an inauspicious start with an embarrassing blow-out defeat to the Philadelphia Eagles at home (in which the Eagles recovered an onsides kick on the opening kickoff). The loss would prove to be even more costly as quarterback Troy Aikman would suffer a serious concussion early in the game and newly acquired wide receiver Joey Galloway would suffer a season ending injury in the fourth quarter.
New faces like veteran quarterback Randall Cunningham and wide receiver James McKnight would fill in on offense under new offensive coordinator Jack Reilly. On defense, the loss of both starting cornerbacks in the off-season required the addition of veterans Phillipi Sparks and Ryan McNeil. Combined with perennial Pro Bowl safety Darren Woodson, the Cowboys fielded one of the NFL's best secondaries. Unfortunately, a leaky run defense and an inconsistent, aging offense would lead to a 5–11 record.
In a blow-out loss to the San Francisco 49ers, then controversial 49ers wide receiver Terrell Owens would cause an uproar by celebrating a touchdown on the large Cowboys star at midfield in Texas Stadium, prompting anger and resentment off the field. This prompted a retaliation by running back Emmitt Smith with a famous "Defend the Star" kneel down celebration of his own on the star. When Owens scored his second touchdown and promptly celebrated in midfield once more, then-safety George Teague knocked Owens off and a short brawl ensued on the field. Ironically, Owens would become a Cowboy later on in his career.
Emmitt Smith's tenth consecutive 1,000 yard season(an NFL record), along with a season sweep of the rival Washington Redskins would prove to be the only highlights in an otherwise disappointing season.
The Cowboys finished 31st in the league in run defense that season, allowing 164.8 yards per game and 4.9 yards per carry.
Notable additions to the team include future starting cornerback Mario Edwards, as well as Dwayne Goodrich. Goodrich would gain notoriety after being involved in a hit run which resulted in the deaths of two people. He was subsequently convicted of vehicular manslaughter.
Read more about this topic: 2000 Dallas Cowboys Season
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