![]() The Cowboys secondary was led by 2 future hall of fame cornerbacks Herb Adderley (6 interceptions for 182 return yards) and Mel Renfro (4 interceptions for 11 yards). Dallas also had an outstanding trio of linebackers: Pro Bowler Chuck Howley, who recorded 5 interceptions and returned them for 122 yards Dave Edwards 2 interceptions and Lee Roy Jordan, who recorded 2 interceptions. Their defensive line was anchored by Pro Bowl defensive tackle Bob Lilly, who excelled at pressuring quarterbacks and breaking up running plays. The Dallas defense (nicknamed the " Doomsday Defense") had given up only one touchdown in the last 25 quarters prior to the Super Bowl. (Neely had broken his leg in November in a dirt-bike accident, and was replaced first by Gregg and then by Tony Liscio, who came out of retirement.) The offensive line, anchored by all-pro tackle Rayfield Wright, Pro Bowlers John Niland and Ralph Neely, and #64 Tony Liscio who was coaxed out of retirement by Tom Landry after Ralph Neely got injured off the field, was also a primary reason for their success on offense. Wide receivers Bob Hayes and Lance Alworth also provided a deep threat, catching a combined total of 69 passes for 1,327 yards and 10 touchdowns. (Thomas, upset that the Cowboys would not renegotiate his contract after his excellent rookie year, had stopped talking to the press and to almost everyone on the team). Garrison led the team in receptions during the season. The Cowboys did not lose a single one of Staubach's 13 starts in 1971 and –- most impressively –- he lifted the proverbial "team that couldn't win the big game" to its long-awaited first NFL championship." ĭallas also had an outstanding trio of running backs, Walt Garrison, Duane Thomas, and Calvin Hill, who rushed for a combined total of 1,690 yards and 14 touchdowns during the season. His 8.9 in the regular season is phenomenal in any era of the NFL, as was his 18 against a meager 4 (including postseason). The numbers are not big and gaudy, but they were ruthlessly efficient –- the 104.8 passer rating truly amazing in a season in which the average rating was 62.2. Said Cold Hard Football Facts of Staubach's 1971 season, "Staubach finally out-jockeyed Craig Morton for the starting gig with the Cowboys in 1971 and instantly produced one of the greatest passing seasons in history. He was also a terrific rusher, gaining 343 yards and 2 touchdowns on 41 carries. Staubach finished the regular season as the NFL's top rated passer (101.8) by throwing for 1,882 yards, 15 touchdowns, and only 4 interceptions. But after head coach Tom Landry settled on Staubach, the Cowboys won their last seven regular season games to finish with an 11–3 record.Ĭowboys' running back Duane Thomas rushing the ball for a touchdown in Super Bowl VI. The Cowboys were 4–3 at the season midpoint. As in the previous season, Dallas had a quarterback controversy as Roger Staubach and Craig Morton alternated as starting quarterback (in a loss to the Bears in game 7, Morton and Staubach alternated plays). The Super Bowl V loss added more fuel to that widely held view. The team entered the season still having the reputation of "not being able to win the big games" and "next year's champion". Duane Thomas scored the first touchdown, a 56-yard run two minutes and 16 seconds after the start of the game. The Cowboys opened the new Texas Stadium with a 44–21 win over the New England Patriots on Oct. Made roster † Pro Football Hall of Fame * Made at least one Pro Bowl during career Main article: 1971 NFL draft 1971 Dallas Cowboys draft Eighth-round selection Ron Jessie was cut after the Cowboys acquired San Diego Chargers All-Pro Lance Alworth, but went on to enjoy a long and successful NFL career with the Detroit Lions and Los Angeles Rams. ![]() Third-round selection Bill Gregory played seven seasons with the Cowboys, winning two Super Bowl rings. The 1971 NFL Draft was one of the worst in the history of the franchise, although the Cowboys recovered draft choices by trading Tody Smith and Ike Thomas to other teams. ![]() They were the first team from the NFC to win a Super Bowl since the 1970 merger of the NFL and the American Football League (AFL), and subsequently, the first team from the NFC East division to win the title. They won their second-consecutive NFC championship, then defeated the Miami Dolphins in Super Bowl VI to capture their first Super Bowl championship. ![]() Their defense allowed 222 points.įor the sixth consecutive season, the Cowboys had a first-place finish. The Cowboys led the NFL with 406 points scored. ![]() The 1971 Dallas Cowboys season was the franchise's 12th season in the National Football League (NFL), the first at the new Texas Stadium in suburban Irving, Texas and the 12th season under head coach Tom Landry. ![]()
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