If the Dallas Cowboys are living on fumes from their glory days, they still have the attention and respect of their peers.
Nine Cowboys were selected to the NFC Pro Bowl team announced Thursday. That’s more than any other team in the NFL and more than the defending Super Bowl champions deserved. Fans may have helped keep the Cowboys on top, but they can’t outvote players or coaches, who comprise two-thirds of the weight. Since they just voted on Monday, they must not be paying much attention to the standings, which show the Cowboys with the fourth-best record in the conference, seventh best in the league.
Four-fifths of an offensive line that is old and tired made the team–Erik Williams, Larry Allen, Ray Donaldson and Nate Newton. Left out Mark Tuinei should ask for a recount. Only Allen deserved it on an offense ranked 19th in rushing and 17th in passing and described thusly by quarterback Troy Aikman: “We’re not able to run the football and we can’t throw the ball.”
But reputation can go a long way. In the playoffs, it only has to go three games.
“Our football team is a team of talented players. When they walk on the field for one game–our players against their players–I like our chances,” owner Jerry Jones said.
Evidently, so do the voters. And it’s not like all the same old Cowboys made it. Emmitt Smith didn’t, and Jim Schwantz did. Schwantz is the Cowboys’ special-teams ace, obtained from the Bears in 1994. When he reported, Schwantz told the Ft. Worth Star-Telegram he was welcomed by teammate Charles Haley with these words: “Chicago’s garbage. What do we need anybody from Chicago for?”
Indeed, no Bears made the Pro Bowl for the third year in a row, but three ex-Bears did. Colts punter Chris Gardocki and Jaguars receiver Keenan McCardell made the AFC team.
Seven Carolina Panthers made the NFC team, matching the contribution of the Denver Broncos in leading the AFC team. If seven Panthers is an embarrassing number to teams that were actually in existence two years ago, some history is in order.
All seven Panther Pro Bowlers are free agents signed from other teams–four this year, three last year. Their presence is a tribute in part to good scouting and in the main to a blank checkbook. The Panthers quickly climbed to the top of the NFC West Division by methodically dismantling their rivals. They signed linebacker Sam Mills and tight end Wesley Walls from the Saints and cornerback Eric Davis from the 49ers. All three played big roles in beating the 49ers last Sunday and joined linebackers Kevin Greene (Steelers) and Lamar Lathon (Oilers) and placekicker John Kasay and kick returner Michael Bates (Seahawks) on the Pro Bowl squad.
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The Panthers’ rise coincides with the midseason departure of coach Jim Mora in New Orleans and the predicted demise of coaches Rich Brooks in St. Louis and June Jones in Atlanta as the NFC West is turned upside down.
Saints General Manager Bill Kuharich recalls the argument against allowing the Panthers and Jacksonville Jaguars to operate under the same salary cap of $35 million as everybody else even though the Panthers started with zero payroll.
“Why not give them $15 million or something?” Kuharich asked. “They outbid us on Mills. They outbid us on Wesley. No matter what you put on the table, you knew they could bid more. You’ve got 80-90 percent of your cap spent and they don’t have any of theirs spent. Your main objective is to retain the players you have and build on an 8-8 team. They come in and take your core players, and it takes you three steps backward. Now you’ve got to replace Sam Mills and Wesley Walls and still improve on your 8-8 team.”
The Bears join the Giants as the only teams shut out of the Hawaii trip for the third year in a row. They argue that teams with good records produce Pro Bowl players. True. It also works the other way around.