2006 Dallas Cowboys season
The 2006 Dallas Cowboys season was the 47th season for the team in the National Football League. The season began with the team trying to improve on their 9–7 record in 2005. The base offense was changed to a 2-TE formation. Several high-profile free agents were signed including controversial wide receiver Terrell Owens and kicker Mike Vanderjagt. Veteran defensive end Greg Ellis was also converted into a linebacker.
Although veteran Drew Bledsoe was the initial starter at quarterback, fourth-year backup Tony Romo replaced Bledsoe at half-time of their week 7 matchup with the Giants. Romo became the starter in week 8 due to Bledsoe's rough starts with frequent sacks and interceptions. Romo initially played very well, going 5–1 in his first six NFL starts, including a win over the previously unbeaten Indianapolis Colts, but finished the season 1–3 with six touchdowns, six interceptions and two fumbles lost. The Cowboys secured a playoff berth for the first time since 2003, but did not win the division when in the final week they were defeated by the then 2–13 Lions, and wound up losing their first week in the playoffs to the Seattle Seahawks, a game in which Romo botched the hold on a go-ahead field goal inside the final two minutes.
When Romo started the Thanksgiving Day game against Tampa Bay, it marked the 7th different starting Cowboys quarterback in the last 7 Thanksgiving Day games.
This was Bill Parcells' final season as a head coach as he would go on to retire following the end of the season.
Offseason
During the 2006 offseason, the team signed several high-profile players, including kicker Mike Vanderjagt, linebacker Akin Ayodele, offensive linemen Jason Fabini and Kyle Kosier, safety Marcus Coleman, and highly controversial wide receiver Terrell Owens, who has developed a reputation for causing conflicts with teammates, coaches, opposing players, and fans. The signing of Terrell Owens received a lot of media attention, and was arguably the biggest news story during the NFL offseason. Vanderjagt had the highest field goal percentage in NFL history coming into the season and his signing was expected to solve the inconsistency problems in the Cowboys kicking game. However, Vanderjagt missed most of the pre-season with an injury and missed three very short kicks in the final pre-season game.The Cowboys also lost veteran leadership in the locker room after losing tight end Dan Campbell to the Detroit Lions, wide receiver Keyshawn Johnson to the Carolina Panthers, left guard Larry Allen to the San Francisco 49ers, defensive tackle La'Roi Glover to the St. Louis Rams, and linebacker Dat Nguyen to a career-ending injury.
The team didn't receive much help from the 2006 NFL draft, but experienced much more success with that year's rookie undrafted free agents: Miles Austin, Stephen Bowen, Sam Hurd and Oliver Hoyte. Abram Elam who was an undrafted free agent with the Miami Dolphins in 2005 and was out of football after being released in training camp that year, also contributed in special teams and in some defensive packages.
Before the season, there was high expectations for the Dallas Cowboys. Sports Illustrated writer Peter King went as far to predict the Dallas Cowboys would win Super Bowl XLI.
2006 draft class
Notes- The Cowboys traded their second-round selection to the New York Jets in exchange for second, sixth and seventh-round selections.
- The Cowboys traded their third-round selection to the Jacksonville Jaguars for third and fourth-round selections.
- The Cowboys traded their 2005 fifth-round and 2006 fourth-round selections to the Philadelphia Eagles for 2005 fourth-round and 2006 sixth-round selections.
- The Cowboys traded their fifth and sixth-round selections to the Jets in exchange for a fifth-round selection.
- The Cowboys traded their sixth-round and 2007 conditional selections to the Kansas City Chiefs in exchange for linebacker Scott Fujita.
Schedule
Preseason
Regular season
Standings
Regular season
Week 1: at Jacksonville Jaguars
The Cowboys opened the regular season on the road against the Jacksonville Jaguars on September 10. The Cowboys built a lead of 10–0 just 10 minutes into the game, but allowed 24 consecutive points in later quarters. Quarterback Drew Bledsoe threw two interceptions, and placekicker Shaun Suisham missed a field goal off the right upright. The Cowboys scored again during the final minutes of the fourth quarter, when newly signed wide receiver Terrell Owens caught his first touchdown in a Dallas uniform, which was also his first regular-season game since October 2005. Dallas attempted and failed an onside kick, but received the ball again when their defense prevented the Jaguars from getting a first down. The Cowboys drive to tie the game ended with a Bledsoe interception. With the loss, the Cowboys started out their season at 0–1.Scoring summary
- Q1 – 8:06 – 23-yard TD run by Julius Jones
- Q1 – 5:35 – 32-yard FG by Shaun Suisham
- Q2 – 8:48 – 35-yard FG by Josh Scobee
- Q2 – 0:07 – 6-yard TD pass from Byron Leftwich to Reggie Williams
- Q4 – 11:27 – 3-yard TD run by Byron Leftwich
- Q4 – 3:13 – 5-yard TD run by Fred Taylor
- Q4 – 1:54 – 21-yard pass from Drew Bledsoe to Terrell Owens
Week 2: vs. Washington Redskins
In the game, Terrell Owens broke his finger.
With the win, the Cowboys went into their bye week at 1–1.
Scoring summary
- Q1 – 7:59 – 26-yard FG run by Mike Vanderjagt
- Q1 – 2:33 – 4-yard TD pass from Drew Bledsoe to Patrick Crayton
- Q2 – 14:20 – 39-yard FG by John Hall
- Q2 – 8:38 – 1-yard TD run by Marion Barber
- Q2 – 8:25 – 100-yard kickoff return TD by Rock Cartwright
- Q4 – 14:53 – 40-yard TD pass from Drew Bledsoe to Terry Glenn
- Q4 – 7:43 – 50 FG by Mike Vanderjagt
Week 4: at Tennessee Titans
During the game, Tennessee Titans defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth stomped on Dallas Cowboys center Andre Gurode. Haynesworth was suspended for five games without pay. . Later during the week, Terrell Owens accidentally overdosed on painkillers causing a media circus, but recovered within a day.
Scoring summary
- Q1 – 7:26 – 33-yard FG by Rob Bironas
- Q1 – 0:34 – 13-yard TD pass from Drew Bledsoe to Terry Glenn
- Q2 – 12:43 – 13-yard TD pass from Drew Bledsoe to Terry Glenn
- Q2 – 0:00 – 39-yard FG by Rob Bironas
- Q3 – 11:53 – 5-yard TD run by Julius Jones
- Q3 – 6:38 – 1-yard TD run by Marion Barber
- Q3 – 3:40 – 17-yard TD pass from Vince Young to Ben Troupe, and Vince Young run for two-point conversion
- Q4 – 13:04 – 43-yard FG by Mike Vanderjagt
- Q4 – 8:23 – 15-yard TD interception return by Bradie James
- Q4 – 5:43 – 5-yard TD run by Tyson Thompson
Week 5: at Philadelphia Eagles
Scoring summary
- Q1 – 11:37 – 5-yard TD run by Brian Westbrook
- Q1 – 9:59 – 27-yard FG by David Akers
- Q1 – 4:11 – 2-yard TD run by Marion Barber
- Q2 – 10:30 – 69-yard TD opponent fumble return by DeMarcus Ware
- Q2 – 9:13 – 1-yard TD run by Donovan McNabb
- Q2 – 3:23 – 7-yard TD run by Drew Bledsoe
- Q3 – 7:28 – 87-yard TD pass from Donovan McNabb to Hank Baskett
- Q4 – 11:14 – 39-yard FG by Mike Vanderjagt
- Q4 – 8:23 – 40-yard TD pass from Donovan McNabb to Reggie Brown
- Q4 – 0:16 – 102-yard TD interception return by Lito Sheppard
Week 6: vs. Houston Texans
With the win, the Cowboys improved to 3–2.
Scoring summary
- Q1 – 8:55 – 19-yard FG by Kris Brown
- Q2 – 5:58 – 22-yard TD FG by Mike Vanderjagt
- Q2 – 0:00 – 48-yard FG by Kris Brown
- Q3 – 10:13 – 3-yard TD pass from Drew Bledsoe to Terrell Owens
- Q3 – 3:41 – 21-yard TD pass from Drew Bledsoe to Terrell Owens
- Q4 – 14:57 – 1 yd run by Marion Barber
- Q4 – 11:28 – 21-yard FG by Mike Vanderjagt
- Q4 – 2:24 – 2 yd TD pass from Tony Romo to Terrell Owens
Week 7: vs. New York Giants
With the loss, the Cowboys fell to 3–3.
Scoring summary
- Q1 – 12:01 – 50-yard TD pass from Eli Manning to Plaxico Burress
- Q1 – 3:59 – Drew Bledsoe tackled in the end zone by LaVar Arrington for a safety
- Q2 – 11:51 – 31-yard FG by Jay Feely
- Q2 – 3:51 – 1-yard TD run by Drew Bledsoe
- Q3 – 14:01 – 13-yard TD pass from Eli Manning to Jeremy Shockey
- Q3 – 1:26 – 3 yd TD run by Brandon Jacobs
- Q4 – 13:01 – 8 yd TD pass from Tony Romo to Terrell Owens-Tony Romo on Suc. 2-Point Conv.
- Q4 – 3:54 – 32 yd FG by Jay Feely
- Q4 – 2:33 – 96 yd TD interception return by Kevin Dockery
- Q4 – 2:03 – 53 yd TD pass from Tony Romo to Patrick Crayton
Week 8: at Carolina Panthers
With the win, the Cowboys improved to 4–3.
Scoring summary
- Q1 – 3:35 – 1-yard TD run by DeShaun Foster, John Kasay extra point is good
- Q1 – 1:21 – 24-yard TD run by Steve Smith, John Kasay extra point is good
- Q2 – 12:12 – 3-yard TD pass from Tony Romo to Jason Witten, Mike Vanderjagt extra point is good
- Q2 – 0:27 – 38-yard FG by Mike Vanderjagt
- Q4 – 9:52 – 24-yard FG by Mike Vanderjagt
- Q4 – 9:43 – 14-yard TD run by Julius Jones, pass from Tony Romo to Terrell Owens on successful 2-Point conversion)
- Q4 – 2:17 – 3-yard TD run by Marion Barber, Mike Vanderjagt extra point is good
- Q4 – 1:37 – 14-yard TD run by Marion Barber, Mike Vanderjagt extra point is good
Week 9: at Washington Redskins
Scoring summary
- Q1 – 6:29 – Julius Jones tackled in the end zone by Lemar Marshall for a safety
- Q1 – 1:21 – 28-yard FG run by Nick Novak
- Q2 – 12:55 – 10 yd TD pass from Tony Romo to Terry Glenn, pass from Tony Romo to Patrick Crayton on failed 2-point conversion
- Q2 – 5:42 – 33-yard FG by Mike Vanderjagt
- Q2 – 2:23 – 38-yard TD run by Clinton Portis, Nick Novak extra point is good
- Q2 – 0:03 – 30-yard FG by Mike Vanderjagt
- Q3 – 10:17 – 4-yard TD pass from Tony Romo to Terrell Owens, Mike Vanderjagt extra point is good
- Q4 – 14:05 – 18-yard TD pass from Mark Brunell to Chris Cooley, Nick Novak extra point is good
- Q4 – 0:00 – 47-yard FG by Nick Novak
Week 10: at Arizona Cardinals
With the win, the Cowboys improved to 5–4.
Scoring summary
- Q1 – 0:37 – 28-yard FG by Mike Vanderjagt
- Q2 – 8:33 – 30-yard TD pass from Tony Romo to Patrick Crayton, Mike Vanderjagt extra point is good
- Q2 – 3:31 – 28-yard FG by Neil Rackers
- Q2 – 0:00 – 38-yard FG by Mike Vanderjagt
- Q3 – 5:15 – 51-yard TD pass from Tony Romo to Terrell Owens, Mike Vanderjagt extra point is good
- Q4 – 14:17 – 5-yard TD run by Marion Barber, Mike Vanderjagt extra point is good
- Q4 – 11:53 – 3-yard TD run by Matt Leinart, Neil Rackers extra point is good
Week 11: vs. Indianapolis Colts
With the win, the Cowboys improved to 6–4.
Scoring summary
- Q2 – 0:10 – 23-yard TD pass from Peyton Manning to Reggie Wayne, Adam Vinatieri extra point is good
- Q3 – 14:09 – 39-yard TD interception return by Kevin Burnett, Mike Vanderjagt extra point is good
- Q3 – 5:09 – 4-yard TD pass from Peyton Manning to Dallas Clark, Adam Vinatieri extra point is good
- Q4 – 11:36 – 5-yard TD run by Marion Barber, Mike Vanderjagt extra point is good
- Q4 – 6:00 – 1-yard TD run by Marion Barber, Mike Vanderjagt extra point is good
Week 12: vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
On 27 November 2006, the Cowboys cut kicker Mike Vanderjagt and signed veteran Martin Gramatica in his place. Vanderjagt had made only 13 of 18 field goals in the season, well below his career average.
With the win, the Cowboys improved to 7–4.
Scoring summary
- Q1 – 9:18 – 1-yard TD run by Mike Alstott, Matt Bryant extra point is good
- Q1 – 1:09 – 20-yard TD pass from Tony Romo to Terry Glenn, Mike Vanderjagt extra point is good
- Q2 – 11:33 – 2-yard TD pass from Tony Romo to Terry Glenn, Mike Vanderjagt extra point is good
- Q2 – 6:38 – 46-yard FG by Matt Bryant
- Q2 – 0:30 – 1-yard TD pass from Tony Romo to Marion Barber, Mike Vanderjagt extra point is good
- Q3 – 9:55 – 2-yard TD pass from Tony Romo to Marion Barber, Mike Vanderjagt extra point is good
- Q3 – 6:30 – 7-yard TD pass from Tony Romo to Terrell Owens, Mike Vanderjagt extra point is good
- Q4 – 10:00 – 22-yard FG by Mike Vanderjagt
Week 13: at New York Giants
With the win, the Cowboys improved to 8–4.
This game was moved from the originally scheduled time at 1:00pm to 4:15pm because of the NFL's new "flex scheduling" policy.
Scoring summary
- Q1 – 4:39 – 17-yard TD pass from Eli Manning to Jeremy Shockey
- Q1 – 1:28 – 1-yard TD run by Marion Barber, Martin Gramatica extra point is good
- Q2 – 0:01 – 41-yard FG by Martin Gramatica
- Q3 – 4:32 – 23-yard FG by Jay Feely
- Q3 – 0:05 – 35-yard FG by Martin Gramatica
- Q4 – 9:44 – 22-yard FG by Jay Feely
- Q4 – 3:33 – 7-yard TD run by Marion Barber, Martin Gramatica extra point is good
- Q4 – 1:06 – 5-yard TD pass from Eli Manning to Plaxico Burress
- Q4 – 0:01 – 46-yard FG by Martin Gramatica
Week 14: vs. New Orleans Saints
New Orleans Head Coach and former Dallas Offensive Coordinator, as well as Passing Coordinator, Sean Payton thoroughly dissected the Cowboys defense by showcasing the talents of Drew Brees, Reggie Bush, and Deuce McAllister. Perhaps more surprising was the performance of Mike Karney. Previously an unknown fullback who had never had a touchdown in his 43 NFL games, Karney scored a hat trick. Brees topped 4,000 season passing yards for the first time in his career, having 26 completions for 38 attempts and 384 yards and five touchdowns. Deuce McCallister and Reggie Bush both proved their worth with 135 and 162 all-purpose yards, respectively. Payton was even feeling so confident as to attempt an onside kick early in the third quarter, further demoralizing the Cowboys and increasing momentum for the Saints when they recovered it. With 3 minutes left in the game and the ball deep in Cowboys territory, Payton's Saints went to kneeling, either to let Parcells keep some of his pride intact, or to make a statement.
The Cowboys had one of the worst games of their season. Payton's defense never gave them a chance to get into a rhythm, and Tony Romo threw for 16 completions of 33 attempts for 249 yards for a single touchdown and a pair of interceptions. The Cowboys started out promising, stopping the Saints' offense and Julius Jones responding with a career record 77-yard touchdown run. Though after that play, nothing seemed to go right. Gramatica missed another crucial field goal, soaring wide right, and the only other touchdown came from a fourth-down pass to Terrell Owens that could have been an interception had cornerback Fred Thomas not had a cast on his hand.
New Orleans defeated Dallas 42–17, snapping Dallas' four-game winning streak and dropping them to 8–5 while improving their own record to 9–4.
Scoring summary
- Q1 – 12:06 – 77-yard TD run by Julius Jones
- Q2 – 14:53 – 2-yard TD run by Mike Karney,
- Q2 – 10:19 – 3-yard TD pass from Drew Brees to Mike Karney
- Q2 – 0:44 – 27-yard TD pass from Drew Brees to Jamal Jones
- Q3 – 11:26 – 24-yard FG by Martin Gramatica
- Q3 – 9:59 – 61-yard TD pass from Drew Brees to Reggie Bush
- Q3 – 7:46 – 34-yard TD pass from Tony Romo to Terrell Owens
- Q3 – 5:16 – 6-yard TD pass from Drew Brees to Mike Karney
- Q3 – 3:47 – 42-yard TD pass from Drew Brees to Devery Henderson
Week 15: at Atlanta Falcons
Scoring summary
- Q1 – 7-yard TD pass from Tony Romo to Terrell Owens
- Q2 – 14:50 – 41-yard TD interception return by DeMarcus Ware
- Q2 – 11:11 – 1-yard TD pass from Michael Vick to Justin Griffith
- Q2 – 6:30 – 9-yard TD pass from Michael Vick to Michael Jenkins
- Q2 – 3:08 – 51-yard TD pass from Tony Romo to Terrell Owens
- Q2 – 0:11 – 8-yard TD pass from Michael Vick to Ashley Lelie
- Q3 – 11:09 – 5-yard TD pass from Michael Vick to Justin Griffith
- Q3 – 7:17 – 48-yard FG by Martin Gramatica
- Q3 – 2:32 – 9-yard TD run by Marion Barber
- Q4 – 2:18 – 3-yard TD run by Marion Barber
Week 16: vs. Philadelphia Eagles
Scoring summary
- Q1 – 4:00 – 25-yard TD from Jeff Garcia to Matt Schobel
- Q2 – 5:16 – 25-yard FG by David Akers
- Q2 – 0:36 – 14-yard TD pass from Tony Romo to Terrell Owens
- Q2 – 0:00 – 45-yard FG by David Akers
- Q3 – 12:14 – 21-yard FG by David Akers
- Q4 – 6:54 – 1-yard TD run by Correll Buckhalter
Week 17: vs. Detroit Lions
Scoring summary
- Q1 – 11:08 – 33-yard FG by Jason Hanson
- Q1 – 5:13 – 25-yard FG by Jason Hanson
- Q1 – 2:37 – 20-yard TD pass from Jon Kitna to Roy Williams, Jason Hanson extra point is good
- Q2 – 11:38 – 1-yard TD run by Marion Barber, Martin Gramatica extra point is good
- Q2 – 2:48 – 6-yard TD pass from Tony Romo to Patrick Crayton, Martin Gramatica extra point is good
- Q2 – 0:02 – 15-yard TD pass from Jon Kitna to Roy Williams, Jason Hanson extra point is good
- Q3 – 12:16 – 56-yard TD punt return by Terence Newman, Martin Gramatica extra point is good
- Q3 – 6:06 – 26-yard FG by Jason Hanson
- Q3 – 4:16 – 13-yard TD pass from Jon Kitna to Mike Furrey, Jason Hanson extra point is good
- Q3 – 0:04 – 39-yard FG by Martin Gramatica
- Q4 – 8:09 – 56-yard TD pass from Tony Romo to Terrell Owens, Martin Gramatica extra point is good
- Q4 – 4:24 – 21-yard TD pass from Jon Kitna to Mike Williams, failed 2 pt. conversion from Jon Kitna to Mike Williams
- Q4 – 2:58 – 23-yard FG by Jason Hanson
Playoffs
NFC Wild-Card Playoffs: at Seattle Seahawks
Entering the NFC playoffs as the fifth-seed, the Cowboys began their playoff run at Qwest Field against the fourth-seeded Seattle Seahawks. In the first quarter, both teams started off even as Seahawks kicker Josh Brown nailed a 23-yard field goal, while Martín Gramática helped Dallas with a 50-yard field goal. In the second quarter, Seattle retook the lead with Brown kicking a 30-yard field goal. Dallas got the lead before halftime as QB Tony Romo completed a 13-yard TD pass to WR Patrick Crayton. In the third quarter, the Seahawks retook the lead as QB Matt Hasselbeck completed a 15-yard TD pass to TE Jerramy Stevens. Following Seattle's TD drive, the Cowboys retook the lead with rookie WR Miles Austin returning a kickoff 93 yards for a touchdown. In the fourth quarter, Dallas increased its lead with Gramatica kicking a 29-yard field goal. However, the Seahawks came back to retake the lead with a safety coming off a Terry Glenn fumble from Seattle CB Kelly Jennings, along with Hasselbeck completing a 37-yard TD pass to Stevens. Dallas managed to put themselves in a position to retake the lead, but on the 19-yard field goal try Romo botched the hold. He picked up the loose ball and attempted to run with it, but was tackled at Seattle's two-yard line by Jordan Babineaux thus turning the ball over on downs. On the ensuing possession, Hasselbeck then handed the ball off four times before the Seahawks were forced to punt. With only 2 seconds left, Romo threw a Hail Mary pass to the Seattle end zone that fell incomplete, ending the Cowboys' season and leaving the franchise still without a playoff win since 1996.With the loss, Dallas ended its season with three-straight losses and an overall record of 9–8.
Scoring summary
- Q1 – 11:13 – 23-yard FG by Josh Brown
- Q1 – 4:50 – 50-yard FG by Martín Gramática
- Q2 – 5:14 – 30-yard FG by Josh Brown
- Q2 – 0:11 – 13-yard TD pass from Tony Romo to Patrick Crayton, Martín Gramática extra point is good
- Q3 – 6:08 – 15-yard TD pass from Matt Hasselbeck to Jerramy Stevens, Josh Brown extra point is good
- Q3 – 5:57 – 93-yard TD kickoff return by Miles Austin, Martín Gramática extra point is good
- Q4 – 10:15 – 29-yard FG by Martin Gramatica
- Q4 – 6:32 – Safety
- Q4 – 4:24 – 37-yard TD pass from Matt Hasselbeck to Jerramy Stevens, failed 2 pt. conversion from Matt Hasselbeck to Deion Branch
Coaching staff
Rosters
Opening training camp roster
Week one roster
Final roster
Other information
- The Cowboys have had nine starting quarterbacks since Troy Aikman retired in 2000. They are Quincy Carter, Vinny Testaverde, the other games have been started by Ryan Leaf, Anthony Wright, Clint Stoerner, Chad Hutchinson, Drew Henson, Drew Bledsoe, and now Tony Romo is starting.
- The Cowboys had not had a 1,000-yard rusher since Emmitt Smith had 1,021 yards in 2001. Herschel Walker was the last running back before Smith to rush for over 1,000 yards in 1988. Julius Jones snapped that streak of futility for Dallas by posting 1,084 yards in 2006. In the previous season, Jones fell just short of the mark.
- DeMarcus Ware had 11.5 sacks in 2006, the most in team history by a linebacker. He broke that record in 2007 with 14 sacks, and then he broke it again in 2008 with a league-leading 20.
Publications
- The Football Encyclopedia
- Total Football
- Cowboys Have Always Been My Heroes