2003 Dallas Cowboys season

Infobox NFL_season
team = Dallas Cowboys
year = 2003
record = 10-6
division_place = 2nd in NFC East
coach = Bill Parcells
stadium = Texas Stadium
playoffs = Lost Wild Card Playoffs (Panthers) 29-10

Despite the release of NFL icon Emmitt Smith, the Cowboys fortunes would begin to change with the introduction of Bill Parcells as head coach. Parcells would begin to reshape the team, particularly on offense, with an overhaul of the coaching staff, including former New York Giants offensive coordinator Sean Payton. Surprisingly, Parcells would retain much of the defensive staff, including defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer and maintain the teams basic 4-3 defense instead of immediately installing the 3-4 defense which was a trademark of all Parcells's prior teams. This would prove a wise decision, as the Cowboys would finish the season with the top ranked overall defense. Typical of his previous stops, Parcells would start to rebuild his team through the draft. In his first year in Dallas, Parcells would pick future Pro Bowl players cornerback Terence Newman, tight end Jason Witten as well as future Cowboys starter linebacker Bradie James. Also typical of his prior teams, Parcells would bring in veteran players who had played for him at his previous coaching stops, signing fullback Richie Anderson and speedy wide receiver Terry Glenn with whom Parcells had a checkered history.
Though the Cowboys would open the season with a loss, a dramatic come from behind victory the next week against the Giants at New York would spur the teams confidence, particularly in third year quarterback Quincy Carter. This would be followed by a reunion with Emmitt Smith (now with the Arizona Cardinals) in Dallas. Smith would injury his shoulder early in the game and not return. After starting with a 6-2 record, the Cowboys would go 4-4 in the second half of the season including a loss to the eventual Super Bowl champion New England Patriots in Foxboro. The game received a lot of hype due to Bill Parcells and Patriots head coach Bill Belichick seemingly strained relationship due to the events following their final season coaching together with the New York Jets. Though the Cowboys would finish 10-6 and earn a playoff berth, they would lose in the first round to eventual NFC champions Carolina Panthers.

Division standings