- 2002 Dallas Cowboys season
Infobox NFL_season
team = Dallas Cowboys
year = 2002
record = 5-11
division_place = 4th inNFC East
coach =Dave Campo
stadium =Texas Stadium
playoffs = noneThe 2002
Dallas Cowboys season was the 43rd for the team in theNational Football League . Despite an off-season filled with promise, the season would again prove to be a disaster. FormerCincinnati Bengals offensive coordinator andhead coach Bruce Coslet was brought in to run the offense for Dallas. Even though he was dismissed by Cincinnati, his history of high-powered offenses while running theBill Walsh stylewest coast offense provided hope for the Cowboys. A promising draft which included formerOklahoma Sooners All-American selection safety Roy Williams in the first round and the free agent addition ofPro Bowl defensive tackle La'Roi Glover provided even more hope for weary Cowboy fans. Unfortunately, the air would immediately be let out of the Cowboys' balloon in the opening regular season contest which saw the team suffer a humiliating defeat to first year expansion team and new cross state rival, theHouston Texans . Thoughquarterback Quincy Carter again opened the season as the starter, he would eventually be benched in favor of newly signedChad Hutchinson who, until that year, had been a pitcher for theSt. Louis Cardinals after leaving Stanford as a two sport star. Many believed that ownerJerry Jones pressuredhead coach Dave Campo in to starting Hutchinson much to early, due in part to the large signing bonus Jones paid to acquire the quarterback. Regardless, neither quarterback proved effective and the team once again spiraled towards a losing season.Offseason
NFL Draft
Regular Season
Despite the losing season, the Cowboys would make NFL history. In the eighth game of the season while playing at home against the
Seattle Seahawks ,Emmitt Smith would break the all-time career yardage rushing record previously held byWalter Payton . The game was stopped momentarily in recognition of the moment, allowing an emotional Smith to briefly celebrate with teammates both current and past who attended the game, as well as members of Payton's family. The milestone moment would provide the lone bright spot of the year for the team and Smith, who would fail to reach the 1,000 yard rushing mark for the season for the first time in his career since his rookie season of 1990.During a late season loss to the
Philadelphia Eagles , reports began to surface that ownerJerry Jones had secretly met with formerNew York Giants ,New England Patriots andNew York Jets head coach Bill Parcells in relation to the head coaching position with the Dallas Cowboys on board Jones' private jet. Though this would prove to be an critical move to the Cowboys future success, it was nonetheless embarrassing for currenthead coach Dave Campo who had received no word that any potential moves were pending, and Jerry Jones was roundly criticized for the incident. On field ineptitude and off field controversy would once a again lead to a 5-11 season, the teams third consecutive such finish. Dave Campo would be predictably dismissed after the season. Other notable additions to the team this year includewide receiver Antonio Bryant , and centerAndre Gurode .eason Standings
Awards and records
* Darren Woodson,
Athletes in Action/Bart Starr Award
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