1962 Dallas Cowboys season
Encyclopedia
The 1962
Dallas Cowboys
season was their third in the league
. The team finished with a record of 5 wins, 8 losses, and 1 tie, placing them 5th in the NFL's Eastern Conference.
to the Cleveland Browns
. With their first selection the Cowboys selected quarterback
Sonny Gibbs from Texas Christian University
in the second round (eighteenth overall). Other notable selections in the draft included defensive end
George Andrie
from Marquette University
in the sixth round and Harold Hays
from Southern Mississippi in the fourteenth round.
The team acquired several veterns prior to the 1962 season. Sam Baker, formerly of the Browns, was acquired to bring stability to the kicker position
. The team traded for offensive tackleMonte Clark
from the San Francisco 49ers
and acquired Dale Memmelaar
, an offensive lineman formerly of the St. Louis Cardinals
. Jerry Norton
, an eight year veteran who had played for the Cardinals and the Philadelphia Eagles
, was acquired to help out in the secondary
. Dick Nolan, who had played defensive back
for the New York Giants
when Cowboys head coach Tom Landry
was the defensive coach there, was hired as an assistant coach on the defensive side of the ball, but ended up actually playing safety for most of the season, in addition to coaching. Lee Folkins
, who spent his rookie season with the Green Bay Packers
, was the Cowboys starting tight end
for most of the year.
Notable rookie free agents the Cowboys signed prior to the season included Pettis Norman
, from Johnson C. Smith University
, Mike Gaechter
, a track and field
athlete as well as a football player, from the University of Oregon
, and Cornell Green, a basketball
player from Utah State University
.
decided to alternate between quarterbacks Eddie LeBaron
and Don Meredith
on every play, and the system proved its worth from the start, as the Cowboys offense rolled up 35 points and 483 yards against the Washington Redskins. Flanker Frank Clarke
caught 10 passes for 241 yards and scored 3 touchdowns in the game, but kicker Sam Baker missed a 35-yard field goal with 13 seconds left and the Cowboys had to settle for a 35–35 tie. The next week against the Pittsburgh Steelers the team saw a 99-yard touchdown pass from LeBaron to Clarke be erased due to a holding call in the end zone, which not only wiped out the touchdown but also awarded a safety to the Steelers, giving them the 2 points which turned out to be the difference in a 30–28 loss for the Cowboys. The team rebounded the next week in Los Angeles against the Rams with a 27–17 victory, highlighted by LeBaron's 85-yard touchdown pass to Amos Marsh
, but lost a defensive struggle in Cleveland the next week to the Browns 19–10.
The Cowboys, leading the NFL in offense after the first four weeks, went on to score a combined 83 points in their next two games, victories over the Philadelphia Eagles and the Steelers. The Cowboys were unable to maintain momentum, losing to the struggling St. Louis Cardinals 28–24 in a sloppily played game, despite Don Perkins
rushing for 137 yards. The following week, the Cowboys may have played their most complete game of the season against the surprising Redskins, beating them in Washington 38–10, with the Cowboys' usually inconsistent defense holding the Redskins to 293 yards and just 10 points, while the offense provided their usual assortment of big plays.
The Cowboys faced their biggest test of the season the following week against the Eastern Conference-leading New York Giants in front of a record crowd at home, but the Giants won in a rout, 41–10. Both Eddie LeBaron and Frank Clarke were injured in the game, limiting the Cowboys offense over the next few weeks, and leading to a repeat of the team's late-season tailspin of 1961. The Cowboys would go on to lose four of the last five games of the season, and while Meredith's inexperience would prove costly at times, it was the defense that was the main culprit, allowing 446 yards or more over five of the last six games. The lone bright spot of the late season was a 45–21 victory over the Browns in the team's home finale. Meredith enjoyed his finest day as a professional, throwing two touchdown passes in the first half, and the maligned defense held Browns fullback Jim Brown
to just 13 yards.
The Cowboys offense was among the league's best in 1962, finishing second in both yards gained and points scored. The passing offense finished seventh, and quarterbacks Eddie LeBaron and Don Meredith combined for 31 touchdown passes, second in the league. LeBaron earned a trip to the Pro Bowl for his stellar season, his 8.7 yards per pass attempt ranking second overall among quarterbacks. Frank Clarke
emerged as one of the league's top receivers, catching 47 passes for 1043 yards and a league best 14 touchdown receptions, while veteran Billy Howton
led the team in receptions with 49. The rushing game finished second overall with Don Perkins and Amos Marsh combining for 1747 of the Cowboys 2040 rushing yards. Perkins earned all-pro recognition for his season.
The defense struggled for much of the season, finishing 13th in both yards allowed and points allowed, as the relatively inexperienced players on defense struggled with injuries and the intricacies of Tom Landry's defense. The team showed improvement from the previous two seasons against the run however, finishing fourth overall and allowing only 3.9 yards per carry. Against the pass the defense finished last in passing yards allowed, and allowed a league high 16.8 yards per completion. The pass rush was too often a non-factor, and the defense didn't force as many turnovers as the previous season. Despite these struggles, the Cowboys did get some strong performances from individual performers such as second-year defensive lineman Bob Lilly
, who was named to his first pro bowl, and cornerback Don Bishop, who finished with six interceptions. Middle linebacker Jerry Tubbs
also earned pro bowl recognition.
Veteran Sam Baker improved the team's kicking game from the previous season, averaging 45.4 yards per punt, and converting 14 field goals out of 27 attempts. Amos Marsh had a solid season returning kickoffs, averaging 25.0 yards per kick return, and returning a kickoff for a score in a victory against the Eagles. The team struggled covering kickoff returns, allowing 25.5 yards per kick return, and finding a reliable punt returner was becoming an annual problem.
1962 NFL season
The 1962 NFL season was the 43rd regular season of the National Football League. Before the season, CBS signed a contract with the league to televise all regular-season games for a $4.65 million annual fee....
Dallas Cowboys
Dallas Cowboys
The Dallas Cowboys are a professional American football franchise which plays in the Eastern Division of the National Football Conference of the National Football League . They are headquartered in Valley Ranch in Irving, Texas, a suburb of Dallas...
season was their third in the league
National Football League
The National Football League is the highest level of professional American football in the United States, and is considered the top professional American football league in the world. It was formed by eleven teams in 1920 as the American Professional Football Association, with the league changing...
. The team finished with a record of 5 wins, 8 losses, and 1 tie, placing them 5th in the NFL's Eastern Conference.
Offseason
The Cowboys traded away their first round draft choice (fourth overall) in 1962 NFL Draft1962 NFL Draft
The 1962 National Football League Draft was held on December 4, 1961.-Player selections:-Round one:* HOF: Member of the Professional Football Hall of Fame-Round two:-Round three:-Round four:-Round five:-Round six:-Round seven:...
to the Cleveland Browns
Cleveland Browns
The Cleveland Browns are a professional football team based in Cleveland, Ohio. They are currently members of the North Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
. With their first selection the Cowboys selected quarterback
Quarterback
Quarterback is a position in American and Canadian football. Quarterbacks are members of the offensive team and line up directly behind the offensive line...
Sonny Gibbs from Texas Christian University
Texas Christian University
Texas Christian University is a private, coeducational university located in Fort Worth, Texas, United States and founded in 1873. TCU is affiliated with, but not governed by, the Disciples of Christ...
in the second round (eighteenth overall). Other notable selections in the draft included defensive end
Defensive end
Defensive end is the name of a defensive position in the sport of American and Canadian football.This position has designated the players at each end of the defensive line, but changes in formations have substantially changed how the position is played over the years...
George Andrie
George Andrie
George Joseph Andrie is a former American football defensive end in the National Football League. Andrie prepped at Catholic Central High School.-College career:...
from Marquette University
Marquette University
Marquette University is a private, coeducational, Jesuit, Roman Catholic university located in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Founded by the Society of Jesus in 1881, the school is one of 28 member institutions of the Association of Jesuit Colleges and Universities...
in the sixth round and Harold Hays
Harold Hays
Lee Harold Hays is a former American football linebacker who played seven seasons in the National Football League....
from Southern Mississippi in the fourteenth round.
The team acquired several veterns prior to the 1962 season. Sam Baker, formerly of the Browns, was acquired to bring stability to the kicker position
Placekicker
Placekicker, or simply kicker , is the title of the player in American and Canadian football who is responsible for the kicking duties of field goals, extra points...
. The team traded for offensive tackleMonte Clark
Monte Clark
Monte Dale Clark was an American football player who served as head coach for two National Football League teams: the San Francisco 49ers and the Detroit Lions.-College career:...
from the San Francisco 49ers
San Francisco 49ers
The San Francisco 49ers are a professional American football team based in San Francisco, California, playing in the West Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The team was founded in 1946 as a charter member of the All-America Football Conference and...
and acquired Dale Memmelaar
Dale Memmelaar
Dale Edward Memmelaar is a former American football offensive lineman in the National Football League for the Chicago/St. Louis Cardinals, Dallas Cowboys, Cleveland Browns, and the Baltimore Colts...
, an offensive lineman formerly of the St. Louis Cardinals
Arizona Cardinals
The Arizona Cardinals are a professional American football team based in Glendale, Arizona, a suburb of Phoenix. They are currently members of the Western Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League...
. Jerry Norton
Jerry Norton
Jerry Ray Norton is a former professional American football safety and punter in the National Football League for the Philadelphia Eagles, the Chicago/St. Louis Cardinals, the Dallas Cowboys, and the Green Bay Packers. He was selected to five Pro Bowls...
, an eight year veteran who had played for the Cardinals and the Philadelphia Eagles
Philadelphia Eagles
The Philadelphia Eagles are a professional American football team based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. They are members of the East Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League...
, was acquired to help out in the secondary
Defensive back
In American football and Canadian football, defensive backs are the players on the defensive team who take positions somewhat back from the line of scrimmage; they are distinguished from the defensive line players and linebackers, who take positions directly behind or close to the line of...
. Dick Nolan, who had played defensive back
Defensive back
In American football and Canadian football, defensive backs are the players on the defensive team who take positions somewhat back from the line of scrimmage; they are distinguished from the defensive line players and linebackers, who take positions directly behind or close to the line of...
for the New York Giants
New York Giants
The New York Giants are a professional American football team based in East Rutherford, New Jersey, representing the New York City metropolitan area. The Giants are currently members of the Eastern Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League...
when Cowboys head coach Tom Landry
Tom Landry
Thomas Wade "Tom" Landry was an American football player and coach. He is ranked as one of the greatest and most innovative coaches in National Football League history, creating many new formations and methods...
was the defensive coach there, was hired as an assistant coach on the defensive side of the ball, but ended up actually playing safety for most of the season, in addition to coaching. Lee Folkins
Lee Folkins
Lloyd Leroy Folkins is a former professional American football tight end in the National Football League from 1961-1965 for the Green Bay Packers, Dallas Cowboys and the Pittsburgh Steelers. He played college football at the University of Washington and was drafted in the sixth round of the 1961...
, who spent his rookie season with the Green Bay Packers
Green Bay Packers
The Green Bay Packers are an American football team based in Green Bay, Wisconsin. They are members of the North Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The Packers are the current NFL champions...
, was the Cowboys starting tight end
Tight end
The tight end is a position in American football on the offense. The tight end is often seen as a hybrid position with the characteristics and roles of both an offensive lineman and a wide receiver. Like offensive linemen, they are usually lined up on the offensive line and are large enough to be...
for most of the year.
Notable rookie free agents the Cowboys signed prior to the season included Pettis Norman
Pettis Norman
Pettis Burch Norman is a former professional American football tight end in the National Football League from 1962-1973 for the Dallas Cowboys and the San Diego Chargers.-College career:...
, from Johnson C. Smith University
Johnson C. Smith University
Johnson C. Smith University is a private, co-ed, four-year liberal arts institution of higher learning located in the heart of Charlotte, North Carolina, United States. It is affiliated with the Presbyterian Church. JCSU is also a historically black college...
, Mike Gaechter
Mike Gaechter
Michael Theodore Gaechter is a former American football safety in the National Football League who spent his entire career with the Dallas Cowboys...
, a track and field
Track and field
Track and field is a sport comprising various competitive athletic contests based around the activities of running, jumping and throwing. The name of the sport derives from the venue for the competitions: a stadium which features an oval running track surrounding a grassy area...
athlete as well as a football player, from the University of Oregon
University of Oregon
-Colleges and schools:The University of Oregon is organized into eight schools and colleges—six professional schools and colleges, an Arts and Sciences College and an Honors College.- School of Architecture and Allied Arts :...
, and Cornell Green, a basketball
Basketball
Basketball is a team sport in which two teams of five players try to score points by throwing or "shooting" a ball through the top of a basketball hoop while following a set of rules...
player from Utah State University
Utah State University
Utah State University is a public university located in Logan, Utah. It is a land-grant and space-grant institution and is accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities....
.
Schedule
| Week | Date | Opponent | Result | Game site | Record | Recap | Attendance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | September 16, 1962 | Washington Redskins Washington Redskins The Washington Redskins are a professional American football team and members of the East Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The team plays at FedExField in Landover, Maryland, while its headquarters and training facility are at Redskin Park in Ashburn,... |
T 35–35 | Cotton Bowl Cotton Bowl (stadium) The Cotton Bowl is a stadium which opened in 1929 and became known as "The House That Doak Built" due to the immense crowds that former SMU running back Doak Walker drew to the stadium during his college career in the late 1940s. Originally known as Fair Park Stadium, it is located in Fair Park,... |
0–0–1 | http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/spt/football/cowboys/classic/recordbook/yearbyyear/1962/091762redskins.html | |
| 2 | September 23, 1962 | Pittsburgh Steelers Pittsburgh Steelers The Pittsburgh Steelers are a professional football team based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The team currently belongs to the North Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League . Founded in , the Steelers are the oldest franchise in the AFC... |
L 30–28 | Cotton Bowl Cotton Bowl (stadium) The Cotton Bowl is a stadium which opened in 1929 and became known as "The House That Doak Built" due to the immense crowds that former SMU running back Doak Walker drew to the stadium during his college career in the late 1940s. Originally known as Fair Park Stadium, it is located in Fair Park,... |
0–1–1 | http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/spt/football/cowboys/classic/recordbook/yearbyyear/1962/092462steelers.html | |
| 3 | September 30, 1962 | at Los Angeles Rams St. Louis Rams The St. Louis Rams are a professional American football team based in St. Louis, Missouri. They are currently members of the West Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The Rams have won three NFL Championships .The Rams began playing in 1936 in Cleveland,... |
W 27–17 | Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum The Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum is a large outdoor sports stadium in the University Park neighborhood of Los Angeles, California, at Exposition Park, that is home to the Pacific-12 Conference's University of Southern California Trojans football team... |
1–1–1 | http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/spt/football/cowboys/classic/recordbook/yearbyyear/1962/100162rams.html | |
| 4 | October 7, 1962 | at Cleveland Browns Cleveland Browns The Cleveland Browns are a professional football team based in Cleveland, Ohio. They are currently members of the North Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League... |
L 19–10 | Cleveland Stadium Cleveland Stadium Cleveland Stadium was a multi-purpose stadium, located in Cleveland, Ohio. In its final years, the stadium seated 74,438, for baseball and 81,000, for football. It was one of the early multi-purpose stadiums, built to accommodate both baseball and football... |
1–2–1 | http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/spt/football/cowboys/classic/recordbook/yearbyyear/1962/100862browns.html | |
| 5 | October 14, 1962 | Philadelphia Eagles Philadelphia Eagles The Philadelphia Eagles are a professional American football team based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. They are members of the East Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League... |
W 41–19 | Cotton Bowl Cotton Bowl (stadium) The Cotton Bowl is a stadium which opened in 1929 and became known as "The House That Doak Built" due to the immense crowds that former SMU running back Doak Walker drew to the stadium during his college career in the late 1940s. Originally known as Fair Park Stadium, it is located in Fair Park,... |
2–2–1 | http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/spt/football/cowboys/classic/recordbook/yearbyyear/1962/101562eagles.html | |
| 6 | October 21, 1962 | at Pittsburgh Steelers Pittsburgh Steelers The Pittsburgh Steelers are a professional football team based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The team currently belongs to the North Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League . Founded in , the Steelers are the oldest franchise in the AFC... |
W 42–27 | Forbes Field Forbes Field Forbes Field was a baseball park in the Oakland neighborhood of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, from 1909 to 1971. It was the third home of the Pittsburgh Pirates Major League Baseball team, and the first home of the Pittsburgh Steelers, the city's National Football League franchise... |
3–2–1 | http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/spt/football/cowboys/classic/recordbook/yearbyyear/1962/102262steelers.html | |
| 7 | October 28, 1962 | St. Louis Cardinals Arizona Cardinals The Arizona Cardinals are a professional American football team based in Glendale, Arizona, a suburb of Phoenix. They are currently members of the Western Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League... |
L 28–24 | Cotton Bowl Cotton Bowl (stadium) The Cotton Bowl is a stadium which opened in 1929 and became known as "The House That Doak Built" due to the immense crowds that former SMU running back Doak Walker drew to the stadium during his college career in the late 1940s. Originally known as Fair Park Stadium, it is located in Fair Park,... |
3–3–1 | http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/spt/football/cowboys/classic/recordbook/yearbyyear/1962/102962cardinals.html | |
| 8 | November 4, 1962 | at Washington Redskins Washington Redskins The Washington Redskins are a professional American football team and members of the East Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The team plays at FedExField in Landover, Maryland, while its headquarters and training facility are at Redskin Park in Ashburn,... |
W 38–10 | D.C. Stadium Robert F. Kennedy Memorial Stadium Robert F. Kennedy Memorial Stadium is a multi-purpose stadium, in Washington, D.C., United States, and the current home of MLS's D.C. United.... |
4–3–1 | http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/spt/football/cowboys/classic/recordbook/yearbyyear/1962/110562redskins.html | |
| 9 | November 11, 1962 | New York Giants New York Giants The New York Giants are a professional American football team based in East Rutherford, New Jersey, representing the New York City metropolitan area. The Giants are currently members of the Eastern Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League... |
L 41–10 | Cotton Bowl Cotton Bowl (stadium) The Cotton Bowl is a stadium which opened in 1929 and became known as "The House That Doak Built" due to the immense crowds that former SMU running back Doak Walker drew to the stadium during his college career in the late 1940s. Originally known as Fair Park Stadium, it is located in Fair Park,... |
4–4–1 | http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/spt/football/cowboys/classic/recordbook/yearbyyear/1962/111262giants.html | |
| 10 | November 18, 1962 | Chicago Bears Chicago Bears The Chicago Bears are a professional American football team based in Chicago, Illinois. They are members of the North Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League... |
L 34–33 | Cotton Bowl Cotton Bowl (stadium) The Cotton Bowl is a stadium which opened in 1929 and became known as "The House That Doak Built" due to the immense crowds that former SMU running back Doak Walker drew to the stadium during his college career in the late 1940s. Originally known as Fair Park Stadium, it is located in Fair Park,... |
4–5–1 | http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/spt/football/cowboys/classic/recordbook/yearbyyear/1962/111962bears.html | |
| 11 | November 25, 1962 | at Philadelphia Eagles Philadelphia Eagles The Philadelphia Eagles are a professional American football team based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. They are members of the East Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League... |
L 28–14 | Franklin Field Franklin Field Franklin Field is the University of Pennsylvania's stadium for football, field hockey, lacrosse, sprint football, and track and field . It is also used by Penn students for recreation, and for intramural and club sports, including touch football and cricket, and is the site of Penn's graduation... |
4–6–1 | http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/spt/football/cowboys/classic/recordbook/yearbyyear/1962/112662eagles.html | |
| 12 | December 2, 1962 | Cleveland Browns Cleveland Browns The Cleveland Browns are a professional football team based in Cleveland, Ohio. They are currently members of the North Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League... |
W 45–21 | Cotton Bowl Cotton Bowl (stadium) The Cotton Bowl is a stadium which opened in 1929 and became known as "The House That Doak Built" due to the immense crowds that former SMU running back Doak Walker drew to the stadium during his college career in the late 1940s. Originally known as Fair Park Stadium, it is located in Fair Park,... |
5–6–1 | http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/spt/football/cowboys/classic/recordbook/yearbyyear/1962/120362browns.html | |
| 13 | December 9, 1962 | at St. Louis Cardinals Arizona Cardinals The Arizona Cardinals are a professional American football team based in Glendale, Arizona, a suburb of Phoenix. They are currently members of the Western Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League... |
L 52–20 | Busch Stadium Sportsman's Park Sportsman's Park was the name of several former Major League Baseball ballpark structures in St. Louis, Missouri, USA, all but one of which were located on the same piece of land, the northwest corner of Grand Boulevard and Dodier Street on the north side of the city.- History :From... |
5–7–1 | http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/spt/football/cowboys/classic/recordbook/yearbyyear/1962/121062cardinals.html | |
| 14 | December 16, 1962 | at New York Giants New York Giants The New York Giants are a professional American football team based in East Rutherford, New Jersey, representing the New York City metropolitan area. The Giants are currently members of the Eastern Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League... |
L 41–31 | Yankee Stadium | 5–8–1 | http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/spt/football/cowboys/classic/recordbook/yearbyyear/1962/121762giants.html | |
Season recap
The Cowboys got off to a frustrating start to the 1962 season, as the team was unable to capitalize on opportunities to win their first two games, both played at home. Head coach Tom LandryTom Landry
Thomas Wade "Tom" Landry was an American football player and coach. He is ranked as one of the greatest and most innovative coaches in National Football League history, creating many new formations and methods...
decided to alternate between quarterbacks Eddie LeBaron
Eddie LeBaron
Edward Wayne LeBaron, Jr. is a former American football quarterback in the 1950s and early 1960s in the National Football League.-Early years:LeBaron graduated from Oakdale High School in Oakdale, California....
and Don Meredith
Don Meredith
Joseph Don "Dandy Don" Meredith was an American football quarterback, sports commentator and actor. He spent all nine seasons of his professional playing career with the Dallas Cowboys of the National Football League . He was named to the Pro Bowl in each of his last three years as a player...
on every play, and the system proved its worth from the start, as the Cowboys offense rolled up 35 points and 483 yards against the Washington Redskins. Flanker Frank Clarke
Franklin Clarke
Franklin Clarke is a former American football wide receiver in the National Football League for the Cleveland Browns and Dallas Cowboys.He was named after Franklin D...
caught 10 passes for 241 yards and scored 3 touchdowns in the game, but kicker Sam Baker missed a 35-yard field goal with 13 seconds left and the Cowboys had to settle for a 35–35 tie. The next week against the Pittsburgh Steelers the team saw a 99-yard touchdown pass from LeBaron to Clarke be erased due to a holding call in the end zone, which not only wiped out the touchdown but also awarded a safety to the Steelers, giving them the 2 points which turned out to be the difference in a 30–28 loss for the Cowboys. The team rebounded the next week in Los Angeles against the Rams with a 27–17 victory, highlighted by LeBaron's 85-yard touchdown pass to Amos Marsh
Amos Marsh
Amos Marsh, Jr. was a professional American football running back in the National Football League for the Dallas Cowboys and the Detroit Lions. He played college football at Oregon State University. Amos attended, and graduated from high school at Wallowa High School in Wallowa, Oregon, as did...
, but lost a defensive struggle in Cleveland the next week to the Browns 19–10.
The Cowboys, leading the NFL in offense after the first four weeks, went on to score a combined 83 points in their next two games, victories over the Philadelphia Eagles and the Steelers. The Cowboys were unable to maintain momentum, losing to the struggling St. Louis Cardinals 28–24 in a sloppily played game, despite Don Perkins
Don Perkins
Donald Anthony Perkins is a former American football halfback who spent eight seasons with the NFL's Dallas Cowboys.-Early years:...
rushing for 137 yards. The following week, the Cowboys may have played their most complete game of the season against the surprising Redskins, beating them in Washington 38–10, with the Cowboys' usually inconsistent defense holding the Redskins to 293 yards and just 10 points, while the offense provided their usual assortment of big plays.
The Cowboys faced their biggest test of the season the following week against the Eastern Conference-leading New York Giants in front of a record crowd at home, but the Giants won in a rout, 41–10. Both Eddie LeBaron and Frank Clarke were injured in the game, limiting the Cowboys offense over the next few weeks, and leading to a repeat of the team's late-season tailspin of 1961. The Cowboys would go on to lose four of the last five games of the season, and while Meredith's inexperience would prove costly at times, it was the defense that was the main culprit, allowing 446 yards or more over five of the last six games. The lone bright spot of the late season was a 45–21 victory over the Browns in the team's home finale. Meredith enjoyed his finest day as a professional, throwing two touchdown passes in the first half, and the maligned defense held Browns fullback Jim Brown
Jim Brown
James Nathaniel "Jim" Brown is an American former professional football player who has also made his mark as an actor. He is best known for his exceptional and record-setting nine-year career as a running back for the NFL Cleveland Browns from 1957 to 1965. In 2002, he was named by Sporting News...
to just 13 yards.
The Cowboys offense was among the league's best in 1962, finishing second in both yards gained and points scored. The passing offense finished seventh, and quarterbacks Eddie LeBaron and Don Meredith combined for 31 touchdown passes, second in the league. LeBaron earned a trip to the Pro Bowl for his stellar season, his 8.7 yards per pass attempt ranking second overall among quarterbacks. Frank Clarke
Franklin Clarke
Franklin Clarke is a former American football wide receiver in the National Football League for the Cleveland Browns and Dallas Cowboys.He was named after Franklin D...
emerged as one of the league's top receivers, catching 47 passes for 1043 yards and a league best 14 touchdown receptions, while veteran Billy Howton
Billy Howton
William Harris "Billy" Howton is a former American football end who played 12 seasons in the National Football League . He played college football at Rice University. He caught a total 503 career passes for a total of 8,459 yards...
led the team in receptions with 49. The rushing game finished second overall with Don Perkins and Amos Marsh combining for 1747 of the Cowboys 2040 rushing yards. Perkins earned all-pro recognition for his season.
The defense struggled for much of the season, finishing 13th in both yards allowed and points allowed, as the relatively inexperienced players on defense struggled with injuries and the intricacies of Tom Landry's defense. The team showed improvement from the previous two seasons against the run however, finishing fourth overall and allowing only 3.9 yards per carry. Against the pass the defense finished last in passing yards allowed, and allowed a league high 16.8 yards per completion. The pass rush was too often a non-factor, and the defense didn't force as many turnovers as the previous season. Despite these struggles, the Cowboys did get some strong performances from individual performers such as second-year defensive lineman Bob Lilly
Bob Lilly
Robert Lewis Lilly is a former American football defensive tackle in the National Football League and photographer. He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1980.-College career:...
, who was named to his first pro bowl, and cornerback Don Bishop, who finished with six interceptions. Middle linebacker Jerry Tubbs
Jerry Tubbs
Gerald J. Tubbs is a former American football linebacker who played for ten seasons in the National Football League from 1957 to 1966, mainly for the Dallas Cowboys. He was selected by the Dallas Cowboys in the 1960 NFL Expansion Draft...
also earned pro bowl recognition.
Veteran Sam Baker improved the team's kicking game from the previous season, averaging 45.4 yards per punt, and converting 14 field goals out of 27 attempts. Amos Marsh had a solid season returning kickoffs, averaging 25.0 yards per kick return, and returning a kickoff for a score in a victory against the Eagles. The team struggled covering kickoff returns, allowing 25.5 yards per kick return, and finding a reliable punt returner was becoming an annual problem.
Roster
| Dallas Cowboys 1962 roster | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Quarterbacks
Running Backs
Wide Receivers
Tight Ends
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Offensive Linemen
Clyde Brock Clyde V. Brock is a former professional Canadian football offensive lineman who played 12 seasons in the Canadian Football League for the Saskatchewan Roughriders. He was named CFL All-Star four times and was a part of the Roughriders 1966 Grey Cup championship team. Previously, he played two... T Monte Clark Monte Dale Clark was an American football player who served as head coach for two National Football League teams: the San Francisco 49ers and the Detroit Lions.-College career:... T Mike Connelly Michael James Connelly is a former American football offensive lineman in the National Football League for the Dallas Cowboys and the Pittsburgh Steelers. He played college football at Utah State University and was drafted in the 12th round of the 1959 NFL Draft by the Los Angeles Rams.-Early... C/G Andy Cvercko Andrew Bertram Cvercko is a former American football guard in the National Football League for four years. He played college football at Northwestern University and was drafted in the fifth round of the 1959 NFL Draft.... G Bob Fry Robert Moellerig Fry is a former American football offensive lineman in the National Football League for the Los Angeles Rams and Dallas Cowboys. He played college football at the University of Kentucky and was drafted in the third round of the 1953 NFL Draft... T John Wesley Houser, Jr. John Wesley Houser, Jr. was an American football offensive lineman in the National Football League for the Los Angeles Rams, the Dallas Cowboys, and the St. Louis Cardinals. He played college football at the University of Redlands.... OL Lynn Hoyem Lynn Douglas Hoyem was an American football offensive lineman in the National Football League for the Dallas Cowboys and the Philadelphia Eagles. He played college football at Long Beach State University and was drafted in the 19th round of the 1961 NFL Draft. Hoyem was also selected in the 29th... C/G Dale Memmelaar Dale Edward Memmelaar is a former American football offensive lineman in the National Football League for the Chicago/St. Louis Cardinals, Dallas Cowboys, Cleveland Browns, and the Baltimore Colts... G Don Talbert Don Larry Talbert is a former American football offensive tackle in the National Football League for the Dallas Cowboys, Atlanta Falcons, and the New Orleans Saints. He played college football at the University of Texas at Austin and was drafted in the eighth round of the 1961 NFL Draft... T Defensive Linemen
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Linebackers
Mike Dowdle Donald Michael Dowdle was an American football fullback and linebacker in the National Football League for the Dallas Cowboys and the San Francisco 49ers. Mike was born in Eliasville, Texas, and attended Graham Independent School district.]]... OLB Chuck Howley Charles Louis "Chuck" Howley is a former American football linebacker in the National Football League... OLB Bob Long Robert Andrew "Bob" Long is a former American football wide receiver in the National Football League who played in the 1960s and 1970s and earned two Super Bowl rings. He attended suburban Pittsburgh's Washington Township High School , and Wichita State University... MLB Jerry Tubbs Gerald J. Tubbs is a former American football linebacker who played for ten seasons in the National Football League from 1957 to 1966, mainly for the Dallas Cowboys. He was selected by the Dallas Cowboys in the 1960 NFL Expansion Draft... MLB Defensive Backs
Special Teams
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Reserve Lists
Currently vacant Rookies in italics 41 Active, 0 Inactive |
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Standings
| NFL Eastern Eastern and Western Divisions (NFL) 1933-69 The Eastern and Western Divisions of the National Football League, renamed the American and National Conferences in 1950 and then the Eastern and Western Conferences in 1953, were organized as a result of the disputed NFL championship of 1932... |
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| W | L | T | PCT | PF | PA | STK | |
| New York Giants 1962 New York Giants season The 1962 New York Giants season was the 38th season for the club in the National Football League.-Schedule:-Playoffs:-Standings:-Awards and honors:* Andy Robustelli, Bert Bell Award... |
12 | 2 | 0 | .857 | 398 | 283 | W-9 |
| Pittsburgh Steelers 1962 Pittsburgh Steelers season -Schedule:- Week 1 : Detroit Lions :at Tiger Stadium, Detroit, Michigan* Game time:* Game weather:* Game attendance: 46,641* Referee:* TV announcers:Scoring Drives:... |
9 | 5 | 0 | .643 | 312 | 363 | W-3 |
| Cleveland Browns 1962 Cleveland Browns season The 1962 Cleveland Browns season was the team's 13th season with the National Football League.-Exhibition schedule:-Regular season schedule:-Standings:-References:... |
7 | 6 | 1 | .538 | 291 | 257 | W-1 |
| Washington Redskins 1962 Washington Redskins season The 1962 Washington Redskins began with the team trying to improve on their 1-12-1 record from 1961.-NFL Draft:Ernie Davis was the first black player to be chosen first overall in the NFL Draft. 1962-Schedule:-Standings:-References:... |
5 | 7 | 2 | .417 | 305 | 376 | L-1 |
| Dallas Cowboys | 5 | 8 | 1 | .385 | 398 | 402 | L-2 |
| St. Louis Cardinals 1962 St. Louis Cardinals (NFL) season The 1962 St. Louis Cardinals season was the team's 43rd year with the National Football League and the third season in St. Louis.-Schedule:-Standings:-Roster:-Awards and records:... |
4 | 9 | 1 | .308 | 287 | 356 | W-2 |
| Philadelphia Eagles 1962 Philadelphia Eagles season -NFL Draft:-Schedule:-Standings:-References:* * *... |
3 | 10 | 1 | .231 | 282 | 356 | L-2 |