1989 Dallas Cowboys season

Offseason

NFL draft

Main article: 1989 NFL draft

Undrafted free agents

Summary

Besides the entry of Johnson and Jones, the Cowboys made pre-season headlines by drafting UCLA quarterback Troy Aikman with the first pick in the NFL Draft. Curiously, they also drafted quarterback Steve Walsh later in the NFL's supplemental draft (in doing so, they gave up a number one pick in the 1990 draft). Walsh had played quarterback for Jimmy Johnson at the University of Miami and led the ‘Canes to a 23–1 record as a starter and one national title.

Walsh and Aikman battled for the starting quarterback job in the pre-season, with Aikman winning the nod when the regular season began. Expectations were raised when the Cowboys finished with a strong 3–1 preseason record.

On opening day, the Cowboys were beaten by the New Orleans Saints, 28–0, and went on to finish 1–15 for the season. Aikman broke the index finger on his non-throwing hand in week four and Steve Walsh started the next five games, including the team’s only win, before Aikman returned to finish the season.

Two of the few bright spots of the season were linebacker Eugene Lockhart, who led the league in tackles, and James Dixon, who was one of the NFL’s leaders in kickoff return average.

1989 was the first season in the history of Monday Night Football that did not feature at least one Cowboys game. The Cowboys also played a fifth-place schedule for the first time.

The only win by the Cowboys during the season was against the rival Redskins in Washington. Though the season seemed a complete failure, it would prove to be the prelude to many great years ahead. Troy Aikman and Michael Irvin, future centerpieces of the Cowboys’ 1992 to 1995 dynasty, headlined this team. During the season, star running back Herschel Walker would be traded to the Minnesota Vikings for multiple players and draft picks. By finishing 1–15 they would have received the top spot in the 1990 NFL draft; however, the pick was forfeited because the Cowboys drafted Walsh in the Supplemental Draft. Later, they would trade and draft a running back out of Florida named Emmitt Smith, with one of the many draft choices obtained from the Vikings in the Herschel Walker trade. Other notable additions to the team that year include center Mark Stepnoski, fullback Daryl Johnston, and defensive end Tony Tolbert.

The two matchups between the Cowboys and Philadelphia Eagles (including one on Thanksgiving) were particularly hostile and became known as the Bounty Bowls.

The 1989 season was the final NFL season for the legendary Ed "Too Tall" Jones and longtime offensive lineman Tom Rafferty. It was also the last season in a Cowboys uniform for stalwart cornerback Everson Walls, who went to the division rival Giants and helped them win Super Bowl XXV.

The Cowboys’ futility matched that of the 1980 New Orleans Saints as they became the second NFL team to end a season at 1–15.

Roster

Herschel Walker

Main article: Herschel Walker trade

In 1989, at the height of his NFL career, the Cowboys traded him to the Minnesota Vikings for a total of five players (LB Jesse Solomon, CB Issiac Holt, RB Darrin Nelson, LB David Howard, DE Alex Stewart) and six draft picks (which led to Emmitt Smith, Russell Maryland, Kevin Smith, and Darren Woodson). This was judged to be one of the turning points in the rise of the Cowboys to the top echelon of the NFL. Walker's trade was widely perceived as an exceptionally poor move considering what the Vikings had to give up in order to get him, and remains one of the most frequently vilified roster moves of the team's history. The Vikings coaches reluctantly accepted Walker after the trade and never totally used the tool they had been given. Scout.com says "Walker was never used properly by the coaching brain trust (a total oxymoron in this case)".

Regular season

Schedule

Standings

Season summary

Week 5: at Green Bay Packers

First quarter

Second quarter

Third quarter

Fourth quarter

;Top passers

• DAL – Steve Walsh – 18/29, 193 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT
• GB – Don Majkowski – 21/32, 313 yards, 4 TD ;Top rushers
• DAL – Herschel Walker – 12 rushes, 44 yards
• GB – Brent Fullwood – 28 rushes, 119 yards ;Top receivers
• DAL – Michael Irvin – 6 receptions, 72 yards, TD
• GB – Sterling Sharpe – 6 receptions, 132 yards, TD

Week 7: at Kansas City Chiefs

First quarter

• KC – Christian Okoye 2-yard run (Nick Lowery kick), 8:17. ''Chiefs 7–0. '''Drive: 8 plays, 61 yards, 4:57.'''''
• DAL – Paul Palmer 63-yard run (Roger Ruzek kick), 6:20. ''Tied 7–7. '''Drive: 3 plays, 72 yards, 1:57.'''''
• KC – Christian Okoye 13-yard run (Nick Lowery kick), 0:36. ''Chiefs 14–7. '''Drive: 10 plays, 80 yards, 5:44.''''' Second quarter
• KC – James Saxon 4-yard run (Nick Lowery kick), 10:13. ''Chiefs 21–7. '''Drive: 6 plays, 49 yards, 2:54.'''''
• DAL – James Dixon 97-yard kickoff return (Roger Ruzek kick), 9:57. Chiefs 21–14.
• KC – Nick Lowery 43-yard field goal, 1:56. ''Chiefs 24–14. '''Drive: 8 plays, 54 yards, 3:10.'''''
• KC – Nick Lowery 27-yard field goal, 0:03. ''Chiefs 27–14. '''Drive: 8 plays, 63 yards, 1:04.''''' Third quarter
• KC – Punt blocked by Rob McGovern out of bounds in end zone for a Safety, 10:52. Chiefs 29–14.
• KC – Steve Pelluer 5-yard run (Nick Lowery kick), 2:21. ''Chiefs 36–14. '''Drive: 8 plays, 42 yards, 5:00.''''' Fourth quarter
• DAL – Darryl Clack 1-yard run (Roger Ruzek kick), 10:15. ''Chiefs 36–21. '''Drive: 11 plays, 71 yards, 7:06.'''''
• DAL – Steve Folsom 4-yard pass from Steve Walsh (Roger Ruzek kick), 3:48. ''Chiefs 36–28. '''Drive: 11 plays, 80 yards, 3:33.''''' Top passers
• DAL – Steve Walsh – 14/29, 166 yards, TD
• KC – Steve DeBerg – 17/22, 237 yards Top rushers
• DAL – Paul Palmer – 9 rushes, 85 yards, TD
• KC – Christian Okoye – 33 rushes, 170 yards, 2 TD Top receivers
• DAL – Kelvin Martin – 4 receptions, 52 yards
• KC – Emile Harry – 3 receptions, 64 yards

Week 12 vs Eagles

First quarter

• No scoring Second quarter
• PHI – Cris Carter 6-yard pass from Randall Cunningham (Roger Ruzek kick), 13:37. Eagles 7–0.
• PHI – Roger Ruzek 36-yard field goal, 2:46. Eagles 10–0. Third quarter
• PHI – Cris Carter 18-yard pass from Randall Cunningham (Roger Ruzek kick), 11:27. Eagles 17–0.
• PHI – Keith Byars 1-yard run (Roger Ruzek kick), 6:52. Eagles 24–0. Fourth quarter
• PHI – Roger Ruzek 38-yard field goal, 14:56. Eagles 27–0. ;Top passers
• PHI – Randall Cunningham – 21/33, 234 yards, 2 TD
• DAL – Troy Aikman – 7/21, 54 yards, 3 INT ;Top rushers
• PHI – Randall Cunningham – 5 rushes, 46 yards
• DAL – Broderick Sargent – 3 rushes, 44 yards ;Top receivers
• PHI – Keith Byars – 8 receptions, 90 yards
• DAL – Derrick Shepard – 3 receptions, 25 yards

"The Bounty Bowl"

Week 14: at Philadelphia Eagles

Second quarter

• PHI – Cris Carter 4 yard pass from Randall Cunningham (Roger Ruzek kick) – Eagles 7–0
• PHI – Cris Carter 13 yard pass from Matt Cavanaugh (Roger Ruzek kick) – Eagles 14–0
• DAL – Luis Zendejas 47 yard field goal – Eagles 14–3
• PHI – Roger Ruzek 29 yard field goal – Eagles 17–3 Third quarter
• PHI – Roger Ruzek 46 yard field goal – Eagles 20–3
• DAL – Daryl Johnston 18 yard pass from Troy Aikman (Luis Zendejas kick) – Eagles 20–10 Cowboys
• Troy Aikman 17/30, 152 Yds, TD 6 Rush, 60 Yds
• James Dixon 6 Rec, 69 Yds Eagles
• Randall Cunningham 17/31, 170 Yds, TD
• Anthony Toney 17 Rush, 49 Yds
• Keith Jackson 3 Rec, 57 Yds

Publications

• The Football Encyclopedia
• Total Football
• Cowboys Have Always Been My Heroes

References

References

1. Viking Update Staff. (2001-06-20). "History: Walker Trade". Scout.com.
2. "Dallas Cowboys at New Orleans Saints - September 10th, 1989".
3. "Dallas Cowboys at Atlanta Falcons - September 17th, 1989".
4. "Washington Redskins at Dallas Cowboys - September 24th, 1989".
5. "New York Giants at Dallas Cowboys - October 1st, 1989".
6. "Dallas Cowboys at Green Bay Packers - October 8th, 1989".
7. "San Francisco 49ers at Dallas Cowboys - October 15th, 1989".
8. "Dallas Cowboys at Kansas City Chiefs - October 22nd, 1989".
9. "Phoenix Cardinals at Dallas Cowboys - October 29th, 1989".
10. "Dallas Cowboys at Washington Redskins - November 5th, 1989".
11. "Dallas Cowboys at Phoenix Cardinals - November 12th, 1989".
12. "Miami Dolphins at Dallas Cowboys - November 19th, 1989".
13. "Philadelphia Eagles at Dallas Cowboys - November 23rd, 1989".
14. "Los Angeles Rams at Dallas Cowboys - December 3rd, 1989".
15. "Dallas Cowboys at Philadelphia Eagles - December 10th, 1989".
16. "Dallas Cowboys at New York Giants - December 16th, 1989".
17. "Green Bay Packers at Dallas Cowboys - December 24th, 1989".
18. NFL 2001 Record and Fact Book, Workman Publishing Co, New York, NY, {{ISBN. 0-7611-2480-2, p. 292
19. ''[[Pro-Football-Reference.com. Pro Football Reference]]''; [https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/198912100phi.htm Dallas Cowboys at Philadelphia Eagles – December 10th, 1989]