The Dallas Cowboys season was the franchise's 49th season in the National Football League (NFL). The season ended when the Cowboys were blown out by the Philadelphia Eagles 44–6 in week 17, their worst loss since the 1985 Chicago Bears came to Texas Stadium and beat the Cowboys 44–0. It was the last season the Cowboys played at Texas Stadium; they moved to Cowboys Stadium in 2009. Despite entering the last month of the season four games above .500, they failed to make the playoffs for the first time since 2005, losing three of their last four games and finishing with a 9–7 record.
Offseason
Signings Re-signed long snapper L. P. Ladouceur to a five-year contract extension. Re-signed pro-bowl left offensive tackle Flozell Adams. Signed veteran linebacker Zach Thomas to one-year, $3 million deal. Placed the franchise tag on Pro Bowl free safety Ken Hamlin. Traded for Ex-Titan defensive back Adam "Pacman" Jones.
Departures Released Wide Receiver Terry Glenn Released fullback Oliver Hoyte who has signed with the Kansas City Chiefs. Cornerback Jacques Reeves joined the Houston Texans. Running back Julius Jones signed a four-year deal with the Seattle Seahawks. Safety Keith Davis signed with the Miami Dolphins, but re-signed with the Cowboys after his subsequent release from Miami. Defensive tackle Jason Ferguson, linebacker Akin Ayodele and tight end Anthony Fasano traded to the Miami Dolphins.
Free agents heading into the 2008 season Cornerback Nate Jones
Training camp
The Cowboys arrived in Oxnard, California for training camp on July 24. HBO and NFL Films filmed the Cowboys for the fourth season of Hard Knocks which premiered on August 6. The Cowboys began camp with all but three players: Felix Jones, Mike Jenkins, and Terry Glenn. Jones and Jenkins both signed contracts the next day, and flew out to California to report. Soon afterward, Terry Glenn was released to waivers. Owner Jerry Jones explained that, "I think at the end of the day, it had more to do with where we are right now, the managing of how he got to the field, the aspect of concentrating on the what ifs and how it might've impacted how we give our young players a chance, and how we evaluate that position." The main story lines in camp have revolved around the new addition of Adam "Pacman" Jones, and the injury to Terence Newman. Jones was proving daily in camp that he is still worthy of being named one of the top cornerbacks in the league, but was not fully reinstated to the NFL until August 28. Newman injured his groin on July 28, and is expected to be out for three weeks. The Cowboys cut the roster from 80 to 75 immediately after training camp, then waived more players following the final pre-season game to drop the roster count to league limit of 53, one of which was 6th-round draft pick Eric Walden. Walden was picked up on waivers by the Kansas City Chiefs. The following players made it through waivers to land spots on the practice squad: Danny Amendola, Alonzo Coleman, Tearrius George, Rodney Hannah, Mike Jefferson, Marcus Dixon and Julius Crosslin. Then, in a surprising turn of events, Dallas CB Evan Ogelsby was released to make room on the roster for Special Teams Ace Keith Davis who returned to the Cowboys after being cut from the Dolphins.
2008 draft class
Notes The Cowboys traded their 2007 first-round (No. 22 overall) selection to the Cleveland Browns for 2007 second-round (No. 36 overall) and 2008 first-round (No. 22 overall) selections. The Cowboys traded their first, (No. 28 overall) fifth (No. 163 overall) and seventh-round (No. 235 overall) selections for the Seattle Seahawks' first-round (No. 25 overall) selection in order to move up in the first-round and select Mike Jenkins. The Cowboys traded their third-round (No. 92 overall) selection to the Detroit Lions for 2008 and 2009 fourth-round (Nos. 111 and 101 overall) selections. The Cowboys traded linebacker Akin Ayodele and tight end Anthony Fasano to the Miami Dolphins in exchange for a fourth-round (No. 100 overall) selection. The Cowboys traded their fourth-round (No. 100 overall) selection to the Oakland Raiders in exchange for fourth (No. 104 overall) and seventh-round (No. 213 overall) selections. The Cowboys traded their fourth-round (No. 104 overall) selection to the Cleveland Browns in exchange for fourth (No. 122 overall) and fifth-round (No. 155 overall) selections. The Cowboys traded their 2008 fourth-round (No. 111 overall) selection to the Browns in exchange for a 2009 third-round (No. 69 overall) selection. The Cowboys traded their original fourth-round (No. 126 overall) selection to the Tennessee Titans for cornerback Adam Jones. The Cowboys were to receive a conditional 2009 fourth-round selection if Jones is not reinstated, or a conditional 2009 fifth-round selection if Jones is reinstated but gets suspended again (the Cowboys received the Titans' 2009 fifth-round selection, No. 166 overall). The Cowboys traded their fifth (No. 155 overall) and seventh-round (No. 213 overall) selections to the Jacksonville Jaguars in exchange for a fifth-round (No. 143 overall) selection. The Cowboys traded defensive tackle Jason Ferguson and their 2008 sixth-round (No. 195 overall) selection to the Dolphins in exchange for 2008 and 2009 sixth-round (Nos. 167 and 197 overall) selections.
Undrafted free agents Name Position College Danny Amendola Wide receiver Texas Tech Drew Atchison Tight end William & Mary Mark Bradford Wide receiver Stanford Julius Crosslin Fullback Oklahoma State Dowayne Davis Safety Syracuse Marcus Dixon Defensive end Hampton Keon Lattimore Running back Maryland Jay Ottovegio Punter Stanford Daniel Polk Wide receiver Midwestern State Darrell Robertson Defensive end Georgia Tech
Rosters
Opening training camp roster
Dallas Cowboys 2008 opening training camp roster Quarterbacks Richard Bartel Brad Johnson Tony Romo
Running backs Deon Anderson FB Marion Barber III Tashard Choice Alonzo Coleman Julius Crosslin FB Ronnie Cruz FB Felix Jones Keon Lattimore
Wide receivers Danny Amendola Miles Austin KR Mark Bradford Patrick Crayton PR Terry Glenn Sam Hurd Mike Jefferson Terrell Owens Daniel Polk Isaiah Stanback
Tight ends Drew Atchison Martellus Bennett Tony Curtis Rodney Hannah Jason WittenOffensive linemen Flozell Adams T Joe Berger G Marc Colombo T Leonard Davis G Doug Free T Ryan Gibbons G/T Andre Gurode C Kyle Kosier G Cory Lekkerkerker T James Marten T Pat McQuistan T Cory Procter C Adam Stenavich G
Defensive linemen Remi Ayodele NT Stephen Bowen DE Chris Canty DE Marcus Dixon DE Jason Hatcher DE Tank Johnson NT Jay Ratliff NT/DE Junior Siavii NT Marcus Smith DE Marcus Spears DELinebackers Kevin Burnett ILB Bobby Carpenter ILB Greg Ellis OLB/DE Tearrius George OLB Bradie James ILB Darrell Robertson OLB Justin Rogers OLB Tyson Smith OLB Anthony Spencer OLB Zach Thomas ILB Erik Walden OLB DeMarcus Ware OLB/DE
Defensive backs Alan Ball CB Courtney Brown FS Quincy Butler CB Dowayne Davis SS Tyler Everett SS Ken Hamlin FS Anthony Henry CB Mike Jenkins CB Terence Newman CB Evan Oglesby CB Orlando Scandrick CB Pat Watkins FS Roy Williams SS
Special teams Nick Folk K L. P. Ladouceur LS Mat McBriar P Jay Ottovegio P Reserve lists Adam Jones CB (Susp.)
Rookies in italics 78 active, 1 inactive
Week one roster
Dallas Cowboys 2008 week one roster Quarterbacks Brad Johnson Tony Romo
Running backs Deon Anderson FB Marion Barber III Tashard Choice Felix Jones
Wide receivers Miles Austin KR Patrick Crayton PR Sam Hurd Mike Jefferson Terrell Owens Isaiah Stanback
Tight ends Martellus Bennett Tony Curtis Jason WittenOffensive linemen Flozell Adams T Joe Berger C Marc Colombo T Leonard Davis G Doug Free T Andre Gurode C Montrae Holland G Kyle Kosier G Pat McQuistan T/G Cory Procter G
Defensive linemen Stephen Bowen DE Chris Canty DE Jason Hatcher DE Tank Johnson NT Jay Ratliff NT/DE Marcus Spears DELinebackers Kevin Burnett ILB Bobby Carpenter ILB Greg Ellis OLB/DE Bradie James ILB Justin Rogers OLB Anthony Spencer OLB Zach Thomas ILB DeMarcus Ware OLB/DE
Defensive backs Alan Ball CB Courtney Brown FS Keith Davis SS Ken Hamlin FS Anthony Henry CB Mike Jenkins CB Adam Jones CB Terence Newman CB Orlando Scandrick CB Pat Watkins SS Roy Williams SS
Special teams Nick Folk K L. P. Ladouceur LS Mat McBriar P Reserve lists Tyler Everett SS (IR)
Practice Squad Danny Amendola WR Richard Bartel QB Alonzo Coleman RB Julius Crosslin FB Marcus Dixon DE Tearrius George OLB Rodney Hannah TE
Rookies in italics 53 active, 1 inactive, 7 PS
Final roster
Dallas Cowboys 2008 final roster Quarterbacks Brooks Bollinger Brad Johnson Tony Romo
Running backs Deon Anderson FB Marion Barber Tashard Choice Alonzo Coleman
Wide receivers Miles Austin KR Patrick Crayton PR Terrell Owens Roy Williams
Tight ends Martellus Bennett Tony Curtis Rodney Hannah Jason WittenOffensive linemen Flozell Adams T Joe Berger G/T Marc Colombo T Leonard Davis G Doug Free T Andre Gurode C Montrae Holland G Pat McQuistan T Cory Procter C/G
Defensive linemen Stephen Bowen DE Chris Canty DE Jason Hatcher DE Tank Johnson NT Jay Ratliff NT Marcus Spears DELinebackers Kevin Burnett ILB Bobby Carpenter ILB Greg Ellis OLB Bradie James ILB Steve Octavien OLB Carlos Polk ILB Justin Rogers OLB Anthony Spencer OLB Zach Thomas ILB DeMarcus Ware OLB
Defensive backs Alan Ball CB/S Tra Battle FS Courtney Brown SS Keith Davis SS Ken Hamlin FS Anthony Henry CB Mike Jenkins CB Adam Jones CB/SS/KR/PR Terence Newman CB Orlando Scandrick SS
Special teams Nick Folk K L. P. Ladouceur LS Sam Paulescu P Reserve lists Sam Hurd WR (IR) Felix Jones RB (IR) Kyle Kosier G (IR) Mat McBriar P (IR) Isaiah Stanback WR/KR (IR) Pat Watkins S (IR) Roy Williams S (IR)
Practice Squad Danny Amendola WR Julius Crosslin FB Marcus Dixon DE Ryan Gibbons G/T Marcus Thomas RB Vickiel Vaughn S Paris Warren WR Travis Wilson WR
Rookies in italics 53 active, 7 inactive, 8 practice squad
Preseason schedule Week Date Opponent Result Record Game site NFL.comrecap 1 at San Diego Chargers L 17–31 0–1 Qualcomm Stadium Recap 2 at Denver Broncos L 13–23 0–2 Invesco Field at Mile High Recap 3 Houston Texans W 23–22 1–2 Texas Stadium Recap 4 Minnesota Vikings W 16–10 2–2 Texas Stadium Recap
Schedule Week Date Opponent Result Record Game site NFL.comrecap 1 September 7 at Cleveland BrownsW 28–10 1–0 Cleveland Browns Stadium Recap 2 Philadelphia Eagles W 41–37 2–0Texas StadiumRecap 3 September 21 at Green Bay Packers W 27–16 3–0 Lambeau FieldRecap 4 September 28 Washington Redskins L 24–263–1 Texas StadiumRecap 5 October 5 Cincinnati Bengals W 31–224–1 Texas StadiumRecap 6 October 12 at Arizona Cardinals L 24–30 4–2 University of Phoenix StadiumRecap 7 October 19 at St. Louis Rams L 14–344–3 Edward Jones DomeRecap 8 October 26 Tampa Bay Buccaneers W 13–95–3 Texas StadiumRecap 9 November 2 at New York Giants L 14–355–4 Giants StadiumRecap 10 Bye 11 November 16 at Washington Redskins W 14–106–4 FedExFieldRecap 12 November 23 San Francisco 49ers W 35–227–4 Texas StadiumRecap 13 Seattle Seahawks W 34–98–4 Texas StadiumRecap 14 December 7 at Pittsburgh Steelers L 13–208–5 Heinz FieldRecap 15 December 14 New York Giants W 20–89–5 Texas StadiumRecap 16 Baltimore Ravens L 24–339–6 Texas StadiumRecap 17 December 28 at Philadelphia Eagles L 6–449–7 Lincoln Financial FieldRecap
Standings
Regular season summary The team was coming from a 13–3 season in 2007 and there were great expectations for a Super Bowl run. During the offseason, the Cowboys signed the controversial talents of Pacman Jones and Tank Johnson. They also were the subject of the 2008 Hard Knocks TV Series.