The NFL is the land of parity.
We’ve seen teams with the Number One Overall Pick in the Draft make the playoffs that year. We’ve seen Head Coaches win the Super Bowl in their first year with that franchise. It seems like every year a team goes from last place in their Division to winning it the next year. In the National Football League, literally anything is possible.
It’s that word – parity – that makes the NFL what it is. People get bored with the NBA and MLB because it’s the same teams dominating every season. If you’re not one of them, you’re out of luck. Womp womp. Not in the NFL, though.
One of the coolest things that comes out every season is the NFL Circle of Parity. It’s a circle that illustrates how Team A beat Team B and Team B beat Team C, so on and so forth. A circle can be drawn to connect it all together.
In the spirit of this circle of life (also the name of the greatest Disney song ever), I wanted to see how the 2016 Dallas Cowboys are connected to every team in the NFL. Players change teams, coaches change teams, players have family on other teams… somehow, someway everyone is connected.
Here’s how our Cowboys are connected to every team in the NFL.
NFC East
Dallas Cowboys: Duh.
New York Giants: Head Coach Jason Garrett played for the New York Giants in 2000.
Philadelphia Eagles: Defensive Tackle Cedric Thornton was drafted by the Eagles in 2012 and played for them through 2015 before signing with the Cowboys this offseason.
Washington Redskins: Running Back Alfred Morris was drafted by the Redskins in 2012 and played for them through 2015 before the Dallas Cowboys brilliantly stole him.
NFC North
Chicago Bears: Assistant Offensive Line Coach Marc Colombo played for the Bears from 2002-2005.
Detroit Lions: Defensive Coordinator Rod Marinelli served as the Head Coach of the Lions from 2006-2008, and Offensive Coordinator Scott Linehan served as the Offensive Coordinator for the Lions from 2009-2013.
Green Bay Packers: Assistant Secondary Coach Joe Baker coached the Green Bay secondary/safeties in 2005.
Minnesota Vikings: Offensive Coordinator Scott Linehan served as the Vikings Offensive Coordinator from 2002-2004.
NFC South
Atlanta Falcons: Quarterbacks Coach Wade Wilson played for the Falcons in 1992.
Carolina Panthers: Defensive Tackle Terrell McClain was drafted by Carolina in 2011.
New Orleans Saints: Assistant Strength and Conditioning Coach Brett Bech was a wide receiver for the New Orleans Saints from 1996-1999.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Assistant Head Coach/Special Teams Coordinator Rich Bisaccia coached in Tampa Bay (with a variety of responsibilities) from 2002-2010.
NFC West
Arizona Cardinals: Senior Offensive Assistant Steve Loney was the Arizona Offensive Line Coach in 2006.
Los Angeles Rams: Offensive Coordinator Scott Linehan served as the Head Coach of the Rams, at the time in St. Louis, from 2006-2008.
San Francisco 49ers: Offensive Lineman Joe Looney was drafted by the 49ers in 2012.
Seattle Seahawks: Defensive End Benson Mayowa signed with the Seahawks after going undrafted in 2013.
AFC East
Buffalo Bills: Offensive Assistant Stephen Brown served as the Assistant to the Head Coach/Special Teams Assistant for Buffalo from 2013-2014.
Miami Dolphins: Head Coach Jason Garrett began his NFL coaching career as the Quarterbacks Coach for the Dolphins, a position he held through 2006 before being named the Offensive Coordinator of the Cowboys in 2007.
New England Patriots: Strength and Conditioning Coordinator Mike Woicik served in the same role with the Patriots from 2000-2010.
New York Jets: Cornerback Josh Thomas played one game for the Jets in 2014.
AFC North
Baltimore Ravens: Troubled Linebacker Rolando McClain spent the 2013 season, technically, as a member of the Ravens roster.
Cincinnati Bengals: Tight Ends Coach Mike Pope coached the tight ends and served as Offensive Coordinator for the Bengals from 1992-1993.
Cleveland Browns: Passing Game Coordinator/Linebackers Coach Matt Eberflus coached the Cleveland linebackers from 2009-2010.
Pittsburgh Steelers: Wide Receiver Devin Street hails from the University of Pittsburgh. The Pitt Panthers share a training facility with the Pittsburgh Steelers.
AFC South
Houston Texans: Offensive Line Coach Frank Pollack served as the Assistant Offensive Line Coach for the Texans from 2007-2011.
Indianapolis Colts: Linebacker Henoc Muamba spent the 2013 season with the Indianapolis Colts.
Jacksonville Jaguars: Linebacker Justin Durant was drafted in by Jacksonville in the 2nd Round of the 2007 NFL Draft.
Tennessee Titans: Offensive Lineman Joe Looney played for the Titans in 2015.
AFC West
Denver Broncos: Defensive Tackles Coach Leon Lett played for the Denver Broncos in 2001.
Kansas City Chiefs: Cornerback Brandon Carr was drafted by the Chiefs in 2008 and played for them through 2011 before signing with the Dallas Cowboys as a Free Agent in 2012.
Oakland Raiders: Wide Receiver Brice Butler was drafted by the Raiders in 2013 and was traded to the Cowboys during the 2015 season.
San Diego Chargers: Linebacker Andrew Gachkar was drafted by the Chargers in 2011 and played for them through 2014 until he signed with the Dallas Cowboys last offseason.
What other connections to the NFL can you come up with for the current Dallas Cowboys? Let us know! Comment below, Email me at RJ@RJOchoaShow.com, or Tweet to me at @rjochoa!
