Troy Aikman deserved a better career finale in 2000

For the first 29 seasons of existence in the NFL, the Dallas Cowboys had one head coach. Over the next 11 seasons Dallas would hire and then fire three head coaches.

With the exit of Chan Gailey after the 1999 season, the Cowboys began life in the 21st Century with Dave Campo at the helm.

Dave Campo became the fifth head coach of the Dallas Cowboys in 2000.

In addition to the retirements of Michael Irvin and Daryl Johnston due to career-ending injuries, the Cowboys would let three solid players go in free agency.

Deion Sanders signed with the Redskins and defensive back Kevin Mathis went to the Saints.

A troubling trend of letting starting linebackers go instead of re-signing them continued in 2000. Randall Godfrey left for Tennessee.

The Cowboys would add quarterback Randall Cunningham — to back up Troy Aikman — and tight end Jackie Harris in free agency.

Trader Jerry Bets Big…Busts

But a trade, and their five draft picks, would derail the team for the entirety of Campo’s time as Dallas’ head coach.

With Irvin gone, and still feeling the sting of passing on Randy Moss, Jerry Jones tried to swing for the fences. He traded the Cowboys’ first round picks in both the 2000 and 2001 drafts for Seattle wide receiver Joey Galloway.

Joey Galloway joined the Cowboys via trade in 2000. (Photo by Richard Paolinelli)

Galloway would play in one game in 2000. Over four years in a Dallas uniform Galloway would have 151 receptions for 2,341 yards and 12 touchdowns.

In 2004 Galloway would be sent to Tampa Bay in exchange for Keyshawn Johnson. His salary cap hit handcuffed the team throughout his time in Dallas.

The Seahawks used the Cowboys’ picks to draft running back Shaun Alexander in 2000 and traded the 2001 pick to San Francisco to draft wide receiver Koren Robinson.

The 49ers used what would have been Dallas’ pick at No. 7 to take defensive lineman Andre Carter.

One receiver who would have been available for the Cowboys to take in 2001? Reggie Wayne. Wayne went to the Colts instead and teamed up with Peyton Manning.

The most notable player Dallas selected in the 2000 draft? Defensive back Dwayne Goodrich.

Less than three years later Goodrich was out of the NFL and awaiting trial for vehicular manslaughter. He was convicted on two counts of criminally negligent homicide.

Things Did Not Improve

If you were hoping the news would be better once the season began, I have bad news.

The Cowboys beat the Redskins twice in 2000. That’s pretty much as good as it got that year.

The season was a disaster from the very first play. Dallas won the toss and elected to receive.

The Eagles elected to onside kick and recovered it. Philadelphia drove for a touchdown and never looked back.

Aikman was sacked three times on Dallas’ opening drive, went three-and-out on his second drive, and was intercepted for a Pick Six on his third drive.

On his fourth drive, following another incompletion, Aikman was sacked for a fourth time and was knocked out of the game. He went 0-for-5 with the interception.

The Eagles went on to a 41-14 win. Cunningham connected with Galloway for a short touchdown pass. Galloway would be injured and placed on injured reserve for the rest of the year.

Aikman would miss the next two games, both on the road. The Cardinals scored nine late points for a 32-31 win.

The Cowboys got a 76-yard touchdown pass from Cunningham to Chris Warren and held off the Redskins in D.C. for a 27-21 win.

Defend The Star

Aikman returned and threw a touchdown in a 41-24 loss to the previously winless 49ers.

The highlight of the “Defend The Star” game came when 49ers wide receiver Terrell Owens scored his first touchdown and celebrated it on the midfield star.

After Smith scored a touchdown he ran to the Star and knelt on it in retaliation. Owens scored a second touchdown and dashed to midfield to celebrate again.

24 Sep 2000: Emmitt Smith #22 of the Dallas Cowboys walks with the ball during the game against the San Francisco 49ers at the Texas Stadium in Irving, Texas. The 49ers defeated the Cowboys 41-24.Mandatory Credit: Ronald Martinez /Allsport

George Teague said otherwise, knocking Owens off the star and starting a brawl. Teague was ejected from the game. Owens was suspended one game.

Dallas got a 16-13 overtime win over Carolina before getting their bye week.

Dallas would lose 19-14 at the Giants after the bye, then roll to an easy 48-7 win over the Cardinals at home.

But back-to-back losses in overtime would follow. Aikman would toss a touchdown early but exited the game as the Jaguars rallied for a 23-17 win.

Aikman’s Final Return

With Aikman sidelined for the game, Dallas would take a 10-0 lead into the fourth quarter at Philadelphia. But the Eagles would rally for a 16-13 win in overtime.

Aikman would start the next five games beating the Bengals 23-6 before falling to the Ravens (27-0), Vikings (27-15), and Buccaneers (27-7).

Warren’s time with Dallas would end following the loss to Tampa Bay.

After getting benched for tipping a pass that was intercepted, Warren argued with the coaching staff and sulked on the sideline. He was released a few days later.

In what would prove to be his final start, and last game in the NFL, Aikman got the Cowboys out to a 6-0 lead over the Redskins before leaving the game.

He went 2-for-3 for 16 yards in his career-finale and the Cowboys went on to a 32-17 victory at Texas Stadium.

Aikman would be inactive for the final two games of the year, a 17-13 loss to the Giants at home and a 31-0 blowout loss to the Titans in Tennessee.

Campo’s first season ended at 5-11. Cowboys fans hoped the team had hit rock bottom.

In truth they had. Unfortunately they would take up residency there for the next two seasons.

Aikman Rides Off Into The Sunset

It wasn’t the exit Aikman wanted of course, but he departed the NFL as a three-time champion and a Super Bowl MVP. The Hall of Fame would come calling.

In 165 starts over 12 seasons – starting every game he played – he went 94-71 with 32,942 yards and 165 touchdowns against 141 interceptions.

Former Cowboys QB Troy Aikman & OC Norv Turner at 2006 Hall of Fame Ceremony

He would add 1,016 rushing yards and nine touchdowns. As a receiver though he had two catches for minus-19 yards.

In the postseason though, especially early in his career, he was stellar. In 15 postseason starts Aikman was 11-4 with 3,849 yards.

He threw 23 touchdowns and 17 interceptions. He also scored one rushing touchdown in the 1996 playoffs.

Aikman’s departure left Smith – who had his 10th straight 1,000-yard rushing season — as the last remaining member of the Triplets on the team.