Four Dallas Cowboys who rose from obscurity to fan favorites

Let’s start by stating the obvious.

The Dallas Cowboys have a long history of talent, so starting in the year 2000 seems more than reasonable.

Additionally, expecting to see Tony Romo’s name or Dak Prescott’s may leave some discomfort.

Let’s face it. Both guys deserve to be on the list, but they’ve received enough of the headlines.

However, we have a few other players who equally fit the bill; their stories are as interesting as the team’s last two signal callers.

Give the Dallas Cowboys credit.

They have historically been comfortable turning every stone to find the best talent to field a team.

As a lover of all things football, I appreciate the players who had to work for their spots on the roster.

Here is a list of four players who scrapped and clawed their way to a roster spot and an impact role for the team.

Before Amari Cooper wore #19, Miles Austin made it famous

Miles Austin was not a lock to make the roster back in 2006.

However, he did what any intelligent young player eager to earn playing time would do.

Austin used his talents on special teams and made an impact in a big way.

Most undrafted players out of Monmouth University find it challenging to grab one of those musical chairs that we commonly dub a roster spot.

After a couple of seasons of making a name for himself doing kick returns, he earned his chance at one of the wide receiver roles.

Subsequently after Terrell Owens exited stage right, there was a noticeable verbal void along with a statistical one.

Austin embraced the opportunity of filling the stat sheet.

He turned his chance into the Cowboys’ single-game receiving record (10 catches for 250 yards) against the Kansas City Chiefs.

Over the seven years with Dallas, Miles Austin racked up 301 receptions and 4481 receiving yards. The 35 touchdowns were the cherries on top.

He was one of Tony Romo’s go-to receivers and scratched out 2 Pro Bowls in the process.

There are many feel-good stories across the NFL but Miles Austin’s stack right up there with them.

Demarcus Lawrence and Jay Ratliff rocked the Number 90 Well

Dallas has been lucky to land on some excellent prospects but getting Jay Ratliff in the 7th round in 2005 is near the top.

Notwithstanding, the former defensive tackle from Auburn was a conundrum of sorts.

Early in his career, the Cowboys envisioned him playing the defensive edge role like Marcus Spears.

By the way, the 2005 NFL draft of the Dallas Cowboys was one for the ages. Demarcus Ware, Spears, Ratliff, Marion Barber, and Chris Canty.

Not too shabby.

Now in 2005, Bill Parcells was the head coach. He ran a 3-4 defense, and there was no way Ratliff could play the interior at his size.

Or could he?

In 2007, when Wade Phillips took over, Jay Ratliff went from a rotational player to being the team’s nose tackle.

His quickness, explosiveness, and power at the snap made him a household name and beloved by Cowboys fans.

It eventually cost Jerry Jones upwards of $40 million in 2011, with $18 million guaranteed.

Over his career, he earned 4 Pro Bowls and a first-team All-Pro in 2009.

Ratliff made the jobs of Ware, Ellis, Spencer, and other outside linebackers trying to get to the quarterback much easier.

ARLINGTON, TX – DECEMBER 13: Wide receiver Patrick Crayton of the Dallas Cowboys at Cowboys Stadium on December 13, 2009 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

Patrick Crayton was the epitome of A slot receiver for Tony Romo

Patrick Crayton was a 7th-round draft pick in 2004 from Northwestern Oklahoma State.

I’ve never watched them play a down of football.

With that, Dallas snagged another player who developed into one of the better route runners the NFL offered.

Crayton had to overcome injuries and beat out players that were technically more talented than he was.

He fought through a crowded receiver room with Keyshawn Johnson, Terry Glenn, and Antonio Bryant.

Bringing in Terrell Owens and Roy Williams, and with the emergence of Miles Austin, Patrick Crayton stood his ground and continued to produce.

While he left the team with no pro bowls nods or All-Pro selections, he locked on to 196 receptions for 2888 yards in 6 seasons.

From where he started to how it ended, the unexpected rise to a starting role should allow Crayton to sleep easy.

LANDOVER, MD – DECEMBER 7: Tight end Jason Witten #82 of the Dallas Cowboys lifts up Dan Bailey #5 after Bailey kicked the game-winning field goal with seconds remaining to defeat the Washington Redskins 19-16 at FedExField on December 7, 2015 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)

Dan Bailey came thru in the clutch for Dallas time and time again

Since Dan Bailey left the building after the 2017 season, a dark cloud looms over the kicking team for Dallas.

Bailey was Mr. Automatic for the Cowboys for seven straight seasons.

Most fans had a level of confidence in the kick going in that you didn’t even need to watch the game to know it was good.

At the beginning of his career, as with other kickers, there were hurdles to get over.

Number one, he carried the label of an undrafted free agent.

Secondly, four other kickers here in Dallas were competing for the same job. That tells you the level of trust they had in him.

Even still, it quickly changed. Bailey earned the job in his first season and never looked back.

He was the leader of the special team’s unit, was named to the Pro Bowl in 2015, and earned a 2nd team All-Pro selection.

Bailey had six straight seasons of 100% extra point attempts while carrying an 88% kicking accuracy even with the down 2017 season.

Dan started from the bottom but made it and was undoubtedly a recognizable figure among the Dallas Cowboys.

His contributions to the team stand the test of time.