IRVING, Texas – While the focus remains heavy on the draft and free agency, it won't be too long before the Cowboys report to training camp in Oxnard, Calif.
While schedules are always subject to change, the Cowboys are tentatively set to report to California on July 19, with a first practice slated for July 21.
It'll be a longer camp and preseason this year with the Cowboys playing five exhibition games, including the Hall of Fame Game in Canton, Ohio. That pushes up the start date to camp, meaning the pads will be coming on before too long.
So as we count down the days until camp, let's take a light-hearted look at the significance of each number as we stroll through the years of Cowboys football.
Today the countdown continues with a closer look at the number 95:
- Ninety-five stands out because, as no one needs to be reminded, 1995 was the last time the Dallas Cowboys won the Super Bowl. A few interesting stats stand out about the Cowboys' run to their fifth Lombardi Trophy:
- Future Hall of Famer Deion Sanders signed with the Cowboys in 1995, after Dallas won the "Deion Sweepstakes." He'd go on to earn four Pro Bowl selections with the team.
- The 1995 Cowboys' offense set a franchise record for first downs with 364, and they allowed the fewest sacks in team history with a mere 18. Dallas played six games in which its offensive line didn't allow a single sack.
- Emmitt Smith had his absolute best season in helping the Cowboys to the Super Bowl XXX championship. He carried 377 times for 1,773 yards and 25 touchdowns – an average of 110 yards per game. Those were all career highs for Smith, who was the league's rushing leader, as well as a Pro Bowl and All-Pro selection.
- This one is kind of eerie: the '95 Cowboys scored 95 points in the 1995-96 playoffs. The Cowboys crushed the Eagles, 30-11, in the divisional round, before downing Green Bay, 38-27, in the NFC Championship Game. Dallas of course would defeat familiar rival Pittsburgh, 27-17, in the Super Bowl. The final tally was an impressive 95-55 scoring advantage against top competition.
- The longest pass in team history went for 95 yards. It came all the way back in 1966, between Don Meredith and Bob Hayes, in a road game against the Redskins. It is both the Cowboys' longest pass play and their longest passing touchdown.
- George Teague ripped off the fourth-longest interception return in team history in a 1999 home game against Green Bay. Teague went 95 yards on his way to a pick-six.
- The Cowboys have drafted two players 95th overall in the NFL draft.
- The first was Boston College wide receiver Kelvin Martin in 1987. K-Mart led the team in receptions in two different seasons, 1989 and 1990. He played seven years with Dallas and compiled 237 receptions for 3,083 yards and nine touchdowns. He caught 32 balls for 359 yards and three touchdowns during the Cowboys' 1992 Super Bowl season. [embedded_ad]
- The second, BYU defensive tackle Mike Ulufale, didn't enjoy such a distinguished career. Ulufale was taken in the third round of the 1996 draft. He played three games that season season, starting none, and made two tackles.
- Defensive tackle Jethro Pugh, who spent his entire 14-year career with Dallas, is sixth all-time in career sacks with 95.5.
