Tag Archives: Dallas Cowboys

NFL

Noonan, Danny

Cards: ProSet 1989, Action Packed 1990
Acquired: In Person 1990,1991, Dallas Cowboys Training Camp

A Home grown All-American defensive lineman at Nebraska, Danny Noonan was selected in the first round of the 1987 draft by the Tom Landry era Dallas Cowboys. He’d be the 4th DL off the board in the top 12 coming behind Reggie Rucker, Jerome Brown, and Shawn Knight.

Noonan had a difficult time living up to the team’s expectations, as he was frequently injured and had trouble keeping up with the speed of the game. He’d have a decent season in 1988, making 7.5 sacks and pulling in an interception for a touchdown, but as Jimmy Johnson took over as head coach in 1989, Danny by then had additional problems maintaining his playing weight. (It was then later revealed that Noonan had been a steroid user in his playing days at Nebraska and had tested positive before the combine- something the Cowboys had to have known before they drafted him.)

After his 1988 season, everything seemed to unravel, and by 1991 he had been cut by Dallas. Signed by the Packers, who needed defensive line depth, he’d play there for a season. He’d retire after a short 2 game stint with the Broncos in 1993.

A criminal justice major, Danny went back to school and got a business degree with a specialty in e- business. He also did some web management, helping to originate huskerpower.com and is now a financial advisor in the greater Omaha area. To stay in shape he does some jiu-jitsu and martial arts to keep up with his kids.

I got Danny’s autograph twice during training camp that first year during the first or second day, near the entry way of the St. Edwards campus building that they went into at the end of practice. At first this seemed like the primo place to get autographs, then we realized it was all about the fence line near the edge of the practice field that was the best spot to nab autographs.

G/Gs 73/41   Tac n/a     Sac 15   Fum n/a
Int  1  Yds 17   Avg 17.0   Td 1   Lg  17T

NFL

Norton Jr, Ken

Card: ProSet 1990
Acquired: In Person 1990, Dallas Cowboys Training Camp

Ken Norton was one of these guys who the further he got into his playing career, the meaner he looked. I mean you just didn’t want to approach him his last year in Dallas as he just brooded. I think I got Ken either my first or second day at camp. It’d be the only card I’d get signed of his, as he just didn’t stop very often to sign cards. Ken Norton Jr is the son of former heavyweight champion Ken Norton. Drafted in the second round from UCLA by the Dallas Cowboys in Tom Landry‘s final draft as coach, Norton spent the majority of his rookie season in 1988 on injured reserve. He’d gradually work his way into the lineup in 1989, splitting time with Jesse Solomon (fresh from the Herschel Walker trade) at weakside linebacker. Norton would be moved around the linebacker corps as his greatest attribute at the time was his versatility while dealing with injury. By 1992 Ken had become a key cog in the Cowboys defense and scored a touchdown in SuperBowl XXVII. His 1993 would be his last in Dallas. The team had identified linebacker as a budget position and felt that they could find cheap talent in the draft. Norton would hit the road and head out to San Fransisco with the advent of free agency where he played consistently through 2000 before retiring. Ken would be named to the ProBowl twice in his career and All Pro in 1993 and 1995. He is also the first player to win three SuperBowl titles in a row and also remembered for a bone crunching hit that ended Napoleon McCallum‘s career.

Ken would go into coaching where he was signed by the USC Trojans to coach linebackers and also started honing his skills at broadcasting. In 2010 Norton Jr would join Pete Carroll’s staff in Seattle where he is serving also as a linebackers coach.

G/Gs 191/188     Tac  1130   Sac  12.5     Fum  13   Int  5    Yds 127   Avg  20.5      Td 2      Lg 46t

NFL

Willis, Ken


Card: Score 1990 Supplemental
Acquired: In Person 1991, Dallas Cowboys Training Camp

The Dallas Cowboys considered kicker to be a budget position at the eve of free agency, and after the reign of Roger Ruzek was officially over went through a string of kickers including controversial Luis Zendejas who had a bounty placed on his head by the Eagles. The team would have an open tryout in 1990 and bring in free agent Ken Willis from Kentucky in training camp. About nobody gave him a chance to win the starting job but by the end of camp he’d have the job cemented over. Willis was a likable guy for the Cowboys, and his two seasons for the team were serviceable.
While not connecting on a field goal of over 50 yards his rookie season in 1990, 1991 on the other hand  would result in Willis making a career high 39 attempts which would be a team record. He would also connect on 4 of 7 from greater than 50 yards. He’d also be the second leading scoring kicker in the league behind Chip Lohmiller. These would all be career highs for the young former Kentucky Wildcat, who signed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers for a ludicrous 1 million dollars in 1993. (The Buccaneers were desperate for the best available talent after losing kicker Steve Christie to Buffalo and reached out to Willis.) The Cowboys left Willis exposed on free agency and Jerry Jones was irritated because he had a ‘gentleman’s agreement’ with Willis and punter Mike Saxon among others not to sign with other teams. (Jones offer was a measly $175,000. Willis would have been an idiot not to have taken the Bucs deal.) The Cowboys moved on however, and so did Willis. Unfortunately Ken’s tenure in Tampa was incredibly short being 1 of 4 from 30-39 yards and missing 3 critical kicks against the Vikings sealed his fate. Willis would shuffle on up to play for the New York Giants but would suffer a career ending stress fracture of one of his legs. Willis would retire at the age of 26.  Unfortunately due to his painful injury Willis wears shin splints to this day and lives in relative anonymity teaching high school Algebra in his home state.

G 47       XPA   90   XPM 90        FGA 80    FGM  55        PCT  68.8%