2001 Dallas Cowboys season The 2001 Dallas Cowboys season was the team ' s 42nd in the NFL . Regular season . An eventful off - season created a lot buzz but little change in the Cowboys ' fortunes . Franchise quarterback Troy Aikman , after suffering a pair of concussions the previous season , was released by the team . Unable to sign on with another team — in part due to his long history of concussions — Aikman announced his retirement at an emotional and lengthy press conference later in the off - season . This left running back Emmitt Smith as the last of the famed " triplets " from the teams ' Super Bowl victories . Veteran quarterback Tony Banks was signed in the off - season from the Super Bowl champion Baltimore Ravens as an immediate replacement , and owner Jerry Jones hand picked Georgia quarterback Quincy Carter with a second round draft choice as the quarterback of the future . Many saw the Carter pick as quite a reach considering Carter ' s inconsistent career at Georgia and his low draft rating by several other teams . Despite what seemed a promising outing in the first pre - season game by starter Tony Banks , the Cowboys , in a very surprising move , released Banks in the middle of training camp and handed the reins over to their rookie quarterback . Unfortunately , a combination of injuries and ineffectiveness led to the Cowboys starting a total of four different quarterbacks over the course of the season including journeyman Anthony Wright and former Arkansas Razorback Clint Stoerner . In an attempt to provide more depth at the quarterback position , the team signed former second - overall draft pick Ryan Leaf mid - season , however he provided no improvement in his limited playing time . His only start of the season , a Week 9 loss to the Falcons , was the final start of his career . The game also marked the first start for Falcons QB Michael Vick . Even with the injection of new blood , the Cowboys suffered through another 5 – 11 campaign and a last place finish in the NFC East . The lack of development at quarterback and the offense as a whole would be blamed on offensive coordinator Jack Reilly who was dismissed after the season . Fans became weary of the Cowboys ' performance and blamed owner Jerry Jones , who by now had taken a more hands - on approach to running the team . One notable game included week 7 , where the Cowboys led the Giants 24 – 7 at halftime , but ( thanks in part to Clint Stoerner ' s throwing 4 interceptions ) the Giants rallied to win in overtime . In an unusual move , Stoerner was pulled from the game for Ryan Leaf late in the 4th quarter of a tie game . It was Leaf ' s debut with the team , but he couldn ' t lead them to victory . Another infamous game was on Thanksgiving Day against the Broncos . Dallas trailed 26 – 10 and scored a touchdown in the 4th quarter . Coach Dave Campo decided against " going for 2 " which if successful would have made it an eight point ( and one possession game ) . Campo instead kicked the extra point , keeping the margin at 9 . Dallas did score one more late TD but that was not enough to tie the game and they never got the ball back , and lost 26 – 24 . A second consecutive season sweep of rival Washington Redskins and a victory over the San Francisco 49ers were the only victories of note . Much of the focus turned towards Emmitt Smith and his pursuit of the all - time career rushing yardage record . During an early season game against the San Diego Chargers , Bob Hayes was inducted into the Cowboys Ring of Honor .