Did you ever wonder what happened to some of your old buddies? You know, some of those crazy guys from high school or college? Some go on and do well. Others? Uh, not so good.
Today we look at some of our most recent buds that we no longer hang with; a quick look at what these gentlemen are doing now that they no longer wear the star.
Many of them were shown the door because it was felt that they weren't good enough for the Cowboys anymore. What an irony that many of them are today playing for teams with postseason or even championship aspirations, while the Cowboys' sole remaining season objective likely is to finish ahead of the Redskins in the standings.
CONTENDERS
OT Flozell Adams - The Steelers signed Flozell to a one-year contract in June and moved him to right tackle. Flo not only started all 11 games at offensive right tackle, he has performed above the Steelers' expectations, as a run blocker in particular. Here's head coach Mike Tomlin:
"Really he has done maybe even better than what we anticipated. He has been very stable, a stabilizing presence for us. He has a nice demeanor that we like. He plays, he is competitive, is only concerned about winning. I like guys like that. This guy has made a lot of money, he's got a lot of accolades, he has been on some high-profile teams and so forth. None of that seems to be overly important to him right now. He just wants to win and he wants to do whatever he can to help us do so."
Through 11 games, here's Flo's stat line: False starts: 2, holding penalties: 0, sacks allowed: 3.
PK Shaun Suisham - Suisham delivered an unimpressive performance as a replacement for Nick Folk, and the Cowboys decided not to re-sign Suisham. He was signed by the Browns in May, only to be released in June. He was then signed by the Rams for one exhibition game and waived four days later. The Lions worked him out in early November but did not sign him. A week later, the Steelers signed him, and he has gone 4-for-4 for the Steelers in two games so far.
WR Patrick Crayton - The Cowboys traded Crayton to the Chargers in August. With 514 yards on 28 reception in nine games, Crayton was easily on track for the most productive season of his career before a wrist injury sidelined him. The injury required surgery, but the Chargers are hoping Crayton can return by mid-December, although that may be a tad optimistic. Nevertheless, Crayton hasn’t been placed on injured reserve, so it seems the Chargers are confident about his return.
CB Pat Watkins - The Cowboys waived Watkins end August after he missed all four preseason games due to a knee injury. Took him a while to find a job, but the Chargers signed Watkins in mid November to help their woeful coverage units.
PK Nick Folk - Folk looks to have contracted the yips again. He is just 22-of-30 on field goal attempts this season, including five missed attempts over the last three games. The Jets are trying out free agent kickers, but have not found a suitable replacement (yet). Word on the street in New York is that Folk will get one more chance on Sunday to kick for his job.
SOUTH BEACH COWBOYS
OT Pat McQuistan - McQuistan was acquired by the Dolphins and signed a one-year, $1.176 million contract to provide depth at tackle. He started a couple of games in place of the injured John Jerry, and all reports indicate he struggled mightily. With John Jerry back, McQuistan is once again the backup, but at least can find comfort that he is among friends at the South Beach Cowboys: Tony Sparano, Bill Parcels up until recently, Joe Berger, Cory Procter, Lousaka Polite, Anthony Fasano and Deon Anderson were all in Dallas at some point. Even Bobby Carpenter dropped by this season for a visit.
C/G Cory Procter - Procter joined the Dolphins this offseason, where he has served as a swing guard and also backed up Joe Berger at center. Procter tore his left ACL in a game against the Bears, when his knee simple gave out without any opponent contact. The Dolphins placed Procter on injured reserve, thereby ending his 2010 season. Procter remains the drummer for metal band Free Reign, a project also involving Cowboys linemen Marc Colombo and Leonard Davis.
FB Deon Anderson - Signed by the Dolphins on Oct. 19th, was inactive on Oct. 24th vs. Pittsburgh and then was placed on injured reserve on Oct. 30th with a torn rotator cuff and will be out the remainder of the season.
LB Bobby Carpenter - The Cowboys traded Carpenter to the Rams for OT Alex Barron, but Carpenter failed to make the 53-man roster in St. Louis. He was quickly signed by the Dolphins, but after his woeful special teams play cost ST coach John Bonamego his job, the Dolphins released Carpenter in mid October. He was signed by the Lions two days later, where he has played mostly on special teams so far. Remains an honorary South Beach Cowboy.
FREE AGENTS & OTHERS
S Ken Hamlin - Hamlin was released by the Cowboys in early April and eventually signed a one year contract with the Ravens in June. Sadly, he never made it beyond number four on the safety depth chart. With Ed Reed’s return, Hamlin was left without a role and was eventually released on Nov. 30th.
LB Curtis Johnson - The St. Louis Rams signed Johnson to their practice squad in September, but waived him again end October. Johnson is currently a free agent.
RB Chauncey Washington - Washington was signed off the Cowboys' practice squad in December 2009 by the New York Jets and eventually ended up on their practice squad. He was signed off of the New York Jets practice squad on in September 2010 by the St. Louis Rams, but was subsequently waived in mid October and has been a free agent since.
S Marvin White - The Cowboys waived S Marvin White in October last year, and he was picked up off waivers by the Lions who gave him a $1.01 million contract, but eventually released him in August this year. He was briefly signed by the Bengals, but wasn’t able to make the 53-man roster for 2010. White is currently a free agent.
KR/PR Allen Rossum - Rossum suffered an injury on his first play as a member of the Cowboys and was waived four weeks later. He is currently a free agent.
LB Steve Octavien – Free Agent
CB Cletis Gordon - After being released in early September by the Cowboys, Gordon was worked out by the Giants but received no offer. Gordon was signed by the Florida Tuskers of the United Football League on October 19, 2010, where he joins another Cowboys alumn, Brooks Bollinger.
S Michael Hamlin - A fifth-round pick in 2009, Hamlin was expected to challenge Alan Ball for the starting free safety job this past summer. Instead, he was bypassed by two undrafted rookies. The Cowboys waived him in early October, and he is now on the practice squad of the Jacksonville Jaguars.