PRO: While earning selections to the Pro Bowl in five of the past six seasons as a left tackle, Flozell Adams is regarded as one of the NFL's most productive and powerful offensive linemen. Adams joins Rayfield Wright (six selections), Pat Donovan (four) and Erik Williams (four) as the only tackles in club history to make four-or-more appearances in the Pro Bowl. Adams signed a six-year contract with Dallas in the 2008 offseason, virtually ensuring that he will finish his career with the team. He is the anchor of one of the biggest and most talented offensive lines in the NFL as two of his line mates, center Andre Gurode and right guard Leonard Davis, were also named to the Pro Bowl in 2007 and 2008. Adams has been a fixture on the Dallas line since his rookie season of 1998, and he has 167 career starts in his 171 games played - including playoffs. A very effective pass protector for two-time Pro Bowl quarterback Tony Romo, Adams has also been a dominant run blocker throughout his career. A Dallas back has rushed for over 100 yards 46 times in Adams's 171 career starts. The 2006 season was a come-back year for Adams, who missed the final 10 games in 2005 after suffering a torn ACL in his right knee in Week 6. His dedication and perseverance in returning to Pro Bowl status after the injury prompted his teammates to select him as the club's 2006 Ed Block Courage Award recipient. Prior to the injury, Adams had compiled 107 straight starts, including 102 at left tackle and five at right guard. The streak, which began in 1999, was the longest active streak on the club and, at the time of his injury, the 12th-longest active streak in the NFL. From 1998 to 2002, he played a key role in helping Emmitt Smith nail down the NFL's all-time leading rusher title as Smith gained 5,928 yards in five seasons while playing behind Adams. An exceptional athlete for a man of his size, Adams has blocked a club-record four extra points in his career, and he has also blocked three field goal attempts.
TRANSACTION SUMMARY:
2/28/08: Re-negotiated contract signed through 2013 with Dallas.
10/19/05: Placed on Reserve/Injured with a torn right ACL.
2/28/03: Signed a five-year contract with Dallas.
4/18/02: Signed a one-year contract with Dallas.
2/21/02: Designated franchise player.
4/18/98: Drafted in the second round (38th overall) by Dallas.
2008:
Earned his fifth Pro Bowl berth as the starter after Walter Jones of Seattle could not play due to injury and joined fellow offensive linemen, Davis and Gurode as nominees for the game for the second consecutive season.
Started all 16 games for the third consecutive season and ninth time in his career as Dallas' passing game finished ninth in the NFL (fifth in the NFC) with 236.8 yards-per-game.
The rushing offense ranked 21st in the NFL (ninth in the NFC), gaining 1,723 yards on the season, 107.7 yards-per-game.
With an average of 344.5 yards-per-game of total offense, the Cowboys finished the season 13th in the NFL (eighth in the NFC).
In the win at Cleveland (9/7) the offensive line did not allow a sack as the offense rolled up 487 total yards - the highest yardage output on the road since 541 yards at Washington (9/12/99). The ground game picked up 167 yards with three touchdowns while Romo had time to complete 24-of-32 passes for 320 yards with one touchdown and one interception.
Allowed time for Romo to throw for 312 yards to mark back-to-back 300-yard passing games against Philadelphia (9/15) in the home opening win. Also did not allow a sack for the second consecutive week.
Provided holes for a running game that finished with 217 total yards on 35 carries at Green Bay (9/21) - the most team rushing yards since 217 on 41 carries at Tennessee (10/1/06). Barber finished for a career-high 142 rushing yards.
The line did not allow a sack in 47 passing attempts against Washington (9/28) as Romo threw for 300 yards - his 13th career 300-yard passing game, tying him with Troy Aikman for the most in club history.
In the overtime loss at Arizona (10/12) the line allowed time for Romo to throw for 300 yards for the 14th time of his career to become the first quarterback in club history to do so.
The offensive line blocked for the second 100-yard rusher of the season as Barber picked up 100 yards on 18 carries for a 5.6 average and one score at St. Louis (10/19). The passing game - led by Brad Johnson - gained 217 yards on 17-of-34 passing with one touchdown and three interceptions.
In a defensive battle against Tampa Bay (10/26) the offense only managed 172 total yards but was able to come away with a victory with no turnovers. The 172 total yards were the least amount gained in a win in team history. The club did not record a turnover - snapping a streak of 21 consecutive games with a turnover.
In Romo's first game back at Washington (11/16), the line did not allow a sack in 27 passing attempts and also blocked for Barber, who gained 114 rushing yards on 24 attempts and completely dominated the last six minutes of the game, allowing the Cowboys to run out the clock and seal the win.
Romo threw for a season-high 341 yards in the win against San Francisco (11/23) marking his fifth 300-yard passing game of the season - on 23-of-39 passes.
The offense scored on their first four possessions en route to a 34-9 victory against Seattle (11/27). The line did not give up a sack and allowed time for Romo to throw for 331 yards - the third-most yards by a Cowboy on Thanksgiving Day and his sixth 300-yard game of the season.
Helped block for rookie running back Tashard Choice, who finished with 88 rushing yards - the highest individual rushing total against the Steelers all season - on 23 carries at Pittsburgh (12/7).
In the win against the N.Y. Giants (12/14), the line allowed time for Romo to pass for 244 yards on 20-of-30 attempts and two touchdowns. They also blocked for Choice, who rushed for a team-high 91 yards and a score.
In the final game at Texas Stadium against Baltimore (12/20), the line protected Romo as he threw for 252 yards on 24-of-45 passing with two touchdowns and two interceptions while allowing only two sacks. They also created holes for Choice, who finished with 17 carries for 90 yards and a touchdown.
2007:
Named a starter for the NFC Pro Bowl squad - his fourth Pro Bowl in the past five seasons as one-of-13 Cowboys selected - setting a team and NFL record.
A second team All-Pro selection by the Associated Press.
Played a key role in one of the most prolific offensive seasons in club history while helping the team to a club record-tying 13 victories and the first NFC East title for Dallas since 1998.
The Dallas offense finished the season second in the NFL in scoring (first in the NFC) with an average of 28.4 points-per-game. The 455 points scored marked the second-most in club history behind only the 1983 team (479 points).
With an average of 365.7 yards-per-game, the Cowboys were third in the NFL (second in the NFC) in total offense.
Dallas ranked fourth in the NFL (third in the NFC) in passing with an average of 256.6 yards-per-game.
In the rushing offense category, the Cowboys were 17th in the NFL (seventh in the NFC) with an average of 109.1 yards-per-game.
In the win over the N.Y. Giants on opening night (9/9), the line allowed just one sack on 24 pass plays and the running game picked up 142 yards and a touchdown on 30 carries (4.7 avg.). The offense scored six touchdowns - which tied for the fourth-most in club history in a season opener as they racked up 478 total yards - the most in a non-overtime game since 1996.
At Chicago (9/23) helped the offense put up 431 total yards as the Cowboys produced a 100-yard rusher (Barber), 100-yard receiver (Owens) and a 300-yard passer (Romo) for the first time in a game since an overtime win at Washington (9/12/99).
In the win over St. Louis (9/30), the line allowed just one sack as Romo completed 21-of-33 passes for 339 yards. The running game gained 171 yards as the offense racked up 502 total yards for the first time since the Washington overtime win (9/12/99).
At Buffalo (10/8) did not allow a sack on 50 pass plays as Romo threw for 309 yards and two scores.
Against Minnesota (10/21) helped give Romo the time to complete 28-of-32 first half passes and 31 completions in the game for a single-game career-high.
At Philadelphia (11/4) the line did not allow a sack on 25 pass plays as Romo completed 80.0% (20-of-25) of his throws for 324 yards and three touchdowns.
In the win over Washington (11/18), the offense allowed only one sack on 32 pass attempts with Romo completing 22 passes for 293 yards and four touchdowns. It was the first time in team history a quarterback threw for four touchdowns in back-to-back weeks.
In the Thanksgiving Day win over the N.Y. Jets (11/22), helped provide the holes for the second 100-yard rusher of the season - Barber (103) - as the running game picked up a season-high 174 yards.
Against Green Bay (11/29) the line did not allow a sack for the third time in 2007 as Romo completed 19-of-30 passes for 414 yards and four touchdowns. It was the fifth time the offense amassed 400-or-more yards in the season and the sixth 300-yard passing game of the year for Romo.
At Detroit (12/9) the Dallas offense racked up 368 total yards as Romo compiled his seventh 300-yard game of the season - and a 110.4 passer rating - his seventh consecutive game with a passer rating above 100.0.
In the playoff loss to the N.Y. Giants (1/13/08) the line led a season-long 20-play, 90-yard drive for a touchdown in the second quarter that consumed 10:28, marking the longest time of possession on any drive in 2007. The line also provided holes for Barber - who finished with a career-high 129 yards on 27 carries (4.8 avg.).
2006:
Returned from a 2005 season-ending right knee ACL surgery and made his third Pro Bowl in four seasons as an injury replacement for the Saints Jammal Brown.
The Cowboys scored 425 points (26.6 per-game), the fourth-most in the NFL in 2006, and the most by the Cowboys since the Super Bowl season of 1995. Was also the fourth-best scoring output by the Cowboys since the NFL went to a 16-game schedule in 1978.
Helped Dallas return to the postseason with a 9-7 record before the season ended with a wild card loss at Seattle (1/6/07).
Blocking helped the Cowboys produce two 1,000-yard receivers (Terrell Owens and Terry Glenn) and a 1,000-yard rusher (Julius Jones) for just the second time in team history.
His start in the season-opening loss at Jacksonville (9/10) was his first since October 16, 2005.
In the win at Tennessee (10/1), helped Dallas rush for 217 yards and three touchdowns, the team's best running performance since December 14, 2003 (222 yards).
Helped Jones rush for more than 100 yards in three consecutive games at Tennessee (10/1), at Philadelphia (10/8) and against Houston (10/15).
Was the anchor of the line for Romo's first career start, a 35-14 win at Carolina (10/29) in which Romo was sacked just twice in 38 pass plays while throwing for 270 yards.
Dallas also ran for 156 yards (4.1 per-carry) against the Panthers while controlling the ball for a season-best 38:16 and gaining 414 total yards.
In the win at Arizona (11/12) the line did not allow a sack in 29 pass plays, and Romo threw for 308 yards, his first career 300-yard passing game. Adams lined up across from the Cardinals Bertrand Berry, who recorded just one tackle.
In the win over previously undefeated Indianapolis (11/19), the line gave Romo the time to complete 19-of-23 passes (82.6%) for 226 yards with just one sack. Limited Dwight Freeney to two tackles and one sack.
In the Thanksgiving Day victory over Tampa Bay (11/23), the line allowed one sack on 30 pass plays, and the offense gained a season-high 435 total yards - 306 passing and 137 rushing. Romo tied the club record with five passing touchdowns in the game.
In the last-minute win at the N.Y. Giants (12/3), the Dallas line allowed just one sack in 35 pass plays, and the Cowboys gained 257 passing yards and 110 rushing yards. Helped hold Osi Umenyiora to no tackles and no sacks.
In the Sunday night loss to New Orleans (12/10), helped open the hole that allowed Jones's 77-yard touchdown, which tied the fifth-longest run in club history.
2005:
Returned to Pro Bowl form as one of the league's top left tackles before he tore his right ACL and ended his season in the Week 6 win over the N.Y. Giants (10/19).
Prior to the injury, Dallas was 4-2, ranked seventh in total offense (373.2 yards-per-game) and had allowed just 13 sacks (2.2 per-game) in six games.
Dallas finished the year ranked 13th in total offense (325.1 yards-per-game) and allowed 36 sacks in the games that followed the injury (3.6 per-game).
Started his seventh consecutive season opener at left tackle in the win at San Diego (9/11), helping Dallas score 28 points and gain 301 yards of total offense.
In a Monday night loss to Washington (9/19), was part of a Dallas line that did not allow a sack in 36 pass plays, marking the first time the Cowboys hadn't allowed a sack since Dec. 8, 2002, against San Francisco.
In the win at San Francisco (9/25), the line allowed just two sacks in 40 pass plays, and the Cowboys gained 443 yards of total offense. Quarterback Drew Bledsoe's 363 passing yards - with two touchdowns - was the eighth-best performance in club history.
In a key division win over Philadelphia (10/9), did not allow a sack and helped the Cowboys gain a season-high 456 yards of total offense, the most since they gained 541 yards at Washington (9/12/99).
Suffered his season-ending injury in the third quarter of an overtime win against the N.Y. Giants (10/16). Underwent successful surgery to repair the right ACL on October 25.
Prior to the injury, Adams had made 107 straight starts, including 102 at left tackle.
2004:
Followed the most productive year of his career with another solid performance and earned a reserve spot on the NFC Pro Bowl roster.
Over the final seven games of the season, the offensive line helped rookie Julius Jones rush for 803 yards (114.7 yards per-game).
In the season opening loss at Minnesota (9/12), the Cowboys gained 423 total yards, including 352 passing yards by Vinny Testaverde with just one sack in 52 pass plays.
The following week against Cleveland (9/19), Dallas gained a season-high 441 total yards, including 322 passing yards from Testaverde, who was sacked only once in 36 pass plays. Testaverde became just the second Cowboys quarterback to throw for more than 300 yards in back-to-back games.
Against Chicago (11/25) on Thanksgiving Day, was part of an offensive line that helped Jones rush for 150 yards, tying what was then the second-best mark ever by a Cowboys rookie running back. Adams also recovered a third-quarter fumble by R.W. McQuarters following an interception.
In the 43-39 win on Monday Night Football at Seattle (12/6), helped Jones rush for 198 yards, the third-best rushing day in club history and the second-best by a Cowboys rookie. Jones also became the first Dallas running back to record back-to-back 100-yard rushing games since December 2001.
In the last game of the season, at the N.Y. Giants (1/2/05), the offensive line helped Jones rush for 149 yards on 29 carries (5.1 yards-per-carry) and helped Testaverde record a season-high 109.2 quarterback rating after completing 23-of-30 passes (76.7%).
2003:
Signed a five-year contract in the offseason and went on to enjoy the most productive season of his career.
Under new head coach Bill Parcells, became a starter on the offensive line for the NFC Pro Bowl team, while helping Dallas return to the playoffs as a wild card for the first time since 1999.
Helped Dallas's total offense jump from 30th in 2002 to 15th in 2003, with an increase of almost 50 yards-per-game. That improvement helped the club post a 10-6 record after three straight 5-11 seasons.
The line helped the Cowboys gain 403 yards of total offense in each of their first two games - against Atlanta (9/7) and at the N.Y. Giants (9/15). That marked the first back-to-back 400-yard games for Dallas since 1998.
Adams's pass blocking against the Giants gave Quincy Carter time to throw for a career-high 321 yards.
His run blocking was a key in a win at the N.Y. Jets (9/28), against whom Dallas rushed 41 times for 202 yards (4.9 per-carry) and a touchdown.
In the loss at Tampa Bay (10/26), limited Bucs defensive end Simeon Rice to two tackles and no sacks as the club gained 400 yards of total offense, including 208 on the ground.
In a 21-14 win over Washington (11/2), blocked his second career extra point when he batted down the Redskins first attempt.
Blocked his second extra point of the season at New England (11/16) when he batted Adam Vinatieri's attempt in the second quarter. That block made Adams the first player in club history with two blocked PATs in the same season.
The line allowed just one sack for no yards in 45 pass plays in a victory over Carolina (11/23).
In the Thanksgiving loss to Miami (11/27), blocked his third extra point of the season.
At Washington (12/14) part of a line that helped Troy Hambrick rush for 189 yards, at the time the third-best single-game performance in club history.
2002:
In a season plagued by injuries on the offensive line, Adams was the only Cowboys offensive lineman to start and finish every game.
Missed most of training camp with a hyperextended right knee (Aug. 6) but returned to the starting lineup for the opener at Houston (9/8) and helped Dallas rush for 155 yards.
After reshuffling the line at defending NFC Champion St. Louis (9/29), anchored a unit that allowed two sacks in 38 pass plays in the last-second victory.
Was the only Dallas offensive lineman to start and play the entire game against Carolina (10/13), and the Cowboys had 148 yards and 14 points in the fourth quarter to nab a 14-13 win.
In the loss to Seattle (10/27), played a key role in NFL history; Smith ran for 109 yards on 24 carries (4.5 yards-per-carry) and became the league's all-time leading rusher with an 11-yard run in the fourth quarter. It was Smith's first 100-yard game of the season, and his record-breaking run came on Adams's (left) side of the line.
In the win over Jacksonville (11/24), provided time for Chad Hutchinson to throw for 301 yards as the team gained a season-high 405 yards of total offense.
In the Thanksgiving Day victory over Washington (11/28), helped lead the way for a season-high 211 rushing yards, including a season-best 144 yards by Smith, who went over 17,000 career rushing yards and recorded his fourth consecutive 100-yard day against the Redskins.
Also blocked his fourth career kick when he batted James Tuthill's field goal attempt in the second quarter of the Redskins win.
2001:
Key part of a line that helped Dallas finish third in the NFL in rushing with 136.5 yards-per-game.
Dallas gained 2,184 rushing yards, the second-best total by the Cowboys in the previous 20 years (2,201 yards in 1995).
Line allowed just 34 sacks in 447 pass plays and held opponents to two sacks-or-less in 10 games.
In the loss to San Diego (9/23), the line helped Smith gain 85 yards on 17 carries (5.0 yards-per-carry) and pass Barry Sanders for second on the NFL's all-time rushing list.
Blocked his first career PAT at Philadelphia (9/30).
In a 9-7 win over Washington (10/15), helped lead Smith to his first 100-yard rushing game of the season (107 yards) and helped Dallas gain 211 rushing yards.
In a loss at Atlanta (11/11/), helped the team rush for 207 yards (6.3 yards-per-carry), including 127 yards from Troy Hambrick and 85 yards from Michael Wiley.
Aided Smith in gaining a season-high 128 yards at Arizona (12/23), and the offensive line allowed just one sack in 30 pass plays.
In the upset win over San Francisco (12/30), the line led the way to 186 rushing yards, including 126 by Smith, and limited the 49ers to one sack. Carter threw for a season-high 241 yards.
2000:
In his second season as the Cowboys starting left tackle, was part of an offensive line that allowed 35 sacks in 480 pass plays. In six games, opponents were held to one sack-or-less.
Helped Smith rush for 1,203 yards and surpass 1,000 yards for the 10th consecutive season.
Adams's work allowed the Cowboys to average 4.2 rushing yards-per-carry for the year. Only four NFC clubs rushed for more yards-per-carry in 2000.
Helped lead Smith to his first 100-yard rushing game of the season at Carolina (10/1) when Smith gained 132 yards on 24 carries (5.5 yards-per-carry).
In 48-7 win over Arizona (10/22), helped the Cowboys rush for 200 yards, including 112 by Smith, while allowing one sack.
Aided Smith in rushing for over 100 yards the next two weeks: against Jacksonville (10/29) and at Philadelphia (11/5).
Against Washington (12/10) Smith topped 100 yards for the sixth time on the season (150) as the team tallied 242 yards on the ground, the most rushing yards by Dallas since it had 271 yards at Philadelphia (10/31/93).
1999:
In his first full season at left tackle, was the only Dallas offensive lineman to start all 16 regular season games.
The line allowed just 24 sacks in 531 pass plays, the second-fewest sacks allowed in the NFL in 1999.
Helped Smith record 1,397 rushing yards, his most since 1995, and nine 100-yard rushing games, the second-most of his career in one season.
Earned first NFL start at left tackle in overtime win at Washington (9/12), and helped the Cowboys gain 541 yards of total offense, their most since Sept. 15, 1985.
Helped Smith gain 109 yards in a win over Atlanta (9/20), marking just the third time in 29 games that the Falcons allowed a 100-yard rusher.
In the win over Green Bay (11/14), blocked a Ryan Longwell field goal, becoming the first Dallas offensive player to block a field goal since Doug Cosbie did it against St. Louis (10/21/79).
In the Thanksgiving Day win over Miami (11/25), blocked a 47-yard field goal attempt by Olindo Mare in the second quarter, tying the club record of two blocked field goals in a season. Became the 11th player in club history to accomplish that feat and the first since Leon Lett in 1994.
1998:
Earned All-Rookie honors and played a key role on a line that allowed just 19 sacks, the fewest in the NFL.
Forced into extended work as a rookie because of knee injuries to right guard Everett McIver. Started 10 games in place of McIver and earned 12 total starts - the most ever by a Dallas rookie offensive lineman.
Made NFL debut against Arizona (9/6) and was used as a third tight end on short yardage situations before taking over for the final three quarters at right tackle after starter Erik Williams was ejected.
In opener, helped Dallas gain 444 yards of total offense against the Cardinals, including 188 rushing yards; both totals were the team's highest since 1996.
In place of the injured McIver (10/4), made his first career start at right guard against Carolina (10/11), helping the Cowboys to 428 yards of total offense.
In his first five starts at right guard, helped Smith record four 100-yard rushing games, including a season-high 163 yards on 29 carries (5.6 yards-per-carry) against the N.Y. Giants (11/8).
Started the final five regular season games at right guard and made his first postseason start against Arizona (1/2/99) in the playoff loss at Texas Stadium.
COLLEGE:
Was named the 1997 Big Ten Offensive Lineman of the Year by the conference's head coaches.
One of just four offensive linemen in 1997 who were semifinalists for the Outland Trophy and Lombardi Award.
Moved from right tackle to left tackle and picked up All-America honors as a senior.
A three-year starter at Michigan State, helped lead the Spartans to three straight bowl games for only the second time in school history.
Started the final 28 games of his career at tackle. In 34 career starts, helped a Spartan running back rush for at least 100 yards 21 times.
Anchored a line that produced a 1,000-yard rusher in each of his three seasons as a starter.
Second-team All-Big Ten selection at right tackle following his sophomore and junior seasons.
PERSONAL:
Flozell Adams attended Proviso West High School in Maywood, Illinois.
Was a two-year starter on the offensive line, where he was an All-America and all-state selection.
Also lettered three times in wrestling and four times in track (shot put).
Advanced to the state heavyweight wrestling finals as a junior.
Earned degree in criminal justice at Michigan State.
Is a cousin of former NBA guard Hersey Hawkins.
COMMUNITY:
Participated in the offensive line's support of The Rise School of Dallas - First Downs for Down Syndrome project.
Served as a guest speaker for the Coppell, Texas, High School football team for NFL High School Tuesday program.
2003 Cowboys United Way Hometown Huddle.
Hosted his first Make-A-Wish Foundation child during the 2006 season.
2007 Children's Cancer Fund Fashion Show and Luncheon.
Annual Holiday Hospital Visits.
Annual Dallas Cowboys Kickoff Luncheon and Cowboys family cookbook benefitting Happy Hill Farm.
Salvation Army Angel Tree Christmas Program.
Make-A-Wish Foundation of North Texas
2009 Stars of Texas�Racing Against the Odds for the American Diabetes Association.
