Bradie James wants to lead Dallas Cowboys to Super Bowl..
Local, LSU product Bradie James wants to lead Dallas Cowboys to Super Bowl
By Paul J. Letlow • pletlow@thenewsstar.com • June 16, 2008
Approachable and charismatic, Bradie James is popular among fans of all ages.
He doesn't just play for the Dallas Cowboys. He is a captain for America's Team.
Something's lacking for James, though, and he's quick to admit it.
"I'm chasing a championship trophy," said James, who has played linebacker for five years in the NFL, "A Super Bowl and a Pro Bowl. I definitely had the best year of my career last year, but I fell a little short. "
For all their glitz and luster, the Cowboys haven't even won a playoff game since 1996. Last year ended with a first-round 21-17 loss to the New York Giants, who went on to win the Super Bowl.
James was an alternate to go to the Pro Bowl. The trip fell through.James is hungry. He was part of LSU's rise to national prominence, yet just missed their National Championship run in 2003 — the year he entered the NFL.
His last big trophy hoist took place in the Louisiana Superdome as a senior at West Monroe High School, when the Rebels won the state title. James says these ascending Cowboys remind him of the powerhouse prep program that launched him to stardom.
"We have one of the most talented teams I've ever been on," James said of the 2008 Cowboys. "I think the last talented team I was on that could dominate at every position like that was my senior year at West Monroe. Here we are but every team is talented in the league, so it's about chemistry and jelling. That's my job, to get everybody on the same page, to get everybody right."
As a professional football player, James has evolved. In the early years of a career, you exert all your energy into just hanging on. He's long past that phase.
"You come in as a rookie, trying to learn how to play," James said. "Then you try to make it to your second contract. I've done that. Now things have settled down. I know I'll be in Dallas a couple more years, and my career will be made primarily in Dallas. Now, you set your own goals, and the No. 1 goal is to win."
A fourth-round pick by the Cowboys in 2003, James played mostly on special teams his first two seasons, appearing in 30 games with just two starts.
He has raised his profile with each passing season. James is a veteran in his prime, capable of making a difference in his franchise's fortunes.
"Guys in the league know me now," said James, who signed a five-year contract extension in 2006. "I've established myself, so that's the next big plan. But it just doesn't happen by talking about it. I've got to continue to be productive, and I can do that."
Last year, he tallied 101 tackles with 64 solos and three sacks
"I made a good impact last year," James said. "Now I want to take it to the next level, and be one of the most dominant players at my position."
Bright and articulate off the field, a beast on it, James owns respect in the Cowboys' star-studded locker room. Those teammates around him are the ones who voted him one of the defensive captains.
"That says a lot," Cowboys safety Ken Hamlin said. "You get voted on by your peers. Teammates voted him captain, and he does a lot of great things on that field. Off the field, in the meeting room, he gets everybody together. It's good to have a middle linebacker that handles that."
Said Cowboys offensive lineman Flozell Adams, who is entering his 11th season: "He's a great guy. You can talk to him about anything, football or whatever. He listens to your opinion, whether it's about life or a play in the game.
"On the field, he's very aggressive and one of the best linebackers who's been on the Cowboys from what I can see. He's tenacious."
In Dallas, James is surrounded by enough firepower on both sides of the ball to help him reach his dreams. He views himself as a catalyst who can help pull it all together.
"We've developed a chance to compete for a championship every year," James said. "You play 20 games, counting the preseason, before you get to the playoffs. One of the worst feelings is to lose at that time. Now we have a chance to be in the hunt.
"Next season, we've got a great chance. We've got a very talented team."
By Paul J. Letlow • pletlow@thenewsstar.com • June 16, 2008
Approachable and charismatic, Bradie James is popular among fans of all ages.
He doesn't just play for the Dallas Cowboys. He is a captain for America's Team.
Something's lacking for James, though, and he's quick to admit it.
"I'm chasing a championship trophy," said James, who has played linebacker for five years in the NFL, "A Super Bowl and a Pro Bowl. I definitely had the best year of my career last year, but I fell a little short. "
For all their glitz and luster, the Cowboys haven't even won a playoff game since 1996. Last year ended with a first-round 21-17 loss to the New York Giants, who went on to win the Super Bowl.
James was an alternate to go to the Pro Bowl. The trip fell through.James is hungry. He was part of LSU's rise to national prominence, yet just missed their National Championship run in 2003 — the year he entered the NFL.
His last big trophy hoist took place in the Louisiana Superdome as a senior at West Monroe High School, when the Rebels won the state title. James says these ascending Cowboys remind him of the powerhouse prep program that launched him to stardom.
"We have one of the most talented teams I've ever been on," James said of the 2008 Cowboys. "I think the last talented team I was on that could dominate at every position like that was my senior year at West Monroe. Here we are but every team is talented in the league, so it's about chemistry and jelling. That's my job, to get everybody on the same page, to get everybody right."
As a professional football player, James has evolved. In the early years of a career, you exert all your energy into just hanging on. He's long past that phase.
"You come in as a rookie, trying to learn how to play," James said. "Then you try to make it to your second contract. I've done that. Now things have settled down. I know I'll be in Dallas a couple more years, and my career will be made primarily in Dallas. Now, you set your own goals, and the No. 1 goal is to win."
A fourth-round pick by the Cowboys in 2003, James played mostly on special teams his first two seasons, appearing in 30 games with just two starts.
He has raised his profile with each passing season. James is a veteran in his prime, capable of making a difference in his franchise's fortunes.
"Guys in the league know me now," said James, who signed a five-year contract extension in 2006. "I've established myself, so that's the next big plan. But it just doesn't happen by talking about it. I've got to continue to be productive, and I can do that."
Last year, he tallied 101 tackles with 64 solos and three sacks
"I made a good impact last year," James said. "Now I want to take it to the next level, and be one of the most dominant players at my position."
Bright and articulate off the field, a beast on it, James owns respect in the Cowboys' star-studded locker room. Those teammates around him are the ones who voted him one of the defensive captains.
"That says a lot," Cowboys safety Ken Hamlin said. "You get voted on by your peers. Teammates voted him captain, and he does a lot of great things on that field. Off the field, in the meeting room, he gets everybody together. It's good to have a middle linebacker that handles that."
Said Cowboys offensive lineman Flozell Adams, who is entering his 11th season: "He's a great guy. You can talk to him about anything, football or whatever. He listens to your opinion, whether it's about life or a play in the game.
"On the field, he's very aggressive and one of the best linebackers who's been on the Cowboys from what I can see. He's tenacious."
In Dallas, James is surrounded by enough firepower on both sides of the ball to help him reach his dreams. He views himself as a catalyst who can help pull it all together.
"We've developed a chance to compete for a championship every year," James said. "You play 20 games, counting the preseason, before you get to the playoffs. One of the worst feelings is to lose at that time. Now we have a chance to be in the hunt.
"Next season, we've got a great chance. We've got a very talented team."
posted by The Gryphon at 10:40 PM
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