Russell Maryland was the bowling ball in the midd le of the Cowboy defense that caused chaos. He had a great motor.
The Cowboys wanted Ismael but when he decided to go to Canada, they signe4d Maryland because they didn't want a contract holdout tht year from their pick. They had Maryland's contract signed practically before he was drafted.
Maryland was the kind of D-liner you forgot about sometimes during the game. He didn't have flashy numbers but he was very consistent. At the end of the game you hardly noticed the number of tackles, a forced fumble, perhaps a sack. They added up.
What a draft that was. Maryland and Alvin Harper in the 1st round. LB Dixon Edwards in the 2nd round followed by three 3rd round picks that included both LB Godfrey Miles and LT Erik Williams. A good LB in Darrick Brownlow in the 5th followed by two time Pro Bowler Leon Lett and then Super Bowl MVP Larry Brown in the 12th.