was the sixth middle/inside linebacker taken, behind Nick Barnett of Oregon State, Kawika Mitchell of South Florida, Gerald Hayes of Pittsburgh, Cie Grant of Ohio State, and Angelo Crowell of Virginia. He backed up Pro Bowl outside linebacker Dexter Coakley in a 4–3 defense during his first two seasons in the league, while showing playmaking ability as a special teams performer. In 2003, he was fourth on the team with 16 special teams tackles and the next year he led the team with 24. In 2005, the Cowboys changed to a 3–4 defense, allowing him to have a breakout year, while making the transition from special teams player to starting middle linebacker to lead the Cowboys with 109 tackles. In 2008, James became only the second Cowboys defender (Eugene Lockhart - 222 in 1989) to reach 200 tackles in a season (202 tackles). James was the first player to lead the Cowboys in tackles for more than three straight seasons, eventually reaching a total of six consecutive years, the longest streak in franchise history. He also had a streak of five straight seasons with at least 100 tackles, that ended after the 2010 season. James only missed two games in his Cowboys career (because he was deactivated as a rookie) and dealt each season, with the uncertainty of who would start at the other inside linebacker position, having to play with different teammates who included: Scott Shanle, Akin Ayodele, Zach Thomas, Keith Brooking and Sean Lee. In 2011, with the emergence of Lee, James and Brooking split snaps at the other inside linebacker spot. At the end of the season, the club decided not to re-sign him, with James leaving as its sixth career leading tackler. Houston Texans After the Houston Texans traded DeMeco Ryans to the Philadelphia Eagles, they signed James to a one-year contract on April 12, 2012, reuniting with defensive coordinator Wade Phillips, who was his head coach with the Dallas Cowboys. He started 15 games (missing one with a hamstring injury), finished third on the team in tackles (77) and called all of the defense's signals/audibles. He wasn't re-signed after his contract expired at the end of the year. After being out of football for a year, on May 6, 2014, he signed a one-day contract to retire with the Dallas Cowboys. Personal life In 2006, James was the co-host of "Inside The Huddle", a one-hour