In a blatant rip-off of USA Today's series of the top 25 NFL players from the last 25 years, I came up with a list of the top 25 Cowboys from that time span. I considered only players' accomplishments in a Cowboys uniform since 1982.
I would have unveiled a player each day like USA Today is doing, but I'm going on vacation next week until training camp. So here's the list, from top to bottom, in all its glory:
RB Emmitt Smith … All-time leading rusher was a complete back
QB Troy Aikman … One of four QBs with three Super Bowl rings
OL Larry Allen … Only Cowboy with more Pro Bowl appearances is Bob Lilly
WR Michael Irvin … The leader of the ’90s Cowboys, for better and worse
S Darren Woodson … Proof that big hitters can be great in coverage, too
CB Deion Sanders … Best cover man and punt returner in team history
DT Randy White … 1985 was last of Manster’s nine straight Pro Bowls
RB Tony Dorsett … Three of eight 1,000-yard seasons came after ’82
TE Jay Novacek … Aikman’s security blanket extended a lot of drives
OG Nate Newton … Six Pro Bowls, three rings
FB Daryl “Moose” Johnston … Emmitt’s personal battering ram
OT Erik Williams … En route to Canton before car wreck
DE Charles Haley … Trade for him turned Cowboys into Super Bowl team
DE Jim Jeffcoat … 94.5 sacks in 12 seasons with Cowboys
SS Roy Williams … Has his flaws, but he’s a feared playmaker
DT Leon Lett … Would have been much higher (on this list) if drugs didn’t do him in
TE Jason Witten … Could move past Novacek in next few years
C Mark Stepnoski … Best center in league during first stint here
CB Everson Walls … Remembered for The Catch, but only Hall of Famer Mel Renfro had more picks as a Cowboy
DT La’Roi Glover … Pro Bowler every year he was here
CB Terence Newman … He’ll make a Pro Bowl any year now
OT Mark Tuinei … Protected Aikman’s blindside for a long time
SS Bill Bates … One of the top special teams players of all-time
DE Tony Tolbert … Overlooked piece of three Super Bowl champs
DT Russell Maryland … Not worth the first overall pick, but made it tough to run
Who's too high? Who's too low? Who didn't make the cut that should have?
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Comments
Posted by Craig @ 10:55 AM Thu, Jun 28, 2007
Is it too soon to put Ware somewhere near the bottom? He's shown us something special even though he's only been here a short time.
Posted by Gene @ 11:04 AM Thu, Jun 28, 2007
How about Danny White? He was underrated as a quarterback (his season stats stack up against Staubach and Aikman) and he was the best punter in the league not named Ray Guy.
Posted by Russ @ 11:22 AM Thu, Jun 28, 2007
Drop La’Roi Glover
Add Chad Hennings
Posted by Ralph @ 11:33 AM Thu, Jun 28, 2007
Where is:
Danny White?
Ken Norton?
Kevin Smith?
Alvin Harper?
James Washington?
EDITOR'S NOTE: All of those guys but Washington were considered. I could probably be convinced that White should be on the list.
Posted by Rvillanus @ 11:55 AM Thu, Jun 28, 2007
Did Roger Staubach play for the cowboys or another team because I did not see him on the list? Please tell me this is an oversight?
Posted by Lunging Wolf @ 12:01 PM Thu, Jun 28, 2007
Jeeze, I think Roger belongs in there, possibly at number TWO!!!!!
EDITOR'S NOTE: Did Staubach make a comeback during the '80s? If not, he doesn't qualify for a list of the top Cowboys from THE LAST 25 YEARS.
Posted by Ray @ 12:15 PM Thu, Jun 28, 2007
Charles Haley needs to be much higher, without him it's debatable whether we would have won any SBs. And what about Eugene Lockhart? He gets overlooked because he played on some horrible teams, but he was awesome.
Posted by FanForLife @ 12:17 PM Thu, Jun 28, 2007
What about Herschel Walker? His trade to the Vikings got the Cowboys 3 Superbowls. Not really his accomplishment but the Cowboys wouldn't have won them without him.
Posted by Mike A @ 12:35 PM Thu, Jun 28, 2007
The Leon Lett comment is gold.
Posted by Jeff L. @ 12:37 PM Thu, Jun 28, 2007
I agree with Ray, you've got to put Haley higher. Tim, you even hit the nail on the head in your description: "trade for him turned Cowboys into Superbowl team". That's exactly right! I would think that would warrant top 5 easily.
EDITOR'S NOTE: The reason I didn't put Haley higher is because his back problems limited his productivity in Dallas. He only had two double-figure sack seasons here.
Posted by B Wong @ 12:41 PM Thu, Jun 28, 2007
la roi glover and terrence newman? uh, no. danny white has got to make this list.
Posted by William @ 12:42 PM Thu, Jun 28, 2007
Yes. I think he must be drinking the Dallas Morning News coffee to leave Roger Staubach off the list. Charles Haley was utterly magnificent and he tossed 300 offensive ends around just like Randy White. Charles, Randy and Roger need to be place ahead everyone but Emitt Smith.
Posted by Melonhead @ 12:49 PM Thu, Jun 28, 2007
Pretty good list Tim. I'd add Danny White and Eugene Lockhart.
Posted by Mike A @ 12:52 PM Thu, Jun 28, 2007
William - Staubach retired at the end of the 1979-1980 season. Why would he be on this list?
Posted by Chester @ 12:55 PM Thu, Jun 28, 2007
I'm proud as a third-grader that T-Mac didn't get me on the Roger omission. Google saved me from my usual impulsiveness.
The Manster should be ahead of Woodson and Sanders.
Posted by Nic @ 12:58 PM Thu, Jun 28, 2007
what, no Steve Paluer or Babe Laufenberg? jk
Posted by Get_Real @ 12:59 PM Thu, Jun 28, 2007
Tim, are you Irvin and Deion all sharing off same crack pipe....
Posted by JR @ 1:31 PM Thu, Jun 28, 2007
Glover had a nice run when he was here but putting him on a top 25 list based on 4 seasons is pushing it, a lot.
And Pro Bowls are a joke anymore. Nobody wants to play and anybody who is decent makes it between the regular selections, injuries and dropouts.
Posted by Hanker @ 1:36 PM Thu, Jun 28, 2007
Are you kidding? No Shante Carver?
Posted by alan in Lubbock @ 1:52 PM Thu, Jun 28, 2007
Seems like Larry Brown won a Super Bowl all by himself.
Doesn't that count for something? ;-)
Posted by Mike McCain @ 2:20 PM Thu, Jun 28, 2007
This whole list is invalid without Bob Hayes' name on it.
Posted by Ricardo @ 2:21 PM Thu, Jun 28, 2007
Glad to see tolbert on that list. He was a vastly underrated player.
Posted by Ric @ 2:35 PM Thu, Jun 28, 2007
I agree with most, but here are a few oppositions
T.Newman, jury's still out. And he still hasn't made one memorable play yet. Larry Brown had at least a half dozen memorables.
L.Glover - no way. He only made pro bowls on his name. Stats were modest at best. Ed Jones was effective, and more productive than Glover, from 82-87.
E.Walls had his moments but he was beaten far too often. K.Smith was a more pure cover corner.
Moose Johnston was a very important role player, but not an impact player from his own merrits. Ken Norton Jr. was far more productive with his individual contributions.
Posted by Hanker @ 2:39 PM Thu, Jun 28, 2007
Alan, granted, I was drunk, but as I recall, Larry Brown was at the right place, at the right time in that Superbowl. He was the most undeserving Superbowl MVP that there ever has been, or ever will be. His career was mediocre at best.
Posted by Keith @ 2:48 PM Thu, Jun 28, 2007
VACATION?!?!? I thought you actually had to work to earn vacation. =)
Posted by DLescalleet @ 2:52 PM Thu, Jun 28, 2007
Bill Bates belongs higher on this list. Certainly in the Top 15. By my count even as high as #12 and certainly worthy of top 10 consideration.
Posted by Gary Mc @ 2:53 PM Thu, Jun 28, 2007
I think Tunei is far too low and Erik Williams too high. I'd have to agree that Kevin Smith and Mean Gene the hittin machine should also make the list. I love Bill Bates, but his contributions didn't match his popularity. Also agree with Russ on Chad Hennings, but I'd drop Russell Maryland instead.
Posted by Chris @ 2:54 PM Thu, Jun 28, 2007
It never fails. The heading of this article clearly states "Top 25.. in the last 25 years", and three people get bent out of shape over Roger. This clearly shows how people today not only hear what they want to her, but they read only what they want to read.
Good list, though. I would be prone to put Demarcus Ware at the bottom and leave off Russell Maryland.
Posted by Chip @ 2:59 PM Thu, Jun 28, 2007
Last 25 years ONLY!
Posted by VegasFan @ 3:03 PM Thu, Jun 28, 2007
What I want to know is....All these guys who don't understand the concept of the LAST 25 YEARS and are crying out for Staubach and Hayes aren't griping about Bob Lilly being left off. LOL
Hey it's the LAST 25 YEARS....get it?
Posted by jazlich @ 3:09 PM Thu, Jun 28, 2007
I would add Greg Ellis, remove Bill Bates.
Bates was popular but never made a real impact beyond special teams, Ellis has lead the team in sacks most of his Cowboy career including out-sacking La'Roi Glover yearly all while playing the run better than Glover ever did. Terry Glenn and Danny White should have drawn serious consideration as well.
Posted by Pokes @ 3:11 PM Thu, Jun 28, 2007
Hey lets one-up usa today and make it the last 46 years, can't forget all the oldies.
Posted by 5xSuper @ 3:36 PM Thu, Jun 28, 2007
There are some players I would have considered. I agree with jazlich. Terri Glenn should be heavily considered and my favorite Danny White should be in hands down. That '83 season if I recall correctly (I was only 10) , he threw for nearly 4,000 yards with 28 or 29 TD's. He through for almost 3,000 in that miserable '87 season, as well as the '85 season. Not to mention his numbers prior '82. I do believe he did take the Cowboys to 3 NFC title games. (check that for accuracy), I'm older now and my memory is slipping. If I also recall Drew Pearson (team captain), was still a Cowboy in '82 and so was Ed "Too Tall" Jones, (pretty good sack numbers). To add a few more, Ken Norton, Herchel Walker, maybe Alvin Harper, (Mr. Clutch). Just my thought "GO COWBOYS," maybe we can add T.O. next year.
Posted by Rob @ 3:48 PM Thu, Jun 28, 2007
Show some respect and add Bill Bates and Mark Tuinei to the list! No players since have played more seasons for the Boys than they did.
EDITOR'S NOTE: Ummmm ... both are on the list, sir.
Posted by Chip @ 3:54 PM Thu, Jun 28, 2007
WHERE'S EDDIE LeBARON ???
Posted by Rob @ 4:08 PM Thu, Jun 28, 2007
It's been a long day...my oversight!
Posted by ernest t bass @ 4:15 PM Thu, Jun 28, 2007
ANY LIST THAT OMITS EMMITT AND TROY IS BOGUS, DUDE!!!
Posted by Chester @ 4:35 PM Thu, Jun 28, 2007
This Blog leaves me in a state of utter terror and hopelessness for our future as a civilization!
Awwww, what the heck! We can't live forever!
GO COWBOYS!
Posted by Evilinc @ 5:49 PM Thu, Jun 28, 2007
Allen and Deion both have to go above Aikman. Both were the absolute best at their position (and in fact, both were the best, or among the best, at multiple positions). Putting the Manster below Playmaker and Woodson strikes me as off as well.
Finally, churning the bottom of the roster, 2 that didn't get included but should have been considered (they only barely make the 25 year mark) are Bob Bruenig and Drew Pearson. Not sure if you're looking at their whole career or just what they did within the period. If whole career, Drew is a no-brainer, and I would certainly include Bruenig in at least your bottom 5.
Posted by Roger Staubach @ 5:55 PM Thu, Jun 28, 2007
What a lame top 25 cowboy list! No Clint Eastwood? I guess you never saw Unforgiven.
Posted by Dale @ 6:47 PM Thu, Jun 28, 2007
What.. Where's Quincy?
But seriously, we have to get Drew Pearson and Danny White in there.
Posted by Chester @ 7:13 PM Thu, Jun 28, 2007
DREW PEARSON is a definite wrongful omission!
I think that Drew possibly belongs in the HOF, but a lot of us overlooked him, including me.
EDITOR'S NOTE: Drew Pearson's prime was over in 1982, the first season considered for this list.
Posted by Brian C @ 7:31 PM Thu, Jun 28, 2007
drop Roy Williams Russell Maryland LaRoi Glover
Add Danny White Eugene Lockhart Doug Cosbie
Posted by johnsboys @ 7:41 PM Thu, Jun 28, 2007
Great list Tim. I think you can make a case for Dat Nguyen. Nothing against the accomplishments of Stepnoski or Maryland, but neither played here for more than 4 years (I think). Also, you could argue that Donaldson and Hennings were as accomplished at center and DT.
Posted by Bobby Arnold @ 7:58 PM Thu, Jun 28, 2007
REMOVE - REPLACE WITH
Deion Sanders - Mel Renfro
Erik Williams - Rayfield Wright
Charles haley - George Andrie
Jim Jeffcoat - Larry Cole
Leon Lett - Chad Hennings
La Roi Glover - Bob Lilly
Tony tolbert - Ed Jones
Russell (stumblin) Maryland - Jethro Pugh
I dont think you should stop at 1982 to many
greats and to many losers in the Jerry Jones era
Posted by David Abraham @ 8:18 PM Thu, Jun 28, 2007
Why is Danny White never given his due. The man was a very good Quarterback, who took the Cowboys to three straight NFC Championships. In the Philly game it was a team failure, not Danny White's fault. I seem to remember that Dorsett was held to less than 40 yards in that game, in San Francisco, it was the defense who lost the game on that stupid catch we are all familiar with. In 82 it was managaement that lost that game. It was the strike shortened season and due to Tex and the rest of Cowboy Management and their stance against the players Union, which is the players and the fact that Randy White and some of the others crossed the picket line, it was painfully obvious that the Cowboys were doomed in whatever championship game they played in. The players would never have allowed the Cowboys organization to win it all that year. Danny White shoulf be listed in the top five Cowboys of all time, along with Emmitt, Roger, and Troy. In fact my top five is Emmitt, for the Giants game in 94, Roger for all his great games and for making me a diehard Cowboy fan. My favorite memory is Roger beating the 49ers in 73 I believe. Troy for his accuracy and three Super Bowl rings, Danny White for being the third best Quarterback to ever play for the Cowboys, and I honestly liked White better than Aikman. Tony Dorsett, was there ever a better run than the one at Minnesota. Well there you go. No one could argue with this top five.
Posted by 5xSuper @ 9:20 PM Thu, Jun 28, 2007
David Abraham, I'm with you. Top 5 in my book 25 years back of course.
1) Emmitt (Obvious)
2) Danny (numbers, and talent deficit)
3) Aikman (accuracy, competitor)
4) Michael (Audatiousness, Power receiver)
5) Dorsett (Again-Minnesota, plus he wanted the number on the side of the pants so his defenders could see who was running by them? Please, thats enough for anybody)
Posted by 5xSuper @ 9:23 PM Thu, Jun 28, 2007
To Tim: Could we have a list of the worst 25 of the last 25 years? Let me start: 1) Ryan Leaf
Posted by Rod @ 10:02 PM Thu, Jun 28, 2007
I love me some me...part 1. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RXmFM5awYzI
Man do i miss him.
Posted by ernest t bass @ 10:21 PM Thu, Jun 28, 2007
David -- I'm with you on two counts. Danny White was a great quarterback and all-around athlete and the Roger-led comeback against the 49ers in Candlestick Park remains the most incredible win in Cowboys history. I can still see Larry Cole rolling around on the field in joyous celebration.
Posted by dan @ 10:36 PM Thu, Jun 28, 2007
La’Roi Glover on the list is a complete joke. I would put Harper on the list before him, because Harper was just as clutch as Novacheck.
Posted by Esperans @ 11:56 PM Thu, Jun 28, 2007
Aye, I agree with much of the sentiment here.. Danny White should easily be on this list.. in 1983 he set team passing records(yards and TDs)that still remain.. and who can forget the 86 season going south when Danny was knocked out near the mid point.. I dont think Bill Bates deserves a place in the top 25.. his inclusion is a case of popularity over productivity.. I dont think Newman has done enough either.. as good as he obviously is, his second season was very poor.. Ken Norton Jr was a real force for the Cowboys early nineties.. I also think Dexter Coakley was an excellent player who should be on this list..
Posted by Ms. Crabapple @ 12:06 AM Fri, Jun 29, 2007
Ryan Leaf is the worst of any sports.
He is the kind of a man that you could use as a blueprint to build an idiot.
Posted by Jason S. @ 1:08 AM Fri, Jun 29, 2007
Man I am outraged that you left Danny White off the list!!!!!!!!!!
The man could punt...
Run...
Pass...
*BLOCK* even, for Pete's sake...
He was a GREAT *GREAT* Quarterback!!!!!!!! Three *CONSECUTIVE* NFC Title Games and not in the top 25??
PLEASE!
Danny never gets any respect and that's just wrong. Statistically he was better than Roger for crying out loud.
Sheesh. Roy Williams but not Danny White?? Are you on crack?
Posted by John @ 1:28 AM Fri, Jun 29, 2007
Everybody needs to get off the roger thing. he was definatelt before 82. I love the list the only thing i can think to add is Jimmy Johnson and depending on how bad the browns do, Jerry Jones. (just kidding on jerry but jimmy had 2 rings, and built the team for the 3rd)
Posted by Marlon Andrews @ 6:25 AM Fri, Jun 29, 2007
Where is Ed "too tall" Jones and Herschel Walker? Herschel was the reason the Cowboys won 3 Super Bowls and he was pretty good on the field as well.
I also think you can leave off every player who has not WON a playoff game as well!
Posted by Mike @ 7:52 AM Fri, Jun 29, 2007
No Robert Newhouse? No Drew Pearson? No Danny White?
We may have missed (3) important Cowboys. More than some on the list.
Posted by Joel @ 8:32 AM Fri, Jun 29, 2007
No Kevin Smith... He shutdown Jerry Rice several times allowing the Boys to beat the hated 49ers paving the way to Super Bowls
Posted by Joel Starkey @ 9:13 AM Fri, Jun 29, 2007
I know it may have seemed the right thing to do at the time, but I'm thinking the same thing. Looking back it must have been a very, very thin draft to pick Russell Maryland with the number one overall pick. He was a piece of a machine but never a force.
Posted by rick @ 9:15 AM Fri, Jun 29, 2007
You are Crazy, best corner in Cowboy History, What about Everson Walls and Mel Renfro(Gosh they even knew how to tackle), Heck I might even put Mike Gaechter in that group. Yes Deion provided some excitement but by the time we got him he was on the Down swing of his career.
Posted by Terry El @ 9:32 AM Fri, Jun 29, 2007
Sorry Tim, Deion was not the best cover man & best punt returner in cowboy history. #20 Mel Renfro owns that title.
Posted by Rob @ 10:46 AM Fri, Jun 29, 2007
What about Kevin Gogan, Ray Donaldson, Kenny Gant, Jason Garrett, Kelvin Williams?
Posted by Jason S @ 12:21 PM Fri, Jun 29, 2007
Alvin Harper? What are you smoking Russ? He had 2 or 3 good years and maybe 3 or 4 gamebreaking plays in his career. He was way too inconsistent to put him even in the top 75. They used to call him Fri-light because he would always show up in practice, but hardly in games. Now Danny White I would agree with you. He was the second best QB in the NFL next to Joe Montana.
Posted by funhacker @ 1:47 PM Fri, Jun 29, 2007
The list has no merit if you don't have the greats from the 60's and 70's included. . .It's like saying Tyson was better than Ali because you didn't include the 60's and 70's..
Posted by Torrence @ 2:07 PM Fri, Jun 29, 2007
Where is Billy Joe DuPre and Eugene Lockhart? Not to mention Doug Cosbie who was a better all around TE and football player than either Jay Novacek or Jason Witten. (no disrespect intended toward those guys because I think they're awesome too.)
Posted by bryan @ 5:20 PM Fri, Jun 29, 2007
What about T.O.,I think he's going to be big?
Posted by Ron in Ft Greene, B'klyn @ 5:33 PM Fri, Jun 29, 2007
Thank you, Torrence. So finally, as best I can see, someone mentioned Witten! What in tarnation is he doing on this list, TimmyMac? C'mon! Yeah the guy has great hands and I have no problem with him being a Pro Bowl tight end in today's NFC. He might have a great season -- but since 1982 do you put him above Bob Breunig (great mention), Dexter Coakley, Dat Nguyen (debatable), the plays Bill Bates has made or the game-clinching escapes of Herschel Walker? Has he done more than Greg Ellis in his whole career? Or of the glorious career (yes, glorious) of Jim Jeffcoat, taken in the first round in '83? I like Witten and I'm not saying he's had the impact of Jesse Penn, Guy Brown or Rod Hill (ouch!), but I'll take Kelvin Martin's, Bill Bates', '80s Ed Jones' and James Washington's contributions over Witten's thus far, any day. Has anyone brought up Kevin Gogan? He was an incredibly reliable talent in the dynasty years. And what about Mark Schlereth? (giggle!)
Posted by Ran @ 9:46 PM Fri, Jun 29, 2007
I get real tired of people saying that if you don't have a ring then you don't deserve any recognition and you must not have been any good. That might be true in golf or tennis but not in a team sport. There are tons of great players in all team sports who were stuck on lousy teams their whole careers.
Posted by Ware 94 @ 1:11 PM Sat, Jun 30, 2007
La'Roi Glover and not Ed "Too Tall" Jones? Glover was here for what 4 years and Jones qualified for 8 years of his carreer , but Glover still meant more? How many winning seasons & playoff wins were there with Glover? Man, layoff the pipe and put down the cool-aide.
Posted by josh @ 5:19 PM Sat, Jun 30, 2007
Don't get me wrong, Roy Williams is good, but I would have put in James Washington over Roy.
Posted by John @ 5:44 PM Sat, Jun 30, 2007
You should take out: Jason Witten, Terence Newman and Roy Williams and put in their place: Ken Norton Jr., Dexter Coakley and Eugene Lockhart.
Don't put the young guys in Canton yet, they still have much too prove.
Posted by Esperans @ 3:02 AM Sun, Jul 01, 2007
Dont get me wrong.. James Washington was one of my favourites, especially after he destroyed the Bills in the Super Bowl.. but heck, the guy was a Plan B free agent who wasnt even starting at the end of the 93 season.. I dont know how anyone could possibly take him over rock n roll Roy Williams.. ridiculous
Posted by danny @ 12:35 PM Wed, Aug 29, 2007
hi di ho.danny white has always been my favorite and always will.i think he was better than staubach and aikman and ill explain why.dannys first 3 years were incredible.much better than aikmans or staubachs.i dont believe any of the championship games were his fault.i think aikman and staubach had better teams.younger teams.the cowboys fans were used to winning.they wanted hogeboom instead,yeah that worked out.so that cut down on his numbers.he shared that role for 2 years.strikes in 82-87 aikman or staubach didnt go through that.broke his wrist.sat behind roger for 4 years and his numbers are still up there with aikman and staubac.if you think of it he only started and played a full season for 4 years.look what he accomplished.i think all the time if he would have played for 15 years like marino or elway how much better his numbers would have been.it just seems like he always had something working against him,.i still think he trew the preetiest spirals.i remember how accurate he was with the long ball.he is now a winning afl coach one of the very best.voted 2nd colledge player all time.he is in 4 different hall of fames.voted athlete of the century in arizona.drafted buy 3 major league baseball teams.he was simply incredible.a true winner