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The Top 50 CHECK OUT our Classic Cowboys
section for our accounts of every
COWBOYS’ 50TH SEASON | AN OCCASSIONAL SERIES The top fifty Cowboys as decided by a panel of writers and editors, with total votes, position, years with the organization and comment by staff writer Bill Nichols:
game, a look at past drafts, records
against each opponent, information
Panelists: Sam Blair (Cowboys writer 1960-63; columnist 1964-78), Todd Davis (editor), Bob St. John (Cowboys writer 1967-78; state, metro columnist 1978-2000), Tim Cowlishaw (Cowboys writer

Greatness
on the team’s Pro Football Hall of Famers and
1986-87, 1992-94; columnist 1998-present), Steve Waggoner (editor), Damon Marx (editor), Kevin Gray (editor), Jean-Jacques Taylor (Cowboys writer 1995-2006; columnist 2006-present), Kevin
Ring of Honor members and much more.
Sherrington (columnist 2000-present), Bill Nichols (Cowboys writer 2000, 2009), Todd Archer (Cowboys writer 2003-present), David Moore (Cowboys writer 1998-99, 2003-present), Brandon George
dallasnews.com/sports/football/classic/
(staff writer), Barry Horn (staff writer), Carlos Nava (Al Día, Cowboys writer 2004-present), Chuck Carlton (staff writer), Gary Myers (Cowboys writer 1981-85; NFL columnist 1986-89), Dave Renbarger
(editor), Brad Townsend (staff writer), Rick Gosselin (Cowboys writer 1990-91; NFL columnist 1992-present)

OFFENSIVE PLAYER DEFENSIVE PLAYER COACH/GM/OWNER RING OF HONOR MEMBER HALL OF FAMER SUPER BOWL APPEARANCE* SUPER BOWL WIN*
5 PRO BOWL SELECTIONS*

INDIVIDUAL POSITION/YEARS BILL NICHOLS’ COMMENT ACCOLADES VOTERS’ SCORE *as a Dallas Cowboy

Coach Twenty consecutive winning seasons

1. Tom Landry 1960-88
975

Quarterback Twenty-three fourth-quarter comeback wins 6

2. Roger Staubach 1969-79
970

defined
3. Emmitt Smith Running back NFL leader in rushing yards (18,355) and 8 942
1990-2002 rushing touchdowns (164)

Defensive lineman “Mr. Cowboy” was club's first draft choice 11

4. Bob Lilly 1961-74 938

Quarterback Most accurate QB (61.5 percent) threw for 6

5. Troy Aikman 1989-2000 32,942 yards, 165 touchdowns
919

6. Tony Dorsett
Running back Eight 1,000-yard seasons, 99-yard run 4 871
1977-87

7. Randy White
Defensive lineman Heart and soul of “Doomsday Defense” 9 833 PLAYER
1975-88 missed one game in 14 seasons
COACH/
Wide receiver “Playmaker” posted 47 100-yard games 5

The Cowboys have cranked out stars right 8. Michael Irvin 817 GM/OWNER
1988-99

9. Mel Renfro Defensive back Ten straight Pro Bowls, club record 52 INTs 10 816 Rankings
1964-77

from the start. We’ve put them in their places. 10. Tex Schramm
President/GM
1960-89
NFL pioneer turned expansion club into
“America's Team”
797
by position
Which position the
Top 50 players played

11. Bob Hayes

Wide receiver Olympic gold medalist had club-record 71 3 790 LINEBACKERS (3)
1965-74 touchdown receptions, 20 yards per catch

12. Rayfield Wright Offensive lineman “Big Cat” is only offensive lineman in 6 735
1967-79 Ring of Honor
TIGHT ENDS (3)
13. Chuck Howley
Linebacker Only Super Bowl MVP from losing team 6 723
1961-73

Quarterback Led team to first winning season, has three 2 COACH/GM/OWNER (4)
14. Don Meredith 1960-68 of top four passing games in team history 697

Coach Cowboys' second coach had two Super

15. Jimmy Johnson 1989-93 Bowl-winning teams in five seasons
685
WIDE RECEIVERS (4)
Linebacker Only 6-1, 215, made 743 solo tackles 5
16. Lee Roy Jordan 1963-76 684

Owner/GM QUARTERBACKS (5)

Only owner in NFL history to post three
17. Jerry Jones 1989-present Super Bowl wins in his first seven seasons
676

18. Cliff Harris

Defensive back “Captain Crash” posted 29 interceptions 6 673
1970-79 and 18 fumble recoveries RUNNING BACKS (7)

Offensive lineman One of NFL's strongest players with 10

19. Larry Allen 1994-2005 700-pound bench press 658
OFFENSIVE LINEMEN (8)
20. Drew Pearson Wide receiver “Mr. Clutch” had several of NFL's greatest 3 632
1973-83 catches, including “Hail Mary”

Defensive lineman Co-Super Bowl MVP, led team in sacks 4 DEFENSIVE LINEMEN (8)
21. Harvey Martin 1973-83 seven times
555

22. Don Perkins

Running back Leading rusher in seven of his eight seasons 6
1961-68 552
DEFENSIVE BACKS (8)
Defensive back Hard hitter finished as team's leading 5
23. Darren Woodson 1992-2003 tackler with 1,350 525

24. Ed Jones Defensive lineman In 15 seasons, he was a teammate of Bob Lilly 3

482
1974-78, 1980-89 and Troy Aikman Rankings by coaches
Defensive back Five Pro Bowls at two positions, 5 Whom the Top 50 players spent
25. Cornell Green 1962-74 34 interceptions 471 the majority of their careers with:
FILE/Staff photo WADE PHILLIPS (1)
Defensive back Great cover corner led league in 4
Before they had a team, the Cowboys had a coach. During a prolific 29-season run, Tom Landry transformed an expansion team into a five-time 26. Everson Walls 425
1981-89 interceptions twice
Super Bowl entrant and two-time champion, reeling off 20 consecutive winning seasons along the way.
Defensive back Big hitter made 41 interceptions, nine more 3
27. Charlie Waters 1970-78, 1980-81 in playoffs
420 BILL PARCELLS (2)
By BILL NICHOLS
Staff Writer | bnichols@dallasnews.com
28. Deion Sanders
Defensive back Two-way player had 14 interceptions and 22 4 380
1995-99 touchdowns with Dallas

T
he Cowboys began a tradition of producing NFL paced the sidelines of the Cotton Bowl and Texas Stadium in his BARRY SWITZER (4)
Tight end Five straight Pro Bowls, got 400th career 5
legends with their first draft pick. It was as if Bob Lilly fedora. Tom Landry built “America’s Team” with 20 consecutive 29. Jason Witten 2003-present catch in sixth season 363
set in motion a stack of silver-and-blue dominoes that winning seasons, five NFC titles and two Super Bowl victories. The Quarterback Led team to three straight NFC Championship 1
30. Danny White 355 JIMMY JOHNSON (8)
followed his path through Pro Bowls and Super Bowls 1976-88 Games
only coach the Cowboys ever had for 29 years closed his career
and into the Ring of Honor and Hall of Fame. with a record of 270-178-6. 31. Charles Haley
Defensive lineman/ In five seasons with Cowboys, earned three 2 343
Linebacker, 1992-96 Super Bowl rings and two Pro Bowls
Running back Don Perkins and linebacker Chuck Howley came TOM LANDRY (31)
Under new owner Jerry Jones and coach Jimmy Johnson, the
Tight end Made 17 receptions in three Super Bowl wins 5
aboard with Lilly in 1961, joining quarterback Don Meredith, a rookie Cowboys put together a new generation of stars. The club’s second 32. Jay Novacek 1990-96 339
on the inaugural team. Linebacker Lee Roy Jordan arrived in 1963, No. 1 draft pick, quarterback Troy Aikman, would also make it to Offensive lineman Great pulling guard missed only two games 6
33. John Niland 1966-74 320
followed by cornerback Mel Renfro in 1964, receiver Bob Hayes in the Hall of Fame, bringing with him running back Emmitt Smith in eight seasons

1965 and offensive tackle Rayfield Wright two years after that. and receiver Michael Irvin. The “Triplets” went 3-for-3 in Super 34. Tony Hill
Wide receiver Big-play artist, “Thrill” led team in catches 3 311
1977-86 and yardage in eight of his 10 seasons Rankings by Super Bowls
Roger Staubach took the keys from Meredith in 1969 and Bowls and rewrote practically every offensive club record.
Offensive lineman Big guard protected Troy Aikman and opened 6 How many Super Bowls the Top 50 played in:
proceeded to drive the Cowboys to dominance. The team had Fifty years, so many great talents. Considering the countless feats 35. Nate Newton 1986-98 holes for Emmitt Smith 286
ONE SUPER BOWL (2)
played in two Super Bowls when defensive end Randy White accomplished, how could The News’ panel of current and former Linebacker Had 20 sacks last year, getting at least one
36. DeMarcus Ware 3 285
signed on in 1975 followed by running back Tony Dorsett in 1977. beat writers, columnists and veteran editors rank one over another? 2005-present in 14 of 16 games

All those players’ skills were molded by a quiet gentleman who Defensive lineman Overshadowed much of his career, ranks TWO SUPER BOWLS (12)
Very closely. 37. Jethro Pugh 284
1965-78 fifth in sacks

Offensive lineman Helped pave the way to two Super Bowl titles, 4
The Top 50 by the numbers 38. Erik Williams 1991-2000 blocking for Troy Aikman and Emmitt Smith
270 THREE SUPER BOWLS (19)
There are a few surprises when comparing the top 50 by stats. For example, Danny White carded some big numbers but lacked the big games. He also had a big surprise
Defensive lineman Spent most of career beside Bob Lilly, credited 5
that resulted in a big reaction from coach Tom Landry. In a key game against the Redskins, White called an audible that resulted ina two-yard loss. Said the usually stoic 39. George Andrie 1962-72 with 97 sacks
268
Landry: "No, no, no, Danny, no!" White, however, still holds the team records for career punts (612), most punts in a game (11) and most punts blocked (5) in a season.
FOUR SUPER BOWLS (2)
Fullback First fullback ever selected to Pro Bowl 2
Quarterbacks Defensive backs 40. Daryl Johnston 1989-99 243
Top 50 Player Comp.-Att. Yards TD INT Top 50 Player INTs Yards Avg. Long TDs
2 Roger Staubach 1,685-2,958 22,700 153 109 9 Mel Renfro 52 626 12.0 90 3 Running back Cowboys' first 1,000-yard rusher, four Pro 4
41. Calvin Hill 1969-74 Bowls in six seasons
201 FIVE SUPER BOWLS (7)
5 Troy Aikman 2,898-4,715 32,942 165 141 18 Cliff Harris 29 281 9.7 60 1
14 Don Meredith 1,170-2,308 17,199 135 111 23 Darren Woodson 23 271 11.8 94 2 Offensive lineman
30 Danny White 1,761-2,950 21,959 155 132 25 Cornell Green 34 552 16.2 59 2 42. Ralph Neely Big and fast, a dominant force for much of his 2 200
1965-77 13-year career
47 Tony Romo 990-1,571 12,777 94 51 26 Everson Walls 44 391 8.9 37 0 NO SUPER BOWLS (8)
27 Charlie Waters 41 584 14.2 56 2 Running back Man of many talents gained 2,019 yards in 1988 2
Running backs 28 Deion Sanders 14 273 19.5 71 2
43. Herschel Walker 1986-89, 1996-97 172
Top 50 Player Att.-Yards Avg. Long TDs 45 Bill Bates 14 122 8.7 29 0
3 Emmitt Smith 4,052-17,162 4.2 75 153 Tight end Started the club's legacy of great tight ends, 3
44. Billy Joe Dupree 1973-83 never missed a game in 11 seasons
168
6 Tony Dorsett 2,755-12,036 4.4 99 72
22 Don Perkins 1,500-6,217 4.2 59 42
Sacks Rankings by active personnel
Top 50 Player Sacks Defensive back Dynamic special teams player, emotional leader 1
40 Daryl Johnston 232-753 3.2 18 8 45. Bill Bates 1983-97 161 How many of the Top 50 are still active:
4 Bob Lilly 94.0
41 Calvin Hill 1,166-5,009 4.3 55 39
7 Randy White 111.0 ACTIVE PERSONNEL (5)
43 Herschel Walker 818-3,491 4.3 84 27 Defensive lineman Underrated despite finishing with 94.5 sacks
48 Robert Newhouse 1,160-4,784 4.1 54 31
13 Chuck Howley 26.0 46. Jim Jeffcoat 1983-94 132
21 Harvey Martin 114.0
24 Ed Jones 106.0 Quarterback
Wide receivers 47. Tony Romo First Cowboy QB to throw for more than 4,000 2 118 RETIRED PERSONNEL (45)
36 DeMarcus Ware 60.5 2003-present yards in a season
Top 50 Player Rec.-Yards Avg. Long TDs 37 Jethro Pugh 95.5
8 Michael Irvin 750-11,904 15.9 87 65 39 George Andrie 97.0 Fullback At 5-10, 209, used 44-inch thighs to plow for
11 Bob Hayes 365-7,295 20.0 95 71 46 Jim Jeffcoat 94.5
48. Robert Newhouse 1972-83 4,784 rushing yards
111
20 Drew Pearson 489-7,822 16.0 67 48
34 Tony Hill 479-7,988 16.7 75 51 Offensive lineman One of the “Dirty Dozen” rookies in 1975 who 4
49. Pat Donovan 1975-83 helped lead the Cowboys to Super Bowl X
107
Emmitt Smith was the highest-ranked
Tight ends running back among the Top 50 Cowboys,
Offensive lineman
Top 50 Player Rec.-Yards Avg. Long TDs coming in at No. 3 on our list. Smith rushed 50. Flozell Adams Highly decorated (five Pro Bowls) despite being 5 104
1998-present highly penalized
29 Jason Witten 478-5,373 11.2 53 26 for more than twice as many touchdowns as
32 Jay Novacek 339-3,576 10.5 49 22 any other Cowboy and for 5,126 more yards Others receiving votes: Terrell Owens (97), safety Roy Williams (90), Ken Norton (87), Frank Clarke (83), Tom Rafferty (62), Larry Brown (38), Eugene Lockhart (37), Clint Murchison (35), Dan Reeves (29), Herb Scott (25), La’Roi Glover (22), Blaine Nye (15), Mat McBriar (14), Bob Breunig (11), Leonard Davis (9), Michael Downs (9), Mark Stepnoski (9), Gil
44 Billy Joe Dupree 267-3,565 13.4 42 41 than sixth-ranked Tony Dorsett. Brandt (8), Rafael Septien (8), Leon Lett (5), Jerry Tubbs (5), Peter Gent (1), Ernie Stautner (1), Doug Cosbie (1)

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