Cowboys all-time team has a plethora of talent on both sides of the ball
Cowboys all-time team has a plethora of talent on both sides of the ball
The Dallas Cowboys have won five championships, but success has come in several
stretches throughout their 59-year history. The club went to the Super Bowl five times in nine years during the 1970s. After a run of non-playoff seasons, Dallas won three titles in four years in the early 1990s. The Cowboys have had more than their share of Pro Bowlers, All-Pros and Hall of Famers on both sides of the ball.
Coach: Tom Landry amassed a 250-162-6 record in the team’s first 29 seasons. After missing the playoffs the first six years, Landry led the Cowboys to the postseason in 17 of the next 18 seasons. Under his watch, the Cowboys had a 19-16 record in the playoffs, won 13 division titles, went the NFC Championship Game 12 times and won two Super Bowls. Jimmy Johnson (44-36) led Dallas to three playoff appearances and two titles. His teams went 7-1 in the playoffs. Jason Garrett (76-58) has been the coach since 2010. He has led the Cowboys to three division titles, but they have not gotten past the Division round in his watch. Barry Switzer took over for Johnson and led the team to a 40-24 record and three division titles in four years. He had a 5-2 mark in the postseason, including a Super Bowl XXX win over the Steelers after the 1995 season.
Quarterback: Before becoming the top game color commentator on Fox, Hall of Famer Troy Aikman was one of the “Triplets,” led the Cowboys to three championships and was the MVP of Super Bowl XXVII. The six-time Pro Bowler threw for 32,942 yards and 165 touchdowns and had 3,000 yards or more five times. Roger Staubach, another Canton enshrine, had 22,700 yards and 153 scoring passes. He is a six-time Pro Bowler and a two-time champion, who was also the MVP of Super Bowl VI. He earned the moniker “Captain Comeback” after leading Dallas to 23 game-winning drives in the fourth quarter and overtime. Tony Romo is the team’s all-time leader with 34,183 yards and 248 touchdowns. The four-time Pro Bowler had seven seasons with 3,000 or more yards passing. Danny White went to the Pro Bowl in 1982 and threw 155 scoring passes, despite being a part-time punter in the 1980s. “Dandy” Don Meredith was a three-time Pro Bowler who became a broadcaster on Monday Night Football.
Running Back: Hall of Famer Emmitt Smith is the NFL’s all-time leading rusher, with 17,162 yards and 153 touchdowns coming in a Cowboys uniform. Smith had 11 seasons with 1,000 or more yards and was both the NFL MVP and the Super Bowl XXVIII MVP in 1993. He also was an eight-time Pro Bowler, a four-time All-Pro and a three-time champion. Tony Dorsett also has a bust in the Hall of Fame. His 12,036 yards include eight seasons with 1,000 or more, and he also has 72 scoring runs. Dorsett is a two-time Super Bowl participant, a four-time Pro Bowler, and an All-Pro in 1981 after rushing for 1,646 yards. Calvin Hill ran for 5,009 yards and 39 touchdowns in six years. He went to four Pro Bowls, played in two Super Bowls and was both an All-Pro and Offensive Rookie of the Year in 1969. Marion Barber III had 4,358 yards and is third in team history with 47 scores. He went to the Pro Bowl in 2007. DeMarco Murray ran for 4,526 yards and 28 scores. He was a two-time Pro Bowler and was an All-Pro and the Offensive Player of the Year in 2014 when he ran for 1,835 yards. Ezekiel Elliott has gone to two Pro Bowls in three years. He was an All-Pro in his 2016 rookie year after scoring 15 touchdowns and leading the NFL with 1,631 yards. Herschel Walker was a two-time Pro Bowler in six years. In 1989, he was sent to the Vikings as part of an 18-player trade, which is the largest in NFL history.
Fullback: Don Perkins is third on the team list with 6,217 yards and fourth with 42 touchdowns. He was a six-time Pro Bowler and a 1962 All-Pro. Robert Newhouse was a two-time Super Bowl participant who had 4,784 yards and 31 scores. Walt Garrison ran for 3,886 yards and 30 touchdowns. He was a 1972 Pro Bowler and played in two Super Bowls. Daryl “Moose” Johnston won three titles and was a two-time Pro Bowler.
Wide Receiver: Hall of Famer Michael Irvin is second in team history with 750 receptions and 11,904 yards and fourth with 65 touchdowns. He is a five-time Pro Bowler and a three-time champion. “The Playmaker” had seven 1,000-yard seasons and was an All-Pro in 1991 when he led the NFL with 1,523 yards. Dez Bryant is the team’s all-time leader with 73 touchdowns to go along with 531 catches and 7,459 yards. He is a three-time Pro Bowler and an All-Pro in 2014 after leading the league with 16 scores. Another Hall of Famer, Bob Hayes had 7,295 yards and is second with 71 touchdowns. He went to three Pro Bowls and earned two Pro Bowl and All-Pro selections. Hayes was given the nickname “Bullet Bob” after winning two gold medals as a sprinter at the 1964 Summer Olympics in Tokyo. Tony Hill registered 7,988 yards and 51 scores. He was a three-time Pro Bowler and a two-time Super Bowl participant. “Mr. Clutch” Drew Pearson had 7,822 yards and 48 touchdowns. Pearson played in three Super Bowls and was also a three-time All-Pro and a three-time Pro Bowler. Original Cowboy Frank Clarke was a 1964 Pro Bowler who had 5,213 yards and 50 scores, including a league-high 14 in 1962. Miles Austin had 34 touchdowns and was a two-time Pro Bowler.
Tight End: Jason Witten is the team’s all-time leader with 239 games, 1,152 receptions, and 12,448 yards, and he is third with 68 touchdowns. The 11-time Pro Bowler and two-time All-Pro is returning to the Cowboys after a year of broadcasting. Jay Novacek was a major part of three championships in the 1990s. He went to five Pro Bowls and was an All-Pro in 1992. Billy Joe DuPree is a three-time Pro Bowler who played in three Super Bowls and scored 41 touchdowns. Doug Cosbie went to three Pro Bowls in the 1980s.
Tackle: Hall of Famer Rayfield Wright went to five Super Bowls in 13 seasons. He was a six-time Pro Bowler and a three-time All-Pro. Tyron Smith was selected to six Pro Bowls and two All-Pro teams. Flozell Adams went to five Pro Bowls. Mark Tuinei and Erik Williams both were three-time champions. Williams was a four-time Pro Bowler and a two-time All-Pro and Tuinei were selected to a pair of Pro Bowls. Pat Donovan went to three Super Bowls and four Pro Bowls. Ralph Neely spent seven seasons on the left side and six on the right. He appeared in four Super Bowls and was a three-time All-Pro and a two-time Pro Bowler. Doug Free played in 124 games over 10 seasons.
Guard: Larry Allen is a Hall of Famer who was a 10-time Pro Bowler, a six-time All-Pro and a champion in Super Bowl XXX. Allen’s teammate, Nate Newton, won three titles. He was also selected to six Pro Bowls and two All-Pro teams. Current right guard Zack Martin has gone to five Pro Bowls and is a three-time All-Pro. John Niland appeared in two Super Bowls and was also a six-time Pro Bowler and a two-time All-Pro. Herbert Scott went to three Super Bowls and three Pro Bowls, and he was a two-time All-Pro. Blaine Nye was a two-time Pro Bowler who appeared in three Super Bowls.
Center: Andre Gurode started as a right guard before becoming a five-time Pro Bowler at center. Mark Stepnoski was a three-time Pro Bowler who was a starter on Dallas’ first two championship teams in the 1990s. Travis Frederick went to four Pro Bowls in five years and was also an All-Pro in 2016. Tom Rafferty played in two Super Bowls.
Defensive End: Ed Jones was a three-time Super Bowl participant who is fifth in team history with 57½ sacks, including 13 in 1985. Called “Too Tall” due to his 6-foot-9 frame, Jones was a three-time Pro Bowler and an All-Pro in 1982. Jim Jeffcoat is a two-time champion who is second with 690 solo tackles and 94½ sacks, including five seasons with 10 or more. Greg Ellis was third with 77 sacks in 11 seasons in Dallas. He was the NFL’s Comeback Player of the Year and a Pro Bowler in 2007. Harvey Martin was a co-MVP in Super Bowl XII, and he participated in three title games. Martin was a four-time Pro Bowler and an All-Pro and the Defensive Player of the Year in 1977. Hall of Famer Charles Haley was a part of three title teams. He was a two-time Pro Bowler and an All-Pro in 1994 when he had 12½ sacks. George Andrie was a five-time Pro Bowler, a two-time Super Bowl participant, and an All-Pro in 1969. Tony Tolbert is a three-time champion who is fourth with 59 sacks. Larry Cole went to five Super Bowls.
Defensive Tackle: Hall of Famers Bob Lilly and Randy White were leaders of the “Doomsday Defense” of the 1970s. Lilly appeared in two Super Bowls, was an 11-time Pro Bowler and a seven-time All-Pro. White was a Super Bowl XII co-MVP with Martin. He was selected to nine Pro Bowls, seven All-Pro teams and he had 52 sacks. Jay Ratliff went to four Pro Bowls and was a 2009 All-Pro on the left side. La’Roi Glover went to the Pro Bowl all four years in Dallas. Jethro Pugh went to five Super Bowls in 14 seasons.
Outside Linebacker: DeMarcus Ware is the team’s all-time leader with 117 sacks, including 20 in 2008 and 19½ three years later. He went to seven Pro Bowls, made four All-Pro teams and forced 32 fumbles. Chuck Howley is a six-time Pro Bowler, a five-time All-Pro and a two-time Super Bowl participant. D. D. Lewis played in five Super Bowls, Dave Edwards participated in three and Mike Hegman appeared twice.
Middle Linebacker: Lee Roy Jordan played in five Pro Bowls and three Super Bowls, and was a 1969 All-Pro. His 32 picks are the most by a linebacker. Bob Breunig played in three Super Bowls and three Pro Bowls. Bradie James had 744 tackles in nine years.
Cornerback: Hall of Famer Mel Renfro is the team’s all-time leader with 52 interceptions, including a league-high 10 in his 1969 All-Pro season. He played in four Super Bowls and was a 10-time Pro Bowler. Everson Walls is second on the team list with 44 picks and he led the league three times. Walls was a four-time Pro Bowler and an All-Pro in 1983. Dennis Thurman appeared in Super Bowl XIII. He is fourth with 36 interceptions, with four returned for touchdowns. Terence Newman was a two-time Pro Bowler who picked off 32 passes. Cornell Green was selected to five Pro Bowls and three All-Pro teams. The two-time Super Bowl participant had 34 interceptions. Hall of Famer Deion Sanders went to four Pro Bowls and was a three-time All-Pro. “Primetime” was also a major part of Dallas’ victory in Super Bowl XXX. Kevin Smith is a three-time champion who had 19 picks.
Safety: Charlie Waters and Cliff Harris both appeared in five Super Bowls. Waters is a three-time Pro Bowler who is third on the franchise list with 41 interceptions. Harris has 29 picks, and he is a six-time Pro Bowler and a three-time All-Pro. Darren Woodson is a three-time champion. He played in five Pro Bowls, was a three-time All-Pro and he is the club’s all-time leader with 813 solo tackles. Roy Williams is a five-time Pro Bowler and a 2003 All-Pro. Michael Downs had 34 interceptions in eight seasons in Dallas.
Kicker: Rafael Septien is the all-time leading scorer at the position with 874 points. He was a Pro Bowler and an All-Pro in 1981 after leading the league with 121 points. Dan Bailey is second with 834 points, and the 2015 Pro Bowler had 100 or more six times.
Punter: White had five seasons with 3,000 or more yards, and he was a Pro Bowler in the strike-shortened 1982 season when he played double duty as punter and quarterback. Mike Saxon appeared in Super Bowl XXVII, and he had 3,000 or more yards five times. Mat McBriar was a Pro Bowler twice. Both times he led the NFL in punt average, and he is also the franchise leader with 45.2 yards per punt.
Returners: Kevin Williams is the all-time franchise leader with 3,416 kickoff return yards. The two-time champion also returned three punts for scores. Kelvin Martin is a three-time champ who tops the team list with 1,803 punt return yards to go along with three touchdowns. Sanders also returned four punts for scores and Hayes brought back three. Renfro returned two kickoffs and a punt for touchdowns.
Special Teams: Bill Bates played in 217 games (some at safety), and he made the Pro Bowl in 1984. The three-time champion is third in team history with 667 solo tackles. L.P. Ladouceur is third on the club list with 221 games in 14 years. He made the Pro Bowl in 2014 as a long snapper.
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-By: Kevin Rakas