Oh those SWEET PLAYS!

[Manster68]

My list for the “Sweetest” plays mainly stems from my following the Cowboys since 1970. I will also mention some plays in the 1960s that I have seen over and over again on NFL Films.

I will offer you a list of some plays, and then if you want, you can go ahead and select your top five.

2003 – Randall Williams returning the opening ONSIDE kickoff against Philly for the fastest TD in history.

2004 – Julius Jones 17 yard TD against Seattle with under a minute to play.

1967 NFC Championship Game (Ice Bowl) – Dan Reeves hits Lance Rentzel on a halfback option pass, and Dallas takes the lead in Green Bay.

1975 – Charlie Waters intercepts and scores TD against the Redskins, leading Dallas to a 31-10 victory.

1983 (from the 1982 season) – Tony Dorsett runs 99 yards for a TD with only 10 men on the field.

Super Bowl XIII – Mike Hegman strips Terry Bradshaw and returns it for a TD.

1986 – Hershal Walker runs 60 yards for a TD in overtime against the Patriots.

Super Bowl VI – Bob Lilly and Larry Cole sacks Griese for a 29-yard loss.

1992 – Emmitt Smith bounces off a gaggle of Falcons to the outside and out ran Deion Sanders into the end zone.

1985 – Ed “Too Tall” Jones bats a Phil Sims pass into the hands of Jim Jeffcoat who then returns it for a TD, thus clinching the division for the Cowboys.

1980 Divisional Playoff – Danny White hits Drew Pearson twice for TDs late in the 4th quarter, giving Dallas a 30-27 win.

1980 – Randy White runs down a Philly WR 50 yards downfield, preventing a TD.

1999 – Troy Aikman hits Rocket Ismail on a 75-yard bomb in overtime on opening day in Washington.

1991 – Alexander Wright returns a kickoff for a 102-yard TD.

2002 – Woodrow Dantzler returns a dazzling punt return, hopping down the sideline, against the 49ers.

Super Bowl XXVII – Ken Norton stuffs Kenneth Davis at the goal line, forcing a 4th and goal.

1975 Divisional Playoff – Drew Pearson catches the Hail Mary pass from Roger Staubach.

2002 – Emmitt Smith breaks Payton’s all time career rushing record.

1981 – Tony Dorsett runs for a 75-yard TD on Monday Night in New England.

1996 – Deion Sanders picks off Brett Favre for a TD.

1999 – Troy Aikman hits Jason Tucker for an 80-yard TD against the Giants.

1974 – Clint Longley hit s Drew Pearson for a game-winning touchdown against the Redskins on Thanksgiving.

1979 – Larry Cole tackles John Riggins for a 3-yard loss

2004 – Roy Williams takes out TO

1973 Divisional Playoff – Staubach hits Drew Pearson for a 83-yard TD.

1978 NFC Championship Game – Thomas Hollywood Henderson returns a 68-yard interception for a TD.

1992 NFC Championship Game – Troy Aikman hits Alvin Harper on a 71-yard pass play.

2003 – Quincy Carter hits Antonio Bryant to set up a game-tying FG in the Meadowlands.

1995 – Emmitt Smith takes the ball 60 yards for a TD on his first carry.

Super Bowl XII – Robert Newhouse hits Golden Richards on a halfback option pass icing the game for the Cowboys.

1983 – Randy White strips Ken Stabler in the end zone, completing a 20-point comeback on the Saints.

2004 – Vinny Testaverde hits Patrick Crayton for a game-winning TD.

I know I forgot some, but I have to end this now.

[Nav22]

1996 - Larry Brown's 2nd INT in Super Bowl XXX all but locks up the win.

(Can't remember the year, late 90s) - Philly botches a 20 yard FG attempt on MNF in Dallas on the game's final play, Dallas holds on for the W.

1994 - Super Bowl XXVIII, James Washington's fumble-return TD ties the game at 13. Swings the momentum our way and Buffalo never recovers.

2004 - Julius' first NFL TD. 30-something yards vs. Chicago on Thanksgiving, bursts through the line, shakes the safeties, and takes it to the house.

2001 - Quincy's bomb TD to Galloway clinches the win over the playoff-bound 49ers late in the season.

2003 - McNabb's fumble recovered late by Dallas seals the win in Texas Stadium, lifting the Cowboys to a 4-1 record.

[AsthmaField]

Nice thread Manster. I remember all of those plays, perfectly.

[big dog cowboy]

1983 (from the 1982 season) – Tony Dorsett runs 99 yards for a TD with only 10 men on the field.
Probably my all time favorite play.

[Manster68]

Hey Big Dog,

Remember who threw the key block that broke the hole wide open?

[The30YardSlant]

My personal favorite is Jay Novacheck leaping over a KC defender on his way to a great TD catch on Thanksgiving day in 1995.

[big dog cowboy]

Hey Big Dog,

Remember who threw the key block that broke the hole wide open?
I want to say Springs but don't think that is right for some reason. As TD got downfield, Pearson was responsible to throwing the block that allowed TD to finish the last 40 to 50 yards into the end zone. Awesome play. Screamed my @ss off at the time and still can't hold back when I see the replay.

[Nav22]

2002 - Quincy hitting Bryant on 4th and 14 for the 24 yard game-winning TD vs. Carolina.

[Chocolate Lab]

What about the 1978 Super Bowl bomb for a TD to Butch Johnson, when he jumped up without the ball but the ref had already signaled TD?

BTW, my favorites have to be the Hegman steal of Bradshaw for TD, the Dorsett 99 yard TD run, the Norton stuff of Davis on the goal line, and maybe my all-time favorite: The slant to Harper to seal the Niners' comeback hopes in the NFC Championship game. I've seen it 50 times on replays and it still gives me an adrenaline rush. :D

[RoboQB]

I must agree that the slant to Harper in SF was the coolest because it made a statement that the team was not going to be intimidated and conservative. Always it told all fans that the 'boys were back.

The TD to Irvin just before halftime in the SB that year was cool too. The game was over at that point. I remember Jimmy Johnson telling a reporter "we're not Houston" in a halftime interview during that game referring to the Oilers collapse against Buffalo.

[TwoDeep3]

1980 – Randy White runs down a Philly WR 50 yards downfield, preventing a TD.

Actually, that was Wilbert Montgomery the runningback.

[TwentyOne]

One of my favorites is when Ken Norton Jr. stopped Buffalos Running back (i guess it was Thurman Thomas) at the goal line in Super Bowl 27 for what should have been a clear TD!

Man it just felt so great - i was sooooo pumped i could have jumped into the game right away :wink: !!!

[Manster68]

I want to say Springs but don't think that is right for some reason. As TD got downfield, Pearson was responsible to throwing the block that allowed TD to finish the last 40 to 50 yards into the end zone. Awesome play. Screamed my @ss off at the time and still can't hold back when I see the replay.


Big Dog

Watch the play at the line of scrimmage. I think you will notice Tom Rafferty throwing a terrific trap block blowing the hole wide open.

[Manster68]

Actually, that was Wilbert Montgomery the runningback.

No, TwoDeep, I am pretty sure that it was like the teams 3rd WR. He was significantly taller than Wilbert. I thought the number he wore was 83.

Let me rewatch the play again. I have in the old NFL Films video Crunchtime.

[Charles]

Drew Henson's late TD drive against the Ravens clinching DallasCowboys Quarterback of the future title. :a-team: :shades:

[TwoDeep3]

Manster - it was a lead draw that caught Randy White in the backfield about to make Ron Jaworski into an accordian.

Montgomery broke through the gaping hole left by White and juked the middle linebacker. I think it might have been Bob Breunig. He took the ball to his right and found the sidelines.

He was about to break past the safety, which was something like 35-40 yards down the field, when a silver streak appeared from behind.

Randy White had turned and caught up with the play.

I saw the game and have seen an NFL Films highlights on Randy White. This is the play he recovered so much ground to make the tackle. I believe they had Jaworski set up the highlight in the version I saw. I know it was an Eagle player or coach. Maybe Vermiel.

There may be another play I don't recall. But this was definitely in the 1980 season and against the Eagles.

I believe it was the Oct. 19 game. We lost 17-10.

[Future]

2003-RW breaking Kurt Warner's thumb, and in essence, his carreer.
2004-RW breaking Terrel Owen's leg, and keeping me from seeing Andy Reid in a tutu.

[jem88]

My list for the “Sweetest” plays mainly stems from my following the Cowboys since 1970. I will also mention some plays in the 1960s that I have seen over and over again on NFL Films.

I will offer you a list of some plays, and then if you want, you can go ahead and select your top five.

2003 – Randall Williams returning the opening ONSIDE kickoff against Philly for the fastest TD in history.

2004 – Julius Jones 17 yard TD against Seattle with under a minute to play.

1967 NFC Championship Game (Ice Bowl) – Dan Reeves hits Lance Rentzel on a halfback option pass, and Dallas takes the lead in Green Bay.

1975 – Charlie Waters intercepts and scores TD against the Redskins, leading Dallas to a 31-10 victory.

1983 (from the 1982 season) – Tony Dorsett runs 99 yards for a TD with only 10 men on the field.

Super Bowl XIII – Mike Hegman strips Terry Bradshaw and returns it for a TD.

1986 – Hershal Walker runs 60 yards for a TD in overtime against the Patriots.

Super Bowl VI – Bob Lilly and Larry Cole sacks Griese for a 29-yard loss.

1992 – Emmitt Smith bounces off a gaggle of Falcons to the outside and out ran Deion Sanders into the end zone.

1985 – Ed “Too Tall” Jones bats a Phil Sims pass into the hands of Jim Jeffcoat who then returns it for a TD, thus clinching the division for the Cowboys.

1980 Divisional Playoff – Danny White hits Drew Pearson twice for TDs late in the 4th quarter, giving Dallas a 30-27 win.

1980 – Randy White runs down a Philly WR 50 yards downfield, preventing a TD.

1999 – Troy Aikman hits Rocket Ismail on a 75-yard bomb in overtime on opening day in Washington.

1991 – Alexander Wright returns a kickoff for a 102-yard TD.

2002 – Woodrow Dantzler returns a dazzling punt return, hopping down the sideline, against the 49ers.

Super Bowl XXVII – Ken Norton stuffs Kenneth Davis at the goal line, forcing a 4th and goal.

1975 Divisional Playoff – Drew Pearson catches the Hail Mary pass from Roger Staubach.

2002 – Emmitt Smith breaks Payton’s all time career rushing record.

1981 – Tony Dorsett runs for a 75-yard TD on Monday Night in New England.

1996 – Deion Sanders picks off Brett Favre for a TD.

1999 – Troy Aikman hits Jason Tucker for an 80-yard TD against the Giants.

1974 – Clint Longley hit s Drew Pearson for a game-winning touchdown against the Redskins on Thanksgiving.

1979 – Larry Cole tackles John Riggins for a 3-yard loss

2004 – Roy Williams takes out TO

1973 Divisional Playoff – Staubach hits Drew Pearson for a 83-yard TD.

1978 NFC Championship Game – Thomas Hollywood Henderson returns a 68-yard interception for a TD.

1992 NFC Championship Game – Troy Aikman hits Alvin Harper on a 71-yard pass play.

2003 – Quincy Carter hits Antonio Bryant to set up a game-tying FG in the Meadowlands.

1995 – Emmitt Smith takes the ball 60 yards for a TD on his first carry.

Super Bowl XII – Robert Newhouse hits Golden Richards on a halfback option pass icing the game for the Cowboys.

1983 – Randy White strips Ken Stabler in the end zone, completing a 20-point comeback on the Saints.

2004 – Vinny Testaverde hits Patrick Crayton for a game-winning TD.

I know I forgot some, but I have to end this now.


Good list but I can't understand how all of you could omit the glorious block Ike Holt laid on Robert Drummond as K-Mart took the punt return all the way. Also the great one's last minute interception against the Giants (also in 1991.)

[percyhoward]

Great list, Manster

I'll add a few

Preston Pearson going horizontal to haul in a TD from Roger in the 37-7 NFCC win over the Rams at the Coliseum. Nobody picked Dallas to win that game.

1979 Dal 35 Wash 34 Larry Cole knifing thru the line to trip up Riggins in the backfield on a 3rd-and-1 when a first down would have iced the game for the Skins.

2003 Roy Williams horse-collaring Curtis Martin with one hand, and with other hand popping the ball loose into the end zone where Woodson fell on it for a touchback. An outstanding defensive play that from now on is just a penalty.

1991 Jimmy Johnson calling the onside kick in Washington when we ruined their perfect season, and Madden saying, "This coach didn't just come here to stand around and watch a football game."

Emmitt breaking his hand on a Viking's face mask as he plowed across the goal line the night he had 150 yards rushing in the first half.

[Manster68]

Manster - it was a lead draw that caught Randy White in the backfield about to make Ron Jaworski into an accordian.

Montgomery broke through the gaping hole left by White and juked the middle linebacker. I think it might have been Bob Breunig. He took the ball to his right and found the sidelines.

He was about to break past the safety, which was something like 35-40 yards down the field, when a silver streak appeared from behind.

Randy White had turned and caught up with the play.

I saw the game and have seen an NFL Films highlights on Randy White. This is the play he recovered so much ground to make the tackle. I believe they had Jaworski set up the highlight in the version I saw. I know it was an Eagle player or coach. Maybe Vermiel.

There may be another play I don't recall. But this was definitely in the 1980 season and against the Eagles.

I believe it was the Oct. 19 game. We lost 17-10.

TwoDeep,

If there was a play on the Oct. 19 game of a similar fashion, then we are speaking of different plays.

This was definately the Dec. 21 game in Dallas. The Cowboys needed to beat Philly by 24 points in order to win the division and obtain home-field advantage.

Dallas was up 35-10 in the 3rd quarter. The Eagles went back to pass, and Randy came in on a hard rush. Jaworski hit the receiver over the middle and was running down the middle of the field. It wasn't Montgomery and it wasn't Carmichael. It was their 3rd receiver who was the fastest man on their team. Randy caught him from behind.

Let me search for the video tape.

[Manster68]

I was WRONG TwoDeep.

The Eagle receiver was #81. I used pause to get the guys name. Hard to make out, but I think it was FITZKEE. The fifth letter was difficult to see.

[Chocolate Lab]

Good list but I can't understand how all of you could omit the glorious block Ike Holt laid on Robert Drummond as K-Mart took the punt return all the way. Also the great one's last minute interception against the Giants (also in 1991.)
:spanking: :abuseme:

[DezBRomo9]

Definitely my favorite play of all time is the Dorsett 99 yard TD run.

My favorite plays I saw when I was at Texas Stadium and in attendance the past few years...

1. 2004 – Vinny Testaverde hits Patrick Crayton for a game-winning TD.
2. 2002 – Woodrow Dantzler returns a dazzling punt return, hopping down the sideline, against the 49ers.
3. 2003 – Randall Williams returning the opening ONSIDE kickoff against Philly for the fastest TD in history.
4. 2004 - Julius' first NFL TD. 30-something yards vs. Chicago on Thanksgiving, bursts through the line, shakes the safeties, and takes it to the house.
The day after no. 4 happened I bought my JuJo jersey online.
On the Sunday of no. 3 my friends were late to the game and missed the opening kickoff :iggles:
I just like to say I was their to watch Dantzlers TD return.
VT pass to Crayton made me believe about the Foreskins curse when they play us :skins:

[Arch Stanton]

One of my favorites is when Ken Norton Jr. stopped Buffalos Running back (i guess it was Thurman Thomas) at the goal line in Super Bowl 27 for what should have been a clear TD!

Man it just felt so great - i was sooooo pumped i could have jumped into the game right away :wink: !!!

It was Davis. Was his name Kenneth?

One of my faves was during an early 80's game against the Raiders when
Danny White handed off to Ron Springs, who ran left, stopped and passed across the field to Danny White in the End Zone. One of Tom's fun plays.

[AdamJT13]

The Eagle receiver was #81. I used pause to get the guys name. Hard to make out, but I think it was FITZKEE. The fifth letter was difficult to see.

Scott Fitzkee.

[Irving Cowboy]

Scott Fitzkee.
Ding Ding!!! You've got a winner!!

Adam is right... it was Scott Fitzkee, who was a freakin SPRINTER at Penn State!!

A few other points...

Herschel's 60yd TD run in overtime vs the Patriots was in 1987, not 86.

Ed Jones again batted Phil Simms' pass into Jim Jeffcoat's arms who promptly returned it for a TD two years later on Monday Night Football... although it was a considerably shorter return the second time around.

Ron Springs was not the one who sprung TD on his 99 yard run, as he was the missing man on the field. Remember, Tony ran onto the field yelling "Ron, Ron, come out, come out!". The key block was thrown by Tom Rafferty on the NT.

The JJ TD vs Seattle was awesome... I was in the crowd and I was going bananas that night...

[Joe a Cowboys fan]

Excellant list Manster, here is my list of favorites.

1) 1974 – Clint Longley hits Drew Pearson for a game-winning touchdown against the Redskins on Thanksgiving. (A holiday classic, then Clint rode off into the sun set after that off season)

2) 1983 (from the 1982 season) – Tony Dorsett runs 99 yards for a TD with only 10 men on the field.(Probably my favorite TD memory)

3) (Tie) 1992 NFC Championship Game – Troy Aikman hits Alvin Harper on a 71-yard pass play. (An incredible game, the following SB was pure aftermath)

3) (Tie) 1975 Divisional Playoff – Drew Pearson catches the Hail Mary pass from Roger Staubach. (Love to watch Drew run with the ball.)

5) 2003 – Randall Williams returning the opening ONSIDE kickoff against Philly for the fastest TD in history.(Stuff that in your pickle juice.)

The one moment you didn't mention was one I cherish, after an interception Larry Allen ran down the safty with the ball preventing a sure touch down. I never remember the game other than I am almost sure it was a MNF game in LA's second or third year.

The one I found hard to pick one moment in particular was when Emmitt was closing out the Giants game(last game of 91?) to cement a playoff berth and was runing out the clock despite a separated shoulder. I think his last run Michael Irvin when picked him up off the ground. It was a gutty performace but may not count as a moment exactly, but it was for me.

Since TD is here how about an anti-moment, when Tom was crying out "Danny no"!

A lot of memorys in this post.

[Manster68]

Excellant list Manster, here is my list of favorites.

1) 1974 – Clint Longley hits Drew Pearson for a game-winning touchdown against the Redskins on Thanksgiving. (A holiday classic, then Clint rode off into the sun set after that off season)

2) 1983 (from the 1982 season) – Tony Dorsett runs 99 yards for a TD with only 10 men on the field.(Probably my favorite TD memory)

3) (Tie) 1992 NFC Championship Game – Troy Aikman hits Alvin Harper on a 71-yard pass play. (An incredible game, the following SB was pure aftermath)

3) (Tie) 1975 Divisional Playoff – Drew Pearson catches the Hail Mary pass from Roger Staubach. (Love to watch Drew run with the ball.)

5) 2003 – Randall Williams returning the opening ONSIDE kickoff against Philly for the fastest TD in history.(Stuff that in your pickle juice.)

The one moment you didn't mention was one I cherish, after an interception Larry Allen ran down the safty with the ball preventing a sure touch down. I never remember the game other than I am almost sure it was a MNF game in LA's second or third year.

The one I found hard to pick one moment in particular was when Emmitt was closing out the Giants game(last game of 91?) to cement a playoff berth and was runing out the clock despite a separated shoulder. I think his last run Michael Irvin when picked him up off the ground. It was a gutty performace but may not count as a moment exactly, but it was for me.

Since TD is here how about an anti-moment, when Tom was crying out "Danny no"!

A lot of memorys in this post.


Joe, that Larry Allen play was week 16 (game 15) of the 1994 season. This was Larry Allen's rookie season. The play took place in the first quarter - after Tony Tolbert picked off a Chris Evert (opps, Jim Everett) pass and returned it for a TD (oh, here is another SWEET PLAY).

Anyway, when Dallas got the ball back, near midfield, Aikman threw an uncharacteristically bad pass that went right to linebacker DARIAN CONNER. Conner races down the left sideline and Larry Allen ran him down.

What I remember most is Al Michaels and Dan Dierdorf exclamating "LARRY ALLEN!!!"

It was tough to list all of the SWEET plays in Cowboy history. Some were bound to slip through the cracks.

[Joe a Cowboys fan]

Joe, that Larry Allen play was week 16 (game 15) of the 1994 season. This was Larry Allen's rookie season. The play took place in the first quarter - after Tony Tolbert picked off a Chris Evert (opps, Jim Everett) pass and returned it for a TD (oh, here is another SWEET PLAY).

Anyway, when Dallas got the ball back, near midfield, Aikman threw an uncharacteristically bad pass that went right to linebacker DARIAN CONNER. Conner races down the left sideline and Larry Allen ran him down.

What I remember most is Al Michaels and Dan Dierdorf exclamating "LARRY ALLEN!!!"

It was tough to list all of the SWEET plays in Cowboy history. Some were bound to slip through the cracks.

Oh bunches no doubt, when LA goes into the HOF, which would be a sweet moment for Dallas fans despite the HOF notable lack of discrimenability towards 90s Boys, that is what I hope thay show as a clip. That and knocking White on his butt both as an Iggle and a Packer. LOL

[Manster68]

Oh bunches no doubt, when LA goes into the HOF, which would be a sweet moment for Dallas fans despite the HOF notable lack of discrimenability towards 90s Boys, that is what I hope thay show as a clip. That and knocking White on his butt both as an Iggle and a Packer. LOL


You know, as far as beating the krap out of Reggie White, I tend to credit most of that to Erik Williams. I will go to my grave believing that Erik Williams, before his accident in 1994, was better than Larry Allen.

Nov. 1, 1992 Erik Williams was named NFC Offensive Player of the Week for his performance against the Eagles (namely Reggie White). He is the only offensive lineman to achieve that.