The Trade

[Deb]

I know we've all ready this a million times....but just came across it again this morning...and one of those COWBOYS MOMENTS that gives me goosebumps everytime I remember or read it again.....so....maybe it does the same for you guys...for a Sunday morning...

THE TRADE



It is simply referred to as "The Trade." It was the largest player trade in NFL history, and it led to a Super Bowl caliber Vikings squad being decimated, a 3-time Super Bowl champion Cowboys team being built, and Vikings GM Mike Lynn being perhaps the most hated man in the world by Vikings fans.

The Trade took place on October 12, 1989. Believing the Vikings to be only a big-time RB away from winning it all, Lynn acquired Herschel Walker from the Cowboys and new owner Jerry Jones and new coach Jimmy Johnson for 5 roster players (LB Jesse Solomon, DB Issiac Holt, RB Darrin Nelson, LB David Howard, DE Alex Stewart), and 6 assorted draft picks (conditional 1st & 2nd round in '90 and '91; 1st round and conditional 3rd in '92).

Nelson, upset at being traded, refused to report to the Cowboys and was traded to the San Diego Chargers, ultimately returning to the Vikings. The result of the trade to San Diego was the Vikings sending a 6th round pick in 1990 and the original conditional 2nd round pick in 1991, and the Chargers sending their 5th round pick in 1990 to Minnesota via Dallas.

The Cowboys then waived DE Alex Stewart and threatened to waive other players in order to get all of the conditional draft picks. In February 1990, the Cowboys traded their 3rd and 10th round picks and their 1991 3rd rounder to the Vikings so that they could keep the 3 remaining roster players and all of the conditional draft picks. So the initial trade looked as follows:

Vikings got:
RB Herschel Walker
Dallas's 3rd round pick - 1990
San Diego's 5th round pick - 1990
Dallas's 10th round pick - 1990
Dallas's 3rd round pick - 1991

Cowboys got:
LB Jesse Solomon
LB David Howard
CB Isaac Holt
Minnesota's 1st round pick in 1990
Minnesota's 2nd round pick in 1990
Minnesota's 6th round pick in 1990
Minnesota's 1st round pick in 1991 (conditional)
Minnesota's 2nd round pick in 1991 (conditional)
Minnesota's 1st round pick in 1992 (conditional)
Minnesota's 2nd round pick in 1992 (conditional)
Minnesota's 3rd round pick in 1992 (conditional)


On April 19, 1990 Dallas traded Minnesota's 2nd pick and Kansas City's 3rd pick in 1990 to San Francisco for RB Terrence Flagler, DE Daniel Stubbs, SF 3rd round pick in 1990 and SF 11th round pick in 1990.

On April 22, 1990 (draft day), Dallas traded Minnesota's 1st pick in 1990 and a 3rd round pick in 1990 to Pittsburgh for Pitt's 1st round pick and selected RB Emmitt Smith.

On September 3, 1990 Dallas traded Minnesota's 2nd round pick in 1991 and its own 5th round pick in 1991 to the Houston Oilers for FB Alonzo Highsmith.

On April 19, 1991 (draft) Dallas traded Minnesota's 1st pick, Dallas' 2nd, DB Ron Francis, LB David Howard and LB Eugene Lockhart to New England for New England's 1st pick (#1 overall) and selected DT Russell Maryland.

On Sept. 16, 1991 Dallas traded LB Jesse Solomon to New England (who sent him to Tampa Bay) for New England's 6th round pick in 1992.

On April 26, 1992 (draft) Dallas traded Minnesota's 1st and 3rd round picks to New England for NE 1st, 2nd and 4th round picks. Dallas traded the #19 and #104 picks to Atlanta for Atlanta's 1st and 5th round picks. Dallas traded Minnesota's 2nd round pick to Kansas City for 2nd and 3rd round picks. Dallas traded the #47, #74 picks to Washington for a 2nd and a 3rd round pick. Dallas traded the #56 pick to Detroit for 3rd, 4th and 9th round picks.

In the 1992 draft Dallas selected CB Kevin Smith (#17 - Texas A&M), S Darren Woodson (#37 - Arizona State), CB Clayton Holmes (#58 - Carson Newman), OL James Brown (#82 - Virginia State), G Tom Myslinski (#109 - Tennessee), S Greg Briggs (#120 - Texas Southern), TE Fallon Wacasey (#149 - Tulsa), S Chris Hall (#250 - East Carolina).

The 1992 draft completed the trade. Herschel Walker was released by the Vikings in May 1992 and was picked up by Philadelphia and eventually ended up back with the Cowboys in 1996. The Cowboys waived Holt in 1993 (Kevin Smith took over); Highsmith, Fragler, Stubbs were disappointments and were waived after a year; the lower picks in 1992 did not make the team.

The end results of the trade after 1992:

Vikings got:
WR Jake Reed

Cowboys got:
RB Emmitt Smith
DT Russell Maryland
CB Kevin Smith
S Darren Woodson
CB Clayton Holmes


Perhaps the Vikings could've salvaged something out of having decimated their team for one player, but Walker was never used properly by the coaching brain trust (a total oxymoron in this case). Walker left the Vikings for Philadelphia soon after, and ultimately wound up back in Dallas, an ironic completion of Herschel's journey.

[MichaelWinicki]

I know we've all ready this a million times....but just came across it again this morning...and one of those COWBOYS MOMENTS that gives me goosebumps everytime I remember or read it again.....so....maybe it does the same for you guys...for a Sunday morning...

THE TRADE



It is simply referred to as "The Trade." It was the largest player trade in NFL history, and it led to a Super Bowl caliber Vikings squad being decimated, a 3-time Super Bowl champion Cowboys team being built, and Vikings GM Mike Lynn being perhaps the most hated man in the world by Vikings fans.

The Trade took place on October 12, 1989. Believing the Vikings to be only a big-time RB away from winning it all, Lynn acquired Herschel Walker from the Cowboys and new owner Jerry Jones and new coach Jimmy Johnson for 5 roster players (LB Jesse Solomon, DB Issiac Holt, RB Darrin Nelson, LB David Howard, DE Alex Stewart), and 6 assorted draft picks (conditional 1st & 2nd round in '90 and '91; 1st round and conditional 3rd in '92).

Nelson, upset at being traded, refused to report to the Cowboys and was traded to the San Diego Chargers, ultimately returning to the Vikings. The result of the trade to San Diego was the Vikings sending a 6th round pick in 1990 and the original conditional 2nd round pick in 1991, and the Chargers sending their 5th round pick in 1990 to Minnesota via Dallas.

The Cowboys then waived DE Alex Stewart and threatened to waive other players in order to get all of the conditional draft picks. In February 1990, the Cowboys traded their 3rd and 10th round picks and their 1991 3rd rounder to the Vikings so that they could keep the 3 remaining roster players and all of the conditional draft picks. So the initial trade looked as follows:

Vikings got:
RB Herschel Walker
Dallas's 3rd round pick - 1990
San Diego's 5th round pick - 1990
Dallas's 10th round pick - 1990
Dallas's 3rd round pick - 1991

Cowboys got:
LB Jesse Solomon
LB David Howard
CB Isaac Holt
Minnesota's 1st round pick in 1990
Minnesota's 2nd round pick in 1990
Minnesota's 6th round pick in 1990
Minnesota's 1st round pick in 1991 (conditional)
Minnesota's 2nd round pick in 1991 (conditional)
Minnesota's 1st round pick in 1992 (conditional)
Minnesota's 2nd round pick in 1992 (conditional)
Minnesota's 3rd round pick in 1992 (conditional)


On April 19, 1990 Dallas traded Minnesota's 2nd pick and Kansas City's 3rd pick in 1990 to San Francisco for RB Terrence Flagler, DE Daniel Stubbs, SF 3rd round pick in 1990 and SF 11th round pick in 1990.

On April 22, 1990 (draft day), Dallas traded Minnesota's 1st pick in 1990 and a 3rd round pick in 1990 to Pittsburgh for Pitt's 1st round pick and selected RB Emmitt Smith.

On September 3, 1990 Dallas traded Minnesota's 2nd round pick in 1991 and its own 5th round pick in 1991 to the Houston Oilers for FB Alonzo Highsmith.

On April 19, 1991 (draft) Dallas traded Minnesota's 1st pick, Dallas' 2nd, DB Ron Francis, LB David Howard and LB Eugene Lockhart to New England for New England's 1st pick (#1 overall) and selected DT Russell Maryland.

On Sept. 16, 1991 Dallas traded LB Jesse Solomon to New England (who sent him to Tampa Bay) for New England's 6th round pick in 1992.

On April 26, 1992 (draft) Dallas traded Minnesota's 1st and 3rd round picks to New England for NE 1st, 2nd and 4th round picks. Dallas traded the #19 and #104 picks to Atlanta for Atlanta's 1st and 5th round picks. Dallas traded Minnesota's 2nd round pick to Kansas City for 2nd and 3rd round picks. Dallas traded the #47, #74 picks to Washington for a 2nd and a 3rd round pick. Dallas traded the #56 pick to Detroit for 3rd, 4th and 9th round picks.

In the 1992 draft Dallas selected CB Kevin Smith (#17 - Texas A&M), S Darren Woodson (#37 - Arizona State), CB Clayton Holmes (#58 - Carson Newman), OL James Brown (#82 - Virginia State), G Tom Myslinski (#109 - Tennessee), S Greg Briggs (#120 - Texas Southern), TE Fallon Wacasey (#149 - Tulsa), S Chris Hall (#250 - East Carolina).

The 1992 draft completed the trade. Herschel Walker was released by the Vikings in May 1992 and was picked up by Philadelphia and eventually ended up back with the Cowboys in 1996. The Cowboys waived Holt in 1993 (Kevin Smith took over); Highsmith, Fragler, Stubbs were disappointments and were waived after a year; the lower picks in 1992 did not make the team.

The end results of the trade after 1992:

Vikings got:
WR Jake Reed

Cowboys got:
RB Emmitt Smith
DT Russell Maryland
CB Kevin Smith
S Darren Woodson
CB Clayton Holmes


Perhaps the Vikings could've salvaged something out of having decimated their team for one player, but Walker was never used properly by the coaching brain trust (a total oxymoron in this case). Walker left the Vikings for Philadelphia soon after, and ultimately wound up back in Dallas, an ironic completion of Herschel's journey.

As good as that trade (and the trade of Steve Walsh to NO) were... we wasted a lot of draft picks and traded for some lousy players.

We could have done better.

[WilmingtonHeel]

Actaully we did, Yes it really help us get over the hump. But "if" we have done better despite FA we would have had a longer run. But I won't argue the results. That's why the draft is such a mystery there's alot variables as why draft picks don't work out

[rojan]

anyone have have Walkers carrer stats year by year??

[THUMPER]

anyone have have Walkers carrer stats year by year??

Go here: http://pro-football-reference.com/players/WalkHe00.htm

[THUMPER]

As good as that trade (and the trade of Steve Walsh to NO) were... we wasted a lot of draft picks and traded for some lousy players.

We could have done better.

I thought the same thing. We wasted a lot of those opportunities that the Walker trade gave us.

[superpunk]

How good was Russell Maryland - really? I was too young at the time to know much about interior line play, but I remember he made the pro-bowl. Can't find any stats on him, but how good are stats for judging DTs? Not too good.

What was the hype on him coming out of college?

[burmafrd]

When you look at the number of picks we got it actually does not look like we did all that well. Of course we got Emmitt and Woody, which were big big BIG acquisitions-but smith and maryland were just good players. SMith could have been better but thats the way it goes; and Maryland was overhyped and picked way above what his production warranted. Had JJ done a better job drafting we could literally have OWNED the league for the next 5-7 years.
Much better then we did.

[MichaelWinicki]

I thought the same thing. We wasted a lot of those opportunities that the Walker trade gave us.


Jimmeh and Gereh weren't the crackerjack talent spotters that everyone thinks they were... the amount of draft picks we blew and crummy guys we traded for is pretty high.

[JackMagist]

How good was Russell Maryland - really? I was too young at the time to know much about interior line play, but I remember he made the pro-bowl. Can't find any stats on him, but how good are stats for judging DTs? Not too good.

What was the hype on him coming out of college?Maryland was a solid player but never lived up to the #1 overall status. He was a Jimmy Johnson favorite from Miami and was selected MUCH higher than his talent dictated. However, in defense of the pick; that was an extremely Weak draft and there was not much to choose from.

[jackrussell]

How good was Russell Maryland - really? I was too young at the time to know much about interior line play, but I remember he made the pro-bowl. Can't find any stats on him, but how good are stats for judging DTs? Not too good.

What was the hype on him coming out of college?

If i remember correctly, Raghib Ismail was was Jimmy & Jerra's target in that draft. He chose CFL before the NFL draft, leaving the Maryland selection as the alternative.

[MichaelWinicki]

How good was Russell Maryland - really? I was too young at the time to know much about interior line play, but I remember he made the pro-bowl. Can't find any stats on him, but how good are stats for judging DTs? Not too good.

What was the hype on him coming out of college?


Russell was "good". That's about it. Sorta the "Greg Ellis" before there was a Greg Ellis. Maryland was lucky he had excellent talent around him. Maryland IMO was below Haley, Tolbert, Hennings, Casillas and Lett in terms of talent.

[superpunk]

Here's a question for everyone - let's say that we hadn't made that trade - kept Walker, and just used our own draft picks, which seemed more successful than those we got from the trade - do we still win 3 super bowls? Would Walker have been as successful as Emmitt? More successful?

[MichaelWinicki]

If i remember correctly, Raghib Ismail was was Jimmy & Jerra's target in that draft. He chose CFL before the NFL draft, leaving the Maryland selection as the alternative.

Right on target.

[superpunk]

If i remember correctly, Raghib Ismail was was Jimmy & Jerra's target in that draft. He chose CFL before the NFL draft, leaving the Maryland selection as the alternative.

Yikes. Rocket #1 overall? That's frightening. Although he might have performed better than Harper....I guess he was the more talented receiver.

[Hostile]

Maryland was a solid player but never lived up to the #1 overall status. He was a Jimmy Johnson favorite from Miami and was selected MUCH higher than his talent dictated. However, in defense of the pick; that was an extremely Weak draft and there was not much to choose from.I agree with every word. When we traded up to #1 overall in that Draft it was designed to get Rocket Ismail. When he opted to go to the CFL it seemed like Jimmy and Jerry panicked a bit and Jimmy went with familiar.

[MichaelWinicki]

Here's a question for everyone - let's say that we hadn't made that trade - kept Walker, and just used our own draft picks, which seemed more successful than those we got from the trade - do we still win 3 super bowls? Would Walker have been as successful as Emmitt? More successful?



Probably not... I love Herschel but amount of draft picks we came away from put us over the edge.

[MichaelWinicki]

I agree with every word. When we traded up to #1 overall in that Draft it was designed to get Rocket Ismail. When he opted to go to the CFL it seemed like Jimmy and Jerry panicked a bit and Jimmy went with familiar.


Eric Swann was far more talented IMHO.

[AsthmaField]

Jimmeh and Gereh weren't the crackerjack talent spotters that everyone thinks they were... the amount of draft picks we blew and crummy guys we traded for is pretty high.

You're right... particularly if you take into consideration that Michael Irvin was already there when Jimmy Johnson arrived, and Jimmy had the first pick overall when he arrived. Anyone would've picked Troy Aikman with that choice.

Then, Jimmy tried like heck to get James Francis or Ray Agnew in the 1990 draft and only settled for Emmitt Smith after trades for those two fell through.

Had Tom Landry blown his last draft pick and not taken Irvin, and had he won the last game of 1988, and had Cincy traded with us... all of which very likely could've happened... Dallas wouldn't have had the triplets. Instead of Irvin, Aikman and Smith we would've had a nobody instead of Irvin, Tony Mandarich with the second pick in the 1989 draft and James Frances.

What would Jimmy Johnson have done with only Mandarich and Francis instead of Aikman, Irvin and Smith? We'll never know, but we were thisfar from finding out.

Jimmy got lucky in large part. Good for him too becuase he wasn't a good enough coach to win closley fought, stratigec games on gameday.

[JackMagist]

Here's a question for everyone - let's say that we hadn't made that trade - kept Walker, and just used our own draft picks, which seemed more successful than those we got from the trade - do we still win 3 super bowls? Would Walker have been as successful as Emmitt? More successful?Of course it is purely speculation but I'd have to say NO. Walker was an exceptional football player but not an exceptional running back. He ran too straight up and he had not power running inside. His game was catching screens and running draws...plays that got him out in the open with the ball in his hands. He was one of the fastest men in the NFL and he would make yardage once he got clear but he was no Emmitt when it came to running inside. He would not have fit into Norv Turner’s offense the way Emmitt did.

Plus we did get Woody and Kevin Smith (who was excellent up until his knee injury) and some other solid guys that meant a lot to the team. We probably would have been a winning team but we would not have dominated the way we did for those 4 or 5 years.

[burmafrd]

Rocket should have been used as the primary return guy and a #2 WR. He was absolutely deadly in punt returns and no slouch as a KR either. His speed was greater then Terry Glenn's and as a deep threat he was pretty good. Problem was HE wanted to be a #1 WR and not a return guy.

[Big Country]

I remember I absolutely hated that trade... I was totally against it in the beginning... It was truly a shocking moment in sports. I was still in shock that Jerry fired Tom Landry and I was always muttering in disbelief... What the heck is going on... Dallas Cowboys owned by Arkansas and coached by Miami Florida... I was still sick from the Landry firing... I still watched the games, but not with the passion I had from the late 70's and early 80's... Danny White just couldn't get it done and I just knew when Dallas was lucky enough to get Herschel Walker that Dallas was soon to dominate again... Talent declined and then the late 80's followed while the Niners were the cream of the crop... About 1990 when Dallas got Emmitt I started to watch again... Regrettably my attitude was... This Emmitt thinks he's gonna be as good as Herschel??? WHAT FREAKIN' EVER... I ate those words happily as Emmitt helped jump start the Dallas talent wagon and I saw the philosophy in what Jimmy was trying to do in re-create the Cowboys in his image... Bludgeoning OL, solid leader at QB, playmakers at WR, and of course RB... and a lightning fast defense that swarmed to the ball every play... The Cowboys were revolutionized and I realized the err of my thinking... Cowboys forever.

[JackMagist]

Jimmy got lucky in large part. Good for him too becuase he wasn't a good enough coach to win closley fought, stratigec games on gameday.I was with you till you got there. Jimmy was an excellent Gameday coach; one of the best IMO. He was most certainly better than Parcells on Gameday.

[AsthmaField]

I was with you till you got there. Jimmy was an excellent Gameday coach; one of the best IMO. He was most certainly better than Parcells on Gameday.

I don't think he was, Jack. I could be wrong though, certainly. IMO, he won with motivation, fear and talent a lot more than he won with X's and O's. That is part of coaching, of course, but I don't think he was big with X's and O's.

[JackMagist]

I don't think he was, Jack. I could be wrong though, certainly. IMO, he won with motivation, fear and talent a lot more than he won with X's and O's. That is part of coaching, of course, but I don't think he was big with X's and O's.I still remember fairly early on in the Jimmy era when the team was just starting to win some games. We were playing in Washington and we did not have the full benefit of all the talent that we eventually acquired in "the trade". We were a scrappy young team that go little respect and no one feared while the 'Skins were still a powerhouse. We went into RFK played this balls out game where we just took it to the 'Skins at every turn; we were pulling out all the stops. Madden was the color commentator and he was going on and on about Jimmy and how "he came to coach some football" that day. To me that game exemplified and typified how Jimmy would coach the rest of his time in Dallas.

[MichaelWinicki]

Jimmy got lucky in large part. Good for him too becuase he wasn't a good enough coach to win closley fought, stratigec games on gameday.


I dunno. You may be right.

But I think the "beauty" of the Cowboy strategy of that era was simplicity.

Simplicity of the offense, simplicity of the defense.

Overwhelming power on the offensive line.
Speed on the defense with "waves" of reserves along the defensive front.

Strategy? We didn't need any stinkin strategy! :)

[AsthmaField]

I still remember fairly early on in the Jimmy era when the team was just starting to win some games. We were playing in Washington and we did not have the full benefit of all the talent that we eventually acquired in "the trade". We were a scrappy young team that go little respect and no one feared while the 'Skins were still a powerhouse. We went into RFK played this balls out game where we just took it to the 'Skins at every turn; we were pulling out all the stops. Madden was the color commentator and he was going on and on about Jimmy and how "he came to coach some football" that day. To me that game exemplified and typified how Jimmy would coach the rest of his time in Dallas.

I do remember that game like it was yesterday. We barely won... but win we did!

Yeah, Jimmy pulled out all stops in that game. He knew we were over-matched talent-wise and we needed to take some considerable chances if we were going to win.

What sticks out the most about that win though, was that we had no penalties and no turnovers. None. Even with us playing a perfect game and hitting on a few trick plays, we still barely won. We came out victorious in that game because we did play the perfect game. No mistakes at all. And that was Jimmy's strength if you ask me. He had the team so well prepared... he had them scared to death of messing up, that they literally made zero mistakes in that whole game. It was the only game we won that year. The "1" in 1-15. Jimmy had done a good job of coaching... he just did it during the week in getting the team ready and giving them a chance to win.

And that's what I'm talking about Jack. Before the game ever started, Jimmy had them so well prepared and put in risky trick plays that gave us a chance to win. Still, during the games he wasn't as good as some at changing on the fly and adapting to what needed to be done during the game. His strength was getting with his coordinators during the week and putting a gameplan together that fit that weeks opponent... not adapting to things during the game itself. Not working the clock, etc. He had talent that was scared to mess up because he'd kick them off the team if they did. Curvin Richards anyone?

Anyway, I can see I'm fighting a losing battle here and I may not be saying what I want to in the correct way. I could be just plain wrong too, so I'll let it go. I do think he was a good coach. Just not one who was strong with his X's and O's. His strengths lie elsewhere and he relied on his coordinators for that.

[AsthmaField]

I dunno. You may be right.

But I think the "beauty" of the Cowboy strategy of that era was simplicity.

Simplicity of the offense, simplicity of the defense.

Overwhelming power on the offensive line.
Speed on the defense with "waves" of reserves along the defensive front.

Strategy? We didn't need any stinkin strategy! :)

You're right. He always said the other team knew what we were going to do... stopping it was another story. Jimmy was big on execution and athletes... not trickery and surprise. His athletes were better than yours and they knew what to do better than yours. That's how he won. It didn't work as well in Miami as it did in Dallas because while he had them executing like he wanted... he didn't have the athletes that were simply better than the others.

I really didn't want to get off on Jimmy's coaching ability... I wanted to talk more about his talent evaluation and how he was lucky to end up with Irvin, Aikman and Emmitt instead of Tony Mandarich and James Francis or Ray Agnew. That was the point of my first post in this thread a whole lot more than what kind of coach Jimmy was. I shouldn't have even put that in there because that wasn't my point.

[tyke1doe]

I do remember that game like it was yesterday. We barely won... but win we did!

Yeah, Jimmy pulled out all stops in that game. He knew we were over-matched talent-wise and we needed to take some considerable chances if we were going to win.

What sticks out the most about that win though, was that we had no penalties and no turnovers. None. Even with us playing a perfect game and hitting on a few trick plays, we still barely won. We came out victorious in that game because we did play the perfect game. No mistakes at all. And that was Jimmy's strength if you ask me. He had the team so well prepared... he had them scared to death of messing up, that they literally made zero mistakes in that whole game. It was the only game we won that year. The "1" in 1-15. Jimmy had done a good job of coaching... he just did it during the week in getting the team ready and giving them a chance to win.

Uh, sorry, but that is incorrect.

The game we won in RFK Stadium was 24-21, and, really, it wasn't as close as the game indicated.

Remember, the Cowboys were up 14-7 at half-time and then in the third quarter lost Aikman to a knee injury. Beurelin came in and took over where Aikman left off.

The Cowboys went up 21-7, with their backup quarterback.

The Cowboys finished 11-5 that year. The Skins finished 14-2, the Cowboys having ended their quest for a perfect season, followed by a meaningless lost to the Eagles.

And I remember John Madden saying (I have the game on VHS) that Jimmy Johnson coached one of the best games he's ever seen.

The 1-15 game came with Steve Walsh as the quarterback. And that entire team was truly horrible.


And that's what I'm talking about Jack. Before the game ever started, Jimmy had them so well prepared and put in risky trick plays that gave us a chance to win. Still, during the games he wasn't as good as some at changing on the fly and adapting to what needed to be done during the game. His strength was getting with his coordinators during the week and putting a gameplan together that fit that weeks opponent... not adapting to things during the game itself. Not working the clock, etc. He had talent that was scared to mess up because he'd kick them off the team if they did. Curvin Richards anyone?

But isn't that a part of good coaching strategy? To employ a game plan so precise, including not making mistakes, that you don't have to deviate from your game plan during the game?


Anyway, I can see I'm fighting a losing battle here and I may not be saying what I want to in the correct way. I could be just plain wrong too, so I'll let it go. I do think he was a good coach. Just not one who was strong with his X's and O's. His strengths lie elsewhere and he relied on his coordinators for that.

I don't quite understand this comment. If you are a coach and you hire good coordinators, that reflects on your coaching ability. I believe when a coach takes on too much responsibility is when it starts to impact his coaching decisions.

Part of coaching is discussing with your coordinators before the game and agreeing on what strategy to implement during the game. Then, you manage other aspects of the game while your coordinators (whom you trust and whom you've already consulted with) implement their game plan.

In the Redskins game, remember, the Cowboys called for an on-side kick. That play either comes from the head coach or is suggested by the special team's coach. But that play doesn't get called UNLESS the head coach signs off on it.

[jazzcat22]

I do remember that game like it was yesterday. We barely won... but win we did!

Yeah, Jimmy pulled out all stops in that game. He knew we were over-matched talent-wise and we needed to take some considerable chances if we were going to win.

What sticks out the most about that win though, was that we had no penalties and no turnovers. None. Even with us playing a perfect game and hitting on a few trick plays, we still barely won. We came out victorious in that game because we did play the perfect game. No mistakes at all. And that was Jimmy's strength if you ask me. He had the team so well prepared... he had them scared to death of messing up, that they literally made zero mistakes in that whole game. It was the only game we won that year. The "1" in 1-15. Jimmy had done a good job of coaching... he just did it during the week in getting the team ready and giving them a chance to win.

And that's what I'm talking about Jack. Before the game ever started, Jimmy had them so well prepared and put in risky trick plays that gave us a chance to win. Still, during the games he wasn't as good as some at changing on the fly and adapting to what needed to be done during the game. His strength was getting with his coordinators during the week and putting a gameplan together that fit that weeks opponent... not adapting to things during the game itself. Not working the clock, etc. He had talent that was scared to mess up because he'd kick them off the team if they did. Curvin Richards anyone?

Anyway, I can see I'm fighting a losing battle here and I may not be saying what I want to in the correct way. I could be just plain wrong too, so I'll let it go. I do think he was a good coach. Just not one who was strong with his X's and O's. His strengths lie elsewhere and he relied on his coordinators for that.


And I believe that 1 win kept the Redskins out of the playoffs. Even with Paul Palmer rat RB, but to think of it, didn't The Moose play quite of bit at RB late in the year that season.

Yes, JJ did not get into the X's & O's, that was The OC & DC jobs. Jimmy was a 'manager' , 'administrator' type coach, though making the ultimate decisions. You have to say he was a great gameday coach. Or else we would not have won like we did. That's like saying Bill Walsh was not a great game day coach, because he had the talented players he had. It all goes together, but still, if you don't have the players, your not going to look like a great coach.

[DeWare94]

Eric Swann was far more talented IMHO.

i was just looking at the draft and next to eric swann it said "no college." what did he do then

[JackMagist]

i was just looking at the draft and next to eric swann it said "no college." what did he do thenHe played semi-pro ball and was talked into signing up for the draft by some scout who saw him play. I forget the details of the story, who and where, but he did come from a semi-pro team.

[AsthmaField]

The 1-15 game came with Steve Walsh as the quarterback. And that entire team was truly horrible.

Uh, sorry... that is the game I was talking about.

Zero penalties. Zero turnovers. Yes the team was a bad one... but we won that game and kept us from going winless.

I never said who QBed that game. I only said that we won it because we played a perfect game.

What game are you talking about?

[big dog cowboy]

Here's a question for everyone - let's say that we hadn't made that trade - kept Walker, and just used our own draft picks, which seemed more successful than those we got from the trade - do we still win 3 super bowls? Would Walker have been as successful as Emmitt? More successful?
No
No
No

[WilmingtonHeel]

Eric Swann had Reggie White talent. That man when he was healthy was beast. Played Semi ball here in N Carolina. If you looked at all those picks we had we took alot of sleepers. Greg Briggs, Nate Kirkman etc. Jerry learned some bad habits in those days and we didn't realize it

[REDVOLUTION]

As good as that trade (and the trade of Steve Walsh to NO) were... we wasted a lot of draft picks and traded for some lousy players.

We could have done better.

We could have done better?

Thats easy to say in hindsight. 3 SB's in 4 years. Jerry and Jimmy breaking the SB run. We did as good as we were gonna do IMO.

[rojan]

If i remember correctly, Raghib Ismail was was Jimmy & Jerra's target in that draft. He chose CFL before the NFL draft, leaving the Maryland selection as the alternative.

Why did Rocket choose the CFL instead of the NFL????

[DeWare94]

wait, im pretty sure rocket played in the USFL, maybe that's what he means

[AsthmaField]

Why did Rocket choose the CFL instead of the NFL????

The Argonauts (sp?) owner had a buttload of money and he threw plenty at Ismail. Rocket said that he wanted to try to bring the CFL some respectability and the owner said that he wanted to try to raise the quality of the league. In the end of course, it didn't.

Bottom line is that Rocket simply did it for the money... regardless of what he might say to the contrary, IMO.

He never was what he could've been in the NFL... and or course he missed out on being part of 3 Dallas Super Bowl victories. I wonder how many times he's kicked himself for that? He would've only made slightly less money but he would've been a part of the NFL's last real dynasty and had the playoff money and endorsements that go with being on a 3 time SB champion.

Bad, bad move.

[AsthmaField]

wait, im pretty sure rocket played in the USFL, maybe that's what he means

Nope... it was the CFL. USFL was long gone by that time.

[rojan]

The Argonauts (sp?) owner had a buttload of money and he threw plenty at Ismail. Rocket said that he wanted to try to bring the CFL some respectability and the owner said that he wanted to try to raise the quality of the league. In the end of course, it didn't.

Bottom line is that Rocket simply did it for the money... regardless of what he might say to the contrary, IMO.

He never was what he could've been in the NFL... and or course he missed out on being part of 3 Dallas Super Bowl victories. I wonder how many times he's kicked himself for that? He would've only made slightly less money but he would've been a part of the NFL's last real dynasty and had the playoff money and endorsements that go with being on a 3 time SB champion.

Bad, bad move.

How much money were they offering....Now a days the lowest paid NFLplayer makes way more than the highest paid CFL player....I heard Ricky was only gonna make like 75,000

[AsthmaField]

How much money were they offering....Now a days the lowest paid NFLplayer makes way more than the highest paid CFL player....I heard Ricky was only gonna make like 75,000

I can't remember... but it was a whole, whole lot for the canadian football league. Clearly more than he expected Dallas to give him as the #1 pick overall.

Not much for nowdays... but more than usual for back then. The Argonauts owner thought he would bring instant respectability to the CFL... but instead the opposite happened and the CFL brought Ismail's reputation down.

Everyone was saying that to be the best, you want to compete against the best... and that was, is and always will be the NFL. He eventually played here of course... but somehow I just don't think his NFL career was what it should've been because he spent the first 5 or so years up North.

I remember everything was Rocket this and Rocket that when he was at Notre Dame... then once he went to Canada, it was like he fell off the face of the football Earth. At least here in the states. By the time he came back... the "Ismail Mania" was over and all the endorsements opportunities he would've had were gone.

It was like Tiger Woods deciding to play tennis for a lot of money. He just got left behind in the sporting world and was out of the publics conciousness for half a decade.

As a Cowboy fan, I would've loved to see what Jimmy Johnson could've done with him on that early 90's team we had.

[rojan]

I can't remember... but it was a whole, whole lot for the canadian football league. Clearly more than he expected Dallas to give him as the #1 pick overall.

Not much for nowdays... but more than usual for back then. The Argonauts owner thought he would bring instant respectability to the CFL... but instead the opposite happened and the CFL brought Ismail's reputation down.

Everyone was saying that to be the best, you want to compete against the best... and that was, is and always will be the NFL. He eventually played here of course... but somehow I just don't think his NFL career was what it should've been because he spent the first 5 or so years up North.

I remember everything was Rocket this and Rocket that when he was at Notre Dame... then once he went to Canada, it was like he fell off the face of the football Earth. At least here in the states. By the time he came back... the "Ismail Mania" was over and all the endorsements opportunities he would've had were gone.

It was like Tiger Woods deciding to play tennis for a lot of money. He just got left behind in the sporting world and was out of the publics conciousness for half a decade.

As a Cowboy fan, I would've loved to see what Jimmy Johnson could've done with him on that early 90's team we had.

Its funny how instead of playing for the Cowboys in the glory days he played for them when theywere going 5-11

[Q_the_man]

Why did Rocket choose the CFL instead of the NFL????
5 mil ayear!!!!

[burmafrd]

At the time the owner of the Argonauts offered him about TWICE what he would have made in the NFL. For a little guy who had to consider that he was always one injury away from retirment, its something to consider. I agree he dropped off the face of the earth. Also, JJ made it clear that Rocket would be doing a lot of special teams and that he would probably be at best the #3 WR, maybe #2. Rocket wanted to prove he was a #1 WR, not just a kick and punt returner. So there reasons for what he did. I for one never thought he would last as long in the pros as he did- I thought he was too small and would take too many hits.

[AsthmaField]

How much money were they offering....Now a days the lowest paid NFLplayer makes way more than the highest paid CFL player....I heard Ricky was only gonna make like 75,000

Just found how much they gave him: Four years, $18.2 million.

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/multimedia/photo_gallery/0605/gallery.cflcrossovers/content.1.html

[burmafrd]

And that was before the salary cap and such as well. Pretty BIG money.

[ravidubey]

The trade was over-hyped and boiled down to one player: Emmitt Smith. Without him the Cowboys wouldn't have won three Superbowls. Herschel was a great running back, but the Cowboys' offensive line fit Emmitt Smith perfectly and vice versa. Emmitt and Norv turned those guys pro-bowlers. Pup and Woody were important, but Dallas would have drafted a cornerback regardless and James Washington and Thomas Everett were solid enough.

If Minnesota's coaches and management could have pushed their egos out of the way they would have used Herschel Walker correctly and gone deep into the playoffs.

[tyke1doe]

Uh, sorry... that is the game I was talking about.

Zero penalties. Zero turnovers. Yes the team was a bad one... but we won that game and kept us from going winless.

I never said who QBed that game. I only said that we won it because we played a perfect game.

What game are you talking about?

The year was 1991.

The Cowboys came into the RFK with a 6-5 record. The Redskins were 11-0 and talking about an undefeated season.

Jimmy Johnson knew the Skins had the better team, but he threw caution to the wind. He executed on-side kicks. He authored a successful Hail Mary pass before the end of half, giving the Cowboys a 14-7 lead. He continued to throw to Michael Irvin, who was covered by the great Darrell Green.

Then when Aikman went out with an injured knee, Johnson did not alter his game-plan with Steve Beuerlin. He kept on attacking the Skins.

John Madden remarked that it was the best coaching job he had ever seen.

The Cowboys won the remainder of their games to go 11-5. They beat Chicago at Soldier Field in a wild card game and then got hammered by the Lions 34-6 in the divisional playoff game.

Johnson was hot because his secondary got torched. He vowed that would never happen again, and that led to the drafting of Darren Woodson and Kevin Smith and the additions of Thomas Everett, a ball-hawking safety from the Pittsburgh Steelers, and James Washington, formerly of the LA Rams.

The next year, the Cowboys won the Super Bowl.

[tyke1doe]

With respect to the Rocket deal, I think Rocket was already going to the CFL before the Cowboys acquired the No. 1 overall pick. I think that's the reason the Pats agreed to the trade.

It wasn't a sure thing that Rocket was going to excel in the NFL. There were still questions about his height and whether he was a refined wide receiver. And some doubted whether a kick-return specialist should go No. 1 overall.

I think Jerry Jones was trying to talk Rocket out of going to the CFL, but I think the monetary package the CFL was offering was too much to overcome even for Jones.

[AsthmaField]

The year was 1991.

The Cowboys came into the RFK with a 6-5 record. The Redskins were 11-0 and talking about an undefeated season.

Jimmy Johnson knew the Skins had the better team, but he threw caution to the wind. He executed on-side kicks. He authored a successful Hail Mary pass before the end of half, giving the Cowboys a 14-7 lead. He continued to throw to Michael Irvin, who was covered by the great Darrell Green.

Then when Aikman went out with an injured knee, Johnson did not alter his game-plan with Steve Beuerlin. He kept on attacking the Skins.

John Madden remarked that it was the best coaching job he had ever seen.

The Cowboys won the remainder of their games to go 11-5. They beat Chicago at Soldier Field in a wild card game and then got hammered by the Lions 34-6 in the divisional playoff game.

Johnson was hot because his secondary got torched. He vowed that would never happen again, and that led to the drafting of Darren Woodson and Kevin Smith and the additions of Thomas Everett, a ball-hawking safety from the Pittsburgh Steelers, and James Washington, formerly of the LA Rams.

The next year, the Cowboys won the Super Bowl.

Yeah... I remember. That wasn't the game I was talking about though.

Unfortunatley, I vividly remember the Detroit playoff game. I thought we'd beat them for sure. Playing Chicago at Soldier Field seemed like the harder game to me. Unfortunately, Wayne Fontes had a great gameplan against us and we simply couldn't stop the short passing game. We stopped Sanders for the most part... but that opened up the passing game so much that we never really stood a chance.

Thinking back to Thomas Everett... he really was a good safety for us. We could really use someone like him now. In my mind, I kind of forget about some of the role players on those great early 90's teams... but they were some good players too. I think they seemed better than they really were (ala Alvin Harper) because of the great team around them and just plain old fashioned team chemistry... but they were still good players.

[AsthmaField]

With respect to the Rocket deal, I think Rocket was already going to the CFL before the Cowboys acquired the No. 1 overall pick. I think that's the reason the Pats agreed to the trade.

It wasn't a sure thing that Rocket was going to excel in the NFL. There were still questions about his height and whether he was a refined wide receiver. And some doubted whether a kick-return specialist should go No. 1 overall.

I think Jerry Jones was trying to talk Rocket out of going to the CFL, but I think the monetary package the CFL was offering was too much to overcome even for Jones.

You may be right... but I really thought we traded for the first overall pick prior to Rocket's commitment to the CFL. It seems like I remember people talking about that being why you don't make trades in the draft too early. I thought that Jimmy and Jerry were really surprised he made the choice to go to the Argonauts and had to scramble to decide who to pick since there wasn't a clear-cut number 1 pick with Ismail out of the picture. They settled for Maryland who, while a safe pick with high character, was far from spectacular and only a fraction of the player that Cortez Kennedy was the previous draft in 1990. Kennedy was picked 3rd overall I think.

I remember it going like this in 1990:
1. Jeff George to Indy
2. Blair Thomas to the Jets
3. Cortez Kennedy to Seattle
4. Keith McCants to Tampa
5. Junior Seau to San Diego


The 1991 draft went like this:
1. Russell Maryland to Dallas
2. Eric Turner to Cleveland
3. Bruce Pickens to Atlanta
4. Mike Croel to Denver
5. Todd Light to the Rams

With Ismail in Canada, the top of the 1991 draft was one of the weakest in recent memory. Of those top 5... only Maryland did anything of note and he was at best solid. There were some monumental busts out of that first round. Todd Marinovich, Charles McRae, Antone Davis, Pat Harlow, Dan McGwire, Huey Richardson, and Stanley Richard just to name a few.

Still, 1991 was a good year for Dallas as Jimmy got a whole lot of contributors in that draft.

Maryland
Alvin Harper
Dixon Edwards
Godfrey Myles (one of my favorite role players)
Eric Williams
Leon Lett
Larry Brown

Jimmy did miss some though with picks like:
James Richards
Curvin Richards
Bill Musgrave
Tony Hill
Kevin Harris
Darrick Brownlow
Mike Sullivan
Damon Mays
Sean Love
Tony Boles

Seventeen picks that year and 7 players who were worth keeping for any length of time. Some were huge picks like Lett, Williams and Brown. Other's were about what were expected like Maryland, Harper, Edwards and Myles. This group showed that while the draft was weak at the top... some very good players could be found later on.

Overall, it was a good haul for Dallas, but it could've been better I think with 17 picks.

[jackrussell]

That's a great post there Asthma, really shows that the hallowed ground Johnson walketh uponith had a few chuck holes along the way. It's something alot of folks should think about everytime they want to bring up Parcell's failures in drafting offensive lineman. They all miss a larger amount of time than they hit.

[AsthmaField]

That's a great post there Asthma, really shows that the hallowed ground Johnson walketh uponith had a few chuck holes along the way. It's something alot of folks should think about everytime they want to bring up Parcell's failures in drafting offensive lineman. They all miss a larger amount of time than they hit.

Yep... they all miss about more than they hit. That's the thing about Jimmy's time here... he just had so many picks. And with Troy, Michael and Emmitt in Dallas and already having Mark Tuinie, Kevin Gogan, Nate Newton, John Gesek, Jim Jeffcoat, et. al., he only needed to find a group of role players.

Of course he found some very good players like Eric Williams, Leon Lett, Daryl Johnston, Tony Tolbert and brought in key players via plan B like Novacek and Tony Casillas.

Jimmy and Jerry have to get credit for fleecing the Vikings out of 3 drafts though, so the reason they had all those picks was their own doing. That and that the team he inherited was a bad one and so had top ten picks for the first couple of years.

[CrazyCowboy]

I NEVER get tired of reading about that trade!