The One That Got Away...

[SteveOS]

Over the years, the Boys have passed on some draft picks, passed on some free agents, cut/released players, etc.

Which one still boggles your mind to this date, that you wished never happened?

[Chief]

I'll throw this one out there because it's one of Gil Brandt's favorite stories to tell.

1979 ... third round.

Brandt maintains that Dallas always went straight by their board, but when this pick came up, Joe Montana was the guy at the top. Because Roger was still playing well and Danny White was waiting in the wings, they decided to pass on Montana and took Doug Cosbie instead.

Roger retired a year later.

As great as Montana was in the WCO in S.F., he may not have been as good of a fit elsewhere. Still, I think he would have beaten out White in a few years and it probably would have helped prevent a 49er dynasty.

Another one that has always bothered me is Dallas passing on Mike Singletary. Brandt and Company felt that he was too short (5-11). Grant Teaff told Brandt that he was making a mistake.

Singletary would have been great as the MLB in Landry's flex defense. They passed on a future Hall of Famer because he didn't have the height of a basketball player.

[mperfection]

WR-Randy Moss ('98 Draft):bang2:
LB-Joey Porter ('97 Draft):banghead:
RB-Clinton Portis ('01 Draft)
RB-Jimmy Smith - Released after '92 season:bang2:
DE-Bertrand Berry (FA-''04):confused:
LB-Keith Adams (Released after '00 season, later picked up by Philadelphia and has been a stud for them!):confused:
K-Adam Vinatieri (FA-'06)
CB-Ty Law(FA-'05):D

[mperfection]

I'll throw this one out there because it's one of Gil Brandt's favorite stories to tell.

1979 ... third round.

Brandt maintains that Dallas always went straight by their board, but when this pick came up, Joe Montana was the guy at the top. Because Roger was still playing well and Danny White was waiting in the wings, they decided to pass on Montana and took Doug Cosbie instead.

Roger retired a year later.

As great as Montana was in the WCO in S.F., he may not have been as good of a fit elsewhere. Still, I think he would have beaten out White in a few years and it probably would have helped prevent a 49er dynasty.

Another one that has always bothered me is Dallas passing on Mike Singletary. Brandt and Company felt that he was too short (5-11). Grant Teaff told Brandt that he was making a mistake.

Singletary would have been great as the MLB in Landry's flex defense. They passed on a future Hall of Famer because he didn't have the height of a basketball player.

Great post!

[SteveOS]

I'll throw this one out there because it's one of Gil Brandt's favorite stories to tell.

1979 ... third round.

Brandt maintains that Dallas always went straight by their board, but when this pick came up, Joe Montana was the guy at the top. Because Roger was still playing well and Danny White was waiting in the wings, they decided to pass on Montana and took Doug Cosbie instead.

Roger retired a year later.

As great as Montana was in the WCO in S.F., he may not have been as good of a fit elsewhere. Still, I think he would have beaten out White in a few years and it probably would have helped prevent a 49er dynasty.

Another one that has always bothered me is Dallas passing on Mike Singletary. Brandt and Company felt that he was too short (5-11). Grant Teaff told Brandt that he was making a mistake.

Singletary would have been great as the MLB in Landry's flex defense. They passed on a future Hall of Famer because he didn't have the height of a basketball player.

Wow, I didn't even know that! Good stuff Chief!

[DanTanna]

All my friends and I had Cosby at the bottom of our lists. We even nick-named a "Cosby type interception" after him because he would tip the ball to opposing players all the friggin time!

[lurkercowboy]

Todd Christenson, multiple pro-bowler for the Raiders, was cut by Dallas. Of course, he was an RB with Dallas and a TE with the Raiders, but who cares?

[burmafrd]

I seem to recall that Christenson was asked to make the move and refused and was cut (Like Hunter in some ways). Then he went to Oakland and accepted the move.

[Seven]

Todd Christenson, multiple pro-bowler for the Raiders, was cut by Dallas. Of course, he was an RB with Dallas and a TE with the Raiders, but who cares?

The irony of that situation was Todd didn't want to be a TE as Dallas asked so he was cut. Go figure.

[dmq]

I can think of almost a decade of drafts that boggle the mind.:banghead:

[tyke1doe]

I'll throw this one out there because it's one of Gil Brandt's favorite stories to tell.

1979 ... third round.

Brandt maintains that Dallas always went straight by their board, but when this pick came up, Joe Montana was the guy at the top. Because Roger was still playing well and Danny White was waiting in the wings, they decided to pass on Montana and took Doug Cosbie instead.

Roger retired a year later.

As great as Montana was in the WCO in S.F., he may not have been as good of a fit elsewhere. Still, I think he would have beaten out White in a few years and it probably would have helped prevent a 49er dynasty.

Another one that has always bothered me is Dallas passing on Mike Singletary. Brandt and Company felt that he was too short (5-11). Grant Teaff told Brandt that he was making a mistake.

Singletary would have been great as the MLB in Landry's flex defense. They passed on a future Hall of Famer because he didn't have the height of a basketball player.


Not to mention the fact that we had targeted Jerry Rice but the 49ers jumped ahead of us to claim him.

Imagine that. We could have had Montana AND Jerry Rice.

I'm going to add to the list:

Cortez Kennedy and Junior Seau.

Remember, the Cowboys would have had the first overall draft pick in 1990 had we not taken Steve Walsh in the supplement draft.

At the top of the draft were

Jeff George
Blair Thomas
Cortez Kennedy
Junior Seau

Imagine if the Cowboys had landed Seau (they were looking for a linebacker in the draft and unsuccessfully tried to trade up to get James Francis) AND Emmitt Smith - two of the best picks in that draft and likely Hall of Famers. :eek:

We probably would have gone with Cortez Kennedy, though, since he was from The U. That wouldn't have been a bad choice either because he was a pro-bowl DT for a few years before injuring his knee, I believe it was.

[silver]

Joe Montana
Howie Long
Andre Tippett
Dan Marino
Boomer Esiasion
Randy Moss
Trade for Joey Galloway (Shaun Alexander)

[BARRYRAY]

Help me guys but didn't we have a shot at Jerry Rice but the clock ran out or something like that, the other one was Moss he was like TO even though he had baggage he was that good, game changers only come along so often...

[tyke1doe]

Help me guys but didn't we have a shot at Jerry Rice but the clock ran out or something like that, the other one was Moss he was like TO even though he had baggage he was that good, game changers only come along so often...

The 49ers jumped over us to nab Rice. Brandt thought Rice would fly under the radar and would be available for the Cowboys' pick.

He thought wrong. :bang2:

[Eddie]

We missed on a ton of picks ... how about almost all the picks from 1994-2002??? We could have taken 60 10 year old kids, and they would have made more of an impact than the "players" we wound up with.

But of the players we DID choose, and let get away ..

Jimmy Smith
Ron Stone

[KCCOWBOYSFAN]

Randy Moss gets my vote

[sago1]

Jimmy Smith kept getting hurt while here and Ron Stone was a backup who we know was good but in the era of FA we couldn't afford to keep him as a backup.

[jazzcat22]

I seem to recall that Christenson was asked to make the move and refused and was cut (Like Hunter in some ways). Then he went to Oakland and accepted the move.

And he still hates the Cowboys for that. He had a great career, but you can tell it when he talks. He hates Dallas. I never heard him say anything good about Dallas.

[jazzcat22]

I'll throw this one out there because it's one of Gil Brandt's favorite stories to tell.

1979 ... third round.

Brandt maintains that Dallas always went straight by their board, but when this pick came up, Joe Montana was the guy at the top. Because Roger was still playing well and Danny White was waiting in the wings, they decided to pass on Montana and took Doug Cosbie instead.

Roger retired a year later.

As great as Montana was in the WCO in S.F., he may not have been as good of a fit elsewhere. Still, I think he would have beaten out White in a few years and it probably would have helped prevent a 49er dynasty.

Another one that has always bothered me is Dallas passing on Mike Singletary. Brandt and Company felt that he was too short (5-11). Grant Teaff told Brandt that he was making a mistake.

Singletary would have been great as the MLB in Landry's flex defense. They passed on a future Hall of Famer because he didn't have the height of a basketball player.


I remember Tex Schramm talking about that. He said that was the only time he and Gil were ever talked out of a pick. Since Roger and Danny were there, and they needed a TE, they were talked into taking Cosbie. Who turned out the be very good for us. I don't know if Montana would have been the same with the Cowboys' system, but when your talented, and with great coaching, he would have been successful.

[dmq]

How about Larry Johnson. Rumor was that they were shopping him and you know Parcells and Vermeil had a good relationship. Could have very easily gotten done for a 3rd. Now the guy is a beast and he would fit in perfect with a Parcells type of offense.

[cstanton1987]

Larry Johnson and Randy Moss I remember when we passed on Larry Johnson me and my cousin were sitting down and both of screamed at the T.V. I know we ended up with J.J. and Demarcus Ware but L.J. may have a M.V.P. year this year. Randy Moss still hates Dallas I remember he killed us the first time he played us it was sick

[AsthmaField]

I could pick a lot... but we thought about trading up for Tony Gonzales but didn't think he was a big enough upgrade over David LaFluer to warrant the extra picks it would have taken to move up a few spots to nab Gonzales.

Ah, what could've been.

This is a classic example of what I mean when I say that if there's a player that we think is going to be a true difference maker, we need to bite the bullet and give up the extra picks to move up and get him.

[jcblanco22]

Kevin Mathis for Chris Bordano. :D

[Q_the_man]

I wish we can go back and draft Tony Mandarich

[burmafrd]

Johnson sat on the bench for a while when he refused to block. Can you imagine what BP would do with someone like that.

[Alexander]

Kevin Mathis for Chris Bordano. :D

I agree with this one. Mathis actually blossomed into at least a good 3rd corner and sometime starter. Bordano didn't play a down for us.

We made some pretty stupid trades back then, not just draft choices. Since you decided to dredge up bad memories, I'll raise you an O.J. Santiago for invoking the Bordano nightmare. Two can play your sick little game.;)

[Future]

oh boy, the ultimate "what if" thread. to be even more cliche, hindsight is 20/20

The draft picks that always bother me for some reason are all the same.

Dwayne Goodrich
Karim Larrimore
Derek Ross

Especially the later 2 because they were just such a waste of talent. Both of them could be starting this year and we would not have struggled the last few years if they hadn't been morons.

[J-DOG]

Larrimore has all the physical talent you could want...his character issues and the hippy-lettuce turned his career downhill.
One of my main gripes was when we let go of Jimmy Smith.
I remember that draft when we got him.
I spent the money for the Ourlad's draft preview book and I thought Jimmy Smith and Darren Woodson were dark horse sleeper picks.
Woodson because he was time at 4.38 in the forty but he played OLB at Arizona St. and was undersized for that position in the NFL.
Smith-went to a small school and his scouting report reminded me of what they said about Jerry Rice when he came out of college. Smooth route-runner and great hands.
That draft we had 4 picks in the first 2 rounds.
Round one-Kevin Smith-Texas A&M
Round one-Robert Jones-East Carolina
Round two-Jimmy Smith
Round two-Darren Woodson
I loved that draft. I knew we had a great first two rounds and I really thought that Jimmy Smith would be something special.
So....when we released him I was not happy at all.
Any good GM should never ever release a player until they are sure what they have in that player.
We just got rid of him like throwing out the trash...that was stupid and irresponsible in my opinion.

[theogt]

Most of the obvious choices have already been stated so I'll just throw out anothe.r

Passing up on Delhomme because we had 2 young QBs by the name of Carter and Hutchinson.

[Seven]

Most of the obvious choices have already been stated so I'll just throw out anothe.r

Passing up on Delhomme because we had 2 young QBs by the name of Carter and Hutchinson.

Please!! Make it stop!!!!

[gimmesix]

We missed on a ton of picks ... how about almost all the picks from 1994-2002??? We could have taken 60 10 year old kids, and they would have made more of an impact than the "players" we wound up with.

But of the players we DID choose, and let get away ..

Jimmy Smith
Ron Stone

Smith is the one that always comes to mind for me because Dallas spent so many years after letting him go looking for a good complement to Irvin. Based on Smith's career, I believe our slide to mediocrity would have taken a lot longer with him and Irvin as Aikman's primary target in the mid- to late-1990s.

[Teague31]

1. Drafting Quincy Carter instead of Shaun Rogers.
2. We had Brian Waters in camp as an undrafted FA. We cut him, now he is one of the best guards in football.

[jman]

Most of the obvious choices have already been stated so I'll just throw out anothe.r

Passing up on Delhomme because we had 2 young QBs by the name of Carter and Hutchinson.

That's the one that hurts the most to me. We've lived through the others...but we may still be paying for this one right now!

[jman]

Randy Moss gets my vote

Randy Moss would have never been "Randy Moss" if Dallas would have drafted him...

Totally different systems.

[jman]

Larrimore has all the physical talent you could want...his character issues and the hippy-lettuce turned his career downhill.
One of my main gripes was when we let go of Jimmy Smith.
I remember that draft when we got him.
I spent the money for the Ourlad's draft preview book and I thought Jimmy Smith and Darren Woodson were dark horse sleeper picks.
Woodson because he was time at 4.38 in the forty but he played OLB at Arizona St. and was undersized for that position in the NFL.
Smith-went to a small school and his scouting report reminded me of what they said about Jerry Rice when he came out of college. Smooth route-runner and great hands.
That draft we had 4 picks in the first 2 rounds.
Round one-Kevin Smith-Texas A&M
Round one-Robert Jones-East Carolina
Round two-Jimmy Smith
Round two-Darren Woodson
I loved that draft. I knew we had a great first two rounds and I really thought that Jimmy Smith would be something special.
So....when we released him I was not happy at all.
Any good GM should never ever release a player until they are sure what they have in that player.
We just got rid of him like throwing out the trash...that was stupid and irresponsible in my opinion.

Always hurt, never on the field, never made a play, never was anything period for the Cowboys, Throwing out trash...YES!!! He was for the Cowboys.

Look, as they say, one mans trash is another mans treasure...That's Jummy Smith. Things sometimes work that way...and that's Jimmy Smith.

But don't be over damatic about it.

[big dog cowboy]

Over the years, the Boys have passed on some draft picks, passed on some free agents, cut/released players, etc.

Which one still boggles your mind to this date, that you wished never happened?
While it is easy to make such a list of players, the same is true for each team.

[jman]

WR-Randy Moss ('98 Draft):bang2:
LB-Joey Porter ('97 Draft):banghead:
RB-Clinton Portis ('01 Draft)
RB-Jimmy Smith - Released after '92 season:bang2:
DE-Bertrand Berry (FA-''04):confused:
LB-Keith Adams (Released after '00 season, later picked up by Philadelphia and has been a stud for them!):confused:
K-Adam Vinatieri (FA-'06)
CB-Ty Law(FA-'05):D

Truth...I don't see anyone on this list I cry for.

[Charles]

I'll throw this one out there because it's one of Gil Brandt's favorite stories to tell.

1979 ... third round.

Brandt maintains that Dallas always went straight by their board, but when this pick came up, Joe Montana was the guy at the top. Because Roger was still playing well and Danny White was waiting in the wings, they decided to pass on Montana and took Doug Cosbie instead.

Roger retired a year later.

As great as Montana was in the WCO in S.F., he may not have been as good of a fit elsewhere. Still, I think he would have beaten out White in a few years and it probably would have helped prevent a 49er dynasty.

Another one that has always bothered me is Dallas passing on Mike Singletary. Brandt and Company felt that he was too short (5-11). Grant Teaff told Brandt that he was making a mistake.

Singletary would have been great as the MLB in Landry's flex defense. They passed on a future Hall of Famer because he didn't have the height of a basketball player.
Great Post Chief:starspin :starspin :starspin :starspin :starspin :starspin

[Fla Cowpoke]

The people that mention Jimmy Smith are so misinformed.

There was serious talk that the man would never play football again. After we let him go, the Eagles signed him and they later offered him up in the expansion draft.

At the time, there was really no way for us to keep him.

Just like at the time there wasn't really any way that we could have drafted Moss.

I think the Delhomme one was huge. But it wasn't obvious. I remember that there wasn't really any outrage at the Ranch board when it happened. Some disappointment, then the guy wasn't even named the starter coming out of camp. But he sure has been a steal for Carolina.

The other one that really bugged me was Bert Berry. There was a lot of angst when he left without a contract. Well placed angst as it turned out.

[2much2soon]

Jimmy Smith had serious health problems (someone with a better memory than me can chime in with the specifics) and Philly cut him after he physically recovered enough to get on the field again after Dallas injury-settled with him.
It sucks it worked out that way but Dallas really couldn't keep the guy around given his medical situation. They knew he was good but the medical information they were getting was that the guy wouldn't play again.
I don't consider the Jimmy Smith situation on par, in stupidity terms, with things like trading 2 1sts for Galloway, drafting QC and Goodrich in the second round, or drafting guys like Shante Carver.

[2much2soon]

The people that mention Jimmy Smith are so misinformed.

There was serious talk that the man would never play football again. After we let him go, the Eagles signed him and they later offered him up in the expansion draft.

At the time, there was really no way for us to keep him.



what he said...

[jem88]

All my friends and I had Cosby at the bottom of our lists. We even nick-named a "Cosby type interception" after him because he would tip the ball to opposing players all the friggin time! I was young at the time but I recall Cosbie being a pretty solid player for us back then.

[DallasDW00ds0n]

Randy Moss

[DallasDW00ds0n]

Randy Moss would have never been "Randy Moss" if Dallas would have drafted him...

Totally different systems.

no way, he has way too much talent, who knows, we might have built our offensive scheme around him.

[gimmesix]

Jimmy Smith had serious health problems (someone with a better memory than me can chime in with the specifics) and Philly cut him after he physically recovered enough to get on the field again after Dallas injury-settled with him.
It sucks it worked out that way but Dallas really couldn't keep the guy around given his medical situation. They knew he was good but the medical information they were getting was that the guy wouldn't play again.
I don't consider the Jimmy Smith situation on par, in stupidity terms, with things like trading 2 1sts for Galloway, drafting QC and Goodrich in the second round, or drafting guys like Shante Carver.

The idea for me was to think of who I regret getting away. So I don't care about the reasons that Smith got away, just the career that followed after he got away.

Yes, I know Dallas had good reason to get rid of him at that time, but just thinking about what could have happened if we'd kept him puts him at the top of my list.

If it comes down to goofs in the draft, really I can't put one in front of another over the years. There are plenty of players Dallas has missed on that had another player taken behind him who went on to success ... but the same can be said of any team.

[2much2soon]

The idea for me was to think of who I regret getting away. So I don't care about the reasons that Smith got away, just the career that followed after he got away.

Yes, I know Dallas had good reason to get rid of him at that time, but just thinking about what could have happened if we'd kept him puts him at the top of my list.

If it comes down to goofs in the draft, really I can't put one in front of another over the years. There are plenty of players Dallas has missed on that had another player taken behind him who went on to success ... but the same can be said of any team.


Oh yeah, in terms of pure regret, I am right there with you.
Dude was a pass catching machine.

[CrazyCowboy]

Jimmy Smith made the most impact of any player we let go IMO

[jumanji]

several good ones already mentioned. passing on brackens for pittman still pisses me off. brackens career was injury shortened, but he had 5 good years at jax

[Juke99]

Jimmy Smith is the one that kills me because we HAD him and let him go.

The only consolation is that he want to another team (Eagles) who let him go as well.

But can you imagine Smith one on side, Irvin on the other...Aikman QB...and Emmitt at RB???

With Jimmy Smith, we don't do the Joey Galloway deal...and we all know how that one turned out. :bang2:

[Jarv]

The people that mention Jimmy Smith are so misinformed.

There was serious talk that the man would never play football again. After we let him go, the Eagles signed him and they later offered him up in the expansion draft.

At the time, there was really no way for us to keep him.

Just like at the time there wasn't really any way that we could have drafted Moss.

I think the Delhomme one was huge. But it wasn't obvious. I remember that there wasn't really any outrage at the Ranch board when it happened. Some disappointment, then the guy wasn't even named the starter coming out of camp. But he sure has been a steal for Carolina.

The other one that really bugged me was Bert Berry. There was a lot of angst when he left without a contract. Well placed angst as it turned out.

I think Jimmy Smith had a ruptured appendix during practice. He complained of stomache cramps and was sent to the lockeroom. From what I recall he drove himself to the hospital because no one on the Dallas staff would help him. He got lost on the way and had to use his cell to call the hospital for directions.

He nearly died on the way...No help again from the Dallas staff, which I thought was crazy.

Then we cut him. We cut a good prospect 2nd round pick because of a burst appendix. I'm still pissed not just about cutting him, but the way the organization handled things when he appendix burst...Young kid in a new city who did not know his way around had to drive himself to the hospital.

A dark day in the history of the Cowboys organization IMHO...

[Big Country]

WR-Randy Moss ('98 Draft):bang2:
LB-Joey Porter ('97 Draft):banghead:
RB-Clinton Portis ('01 Draft)
RB-Jimmy Smith - Released after '92 season:bang2:
DE-Bertrand Berry (FA-''04):confused:
LB-Keith Adams (Released after '00 season, later picked up by Philadelphia and has been a stud for them!):confused:
K-Adam Vinatieri (FA-'06)
CB-Ty Law(FA-'05):D


Keith Adams is one of those tweener linebackers that fit the Eagles scheme to the T... He was basically expendable because he was only a special teamer. Dat and Coakley were still playing at that time... can't remember who the other side was manned by... D. Hambrick??

[ABQCOWBOY]

The one that always got me was not Montana so much but John Elway. When Elway was drafted by Baltimore, as many may recall, he refused to play for the Colts and was ready to play for the NY Yankees (imagine that). Faced with the possability of getting nothing in return, Baltimore fielded offers for Elway. As the eventual trade come closer, Tex Schramm and the Cowboys struck a deal with Baltimore that would bring Elway to Dallas. By the time negotiations were completed, it was too late to fax the details to the NFL office. We went to bed secure in the notion that we would finalize all with the League office in the morning. Between the time negotiations came to a close and the morning, Denver had climbed in the back window and offered a better deal. We woke up to the news that Elway had been traded to Denver in the early hours. Had we gotten Elway, perhaps the whole deal with Landry never happens. Perhaps we don't get dominated in the 80s by the Eagles or the 49ers etc. Lots could have been different.

[tyke1doe]

The way some posters are crucifying Henson for his lack of development, it's amazing to hear posters complain that we let Jimmy Smith get away when his development while with the Cowboys was less than Henson's.

Hindsight is a beautiful thang.

[deadrody]

One of my main gripes was when we let go of Jimmy Smith.
I remember that draft when we got him.
I spent the money for the Ourlad's draft preview book and I thought Jimmy Smith and Darren Woodson were dark horse sleeper picks.
Woodson because he was time at 4.38 in the forty but he played OLB at Arizona St. and was undersized for that position in the NFL.
Smith-went to a small school and his scouting report reminded me of what they said about Jerry Rice when he came out of college. Smooth route-runner and great hands.
That draft we had 4 picks in the first 2 rounds.
Round one-Kevin Smith-Texas A&M
Round one-Robert Jones-East Carolina
Round two-Jimmy Smith
Round two-Darren Woodson
I loved that draft. I knew we had a great first two rounds and I really thought that Jimmy Smith would be something special.
So....when we released him I was not happy at all.
Any good GM should never ever release a player until they are sure what they have in that player.
We just got rid of him like throwing out the trash...that was stupid and irresponsible in my opinion.
PERFECT!!! I was waiting for the right Jimmy Smith post to add this...

The Cowboys did not just "release" him, the didn't "throw out the trash". For all the uninformed Jimmy Smith fanboys, the real story is as follows...

In a preseason game, Smith took a bad hit. He was "hurt", but being a 2nd year guy, the staff wanted him to go back into the game. Smith thought the injury was serious, the medical staff and coaches did not. Smith did play a few more downs, but ultimately his injury turned out to be a burst appendix and he wound up with acute apendicitis, which is no laughing matter. Suffice to say that the Cowboys relationship with Smith was over from that moment forward. There wasn't a thing they could do other than release him.

[deadrody]

I think Jimmy Smith had a ruptured appendix during practice. He complained of stomache cramps and was sent to the lockeroom. From what I recall he drove himself to the hospital because no one on the Dallas staff would help him. He got lost on the way and had to use his cell to call the hospital for directions.

He nearly died on the way...No help again from the Dallas staff, which I thought was crazy.

Then we cut him. We cut a good prospect 2nd round pick because of a burst appendix. I'm still pissed not just about cutting him, but the way the organization handled things when he appendix burst...Young kid in a new city who did not know his way around had to drive himself to the hospital.

A dark day in the history of the Cowboys organization IMHO...
I saw the general report on this once on 60 Minutes. I think it was in a game, myself, but other than that, yeah, the story is similar.