1975

[Chief]

Several times in the past two days, I've thought of the Dirty Dozen.

Thirty years ago, Landry, Brandt and Schramm hit the mother lode in the NFL draft. They leaned heavily toward defense, especially in the early rounds, and hauled in an amazing class of head hunters.

Dallas had missed the playoffs the previous season and witnessed the retirement of several key players, including Bob Lilly. This great draft couldn't have come at a more critical time in team history. The franchise was desperate for a boost.

They picked some solid offensive players such as Burton Lawless, Herbert Scott and Scott Laidlaw, but it was the defensive guys who made this draft class great.

Randy White and Thomas Henderson were first-rounders, and they also added safety Randy Hughes and linebackers Bob Breunig and Mike Hegman.

I remember reading a quote from one of the veteran players about the 1975 training camp in Thousand Oaks. He was an offensive player and said that all during camp ... when the defense and offense were doing separate drills ... the offensive players kept getting distracted because of all the noise on the defensive end of the field. Helmets cracking, yelling, whooping, hollering, laughing, hitting, fighting, cursing.

Later, veterans such as Lee Roy Jordan and Charlie Waters commented on the incredible boost these bunch of athletic, enthusiastic hitters had on the team as a whole .. both physically and emotionally. Dallas went on to shock the league in 1975, reaching the Super Bowl.

There will never be another 1975 class, but this year's group could have a similar effect on the franchise. This aggressive bunch of head hunters should help give the team a new identity and hopefully be the foundation for another Super Bowl run.

[Jimz31]

Originally Posted by Chief

There will never be another 1975 class, but this year's group could have a similar effect on the franchise. This aggressive bunch of head hunters should help give the team a new identity and hopefully be the foundation for another Super Bowl run.

From your lips to God's ears, Chief!

[trickblue]

You are dead on Chief... this draft class has the potential to make a similar impact for this organization...

Let's hope someday we call them "The Great Eight"

[Shuttemdown41]

I wasn't even a twinkle in my father's eye yet in 1975 but thanks for sharing, I know I can't wait to see the effect this infusion of young, hungry talent will have not only on our defense, but on our head football coach as well. Seeing Parcells smile like he did in that draft room after he had landed Ware AS WELL AS Spears, and then again after they had jumped up to land Canty in the fourth just made me feel warm and fuzzy inside.

[Cbz40]

This group just may have that potential........The enthusiasm youth brings to a team is contagious.

[lane]

let's just say i cannot wait till we play the eagles. mcnabb, be afraid. be very afraid.

chief, i believe we are on our way back to doomsday!!

[Sarge]

Originally Posted by Chief

Several times in the past two days, I've thought of the Dirty Dozen.

Thirty years ago, Landry, Brandt and Schramm hit the mother lode in the NFL draft. They leaned heavily toward defense, especially in the early rounds, and hauled in an amazing class of head hunters.

Dallas had missed the playoffs the previous season and witnessed the retirement of several key players, including Bob Lilly. This great draft couldn't have come at a more critical time in team history. The franchise was desperate for a boost.

They picked some solid offensive players such as Burton Lawless, Herbert Scott and Scott Laidlaw, but it was the defensive guys who made this draft class great.

Randy White and Thomas Henderson were first-rounders, and they also added safety Randy Hughes and linebackers Bob Breunig and Mike Hegman.

[View Full Quote]I remember reading a quote from one of the veteran players about the 1975 training camp in Thousand Oaks. He was an offensive player and said that all during camp ... when the defense and offense were doing separate drills ... the offensive players kept getting distracted because of all the noise on the defensive end of the field. Helmets cracking, yelling, whooping, hollering, laughing, hitting, fighting, cursing.

Later, veterans such as Lee Roy Jordan and Charlie Waters commented on the incredible boost these bunch of athletic, enthusiastic hitters had on the team as a whole .. both physically and emotionally. Dallas went on to shock the league in 1975, reaching the Super Bowl.

There will never be another 1975 class, but this year's group could have a similar effect on the franchise. This aggressive bunch of head hunters should help give the team a new identity and hopefully be the foundation for another Super Bowl run.

Wow.......nice post boss. That one sent chills.

This past weekend will turn out to be monumental.

Post more ya silly freak.

[Dale]

Chief, have you seen that highlight film of Canty from the Virginia web site? It showed a lot of him in practice and audio from games -- the guy's a talker. I'm hoping this guy can become something of value, because we could use some pizazz on defense IMO.

[Hostile]

Originally Posted by Chief

Several times in the past two days, I've thought of the Dirty Dozen.

Thirty years ago, Landry, Brandt and Schramm hit the mother lode in the NFL draft. They leaned heavily toward defense, especially in the early rounds, and hauled in an amazing class of head hunters.

Dallas had missed the playoffs the previous season and witnessed the retirement of several key players, including Bob Lilly. This great draft couldn't have come at a more critical time in team history. The franchise was desperate for a boost.

They picked some solid offensive players such as Burton Lawless, Herbert Scott and Scott Laidlaw, but it was the defensive guys who made this draft class great.

Randy White and Thomas Henderson were first-rounders, and they also added safety Randy Hughes and linebackers Bob Breunig and Mike Hegman.

[View Full Quote]I remember reading a quote from one of the veteran players about the 1975 training camp in Thousand Oaks. He was an offensive player and said that all during camp ... when the defense and offense were doing separate drills ... the offensive players kept getting distracted because of all the noise on the defensive end of the field. Helmets cracking, yelling, whooping, hollering, laughing, hitting, fighting, cursing.

Later, veterans such as Lee Roy Jordan and Charlie Waters commented on the incredible boost these bunch of athletic, enthusiastic hitters had on the team as a whole .. both physically and emotionally. Dallas went on to shock the league in 1975, reaching the Super Bowl.

There will never be another 1975 class, but this year's group could have a similar effect on the franchise. This aggressive bunch of head hunters should help give the team a new identity and hopefully be the foundation for another Super Bowl run.

Post of the day. Great memories of that draft class and the years of service they offered.

Churn the roster, great draft.

[LeonDixson]

Great post, Chief. I remember that year. Everyone practically gave us up for dead after losing all the stars we lost. I love your rececollection and remembering that surprising season. I agree that this group could have a similar impact on the defensive attitude in big D.

[Juke99]

I think the one thing missing last year, other than wins, was excitement.

To my eyes, Parcells clearly was flat-out NOT enjoying himself.

He looked like a man who needed to be energized...and that wasn't going to come from the likes of Wiley, George, Ward etc...But this year, I can see a bunch of hyped rookies actually getting Parcells excited again.

Although Parcells has put his faith in veteran players, there's nothing like youthful exuberance to energize a team (and fans).

I am very much look forward to this season and seeing if this group can do what the dirty dozen did for the franchise.

[Hostile]

Originally Posted by Juke99

I think the one thing missing last year, other than wins, was excitement.

To my eyes, Parcells clearly was flat-out NOT enjoying himself.

He looked like a man who needed to be energized...and that wasn't going to come from the likes of Wiley, George, Ward etc...But this year, I can see a bunch of hyped rookies actually getting Parcells excited again.

Although Parcells has put his faith in veteran players, there's nothing like youthful exuberance to energize a team (and fans).

I am very much look forward to this season and seeing if this group can do what the dirty dozen did for the franchise.

Exactly. Personally I think the aroma of Ben Gay emanating from all the old fogeys worked as an anesthetic and put the team into a stupor.