The Lost Art of the Swiss Army Knife Football Player

[Bobhaze]

It’s almost a lost thing of beauty: A complete football player. A guy who can do multiple fundamental aspects of the game very well. Let’s call them the football version of the Swiss Army knife. They can play their position but also block, tackle, perhaps punt, pass or kick or return kicks.

A more clear definition would be a player who can play his position well plus play STs, and offer some sort of additional special something in a key situation. Like most NFL teams, the Cowboys have always had a few guys like this. Even this year’s roster may have some as well.

Here are some recent great “Swiss Army Knife” players from other teams:

• Wes Welker- before he became a star slot receiver with the pats, he was a great Swiss Army knife of the Dolphins. In fact, one game vs the pats when he was a dolphin, the dolphin K hurt a hammy in warmups and Welker became the kicker that day. In fact he kicked a FG, a couple of extra points, returned punts and kicks, caught passes, had a run carry, threw a pass and made tackles on STs. A great example of a SAK.
• Troy Brown- the former Pat WR could also double as a deep S in some prevent packages and also was a great STs player as a return man and on kick coverage. Was also an excellent blocker as a WR.
• Taysom Hill- the Saints QB has also played TE, been on ST punt and KO coverage teams, can run, throw, block, tackle and pass. He may not be a great QB, but he can be used in a lot of ways.

So how about some past and current Cowboys “Swiss Army Knife” players?

• Danny White- a really good QB who also doubled as an outstanding punter and more than once, ran for a first down as a runner from punt formation.
• Robert Newhouse- former Cowboys RB with huge thighs was not only a bowling ball as a runner, but threw a TD pass in SB XII, was an underrated blocker, and early in his career was an excellent tackler on STs.
• Deion Sanders- the HOFer who was the ultimate cover corner defender, Sanders was also an offensive weapon as a receiver and runner, and was an outstanding punt returner on STs.
• Drew Pearson- the HOF WR played QB in college at Tulsa and was actually the third or emergency QB during his days as a Cowboy. Believe it or not, Pearson was 5 of 7 passing in his career for 3 TDs and 192 yards. Was also an underrated downfield blocker.
• Cedric Wilson- obviously not a star, but he not only is a WR, but has thrown a TD pass last year to Dak on a trick play, has played STs as a punt returner and some kick coverage as well. He’s also one of the better downfield blockers too.

The “Swiss Army Knife” player is a commodity. Who are some guys I forgot or need to be added to this list?

 

[Hagman]

Dan Reeves—signed as free agent safety, switched later to halfback. Great at throwing the halfback option pass. Completed 14 of 32 passes for 370 yards. 2 tds, but threw 4 ints (yikes). Threw a td pass in the Ice Bowl and functioned as what is today called the emergency quarterback. Landry also made him a player-coach in his last three playing years before making him an assistant coach

 

[Bobhaze]

Guess I forgot about former Cowboy Safety Jeff Heath. Remember his performance against the lions a few yrs back when he had to fill in as a Kicker? He made (and missed) some XPs, played defense and kickoffs while also making tackles on STs.

 

[Bobhaze]

Dan Reeves—signed as free agent safety, switched later to halfback. Great at throwing the halfback option pass. Completed 14 of 32 passes for 370 yards. 2 tds, but threw 4 ints (yikes). Threw a td pass in the Ice Bowl and functioned as what is today called the emergency quarterback. Landry also made him a player-coach in his last three playing years before making him an assistant coach

Great example. Reeves was an excellent passer, runner and receiver. And later “player-coach”.

 

[DFWJC]

I think Travis Etienne might be at least somewhat of a slash player if Urban Meyer has his way.
But no, not a true swiss army knife. Need to do something different for that

 

[Hagman]

Mel Renfro—drafted as a safety, moved to halfback in his second year but got hurt in Game 1 and was replaced by Dan Reeves. Then was moved back to safety, all the while returning 109 punts and 85 kickoffs. Finally moved to cornerback before taking up permanent residence in The Hall of Fame.

 

[Hagman]

Also a shoutout to Danny Villanueva, who from 1965 to 1967 was our combo punter and place kicker.

 

[big dog cowboy]

Just to toss some names out there:
Percy Harvin
Tim Tebow
Darren Sproles
JJ Watt
Ted Ginn Jr
Eric Metcalf

 

[buybuydandavis]

The “Swiss Army Knife” player is a commodity. Who are some guys I forgot or need to be added to this list?

Woody is the best Swiss Army Knife player I can think of.
SS, in the box S/LB, slot CB, core ST.

 

[buybuydandavis]

Guess I forgot about former Cowboy Safety Jeff Heath. Remember his performance against the lions a few yrs back when he had to fill in as a Kicker? He made (and missed) some XPs, played defense and kickoffs while also making tackles on STs.

GOAT!

 

[DallasInDC]

Add William "the Fridge" Perry to the list with the defensive linemen doing his bowling ball interpretation as a RB. He was the heaviest player to score a TD.

 

[atlantacowboy]

Guess I forgot about former Cowboy Safety Jeff Heath. Remember his performance against the lions a few yrs back when he had to fill in as a Kicker? He made (and missed) some XPs, played defense and kickoffs while also making tackles on STs.

Heath is probably the least appreciated Cowboy in memory. He was a gamer who wasn't afraid to hit people and even won a few games with big hits and timely turnovers. He was a true throwback football player in the mold of Bill Bates.

 

[Maxmadden]

Herschel Walker was an excellent return man.

 

[cowboyec]

preston pearson.

 

[cowboyec]

Herschel Walker was an excellent return man.

and receiver.

 

[tunahelper]

Darren Woodson
Bill Bates

 

[Aerolithe_Lion]

Concrete Charlie

Made the hall of fame as both a perennial all-pro C and MLB. The last full-time, 60 minute, 2-way Iron Man the nfl had

 

[Rockport]

It’s almost a lost thing of beauty: A complete football player. A guy who can do multiple fundamental aspects of the game very well. Let’s call them the football version of the Swiss Army knife. They can play their position but also block, tackle, perhaps punt, pass or kick or return kicks.

A more clear definition would be a player who can play his position well plus play STs, and offer some sort of additional special something in a key situation. Like most NFL teams, the Cowboys have always had a few guys like this. Even this year’s roster may have some as well.

Here are some recent great “Swiss Army Knife” players from other teams:

• Wes Welker- before he became a star slot receiver with the pats, he was a great Swiss Army knife of the Dolphins. In fact, one game vs the pats when he was a dolphin, the dolphin K hurt a hammy in warmups and Welker became the kicker that day. In fact he kicked a FG, a couple of extra points, returned punts and kicks, caught passes, had a run carry, threw a pass and made tackles on STs. A great example of a SAK.
• Troy Brown- the former Pat WR could also double as a deep S in some prevent packages and also was a great STs player as a return man and on kick coverage. Was also an excellent blocker as a WR.
• Taysom Hill- the Saints QB has also played TE, been on ST punt and KO coverage teams, can run, throw, block, tackle and pass. He may not be a great QB, but he can be used in a lot of ways.

So how about some past and current Cowboys “Swiss Army Knife” players?

• Danny White- a really good QB who also doubled as an outstanding punter and more than once, ran for a first down as a runner from punt formation.
• Robert Newhouse- former Cowboys RB with huge thighs was not only a bowling ball as a runner, but threw a TD pass in SB XII, was an underrated blocker, and early in his career was an excellent tackler on STs.
• Deion Sanders- the HOFer who was the ultimate cover corner defender, Sanders was also an offensive weapon as a receiver and runner, and was an outstanding punt returner on STs.
• Drew Pearson- the HOF WR played QB in college at Tulsa and was actually the third or emergency QB during his days as a Cowboy. Believe it or not, Pearson was 5 of 7 passing in his career for 3 TDs and 192 yards. Was also an underrated downfield blocker.
• Cedric Wilson- obviously not a star, but he not only is a WR, but has thrown a TD pass last year to Dak on a trick play, has played STs as a punt returner and some kick coverage as well. He’s also one of the better downfield blockers too.

The “Swiss Army Knife” player is a commodity. Who are some guys I forgot or need to be added to this list?

Many players play their position as well as playing on special teams.

 

[john van brocklin]

It’s almost a lost thing of beauty: A complete football player. A guy who can do multiple fundamental aspects of the game very well. Let’s call them the football version of the Swiss Army knife. They can play their position but also block, tackle, perhaps punt, pass or kick or return kicks.

A more clear definition would be a player who can play his position well plus play STs, and offer some sort of additional special something in a key situation. Like most NFL teams, the Cowboys have always had a few guys like this. Even this year’s roster may have some as well.

Here are some recent great “Swiss Army Knife” players from other teams:

• Wes Welker- before he became a star slot receiver with the pats, he was a great Swiss Army knife of the Dolphins. In fact, one game vs the pats when he was a dolphin, the dolphin K hurt a hammy in warmups and Welker became the kicker that day. In fact he kicked a FG, a couple of extra points, returned punts and kicks, caught passes, had a run carry, threw a pass and made tackles on STs. A great example of a SAK.
• Troy Brown- the former Pat WR could also double as a deep S in some prevent packages and also was a great STs player as a return man and on kick coverage. Was also an excellent blocker as a WR.
• Taysom Hill- the Saints QB has also played TE, been on ST punt and KO coverage teams, can run, throw, block, tackle and pass. He may not be a great QB, but he can be used in a lot of ways.

So how about some past and current Cowboys “Swiss Army Knife” players?

• Danny White- a really good QB who also doubled as an outstanding punter and more than once, ran for a first down as a runner from punt formation.
• Robert Newhouse- former Cowboys RB with huge thighs was not only a bowling ball as a runner, but threw a TD pass in SB XII, was an underrated blocker, and early in his career was an excellent tackler on STs.
• Deion Sanders- the HOFer who was the ultimate cover corner defender, Sanders was also an offensive weapon as a receiver and runner, and was an outstanding punt returner on STs.
• Drew Pearson- the HOF WR played QB in college at Tulsa and was actually the third or emergency QB during his days as a Cowboy. Believe it or not, Pearson was 5 of 7 passing in his career for 3 TDs and 192 yards. Was also an underrated downfield blocker.
• Cedric Wilson- obviously not a star, but he not only is a WR, but has thrown a TD pass last year to Dak on a trick play, has played STs as a punt returner and some kick coverage as well. He’s also one of the better downfield blockers too.

The “Swiss Army Knife” player is a commodity. Who are some guys I forgot or need to be added to this list?

Today's nfl is very specialized

 

[Bobhaze]

It’s amazing to me that Drew Pearson has more career passing TDs than any current Cowboys backup QB candidate!