CFZ The best Cowboys WR most fans have never heard of

Bobhaze

Staff member
Messages
16,412
Reaction score
62,474
CowboysZone ULTIMATE Fan
T-Hill is in the team club records and stats, and he's played entire lengthy NFL career, all with the Cowboys - and a case can be made for him having a ballot for the Ring of Honor.
But was he better and more dominant than Owens ? ..... Was he better and more dominant than Dez ?
Hill would be 6th overall if my list would stretch out to that .. but otherwise ...

WRs
1 Michael Irvin
2 Bob Hayes
3 Drew Pearson
4 Terrell Owens
5 Dez Bryant
TO was certainly a better receiver than Hill. By far. But I don’t include him in the “all time Cowboy” lists because he was only here 3 seasons- 2006-08.
 

quickccc

Well-Known Member
Messages
16,062
Reaction score
13,981
TO was certainly a better receiver than Hill. By far. But I don’t include him in the “all time Cowboy” lists because he was only here 3 seasons- 2006-08.

If we were talkin' Cowboys Ring of Honor ... then not only would i agree with Hill over Owen for Cowboys career longevity, .. but i myself would not include Any non-original Cowboys player
that did not start out his career as a Cowboy from scratch. Whether Draft ..or undrafted rookie free agent (ala Everson Walls) only

No traded vets, (ala Haley) ..or vet free agent vet sign ons (ala Deion) .
.. Just me but i think the Ring of Honor should be so sacred that it's only for " original " Cowboys players that were ground rooted here from the start. o_O
 

gimmesix

Fat, drunk and stupid is no way to go through life
Messages
37,339
Reaction score
34,464
Here I thought this thread was going to be about some "no-name" like Golden Richards or Billy Howton (with us at least) or maybe even Kelvin Martin, but fans who've never heard of Tony Hill had to have been born after the 1980s or not paying attention to this franchise.
 
Last edited:

gimmesix

Fat, drunk and stupid is no way to go through life
Messages
37,339
Reaction score
34,464
Thrill Hill wasn’t an unknown . When I read the title I was thinking this could be about Frank Clarke.Cowboys first good starting receiver.

Almost mentioned Clarke, but I thought some really old-timer (more so than me) would hit me with his cane. Of course, Howton started around the same time period, but he didn't really make his name with us. Even Cowboys fans from that era might not remember that he spent his last four years with us after great success in Green Bay.
 

gimmesix

Fat, drunk and stupid is no way to go through life
Messages
37,339
Reaction score
34,464
IMO he’s not HOF worthy. But he’s ROH worthy. He does have more career yards than Drew Pearson and Bob Hayes. He’s second only to Irvin in number of career 100 yd games with 26. But I don’t think he’s HOF material.

And he did it in fewer games than Pearson and has more TD catches. Of course, I think that was part of the argument against putting Pearson in the Hall of Fame.
 

plasticman

Well-Known Member
Messages
9,394
Reaction score
15,914
Excellent choice.

I remember the day Landry announced that Tony Hill won the starting job over Golden Richards. It was a little of a shock because Tom Landry valued experience and Tony was just entering his second season. Also, Landry very rarely made this kind of change to the lineup. He believed in tenure.

Landry obviously made the right choice. From 1978 to 1985 Tony Hill was the Cowboys leading receiver. he participated in 17 playoff games including 5 NFC championship games and two Super Bowls.
 

Doomsday101

Well-Known Member
Messages
107,762
Reaction score
39,034
The original #80. Tony “Thrill” Hill is IMO one of the top 4-5 receivers in Cowboys history. And most Cowboys fans know little to nothing about him.

Tony Hill was drafted in the 3rd round in 1977, and after a slow rookie season, he led the Cowboys in receptions, yards and TDs for the next 9 seasons.

In 1979, Hill and Drew Pearson- along with the great Tony Dorsett- became the first team in NFL history to have two 1,000-yards WRs and a 1,000-yard RB, when he recorded 60 receptions, 1,062 yards and 10 TDs. Pearson and Hill also became the first WR tandem in Cowboys history, to record 1,000-yard receiving seasons in the same year.

Hill was often in the shadow of the OG #88, HOF WR Drew Pearson who made the NFL’s 70s All Decade Team. But Hill had a surprisingly great career. Here are some of his highlights:
  • Tony Hill had more career yards than Bob Hayes, Drew Pearson and Dez Bryant, making him 3rd all time in receiving yds in team history.
  • He led the team in receptions 9 straight seasons from 1978-86.
  • Hill played in 17 playoff games in his 10 seasons, including 2 SBs and 5 NFC championships. He caught a thrilling TD reception in SB XIII against the Steelers.
  • Averaged 16.7 yds per reception for his career.
  • Had a whopping 26 games of 100 yds or more receiving.
  • He caught passes in 59 straight games.
  • Hill was named to the Cowboys 50 year anniversary team.
  • Hill should be in the ROH.
The next time a list of the all time great Cowboys receivers is made, don’t forget about Tony “Thrill” Hill. I have him as the 4th best WR in Cowboys history behind only Michael Irvin, Drew Pearson, and Bob Hayes.

Thrill Hill, you bet the man was a stud. Drew made the spectacular receptions but Tony Hill was great
 

muck4doo

Least-Known Member
Messages
3,877
Reaction score
2,189
The original #80. Tony “Thrill” Hill is IMO one of the top 4-5 receivers in Cowboys history. And most Cowboys fans know little to nothing about him.

Tony Hill was drafted in the 3rd round in 1977, and after a slow rookie season, he led the Cowboys in receptions, yards and TDs for the next 9 seasons.

In 1979, Hill and Drew Pearson- along with the great Tony Dorsett- became the first team in NFL history to have two 1,000-yards WRs and a 1,000-yard RB, when he recorded 60 receptions, 1,062 yards and 10 TDs. Pearson and Hill also became the first WR tandem in Cowboys history, to record 1,000-yard receiving seasons in the same year.

Hill was often in the shadow of the OG #88, HOF WR Drew Pearson who made the NFL’s 70s All Decade Team. But Hill had a surprisingly great career. Here are some of his highlights:
  • Tony Hill had more career yards than Bob Hayes, Drew Pearson and Dez Bryant, making him 3rd all time in receiving yds in team history.
  • He led the team in receptions 9 straight seasons from 1978-86.
  • Hill played in 17 playoff games in his 10 seasons, including 2 SBs and 5 NFC championships. He caught a thrilling TD reception in SB XIII against the Steelers.
  • Averaged 16.7 yds per reception for his career.
  • Had a whopping 26 games of 100 yds or more receiving.
  • He caught passes in 59 straight games.
  • Hill was named to the Cowboys 50 year anniversary team.
  • Hill should be in the ROH.
The next time a list of the all time great Cowboys receivers is made, don’t forget about Tony “Thrill” Hill. I have him as the 4th best WR in Cowboys history behind only Michael Irvin, Drew Pearson, and Bob Hayes.
My first thought as soon as I saw the title.
 

Cowboysheelsreds053

Well-Known Member
Messages
15,639
Reaction score
10,967
No receiver on the cowboys was better than TO. You can argue that some other guys had longer and better Cowboy careers, but none of them were a better receiver than TO.

Still remember when TO caught up with the receiver who scored the TD and escorted him into the end zone. He was moving.
 

Runwildboys

Confused about stuff
Messages
50,240
Reaction score
94,112
CowboysZone DIEHARD Fan
The original #80. Tony “Thrill” Hill is IMO one of the top 4-5 receivers in Cowboys history. And most Cowboys fans know little to nothing about him.

Tony Hill was drafted in the 3rd round in 1977, and after a slow rookie season, he led the Cowboys in receptions, yards and TDs for the next 9 seasons.

In 1979, Hill and Drew Pearson- along with the great Tony Dorsett- became the first team in NFL history to have two 1,000-yards WRs and a 1,000-yard RB, when he recorded 60 receptions, 1,062 yards and 10 TDs. Pearson and Hill also became the first WR tandem in Cowboys history, to record 1,000-yard receiving seasons in the same year.

Hill was often in the shadow of the OG #88, HOF WR Drew Pearson who made the NFL’s 70s All Decade Team. But Hill had a surprisingly great career. Here are some of his highlights:
  • Tony Hill had more career yards than Bob Hayes, Drew Pearson and Dez Bryant, making him 3rd all time in receiving yds in team history.
  • He led the team in receptions 9 straight seasons from 1978-86.
  • Hill played in 17 playoff games in his 10 seasons, including 2 SBs and 5 NFC championships. He caught a thrilling TD reception in SB XIII against the Steelers.
  • Averaged 16.7 yds per reception for his career.
  • Had a whopping 26 games of 100 yds or more receiving.
  • He caught passes in 59 straight games.
  • Hill was named to the Cowboys 50 year anniversary team.
  • Hill should be in the ROH.
The next time a list of the all time great Cowboys receivers is made, don’t forget about Tony “Thrill” Hill. I have him as the 4th best WR in Cowboys history behind only Michael Irvin, Drew Pearson, and Bob Hayes.
 

Flamma

Well-Known Member
Messages
21,800
Reaction score
18,666
The original #80. Tony “Thrill” Hill is IMO one of the top 4-5 receivers in Cowboys history. And most Cowboys fans know little to nothing about him.

Tony Hill was drafted in the 3rd round in 1977, and after a slow rookie season, he led the Cowboys in receptions, yards and TDs for the next 9 seasons.

In 1979, Hill and Drew Pearson- along with the great Tony Dorsett- became the first team in NFL history to have two 1,000-yards WRs and a 1,000-yard RB, when he recorded 60 receptions, 1,062 yards and 10 TDs. Pearson and Hill also became the first WR tandem in Cowboys history, to record 1,000-yard receiving seasons in the same year.

Hill was often in the shadow of the OG #88, HOF WR Drew Pearson who made the NFL’s 70s All Decade Team. But Hill had a surprisingly great career. Here are some of his highlights:
  • Tony Hill had more career yards than Bob Hayes, Drew Pearson and Dez Bryant, making him 3rd all time in receiving yds in team history.
  • He led the team in receptions 9 straight seasons from 1978-86.
  • Hill played in 17 playoff games in his 10 seasons, including 2 SBs and 5 NFC championships. He caught a thrilling TD reception in SB XIII against the Steelers.
  • Averaged 16.7 yds per reception for his career.
  • Had a whopping 26 games of 100 yds or more receiving.
  • He caught passes in 59 straight games.
  • Hill was named to the Cowboys 50 year anniversary team.
  • Hill should be in the ROH.
The next time a list of the all time great Cowboys receivers is made, don’t forget about Tony “Thrill” Hill. I have him as the 4th best WR in Cowboys history behind only Michael Irvin, Drew Pearson, and Bob Hayes.

Any Cowboys fan old enough to watch the team back then knows Tony Hill very well. One of my all time favorite WRs. I think he was the one to catch the game winning TD in that massive comeback against the Commanders. If you're familiar with the game I am referring to. I'm pretty sure it was him. Excellent route runner.

You know, I don't like the fact football team replaces the old name when written. They were not the football team back in the 80s. Just like the Houston Oilers weren't the Titans, but you don't see Titans replace the word Oilers when used on this forum.
 

Captain-Crash

Well-Known Member
Messages
21,052
Reaction score
32,983
I thought you were going to say, Frank Clarke

He had the best opening day performance of any Cowboys receiver in team history, catching 10 passes for 241 yards. In 1962, he became the first Cowboy receiver to gain 1,000 yards in a season. He also had 14 touchdown receptions that year, which was a Cowboy record until Terrell Owens broke it in the 2007 season. He finished his Cowboy career with 281 receptions for 5,214 yards and 51 touchdowns.
 

Bobhaze

Staff member
Messages
16,412
Reaction score
62,474
CowboysZone ULTIMATE Fan
I thought you were going to say, Frank Clarke

He had the best opening day performance of any Cowboys receiver in team history, catching 10 passes for 241 yards. In 1962, he became the first Cowboy receiver to gain 1,000 yards in a season. He also had 14 touchdown receptions that year, which was a Cowboy record until Terrell Owens broke it in the 2007 season. He finished his Cowboy career with 281 receptions for 5,214 yards and 51 touchdowns.
Clarke was great. I got to see him play in person when I was a little kid back in the 60s at the Cotton Bowl. He was surprisingly big and fast.
 
Top