Which Team Had the Number 1 Overall Selection Three Years in a Row?

[fivetwos]

The Walsh pick worked out, but only because the Saints overpaid Dallas to acquire him. The Cowboys were able to use those picks to move around and end up with Erik Williams along with Russell Maryland. While Maryland didn't play up to a #1 draft status, he was an important cog in the Dallas dynasty.

I always believed had Dallas not drafted Walsh, they probably draft Cortez Kennedy #1 overall in the 1990 draft. That would have greatly changed how things went. While Kennedy was far better than Maryland and would have anchored that defense, it most likely would have meant no Emmitt Smith. Things ended up well for Dallas after gambling on a QB who was really no better than Steve Pelluer.

I was upset at the Walsh pick at the time, mostly because I believed Aikman was the better of the two by far. Jimmy wasn’t sure, and knew he was screwed if he didn’t get QB right, so he hedged his bet.

He of all people would have wanted Kennedy, but if they had him, maybe they don’t feel the need to deal for Haley.

Then again maybe they do and instead of three titles in four years, they stomp all over the league and win five years in a row.

 

[Zekeats]

I thought you said 3 years in a row?

 

[plasticman]

When Jimmy Johnson took over the team he didn't let anyone off the hook, everyone had to prove themselves, even a #1 overall pick.

Jimmy Johnson believed in competition. You had to earn your position by outplaying everyone else who wanted it. He reasoned that anyone who believed they were the best shouldn't be afraid of competition, they would welcome it as a way to prove it. So, even Troy Aikman was never handed the position.

We've all seen it. It is just assumed that a top pick in the first round will just get handed the starting position. If not immediately, then at some point in the season. However, Jimmy also knew that competition made everyone better. Jimmy was also a believer in fear. A player that is comfortable as a starter won't be as motivated to play harder, improve, and give everything he has. A player that fears the loss of his starting position will be motivated. Troy proved himself and Walsh moved on.

Jerry doesn't understand any of this at all. He would give players a huge contract and assume that player had the ability to play to the level the contract implied. He has always thought that money motivates performance. That's not true. A larger contract doesn't automatically build larger muscles, increase speed, or enhance natural talent.

 

[plasticman]

You could say the Cowboys screwed up on two of the selections. Just goes to show that having the top pick means nothing in a draft that does not have stars. The Russell Maryland draft was awful at the top.

He wanted Rocket Ismail but he signed with the CFL the morning of teh draft. Imagine Rocket on one side and Irvin on the other.

Jimmy loved speed.

 

[baltcowboy]

He wanted Rocket Ismail but he signed with the CFL the morning of teh draft. Imagine Rocket on one side and Irvin on the other.

Jimmy loved speed.

I forgot about that. Sounds like Jerry was being cheap. It’s funny because that one year with Rocket, Troy looked awesome with him. Of course they were passed their prime and Irvin retired.