The greatness of Gil Brandt

[Bobhaze]

Gil Brandt is true Cowboys greatness and is long overdue for the ROH. Every NFL team’s scouting department owes a great debt to Gil- he was THE pioneer of modern football scouting. This lead to opening doors to many black college athletes that the NFL had not been looking at much.

Brandt was responsible for finding these Cowboys greats that were “diamonds in the rough”- guys that weren’t highly thought of, not drafted high or even drafted at all but became cornerstones that built the original Dallas dynasty:

1. Cornell Green- All Pro safety that never played college football. Brandt found him at Utah State. Played in two SBs for Dallas.

2. Mel Renfro- HOFer who played RB at Oregon Univ but Brandt saw him as a DB. Renfro became one of the best corners in NFL history and played in three SBs.

3. Jethro Pugh- great DT that played alongside Bob Lily for 12 seasons- played college FB at Elizabeth City State where Brandt found him.

4. Bob Hays- HOF WR who changed football with his blinding speed. Played football at Florida A&M, a small black college and won an Olympic gold medal in ‘64 Olympics. Most scouts thought he was “just a track guy”. Not Brandt.

5. Drew Pearson- ROH and the “original 88”- UFA who Brandt saw play QB at Tulsa Univ in college. Started as a rookie and made some of the biggest plays in Cowboys playoff history including the “Hail Mary” pass from Roger that beat the Vikings in ‘75.

6. Cliff Harris- All Pro S of the 70s that played in 3 SBs. Was a UFA from tiny Ouachita Baptist in Arkansas.

7. Thomas “Hollywood” Henderson- Pro bowl LB that was a star for only 5 seasons but played in 3 SBs. Brandt found him at tiny Langston College in Oklahoma.

8. Ed “Too Tall” Jones- Played basketball at Tennessee State but Brandt saw him as DE. Too Tall played 14 seasons and was a multi season All Pro. Played in 3 SBs.

These are just a few of the great players GIl Brandt found that 90% of other NFL teams never even looked at. Gil Brandt is a worthy addition to the ROH.

 

[Swanny]

So much more than this. This guy invented how scouting works. He is pure football genius.

 

[Rogerthat12]

Gil Brandt is true Cowboys greatness and is long overdue for the ROH. Every NFL team’s scouting department owes a great debt to Gil- he was THE pioneer of modern football scouting. This lead to opening doors to many black college athletes that the NFL had not been looking at much.

Brandt was responsible for finding these Cowboys greats that were “diamonds in the rough”- guys that weren’t highly thought of, not drafted high or even drafted at all but became cornerstones that built the original Dallas dynasty:

1. Cornell Green- All Pro safety that never played college football. Brandt found him at Utah State. Played in two SBs for Dallas.

2. Mel Renfro- HOFer who played RB at Oregon Univ but Brandt saw him as a DB. Renfro became one of the best corners in NFL history and played in three SBs.

3. Jethro Pugh- great DT that played alongside Bob Lily for 12 seasons- played college FB at Elizabeth City State where Brandt found him.

4. Bob Hays- HOF WR who changed football with his blinding speed. Played football at Florida A&M, a small black college and won an Olympic gold medal in ‘64 Olympics. Most scouts thought he was “just a track guy”. Not Brandt.

5. Drew Pearson- ROH and the “original 88”- UFA who Brandt saw play QB at Tulsa Univ in college. Started as a rookie and made some of the biggest plays in Cowboys playoff history including the “Hail Mary” pass from Roger that beat the Vikings in ‘75.

6. Cliff Harris- All Pro S of the 70s that played in 3 SBs. Was a UFA from tiny Ouachita Baptist in Arkansas.

7. Thomas “Hollywood” Henderson- Pro bowl LB that was a star for only 5 seasons but played in 3 SBs. Brandt found him at tiny Langston College in Oklahoma.

8. Ed “Too Tall” Jones- Played basketball at Tennessee State but Brandt saw him as DE. Too Tall played 14 seasons and was a multi season All Pro. Played in 3 SBs.

These are just a few of the great players GIl Brandt found that 90% of other NFL teams never even looked at. Gil Brandt is a worthy addition to the ROH.

Anyone who drafts Roger is BOSS but yes look at that resume.

Love Gil well deserved and much respect, the man is legend in my book.

 

[kuyyo_morro]

Listening on sirius xm to godfather of nfl radio is an awesome experience. He narrates so many stories from Landry days and players. Pure delight to listen to.

 

[Stash]

Better late than never, this and another honor are long overdue. I am just grateful that Brandt is being honored while he's still here to appreciate it and be appreciated.

 

[erod]

Brandt invented scouting reports and building computer databases of information on players.

Imagine that for a second.

 

[lurkercowboy]

No argument about Brandt's greatness, but 1960-1975 was one thing and 1976-1988 was another. If Dallas had been mediocre drafters instead of terrible drafters in that period, the 80s would have been a different story. Brandt had a few hits in those later drafts, but very few. Why the drop in quality? It seems that the rest of the league not only caught up with Dallas, but surpassed them.

 

[LandryFan]

Brandt invented scouting reports and building computer databases of information on players.

Imagine that for a second.

Yep. Back before Mr. Brandt came along, a lot of teams would draft according to info they would get from newspaper sports sections. Hard to conceive that that's the way teams drafted back then. The Godfather changed that forever.

 

[Runwildboys]

Hey Bobhayes, how dare you post a thread that celebrates a former Cowboys great! I hope someone comes along and tries to downplay Brandt's accomplishments.....Oh wait, there it is, a couple of posts back.

 

[Bobhaze]

Brandt invented scouting reports and building computer databases of information on players.

Imagine that for a second.

And Brandt was a pioneer in scouting small black colleges where many super talented black players were being completely overlooked. His ability to find great talent at tiny, little known places was incredible.

Guys like like Cornell Green, Too Tall Jones and Rayfield Wright all played college basketball but Brandt saw their ability to make great football players.

 

[Bobhaze]

No argument about Brandt's greatness, but 1960-1975 was one thing and 1976-1988 was another. If Dallas had been mediocre drafters instead of terrible drafters in that period, the 80s would have been a different story. Brandt had a few hits in those later drafts, but very few. Why the drop in quality? It seems that the rest of the league not only caught up with Dallas, but surpassed them.

Greatness is almost impossible to sustain in competitive pro sports like the NFL. Gil Brandt’s greatness for two decades is not in any way diminished by lesser drafts at the end of his career.

 

[lurkercowboy]

Greatness is almost impossible to sustain in competitive pro sports like the NFL. Gil Brandt’s greatness for two decades is not in any way diminished by lesser drafts at the end of his career.

No doubt Brandt deserves ROH and HOF also. But that was a long string of poor drafts. Who knows of course where the responsibility lay because it could have been the scouts or Landry or whoever. As an organization, there was a big drop off and I’ve always wondered why.

 

[OmerV]

Gil Brandt is true Cowboys greatness and is long overdue for the ROH. Every NFL team’s scouting department owes a great debt to Gil- he was THE pioneer of modern football scouting. This lead to opening doors to many black college athletes that the NFL had not been looking at much.

Brandt was responsible for finding these Cowboys greats that were “diamonds in the rough”- guys that weren’t highly thought of, not drafted high or even drafted at all but became cornerstones that built the original Dallas dynasty:

1. Cornell Green- All Pro safety that never played college football. Brandt found him at Utah State. Played in two SBs for Dallas.

2. Mel Renfro- HOFer who played RB at Oregon Univ but Brandt saw him as a DB. Renfro became one of the best corners in NFL history and played in three SBs.

3. Jethro Pugh- great DT that played alongside Bob Lily for 12 seasons- played college FB at Elizabeth City State where Brandt found him.

4. Bob Hays- HOF WR who changed football with his blinding speed. Played football at Florida A&M, a small black college and won an Olympic gold medal in ‘64 Olympics. Most scouts thought he was “just a track guy”. Not Brandt.

5. Drew Pearson- ROH and the “original 88”- UFA who Brandt saw play QB at Tulsa Univ in college. Started as a rookie and made some of the biggest plays in Cowboys playoff history including the “Hail Mary” pass from Roger that beat the Vikings in ‘75.

6. Cliff Harris- All Pro S of the 70s that played in 3 SBs. Was a UFA from tiny Ouachita Baptist in Arkansas.

7. Thomas “Hollywood” Henderson- Pro bowl LB that was a star for only 5 seasons but played in 3 SBs. Brandt found him at tiny Langston College in Oklahoma.

8. Ed “Too Tall” Jones- Played basketball at Tennessee State but Brandt saw him as DE. Too Tall played 14 seasons and was a multi season All Pro. Played in 3 SBs.

These are just a few of the great players GIl Brandt found that 90% of other NFL teams never even looked at. Gil Brandt is a worthy addition to the ROH.

And there was Rayfield Wright who was primarily a basketball player at small school Fort Valley State. The Cowboys drafted him as a TE, and for 3 years weren't sure where he fit best, using him not only at TE, but DE and OT as well. Eventually he settled in at OT, but the bottom line is Brandt believed Wright could be a good football player and took a chance on him.

 

[Bobhaze]

And there was Rayfield Wright who was primarily a basketball player at small school Fort Valley State. The Cowboys drafted him as a TE, and for 3 years weren't sure where he fit best, using him not only at TE, but DE and OT as well. Eventually he settled in at OT, but the bottom line is Brandt believed Wright could be a good football player and took a chance on him.

Thank you O. I should have included HOFer Rayfield Wright. The “Big Cat” protected Roger Staubach’s blind side for a decade!

 

[unionjack8]

No argument about Brandt's greatness, but 1960-1975 was one thing and 1976-1988 was another. If Dallas had been mediocre drafters instead of terrible drafters in that period, the 80s would have been a different story. Brandt had a few hits in those later drafts, but very few. Why the drop in quality? It seems that the rest of the league not only caught up with Dallas, but surpassed them.

This is true but the game of football and indeed the cowboys cannot under state his accomplishments and advancement of scouting due to him.
He did after all draft Herschel walker in the 5th round to help jimmy rebuild.
His hits became few and far between and the 80's consisted of more busts than hits....
but he deserves to be in the ROH and HOF no doubt.

 

[cowboyec]

his list of finds is a who's who in Cowboys lore.
among my favs
☆Mel Renfro
☆Cornell Green
☆Willie Townes
☆Jethro Pugh
☆Ray Wright
☆Too Tall and Harvey Martin
☆Drew Pearson
☆Mike Hegman
and on
and on
and on
Thank You Gil

 

[Plankton]

No doubt Brandt deserves ROH and HOF also. But that was a long string of poor drafts. Who knows of course where the responsibility lay because it could have been the scouts or Landry or whoever. As an organization, there was a big drop off and I’ve always wondered why.

There are many reasons to consider:

1. Timing of the draft changed. Starting in 1978, the draft moved from taking place in January to moving first to March, then to May before settling into April. Once this change happened, it gave other teams much more time to scout (many teams still relied on their coaching staffs for assistance in this endeavor), and made many more of the "diamonds in the rough" mainstream players.
2. Drafting to need instead of BPA. In 1979, in the third round, the Cowboys had Joe Montana as the highest rated player on their board. The braintrust felt that with a 37 year old Roger Staubach, a 27 year old Danny White and a 24 year old Glenn Carano that they didn't need a QB. Instead, they drafted Doug Cosbie. Cosbie was a very good tight end. Montana is one of the best to have ever played, and with Staubach retiring following the season, the non-selection stands out even more as a bad move. Go forward to 1983. The Cowboys tried to trade with the Colts for John Elway, and failed. With Dan Marino sitting in their laps, they passed on him and selected Jim Jeffcoat, a need at DE with Harvey Martin deep in the throws of cocaine problems, and about to play the last year of his career. Jeffcoat was a very good defensive end. Marino, well, see Montana.
   
3. Bad ability to self-scout. The team didn't move on from older players when they should have, and as a result (and one can argue whether this is chicken-->egg), they went less for sure things and more for off the beaten path selections (see Rod Hill), or just plain reaches (see Howard Richards). They also let guys like Mike Walter and Mike Wilson, who could play and would be big contributors to the 49ers, go while keeping guys like Doug Donley (who couldn't play) and Steve DeOssie, who only contributed on special teams.
   
4. Failure to adapt to change. By the 1980's, most teams around the league had caught up to the Cowboys computerized system. Brandt, in reality, wasn't a true scout. He couldn't look at a player per se and tell you if he could play or not. What made him was his information network with coaches around college football. As he got older, so did his contacts. Collectively, the information wasn't as reliable, and the Cowboys suffered.
5. Injuries. Two Cowboy first round picks played less than three seasons due to injuries. Robert Shaw, drafted to replace John Fitzgerald at center, got into a car wreck that ended his career in his second year. Billy Cannon Jr., selected with the intention of replacing Bob Bruenig, injured his neck in his rookie season, and never played again. Mike Sherrard, the Cowboys first rounder in 1986, shattered his tibia while jogging on the beach, and proceeded to break it again the following season in camp. He never built off of a very promising rookie season.

Any of the above reasons contributed to the misses seen post-1977.

 

[Diehardblues]

I applaud Jerry as it’s never too late to do the right thing but most likely since Gils up for induction into the HOF in 2019 Jerry didn’t want to look the fool if he gets in.

 

[OmerV]

Thank you O. I should have included HOFer Rayfield Wright. The “Big Cat” protected Roger Staubach’s blind side for a decade!

I was just reading about Gil Brandt and another of his interesting discoveries was mentioned. Tony Frisch - an Austrian soccer player who had never played American football before.

 

[Diehardblues]

How about Jethro Pugh from Elizabeth City College. The only NFL player ever drafted from that school I believe in New Jersey.

Cliff Harris from Ouichita Baptist. Where? Lol