Cowboys that literally changed the way game is played

Diehardblues

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I saw Bullet Bob play in person several times over the years. I’ve seen a ton of exciting, game changing football players over the years. But in my memory, there’s no one I’ve ever seen that was more exciting to watch.

He was literally a threat to score every time he touched the ball. He had 71 TD passes, 2 rushing TDs, and 3 punt return TDs. He had 6 TDs over 85 yards! A game changer- literally.
He was the most exciting Cowboy. Dorsett would be next for me.

We tried to sign Carl Lewis. Tex used a draft pick on him but never got him signed.
 

Redball Express

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These three Cowboys- one coach and two players- literally changed the way the NFL game was played for decades to come. All three of course are in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
  • Tom Landry- One of the most innovative coaches in football history on both sides of the ball. Landry was credited with several innovations that literally changed the way Football was played:
    • He invented the 4-3 defense while an assistant coach in NY. which became the base defense for most NFL teams for decades.
    • While in Dallas, he developed what became known as “multiple formation offense“, which had multiple offensive players moving to non traditional places on the field. Like TEs lining up in a slot, or RBs moving into multiple places. It also featured having the OL stand up while players were shifting, making it difficult for the defense to see where players were moving. Now known as “the Landry shift”.
    • In 1975, Landry reintroduced the “shotgun formation”, moving the QB five yards behind the center. It has become the most common snap formation in football. Landry didn’t invent the shotgun, but he’s the one that made it work and stick around.
  • Bob Hayes- one of the few players in NFL history that was so unstoppable as a speed receiver, NFL defensive coaches had to change coverage schemes from man to zone. Before Bob Hayes, man coverage was the dominant way secondaries covered receivers. Bob Hayes shattered that. Look at his numbers in his career:
    • In 1965, ‘67, ‘70 and ‘71, Hayes averaged over 20 yards per catch, including two of those years averaging 26 and 24 yards per catch.
    • Retired with a 20 yard per reception avg. Unbelievable.
    • Hayes had 6 TD receptions of 85 yards or more.
    • The modern NFL speed receiver began with Bob Hayes.
  • Roger Staubach- he was already a very successful QB when in 1975, Tom Landry reintroduced the shotgun formation and Roger used it so effectively, eventually all NFL teams use it today. In fact, over 60% of NFL plays today are from the shotgun.
    • In the 1975 season, Staubach used the shotgun to devastating effect in the playoffs, including the famous “Hail Mary” pass to Drew Pearson against the Vikings in the divisional round on the way to an NFC championship.
    • Staubach was so effective in the shotgun, his completion % increased 5 points and he was able to see passing and running lanes much quicker.
    • Staubach’s success in the shotgun paved the way for the modern use of it in the now common “spread offenses”.
Here’s an interesting 2017 article about the installation of the shotgun by Landry in 1975:
https://www.usatoday.com/story/spor...andry-installed-shotgun-for-cowboys/96558584/

N
ot many NFL teams can say they have three people that literally changed the game of football and how it is played.
You guys failed to bring up one of the biggest players we ever had play for us..

Deion Sanders.

Obviously his coverage of Michael Irvin against us as a 49er forced Jerrah to pay the price to sign him as a FA just to delete the difference maker b/w us and the 9ers back in the 90's resulting in 3 SBs.

No one player could have done that for us in any era.

Not to mention how his single coverage took away half the field and the other team's best WR.

Not to mention as a PR, nobody was better.

And even as a WR..he could do some damage if only drawing double coverage becuz he was so dangerous.

To me..he is always going to be the best and did the most at changing the game.
 
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GMO415

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I saw Bullet Bob play in person several times over the years. I’ve seen a ton of exciting, game changing football players over the years. But in my memory, there’s no one I’ve ever seen that was more exciting to watch.

He was literally a threat to score every time he touched the ball. He had 71 TD passes, 2 rushing TDs, and 3 punt return TDs. He had 6 TDs over 85 yards! A game changer- literally.
6 TDs over 85 yards is just jaw dropping.
 

Diehardblues

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You guys failed to bring up one of the biggest players we ever had play for us..

Dione Sanders.

Obviously his coverage of Michael Irvin against us as a 49er forced Jerrah to pay the price to sign him as a FA just to delete the difference maker b/w us and the 9ers back in the 90's resulting in 3 SBs.

No one player could have done that for us in any era.

Not to mention how his single coverage took away half the field and the other team's best WR.

Not to mention as a PR, nobody was better.

And even as a WR..he could do some damage if only drawing double coverage becuz he was so dangerous.

To me..he is always going to be the best.
We all don’t consider him a true Cowboy anymore than he does himself. But he was a contributing factor in winning our 5th Ring. And a great talent.

Assuming you are referring to Deion Sanders?
If not I’m not sure who Dione is?
 

Diehardblues

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Carl Lewis looked too frail.
I never saw him on the football field. Difficult to evaluate. But based on speed alone like evaluating Hayes I’d like to have seen . Obviously Tex did too using a draft pick.

I’d give Usian Bolt a shot too.
 

Bobhaze

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He was the most exciting Cowboy. Dorsett would be next for me.

We tried to sign Carl Lewis. Tex used a draft pick on him but never got him signed.
But that was back in the days when teams had 12 or more rounds in the draft. Many teams did “public relations” Picks that were more symbolic than serious.
 

quickccc

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Awesome job Bullet, thanks! It still pisses-me-off that the NFL ranked Green the fastest NFL player in history over Bullet.

Like most of the guest on the episode said..."Green? How many Golds did he win in the Olympics?"

So long as NFL is advertising and sponsoring that NFL fastest man contest they're still running, they'll keep up advertising Darrell green who was a constant winner of it.

If it were based on just gold medals wouldn't reynaldo nenaimea (sp) also be in the mix?
And he was just a spot player...until he got jacked up and outta the game.
 

Ring Leader

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Renaldo Nehemiah ran the 110m high hurdles. Typically hurdlers are not as fast as sprinters so I don't think Renaldo was faster than Soylent Green and certainly not Bullet Bob.
 

Diehardblues

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But that was back in the days when teams had 12 or more rounds in the draft. Many teams did “public relations” Picks that were more symbolic than serious.
I’m not sure I’d describe as public relations pick. Are there any others you’d describe as such?

I recall at the time they really entertained the idea of persuading him to try out. The fact they had 12 rounds afforded them the opportunity.

Cowboys had a history of using drafts picks on great talents they weren’t sure would ever play for them but wanted the rights in case. Which worked out pretty well with Herschel and Roger for example.
 
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eromeopolk

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These three Cowboys- one coach and two players- literally changed the way the NFL game was played for decades to come. All three of course are in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
  • Tom Landry- One of the most innovative coaches in football history on both sides of the ball. Landry was credited with several innovations that literally changed the way Football was played:
    • He invented the 4-3 defense while an assistant coach in NY. which became the base defense for most NFL teams for decades.
    • While in Dallas, he developed what became known as “multiple formation offense“, which had multiple offensive players moving to non traditional places on the field. Like TEs lining up in a slot, or RBs moving into multiple places. It also featured having the OL stand up while players were shifting, making it difficult for the defense to see where players were moving. Now known as “the Landry shift”.
    • In 1975, Landry reintroduced the “shotgun formation”, moving the QB five yards behind the center. It has become the most common snap formation in football. Landry didn’t invent the shotgun, but he’s the one that made it work and stick around.
  • Bob Hayes- one of the few players in NFL history that was so unstoppable as a speed receiver, NFL defensive coaches had to change coverage schemes from man to zone. Before Bob Hayes, man coverage was the dominant way secondaries covered receivers. Bob Hayes shattered that. Look at his numbers in his career:
    • In 1965, ‘67, ‘70 and ‘71, Hayes averaged over 20 yards per catch, including two of those years averaging 26 and 24 yards per catch.
    • Retired with a 20 yard per reception avg. Unbelievable.
    • Hayes had 6 TD receptions of 85 yards or more.
    • The modern NFL speed receiver began with Bob Hayes.
  • Roger Staubach- he was already a very successful QB when in 1975, Tom Landry reintroduced the shotgun formation and Roger used it so effectively, eventually all NFL teams use it today. In fact, over 60% of NFL plays today are from the shotgun.
    • In the 1975 season, Staubach used the shotgun to devastating effect in the playoffs, including the famous “Hail Mary” pass to Drew Pearson against the Vikings in the divisional round on the way to an NFC championship.
    • Staubach was so effective in the shotgun, his completion % increased 5 points and he was able to see passing and running lanes much quicker.
    • Staubach’s success in the shotgun paved the way for the modern use of it in the now common “spread offenses”.
Here’s an interesting 2017 article about the installation of the shotgun by Landry in 1975:
https://www.usatoday.com/story/spor...andry-installed-shotgun-for-cowboys/96558584/

N
ot many NFL teams can say they have three people that literally changed the game of football and how it is played.
Don't forget the Jimmy Johnson Cowboys 4-3 Slide/Miami/1 Gap Attack Defense - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Miami_4–3_defense
Also the man zone coverage using speed linebackers in man coverage and playing zone but yet freeing up the FS to make plays. Some call it a Cover 6 but as Bill Belichick explained of the 90's Cowboys pass coverage defense was more complex.

Also Landry use of the WB/TE sweep on running plays and the screen pass game to RBs and TEs was also innovative.
 

Oz-of-Cowboy-Country

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TRUE or FALSE


Erik Williams. Hands to the face.

Bill Bates. Special teams pro-bowl selection.

Jimmy Johnson. Stopped running the hurry-up at the end of the first and third quarters.

Jim Jeffcoat. The close line.

Troy Aikman. Concussions.

Marion Barber. Crown of the helmet.

Marion Barber. The punching stuff arm.

Jason Garrett. Icing your own kicker.

Roy Williams. Hitting defenseless players.

Jerry Jones. Created the practice squad.

Terrell Owens. Taunting.

Micheal Irvin. Suspensions for off the field issues.

Tex Schramm. Cheer leaders.



True or False?
 

buybuydandavis

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These three Cowboys- one coach and two players- literally changed the way the NFL game was played for decades to come. All three of course are in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
  • Tom Landry- One of the most innovative coaches in football history on both sides of the ball. Landry was credited with several innovations that literally changed the way Football was played:
    • He invented the 4-3 defense while an assistant coach in NY. which became the base defense for most NFL teams for decades.
    • While in Dallas, he developed what became known as “multiple formation offense“, which had multiple offensive players moving to non traditional places on the field. Like TEs lining up in a slot, or RBs moving into multiple places. It also featured having the OL stand up while players were shifting, making it difficult for the defense to see where players were moving. Now known as “the Landry shift”.
    • In 1975, Landry reintroduced the “shotgun formation”, moving the QB five yards behind the center. It has become the most common snap formation in football. Landry didn’t invent the shotgun, but he’s the one that made it work and stick around.
  • Bob Hayes- one of the few players in NFL history that was so unstoppable as a speed receiver, NFL defensive coaches had to change coverage schemes from man to zone. Before Bob Hayes, man coverage was the dominant way secondaries covered receivers. Bob Hayes shattered that. Look at his numbers in his career:
    • In 1965, ‘67, ‘70 and ‘71, Hayes averaged over 20 yards per catch, including two of those years averaging 26 and 24 yards per catch.
    • Retired with a 20 yard per reception avg. Unbelievable.
    • Hayes had 6 TD receptions of 85 yards or more.
    • The modern NFL speed receiver began with Bob Hayes.
  • Roger Staubach- he was already a very successful QB when in 1975, Tom Landry reintroduced the shotgun formation and Roger used it so effectively, eventually all NFL teams use it today. In fact, over 60% of NFL plays today are from the shotgun.
    • In the 1975 season, Staubach used the shotgun to devastating effect in the playoffs, including the famous “Hail Mary” pass to Drew Pearson against the Vikings in the divisional round on the way to an NFC championship.
    • Staubach was so effective in the shotgun, his completion % increased 5 points and he was able to see passing and running lanes much quicker.
    • Staubach’s success in the shotgun paved the way for the modern use of it in the now common “spread offenses”.
Here’s an interesting 2017 article about the installation of the shotgun by Landry in 1975:
https://www.usatoday.com/story/spor...andry-installed-shotgun-for-cowboys/96558584/

N
ot many NFL teams can say they have three people that literally changed the game of football and how it is played.

Roy Williams got his own rule!
 

RS12

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I'm obviously too young to have watched Staubach play, but I've always found it to be a shame that he retired in 1979, since he was really at his peak as a QB. I think we could have accomplished more from 1980-1982.

Why did he retire again? Concussions? I know Gil and Tex were trying to extend him at the time of the decision.
I am convinced they beat the Egirls in the 1980 Championship game if Roger played one more year and face the Raiders in an epic SB. Would have been one for the ages. Instead Egirls got beat down by the Raiders in a real yawner.
 

ClappingCarrot

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I am convinced they beat the Egirls in the 1980 Championship game if Roger played one more year and face the Raiders in an epic SB. Would have been one for the ages. Instead Egirls got beat down by the Raiders in a real yawner.
Silly Eagles.

Jaws threw a beautiful touchdown pass early in the game and it was negated by a Harold Carmichael penalty. They never recovered.
 

MWH1967

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"Turn out the lights" was literally my favorite ever....Dandy Don
 

INCowboysFan

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Bob was called the “fastest human “on the planet during his time.

But was he faster than Green? We know Bob wouldn’t be the fastest human now.
Do we though? If he ran on today's high tech tracks instead of a cinder track his times would be significantly lower.
 

Diehardblues

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Do we though? If he ran on today's high tech tracks instead of a cinder track his times would be significantly lower.
That’s a subjective argument. All we can do is compare their times. And for the sake of argument times have continued to get faster because of more than just the tracks.
 
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